• I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving Holiday with family and friends. Last week Lincoln-Eliot had new babies added to our faculty family. Ms. Anderson welcomed her twins, James and Rylan, and Ms. Gigliotti had a baby girl, Addison.

• Autumn Concert: Thank you to all the families who attended our Autumn Concert. We are grateful for your support for Lincoln-Eliot’s Music Program! A BIG THANK YOU to Music Teacher Ms. Devon for her hard work in preparing the students and for experimenting with new whole-group performances. Our next concert is the Fifth Grade Winter Concert on January 22, 2015 from 7:00-8:00 PM.    

• Reminder: There is an early release on TUESDAY (12:30) AND THURSDAY (12:30). Thursday is a Teacher Professional Development Release Day. The focus of the PD is Writing About Reading to explain their understanding and thinking about text.

• Hour of Code: Last year, Lincoln-Eliot was one of a few schools to participate in the first year of The Hour of Code. This year all the Newton Public Schools will participate in the program. “The Hour of Code is a global movement reaching tens of millions of students in 180+ countries. The program is a one-hour introduction to computer science, designed to demystify code and show that anybody can learn the basics.”The Hour of Code supports Newton’s STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) initiatives, encourages critical thinking, problem solving and perseverance.  During the weeks of Dec 8-14 and Dec 15-19 every class will participate in the program with our IT and library specialists Jen Roy and Heather Leoleis. You can find more information on the Hour of Code website http://hourofcode.com/us and on this introductory video:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qYZF6oIZtfc
  

• Recess Reminder: We go outside every day unless the temperature drops below 20 degrees F. Please ensure your children dress appropriately with coats, hats, mittens, boots.

• Keep an eye on the LEPTO Events Calendar for important dates.

Notes from our School Nurse…

Every year in the United States, thousands of children are diagnosed with diabetes. A person can have diabetes without knowing it because the symptoms aren’t always obvious and they can occur gradually. Early detection and knowledge of the warning signs is your greatest weapon against the disease and its complications. Please review the signs and symptoms of Diabetes to look out for on our school website.

If you have any health questions you can reach Heather Gagnon at 617-559-9554 or heather_gagnon@newton.k12.ma.us

Fundraising…

• FIFTH GRADE ON-LINE AUCTION
  Lincoln-Eliot PTO – 5th Grade Winter Wonderland
  Our auction date is fast approaching!The Winter Wonderland opens for bidding on November 27, 2014 at 8:00 AM EST Time.  Our goal this year is to raise $10,000 to send the 5th Grade to camp! We need your support!This is an exciting and fun way to help us, and at the same time have a chance to win cool items!  We’ll be adding new items to our auction for you to preview as the auction date approaches. Check back often to see what’s new. Feel free to place a Watch on your favorites, so that you’ll know as soon as bidding begins!https://m.biddingforgood.com/auctions/226741598/categories
• Amazon.com 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.
• Labels for Education:  Don’t forget to bring in your Box Tops, Coke Points and your Labels for Education labels into school.  This is an easy way to raise money for programs at L-E.  Drop off boxes are located near the Main Office.   Check for labels on the following products:
  • BIC
  • Campbells
  • Dannon
  • Emerald
  • Glad
  • Pace
  • Pepperidge Farm
  • Pop  Secret
  • Post
  • Prego
  • Spaghettios
  • Swanson
  • V8 Beverages
  • Wolfgang Puck!
• Stop & Shop A+ Rewards:  Everyone, please 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. Ask family members to register too and select Lincoln-Eliot!
• DONOR’S CHOOSE:
  “DonorsChoose.org is an online charity that makes it easy for anyone to help teachers fund classroom projects. Teachers post projects on the site and people across the country help fund projects that interest them.” Check out Donor’s Choose at http://www.donorschoose.org

  CURRENT DONORS CHOOSE PROJECTS:
  Gr. 5 Mr. Davan
  Project Title: Sharing Rug
  Total Cost: $349.00
  Raised to Date: $248.00 by 7 Donors

  Amount Needed to Complete the Project: $101.00.  Click here to help out

  About the Project:
  We had to get rid of our old rug because it was so filthy and frayed. So, we are currently sitting on the concrete floor. It’s cleaner than the old rug, but it is cold and hard. A new rug will make the experience more comfortable for the students to meet together.  THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT!

  COMPLETED DONORS CHOOSE GRANTS
  Gr. 2 Mr. Raisner
  Project Title: James Marshall Author Study
  Cost: $252.00 FUNDED IN 3 HOURS! (Nov. 16, 2014)

   

Registration is now open for winter classes with Newton Community Education. Coming up at Lincoln-Eliot we have:

•  Lego Robotics and Actors Studio on Wednesdays,
• Chinese Club on Fridays.

