The Nashua News
January 2015
Nashua Elementary
8:45 a.m.-3:05 p.m. Thursday
24 Hour Attendance Line: 413-6961
Nurse's Line: 413-6962
Website: http://www.nkcschools.org/page.cfm?p=1944
Location: 221 Northeast 114th Street, Kansas City, MO, United States
Phone: (816) 413-6960
Twitter: @NashuaStars
Principally Speaking
Welcome back to Nashua for the second semester. We have had a great first semester and we look forward to the rest of the year. A new year always gives us the opportunity to reflect upon what we have done well and what we can do better.
Have you been trying to figure out a new year’s resolution? If the answer to the question is yes, I have a great suggestion for you. How about setting plans to help your children experience greater school success in 2015? Here are some ideas to be sure your child is successful at Nashua.
1. Monitor your students’ school work. One way to do this is to have them check in with you after school and share how their day went. A good opening question to help them communicate about this is to ask, “What did you learn in school today?” If you get a vague answer, follow-up by asking them about specific subjects such as: math, reading, or science. Another important way to monitor their work is to have them share any corrected school papers they brought home and discuss them together. You can further monitor by checking on their homework. While parents should never do homework for their young people, it is sound practice to help them if they are struggling, check it over for them once they are finished.
2. Make sure your children get to school. The more students are in school, the higher their achievement. Children cannot learn if they are not in school. In addition, poor attendance causes students to get behind in their learning and catching up can be very difficult when they return. In fact, poor attendance is often the first step to students being unsuccessful at school.
3. Reward their efforts. Rewarding students for high grades is not as effective as rewarding them for their effort. Students are always trying and want to make you proud. Therefore, the best way to motivate further effort is to notice it, to praise it, and to reward it.
4. Talk up the idea of going to college. I know your students are only in elementary school, but this should start at a very young age. As a staff we are always talking about where we went to school and how we benefitted from college. For students to be successful it takes more than a high school diploma. In the 21ST century, almost all students need a college degree to ensure a successful life. Having students set higher education as a target early in their lives will help them set ambitious goals for their academic progress as they proceed through school.
5. Finally, be involved! How important is parent involvement in their children’s education? Study after study shows that it may be the top factor leading to student success. At Nashua, we offer many opportunities to be involved in your student’s education. Please join us whenever you can.
Upcoming Events
January
6:30-8:00 p.m. Mercury Gym Night
January 9
Nashua Spirit Day
January 13
2nd quarter grade cards go home
8:00 a.m. KLC
January 15
6:00-8:00 p.m. Riverroll
January 16
Mobile Dentist
January 19
NO SCHOOL-MLK Day
January 20
6:00 p.m. PTA in the library
January 27
5:00-8:00 p.m. Wendy's Night
4th/5th Grade Stars
Thank You
Mrs. Huckabey for designing this great performance
Our 4th and 5th grade teachers for their participation
New Mark Middle School for hosting our performance
The Nashua PTA for organizing our Sweet Treats after the program.
Last of all, our 4th and 5th grade Stars for a great performance
Looking Ahead
7 p.m.
April 23rd 1st grade Music Program at New Mark 7 p.m.
April 30th K Music Program at New Mark 7 p.m.
National Reading Month
SMILE Program
SMILE PROGRAMS...…the mobile dentists: Our mission is to secure dental services for children often left without treatment. We are proud to have been coordinating this service for almost 15 years.
Please visit the website www.mobiledentists.com and enjoy the VIDEO that brings to life the entire program. Keep in mind:* All children are eligible (12 months -18 yrs old)
* No charge to your School or District
* No child turned away based on ability to pay
The SMILE Program will visit Nashua on Jan. 16th. This program is available and optional for all our students at Nashua.
Nurse Bentley's Notes
Why should people get vaccinated against the flu?
Every flu season is different, and influenza infection can affect people differently. Even healthy people can get very sick from the flu and spread it to others. The “seasonal flu season” in the United States can begin as early as October and last as late as May.
During this time, flu viruses are circulating in the population. An annual seasonal flu vaccine (either the flu shot or the nasal-spray flu vaccine) is the best way to reduce the chances that you will get seasonal flu and spread it to others. When more people get vaccinated against the flu, less flu can spread through that community.
