Friday Flash
January 26th, 2024
Notes from the Principal's Office
It's difficult to get into a rhythm when we have these late starts, early releases or no school at all. A parent asked me this week when was the last time we had a full week of school and to be honest I really can't remember. If all goes well the week of February 5th will have no interruptions.
We knew the weather was going to be unpleasant on Friday that's why we cancelled the winter program. We didn't anticipate it would be bad enough to cancel school altogether. We're hoping that Burke Mountain will be able to accommodate us in March. If they can't then families will be refunded for only have five days at Burke this season.
I spoke with students about the Upper Valley Trail Alliance's Passport to Winter Fun. Hopefully, many of our students and families will consider being more activity during the winter so they can earn some of the amazing prizes being offered through the program.
Speaking of winter fun tomorrow Saturday January 27th is free ice fishing day in Vermont. There will be an ice fishing festival tomorrow at Lake Elmore hosted by the Vermont Department of Fish and Wildlife from 11:00am-3:00pm.
Wednesday's community coffee was well attended and I appreciated all the thoughtful questions and discussions that community members had about student achievement and the continuous improvement plan. If you are interested in the information shared please check out the presentation below.
~Loretta
PS: Don't forget there is an early release day on January 31st.
Andrea Dennis & Cassi Harmonay Attend Conscious Discipline Conference in Houston
Positivity Project: Social Intelligence
“A smart person knows what to say. A wise person knows whether or not to say it.” ~Unknown
Dear Families,
This week our school community will be focusing on the character strength of Social Intelligence. Social intelligence means you are aware of other people’s thoughts and feelings. You understand why they do things.
Social intelligence refers to a person’s ability to understand and manage interpersonal relationships. It is distinct from a person’s IQ or “book smarts.” It includes an individual’s ability to understand, and act on, the feelings, thoughts, and behaviors of other people. This type of intelligence can take place “in the moment” of face-to-face conversations but also appears during times of deliberate thinking. It involves emotional intelligence and self-awareness.
Social intelligence helps individuals build relationships -- and is important to numerous aspects of a person’s life. It allows an individual to form friendships and alliances. And it assists a person against being taken advantage of. People with social intelligence can “read” other people’s faces and know what motivates them. Social intelligence builds over time and as a person ages. In this sense, it is similar to the character strength of perspective.
To practice and encourage the character strength of social intelligence with your child, please visit the Positivity Project’s P2 for Families (password: P2), where together you will watch a video, read a quote, and talk about the answers to three questions.
Have a wonderful week!
What are some clues that help you know how another person is feeling?
Staff Spotlight: Bethani Winchester
Second Grade Teacher
Second grade teacher Bethani Winchester grew up in Woodsville, New Hampshire. She decided to become a teacher while attending Rivier University in Nashua, New Hampshire. She thinks the best part about her job is getting to watch kids grow. Outside of school she loves to spend time with her family and all of her animals!
News from the Library with Mrs. Williams
Mrs. Williams and the Library are supporting the following projects throughout the school:
To wrap up their science unit on chain reactions, Grades 3/4 had a zoom call with medical physicist Karolyn Hopfensperger, Ph.D, a Clinical Assistant Professor at the University of Michigan. She talked with them about chain reactions in the real world, including the one she uses to focus radiation to help fight cancer. Students had many questions and were a respectful, engaged audience.
Grades 3 and 4 are starting geography studies, with Grade 3 learning about the continents and grade 4 studying Vermont and then the United States. We'll connect with author and international adventurer Jan Reynolds to support the continent studies, and use coding and robots to support both grades in their learning.
After working with Kodables to start their coding experience, the second grade Bears are now starting to use Blockly to code the Dash robot through puzzles and challenges. Coding and debugging require patience and persistence, something we all need to practice!
Grades 5/6 will soon be embarking on a design process challenge: designing a protective alcove to save smaller trout from the larger ones in the trout tank. Once they design the alcove, we will print it with the 3D printer.
Students in grades 3-6 will be looking at Media Literacy and Information Literacy. Grades 3/4 will focus on their digital footprint and ways to participate constructively and with accountability online. Grades 5/6 will be introduced to copyright/fair use, as well as the SIFT method (Stop, Investigate the source, Find better coverage, Trace the claim) for determining the credibility of online information.
Free access to ebooks and audio books
Access free ebooks and audio books through SORA, the Student Reading App. Click here for more information.
Read Mr. Prest's latest installment of The PE Knights
Important Dates
January 31st: Early Release 12:15 dismissal
February 2nd: Winter Program (Burke Mountain & Ice Fishing: Conditions permitting)
February 9th: Winter Program (Burke Mountain & Bowling)
February 15th: 4th Grade NAEP testing
February 16th: Winter Program (Burke Mountain & Carnival)
February 21st: Community Coffee (Topic FY 25 Budget)
Principal Loretta Cruz
Email: loretta.cruz@oesu.org
Website: https://www.nesvt.org/
Location: 214 Pulaski Street, Newbury, VT, USA
Phone: 802-866-5621
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/newburyelementaryVT