The Newton News
May 3, 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.
School Notes and Athletics
Mr. Bagnato
It was a great week at Newton School. While the rain kept things cool and damp outside, classrooms were warm with lots of learning happening. Students in 5/6 had a great time creating an arcade that they shared for the younger students in school. Students in grades 7 and 8 participated in the Middle School Fitness Competition in Northfield, Vermont. These types of activities are designed to heighten student engagement and give participants an opportunity to share their learning.

Next week we will begin SBAC testing. Please see an important letter regarding this year's testing here.

School Events and Activities
  • Monday 5/6 - K-4 Field Trip to the Hopkins Center
  • Monday 5/6 - School Board Task Force meeting at 6:30 at Newton School. This is a public meeting, please consider attending
  • Tuesday 5/7 - PTA Meeting 6:00 Library
  • Tuesday 5/7 - SBAC testing Grades 5-8
  • Wednesday 5/8 - SBAC testing Grades 5-8
  • Thursday 5/9 - SBAC testing Grades 5-8
K-2 News
Ms. Kicza, Mrs. Longcore, and Mrs. Robinson
We’ve had another fun week here at school, full of special activities. The K-2 cluster began practicing for our play this week. We will perform Make Way For Ducklings, and after requesting parts we had our first read through. The children had great ideas for costumes, props, and scenery. The show will be on Thursday, May 16th, at 1:30 and 5:00 pm. We can always use help prior to the shows with costuming, face painting, etc. Please let your child’s teacher know if you would like to help. We hope to see you all there! 

We had a couple of special guests and volunteers this week in the K-2. Third grader Annelies visited each classroom to teach us sign language! She taught the alphabet, some words, and answered many questions about Helen Keller and sign language in general. This has sparked such an interest among our students, who have taken books out of the library and studied classroom books on sign language since then. Thanks to Annelies for teaching us! We’ve also had Annemieke generously donating her time to us. She helped with second grade math this morning, kindergarten reading, and will help in the weeks to come as well. Thanks so much to Annemieke!

Kindergarten also helped clean up for an early Green Up Day. They worked together to pick up lots of litter nearby the school and playground. 

Read more about our week in the K-2 newsletter !

3-4 News
Ms. Coté & Mrs. Marzot
On Monday afternoon we went on an expedition to the Town Pond to look for signs of spring. Ask your child about what they noticed, and perhaps what they wondered about our time outside. As the weather changes and gets warmer, it is really important that you help your child with tick checks, particularly after we have been playing and learning outside. It would also be helpful to have your student bring in a complete change of clothes. We have had some wet and muddy recesses and it is hard to learn when you’re uncomfortable.

The start of next week will be busy! On Monday, May 6th 3/4 will join K-2 in the morning on a field trip to the Hopkins Center for the Arts at Dartmouth to see a performance of  Me … Jane: The Dreams & Adventures of Young Jane Goodall.  In the afternoon, Michelle Amato from VINS will join us for our outdoor education afternoon. On Tuesday, May 7th fourth grade will head to the HOOD for their last trip of the year. Please let Mrs. Marzot know if you are interested in joining them.  
5-6 News
Ms. Tremblay and Mr. Walker
This week our 5/6 cluster created a pop up cardboard arcade! They have been working in makerspace for weeks on a game inspired by Caine’s Arcade. Students were self-directed in learning about new concepts that interested them like light and sound, or force and motion. We are very proud of the work they accomplished and the skills they acquired. Thank you to the 1/2 cluster and the 3/4 cluster for letting us practice our responsible and involved citizen transferable skill when they played our games!
7/8 News
Mr. Bagnato, Ms. Richardson, and Mrs. White
Math: 
Next week is the beginning of SBAC testing. In preparation for these computer-based tests, we will be logging in and navigating through the systems. The objective of taking the time to do this is for students to feel familiar and comfortable with this style of testing which only comes around once a year. These tests also provide students with tools through the user interface such as calculators and formulas. This opportunity to peruse around in the test portal should help relieve some anxieties over these exams. 

History and Writing:
The class has completed their unit on the five major religions. Next week they will be exploring the causes of the Great War.

