The twinkling lights and the smell of winter air - it's official December and the winter months have arrived. It's hard to believe that December is here and that the end of 2024 is coming to a close. December lends itself to gift giving and sharing. What a great opportunity to instill in your child the gift of learning. Talk with your child about the importance of learning. Learn something new with your child over the holiday break. Let them see the enjoyment learning a new task brings to you. This will motivate them to enjoy learning as well. Be positive with your child about learning at school. Ask them about their progress and academic accomplishments in the classroom. Let them share with you their strengths and their concerns. Work together to strive for success and to find enjoyment in learning. What greater gift can we give our children but the "gift of learning"? I hope all of you have a wonderful holiday season filled with laughter and love, creating special memoires that will last a lifetime!

12/3 Progress Reports
12/6 4th Grade Field Trip to the Nutcracker

12/9 - 12/13 Santa's Workshop

12/10 4th Grade Financial Literacy with HCSB

12/12 3rd and 4th Grades STEM with WVU Extension Office

12/16 Christmas Spirit Week - Wear Christmas Pajamas

12/17 Christmas Spirit Week - Whoville Day

12/17 "Rebuilding Whoville" - A family engagement evening 4:45 - 5:45 and 6:00 - 7:00
12/17 Pick Up Moes fundraiser

12/18 Christmas Spirit Week - Favorite Christmas Sweater

12/19 Christmas Spirit Week - Wear Christmas headgear and socks

12/19 OGMS Students coming to NMES for Grinch activities

12/19 PTA Meeting with PreK and Kindergarten Christmas Performances at 6:00 p.m.

12/19 PTA Christmas celebration with the students

12/19 OGMS Students will be joining our Elementary students to do Grinch activities

12/20 Christmas Spirit Week - Break out all of your Christmas clothes/colors

12/20 NO PRE-K ONLY

12/20 2 Hour Early Dismissal for Students (1:00 p.m.)

12/23 - 1/5 No School for Students

1/3 - Staff returns from Christmas Break - Professional Learning Day

Grab & Go and Lunch menus can also be found on our school website page under the tab "food service".

New Manchester Elementary School follows the Expected Behaviors in Safe and Supportive Schools - Policy JG. A condensed version can be found on the school website as well as the Hancock County Schools website. A complete copy can be obtained upon request.

Our theme for the students this school year is "CONSTRUCT"ING POSITIVE BEHAVIOR

CONSTRUCT stands for a behavior we will focus on each month (C=Character; O = Optimism; N = Nurturing; S = Supportive; T = Trustworthy; R = Respect; U = Understanding; C = Compassion; T = Truthful). Students will work toward earning a sticker for their hard hat each quarter related to our behavioral concepts. Each student will keep track of their progress each nine weeks. Throughout each month, students will also have the opportunity to "cash" in their Dojo points in for classroom incentives so that they are rewarded for positive behavior continuously throughout the school year.

In December, we will focus on being SUPPORTIVE. This can be defined as providing encouragement or emotional support. In an elementary school setting, ensuring SUPPORTIVE classrooms is imperative the overall success of all students. Creating a supporting environment empowers students on a daily basis. It encourages a feeling of belonging to a community and fosters a sense of responsibility, kindness, generosity, empathy, and compassion for others. Research has shown that students who feel like they "belong" to a classroom community excels academically, mentally, socially, and behaviorally.

Congratulations to the following students for earning a place on the "Crew Chief of the Month" board!

Preschool: Emerson & Zella

Kindergarten: Lilliana, Waylon, & Carly

1st Grade: Lincoln, Jase, & Cayson

2nd Grade: Aliyah & Lilian

3rd Grade: Quinn, Bucky, & Mark

4th Grade: Lydiabelle & Liam

Criteria for selecting the students for the "Crew Chiefs" will include (but are not limited to) the following:

• Effort
  
• Character through compassion, honesty, trustworthiness, optimism, and responsibility
• Behavior and self-control
• Attitude toward others/learning
• Good citizenship
• Leadership and integrity
• Demonstrates responsibility
• Respectful to peers and teachers
• Significant progress in the classroom and/or marked improvement in grades

Please join us on Tuesday, December 17th for a magical evening of literacy and STEM fun at NMES. There are many fun activities planned for you and your child to experience based on The Grinch Who Stole Christmas. It is sure to be a fun night. We will have various interactive, engaging stations, a photo booth, free chances to win Grinch prizes, and a guest appearance by the Grinch himself. Please see the flyer below for more information.

We have an exciting opportunity for Family Engagement occurring every Friday with Mrs. Cole and Mrs. Gamble.

Our "Fluency Fridays" will be posted to Class Dojo every Friday to help you understand the importance of the Science of Reading. Activities and tips will be provided to guide you in supporting your child at home with Reading.

We are hoping for this to be an "interactive family engagement community" in which we can all benefit.
You will be able to receive feedback on any comments or questions you may have.

Look for a new episode each Friday.

