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.
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School Notes & Athletics
Mr. Bagnato
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Due to our snow day last Friday, we are sending out this newsletter on the day before Thanksgiving Break. I hope this vacation gives students a chance to catch up on some sleep, spend quality time with family, and reflect on a great 1st trimester to the school year.
Last week, the 7th and 8th graders performed
The Trials of Robin Hood. It was the first time I had witnessed a slap stick comedy by our older students. I was thrilled to watch the students feed off the audience, develop the timing needed to get a laugh, and push themselves into their character's roles. Huge thanks to Meg Albee who made it all happen.
The school board is working on one of their goals by planning on gathering information and assess public opinion in regards to the academic, climate and culture of the Strafford School District. The Board plans to hire a consultant to to examine this topic more deeply. This will most likely begin in December. There will be opportunities for students, staff, and parents to have a conversation with the consultant. I will let folks know how to do this as the details become more clear. In the mean time, please take a moment to look through the student responses to our
annual survey in regards to rigor, relevance, and relationships. There are two tabs at the bottom, for grades 3-5 and 6-8.
I believe we all truly want what is best for the students of our town. I look forward to the rich conversations that will come as a results of the Board's endeavor and hope we will be able to come up with specific action steps to improve.
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Athletics and School Activities
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EVENTS:
Report Cards:
Will be going home with students on Friday, November 29th
Basketball:
3/4 girls practice will be Monday and Wednesdays from 3-4:30 pm. 1st practice 11/28.
3/4 boys practice will be Monday and Wednesdays from 5-6:00 pm. 1st practice 11/28.
5/6 boys practice will be Monday and Wednesdays from 6-7:30 pm. 1st practice 11/28.
5/6 girls practice will be Tuesday and Thursday from 3-4:30 pm. 1st practice 11/27.
Skiing:
5-8 Nordic Skiing Club. Please use this
form to sign-up your child. 1st practice 11/28.
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Kindergarten had a visit from Hannah from VINS to teach the class about engineering. She taught us how to plan like an engineer, including asking a question, imagining solutions, trying to solve the problem, and trying again.
Using a few tools the students tried to engineer a solution to get a stuffed squirrel out of a house without using their hands. They worked through solutions, tried again, discussed it, and watched each other for ideas. Kindergarten will build off this introduction to engineering as we have more challenges to solve throughout the year.
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1-2 News
Mrs. Longcore & Mrs. Robinson
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Last Thursday, first and second graders experimented with gas to finish up their unit on the states of matter. First they watched as the teacher added warm water to dry ice. The really cool fog-like reaction was from the solid carbon dioxide turning directly into a gas. Then they each got a container of their own to observe. After watching all the neat fog, we added dish soap into the water and dry ice. This produced bubbles filled with gas, along with a chorus of “wows!”. Hands-on science is one of the most fun times to be a teacher.
Have a wonderful Thanksgiving break!
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3/4 News
Ms. Coté & Mrs. Marzot
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The third and fourth graders have been working hard on their Thanksgiving traditions writing pieces. Writing is a long process that requires many structured steps, and the 3rd graders are getting more comfortable with that. We have been expecting the 4th graders to write a four paragraph essay.
On Monday afternoon, we strolled up to the town pond and stopped to view tracks. Students were given popcorn and other treats as we thought about the Abenaki and how they lived; we have been learning more about the Abenaki and the foods they ate. In Ms. Marzot’s reading class, students have been hard at work gathering information for their biography museum project. We expect that the museum will take place at the end of next week. In Ms. Coté’s class, students performed their reader’s theater to two audiences. They loved their roles in
Tackylocks and the Three Bears by Helen Lester.
Have a happy and safe holiday with your family. We are truly grateful for your students.
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5/6 News
Ms. Tremblay & Mr. Walker
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It's been a couple of short but busy weeks in the 5/6 cluster. Much of the activity/work has focused on finishing up projects. The students have been editing and putting the final touches on the paper that they each wrote about the book
Wonder. Some of the 5th graders have finished up a math unit that dealt with adding and subtracting fractions. Other math students have explored adding and subtracting really large numbers into the trillions place value, while others have been multiplying and dividing whole numbers.
With all of this work, we somehow found time to visit The Hood Museum for our second visit of the year. Students explored abstract art by mainly looking at works by Ellsworth Kelly.
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7/8 News
Ms. Kanoff & Mrs. White
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Science class has completed their plastic waste projects; read
this article from VTDigger
about Bennington students' fight against plastic waste to learn more.
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Charlotte shows her mini beach tote made from soda bottles.
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Above left: Charlize with jewelry made from soda bottles and plastic bags.
Above right: Kailey with her turtle made entirely of plastic.
Right: Grace with her reusable shopping bag made from clothing.