We have many more weekday classes at schools throughout Newton, including Shark Tank Jr, Pottery, Fencing, Imagination Authors, The Stockmarket Game, and the list goes on.  We have family classes, such as Glass Fusing, and Saturday sports options for kids ages 2 and up.

Thinking ahead for February and April vacation?
Sign up for Domino Physics, Domino Architecture, 3-D Sculpture, or Engineering & Electricity Workshop. (Space is limited for these so please act fast.)

And don’t miss our two big events: the fabulous Celebrate Newton Crafts Fair at Newton South on Sunday, December 7, where you can view the talents of local artisans and shop for holiday gifts, and the annual Camp Fair at Newton North on Sunday, January 25, where you can shop for your kids’ summer programs.

For more information or to register, call our office at 617-559-6999 or visit our website at newtoncommunityed.org. NCE is part of the Newton Public Schools. When you support our program, you support our schools.

For 50 years Newton Schools Foundation has supported the Newton Public Schools by providing private funding for innovative and challenging programs district-wide.

This year NSF is making a difference for Newton students through its Investing In Innovation  fundraising campaign. Funds raised through the campaign are helping to ensure that NPS maintains and continues to provide pioneering programs for students and offers faculty and staff first-rate professional learning opportunities. Without these funds, NPS would be unable to expand many offerings district-wide or include students at all grade levels.

Since the campaign’s 2013 launch, Newton Schools Foundation has given the Newton Public Schools $170,000 to fund creative, dynamic, effective and up-to-date learning experiences for Newton’s diverse student population, reaching all levels of the school system – elementary, middle and high school – in areas that include:

* STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math)

* Sustainability

* Literacy and History

* Closing the Achievement Gap

NSF’s goal is to raise $500,000 over the next three years in order to make the greatest impact on Newton’s 12,000 students.  Give today to ensure that Newton Public Schools go from Good to Great!!

Click Here to Donate

Going by the cold temperatures outside, Winter is definitely here!​

Please make sure your child comes to school with the proper outside clothing for the temperature outside. Winter Jackets, mittens and hats should be sent in daily.  Please label all clothing.

We are also looking for any winter wear donations, especially mittens and snow pants!

Lincoln Eliot is having a collection drive for the 5th grade camping trip.  We are collecting:

• Clothing
• Jewelry
• Accessories
• Handbags
• Shoes
• Linens

Bring items to the Drive Event Saturday, November 15th, from 10:00AM to 12:30pm in the LE parking lot.

Newton Parks and Recreation has a lot of great upcoming winter programs for children and adults.  Please list the below information in your upcoming newsletters:

Check out the Newton Parks and Recreation website at http://www.newtonma.gov/gov/parks for information about our upcoming winter programs for children and adults.  Some programs include:

December Vacation Programs
– at the Lower Falls Community Center December 29, 30, 31 and January 2 for children in grades K – 6.  Participate in sports, arts and crafts, inside games, and more.  Each day features a fun special event.  8:30 am – 3:30 pm with extended day options.

– Thundercat Sports December 26, 29, 30 and 31 for children ages 6 – 12.  Play a variety of sports including basketball, floor hockey, soccer, dodgeball and more.  9:00 am – 3:00 pm

– family movie day at the West Newton Cinema December 29 and 30.  Enjoy a movie, popcorn and drink all for one low price.  Tickets are sold at the West Newton Cinema starting at 10:00 am with the movies starting at 11:00 am

Newton South Recreation Complex
– located at the Newton South High School, this Recreation Complex offers a variety of activities for youth and adults on Sundays including tennis, badminton, sewing classes, engineering with lego, fencing, thundercat sports, archery, workout facilities, and more.

Ski and Snowboard Program at Nashoba Valley
– For grades 5 – 12.  Learn to ski or snowboard with lessons at Nashoba Valley Ski area.  Already know how to ski or snowboard?  Join us for the lift ticket only option.  Transportation to Nashoba Valley is provided from Newton.  This program runs on Fridays from 5:45 pm – 10:15 pm.

Camp Fair
– See what Newton Parks and Recreation and Newton Public Schools have to offer your child in Newton for the summer of 2015.  12:00 – 4:00 pm at the Newton North High School in the cafeteria.

For more information contact Channon Ames at 617-796-1529 or at cames@newtonma.gov

For 50 years Newton Schools Foundation has supported the Newton Public Schools by providing private funding for innovative and challenging programs district-wide.   This year NSF is making a difference for Newton students through its Investing In Innovation fundraising campaign.

