Dear Families,

Wow! What a great turn out at the Back to School Picnic on Thursday evening. It was wonderful to see so many families come together to celebrate the start of the school year. Thank you to our PTO for hosting the event.

We had our first fire drill of the school year on Friday. The scholars and staff did an amazing job exiting the building safely in under 3 minutes. Way to go!

Just a reminder that our new arrival procedure for families that drive to school will begin on Monday, September 17, 2018. Please be sure to follow the procedure to ensure a smooth arrival for our scholars. (For more details, see the letter that was sent home earlier this week: Blue Zone Rules.pdf)

Please mark the following dates on your calendars:

• Monday, September 17^th: PTO meeting from 6:30pm -7:30pm in the Library  (Childcare provided in the gym.)
• Wednesday, September 19^th: Yom Kippur: No School
• Thursday, September 27^th: Early Release Day: 12:30 dismissal time
• Thursday, September 27^th: Curriculum Night from 6:00pm – 7:00pm (Title 1 staff will be available to discuss Title 1 services.)
• Friday, September 28^th: Picture Day

Open House/Curriculum Night: 

Our Curriculum Night open house will be taking place on Thursday, September 27^th from 6:00pm – 7:00pm. Grades K-2 teachers will be presenting for families from 6:00- 6:20, grades 3- 5 teachers will present for families from 6:25- 6:45. Specialists will be located in the Library and the PTO and SEPAC will have a table by the Jackson Road entrance — please stop by and say hello!

Please note childcare will not be provided during the open house and families are responsible for their students while onsite. An adult family member should accompany students at all times. 

We look forward to seeing everyone there!

Principal Morrissey

Dear Families,

We had an amazing first week of school! Thank you for your help in making the week a success. It was so nice to see our scholars busy making new friends, learning routines and building classroom communities. It is going to be a great school year!

Please mark the following dates on your calendars:

• Monday, September 10th: Rosh Hashanah: No School
• Wednesday, September 12th: PTO Back to School Picnic: 5:30 -7:00pm on the playground
• Monday, September 17^th: PTO meeting from 6:30pm -7:30pm in the library
• Wednesday, September 19^th: Yom Kippur: No School
• Thursday, September 27^th: Early Release Day: 12:30 dismissal time
• Thursday, September 27^th: Curriculum Night from 6:00pm – 7:00pm (Title 1 staff will be available to discuss Title 1 services.)
• Friday, September 28^th: Picture Day

Lunch

The cost of lunch is $3.30, water and juice is $.90 and milk is $.75. More information about the lunch program can be found here https://newton.sodexomyway.com/menus/index.html

Below is the link to the Free and Reduced Lunch Application. Please call the Lincoln Eliot Office if you need help completing this form.

https://www.schoollunchapp.com/Terms.aspx?host=newtonps.schoollunchapp.com&apply=1

Late arrival

If your child arrives after 8:30am, please drop them off at the Pearl Street entrance. Also, please remind them to stop by the main office before heading to class.

Dogs

Dogs are not allowed on school property but we have come up with a plan that should work for all. If you choose to walk your dog to school at arrival and dismissal times, you and your dog must wait by the Flagpole on the corner of Pearl St and Jackson Rd. Make sure to inform your child’s teacher that you give permission for your child to walk to the Flagpole area on his/her own. It is imperative that you talk with your child to create a plan in case you are late. Make sure to communicate that plan to your child’s teacher.

Please see the message below from Nurse Kristen:

Get the flu vaccine at school, not the flu!

Seasonal flu vaccination clinics will be held during the school day at the Newton Public Schools beginning in late September. Students in Kindergarten through grade 12 may receive vaccine.

The Lincoln Eliot Elementary clinic will be on October 11, 2018. Each student to be vaccinated must have a parent/guardian complete two forms:

1. Consent/Screening form
2. Vaccine administration record/Insurance form.

Forms are available in the school nurse’s office, or may be downloaded at www.newtonma.gov/flu. You may electronically complete the form, print, sign and return. Forms are due to the School Nurse October 5, 2018.

Only the flu shot (no nasal spray) will be offered at school this year. The Vaccine Information Statement about the flu shot, and additional information for families including tips on preparing kids for a shot is available at www.newtonma.gov/flu or in the school nurse’s office. There is no cost to receive the vaccine, but insurance information is requested. All students, regardless of insurance status, are invited to receive vaccine with parent permission.

Students are not required to receive flu vaccine, however the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends flu vaccine for all people age 6 months and up. There are many places to get a flu vaccine including at school, your primary health care provider or community clinics. For additional clinic dates for the whole family, visit www.newtonma.gov/flu.

In addition to vaccination, it is important to practice good hand hygiene and cough etiquette by washing hands often; covering coughs and sneezes with a tissue or the arm; and staying home when sick.

For more flu prevention tips, talk to the school nurse or check out these websites: www.newtonma.gov/flu and www.cdc.gov/flu