The Newton School Newsletternewtonschool.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/Newton-News-Friday... ·...
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The Newton School Newsletter Friday, October 20, 2017 School Notes and Athletics Mr. Bagnato, Principal Earlier this week, I shared the news that, according to VT Digger , student achievement at the Newton School was ranked 4th out of 171 Vermont schools for our results on CCSS aligned standardized testing (SBAC). The students, parents, and teachers should be proud of this result and, even prouder of the improvement we have shown since this test started (2014-15 ranked 62nd, 2015-16 ranked 13th). At Newton, we do not "teach to the test", but instead focus on improving instruction and creating systems that support each student academically and social/emotionally. As a school, we are continuously looking at ways in which we improve. As I have mentioned several times, this year we are focussing on improving student/teacher relationships and promoting proactive discipline through the Responsive Classroom program. Overwhelming research shows that students that feel emotionally supported are much more able to concentrate and learn. Last week, I was teaching a personalized learning plan lesson on the difference between a growth and fixed mindset in middle school. Students took this quiz in as a lead-in activity. The concept that by, trying something new and working through difficult situations, we are teaching ourselves that we can persevere and accomplish things we thought might not be possible. Next week, our growth mindsets will be needed as, for the first time, students will be leading their own conferences. It is also the first time teachers have had to plan for student to lead conferences. We have decided to change our format in order to: Make the conference student driven. Promote dialog between the student, parent, and teacher. Increase accountability. Share student work and school experience. Athletics and School Events: All the soccer teams have wrapped up their seasons. We had incredible turnout for our K-2, 3/4, 5/6, and 7/8 teams. The younger two teams had fantastic seasons and the older two teams enjoyed undefeated seasons (almost :)
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Transcript of The Newton School Newsletternewtonschool.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/Newton-News-Friday... ·...
The Newton School Newsletter
Friday, October 20, 2017
School Notes and AthleticsMr. Bagnato, Principal
Earlier this week, I shared the news that, according to VT Digger, studentachievement at the Newton School was ranked 4th out of 171 Vermontschools for our results on CCSS aligned standardized testing (SBAC). Thestudents, parents, and teachers should be proud of this result and, evenprouder of the improvement we have shown since this test started (2014-15ranked 62nd, 2015-16 ranked 13th). At Newton, we do not "teach to the test",but instead focus on improving instruction and creating systems that supporteach student academically and social/emotionally. As a school, we arecontinuously looking at ways in which we improve. As I have mentionedseveral times, this year we are focussing on improving student/teacherrelationships and promoting proactive discipline through the ResponsiveClassroom program. Overwhelming research shows that students that feelemotionally supported are much more able to concentrate and learn.
Last week, I was teaching a personalized learning plan lesson on thedifference between a growth and fixed mindset in middle school. Studentstook this quiz in as a lead-in activity. The concept that by, trying somethingnew and working through difficult situations, we are teaching ourselves thatwe can persevere and accomplish things we thought might not be possible. Next week, our growth mindsets will be needed as, for the first time,students will be leading their own conferences. It is also the first timeteachers have had to plan for student to lead conferences. We have decided tochange our format in order to:
Make the conference student driven.Promote dialog between the student, parent, and teacher.Increase accountability.Share student work and school experience.
Athletics and School Events:
All the soccer teams havewrapped up their seasons. We had incredible turnoutfor our K-2, 3/4, 5/6, and7/8 teams. The younger twoteams had fantastic seasonsand the older two teamsenjoyed undefeated seasons(almost :)
5/6 soccer team
The Newton School SpellingBee regional champs will becompeting in late October orearly November.
Monday 10/23 - 2-3 8thgraders serving at Lion'sClub Dinner (Barrett Hall)
Tuesday 10/24 - 5:00 pm3-8 Soccer Banquet (TBD)
Wednesday 10/25 - Student Led Conferences (12:30 Dismissal)
Thursday 10/26- Student Led Conferences (No School)
Friday 10/27 - Faculty Inservice (No School)
Basketball will start up after Thanksgiving Break
For school and athletic events. please visit the calendar on our website.
K NewsMs. Kicza
Kindergarten students reviewed their learning about senses this week. Theyeach told things they saw, heard, smelled, and touched in the forestclassroom. They collected their ideas by drawing and writing, and they made abook they titled "Senses in the Forest."
