NES Parent Newsletter 12/8/25

Dear NES Families,

Happy Friday!

As we move into a busy and exciting month, we want to share a few important reminders and updates to help keep everyone informed and prepared.

📝 December Testing Reminder
This month, students will be participating in important assessments. Please help set them up for success by ensuring they get a good night’s sleep and arrive to school on time each day. Consistent attendance and being well-rested truly make a difference in student performance.

🎉 PBIS Mega Bash – Tuesday, December 16th
We are looking forward to celebrating positive behavior at our PBIS Mega Bash! Please see the information below for details on student eligibility and event expectations. We appreciate your support in encouraging students to meet the requirements to attend.

🍪 Thank You, PTO!
A big thank you to our amazing PTO for providing cookies for our staff on National Cookie Day and for organizing our school float for the Christmas parade on December 13th. We are excited to see our PTO continue to strengthen and grow—your partnership means so much to our school community!

🚶 New Morning Arrival Option Begins January 6th
Beginning January 6th, families will be allowed to walk students to their classroom or to the cafeteria door (for students eating breakfast at school) each morning. Please take time to carefully read the expectations and procedures to be shared in the coming weeks so we can ensure this is successful and remains a continued privilege throughout the school year. Your cooperation will help us maintain smooth, safe, and welcoming morning routines.

We appreciate your ongoing support as we work together to create the best possible learning environment for all students. We look forward to continuing to build a strong partnership between NES and our families to support student success!

With gratitude and positivity,

December:

12/8-12/12: Penguin Shop (during their Media time on their scheduled day for specials)

12/9: 3rd Grade FAST Math assessment

12/10: 4th Grade FAST Math assessment

12/11: 5th Grade FAST Math assessment

12/13: Christmas Parade @6PM

12/15-12/18: Spirit Week

12/17: NES Winter Wonderland; Kindergarten Christmas program

12/16: PBIS Mega Bash

12/19: STEM Day; ERD; End of 9 weeks

12/20 - 01/05: No School/Winter Break

The FLDOE (F.S. 1002.394) requires us to notify all households receiving free and reduced meals of their eligibility to apply for the Family Empowerment Scholarship for Educational Options. For more information please click the document below.

This month, our school is focusing on the Energy Bus Rule: Drive With a Purpose. This rule encourages students to think about why they do what they do and to act with intention, effort, and positivity. When students understand their purpose—whether it’s learning, helping others, or growing as leaders—they stay motivated and make better choices.

What “Drive With a Purpose” Means at School

At school, driving with a purpose means:

• Putting effort into learning and trying your best, even when work is challenging

• Being intentional with behavior and making choices that help the classroom community

• Setting goals and working toward them each day

• Staying focused and using time wisely

When students understand their purpose, they are more confident, resilient, and engaged.

What It Means at Home

At home, driving with a purpose can look like:

• Talking about goals for school, hobbies, or personal responsibilities

• Helping with chores because it contributes to the family, not just because they “have to”

• Making responsible decisions with technology, routines, and bedtime

• Showing kindness and respect because it builds strong relationships

Families can support this by having conversations about why things are important, not just what needs to be done.

Action Steps for Families

To help reinforce this month’s Energy Bus rule, try the following with your child:

1. Ask Purposeful Questions

   • “What is your goal for this week?”

   • “Why do you want to get better at ___?”

   • “How did you drive with a purpose today?”

2. Celebrate Effort and Intentionality

   • Recognize when your child works hard, makes thoughtful decisions, or sticks with a challenge.

3. Create a Small Purpose Goal Together

   • Choose one simple goal for the month (reading nightly, improving morning routines, being kinder to a sibling) and track progress.

4. Model Purpose-Driven Behavior

   • Share your own goals and explain the why behind your actions.

Thank you for partnering with us to build positive, purpose-driven learners. When students understand their purpose, they become unstoppable drivers on their Energy Bus! Let’s make it a great month.

Students read "Balloons Over Broadway" by Melissa Sweet, learned about the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade, and were challenged to come up with their own balloon design for our NES Thanksgiving parade! Fun was had by all and their creativity and scientific thinking were exciting to witness!

We now have an online option to pay for these shirts in RevTrak, the link is below.

This is the mockup for the school jerseys similar to our staff shirts that some of you requested for students. These will be sold as pre-orders only, the RevTrak link is below. These DO NOT have a name/number on the back. The cost of these shirts will be $25. If you are paying with cash, the amount must be EXACT CHANGE turned in to the front office. Orders are currently open and we will run the preorder for 2 WEEKS prior to ordering and will reach out once we receive the order.

Lunch :

Monday- BBQ / chicken bites / yogurt

Tuesday- Queso Pull-aparts / grilled cheese / Salad / Pbj

Wednesday- Chicken & mozz sandwich / Bosco Stick / yogurt

Thursday- Shepherd's Pie / Ham & cheese / chef / Pbj

Friday- Pizza / chicken patty on Bun / Fish sandwich

Click below for the NES Student-Parent Handbook. Printed version is available in the front office upon request.

🎉We are loving our new app! ✨Access documents, news updates, and even emergency notifications, right from your pocket. Download for Android https://aptg.co/hJj62B Download for iPhone https://aptg.co/b6Km3j

FortifyFL is a suspicious activity reporting tool that allows you to instantly relay information to appropriate law enforcement agencies and school officials.

By accessing FortifyFL, students can provide a description of the threat, share pics and videos and optionally submit their contact information.

Click the button above to access the online reporting link.

Systematically and chronically inflicting physical hurt or psychological distress on one or more students or employees. Bullying includes instances of cyberbullying, as defined in Section 1006.147(3)(b), F.S. Bullying may include, but is not limited to, repetitive instances of teasing, social exclusion, threats, intimidation, stalking, physical violence, theft, harassment, public or private humiliation, or destruction of property. If the physical harm or psychological distress is not the result of systematic or chronic behavior, evaluate for Harassment.

SESIR Bullying must include 3 elements: It must be 1) repeated; 2) intentional; and 3) involve a power imbalance.

Examples

• Student uses a cell phone to take a picture of a student using the bathroom at school and shares it electronically.
• Student repeatedly spreads nasty rumors at school about another person.
• Student repeatedly teases another person in a mean way, calling him/her inappropriate names, making fun of his/her appearance, or the way he/she talks, dresses, or acts.

Non-Examples

• Student calls another student an inappropriate name once.

For more information visit: https://www.fldoe.org/safe-schools/sesir-discipline-data/bullying.stml

NES Mission Statement:

Driven by our love for kids and passion for teaching, we provide a safe, structured, and joyful space where every child feels connected, cared for, and empowered to learn. Through collaboration and purposeful planning, we make learning fun, build strong foundations, and prepare students for their futures.

NES Vision Statement:

At NES, every student is known, loved, and empowered in a joyful, trusting community that builds strong foundations for lifelong success.

NES Core Values

Connection • Community • Safety • Growth