New Haven Tidbits
Posts from the Principal
Falling into Routine
With the growth that we're experiencing we've had a lot of changes to take in. We're using almost all of the classrooms in the "Castle", in addition to moving grade levels around the building so that teams could stay together. We've had to add several new classes that we weren't originally allocated due to size, and we've had to tweak the schedule to accommodate new lunch seating the cafeteria. In addition to that we've had buses added to our routing to reach all of our new homes. All of this, and our students have barely batted an eye about it all. It amazes me how resilient and accepting of change our children are. Whether they are brand new to New Haven, or are experiencing a change from what they've always know, they have done an amazing job. We are very proud of our kids!
Educational Insight ... Perspective from the Principal & Parent
KPREP and School Report Card
Our state report card is out! (I've attached a link for those that would like to take a deeper look). Overall I am very proud of the work that was accomplished last year. In the previous year New Haven scored a 65.6 and the expected target for us to hit this year was 66.6. As a school we obtained a 68.1 which is a 2.5 gain, and a wonderful amount of growth in just 1 year. We went from the 62nd percentile to the 73rd in the state, and are classified as a Proficient school. We are the only Boone County elementary school to make gains in 14 of the 15 areas, and 1 of 3 to make their AMO score. There are many more highlights to celebrate as well, including closing our GAP score, a 20 point growth in writing, and increasing our Program Review scores.
Our teachers are amazing professionals who are committed to the success of our students. I have no doubt that we will continue to make growth, and continue with our academic momentum. We will continue to focus on math, making it a priority, while maintaining the academic expectations in all other content areas. The integration of writing cross-curricularly has clearly strengthened our students abilities and we will maintain these expectations as well. We will begin analyzing all of these scores within the next few weeks as a staff, and looking at areas that we need to target. What student groups need more support? Do we need professional development in a specific area? What is our action plan to get us to the next step? All of these and many more questions will be discussed, and plans laid. As content experts, our teachers will be making decisions based on student baseline achievement, standards, and student mastery expectations.
These gains need to be celebrated form preschool through 5th grade because it is the dedication and willingness to encourage students to go that one extra step that makes them grow. It has to start from the foundation, and it does take all of our stakeholders. Everyday there are barriers to overcome, and we do it together. A huge congratulations to our New Haven family for their hard work and success! We are a few rungs closer to the top of the ladder! If your child took the KPREP last year (3rd - 5th grade) their individual scores can be shared with you by their teacher. You will receive a score sheet from the state within the next few weeks as well.
Looking from the other side as well
I really did go back and forth in regards to adding this to my newsletter, but as an educator and principal I feel it only fair for me to be honest, and as a parent I feel that it's necessary. I don't put all my "eggs" into the state testing basket. I know that this may offend some. It is a couple days of testing of 8 -11 year olds, and although it does give us a great insight into growth and understanding of content, it doesn't measure the whole child. It is necessary, and we do have to do it. It is how our school is measured to mandated standards, and it's how New Haven (and myself) are held accountable. We (society) have put an awful lot of demands on our kids, including scores and grades, to the point that we are seeing an unbelievable amount of increased anxiety.
Don't get me wrong, we want our students to do the VERY best that they can, and as a competitive person by nature, I want New Haven to provide the best for our kids. However, in the end- We feel that one week of testing doesn't define who are students are, what kind of teachers we have, or how successful we will be. We look at our students from who they are in August and celebrate who they've grown into by May. For us, it's not JUST about academic growth, but social, emotional, and physical growth. It's also about building young people with confidence, character, and leadership skills to pursue what they want to be. We do provide an excellent and rigorous learning environment, but look at our students from every angle, not just the score side.
So even though I am very proud of the successes of our school and our scores, I'm even more stoked when I get to see them excel at a personal goal, a test they've been studying really hard for, the increase they made in their reading fluency, the 1 basketball goal they made all season, the fear they overcame, making great behavior choices, or the new kid they friended. I think sometimes we forget that these things grow our children too.
Family Atmosphere
Declining Student Resilence Article.. A must read!
I'm constantly trying to keep up to date with so many different avenues of education, and recently I read an article about college students that really hit home. At first it hit me as a parent. My two children, 1 high school / 1 middle, have been talking a lot about their futures, and after reading this article I began to wonder if my husband and I have enabled any of these behaviors that may prohibit them from being successful. Then, I began thinking about how we have seen these same things in the elementary level. It's not just college kids anymore. It's a great article to read and reflect on if you have the chance. I've attached the link below.
Family Hoedown @ New Haven
We are having a family get together at New Haven on October 30th from 6:00 - 8:00 pm. Mrs. Dern and Mrs. Grant will be teaching a collaborative unit of Dance and Motion this month for kindergarten through 5th grade. To wrap it all up we're going to have a hoedown with live bluegrass music! We would love for your family to come out and join us! I've attached the flyer, but we will be sending it home as well. It's a great opportunity to just come out for a bit and have fun with the kids and staff. We would love to see you there!
