K-2 News
Anmari Kicza, Alyssa Marzot & Marie Robinson
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At Forest Day this week, the seventh graders visited the outdoor classroom to help the kindergartners complete a senses search. They all put on their owl eyes, deer ears, coyote noses, and raccoon hands and searched the forest. Each older student had one or two younger students to guide and help as they saw berries, heard birds, felt rough and smooth bark, found smells, and much more. The older students were great leaders, and the younger ones loved learning with them!
First and second graders started a mapping and geography unit this week. We spent two days looking at a variety of maps and trying to figure out what they might be used for, questions we had about them, and other things they noticed. We also did a demonstration of how map makers might make a flat map from a round earth using an orange with the earth drawn on it, and how it can distort some of the countries. On Friday we talked about the 4 directions; north, south, east, and west, and colored a compass rose.
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3/4 News
Denise Coté & Lauren Lacasse
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Third grade mathematicians are almost ready to have our unit test on addition and subtraction strategies. It is expected that they continue to memorize those facts so that they can recall them to use. They have been playing a variety of games to help them. Students have been working on figuring out word problems, and especially when to subtract or add. Fourth grade mathematicians enjoyed completing another math mystery this week, and are continuing our work on using multiplying by ten strategy to solve more complicated multiplication facts.
The third graders enjoyed reading to many visitors to our classroom this week! We also began thinking about book reviews. The fourth graders have been learning from a variety of short texts. They have read expository non-fiction, fantasy, informational text, and a biography.
Students did an amazing job in Owl’s Nest while Mrs. Lacasse was out for three days this week learning about teaching writing! It was wonderful to see students step up and help out! In Science, students revised their animal structures from last week and tested them against more severe weather (rain, wind and pelting). Please ask your Scientist to talk to you about the structure they build to keep their animal warm, safe and dry!
WINTER IS HERE!! Please make sure your child comes with: snow pants, winter coats, hats, mittens and snow boots everyday. Appropriate winter gear helps us all enjoy recess in a safe way - warm bodies that stay dry!
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7/8 News
Colin Breen and Erik Reimanis
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The Science class has been working through a difficult experiment that is testing the patience of some, and bolstering the patience of others. I have provided options for those who prefer not to work through the difficulties and congratulated those who choose to keep going.
8th grade math has just been introduced to the parabola, and everyone got a chance to add to the graph on the Smartboard at the front of the room. 7th grade will have their second test, on chapter 2, next Wednesday. Both grades have been working very well and productively during math and science class time, keep it up!
In Social Studies, we've been busy preparing for the Veteran's Day ceremony, though we have also been making some time to study the ins and outs of the Constitution. In Literature, we are wrapping up our unit on traditions by researching several for display in the grand "Hall of Traditions".
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Library & Technology News
Simone Pyle
Luckily, there are lots of indie games out there that are engaging and unique, with compelling narratives and imaginative graphics. In addition to this list (compiled by Louisa, a senior at TA and one of our D&D Dungeon Masters), check out
this list from Super Parent, or browse the
offerings at Steam. Happy gaming!
BRAID: A puzzle platformer where you control the flow of time to find a princess and learn the story of where she went.
HOLLOW KNIGHT: An action platformer where you play as a small bug returning to a disease-ridden kingdom, where you meet a variety of characters and try to find the source of the illness.
PORTAL: A first-person puzzle game where you use your portal gun to maneuver through testing chambers while being directed by a malevolent AI.
SMILE FOR ME: A dialogue based game where you try to cheer up the inhabitants of a "wellness retreat", all while trying to find out the dark secrets behind this place.
STARDEW VALLEY: A farming simulator, where you can also go mining, fishing, and fight monsters as you cycle through the years and meet all the residents of the town you now live in.
UNDERTALE: A classic RPG where you can choose to fight or befriend the monsters living in the Underground, with different storylines depending on how you treat the people around you.
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Lunch Room News
Gret Hewes
Veteran’s Day is Monday, November 11th and we would like to take a moment to thank all of our military; both actively serving and retired veterans and their families for their service and sacrifice for us all.
Wow… It’s November already?
My goodness the time does fly when you are having fun. Thanksgiving is around the corner and recipes books are starting to be pulled off shelves or out of drawers. They are being dusted off, creaked open and ready for use for the holiday cooking extravaganza that’s about to begin. Here’s a wonderful family favorite that we have at our table for the holidays.
