Holiday Stress Relief for Parents and Children!

As we approach the holidays, many of us look forward to spending time with family and friends. Sharing in the joys of the season is a favorite pastime for most of us to experience, along with a break from school work.  However, for some, the holiday season can potentially bring up difficult and anxious feelings. At this time of year, more than any other, we think about loved ones not with us, how to finance the gifts and experiences we want to give our family, how to “make the rounds,” how to survive hours in the car with small children, and the list seems to go on indefinitely.

In fact, a recent poll conducted by the American Psychological Association (APA) concluded that approximately 8 out of 10 Americans anticipate stress and anxiousness during the holiday season, and roughly half of that number actually pertains to children.  We all know that children learn what they see, so if they see the adults in their lives stressed out, they will be too. Therefore, it is important to find ways to cope with our own holiday anxiety, knowing that the less holiday stress we feel, the more relaxed the children around us will be during this time of year.  As such, please feel free to check out this practical article from Very Well Family on ways to help minimize stress in our children during this holiday season.  May you all have a wonderful, safe, and happy holiday!

~ Mike Ling, Curriculum Director

News from Third Grade

The Third Grade is sending a big thank you to The Circle Restaurant and the Chichester Grange for their generous donation of dictionaries to each and every third grader. Special guest Mrs. West spoke to students about the history of the Grange and the importance of the dictionary program. She encouraged the students to read the information in the dictionary and to take them home to share with their families. We are so excited about this gift!

CALLING ALL STUDENTS 5TH THROUGH 8TH GRADE:



It’s time to help our community! From December 5th through December 15th we will be competing by homeroom in the collection of non-perishable foods to donate to the Northwood Food Pantry. Basically, any food that is “shelf-stable” or nonperishable that you can keep it in your pantry and it won’t go bad. And remember, only donate food that hasn’t reached its “sell-by” date yet. Specifically items like:

• Peanut butter
• Canned soup
• Canned fruit
• Canned vegetables
• Canned stew
• Canned fish
• Canned beans
• Pasta (most prefer whole grain)
• Rice (most prefer brown rice)

Let’s go Lakers! Together we can make a difference.

Students are enjoying the fresh fruit that Chef Chris offers each day as an extra snack option!

Sixth Grade πrate Math

Sixth grade students have navigated across the seas of Chapters 1, 2, and ½ of 3 in Go Math. We have encountered dangerous decimals, fairy fractions, and a rational ration of numbers. Argh! Beware as we hunt for treasure as lesson 3.7 brings us to coordinate planes.

Guest Teachers Needed

If you are interested in being a guest teacher (also known as a substitute teacher), please apply at this link. The pay is $100 a day and you get to work with great kids and great staff! Please contact Ms. Roy or Ms. Young with any questions.

Quack Sparrow’s Math Homework Club

Homework help and fact fluency for 5th and 6th graders. Students will work on current assignments and practice fundamental skills with numbers and operations.

Limited to 10 students each day.

Tuesdays and Thursdays for 5th & 6th grade 2:50 to 3:50PM, December 6 - April 20 (except on early release days, teacher workshop days, or no school days). Pick up promptly at 3:50pm.

Routine attendance is mandatory to maintain your spot in the program.

Please email cscott@northwoodschoolnh.org if your child is interested in participating. Email timestamps will be used to honor receipt and determine space in the program. Precedence will be given to students recommended by teachers.

Students will need to have their parent/guardian complete a Permission to Participate form before they can participate: Permission to Participate Form 22-23

Coe Brown Movie Night for 7th & 8th Graders

The class of 2025 is hosting a movie night on December 17th, and the class officers would love to invite our surrounding middle schools to join us! The movie playing is going to be ELF and there is no entry fee, but donations are greatly appreciated! It is from 7-9 p.m, snacks and drinks will be there as well for a small price. Wear your pj’s and come join us, can’t wait to see you all there! 

December 10 - School Board/Budget Committee meeting, 9:00 (at Town Hall)

December 14 - Winter Concert, 6:30

December 21 - School Board meeting, 6:30

December 23 - Early Release, 12:30

December 26 - January 2 - Winter break

January 16 - MLK/Civil Rights Day - no school

Please see the athletics calendar for information regarding games.