The Tiger Times
March 2018
West Newton Elementary
MISSION
A Note from your Principal
Dear West Newton families,
In March we welcome longer days and the official start of spring! Our West Newton Tigers are eager to enjoy outdoor recess again and we welcome the fresh air and exercise. Our 3rd – 6th graders are in the midst of taking their first round of ISTEP and are making good use of our school-wide strategies of marking and coding, using Yes, Ma’am for text evidence, and CUBES for problem solving as they show-off their skills. Then on March 12-14 our 3rd graders get to show off their reading skills by taking IREAD 3! We wish the best for all of our "student testers"! We are looking forward to our Book Fair this month with our theme of “Paws to Read a Great Book”!
We are all about celebrating our furry friends with this year’s Book Fair theme. I am extending an invitation to all of our West Newton family members and especially to grandparents to attend West Newton’s March 9 Book Fair Grand Opening and Grandparents’ Night from 5-7pm. We will have several dinner options to purchase as you enjoy a meal with your student that evening and then take some time to browse our Book Fair. We will also have our famous Lunch with Someone You Love dates available again this year, but please know that family members are always welcome to join their student for lunch on the day that best meets their scheduling needs. Here are the dates and times set aside for each grade level:
· Fri., March 9 = Grade 4 at 12:30pm
· Mon., March 12 = Grade 5 at 12:00pm
· Mon., March 12 = Grade 6 at 1:00pm
· Tues., March 13 = Grade 2 at 11:30am
· Wed., March 14 = Grade 1 at 10:30am
· Thurs., March 15 = Grade 3 at 11:00am
· Friday, March 16 is the final day of the Book Fair – it will close at 1:30pm.
Finally, we are also looking forward to our Grades 5 & 6 Music Program which will be held on Thurs., March 15 at 7:00pm. Please have your students at school by 6:45pm so that they are ready to take the stage by 7:00pm. It is always so much fun to see our students showcase their talents!
March 16 is the last day of school prior to spring break. School will reconvene on Mon., April 2. I wish everyone a relaxing respite for two weeks and I’m looking forward to seeing our students in April!
With Tiger Pride,
Susan D. Strube
MEET OUT SIXTH GRADE TEAM
Spring Break ~ No School
Elementary Girls Volleyball Clinic
This clinic offers each girl the opportunity to learn and play volleyball in a fun and friendly environment. Girls will have chances to win prices from candy to t-shirts. Cost for the the clinic is $30.
West Newton's Volleyball Clinic will be held every Tuesday - immediately after school until 5:00 pm. Registration required - watch for forms to come home soon. Students should stay after school on the following dates:
- April 3
- April 10
- April 17
- April 24
- May 1
- May 8 *Clinic will be on Wednesday due to the Elections
- May 15
Art Updates from Mrs. Suchy:
Visiting Clay Artist: Our visiting Clay Artist will soon begin her visits to the West Newton Art room. Please check below to find your child's class date. We invite you to participate in this event with your child. This is a great opportunity to work alongside your child and interact with students and staff that are helping make our clay art days a huge success. WE NEED PARENT HELP FOR THIS EVENT. If you are able to help, please have a current volunteer approved application on file or apply at the link below. Any questions, please email Mrs. Suchy at tkrell-suchy@msddecatur.k12.in.us.
Parent Volunteer Link: http://www.decaturproud.org/families/volunteer
PARENT VOLUNTEERS NEEDED for the following dates; you don't have to have a student in the class to volunteer:
- March 12 - 1st/Quattrocchi, 2nd/Bright, and 5th/Barrett
- March 14 - 1st/Mould, 2nd/Culver, and 5th/Frankl
- April 5 - 2nd/Liffick and 5th/Wray
- April 6 - 1st/Lewman and 5th/Edwards-McKeiver
- April 9 - 6th/Washer and 4th/Yount
- April 11 - 4th/Green and 3rd/Rini
- April 12 - 6th/Linton, 4th/Cutshaw, and 3rd/Parker
- May 8 - 6th/Fortune, 4th/Ryden, and 3rd/Goodin
- May 11 - 6th/Langley, 4th/Wilson, and 3rd/Keene
- May 15 - 1st/Burkhart, 2nd/Hofmeister, and 5th/Maydwell
Clay Sign up Link: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSc6wHJXF2QcMNlsQzIy3yM3r-GWJGdeZQp6OKN37ai7xTtMWg/viewform
Thank you for supporting the Visual Art program at West Newton.
