Weekly Updates
New Lebanon School
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We Did It - Week 9 of Distance Learning Complete!
Hello Bobcat Families!
We hope this warm weather is here to stay! While we wish we were playing on our playground and new field, we have so enjoyed seeing you virtually or giving you a wave at the lunch drop or book pick ups over the last week. Thank you for all of your efforts made to maintain our wonderful New Leb community during this time. Please be sure to check out the important upcoming dates below - there will be quite a bit of information coming to you over the next few weeks as we close out the school year.
Also, we loved this article entitled (click on the title to see the full article) "5 ways to teach our children empathy in these challenging times." It provides simple and concrete ways to talk to your child about others' circumstances and how to model empathy for little ones. We hope you enjoy it.
Be Safe, Be Well, and We Love You!
Ms. B & Mrs. Monaco
Important Upcoming Dates!
FLEX Fridays: All Fridays for the remainder of the year are "Flex" Fridays for students to catch up on any missing work for their teacher or working on specials (FLES, Music, Art, PE). If you have completed all assignments, there are extension activities posted in the daily lesson plans (original documents with lessons from the beginning of distance learning). You can also check out the extension activities here: https://www.greenwichschools.org/teaching-learning/academics/seamless-summer-learning.
ATTENTION 5th Grade Parents: Tuesday, May 19 at 7:00 pm please join Virtual Parent Orientation via Zoom with Mr. Beinstein, Principal of Western Middle School. The link to join is below:
You are invited to a Zoom webinar.
When: May 19, 2020 07:00 PM Eastern Time
Topic: Western Middle School Parent Orientation
Please click the link below to join the webinar:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85938979892
Or Dial 646 558 8656
Webinar ID: 859 3897 9892
Monday, May 25th: Memorial Day, No School
June 2nd, 3rd, and 4th: Parent/Family Pick-Up of Student Items from New Leb Bus Loop (Time TBD). Please also plan to bring any instruments or library books you have at home to school to drop off!
June 12th: Last Day of School (PreK-5th)
June 12th: 5th Grade Graduation @ New Leb Parking Lot, 11am
it's voting time!
Click HERE to vote for Pre-K - 2nd grade
Student Medication from Buildings
Please email Nurse Pat at Patricia_Bleuher@greenwich.k12.ct.us if you would like to pick up your student's medication in June.
Below is information on our process for picking up medications that are currently being stored with our School Nurses.
Expired medications will be disposed of
Medications can be maintained to be used next year, if they are not expired
If the parent desires to pick up medication, on the day they are assigned to come to school, the nurse will have their medication available in a plastic bag. Only adults may pick-up medications. Please email Nurse Pat at Patricia_Bleuher@greenwich.k12.ct.us if you would like to pick up your student's medication.
We will be sending detailed information on dates and times for picking up items the first week of June. Please note that all pick-up procedures will be in accordance with social distancing guidelines.
Community food drive for Greenwich
Police will collect non-perishable food items at the Town of Greenwich Public Safety Complex, 11 Bruce Place. In exchange for food donations, face masks will be given as a thank you for helping those in need.
For more information or to see if any volunteering opportunities are available, contact Sgt. John Thorme, Community Impact Section Team Leader, via john.thorme@greenwichct.org.
Browse the Greenwich Library from home - adults and kids!
Since the Library is currently closed, they will be happy to suggest eBook and audiobook formats that you can download through the Digital Library.
virtual calming room
administrator office hours
We have some new and exciting news! Mrs. Monaco and Ms. B are hosting student based office hours every Wednesday from 12:00-1:00. Please join us to say hi, chat, catch up, or ask any questions you may have. Click on the link below to join the meeting. Looking forward to “seeing” you all!
Do you know of a new family in your neighborhood coming to new leb next year?
Parent and Educator Webinars
Dealing with Challenging Homebound Kids? Try the Nurtured Heart Approach®
In this presentation, participants will learn how to use the Nurtured Heart Approach® to find the greatness in our students and children- a great approach to interacting with students during these times of school closure. This session is appropriate for teachers, aides and parents.
