THIS WEEK
The first week of school is a week of firsts. It is the first day, ever, for our kindergarteners. It is the first day for parents for whom their first child is going to school. It is a first day of the new grade for all our students. For some of our students it is their first day at their new school, in their new home, in their new country. For our fifth graders it is the first day of the oldest grade- they do look taller. For teachers it is their first day with their new class. As principal, it was the first day of the year ahead and all we have to look forward to in learning and growing together.
“THE PURPLE FOLDER”
The Purple Folder is the way materials go back and forth between school and home. PLEASE help your child learn to be organized by establishing a routine for the Purple Folder. Find a location where it should be put everyday. In our house it was a basket on the kitchen counter. Look through it each day and ask your child questions about what he/she is learning and doing in class. Check out their homework. Use the folder to communicate with the teacher and to return homework and notices.
DROP OFF AND PICK UP
Thank you to everyone for such a successful opening to the school year. It has been extremely smooth with traffic, parking, and morning entry.
REMINDER:
Doors Open: 8:20
Instruction Begins: 8:30.
Dismissal: 3:00 (12:30 on Tuesday)
There is a 10-minute window from when the doors open at 8:20 and when instruction begins at 8:30. Children entering the building after 8:30, must come to the office before entering class so we can record them as present.
BACK T0 SCHOOL PICNIC, SEPT. 17TH 5:30-7:00 PM (RESCHEDULED)
Tonight the Lincoln-Eliot families and faculty will come together to welcome the new year. Bring a picnic dinner and a blanket and meet us on the playground. As children play, families talk and meet. We hope to see you there.
Pizza and water are for sale for those who want an easy dinner.
INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC
We have tripled our music program in the last two years. Our goal is for every fourth grader to learn an instrument. Please read the attached flyers to learn about 4th Grade Instrumental Lessons and Fifth Grade Band and Orchestra. Registration date is by September 18th and it is done online. All students are able to have access to an instrument. Please let us know if you need help to apply for a loaner instrument.
FROM THE NURSE HEATHER GAGNON
Dear Parents/Guardians:
The Health and Human Services Department is once again pleased to offer the influenza vaccine to all Newton students in Kindergarten through grade 12. Both the flu shot and the flu nasal spray vaccine will be administered during the school day at no charge to families.
The Lincoln-Eliot flu clinic will be held on Thursday, October 22nd, 2015.
Forms are due to the school nurse no later than Tuesday, October 20th, 2015.
To download the forms, please visit www.newtonma.gov/flu or you may pick them up in the health room.
If you have questions, please contact the school nurse, Heather Gagnon.
Office number: 617-559-9554; Email: heather_gagnon@newton.k12.ma.
PARENT CONNECT: UPDATE EMERGENCY CONTACT INFORMATION
Parent Connect is the portal for families to share contact information and to access progress reports.
In the next couple weeks NPS will send out an e-mail to all families. It will let you know your user name and password to set up your new Parent Connect account. If you are already enrolled, it will remind you how to log in.
You can access a video on the NPS website under “Families” to learn more about Parent Connect.
It is important to keep your contact information updated throughout the year should any information change. Jena Rossi and Sharon Fugazzotto in the office will be glad to help you.
LUNCH/RECESS
This year we created a schedule to enable grades 2-5 to have their own lunch and recess period. Kindergarten and Grade 1 share lunch recess since half the Kindergarten students go home. This is a wonderful change in the atmosphere in the cafeteria. Children get through the line quicker which allows for more time to eat. The noise level is greatly reduced. The children have more space on the playground. I believe everyone is happy with the change.
You can find the lunch menu on the NPS website at: http://schools.whitsons.com/ma/newton-public-schools?page=menu
School Lunch accounts are managed on the NPS website through “My School Bucks.” You can add money to your child’s account and check your balance. https://www.myschoolbucks.com/ver2/login/getmain?requestAction=home
Families apply for the Free and Reduced Lunch Program on-line. This must be renewed each year. This program applies to breakfast and lunch at the school. If you need assistant please call or email the office at (617) 559-9540 or e-mail Sharon Fugazzotto at Sharon_fugazzotto@newton.k12.ma.us.
