The Newton News
May 10, 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
Last Monday the Middle School Task Force met for the first time. We have decided to meet every Monday from 6:30-8:00 at the Newton School. There is a lot of work to be done. Please consider attending these public meetings.

Next week we will continue SBAC testing. Grades 5-8 will be finishing up, while 3rd and 4th graders will be taking their first tests. So far, the 5-8 grade students have done an outstanding job working hard on these assessments.

Recently, I went to listen to Lynn Lyons, an expert in working with people with anxiety. Cases of depression and anxiety are growing really fast among our children. Lynn explained what (biologically and environmentally) can contribute to this anxiety. I found her perspective enlightening and really important. Check out a short video of her here.

School Events and Activities
  • Monday 5/13 School Board Task Force meeting at 6:30 at Newton School.
  • Tuesday 5/14 - SBAC testing Grades 3/4.
  • Tuesday 5/14 - School board meeting 5:30 Newton School
  • Wednesday 5/15 - SBAC testing Grades 58
  • Thursday 5/16 - SBAC testing Grades 3/4
  • Thursday 5/16 - K-2 Play 1:30 and 5:30 Barrett Hall
K-2 News
Ms. Kicza, Mrs. Longcore, and Mrs. Robinson
Our play, Make Way For Ducklings, is coming along nicely. Children are working hard to learn their parts and figuring out where to be on stage, and when. The next step is painting the sets!

The play will be next Thursday, May 16th at 1:30 and 5:30 at Barrett Hall.
3-4 News
Ms. Coté & Mrs. Marzot
Our standardized testing starts next week. Please help us by having your children get plenty of rest and eat a good, healthy breakfast in the morning. We will be offering snacks, extra recess and an abundance of caring for them next week. 

Have a Happy Mother’s Day weekend, everyone!

Library/Technology News
Simone Pyle
Overdue notices will be going home with students over the next couple of weeks--please consider these notices simply reminders of what your student has checked out, and do your best to help them find and return them. Graduating 8th graders and students who aren't planning to return next year should be especially diligent about returning their books.

If you would prefer overdue notices to be emailed to you directly from our library management system, that is possible! Just email Simone with your preferences.

Our 7/8 technology elective have put together a survey to help make our school website even better. Please take just a moment to give us your feedback!

You may have heard that the library is open for lunch on Fridays! I really enjoy giving students this time to be in the library outside of their scheduled classes. To see more of what's happening in the library and around the library, give us a follow on Instagram!
Lunch Room News
Gret Hewes
HAPPY, HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY MOMS!!!

Our Last Taste Test of the year will be held next Tuesday, May 14th and we will be sampling fiddleheads.

On the Hot Lunch Menu for that day will be veggie quesadillas!

Please take a moment to read this letter, which will also be sent home with students, regarding the forms of payment change.

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 have a $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
Nurse's News
Kerri Juergens
Please take a moment to look at this information provided by the CDC regarding the tick varieties here in New England:

This week was National Children's Mental Health Awareness Week. This flyer provides information on how to help a child who is struggling with thoughts of suicide.
PTA News
Shannon Varley
Thanks to all that helped to make Staff Appreciation Week a success and thank you to all of our fine teachers and staff that work hard to provide a nurturing and caring learning environment for our students....

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: 765-2639 or hayleykzoerheide@gmail.com.

Food/Refreshments Needed at Bike to School Day
May 17th (7:30-8:00 am) 
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 Plant Sale
Saturday, May 18th
9am-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!

4th of July Raffle Basket
We are currently looking for donations to the raffle basket that include items such as a quilt, picnic basket with cutlery, plates, and cups, an outdoor lawn game or equivalent, portable lawn chairs, sunscreen, gift certificates to the bookstore, any local grocery or farm stand, or anything that fits with a summer basket theme. Please email Amy Donohue with any possible donations: amygdonohue@gmail.com

2019/2020 PTA Officers
We elected a new slate of PTA officers on Tuesday evening; these officers will step into their new role August 1, 2019.
Congratulations and big thanks to the following parents:
President, Christine Bailey-Kellogg 
Vice-President, Kira Campbell
Secretary, STILL NEEDED - PLEASE CONSIDER
Treasurer, Nicole Ekegren

Next Meeting - Last Meeting of the School Year
Tuesday, June 4
6:00
Newton School Library
Upcoming Events
May 16 - K-2 Production of Make Way for Ducklings
1:30 & 5:30 at Barrett Hall

May 17 - Bike to School Day

May 18 - PTA Plant Sale


May 27 - No School, Memorial Day

May 31 - Kindergarten Registration (details TBA)

June 7- Newton School Art Show

Summer Camp Info