Mental Health Moment #22: Mindful Doodling
submitted by Kaitlin Nazario, ESS Clinical Coordinator
In a time where the world is faced with tons of uncertainty, mindfulness can help us stay in the moment and utilize our senses to help us focus on what we’re feeling and thinking in that VERY moment. Often times, we think of mindfulness purely as a form of meditation and can be quite difficult to achieve. The truth is that there are multiple forms of mindful practices. Doodling is one such example. Pen or marker (no pencils!) Paper Stress free environment Music (optional) THERE ARE NO MISTAKES! This is the main reason why a pencil is not used in Mindful Doodling…it prevents the temptation to erase what’s on the paper. Mindfulness is about living in the moment and focusing on the present. You take note of what is happening, accept it, and let it be. You do not need to be an artist to benefit from this practice. The goal is to practice mindfulness in a DIFFERENT way. I like to start with a border using freehand. On your piece of paper, start to draw lines or random strings across your paper. There is no right or wrong way to do this. You can crisscross the lines or make them curvy. You may want to start with a single dot in the center. Or start from one corner of the page and work your way out. It’s what feels good for you in the moment. Try to use your senses (all 5 if you can!) as you create your doodle. Does the pen give off a smell? How does it sound as you drag your pen across the paper? How does the marker feel in your hand? Once a few of the lines are crossed, you can start to create more designs within smaller sections; patterns are encouraged. Remind yourself that there aren’t any mistakes and allow yourself to experience the journey while using your senses to keep you present. How the pen glides easily across the paper…the pungent smell of a sharpie marker as it drags across the paper…how the paper can frustratingly slide with each stroke…how the ink may have smeared across the paper, the frustrating thoughts that might pass through your mind. Include any perceived mistakes as a part of your design and remember THERE ARE NO MISTAKES. Allow the thoughts to pass through and bring yourself back to the present using your senses. Now, there is NO time limit for your mindful doodling. However, different factors will determine when you’re done. This can include the amount of stress you’re experiencing, how big and detailed you’d like your doodle to come out, and your mood when you started. This is all a personal decision made by YOU. As you practice mindful doodling more and more, the more you will gain. You will start to increase the amount of time you doodle, thereby allowing yourself to be MORE present and aware. This can ultimately lower your stress level or help you through stressful moments. Mental Health Moment #23: Silver Linings
Materials:
Let’s get started:
submitted by Sean Mangan, ESS Clinician
Pretend you were given this time as an option, and that you were just able to stay home. Create a list of ideas of things you normally would not be able to do (ex: take a long hot shower, take a short cold shower, try a different haircut, try a different TV show, research a new topic, handwrite a letter to an old friend or relative) due to time and workload. Identify items on your list that you could accomplish today! Mental Health Moment #24: Notes of Positivity submitted by , Jasmine Bryant, ESS Clinical Coordinator This is a lovely practice to incorporate into your end of the day/week rituals. Take time to sit quietly and reflect upon your day/week. Write a positive note (this can be as short or as long as you wish) to yourself recognizing something that you accomplished. Read the note to yourself and save it for late reflection.
Connecticut Corona Virus Help
Unemployment
File for unemployment benefits through the Connecticut Department of Labor. Eligibility will be determined on a case-by-case basis. The Department released a quick sheet related to the virus that can answer your FAQs about COVID-19’s impact on workers and employers.
Mortgage Relief
Governor Ned Lamont reached an agreement with over 50 credit unions and banks to offer mortgage relief to Connecticut’s residents and businesses affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Learn more about participating financial institutions and answers to frequently asked questions here.
Renter Protection
On April 10, 2020, Governor Lamont signed an Executive Order that provides immediate protections for residential renters.
Utilities
Attorney General William Tong announced that the Connecticut Public Utilities Authority has granted an emergency moratorium on electric, natural gas, and water utility shut-offs.
Price Gouging
Report your concerns about price gouging to the Office of the Attorney General by calling 860-808-5318 or online here. During an emergency disaster, sellers cannot charge prices that would be unjustifiable during normal business operations.
Travel
The Connecticut Insurance Department instructed insurers to accommodate travel cancellation requests under certain terms and conditions. Consumers who have questions on travel insurance can contact the Insurance Department by email at insurance@ct.gov or by calling 860-297-3900.
You may also review the State of Connecticut’s answers to Frequently Asked Questions to learn more about how the state is responding.
Is your child under the weather?
If your child has a reported illness, fever, or other symptoms, please email Nurse Pat so we can keep track just like we would when we are in school: Patricia_Bleuher@greenwich.k12.ct.us
IF YOU ARE IN NEED OF HELP/SUPPORT WHILE WE ARE OUT OF SCHOOL
Our School Social Worker School Psychologist will be available during school hours (8:00am-3:00pm) via email if you need any support.
Kaitlin Cyr: kaitlin_cyr@greenwich.k12.ct.us
Sandra Saavedra: Sandra_Corrente@greenwich.k12.ct.us
In case of an emergency, please call 911 or 211 (Emergency Mobile Psychiatric Services or EMPS).
Dial 2-1-1 or 1-800-203-1234 if you or someone you care about is experiencing a crisis or are concerned about someone who might be.
Kids in Crisis - 24 Hour Hotline - (203) 661-1911
Need help? Not sure? Any time of the day or night, there is always a live counselor on the end of the phone. These trained Crisis Counselors are available to provide immediate help and assess services needed to address and work through any situation.
INFORMATION ON THE CORONAVIRUS
INFORMATION ON THE CORONAVIRUS:
Hotline Numbers for residents who have questions about COVID-19:
203-622-7865
203-622-7703
203-622-7614
203-622-7842
203-622-7836
COVID-19 Testing at Murphy Medical Associates:
1 East Putnam Ave, Greenwich 06830
30 Buxton Farm Road, Stamford, CT 06905