The Newton News
February 7, 2020
K-2 News
Anmari Kicza, Alyssa Marzot & Marie Robinson
On Monday, K-2 listened to a read aloud, Somebody Loves You, Mr. Hatch by Eileen Spinelli. Mr. Hatch’s attitude changes when he receives a mysterious Valentine’s package in the mail with the note, “Somebody loves you.” After we listened to how Mr. Hatch’s mood improved when he received a nice note, we brainstormed how we could make some people’s days brighter. 

Students made Valentines out of hearts for the Seniors and for people in our community. On Wednesday, K-2 sang to the Seniors and delivered their Valentines.
3/4 News
Denise Coté & Lauren Lacasse
Third grade mathematicians are learning how to round to the nearest ten and to the nearest hundred. This can be a complicated skill for some. The students also learned about Native American stereotypes. They watched a World Champion Hoop Dancer perform both a traditional and then contemporary hoop dance.

Ms. Cote’s reading group has been learning from a variety of expository text in small book groups. They are learning how to summarize a nonfiction text by sequentially telling the most important ideas.  

In art, some students have painted on their canvases using acrylics. They are very careful workers and have been very complimentary of their peers’ art. We had a museum walk in Wolf Den to see the progress being made. 
5/6 News
Jasmine Tremblay & Eric Walker
After spending some time learning about color values, line, and proportion, 5th and 6th grade students have been creating sketches of different parts of a landscape during their weekly art classes. This week they began putting their components together to paint a masterpiece of their own. Several have chosen to paint from a photo, while others are painting an imagined landscape.  

In the academic classroom, we talk about the importance of trying things, making mistakes, and sometimes starting over before being able to reach a goal. It's been interesting to see how this approach has been translated into their artwork. Initially, students had some struggles with the techniques to learn to put paint to canvas, but this did not upset them. They knew that mastering these skills would take practice, and this week they are seeing the fruits of their labors!
7/8 News
Colin Breen and Erik Reimanis
A short video from science class last week exhibiting what happens when there is less air pressure inside the Erlenmeyer flask than outside of it. The peeled boiled egg got sucked in (or pushed in!). 

In 7th grade math we started chapter five, working on equivalent ratios and probability. In 8th grade math we are halfway through chapter five and continuing to work on solving systems of equations algebraically. It is great to see when a figurative lightbulb lights up and a student makes a new and deeper connection to the content.

In Social Studies, the students did primary document research into various forms of resistance to slavery: escapes, rebellions, abolitionist advocacy, and everyday resistance. We were meant to present on Thursday, but weather got in the way! In Literature, students wrote a response to surrealist stories they've been reading, and the eighth graders mailed out their submissions to the Hildene Lincoln essay contest. 
Library & Technology News
Simone Pyle

As new books come in, our library's shelves grow more crowded...and that's when we need to start weeding!

Weeding is a crucial part of any library's collection development plan. Deciding which books to discard from the collection is not something librarians do lightly, and we take may things into consideration when making those decisions: when the book was last checked out; if the book is outdated; the physical state of the book; and more. Our library's collection development policy can be found in our Procedures and Considerations Manual.

Books that are weeded from the collection are offered as free books to students and staff! Weeded books will have no barcode (or the barcode is covered), and will have a "Discard" stamp inside. If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to email Simone.
Lunch Room News
Gret Hewes

Congratulations to our January Clean Tray Club Champion: Aubrey Phelps!

Keep up the great work and cleaning those trays, and you too could be our next Clean Tray Club member!
Farm to School News
Alyssa Marzot

Winter Carnival is coming! 

Farm to School will be hosting their annual lunch fundraiser at Winter Carnival this year to support our gardens and monthly taste tests. We are seeking donations to help us with this fundraiser; there is a google sheets sign up here. We greatly appreciate your support and please let us know if you have any questions.
Nurse's News
Kerri Rainville

We are experiencing high volumes of strep throat, and it is highly contagious.

Please keep your student home if there’s any indication of sore throat!

Have your student tested for strep if sore throat exists; students who test positive for strep cannot return to school until they have been 24 hours on an antibiotic.
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Athletic News
Laura DeCapua

Our 3/4 team had one of their best games of the season against Tunbridge this past week. The Roadrunners scored 25 points! Games were cancelled for the 3/4 and 5/6 teams against Sharon on Thursday due to weather.

Next week, the 3/4 team practices afterschool on Monday; travels to Rochester on Wednesday for a 5:30 game; and travels to Bethel on Saturday for an 11 a.m. The 5/6 team practices on Tuesday and Thursday afterschool, and also travels to Rochester for a game on Wednesday, beginning at 6:30.

The complete game schedule for February is on the school website, as well as directions to all our away games.