Funds raised through the campaign are helping to ensure that NPS maintains and continues to provide pioneering programs for students and offers faculty and staff first-rate professional learning opportunities. Without these funds, NPS would be unable to expand many offerings district-wide or include students at all grade levels.

Since the campaign’s 2013 launch, Newton Schools Foundation has given the Newton Public
Schools $170,000 to fund creative, dynamic, effective and up-to-date learning experiences for
Newton’s diverse student population, reaching all levels of the school system – elementary, middle
and high school – in areas that include:

• STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math)
• Sustainability
• Literacy and History
• Closing the Achievement Gap

NSF’s goal is to raise $500,000 over the next three years in order to make the greatest impact on Newton’s 12,000 students.

For more information and to donate visit http://www.newtonschoolsfoundation.org/annual-appeal

The next PTO Meeting is Tues. Morning Nov. 18^th (8:00-9:00 AM): Please join us with special guest, Alderman Scott Lennon, to discuss building, playground, and pedestrian safety issues. Childcare is provided in the cafeteria. We need a big turn out so our voices are heard! 

LE Building Updates. BIG NEWS: The Pearl Street front walk will be repaired this week!!!! The scope of work is to remove the concrete slabs, reset all the granite steps and pour new concrete walkways. The work will start Sat. Nov. 8 and with weather permitting, be completed and ready for use Wednesday November 12th. The only school day that will be impacted is Monday November 10th. All visitors should use the Jackson Road entrance. At morning entry on Monday, I will be directing students to use the door by the cafeteria. Classes that dismiss through the front door will plan to use the cafeteria door (in the alley) so parents know where to meet their children.

School Pictures will be sent home on Monday. Picture Re-take Day is scheduled for Friday, Nov. 14^th for those who were absent on the original date or for those who are not happy with the pictures.

FLU CLINIC: Flu Clinic forms are due by November 11th. Our flu clinic will be held on Thursday, November 13th first thing in the morning. Parents may sign students up to receive the flu vaccine at no charge by returning consent and screening forms to the school nurse. Forms and additional information are available online at www.newtonma.gov/flu or at the school nurses office.

NEW – Tuesday & Friday Pizza at L-E…
L-E PIZZA TUESDAYS (12:15-1:00) & FRIDAYS (3:00) BEGINNING THIS WEEK!At the Jackson Road Entrance; $2 per slicePizza is Popular and disappears quickly! Avoid disappointment and pre-order your Whole Pizzas by Mondays at Noon –$10.00 each.   Email Susanne at susanneg4@hotmail.com  to order!Proceeds benefit the 5th Grade 2015 Graduating Class…We appreciate your support!

As always, check LEPTO’s Events Calendar for expanded events at L-E

Tuesday November 11^th, 10:00am – 11:00am, Post 440

The Mayor’s Office is encouraging Newton residents to support our troops on Veterans Day by donating an item from the following 5 categories:

1. snacks such as nuts, pretzels and dried fruit;
2. food such as canned soup, ramen and tuna;
3. powdered drink mixes such as Gatorade or Crystal Light;
4. coffee, including flavored and regular as well as tea bags and hot chocolate;
5. and gently used cell phones which will be recycled to purchase international calling cards for active-duty military deployed overseas.

Each person or family that donates an item will be entered to win an Apple iPad mini.  Donations may be dropped off at Post 440, 295 California Street, from 10:00-11:00am. Children’s activity include writing to our troops, a coloring station and military vehicles.  Refreshments will be served courtesy of Dunkin Donuts and Finagle a Bagel.  For more information please visit www.newtonma.gov/veterans.

Need to get all that extra candy out of your house?   Plowshares will be collecting unwanted Halloween candy for “Operation Gratitude.”

Operation Gratitude annually sends 150,000+ care packages filled with snacks, entertainment, hygiene and hand-made items, plus personal letters of appreciation, to New Recruits, Veterans, First Responders, Wounded Warriors, Care Givers and to individually named U.S. Service Members deployed overseas. Our mission is to lift the spirits and meet the evolving needs of our Active Duty and Veteran communities, and provide volunteer opportunities for all Americans to express their appreciation to members of our Military.

Collection Boxes will be placed near the main office and at the Jackson Road Entrance.  Families can drop off candy donations starting Tuesday, November 4^th until Wednesday, November 12^th.  (Other items to consider donating are toothbrushes and toothpaste)

Plowshares children will help sort and weigh the candy, as well as box everything to be shipped out.   Children will also have the opportunity to write letters to our Military Heroes.  We encourage Lincoln Eliot families to send in letters as well!