FUNDRAISING…
L-E PIZZA TUESDAYS!
From 12:15-1:00 pm at the Jackson Road Entrance
$2 per slice
Pizza is popular and disappears quickly! Avoid disappointment and pre-order your Whole Pizzas by Mondays at Noon –$10.00 each.
Email Jenn- jrogan78@verizon.net to order!
Proceeds benefit the 5th Grade 2015 Graduating Class… We appreciate your support!
PIZZA SALES START TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 8TH!!!
Meadow Farms Gift Wrap and Gift Catalog Fundraiser!
September 18th to October 2nd
Meadow Farms is a local MA based, family owned and operated company that offers a variety of: wrapping paper, seasonal items, and gifts for the home.
PRIZES! Meadow Farms offers tons of FABULOUS PRIZES based on the number of items that you sell! From cool bracelets and sunglasses to amazing electronics like Chromebooks and iPads – Even selling one item gets you a prize!!
Brochures go home on September 16th!
New This Year: ALL orders will be shipped to your home!!!!
STOP & SHOP
Don’t forget to register you Stop & Shop card for the Stop & Shop A+ Rewards! Great News! If you registered your card last year, it will re-register automatically! If you are new to the program, just log on to www.Stopandshop.com/aplus to register online. Our school ID is 05887. Or, dial 1-877-275-2758 to register your card over the telephone.
AMAZON SHOPPERS
With the upcoming holiday season, don’t forget to access amazon.com through the PTO website. Our school receives up to 10% of all purchases simply purchased through this link.
COMMUNITY NEWS…
FALL NEWTON COMMUNITY ED CLASSES (NEC): Newton Community Education will be offering 3 classes at L-E this fall: LEGO Jr. and Actor’s Studio on Wednesdays and Spanish Class on Fridays. Watch for the brochure and sign up sheet early in September.
COMMUNITY ADS
Guitar Lessons In Your Home
I’m a Berklee College of Music graduate seeking a limited number of students for private/group guitar lessons. Lessons are offered in your home. All levels are welcome, including beginners. Through a comprehensive approach that combines technique, ear training and harmony, I will help your son or daughter develop music skills applicable to all styles of guitar playing. S/he will learn to play and analyze songs and solos from a broad range of musical genres. By working with me, students sharpen their overall musical skills. I also help students interested in song-writing & composition. For references, video and audio samples, please contact Maldi Kellici at maldi.k@gmail.com , cell 617-792-2244 use the contact form on maldikellici.com
Destination Imagination
Last year, over 100 students from nine different Newton Public Schools participated in Regional and State competitions some even taking top honors and advancing to Globals!
Come to one of our “DI Info Nights” to find out more about enrolling your child in a life changing experience.
Tuesday, September 15th, 2015 from 7:00-8:00PM
Countryside Elementary (191 Dedham Street)
Thursday, September 17th, 2015 from 7:00-8:00PM
Mason Rice Elementary (149 Pleasant Street)
Monday, September 28th, 2015 from 7:00-8:00PM
Horace Mann Elementary (687 Watertown Street)
The Destination Imagination program encourages teams of learners to have fun, take risks, focus and frame challenges while incorporating STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics), the arts and service learning. DI students learn patience, flexibility, persistence, ethics, respect for others and their ideas, and the collaborative problem solving process.
More than 1.5 million youth have taken part in Destination Imagination problem-solving challenges in the past 30 years. Participating in DI has helped them develop critical thinking skills they can apply to their future schooling and careers to give them a competitive advantage for the rest of their lives.
If you have any questions, or are unable to attend one of the sessions, please email Matthew Miller at matthew@newtondi.org