New Lebanon School
December 18th Newsletter
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Dear Families,
It is with great pleasure that I can inform you that we have just been name a CT SCHOOL OF DISTINCTION in the area of high growth with high needs populations in English Language Arts. Of approximately 1,000 schools in CT, only 129 were named Schools of Distinction. Of these schools only 44 other schools receive this recognition in the same area. This award exemplifies our commitment to continuous improvement for ALL students here at New Lebanon School.This of course could not have been done without the support of parents, community partners, students, district personnel, and ALL staff. Go Bobcats!
Let's continue this momentum and spread the word. Did you know that we are a magnet school which means that ALL students who reside anywhere Greenwich can join us? Spread the word that the Magnet Open House Dates are January 10th at 9:30am and January 11th at 6:30pm. All meetings are in person.
Did you move this year? That's okay! You can apply to stay through our magnet. Please make sure to contact the main office for more details.
Our school will CONTINUE to be the only school in Greenwich with free breakfast and lunch for all. This is because so many of you have continued to fill out these Free and Reduced Lunch forms. If you have not completed yours, please do so this year.
Our holiday concert is back this Monday December 19th 2022. If you are interested in volunteering, please email Nina_dryer@greenwich.k12.ct.us. Volunteers are need from 6pm-7:15pm.
Your Interim Principal & Assistant Principal,
Mrs. Eisenstein & Mrs. Vaccarelli
Distinguished Teacher
For complete eligibility and criteria information, review the Nomination Packet Instructions available annually in December.
To be eligible for the award, a nominee must:
- be a full-time (equal to or greater than 0.5 FTE) GEA member* who teaches in the Greenwich Public Schools,
- have completed at least five (5) years of teaching by March 9, 2023,
- have completed at least three (3) years of teaching in the Greenwich Public Schools by March 9, 2023,
- be an employee in good standing – Please note that the Greenwich Public Schools’ Human Resources Department will review each nomination to confirm the above mentioned eligibility requirements and review each candidate’s personnel file to determine an employee is in good standing. For further information on the criteria, please contact the GPS Human Resources Department prior to submitting the completed nomination packet.
- Previous award recipients are not eligible for re-nomination.
*GEA members include teachers, social workers, guidance counselors, instructional & STEM coaches and school psychologists
Nominations MUST provide the diverse perspectives of an administrator, colleague, and a parent or student. Nominations may be made by anyone representing one of the following categories; the seconders must represent the remaining two categories:
- one professional colleague, currently employed by the Greenwich Public Schools
- one parent/student/other current community member
- one administrator, currently employed by the Greenwich Public Schools
(Members of the Distinguished Teachers Award Committee may not nominate or second a nomination.)
Only one nomination packet per candidate will be accepted. We will accept the first nomination submitted; any subsequent nominations for the same candidate will not be accepted.
Criteria of a Distinguished Teacher:
The main emphasis in identifying a distinguished teacher is the quality of the teacher’s work with students. Candidates nominated for the Distinguished Teachers Award should be those who exhibit the qualities which are listed below. It is essential that nominators and seconders cite specific examples of the following qualities:
- Inspires enthusiasm, expects students to take responsibility for their own learning, and elicits a high level of achievement from students in relation to their individual abilities
- Demonstrates and continues to pursue a high mastery of subject matter and best practices for instruction
- Has the respect of students, parents and colleagues
- Communicates well with parents and students
- Collaborates and makes contributions to improve overall student achievement within the classroom
- Makes contributions to improve the school and/or the District beyond the classroom
For questions about nominations or procedures, please contact the Communications Office communications@greenwich.k12.ct.us.
5th-6th grade Transition Meetings
Reminder: Virtual meeting to discuss the Fifth to Sixth Grade Transition Process to be held Tuesday, January 17.
Middle School Counselors, Middle School Principals, and Curriculum Coordinators will go live to talk about what goes on in the spring and summer to help prepare students for the next school level. During this session, there will also be information regarding the placement process for Advanced Studies in Grades 6-8.
Join us virtually on Tuesday, January 17
9:30 am Zoom Link
10:30 am (Spanish) Zoom Link
7:00 pm Zoom Link
8:00 pm (Spanish) Zoom Link
You are invited to attend one of the sessions listed above. More information is available on our district website and S'Mores. If unable to attend, the slide deck and video recording of both meetings will be available online as early as January 18.
An Important Message from Gordon Beinstein, WMS Principal
Dear, Past, Present and Future WMS Families,
I want to follow up on the email from Dr. Jones regarding the status of the fields at Western Middle School. As you likely know, the WMS fields have been shut down for the past six years as we have gone back and forth with the state and federal agencies on how to remediate the contaminants found in the soil. We are at an exciting and critical point in this work. The state has our remediation action plan (RAP) plan put forth by our partners, Langan and AECOM. They are now seeking input from the community, both via email and, equally as important, in a meeting at Western on the evening of January 11th starting at 6:00pm.
I NEED our community to both flood their inbox AND pack the auditorium on that night with voices of support. The state needs to hear that the Western community is behind this work. Access to quality fields for our kids depends on your active participation in this process!
I am asking each of you to:
Provide written feedback to:
Show up in droves on January 11th, or attend virtually https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86572888389
I would love to see as many people in person as possible. A full auditorium would send a strong message!
SPEAK during the public comment section on January 11th.
Some of you have kids who have already been through WMS and will likely not directly benefit from this work. I am reminded of the Greek Proverb “A society grows great when old men plant trees in whose shade they shall never sit.” The Western Community needs you: all of you!
Here is an updated fact sheet with additional information
Please do not hesitate to reach out to me with any questions at gordon_beinstein@greenwich.k12.ct.us and I hope to see you on January 11th!
Gordon Beinstein
Principal
Western Middle School
#Westsidebestside
December Gifts of Kindness
Spirit Week Sponsored by 5th Grade Leadership Council
Monday-- 12/19/22-- Dress to Impress! (Concert attire)
Tuesday 12/20/22--Holiday Hat
Wednesday- 12/21/22 Festive Sock Day
Thursday-12/22/22 Dress Like Your Favorite Holiday Character
Friday 12/23/22- Pajama Cozy Day!
Important Dates
December
19 Winter Concert 7pm
20 Kindergarten Play 1:30
21 Author Visit from Jerry Pallotta
23 Read the Day Away, BANC is closed
23-Jan 2- Winter Break
January
3 Mrs. Michaelson Returns! School resumes from winter break.
10 Magnet Open House 9:30-10:30
11 Magnet Open House 6:30-7:30
Need to reach us?
Jenna Vaccarelli - Interim Assistant Principal
Email: lindsey_eisenstein@greenwich.k12.ct.us
Website: nls.greenwichschools.org
Location: 25 Mead Avenue, Greenwich, CT, USA
Phone: 203-531-9139
Twitter: @NewlebAP