The Newton News
February 21, 2020
K-2 News
Anmari Kicza, Alyssa Marzot & Marie Robinson
K-2 enjoyed seeing some "big kids" return to us during singing and writing times this week! They were a huge help with a first and second grade writing project. We thank Casey, Ivy, Grace, and Alford for their awesome help writing about animals!

Please see the K-2 Newsletter to learn more about our week. Have a great winter break!
3/4 News
Denise Coté & Lauren Lacasse
The 3rd graders went to the Hood on Tuesday and spent time viewing contemporary Native American artwork. They were asked to think about how an artist can fight against stereotypes by creating art. The 4th graders had a great visit to the Hood Museum on Thursday looking at Assyrian reliefs! 

In Ms. Cote’s reading class, the students are beginning to think more about an author’s message. While listening to Mr. Lincoln’s Way by Patricia Polacco, the 4th graders were asked to identify the message of the story. In Mrs. Lacasse’s reading class, students are thinking about how authors write books to interest or entertain us, and what aspects of text they include to entertain us! 

Fourth grade mathematicians have begun working on decimals. We are using our knowledge of fractions to help us create decimals. They especially enjoyed an activity called Dress Up the Number to help us practice place value with decimals. We are finding fun ways to continue to practice adding and subtracting fractions. 

In geography, students are all filling out their planners to begin writing about how the Northeast and Pacific Northwest regions are alike and different in the United States. In science, we have begun thinking about how we can vote with our fork, and are in the beginning stages of figuring out how we can grow food at our school all year round. We identified people we needed to interview to figure out if we can move ahead with our project. 

Third and 4th graders are expected to wear appropriate clothing for the weather; several students were without any gloves or mittens on Tuesday. Please help make sure your child is dressed for the weather before leaving in the morning. Thank you!
5/6 News
Jasmine Tremblay and Eric Walker
It's been a busy week for the 5th & 6th grade cluster leading up to Winter Break. Students have been working hard in math, science, reading, and social studies, so the new snowfall a few days ago gave us a perfect chance to unwind and get outside to enjoy winter in Vermont! On Thursday we were able to go over to Harrington Hill and have fun skiing, sledding, and playing in the snow -- it was a wonderful way to celebrate the friendships in our cluster and enjoy the beautiful outdoors.
Lunch Room News
Gret Hewes

Happy February Break!

We had our FTS Taste Test this past Tuesday! We are so very grateful to the Zoerheide family for donating their delicious hot dogs for the students to sample.  

See the FTS section of the newsletter for the results…from what we could see it was looking like the kids loved them.  

We hope you have a delicious, safe and fun vacation. See you in March!
Farm to School News
Alyssa Marzot

This month’s taste test had double the participants of last month! We followed the Vermont Harvest of the Month calendar and featured beef hotdogs. We were so incredibly fortunate to receive a donation from the Zoerheide family’s Winter Moon Farm!  

We had 58 participants and the response was overwhelmingly positive! We had many requests for a “second taste.” Fifty-three students gave it a smiley face meaning that they liked it. Three people were not sure about it yet and two students did not like it.  

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 ( amarzot@newtonschool.org) or Gret ( ghewes@newtonschool.org) know. Our next Farm to School Meeting will be on Thursday, March 12th from 3:15-4:00 in the Narwhal Nook. Hope to see you there!

We will also be at Winter Carnival, Saturday March 7th. Please join us for a benefit lunch of soups and baked goods in Barrett Hall from 12:00-1:30. We are also still seeking a few volunteers and items donated-please see our sign up sheet here.
baseball-glove.jpg
Athletic News
Laura DeCapua

Our first baseball open gym of the season will be March 10 from 3:45-5:00. If you are between the ages of 7-12, you are welcome to come and participate. Bring your glove!
PTA News
Christine Bailey-Kellogg
Next Meeting Date
Monday, March 9th at 6:30 at the school library (NOTE NEW DATE AND TIME)
We are moving our meeting from our normal first Tuesday because of Town Meeting day. (We will return to the first Tuesday schedule for April and following months.) We are also experimenting with a later start time, in the hopes that more people can attend our meetings. We really hope that you can join us! Please be in touch with Christine if there are other ways we can support your participation. Thank you!

Town Meeting Lunch
Tuesday, March 3rd
We still need a few folks to help with serve food on Town Meeting Day. This responsibility does not interfere with your ability to participate in the meeting. It is just a matter of scooping mac and cheese and tidying plastic flatware during the break.
We also need a few volunteers to take a few dishes home to wash and return to Coburn's after the meeting. Pick up dishes at 3pm on Tuesday or we can deliver!
Questions? Contact Meg Teachout at megteachout@gmail.com or 765-4337. Thanks for your help, all!
Winter Carnival
Friday, March 6th and Saturday, March 7th

We can't wait to see you all at Winter Carnival, the weekend after break! We are still in need of volunteers, especially for Saturday evening activities (spaghetti dinner, bonfire and ice skating). We also need more food donations for the dinner.

Here is the sign up for both volunteering (first tab) and spaghetti dinner contributions (second tab).
Thanks and see you there!
Questions? Contact Kira ( kira.m.campbell@gmail.com) or Amy ( ahuyffer@gmail.com).

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
Summer Camps
Green Mountain Conservation Camp