1/2 News
Ms. Longcore & Mrs. Robinson
This week the first and second graders have spent some time getting readyfor the student led conferences coming up next week. They have really beenthinking about the specific parts of their day and what is important to sharewith their families. They have also been evaluating their work habits and howthings go at school and with their friends, filling out rubrics for many of these.We look forward to seeing many of you next week!
3-4 NewsMs. Catalano & Ms. Cote
Hi Parents and Guardians,
We're excited to tell you about our week. Ms. Cote's reading group has beenlearning about themes and we are writing about it. Ms. Catalano's readinggroup has continued reading Dealing with Dragons and we finished our posterabout character traits. In third grade math, we have been working hard in ourstudent books and home connection books. Math is getting harder andharder as we practice adding two digit numbers. In fourth grade math, wehave continued to play a game called Prime Climb. We also have practicedmultiplicative comparisons and we assessed how Ms. Catalano taught usmultiplication. In Science, we are wrapping up our hand paragraphs on honeybees and why they are important. In Social Studies, we finished our handparagraphs on the One Room School House. Many of us were able to practiceour typing skills and print our essays. This week we had our last soccer gameof the season against Barnard and WE WON 4-1! On the field we learned thatcollaboration is important on and off the field. We hope you enjoyed readingabout our week in 3/4.
5th Grade NewsMr. Eric Walker
This week, for part of their Operation Communication class, the 5th graderswere given the task of reading an excerpt from a book of their choice. Theassignment was to read aloud for one minute using some of the speakingskills that they've learned so far. After each reading, the students critiquedeach other in the areas of inflection, fluency, posture, and eye contact. Thishas been their fourth speech thus far, and it's amazing to see how muchgrowth they have made speaking in front of others!
Middle School NewsMs. Kanoff, Ms. Tieff and Mrs. White
Middle School News
History/Writing:
The students have been creating trioramas for a child in the global village. Theinformation depicts how their rights as a child are being met or are not beingmet at this time. These will become the note sheets for our final writing pieceof the unit. Your child may be using their triorama as an artifact during thestudent led conference next week.
Math: Students have compiled evidence to present next week during student-led conferences. This may involve parents participating in math problem-solving activities that students have already solved in class.
Responsive Classroom: Each advisory is working on creating a mascot anddeveloping a poster for the advisory name along with a picture of the mascot.
Middle School Fundraising NewsHeather Waterbury Fundraising activities are underway. The recycling center is ongoing andyour child can sign up for a Saturday on google docs or, your child can sign upthrough their homeroom teacher. Remember a parent also needs tochaperone this event.
Look for information on a bake sale November 11 at Coburn's. Bakersand kids to work selling items will be needed.
Speak to Ms. Kanoff if your child can work to assist Strafford neighborswith outside chores, such as raking leaves or stacking wood. She has a fewjobs available.
Zeke's computer parts diagram
Strafford gear coming soon! Don't know what to get your mother-in-lawfor the holiday? These products will make great gifts.
Lastly, look for information regarding the Barrett Hall Holiday sale. We'llhave raffle tickets to sell with various products and kids to be present atBarrett Hall. More to come. Questions? Email Heather Waterburyat [email protected] or call at 785-3145.
Library & Technology NewsMs. Simone Pyle
In 1st and 2nd grade library, we are learning about howlibraries use call numbers to make books easier to find.Grade 1 is understanding that pictures book are in asection together, and are arranged alphabetically by theauthor's last name. Grade 2 is learning about how thecall numbers on spine labels are a "secret code" that tellus where to find picture books and fiction books (as wellas other kinds of books, like graphic novels andnonfiction). We will be working on these library skillsmore over the next couple of weeks!
The 6th grade tech class got to look at some of the important parts of acomputer that the 7/8th grade elective removed from old computer towers.Using diagrams that the 7/8th graders made, grade 6 identified the parts, andgot to read about what each part does.
Music NewsMs. Jessie Pierpont
Sayon and Lev Camara from Sayon Camera African Drumming visited music classes thisweek!
