North's News
North Smyrna Elementary School Newsletter
May 2023
A Note from NSE Administration
Dear North Smyrna Elementary Families,
I recently learned that a teacher who meant a great deal to my own daughter announced his retirement. While my daughter has not sat in his classroom in 4 years, she made it a point to visit him recently to give him a card she wrote. Observing this moment, I witnessed yet again what a powerful impact an educator can have on a child. Looking back on my own education, I can vividly recall the educators who meant so much to me. I'm sure, if asked, you can do the same.
This month, we will be taking time acknowledge the great educators who surround your child(ren) daily. These men and women show up each day because supporting your child's growth and success on their path to becoming an adult is vitally important. We see the students in front of us right now, but we also see the future. The future leaders, business owners, doctors, teachers, mechanics, pilots, military members, police officers, pharmacists, journalists, web designers, the list goes on, and they sit in our classrooms every day. The adults that surround your child at NSE work hard to nurture their talents, help them overcome their struggles, listen, guide, and support them. I walk the halls of NSE amazed at the care, compassion, expertise, and professionalism that are provided by our staff to students every day. As we get closer to closing the chapter on this school year, I encourage you to reach out to your child's teacher to let them know how they have made an impact on your child this year. There is no better gift at the end of the year than to hear that the time spent together has made a difference.
Sincerely,
Dr. Amber Augustus, Principal
Mrs. Amanda Noll, Associate Principal
Dr. Tiyana Mullen, Associate Principal
Important Dates
Monday, May 1- Thursday, May 4
- Smarter Balanced Assessment - Grade 3
Thursday, May 4
- 1st Grade Field Trip for Anderson, French/Markel, and Katsaitis Homerooms
Friday, May 5
- 1st Grade Field Trip for Radcliffe/Valdez Homerooms
- Interim Progress Reports sent home
Tuesday, May 9
- SSD School Board Election at Kenton Ruritan Club, SES, and SMS, 7am-8pm
- SSD School Board Meeting at JBM, 7pm
Friday, May 12
- In-service Day, No School for Students
Monday, May 15
- Wear Blue to Support TSC Awareness
- Book Fair Week Begins
- 2nd grade Field Trip
Tuesday, May 16
- 3rd Grade Spring Chorus Concert at 2pm & 6pm
- NSE Book Fair Parent Night, 4:30-7:00pm
Thursday, May 18
- SOARing Eagles Recognition
- SMS Student Readers Visit EC & KN
Tuesday, May 23
- The Little Farm Petting Zoo visits NSE for EC-3rd Grade
Friday, May 26
- K-3 Field Day
- EC Field Trip
Monday, May 29
- Memorial Day, No School for Students
Wednesday, May 31
- Rain Date - K-3 Field Day
- Rain Date - EC Field Trip
Important Information and Reminders
Spanish Immersion KN Lottery is Closing Soon!
Please note: Failure to submit this document will exclude your child from being placed in the Spanish Immersion Lottery even in the event school choice paperwork was submitted and approved.
Please see the links attached here to learn more about this program:
Why Spanish Immersion? https://drive.google.com/file/d/1E4VE7PSyyq9uNAf5j5irR-49UiKPvLNL/view?usp=sharing
Spanish Immersion Q & A PPT: https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1Jj3T4-gP0GDulkWrcoStGKETtcH-613G/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=116428032870279807282&rtpof=true&sd=true
Kindergarten Presentation 2020-21 Slideshow: https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1Y60M8a5SeXtWao75h0-LTRdT8FUXON882KJt5Es_7Sg/edit
If you have any additional questions, please contact the NSE Main Office at 302-653-8589 or nsesregistration@smyrna.k12.de.us.
EOY Chromebook Collection
You will soon be receiving information for the end of year chromebook collection for our 1st through 3rd graders.
Please take a moment to locate your child's chromebook and chromebook charger. These items will be turned in at the end of the year for maintenance by our Technology department and prepared for reissue to your child in the Fall of 2023.
Contact Information
Beginning of the year information, including supply lists and teacher assignments, are emailed in August. Please ensure your information is correct so that you can receive this information as soon as it is available.
NSE Spiritwear Fundraiser
Other Updates
- Make sure your child brings a water bottle and a healthy snack each day.
- Check your child's lunch account for funds. While all students receive free breakfast and lunch, money can be deposited into their lunch account for snacks such as ice cream and chips.
- Check your child's book bag regularly for completed work, notes from his/her teacher, and other information.
- If your child absent, be sure that he/she returns with an absent note or medical note to turn into the office. These absences are reviewed and our school must abide by Delaware and Smyrna School District attendance policies.
As always, if you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact the NSE Main Office at 302-653-8589.
Looking Ahead to May
Penny Wars Fundraiser
May 8 - May 12 is Teacher Appreciation Week!
May 10 is National School Nurse Day!
NSE May Kindness Project - "We Cereal-ously Love Our Community"
What Fun We Had In April!
Staff Celebrations
Mrs. Smith and Mrs. Fitzgerald, Our Library Staff!
