The Knightly News
NES PTO / January 29, 2016
Greetings, Newtown Knights!
We hope your year has gotten off to a great start. Check out Mr. King's positivity tips from bestselling author Jon Gordon below--guaranteed to brighten your day. Also, for families facing change in the year ahead, guidance counselor Mrs. Cook offers useful ideas for reassuring children and helping them adjust. Finally, get your PTO redux (with tons of upcoming events and opportunities to get involved) and enjoy a roundup of pics from the annual Science Fair. Hey, while we're at it, let's meet up for pancakes soon--see below for details! Love, the NES PTO
Upcoming Events
FEBRUARY
7: Applebee's Flapjack Fundraiser
10: PTO Meeting (7PM, Library)
17: NES Spirit Night at Chick-Fil-A (print voucher from PTO website)
17: Newtown Bookshop Night (K-3 grade)
18: Newtown Bookshop Night (4-6 grade)
11: Pretzel Sale
26: Muffins with Mom (info coming soon)
MARCH
1:Pretzel Sale
9: PTO Meeting (7PM, Library)
11: Sweetheart Dance
28: Pretzel Sale
Applebee's Flapjack Fundraiser
Sunday, Feb 7, 2016, 08:00 AM
Applebee's, West Road, Newtown, PA, United States
King of the Castle: 20 Tips for a Positive New Year
Mr. King shares tips from bestselling author, positivity expert and motivational speaker, Jon Gordon (www.JonGordon.com).
- Stay Positive. You can listen to the cynics and doubters and believe that success is impossible or you can trust that with faith and an optimistic attitude all things are possible.
- Take a morning walk of gratitude. I call it a "Thank You Walk." It will create a fertile mind ready for success.
- Make your first meal the biggest and your last meal the smallest. Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince and dinner like a college kid with a maxed out charge card.
- Remember that outside circumstances and events have no power over you. You create your world from the inside-out.
- Talk to yourself instead of listen to yourself. Instead of listening to your complaints, fears and doubts, talk to yourself and feed your mind with words of truth and the encouragement you need to keep moving forward.
- Post a sign that says "No Energy Vampires Allowed." Gandhi said, "I will not let anyone walk through my mind with their dirty feet."
- Don't chase dollars or success. Decide to make a difference and build meaningful relationships and success will find you.
- Get more sleep. You can't replace sleep with a double latte.
- Don't waste your precious energy on gossip, energy vampires, issues of the past, negative thoughts or things you cannot control. Instead invest your energy in your purpose, people and the positive present moment.
- You don’t have to be great to serve but you have to serve to be great. Look for opportunities to Love, Serve and Care.
- Live your purpose. Remember why you do what you do. We don't get burned out because of what we do. We get burned out because we forget why we do it.
- There's no such thing as an overnight success. Anything worthwhile takes time to build.
- Trust that everything happens for a reason and expect good things to come out of challenging experiences.
- Implement the No Complaining Rule. If you are complaining, you're not leading.
- Read more books than you did in 2015.
- Don't seek happiness. Instead decide to live with passion and purpose and happiness will find you.
- Focus on "get to" versus "have to." Each day, focus on what you get to do, not what you have to do. Life is a gift, not an obligation.
- The next time you "fail" remember that you aren’t failing, you are becoming. You aren’t failing, you are growing.
- Smile and laugh more. They are natural anti-depressants.
- Enjoy the ride. You only have one ride through life so make the most of it and enjoy it.
2016 Science Fair
2016 NES Science Fair
ROYGBIV!
Buggin' out
"Is it a battery, or is it food?"
Brain power!
Get a reaction!
Journey to the Center of the Earth
Expanding Gummy Bears!
Cola wins!
Blobs in a bottle!
It's crystal clear!
The force is strong with this one!
Next eruption at 6:45 PM!
A great line-up!
Now you see her, now you don't!
The Boucey Egg
Do all liquids behave the same?
Awesome goo!
You'll never drink soda again!
Apparent Motion
Out of this world!
Mrs. Cook's Corner: Helping Children Adjust to Family Changes
Adjusting to family changes (separation, divorce, death, etc.) can be difficult for children. Below are tips for helping your child adjust to changes.
- Identify the changes ahead of time, if you can.
- Have an age-appropriate and honest discussion, free from distractions.
- Help your child understand what they can control about the change (their own thoughts, behavior and choices).
- Listen to your child’s perspective about the change.
- Reassure your child that the change is not their fault.
- Discuss worries and come up with a plan to address them.
- Let them have some input and choice, when possible.
- Maintain a sense of routine with their activities.
- Maintain limits, rules, boundaries and discipline.
- Avoid giving them special treatment, rewards, gifts and money. Instead, shower them with unconditional love and patience.
- Keep promises.
- Make time for your children (one-on-one time is best). This helps strengthen your bond, provides reassurance and creates a positive distraction. Plan activities that interest each person; take turns choosing.
- Let kids be kids. Encourage them to continue their own chores, activities and interests without taking on more adult roles. Do not let them be your emotional support.
- Take care of yourself. Get enough rest, exercise and eat healthy meals. Continue to go to work. Use your support network.
During times of change, reassure your children that they are still the same people they always were. It is important to see their friends and continue with the activities they enjoy, even though things are changing. Reassure your children that you will be there to support them and guide them through these changes. If your child is having a lot of difficulty coping with the change, please let us know about the concerns. Parents can reach me via email (Tammy Cook, tcook@crsd.org) or phone (215-944-2259). We can work with you to find the best support for your child.
PTO Updates
The PTO is excited to present several upcoming fundraising and spirit events that are big on family fun!
On February 7th, we are hosting a Flapjack Fundraiser at Applebee's. All-you-can-eat pancakes, sausage and beverages, served up by Mr. King and surprise staff members! Kick off your Superbowl Sunday with us from 8-10AM--it's a sure win! Click here for details.
On two consecutive evenings, February 17 and 18, join us for a Knight at the Newtown Bookshop. Celebrity NES teachers will read books (k-3 level on 2/17 and 4-6 grade level on 2/18). Come either night--or both! Everyone is welcome. NES will receive 20% of sales over both days (just mention NES at checkout). Shop local and support the NES library!
Also, on February 17, stop by Chick-fil-A for NES Spirit Night! (A perfect dinner option if you're already headed to the bookstore!) Bring your printed voucher to benefit NES at checkout.
Our annual Sweetheart Dance will take place on March 11th. This event is a special time for NES girls and their fathers or other male role models. All grades are invited! Our theme this year is The Enchanted Forest. Note: the dance will take place on the evening of a half-day from school--so the girls (and our volunteers!) will have extra time to get ready! Registration information will be available soon. NEW this year: we are using PAYPAL as our method of registration and payment. Stay tuned.
We are currently forming planning committees for Spring Fling and Teacher Appreciation Week. If you'd like to help in the planning stages (theme, events, decorations, etc.), please contact us! We'd love to hear your ideas! Any amount of time you can commit is useful. Email us!
Volunteer Clearances: If you plan on volunteering in CR schools, please be sure you complete all clearances and submit them to the HR department in the Chancellor Center. Information can be found on the CRSD home page HERE. Please know that if a parent is an assigned chaperone and is directly responsible for students on a trip, that chaperone/parent must have clearances. The deadline for submitting clearances is fast approaching! Finally, the yellow volunteer badges on the lanyard are no longer being used. Going forward you will receive a paper badge when you enter the school.
Thanks for reading!
Email: ptones.newsletter@gmail.com
Website: nespto.com
Location: 1 Wrights Road, Newtown, PA, United States