Looking to connect better with your child? Parent Coaching pairs you with a parenting coach and therapist-created resources to help you navigate the challenges of parenting. Click here to register: https://cookcenter.info/coaching

New Manchester Elementary School has a School Wide Title I program. Mrs. Cole, our Title I teacher, is an excellent resource in our building. If you have questions in regards to the Title I program, please contact the school office or Mrs. Cole.

December 1st through the 7th is National Handwashing Week! Studies have shown that handwashing can prevent 1 in 3 diarrhea related sicknesses and 1 in 5 respiratory infections. Germs can get into the body through our eyes, nose, and mouth and make us sick. Handwashing removes germs from hands and helps prevent sickness.

What is the right way to wash hands?

• Wet your hands with clean running water.
• Apply soap and lather for 20 seconds outside of the running water.
• Make sure to scrub all surfaces of your hands including palms, backs, fingers, in between fingers, and under the nails. Don’t forget your thumbs!
• Rinse your hands clean.
• Dry your hands then turn off the sink without touching the knobs (because you turned the sink on with dirty hands).

When should you wash your hands?

• Before, during, and after preparing food.
• Before eating food.
• Before and after caring for someone who is sick.
• Before and after treating a cut or wound.
• After using the bathroom, changing diapers, or cleaning up a child who has used the bathroom.
• After blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.
• After touching an animal, animal food or treats, animal cages, or animal feces.
• After touching garbage.
• If your hands are visibly dirty.

Using soap and water is the best way to clean your hands, especially if they are visibly dirty! If using hand sanitizer, make sure it contains at least 60% alcohol and rub it in completely until your hands are dry!

“Researchers estimate that if everyone routinely washed their hands, 1 million deaths a year could be prevented.” Let’s all wash our hands more and make our community a healthier place!

The holiday season is often portrayed as a time of joy, celebration, and togetherness. However, for many families, it can also be a source of significant stress. Understanding the factors contributing to holiday stress and learning how to manage it effectively can help families enjoy this special time of year more fully.

One major source of stress during the holidays is the pressure to meet expectations. Families may feel obligated to participate in various traditions, attend numerous events, and purchase gifts for loved ones. These expectations can create a sense of overwhelm, especially when combined with busy schedules and financial constraints. It's important for families to communicate openly about their limits and prioritize what truly matters to them during the holidays. Setting realistic goals can lead to a more enjoyable experience.

Another contributing factor to holiday stress is the emotional weight that the season can carry. For some, it may be a reminder of lost loved ones or past struggles. The contrast between the joyful imagery often presented in media and the reality of personal challenges can lead to feelings of sadness or anxiety. Families should encourage each other to share their feelings and create a supportive environment where everyone feels heard and understood. Engaging in activities that honor lost loved ones can also provide comfort.

Time management is crucial during the holiday season. With so many commitments, families may find it difficult to balance their time effectively. Creating a holiday calendar that includes important dates can help keep everyone organized. Additionally, designating specific times for relaxation and family bonding can alleviate the pressure of constant busyness. This intentional scheduling allows families to enjoy moments together without the stress of feeling rushed.

Physical health is another important aspect to consider. The holiday season often comes with rich foods, late nights, and less physical activity. Encouraging healthy habits, such as regular exercise, balanced meals, and adequate sleep, can help reduce stress levels. Families can engage in fun physical activities together which not only promotes health but also strengthens family bonds.

Finally, practicing mindfulness can be a powerful tool for managing holiday stress. Simple techniques, such as deep breathing exercises or moments of reflection, can help families remain present and grounded. Taking time to appreciate the little joys of the season, whether it’s the beauty of decorated homes or the warmth of shared laughter, can shift focus away from stressors and foster a sense of gratitude.

Lastly, while the holiday season can bring stress for many families, understanding its causes and implementing practical strategies can lead to a more fulfilling experience. By communicating openly,

managing time effectively, prioritizing health, and practicing mindfulness, families can navigate holiday stress and create lasting memories together.

• December is the last month of the year
• December contains the shortest days of the year and is the darkest month on the calendar
• Some of the biggest movies are released in December to a limited audience in order to be considered for an Academy Award, such as Titantic, Lord of the Rings, and Avatar
  
• According to folklore, the unluckiest day of the year is December 28th
• National Cookie Day is December 4th
• December was one of the original months in the ancient Roman calendar but originally had only 30 days
• The full moon in December has been traditionally referred to as the Full Cold Moon by many Native American tribes

Add some math skills to a Gingerbread House Decorating Night. Have your child measure the graham crackers that they use to build the foundation of the house. For older students, discuss fractions and how to use 1/2 of a graham cracker or 1/3 of a cracker. Count the gumdrops that you use. Make addition and subtraction sentences for students to solve. Complete patterns with your candy that you use to decorate the house. There are so many ways to incorporate math skills into building a Gingerbread House. Make it an engaging learning experience.

"It Takes a Team to Educate a Child"

Email: cyeater@k12.wv.us
Website: newmanchester.hancock.k12.wv.us
Location: 128 Frankfort Road, New Cumberland, WV, USA
Phone: 304-564-3242
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/category/Elementary-School/New-Manchester-Elementary-School