Kindergarten is writing about the book
The Snowy Day. Before starting to write, they got to know the book very well. They listened to it, watched it, discussed it, found evidence to prove the thesis, and had fun acting it out. See them making snow angels, like the character Peter in the book.
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1-2 News
Alyssa Marzot & Marie Robinson
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In Poetry this week, the first and second graders learned about alliteration and onomatopoeia. They wrote alliterative sentences in their poetry booklets (using words that all start with the same letter), and illustrated them. They also looked for words that sound like the noise they make, like “bang,” and “crash” (onomatopoeia). We then put a lot of those words on a poster to hang in our room.
In Outdoor Education, the Narwhals learned about squirrels. We had a chance to see some squirrel pelts inside before heading outside to look for signs of squirrels. Bobcats will head outside on Monday.
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3/4 News
Denise Coté & Lauren Lacasse
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The third graders have been playing math games using their multiplication facts. Cover Up is a game where students spin and then draw arrays using the dimensions the spinner landed on. The winner has the largest amount of a 10 by 10 grid covered.
The new reading groups have begun to settle in. Ms. Cote’s 4th graders have been learning about the structure of informational texts and, in particular, the structure of cause and effect. We will also be examining the problem and solution text structure of nonfiction.
In geography, students have been learning about the states of Washington and Oregon, and discovered the intensity of the eruption of Mount Saint Helens. They have been impressed with the scale of the mountains and trees.
In art, students began sketching mountainscapes on their canvases. They are very excited to get to paint using acrylics!
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5/6 News
Jasmine Tremblay & Eric Walker
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Our students are learning what engineers are! They are in the research phase of the engineering design process, being structural engineers as they investigate which column shape is the strongest: triangle, square or circle. Sixth grade students are investigating how height impacts strength. They will use this knowledge to design a tower that holds a stuffed animal.
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7/8 News
Colin Breen and Erik Reimanis
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In Social Studies, we spent the week learning about the business of slavery: who it made money for, the effects of industrialization, and the way in which it changed the future of the country. We read primary documents from the time period, made connections to modern conditions for agricultural workers, and talked about the issue of ethical consumerism in modern society.
In Reading, students worked on a writing piece on the issues of social anxiety in the writing of Leonora Carrington, comparing two of her short stories. Further, the 8th graders are currently working on their submissions for the Vermont Hildene Lincoln Essay competition, focusing on issues facing the state of Vermont that could be resolved through political action. Students are covering a range of topics for this competition, from universal recycling to conservation.
Science classes read and performed a few lab activities related to the mass of gas and the constituents of Earth's atmosphere. We are also working on following lab instructions and precision in measurement.
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The 7th grade math students are ready to start a new chapter after a particularly difficult test for chapter 4. On Friday they visited the 4th grade classroom and helped small groups of students with fractions. Eighth grade math just started learning about manipulating equations to make them easier to work with.
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Library & Technology News
Simone Pyle
The American Library Association presented its
Youth Media Awards this past Monday, honoring the best of children's and young adult literature in 2019.
The winner of the Newbery Medal was
New Kid, a graphic novel by Jerry Craft. The Celdecott Medal was awarded to illustrator of
The Undefeated, Kadir Nelson.
The Children's Literature Legacy Awarded, formerly known as the Wilder Medal, was awarded to Kevin Henkes.
Many of the award winners are on our library shelves, and more are on their way!
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Lunch Room News
Gret Hewes
We had our January Taste Test this past Tuesday. This month’s showcase food was: beets!
We prepared fresh beets in a balsamic glaze (see the recipe below), and it was delicious! We were also able to use some local maple syrup in our recipe. A big thank you goes out to Mr. Kelly for the delicious ingredient.
Be sure to see the results of the test in our FTS section of the newsletter. Next month we will be testing on
Tuesday, February 18th.
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Balsamic Glazed Beets (recipe provided by Calais Elementary School)
2 lbs. beets, scrubbed and trimmed, leaving about 1 inch of stems attached
¼ cup balsamic vinegar
2 Tbsp maple syrup or honey
1 Tbsp olive oil
1 Tsp minced fresh thyme or other herb
In a large pot cover beets with salted water by 1 inch. Simmer covered for, 35-45 minutes, or until fork tender, and drain in a colander. Cool until they can be handled, then slip off skins and stems. (we peeled our beets first, you will need to still let them cool to proceed).
