The Newton News
February 22, 2019
The Newton School's mission is t o develop each child’s potential for academic success, engagement and overall well-being. Through this process, we will enrich each child’s education with community involvement, collaboration and outreach.
K News
Ms. Kicza
Kindergarten enjoyed a morning snowshoeing in the fields above the school. They ate snack with hot cocoa near the pond, explored the woods and fields, and got back to school tired but happy.
1-2 News
Mrs. Longcore & Mrs. Robinson
First and second graders had an engineering challenge to make rockets this week. First we reviewed the rules and process of engineering and read the book What Do You Do With An Idea?. We then spent an afternoon planning how best to make the two types of rockets planned--balloon rockets and straw rockets. 

Thursday afternoon we dived right into creating the rockets. The balloon rockets were not very successful, but we thought of lots of improvements we could try next time. The straw rockets worked much better, and children had fun testing them and watching them fly around 10-15 feet. They experimented with adding tail wings and adding more tape to make them airtight. Overall it was an engaging challenge!
3/4 News
Ms. Coté & Mrs. Marzot
We had a great week before vacation! On Monday, Michelle Amato from VINS came in to teach us about wind and compass direction. It was frustrating, but we persevered through the challenge. 

Fourth grade went to the HOOD on Friday and had a chance to see the new museum. This is a free resource that would be amazing to experience over the vacation. 

We hope you have a happy and healthy break!
5/6 News
Ms. Tremblay & Mr. Walker
Students have been working to complete their earbud cases during makerspace time. Designing and building a case that reflects their personality has been a process.

Some students are gaining confidence in their ability to solve a problem by doing research and collaborating with their peers; others are acquiring confidence in themselves by continually redesigning. All students have been successful with the project and had an opportunity to be self directed, creative and practical problem solvers, and to be a responsible and involved citizen. 
Music News
Julia Waswo
hand_holding_note.jpg
Save the Date! 

The Newton School’s Music Gala will be on Thursday April 11 from 5:30-6:30. 
Enjoy a musical evening of vocal and instrumental performances featuring the students of The Newton School. More details to come...
Library News
Simone Pyle
We've had a creative and explorative week in the library! Kindergarten and first grade have been identifying the parts of a story: beginning, middle, and ending, as well as characters and setting. In kindergarten, we used Storybird to craft our own story as a group. Tables took turns adding to the "meaty middle" of our story, and selected the art to go along with it. I hope to share their story in the future (Storybird requires that it go through moderation first).

First graders made stick and elastic books which they can write their own stories in over break. This fun and easy activity is a great way to use up scrap paper (it can also be used with paper grocery bags).

Second graders took apart some of our old, dilapidated Macbooks to see what these devices that we use everyday look like on the inside. We identified the hard drive, disk drive, fan, ribbon cables, memory cards, and the motherboard.
Many thanks to Nurse Kerri, Louisa, and Mr. Pyle for helping us with this activity!

Visit the library blog for more photos.
Lunch Room News
Gret Hewes
WINTER CARNIVAL IS HERE!

So many fun activities are on hand in our amazing town.

We would like to remind everyone that while having tons of fun, don’t forget to fuel your bodies. It is so important to replenish our bodies so we can enjoy this fabulous event.

Food is our fuel to make our bodies run healthy and strong. Proteins are important as well as fruits, vegetables, dairy and grains. These five food groups will work together to keep our bodies healthy.

Healthy snacks help to keep us on track and keep our bodies going between meals. They are just as important as our three main meals. Grab an orange, apple or granola bar and put it in your pocket; when you have a break from your activities have a snack.  

Remember too, the importance of water and hydrating your body. If you keep these things in mind, Winter Carnival and all activities will be that much more pleasurable and fun. Your body will thank you!

Have fun at Winter Carnival all!
Farm to School News
Alyssa Marzot
Farm to School will be at Winter Carnival! On Saturday, we will be serving soups and baked goods down in Barrett Hall from 12-2. We hope to see you there and a huge thank you to all who have signed up to donate either an item or their time.

