The Tiger Times
September 2017
West Newton Elementary
MISSION
A Note from your Principal
Dear West Newton Families,
Tiger Pride is Truth and Trust, Include others, Give and get respect, Emotions in check, Remember to follow directions – that is Tiger Pride! Each and every day at West Newton begins with students and staff recitation of our Tiger Pride Expectations as we build positive behavior strategies in all aspects of our students’ lessons and activities. Students in grades 1-6 have completed their NWEA benchmark testing in the content areas of reading, language arts, and math; reading benchmark assessments have been administered to determine each student’s guided reading level; and students in grades 1 & 2 have been administered the Indiana Reading Assessment to provide teachers and families with information about the growth our youngest students are making with their reading skills. The month of September provides students in grades 1-6 with opportunities to show their growth in Math Facts Mastery and Writing Assessment #1 is administered. All of this data and information will be shared at conferences on Wed., Oct. 4 and our focus as a staff is to support your child in making growth toward their individual goals. Thank you for sharing your child with us as the staff of West Newton supports their learning and growth!
Sincerely,
Mrs. Strube
MEET OUR SPECIAL AREA TEACHERS
Mrs. Wisniewski
Mrs. Wayner
Mrs. Tobeck
Did you know?
Shorter Days are Ahead
How does a scientist say it’s the first day of fall? She or he says it’s the autumnal equinox. After the equinox, the days (or daylight hours) get shorter than the nights. This year the equinox is September 22. You could record what time the sun rises and sets each for a week with your child and ask him or her, “How do the minutes of daylight change?”
Excellent Attendance
Being in school every day means your child won't miss out on learning. Try to schedule appointments and family trips outside of school hours. If he asks to stay home "just because," remind him of what he'll miss, such as reading group or PE class. Explain that he can be absent only if he's sick or if there's a family emergency.
Eating Together
Children who regularly eat meals with their families tend to do better in school and avoid risky behavior. Eating dinner together is great, but other meals count, too. If you work at night, maybe you could make time for a family breakfast. Or on a weekend, try a picnic lunch!
IPAD TIPS
5 Top TIps for Parents from Apptitude2Learn
#2 Accountability~It is important to know what your child is doing on the device. To view all previously opened apps, double click home (or four finger swipe up on screen).
#3 Notifications~Swipe up the control center from the bottom of the screen and tap on the crescent moon icon to turn on “Do not Disturb.” This will block any notifications from popping up while your child is working in an app. You can customize notifications by tapping on Settings – Notification Center.
#4 Guided Access~If your child has trouble staying focused on their work within a specific app, Guided Access enables you to set up the iOS device so that you cannot leave apps, and you are able to control which features of the app you are allowed to use or not use.
#5 Restrictions~If certain apps, such as iMessage or FaceTime, have become a distraction, you can set up restrictions on your child’s iPad. You can access this feature in Settings – General – Restrictions.
CANVAS Parent Instructions
POPCORN FRIDAY ~ 9/8/17 and 9/22/17
TECHNOLOGY NIGHT ~ 9/14/17 5:00-6:00
IMMUNIZATIONS
Reminder: 2nd letters were sent home with students Mon. August 28th, regarding any missing vaccinations. PLEASE double check your child’s book bag to see if they have any of these letters. Exclusion date for any missing immunizations will be September 25th, so please make sure these are turned in to the front office as soon as possible! If you have a doctor’s appointment scheduled for after this date, please call and inform the front office or the nurse of the date. Please do this as soon as possible to avoid any conflicts or your child missing school!
School Smiles ~ October 3, 2017
Applications will be sent home with students prior to October 3.
Online Application:Fall Recess ~ No School
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
Go to www.decaturproud.org
Click on the tab 'Families', then 'Volunteer' to submit an electronic form.
Don't have a computer, not a problem. Volunteer forms are available in the school office.
For more information contact:
Bev O'Toole 317-241-0183 or botoole@msddecatur.k12.in.us
West Newton PTO ~ Events at a Glance
SEPTEMBER
Tuesday, 5th @ 6pm - - - PTO Meeting
Monday, 11th - - - Trash Bag Orders are DUE
Friday, 15th / 6:00-8:00 - - - Movie Night
Tuesday, 21st / 6:00-8:00 - - -Skating Party
Wednesday, 27th - Oct. 4th - - - Book Fair
(Lunch with Someone You Love)
OCTOBER
Tuesday, 3rd @6pm - - - PTO Meeting
Wednesday, 4th - - - Last Day of Book Fair
Friday, 27th / 6:00-8:00 - - - Movie Night
DECATUR PROUD LICENSE PLATES
BOX TOPS for EDUCATION
Clipping Box Tops for Education is an easy way to help earn cash for our school. Each one is worth 10¢ for our school! Just look for the pink Box Tops on hundreds of products. All you have to do is clip them and send them to school. Your child can earn personal rewards and rewards for their class or grade level when they bring in Box Tops! For more information on Box Tops, including a list of participating products, go to BTFE.com. Be sure to sign up as a member (it’s free!) so you can check out our school’s earnings details and get access to coupons and bonus offers. You can also download the Box Tops Bonus App to earn even more money for our school.
Thank you for your support!