Operation Day’s Work:
The leadership committee has secured jobs for all the students in 7th and 8th grade. A letter explaining this service project will be coming home this week. A reminder that our day of work will be on May 23rd.
Music News
Julia Waswo
Bravo and a round of applause to The Newton School musicians!
On Thursday April 11th, the K-8 students performed to a packed house at our Music Gala!

Thank you again for all your support!
One Planet News
Kiersten Harlow
One Planet Summer Camp Registration is still open. Space is filling fast...get your registration forms in to secure your slot!
Smoothie critics today!
Lunch Room News
Gret Hewes
We had our Farm to School Taste Test on Tuesday….ASPARAGUS! It was roasted at 400 degrees F for about 15 minutes, with drizzles of olive oil and a sprinkle of sea salt. We served it up with a lemon wedge.  

The students really liked it. Please go to the FTS section of the newsletter for the results.

Our final Taste Test will be held in May; we will be announcing the date for this test, as we will be serving the seasonal fiddleheads.

As the end of the school year is swiftly approaching we are reminding parents and/or guardians to please go to mymealtime.com to check their student hot lunch balances. All balances should have a prepaid or $0 balance by the end of the school year (June 18, 2019).

Should you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact me at ghewes@newtonschool.org.
Farm to Table News
Alyssa Marzot
On Tuesday, April 29th, 67 students and faculty participated in our April Taste Test. This month’s test focused on a sign of spring: asparagus! It was roasted and seasoned with sea salt. Students had the choice of having a freshly squeezed lemon on top. Forty-eight voted with a smiley face, meaning that they liked it. Twelve people were not sure about it yet, and seven people did not like it. Something that we experimented with this recipe was altering the recipe so that all students could participate in the taste test, and we think that this impacted the taste. Ask your student about the experience. Gret does an amazing job serving recipes, thank you for the yummy food!

Our next meeting will be Thursday, May 9th at 3:15 in Mrs. Marzot’s room.
PTA News
Shannon Varley
Let's celebrate Newton School's amazing Staff! 

Staff Appreciation Week Schedule
Monday, May 6- Friday, May 10th
  • Monday, May 6th - Breakfast & Coffee Bar
  • Tuesday, May 7th - Gifts from the Heart (Bring a simple homemade gift in for your favorite teacher or staff member. Ideas include: homemade cookies or baked goods, flowers, candles, or homemade craft.)
  • Wednesday, May 8th - Pick-A-Pansy
  • Thursday, May 9th - Notes from the Heart (Write a poem or a note to your teacher or favorite staff member. Let them know how special they are!)
  • Friday, May 10th - Soup & Bread Lunch

Mother's Day Card Making Workshop
Monday, May 6th
After School - Permission Slips Needed

Bike to School Day
Friday, May 17th
Riders from Strafford: meet at the firehouse in the Upper Village at 7:15 and leave by 7:25. Riders from South Strafford: meet at the Catholic Church at 7:30 and leave by 7:40. HELMETS REQUIRED FOR ALL RIDERS. Contact Hayley Zoerheide with any questions at 765-2639 or hayleykzoerheide@gmail.com

PTA Plant Sale
Saturday, May 18th
9 am-12:00
Newton School 
Happy May! While you are outside waking up your beds and planting those peas, please keep the PTA Plant Sale in mind. In a few weeks, we will ask for donations of plants of any kind! Perennials, herbs, veggie starts, house plants, bulbs, berries, and more. We will collect from May 13-18. Thank you!

Food/Refreshment Signup Needed at Bike to School Day
May 17th
7:30-8:00am
Each year, after the kids and parents make their way to the school on bikes, the PTA provides juice, water, milk and lite "breakfasty" snacks (muffins, donuts,etc...) for the kids at the school (usually set up outside of the library). If you want to donate something to the table or help out --  SIGN UP HERE

PTA Officer - Secretary Position Still Open
We will be voting on next year's officers at our next meeting, Tuesday, May 7th. We are still looking for a new person to fill the Secretary position. 
The Secretary needs to be available to attend all or most meetings, take detailed minutes, file to Drive, and provide strong assistantship with PTA programming and events. If you are interested in either of these positions and/or have questions, please email Shannon.

Next Meetings
6:00 Newton School Library
Tuesday, May 7 (Officer Election)
Tuesday, June 4
Upcoming Events