SAVE THE DATE: Newton basketball teams will have an end of the season recognition banquet at the gym on Wednesday, February 19th at 5:30 PM. It's a potluck supper with a competitive game of knockout to follow.

As always, please always have your players arrive one half hour before game time. Thanks again to our dedicated and supportive coaches and refs! 

In the not too distant future, we will have baseball and softball sign ups! Our first baseball open gym of the season is planned for March 5 from 3:30-4:45. If you are between the ages of 7-12, you are welcome to come and participate. Bring your glove!
PTA News
Christine Bailey-Kellogg
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Valentine’s Day Card Making Workshop

Wednesday, February 12th
3:00 – 4:00
in Mrs. Lacasse's classroom

Kindergarten – 8th grade students

Nicole Pavick and Hillary Minerd will be co-leading this fun after-school workshop. Kiddos will get a chance to make handmade Valentine cards for their loved ones. Permission slips will go home next week. In order for your child to participate, please return permission slip by Tuesday, February 11th

Donations to The Newton School PTA are very much appreciated!
Town Meeting Lunch - Tuesday, March 3rd
The PTA is gearing up for one of its biggest fundraising events: Town Meeting Lunch! There are many volunteer opportunities available! 

Over the next few weeks, you should receive a call to ask if you can help by donating to the lunch. If you want to save yourself the phone call, you can email Andrew Lane directly with what you'll be bringing.

We'll also need help with set-up and clean-up, as well as helpers with service during the lunch. If you are interested in helping on Town Meeting Day or in days leading up, contact our new Town Meeting lunch chair, Meg Teachout, at megteachout@gmail.com or 765-4337

Winter Carnival - Friday, March 6th and Saturday, March 7th

Winter carnival is coming up and promises to be great fun! Check out the schedule of events below. We will need lots of volunteers to make it happen! We especially need leaders - for the morning activities at Murray field, the spaghetti dinner, and for the bonfire and ice skating. Please check out the volunteer sign up sheet and see if there is a way you can pitch in. (One tab lists volunteer slots for all the activities and the other tab has food donations for the spaghetti dinner.) Thank you so much!
Questions? Contact Kira or Amy!

Winter Carnival Schedule

Friday, March 6th
6:30 - end: Movie at Gym (movie is TBD) - Benefit for Middle School Trip

Saturday, March 7th
10:00 - 12:00: Donuts and Maple Syrup at Strafford Creative Preschool
10:00 - 12:30: Murray Field Activities
Ongoing: Snow/Ice Sculpture Building (Judging at noon)
10:00 - 10:45: Obstacle Course
10:45 - 11:30: Snowshoe Racing
11:30 - 12:00: Nordic Racing
12:00 - 1:30: Lunch - Benefit for Farm to School at Barrett Hall

1:30 - 4:00: Harrington Hill Activities 
      1:30 - 2:15: Sledding Races
      2:30 - 3:15: Skiing & Snowboarding Races
      3:15 - 4:00: Skiing & Snowboarding Jump Competition

Saturday evening Activities
3:30 - 5:00: Food prep for spaghetti dinner at Barrett Hall
5:00:  Spaghetti Dinner and Awards Ceremony at Barrett Hall
6:30 - 8:30: Bonfire & Ice Skating Under the Lights at Murray Field
Community News
Saturday, February 8th
9:00 - 10:00 AM

The museum will be less crowded, we'll have lower sound from some exhibits, and respite space for those who need a break.
Learn about the Ashley Memorial Forest

Tuesday, February 11th, 6:30-8:00 at Barrett Hall
Thursday, February 13th, 6:30-8:00 at the Sharon Elementary School

Find out about this shared recreation and forestry resource for Sharon and Strafford--and what is needed to put it on the map.
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5th Annual Sharon Hockey Tourney
Sunday, Feb 16th
10:00 - 4:00

Limited to 8 Teams so sign up today! 
4-6 person teams; 4-on-4 hockey, minimum of 2 kids

Proceeds benefit the Sharon Fire Department and the Sharon Community Rink

Family Oriented FUN- Encouraging mixed abilities, ages  

See here for more details; contact Steve at 763-8014 or gagliardones@gmail.com to sign up
School's Out Play's In Winter Break Day Camp

February 24th - 28th
8:00 AM - 3:00 PM
For kids in grades K-8

For more information, contact SevenStarsArts@gmail.com
The Sharon Academy's Free Family Arts Day

Sunday, March 8th
Noon - 4:00 PM
 
Looking for something to do with the kids on a winter afternoon? You are invited to join The Sharon Academy for our 8th annual Free Family Arts Day - perfect for all ages!

TSA will host talented local artists leading free interactive workshops. Examples include stilt walking, bath fizzie making, face painting, and more! All workshops are open to the public. Refreshments will be available for purchase. More details on workshops are available on our website.

Don't forget - Clocks "Spring Ahead" on March 8, too!