African Drumming with 5th Grade
3rd and 4th graders
Art NewsMs. Emily Girdwood
Counselors NewsMs. Michelle Pringle Middle School Parents and Guardians-
Our designated high school, Thetford Academy, will be participating in a highschool fair on December 5th at Lebanon High School (snow date is Dec.6). Some high schools that are participating will also later host SendingSchool Nights, where sending school families can get further information.
Please contact me for further information or with any questions.
Health News
Hello- I am so very pleased to have been hired as the new school nurse at TheNewton School! My name is Kerri Juergens and I live here in Strafford withmy daughter Kallie, a bunch of chickens and our cat, Missy. We love to explorethe woods up there in our nook and enjoy swimming in the ponds aroundhere. Nurse Ellen's shoes will be a tall order to fill but I am confident that I can dothe job. I'm looking forward to meeting all of the children and their familiesindividually and I have indeed begun to already! I will be updating you all with upcoming events in the near future. Thank youfor your support in my new endeavors so I can best support you and yourchildren in keeping them as healthy as possible. Kerri Juergens, R.N.
Local Resource Information Sheet
Hot Lunch NewsGret Hewes
News from the Lunch Room Fruit of the Week: The Clementine!!!! These easy to peel seedless beauties are a delectable treat and a real hit withthe students. Clementines are a hybrid between mandarin and sweet orange trees. Theyare very small and are wider then they are tall. They pack a nutritious punchcontaining: fiber, calcium, potassium and vitamin C. Please feel free to contact me with any ideas of fruits and/or veggies youwould like to see the kids trying. My email address [email protected]
PTA NewsChristine Bailey-Kellogg & Shannon Varley
Halloween - October 31st - 4:30-7:00Parent/Teacher Conference Meals - October 25th and 26th
Student Conferences are happening next week. The PTA is asking for parentsto help provide the dinner to show our teachers and staff how much weappreciate what they do for our students.
If you'd like to contribute to the burrito bar on Wednesday (10/25), pleasesign up on this spreadsheet. We still have several open spots. If you'd like tocontribute to the chili night on Thursday (10/26), sign up on spreadsheet.
Thank you for your help with this important effort. If you have any questions,please contact Laura Ogden ( Laura Ogden ) or Sarah North (Sarah North).
Halloween - October 31st - 4:30-7:00
The PTA is organizing a fun night for Halloween!! The candy collection isunderway. Please consider contributing a bag in the box at Coburn's to supportthe influx of trick-or-treaters our village receives.
We also organize a spaghetti dinner at Barrett Hall to make things easy onparents. In addition to the dinner at BH, the 8th graders create a free and not-too-scary haunted house upstairs. There is a jack-o-lantern contest on thesteps at Barrett Hall, winner announced during dinner, and NEW THIS YEAR
a best overall costume contest with prizes for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place.Here's a full list of events and times. Please sign up here or Amy Donohue ifyou can help.
Next PTA meeting - Tuesday, November 7th at 6pm in the Newton libraryWe will be assembling our annual appeal mailing, so we can use many hands!
Strafford Recreation NewsEllen Bagnato
The Recreation Board of Strafford Vermont is gathering information todetermine the potential use of an ice rink as well as the amount of physicaland monetary support we have for building and maintaining an ice rink eachwinter.
The results of this survey will be used by the Strafford Recreation Board todetermine if, where and how an ice rink will be built in South Strafford for the2017-2018 winter and beyond.
Please take our 8 question survey at the below link. The survey requires 2minutes to complete.
If you have further questions or concerns about this topic, please contactRecreation Board Co-Chair Ellen Bagnato.
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/FT7RVSQ
Announcements and Upcoming Events
The Sharon Academy
Join The Sharon Academy (TSA) for an informative gathering to learnmore about how students at TSA are known, valued, and challenged. OurInformation Program begins at 3:30 on Sunday, October 22nd, at TSA'sHigh School. For more information, please call Amber Wylie - 763.2500x220
Jo Knowles speaking at Strafford's Morrill Harris
Memorial Library on October 17th.
Free Flu Shots
Classes at Seven Starts Art Center
The Secret Life of Caterpillars
*No School on Friday, November 10th.
Greg Bagnato, Principal243 Vermont Route 132
South Strafford, VT 05070Phone: 802-765-4351/Fax: 802-765-4785
Stay Connected
"The strength of the teamis each individual member.The strength of eachmember is the team."
- Phil Jackson