Cut beets lengthwise into wedges. Beets may be prepared up to this point 2 days ahead and chilled, covered. Bring beets to room temperature before proceeding.
In a large skillet stir together vinegar, syrup or honey, and oil. Add beets. Cook beet mixture with salt and pepper to taste over moderate heat, stirring, until heated through and coated well. Sprinkle with herbs and toss gently.
Enjoy!!!
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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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Farm to School News
Alyssa Marzot
This month’s taste test had low participation, much to our surprise. Gret made maple glazed beets. We only had 25 people try them, but most of the people that tried it, liked it. Of the 25 that tried them, sixteen 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.
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, February 6th from 3:15-4:00 in the Narwhal Nook. Hope to see you there!
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Athletic News
Laura DeCapua
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Basketball Updates
Newton basketball teams continue to improve and show outstanding sportspersonship at this mid-season point. The 5/6 team had the week off from games and worked on essential skills during two high intensity practices. Our 3/4 team had a very busy week with two games—a hard fought battle against Thetford, and a low scoring game against SORO at 3/4's first away game of the season. It's fun to travel to different schools for match-ups!
Next week the season continues with a 3/4 game in Tunbridge on
Monday, February 3rd at 5:30. Both 3/4 and 5/6 teams have their last home games of the season on
Thursday, February 6th beginning at 5:30 against Sharon. The 5/6 team will practice as usual on Tuesday, and the 3/4 team will practice as usual on Wednesday after school from 3:15-4:45.
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 beginning at 5:30.
As always, please always have your players arrive one half hour before game time. Thanks again to our dedicated and supportive coaches and refs!
And in the not too distant future we have baseball and softball sign ups! Stay-tuned.
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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
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7th & 8th Grade Boys & Girls Lacrosse Registration
Begins January 27
If your child loves to play lacrosse or wants to learn this fun and fast-paced sport visit
www.hanoverlacrosse.com to register for the upcoming spring season. Registration opens Monday, January 27 and closes February 26.
Friends of Hanover Lacrosse (FOHL) supports youth lacrosse in Hanover and Lyme, New Hampshire and Norwich and Strafford, Vermont. We invite players from any of these towns to join our team. Any questions? Contact Donna Mackall, registrar, at
atticusmac@comcast.net.
In addition to providing assistance to the boys and girls high school teams, FOHL administers the 7th and 8th grade lacrosse programs. We also encourage participation in the sport among youth in general so that they may learn and enjoy lacrosse at an early age.
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PTA News
Christine Bailey-Kellogg
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PTA Meeting
Tuesday, February 4th at 6:00 pm at the Newton School library
We'll be planning some big events that happen in February and early March (see below). Please join us if you can - thank you!
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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!
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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!
CALLERS: Over the next few weeks, we need of callers to phone townspeople asking them to bring a dish to town meeting. This is critical to the success of the lunch, easy, and a flexible way to contribute to the PTA from the comfort of your own home. Only takes about 30-45 minutes. Please email Andrew Lane if you are interested at
alane@sharonacademy.net.
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
Kira Campbell and Amy Huyffer will be heading up this year's Winter Carnival.
It's going to be a ton of fun, but we will need lots of volunteers to make it happen. There are many opportunities to help, whether you like being out in the snow or inside preparing for the spaghetti dinner. Please check out the
volunteer sign up sheet and see if there is a way you can pitch in. Thank you so much!
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Family Day at the Hood: Strike a Pose!
Sunday, February 2, 12:00 - 5:00 pm
Drop in to see our new lineup of exhibitions, featuring many different types of photographs and portraits. Create your own photo props and strike a pose in front of our magic mirror photo booth! You can also explore the museum on your own using family activity cards.
This event is for children ages 4 to 12 with adult companions. The event is FREE, and no registration is required.
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“No matter how you feel, get up, dress up, and show up."
― Regina Brett
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