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Lunch Room News
Gret Hewes
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Happy Thanksgiving!
Farm to School is planning a taste test for
Tuesday, November 27th. We will be trying a Black Bean and Salsa Soup. The fresh black beans will be prepped and mixed with salsa for a tasty warm soup, perfect for coming in from our outdoor winter adventures.
Look for the recipe and results in our Friday, November 30th edition of the Newton Newsletter.
Please join us on Tuesday, November 27th during one of our 4 lunch periods to see what you think of our recipe and make your vote. If the students like it we will be putting the soup on our menu...bringing more delicious and fresh choices to our lunches.
K -2 lunch: 11:25 - 11:50
3 - 4 lunch: 11:50 - 12:15
5 - 6 lunch: 12:05 - 12:25
7 - 8 lunch: 12:10 - 12:35
We’d love to see you there!
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One Planet News
Kiersten Harlow
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Session Two starts Monday! Please send in the enrollment form and payment Monday if you plan on having your child attend next week. Please feel free to email me with any questions. Enjoy the break!
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Nurse's News
Kerri Juergens
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From the Vermont Department of Health:
Be Food-Safe – Before, During and After Meal Prep
Every year, millions of people in the U.S. become ill, sometimes seriously, from foodborne illness. The Health Department recommends following these simple steps to keep your food safe and your family and guests healthy:
CLEAN – Wash hands, utensils and food preparation surfaces with hot soapy water after they touch raw meat or poultry
SEPARATE – Keep raw meats away from other foods
COOK – To the right internal temperature to kill harmful bacteria (165°F for turkey)
CHILL – Refrigerate food within two hours. Use or freeze leftovers in three to four days
Travel Safe
Whether going over the river and through the woods, flying, or hitting the highway, prepare to arrive safely and stay healthy.
Get your Flu Shot – Protect yourself and those who may have conditions that leave them vulnerable to illness. Dial 2-1-1, call your doctor, or visit healthvermont.gov/ to find where to get your flu shot.
Pack a Travel First Aid Kit – Keep prescription and over-the-counter medicines, bandages, healthy snacks and drinking water handy. If going overseas, check health conditions: cdc.gov/travel.
Buckle Up and Take your Time – Vermont has experienced 57 traffic fatalities so far in 2018. Proper seat belt and child seat use prevents serious injury. Always drive sober and as road conditions require.
Be Active and Enjoy the Outdoors
A post-meal walk in the woods, around the neighborhood, or an afternoon of skiing or sledding are great ways to burn off calories in good company. If the weather isn’t cooperating, even dancing in the living room is fun!
Eat Healthy – Include fresh fruit and veggies in your holiday feast. Savor the meal, eating slower tastes better and helps you eat less. Enjoy it all, in moderate portions.
Keep Moving – Exercise helps you digest burns calories and improves your mood. Get at least 30 minutes of physical activity each day.
Heads Up, Screens Down – Limit screen time for both kids and adults.
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PTA Poinsettia Fundraiser!
Give a Gift! Decorate your home!
They make great gifts or decorative options for your home, work, or church.
The following available in Glitter, Pink, White, Marble, and Red:
4.5 inch $6.00
6.5 inch $14.00
8.5 inch $28.00
Available in Red or Pink, Red, White Mix
10 inch $30.00
Available only in Red
10 inch hanging $20.00
6.5 Cyclamen $20.00
Claussen's Gift Card $30.00
All funds raised from this event provide enrichment activities and materials to Newton School Students.
Please order your plant from a Newton School student or contact Ellen at the number below before
Nov 20th
Please note:
Order form is found on the back of the purple flyer that went home with students last week.
Money is collected when the order is placed.
Place Orders and Pay: by Nov. 20
Pick Up Plants from Newton School: Wednesday, Nov 28 from 2:30 - 6:00
Please contact Ellen Bagnato at 291-3748, with any questions.
Annual Holiday Gift-Making Workshop
Saturday, December 1 from 10:00am - Noon
Newton School
Many thanks to Leslie Berger and Erin Yunger for leading the charge on the annual gift-making workshop this year.
The annual kid gift-making workshop will happen on Saturday, December 1st during the Town's Holiday Sale from 10am - Noon.
The craft/gift-making workshop takes place in the school (the Holiday Sale is located in Barrett Hall) but gives parents an opportunity to drop their kids at the gift making workshop and leave to do their own shopping for a bit. Or, alternatively, parents can stay and work on crafts/gift-making with their children.
Next PTA Meeting
Tuesday, December 4th
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November 21-23 - No School, Thanksgiving Break
November 29 - Upper Valley High School Fair
5:30 at Hartford High School
December 1 - Annual Holiday Gift-Making Workshop
December 4-6 & 11-12 -
Artist-in-Residence, No Strings Marionette Co.
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