Farm to School had their monthly taste test on Tuesday. Students had a chance to try grits with either maple syrup or salt and pepper with a slab of butter. While not very many students tried the grits, overall the results were positive. We had 45 participants and 27 "liked it," 10 were "not sure about it yet" and 8 "did not like it." A special thank you goes to Chrissy Coburn for donating this month's taste test item!
Nurse's News
Kerri Juergens
Although our community has not been affected by the flu virus as much as I am hearing that other towns have, I wanted to post some preventive information about disinfecting and cleaning; how to tell the flu from the common cold; and general information about the flu. Other towns nearby have been hit hard in the schools with the flu and other illnesses, i.e. the common cold, bronchitis, norovirus (the vomiting/nausea virus), and pneumonia; we have had the norovirus and the common cold in fairly great numbers also. Perhaps we can prevent this from spreading to Strafford in the numbers seen in other towns nearby. And a very grateful THANK YOU to Ed Eastman for being extremely diligent on keeping our school germ-free as much as he is able to, relentlessly never lacking in this effort! 

PTA News
Shannon Varley
WINTER CARNIVAL THIS WEEKEND!
FEBRUARY 22 & 23

Friday, Feb. 22
1:00 - 4:00 Lions Ski Program at the Skiway
4:00 - 5:00 Takeout Dinner - Preorder with Gret
6:30 - end Movie at Gym (Rio) - Benefit for Middle School Trip

Saturday, Feb. 23
10:00 - 12:00 Donuts and Maple Syrup at Strafford Creative Preschool
10:00 - 12:30 Murray Field Activities

   10:00 - 10:45 Obstacle Course
   10:45 - 11:30 Snowshoe Racing
   11:30 - 12:00 Nordic Racing
   12:00 - 12:30 Snow/Ice Sculpture Building & Competition 

12:30- 12:45 Strafford Splash sponsored by Strafford Fire/Rescue - Preschool Parking
   Lot
    
12:30 - 2:00 Lunch - Benefit for Farm to School- **Moved Indoors to Barrett Hall** 
    
1:45 - 4:00 Harrington Hill Activities 

   1:45 - 2:30 Sledding Races
   2:30 - 3:15 Skiing & Snowboarding Races
   3:15 - 4:00 Skiing & Snowboarding Competition
    
5:00 Spaghetti Dinner and Awards Ceremony - Barrett Hall
   ($5 Suggested Donation)

6:30 - 8:30 Bonfire & Ice Skating Under the Lights- Murray Field

TOWN MEETING CHILDCARE
TUESDAY, MARCH 5th

The PTA is delighted to be able to offer child care during Town Meeting this year. Children ages 0-11 will be supervised by local middle and high school students at the village Church, which has generously donated the space for the purpose. All will be supervised by Nicolette Brown and Kelsey McFadden. Hours will be 8:45 - 3:00.

PLEASE RSVP to Christa by March 3, so we know how many kids to expect.
Registration Forms will be available at Newton School and will be sent home in take-home folders.
$15 full day - per child
$7 half day - per child
$35 for families with 3 or more kids

Checks payable to Newton School PTA, please turn in at time of drop-off.

Please ensure the following items are sent with your child:
  *The registration form and payment to Newton School PTA
  *Lunch, snack and water bottle for the day - PTA does not provide any
  food or have food on site.
  *Outdoor clothing
  *A change of dry clothing - it can be wet this time of year and having a
  change of dry clothing can keep your child comfortable and prevent us from
  having to contact you during town meeting.
  *No electronic devices.

BRING COMPLETED REGISTRATION FORMS TO THE CHURCH ON TOWN MEETING DAY

For any questions, contact Christa Wurm at 765-4111 or christa.wurm@gmail.com

NEXT PTA MEETING
MONDAY, MARCH 11th
6:00
SCHOOL LIBRARY
Upcoming Events
February 24 - Stories in Snow Tracking Workshop 12:00-2:00 at TES

March 6 - First day back from break!


March 14, 21 & 28 - Our 4-Town Future Forums

April 5, 12 & 20 - 4-H Vet Science Program (UVM Extention)

Summer Camp Info