Wildcat Update
September 11, 2020
Exciting News!!!! Kids Come Back on Campus!!!!
Return to Campus
Last night the school board approved Dr. Finch's proposal for a phased in start back to school.
Start Dates
- 9/24 Kindergarten
- 9/29 1st-3rd Grades
- 10/5 4th-6th Grades
Please fill out this survey before Monday to let us know if you will be sending your students back on campus or enrolling to DVOA. This survey is very important for staffing decisions. Please fill it out for each child you have. You will need to know your child's identification number- this is their lunch number. If you don't know this number you can call the office and we will look it up for you.
If there are any neighbors you have that you know they plan to re-enroll their child once students are back on campus please tell them to call the office and let us know. This too is very important for staffing!
Face Coverings
Face coverings are required however there will many mask breaks. Students will not wear masks in the cafeteria while they are eating as they will be sitting six feet apart. They have the opportunity to take their masks off in PE and recess when participating in physical activity.
Recess
Students will be allowed to play on the play equipment. They will wash their hands before and after being on the playground. We arranged the schedule so there is only one grade level in a designated area at a time. A special Thank You to Marvin Rose for his donation to the school. We used that donation to purchase mesh bags filled with sports play equipment for each grade level for students to use at recess.
Calendar
There is no school on September 28 and October 2 is a full school day.
Breaking News from Food and Nutrition
Free! Free! Free!
Curbside Meals have been extended for all children 18 years and younger until Dec. 31, 2020. These meals are free!!! Meal pick up times will remain the same: Tuesdays and Thursdays from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. in the bus drop area.
School Spirit T-Shirt Order
Orders begin this week online at spiritandpride.com or call 1 (800) 854-4452. See the attached flyer.First Day Packet Paperwork
The following documents from the first day packets need to be turned in ASAP: pink sheets needs to be edited and signed, blue directory internet permission forms and the green students rights and responsibilities forms need to be signed.
Please turn them into the front office, fax (623-376-3580) or you can scan them and email to lisa.willingham@dvusd.org.
Shot Records
Nurse Holley needs shot records. They can be turned in by person, fax or scan and email them to holley.nelson@dvusd.org.
Wildcats PTSA
Mark your calendars: PTSA first general meeting is September 14 at 6:30 pm. A zoom link will be sent out closer to the date of the meeting.
If you want to become a member, annual membership fees are $7 per individual member. Cash, check and PayPal payments are accepted. Make checks payable to New River PTSA or submit through PayPal to Nreptsa@gmail.com. There are also membership forms in the office for you to come in person to join.
Thank you Alex Akers from Equitable!
Meet Mr. Guevara
Raised Garden Project Update
Next week's motto is:
I am willing to introduce myself
and get to know new people.
Small talk is an important skill because it builds social confidence and is fairly easy to learn. While small talk can be viewed as superficial or shallow, studies show that to have more meaningful and in-depth conversations; small talk is often the first step. People who are skilled at small talk are also happier, according to this recent study.
"In recent years, small talk has been belatedly recognized as a beneficial feature of everyday life. For example, studies indicate that people are happier when they talk to others, even if it is just strangers on a subway, and even if it is just small talk."
- Dr. Frank T. McAndrew
Helping students feel confident approaching and easily speaking with others is only a matter of teaching them a few skills and then encouraging them to put those skills to use. Once students understand that starting a conversation with someone new requires just three easy steps, they tend to feel more confident. The steps we share are:
- Introduce yourself. (Say hello and say your name.)
- Ask questions. (What's your favorite class, book, sport, etc.)
- Say goodbye. (Say goodbye and add, "It was nice speaking with you.")
When students have a frame to follow, they feel more prepared. I like to add that between each step, there will likely be awkward silences and not to overly worry about them because they are a natural part of conversations. However, you can always lessen the duration of an awkward silence by asking questions.
Good manners and kindness are always in fashion.
-Anonymous
Another tool I like to use to help my kids practice their communication skills is when we have company. I call it, "Ask 3, Tell 3." I share this each year because it is a favorite of mine, and it works! When you have company over, grandparents or aunts and uncles are perfect, ask your children to share three things about themselves throughout the visit and then have them ask three things about the visitors.
"The Ask 3 & Tell 3" is an easy thing to implement at home and not only helps build better social skills, but it helps build better relationships too!
Here is the E.Q. Student Newsletter with strategies for this week!
Wishing you well,
Danna Evans
All Things E.Q.
New River School
Email: tina.craig@dvusd.org
Website: https://www.dvusd.org/newriver
Location: 48827 North Black Canyon Highway, Phoenix, AZ, USA
Phone: 6233763500
Facebook: facebook.com/NewRiverElementarySchool
Twitter: @NewRIverWildcat