Bare Necessities
Pierce Newsletter ~ January 6, 2023 ~
Principal's Message
Dear Pierce Families,
Happy New Year! I hope this finds you all relaxed, peaceful and full of new beginnings. 2023 has so much in store here at FES to look forward to experiencing and exploring.
Martin Luther King Jr. Day
In observance of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., there will be no school on Monday, January 16th.
Winter Benchmark:
We will be administering Winter Benchmark Assessments in Reading and Math at the end of January. Results from these assessments help us to determine groth made thus far, to identify gaps in learning and provide additional support or to provide opportunities for enrichment. We will send these results home with report cards prior to February break.
Outdoor Clothing Reminder
Please note that a light sprinkle or chilly weather doesn’t necessarily keep us in. Please send children with appropriate outerwear daily. If you have an extra coat that isn’t in use and wish to donate (or boots!) please feel free to send that to school with your child or drop it off at school. If you are in need of any outdoor clothing for your child please contact the main office and we can provide some for you.
Community Supper
The next community supper will be held on Thursday, January 12th at 5:30.
Title 1 Literacy Night - February 23rd - Thursday
Save the date! Thursday, February 23rd we invite Marty Kelly to Pierce. Times and details to come.
Special: Library
Warmest regards,
Beth Gibney — Principal
PTO: We Need You! Please Join
Next Meeting February 1 at 6:00PM - in person AND on zoom too!
Bear Den News - Upcoming Events
UPCOMING EVENTS
1/5/23 - 3rd Grade trip to GEP Library @ 2:20
1/9/23 - Special of the Week - Library
1/10/23 - Town of Bennington Budget Mtg @ 5 pm
1/12/23 - 4th Grade trip to GEP Library @ 2:10 pm
1/12/23 - Community Supper @ 5:30 pm
1/16/23 - NO SCHOOL - MLK Jr. Day/Civil Rights Day
1/16/22 - Special of the Week - Health & PE
1/20/23 - Assembly - 1st & 4th Grades Presenting
1/23/23 - Special of the week - Music
1/23/23 - IST - 1st Grade focus @ 7:30 am
1/27/23 - Black Bear Day in the afternoon
1/30/23 - Special of the Week - Health/PE/LMR
1/31/23 - 4th Grade with Susie Spikol - NH Mammals @ 2 pm
2/1/23 - PTO Meeting @ 6 pm
2/2/23 - 3rd Grade Trip to GEP Library @ 2:20 pm
2/6/23 - Special of the Week - Art
2/7/23 - Marty Kelley Assembly & Workshops (Schedule to TBD)
2/7/23 - 4th Grade trip to Bruce Edes Forest with Susie Spikol - NH Mammals @ 1:30 pm
2/8/23 - Marty Kelley Assembly & Workshops (Schedule to TBD)
2/9/23 - 4th Grade trip to GEP Library @ 2:10 pm
2/9/23 - Community Supper @ 5:30 pm
2/13/23 - Special of the Week - Health & PE
2/14/23 - Happy Valentines Day
2/14/23 - 4th Grade trip to Bruce Edes Forest with Susie Spikol - NH Mammals @ 1:30 pm
2/17/23 - Assembly - Kindergarten, 2nd & 3rd presenting
2/20/23 - Special of the Week - Library
2/21/22 - (Snow date) 4th Grade trip to Bruce Edes Forest with Susie Spikol - NH Mammals @ 1:30 pm
2/23/23 - Title I Literacy Night with Marty Kelley
2/24/23 - Black Bear Day in the afternoon
Title 1 Literacy Night: February 23rd - SAVE THE DATE
Your Turn!
Winter Wonderland was Magic!
S.E.L.- Behavioral Support - Corner
Hi everyone! We hope you've had another great week and hope these resources will help you navigate the holiday season as an even more confident parent!
Resource of the Week:
- Common Sense Media - This is one of my favorite resources, as both a parent and educator. Here, you can search everything from the book your child is reading to a movie you want to watch as a family but don't have time to pre-screen! Parents and educators have shared their own reviews, and there are recommendations for appropriate ages for almost everything, with comments as to why. Sadly, there is now a paid version, but I haven't run into the need to subscribe just yet
Article of the Week:
- How to Make Elf on the Shelf a Self-Esteem Building Tradition - The "article" this week is a video from Big Little Feelings, a Facebook/Instagram blog account that I love love love! Elf on the Shelf is quite popular, though not for everyone (I, myself, do not have one and am not sure if we'll do it when my kids are in elementary school). It can be very fun - Elves doing silly things certainly brings alive the magic of the season! The key takeaway here is to make sure that when you refer to Santa or an Elf watching your children, that you not refer to them as "good" or "bad" - all kids are "nice" and we all make mistakes from time to time. We need to be sure to use those mistakes as a learning opportunity, rather than labeling them as "bad" or "naughty." So have fun with Elf on the Shelf, or whatever you do, but refrain from tying whether or not your child will get a present to their behavior.
Sidenote: Big Little Feelings also has an email newsletter and I receive tips every week and have found them so helpful for helping to validate children's feelings while also teaching them perspective-taking and how to move forward with their big feelings
Family Activity:
- Pick a night and decorate together! Spending time together as a family is always important, but there is so much going on this time of year, that it's even more important to slow down and enjoy in a family activity together. I am reminded of cutting snowflakes - it's one of my favorites, as there are templates, but once you've folded into triangles, there's almost nothing that won't turn into a beautiful and unique snowflake! It's fun, and very empowering for kids to be able to do something on their own that turns into something truly beautiful that they can help decorate with!
Thank you and have a wonderful weekend/week ahead!
Kristina Styren, Ed.S., NCSP
School Psychologist
ConVal News Blog
The ConVal School District has news blog to serve as a hub for the latest updates, information and news about the district’s schools, students, faculty, events and accomplishments.
The blog, ConValNews.com is integrated into the schools and District’s Facebook and Twitter accounts and will automatically broadcast news blog content onto these platforms, connecting directly with the district community.
With a clean, user-friendly and mobile responsive layout, the news blog allows for easy navigation throughout. It can be accessed on computers, cell phones and tablets. Community members can subscribe and be notified by email when new posts are published.
Parents/guardians, students, staff, and community members should still utilize the district’s main website, Convalsd.net, to access the District-wide calendar of events, contact information, school committee meeting notices and minutes, important documents and notices and to view general information about the district and its schools.
First Podcast next week! - PODCAST
Bear Den Broadcast
2022 - 2023 District Calendar
Scan the URL code below to subscribe to ConVal News!
Pierce School - Bennington, NH
Email: bgibney@conval.edu
Website: https://bes.convalsd.net/
Location: Pierce Elementary School, Main Street, Bennington, NH, USA
Phone: (603)588-2131