A NOTE FROM THE NURSE:
Dear Parents/Guardians:
Due to the recent outbreak of Influenza A and B here in the state of Indiana, we feel it’s important to review our procedures in regards to children who are sick at home and/or school.
If your child is vomiting or has diarrhea before school and it’s not related to any other medical condition, it is often most appropriate to keep him/her home from school. A child who is sick will not be able to perform well in school and is likely to spread the illness to other children and staff. Please make arrangements for childcare ahead of time to avoid spreading contagious illnesses any further.
Our school guidelines state that you should not send your child to school if he/she has:
1. Fever in the past 24 hours of 100 degrees or higher
2. Vomiting/diarrhea in the past 24 hours (not related to other conditions)
3. Strep throat-MUST take antibiotics for at least 24 hours before coming back to school
4. If child has been up most of the night with a bad cough, keep him/her home and its best to see their doctor before returning if symptoms persist.
If your child becomes ill at school and the teacher or nurse feels the child may have a contagious illness, you will be called to come and take him/her home from school. It is essential that your child’s info is updated with a correct phone number where you can be contacted AND an emergency contact in case you cannot be reached. If your daytime or emergency phone numbers change during the year, PLEASE contact the school’s front office immediately with appropriate contact information.
These guidelines are meant to serve the best interests of all the children and staff here at West Newton. As always, THANK YOU for your efforts in keeping our tiger cubs safe and healthy! If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to call!
Mrs. Paige Ison, RN
School Nurse
317-856-5237
Want to be a bus driver for Decatur Township? Well...
- Call the transportation office at 317-856-8060 - ask for Mark Anderson!
- We will train you to get your CDL class B license!
- Make $19.61 an hour for doing what many parents do for free!
HOMEWORK HIGHLIGHTS
Practice equals mastery ~ students will gain confidence and show success in the classroom. If you need help with ideas and/or strategies, contact your child's teacher.
SCHOOL-WIDE STRATEGIES
The West Newton staff utilizes school-wide strategies to support students in grades 1-6 with instruction aligned with the Indiana College and Career Ready Standards. The rigor increases as students progress through each grade level, but all staff use the same common strategies to support student learning.
Reading = Yes, Ma’am and marking & coding for text evidence
Math = CUBES problem solving steps and Math Fact Mastery
Writing = 6 Traits of Writing
Science = Indiana Science Initiative and cross-curricular embedding with reading of nonfiction
Social Studies = Cross-curricular embedding with reading of nonfiction
These strategies support our students with critical thinking skills and set high expectations for completion of work.
ISTEP PRACTICE LINK
Riley Hospital presents "Bear in the Chair" in Sebastian's Honor!!
West Newton PTO ~ Events at a Glance
MARCH
Tuesday 6th / 6:00 --- PTO Meeting
Friday 9th - Friday 16th --- Book Fair (Lunch with someone you love)
Friday 9th / 5:00 --- Grandparent's Night / Book Fair Grand Opening
Monday 19th - Friday 30th --- SPRING BREAK
Monday, April 2nd --- School Reconvenes
APRIL
Tuesday 6th / 6:00 ---PTO Meeting
Friday, April 13th / 6:00-8:00 --- Movie Night
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
Submit your application: http://www.decaturproud.org/families/volunteer
Don't have a computer, not a problem. Volunteer forms are available in the school office.
For more information contact:
Bev O'Toole 317-241-0183 or botoole@msddecatur.k12.in.us
HERE COMES THE BUS
To learn more about the "Here Comes the Bus" App click the link below.
MSD DECATUR APP
iPhone:
https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/msd-of-decatur-township/id1262277147
Google Play:
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.schoolcourier.decatur&hl=en
DECATUR PROUD LICENSE PLATES
BOX TOPS for EDUCATION
Clipping Box Tops for Education is an easy way to help earn cash for our school. Each one is worth 10¢ for our school! Just look for the pink Box Tops on hundreds of products. All you have to do is clip them and send them to school. Your child can earn personal rewards and rewards for their class or grade level when they bring in Box Tops! For more information on Box Tops, including a list of participating products, go to BTFE.com. Be sure to sign up as a member (it’s free!) so you can check out our school’s earnings details and get access to coupons and bonus offers. You can also download the Box Tops Bonus App to earn even more money for our school.
Thank you for your support!