Volunteer Orientation
We will have another volunteer orientation on October 26th @ 4:30 in the library. We have had an orientation every month, and have alternated am / pm to provide for scheduling. There will not be an orientation in December. Parents do need to attend the orientation if they would like to volunteer on field trips or within the school. This is a 1 time orientation, unless the requirements change.
Parent / Teacher Conferences!
Believe it or not it IS quickly approaching. Conferences this year are scheduled for Monday, November 2nd (4:00 - 7:00) and Thursday, November 5th (4:00 - 7:00). Teachers will (if they've not already started) be letting you know about sign ups. If these two dates do not work for you please contact your child's teacher. Conferences are very important and our teachers are willing to work with your schedules.
I'm constantly trying to keep up to date with so many different avenues of education, and recently I read an article about college students that really hit home. At first it hit me as a parent. My two children, 1 high school / 1 middle, have been talking a lot about their futures, and after reading this article I began to wonder if my husband and I have enabled any of these behaviors that may prohibit them from being successful. Then, I began thinking about how we have seen these same things in the elementary level. It's not just college kids anymore. It's a great article to read and reflect on if you have the chance. I've attached the link below.
Family Hoedown @ New Haven
We are having a family get together at New Haven on October 30th from 6:00 - 8:00 pm. Mrs. Dern and Mrs. Grant will be teaching a collaborative unit of Dance and Motion this month for kindergarten through 5th grade. To wrap it all up we're going to have a hoedown with live bluegrass music! We would love for your family to come out and join us! I've attached the flyer, but we will be sending it home as well. It's a great opportunity to just come out for a bit and have fun with the kids and staff. We would love to see you there!
Volunteer Orientation
We will have another volunteer orientation on October 26th @ 4:30 in the library. We have had an orientation every month, and have alternated am / pm to provide for scheduling. There will not be an orientation in December. Parents do need to attend the orientation if they would like to volunteer on field trips or within the school. This is a 1 time orientation, unless the requirements change.
Parent / Teacher Conferences!
Believe it or not it IS quickly approaching. Conferences this year are scheduled for Monday, November 2nd (4:00 - 7:00) and Thursday, November 5th (4:00 - 7:00). Teachers will (if they've not already started) be letting you know about sign ups. If these two dates do not work for you please contact your child's teacher. Conferences are very important and our teachers are willing to work with your schedules.
In the spot light....
Superintendent's Student Advisory Council
Trevor Mullins and Amber White, 2 of our 5th graders, have been selected to represent New Haven at the monthly Superintendent's Student Advisory Council. This council is comprised of 2 fifth graders from every elementary school, 2 eighth graders from every middle, and a junior and senior from every high school. Monthly, they meet to discuss a variety of leadership initiatives and share their voices as Boone County schools.
Trevor and Amber come back and share their work with our own student council, and then lead our students in the support of the work within the district. We're very proud of the work and ideas that our kids come up with. Their imaginations have no bounds!
Trevor and Amber come back and share their work with our own student council, and then lead our students in the support of the work within the district. We're very proud of the work and ideas that our kids come up with. Their imaginations have no bounds!
Activities offered...
Heavenly Hats Day:
On Thursday, October 8, NHE will celebrate Heavenly Hats – an event that raises money to provide free head gear to cancer patients who are losing their hair due to Chemotherapy. More than 2,300,000 hats have been given to cancer patients through this event.
Students may purchase a $1 ‘hat pass’ for October 8 and wear the hat during the school day. Plus, bold hats, beautiful hats, crazy hats, ball caps – all the wonderful hats will be showcased at the end of the day during our 1st Heavenly Hats Parade on the way to buses.
Students who would like to participate may bring $1 next Tuesday or Wednesday and purchase a ‘hat pass’. All money will be donated to Heavenly Hats Foundation.
October Dates to Remember
Event Information
School is Closed
When?
Friday, Oct 9, 2015, 08:00 AM
Where?
New Haven Elementary School, U.S. 42, Union, KY, United States
Event Information
Father / Daughter Dance
Annual PTA sponsored event.
For more details visit: www.newhavenptaky.com
For more details visit: www.newhavenptaky.com
When?
Friday, Oct 23, 2015, 05:30 PM
Where?
St Timothy Church, U.S. 42, Union, KY, United States
Event Information
Red Ribbon Week
When?
Monday, Oct 26, 2015, 08:45 AM
Where?
New Haven Elementary School, U.S. 42, Union, KY, United States
Event Information
Family Hoedown
Live Bluegrass music, food, and fun! Come out and celebrate the hard work your child has done learning dance and movement with Mrs. Dern and Mrs. Grant! We are also using this as a service project to provide support for GO PANTRY. Admission is $3 at the door UNLESS you bring 3 canned goods, and then families get in FREE! :)
When?
Friday, Oct 30, 2015, 06:00 PM
Where?
New Haven Elementary School, U.S. 42, Union, KY, United States
New Haven Elementary
This post is intended to share on-going events and information about New Haven Elementary to it's community members.
Email: mary.goble@boone.kyschools.us
Website: www.newhaven.boone.kyschools.us
Location: 10854 Old US Hwy 42, Union, KY, United States
Phone: 859-384-5325
Facebook: www.facebook.com/newhavenelementary
Twitter: @NewHavenES