Pumpkin Ginger Bread (from website AllRecipes.com)
3 c. sugar
1 c. vegetable oil
4 eggs
2/3 c. water
1 (15oz) can pumpkin puree
2 teasp ground ginger
1 teasp allspice
1 teasp ground cinnamon
1 teasp ground cloves
3 ½ c. all purpose flour
2 teasp baking soda
1 ½ teasp salt
½ teasp baking soda
Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Lightly grease two 9x5 inch loaf pans.
2. In a large mixing bowl, combine sugar, oil and eggs; beat until smooth. Add water and beat until well blended. Stir in pumpkin, ginger, allspice, cinnamon and clove.
3. In medium bowl, combine flour, soda, salt and baking powder. Add dry ingredients to pumpkin mixture and blend just until all ingredients are mixed. Divide batter between prepared pans.
4. Bake in preheated oven until toothpick comes out clean, about 1 hour.
ENJOY!!!
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Farm to School News
Alyssa Marzot
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Farm to School hosted their second taste test on October 29th! Gret served Hubbard squash grown and harvested from our Newton School gardens. Students were hesitant to try the squash, and Gret and Mrs. Marzot think that squash needs a more appealing name!
Twenty-nine students participated in the taste test. Twenty students gave it a smiley face meaning that they liked it. Five people were not sure about it yet and four students did not like it. Fourth grader Will deCapua-Whitman made the graph below.
We will hold a taste test on the last Tuesday of every month. If you have any ideas, questions or concerns please let
Mrs. Marzot or
Gret know.
Our next Farm to School Meeting will be on
Thursday, November 14 from 3:15-4:00. We will be brainstorming and working on a Farm to School grant in the Narwhal Nook. Hope to see you there!
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Nurse's News
Kerri Rainville
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The Vermont Department of Health has issued updated information about the recent E-cigarette and Vaping Product Use-Associated Lung Injury Outbreak (EVALI). Please read this important information
here.
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Athletic News
Laura DeCapua
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Basketball Updates
And now, on to basketball! If your student is interested in playing basketball, please fill out this short survey
HERE. In the recent past, Newton has been able to field teams for both boys and girls for 3/4 and 5/6. Once we have the survey results back we can begin to pull together rosters to see if we have enough interest in the different age groups, if we’ll need to combine teams or possibly offer players other opportunities at other schools.
Please sign your student up by
November 13 by
filling out the survey. Practice and games begin after Thanksgiving; practice schedules are TBD. If there is interest and coaches for K-2 basketball skills clinics and/or team, I’m happy to get this started at Newton. Please email
athletics@newtonschool.org with questions and feedback.
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PTA News
Christine Bailey-Kellogg
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Poinsettia Fund Raiser
These traditional holiday flowers are grown locally and come in a variety of color options and sizes. They make great gifts or decorative options for your home, work, or church. All funds raised from this event provide enrichment activities/materials to Newton School Students.
Prices range from $6 - $35 per plant.
Please order your plant from a Newton School student or contact Ellen at 291-3748
before Nov. 27.
Please note:
- Money is collected when the order is placed.
- Place orders and pay by November 27th.
- Pick up plants from the Newton School: Wed, December 4 from 2:30 – 6:00p.m.
Please contact Ellen Bagnato, 291-3748, with any questions.
Newton School Directory - Coming Soon!
Thanks to everyone who responded about whether or not they'd like to be included in the school directory. We hope to have that distributed soon. If you would like to be included but haven't yet responded, please email
christine.bk@gmail.com ASAP with whatever information you'd like included (name, address, phone numbers, email addresses). Thank you so much!
PTA Meeting Wednesday November 13th - Help Needed!
Our meeting has been rescheduled to
this coming Wednesday, November 13th at 6:00 in the library. We will hold a brief meeting and then put together the appeals mailing. We really need volunteers to help us stuff, stamp and seal envelopes. Many hands make light work, so please help us if you can. Even if you can't stay until we're done, a half hour or hour of time would be greatly appreciated! Thank you!
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“The capacity to learn is a gift; The ability to learn is a skill; The willingness to learn is a choice
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– Brian Herbert
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