When should I get vaccinated?
Flu vaccination should begin soon after vaccine becomes available, ideally by October. How- ever, as long as flu viruses are circulating, vaccination should continue to be offered throughout the flu season, even in January or later. While seasonal influenza outbreaks can happen as early as October, most of the time influenza activity peaks in January or later. Since it takes about two weeks after vaccination for antibodies to develop in the body that protect against influenza virus infection, it is best that people get vaccinated so they are protected before influenza begins spreading in their community.
Signs and Symptoms:
Initially, the flu may seem like a common cold with a runny nose, sneezing and sore throat. But colds usually develop slowly, whereas the flu tends to come on suddenly. And although a cold can be a nuisance, you usually feel much worse with the flu.
Common signs and symptoms of the flu include:
Fever over 100 F (38 C)
Aching muscles, especially in your back, arms and legs Chills and sweats
Headache
Dry cough
Fatigue and weakness
Nasal congestion
When to see a doctor
If you have flu symptoms and are at risk of complications, see your doctor right away. Taking anti- viral drugs within the first 48 hours after you first notice symptoms may reduce the length of your illness and help prevent more-serious problems.
Nashua Math
Adapted from
“Twelve Steps to Increase Your Child’s Math Achievement and Make Math Fun” By Jo Boaler, Stanford University
One of the most important contributions you can make to your child’s mathematical education is to dispel the idea that only some children can be successful at math, or that math is some sort of “gift” that some children have and some do not.
Some ideas for you as you work with your child:
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1) “Talk through” math with your child, especially when you struggle. Don’t
worry if you cannot do your children’s homework or you don’t understand the different strategies. Ask them to start explaining it to you, and then work together, sharing your ideas. If you can’t solve a problem, come up with clear questions about it, access online resources if available, and model other strategies that adults use everyday to solve difficult problems.
Modeling some perseverance with complex math is very powerful for your child. Some parents say “well I don’t get this either and I’m good at math” or “I was never good at math, so don’t ask me”. These statements give our children permission to give up and show a belief that some people are good at math and some aren’t. But, if you can’t make good headway after a reasonable try, come back to that math another day, after your child or maybe you have had a chance to talk to their teacher.
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2) Praise your child for their EFFORT not their ABILITY. When your child is successful, praise their hard work instead of telling them they were successful because they were “smart”. This way, when math becomes more challenging and they start to struggle (a healthy part of learning!) they won’t quit trying because they believe they are not smart in math. The benefits of focusing on effort are well grounded in research. See Carol Dweck’s work for more information.
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3) Always learn from mistakes. Research has shown that our brains grow most when we make mistakes and implement strategies to resolve them. When people see that they’ve made a mistake synapses spark, and there is activity in the brain that isn’t there when people get work correct. Celebrate the opportunity to learn from mistakes and encourage perseverance!
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4) Encourage students to make sense of math at all times. Children should never think that math is just a set of rules that they need to follow. As they work, keep asking “does that make sense to you?” “ Why?” or “Why not?” Students need to see meaning in what they do as well as learn methods, in order to be able to apply what they know later.
For games, puzzles and other steps to help your child go to youcubed.org
Mrs. Cobb's Corner
150 WAYS TO SHOW KIDS YOU CARE
I love this list that was published several years ago as part of the “Healthy Communities, Healthy Youth” Initiative. Here are some of my favorites:
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● Listen to them.
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● Read aloud together.
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● Giggle together.
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● Tell them their feelings are okay.
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● Forget your worries sometimes and concentrate only on them.
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● Set boundaries that keep them safe.
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● Look in their eyes when you talk to them.
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● Praise more; criticize less.
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● Do what they like to do.
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● Love them, no matter what.
Nashua Attendance
Our December Monthly attendance rate is: 93.6%
The state of Missouri recognizes a school when 90% of the students are in attendance 90% of the time.
If you have questions or concerns about your child's attendance, please contact Mrs. Cobb (816) 413-6960.
Nashua Pledge
I will show Respect
I will be Trustworthy
I will be an Active Learner
I will be Responsible
I will have a STAR day of learning! Be a STAR wherever you are!