Our Paraprofessional Staff
SMS Art Students Volunteer at NSE!
3rd Grade Went to the Philadelphia Zoo
Information from NSE's Specialists
Congrats to Ms. Brewer!
A Note From Our School Nurses, Mrs. Hastings & Mrs. Warner
Please use the portal below to report a student's COVID positivity to our school. Melody Duverger, our CDC liaison, will contact each family to offer assistance. The portal is located on Smyrna School District website under District Site Shortcuts or can be accessed here:
Counselor's Corner with Mrs. Brogen & Ms. Montalvo
Math@Home - Mrs. Schultz, NSE Math Specialist
How to Make Your Children Love Math
Reading@Home - Mrs. Brewer, NSE Reading Specialists
Thank you to our K-3 students who participated in the Spring Reading Challenge! These readers were rewarded with extra recess and popsicles to celebrate.
If you are looking for additional ways to support your child in reading at home, please visit my google site, Books with Ms. Brewer, for reading websites, activities, and more! Stay tuned for more information in June about the summer reading challenge. Information will be posted on this website prior to the start of the summer break.
Information to Review
Arrival & Dismissal Procedures
Keeping all individuals who enter our campus safe is one of our main priorities. Each day over 600 students, 115 staff members, and numerous visitors entering and exiting our campus. Please help do you part to promote safety for all by taking a moment to review NSE's arrival and dismissal procedures. With this volume, your cooperation and support are crucial for a safe and efficient drop-off and pick-up. Please review this information below as we all work together to make this happen.
A few reminders for K-3 transportation:
- Beginning of the day car rider arrival: please do not form a double line until notified by staff. We need to ensure the parking lot is still accessible to arriving staff. Once directed, cars will begin to form a double line.
- End of the day car rider line: begin forming a double line upon arrival.
- The bus lane in front of the school is closed to all car traffic from 8:15-8:50am and 3:30-3:50pm every day. Cars may not enter this lane as the buses are pulling in and taking off with a large flow of students in and out of the building.
- Maintain a speed of 5mph while on school property.
All early dismissals and changes to a child's dismissal plan must be made by 3:00pm. Dismissal efforts begin at 3:00pm. At that time, our staff is working hard with all students so that they are grouped, escorted, and dismissed according to each child's dismissal plan.
Please see the attached document for additional information.
Thank you for your help and cooperation as we work to ensure a safe arrival and dismissal for every child.
Check out the NSE PTO Facebook Page
We are continuing to update the PTO Facebook page with learning activities and information for families. Please check it out at North Smyrna Elementary School PTO.
The last PTO meeting took place on Thursday, April 20th. At this meeting, the following was discussed:
- Reviewed assemblies planned for the coming month and the funding for each
- Reviewed funding for upcoming field trips
- Began planning for our Spring Fun Run
- Finalized Teacher Appreciation Week Celebrations
Our next PTO meeting will take place on Friday, May 5th at 5:30 as we prepare for Teacher Appreciation Week. We hope you will consider joining as we work together to provide the best educational experiences to our students throughout the year!
Child Nutrition
At NSE, all students receive one free breakfast and lunch daily.
The NSE Cafeteria is also offers students the option to purchase a snack, drink, or a double entree at lunch. If your child is interested in purchasing one of these options, he/she will need additional money in their account. Money can be added to your student's lunch account by sending in cash, a check (made out to the Smyrna School District), or by creating a myschoolbucks.com account to deposit funds electronically. If you have any questions,, please contact our Main Office.
A few reminders
- a water bottle
- a snack
- an extra pair of clothes to keep in their bookbag
- a charged Chromebook (1st-3rd grade)
Interested in being a NSE substitute?
Student Attendance
Grading Policy for K-3
Parents continue to have access to their student's grades at any time by utilizing the Home Access Center website. If you need your user ID and password to login, please contact the NSE Main Office at 302-653-8589.
As a reminder, Early Childhood students do not receive grades, interim progress reports, or report cards. Updates on student progress are available midyear and at the end of the year as well as by contacting your child's teacher at any point.
Smyrna School District Food Pantry
Scenes from NSE
Fun in Art Class
Math Centers in 2nd Grade
1st Grade Spanish Immersion
Keeping Up with NSE
NSE Website: Check out our website at: https://www.smyrna.k12.de.us/nes
NSE Twitter Page: Follow us on Twitter at @NSESSD
NSE Facebook Page: Follow us on Facebook at North Smyrna Elementary School PTO
NSE YouTube Page: Check out our YouTube page at:
North Smyrna Elementary School
Mrs. Amanda Noll, Associate Principal
Dr. Tiyana Mullen, Associate Principal
Email: nsesregistration@smyrna.k12.de.us
Website: https://nes.smyrna.k12.de.us/
Location: 365 N. Main Street, Smyrna, DE, USA
Phone: 302-653-8589
Facebook: facebook.com/NorthSmyrnaElementarySchoolPTO
Twitter: @NSESSD