Neabsco News

Dear Neabsco Families,

As we support every Neabsco Star in their journey of growth, we wanted to share a simple but powerful idea: instead of asking, “How was school today?” which often results in a one-word reply, try asking questions that open deeper conversation, build confidence, and strengthen your connection. A recent article encourages parents to shift toward more meaningful, open-ended questions to raise resilient, successful kids.

Here are three family-friendly questions from the article that you might try at home:

“What was the best part of your day?” Invites your child to reflect on something positive.
“What’s a mistake you learned from today?” Helps them view errors as opportunities rather than setbacks.
“Who did you help today?” Encourages empathy and the idea that they contribute to the world around them.

By asking these kinds of questions, you are giving your child space to think, feel, and share who they are becoming not just what they did. These small moments of connection help build the habits of reflection, responsibility, and belonging that we foster here at Neabsco Elementary.

If you would like to read the full article, you can find it here: https://www.cnbc.com/2025/11/09/stop-asking-how-was-school-today-to-raise-successful-kids-ask-these-questions-instead.html

I hope families were able to look at Q1 report cards for students. Parent Vue also has a copy of the report for families. Next week we have a full week of school before Thanksgiving Break is coming the following week. Please make sure you continue healthy routines and habits and support your children coming to school every day.

Mrs. Brooke LeVecchi
Principal, Neabsco Elementary

leveccbb@pwcs.edu

IMPORTANT Dates for Neabsco Families

Wednesday, November 19th: Strings/Choir Concert at Gar-Field High School, 6:30pm
Wed. Nov. 26 - Fri. Nov. 28th: No School, Thanksgiving Holiday
Wednesday, December 3rd: Principal Advisory Council 5:30pm - 6:30pm

Tutoring for fifth grade will be cancelled on Wednesday, November 19 so these students can attend the strings and chorus concert. Please let your student know their tutoring session will be canceled. All fourth grade students who will be participating in the Chorus concert are excused from attending tutoring.

Did you know that with consistent attendance in All in Tutoring your student can learn strategies that are differentiated to their learning needs? During tutoring, students are explicitly taught strategies that can help them in reading and math. Students have the opportunity to practice these skills in a small group setting.

Students in math receive differentiated learning experiences in a small group and use IXL or Successmaker. These programs allow your student to practice skills that are specifically designed to build the foundational blocks for your student and connect strategies across each math skill.

In reading, students are using evidence in a passage to answer text related questions. Teachers work on strategies to promote decoding skills and reading comprehension skills.

If you would like to sign your student up, the registration window will open in January.

Please let Mrs. Morrone know if you have any questions at morronbm@pwcs.edu

Did you know that Mrs. Larimore is sponsoring a new club for third-fifth grade students? This crochet club opens on November 20.

Sign up today: Neabsco Elementary Clubs – Fill out form

Hello Neabsco Families,

Join Our Positive Climate & Culture Club!

This year, we’re excited to introduce the Positive Climate and Culture Club, working in conjunction with the No Place For Hate Club.

PWCS is committed to creating a welcoming, inclusive school environment where every student feels valued and supported.

Students in these clubs will:
✅ Collaborate with staff to strengthen relationships
✅ Elevate student voice
✅ Promote positive school experiences

If your student is interested in joining No Place For Hate or the Positive Climate and Culture Club, please reach out to:

We Need a Parent Representative if you are interested, please contact:

Mr. Cobern, School Social Worker – coberncd@pwcs.edu
Ms. Kozar, No Place For Hate Coordinator – KozarNM@pwcs.edu
If you would like to sign up your student, please complete form below. There is a contract that the student will need to sign at the first meeting.
No Place for Hate Student Representatives - Grades 2-5 – Fill out form

Informational Video about No Place For Hate: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MgzZmG4Na-c

Neabsco Stars!!! It was so great to see you all out for our Pickleball Fun Day on Saturday, November 8th. There were snacks, Pickleball related activities and several Pickleball games going the entire time! It was so exciting to see so many families in attendance. We look forward to coordinating more events like this one, but would love to hear from you. Please fill out this survey and let us know what you would like to see coordinated at Neabsco:

Neabsco Family Engagement – Fill out form

PWCS Family Engagement Opportunities

Upcoming Family Engagement Series Sessions Include:

Community Connections – Strengthening Families Through Wraparound Services, Thursday, November 20 | 6:30–7:30 PM, Learn how community-based supports can empower families and enhance student success.

To contact the Neabsco Elementary School Parent Liaison, Susana Steudle, steudlsd@pwcs.edu, 571.589.4784

Here is an opportunity that you are invited to participate in.......

⭐Counting the Stars 🌟

Have you ever tried to count the stars in the sky? There are so many! Once in a while, even a kid can find a new star. In 2008, 14-year-old Caroline Moore studied photos from her telescope and found an exploding star — called a supernova — that no one had ever spotted before. Then on December 31, 2010, a 10-year old named Kathryn Gray found another one, beating the record for youngest supernova discoverer ever. There are far more stars to find, so grab your telescope!

Wee ones: Once it’s dark out tonight, can you see any stars, or the Moon or any bright spots? Count as many as you can!

Little kids: If in the hazy night sky you can see the moon, 4 stars, and the planets Venus and Jupiter, how many night sky objects can you see? Bonus: If you count up 70 stars in batches of 10, what numbers do you say to count them off?

Big kids: If in one square section of the sky you count 12 stars, then look at it through a telescope and see 4 times as many stars, how many do you see now? (Quick trick: to multiply by 4, you can double the number, then double it again.) Bonus: If you divide the sky into 20 equal sections, and you count 100 stars in one chunk, how many stars can you guess are showing across the whole sky?

Answers:
Wee ones: 1, 2, 3, 4, and so on…into the hundreds if you’re not tired!

Little kids: 7 night objects. Bonus: 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70.

Big kids: 48 stars. Bonus: 2,000 stars — about how many the naked eye can see on a clear dark night.

⭐Important November Dates:

House Leo is in the lead this week with 6,213 points!

November House Shirt Days: 21st, 25th.

Spotting Reading Struggles Early

Helping Your Child Become a Confident Reader

Reading is the foundation for success in school and beyond. Every child learns at their own pace, but there are signs that may indicate your child needs extra support. Here’s what to look for:

1. Difficulty Recognizing Words

Frequently guesses words instead of sounding them out.
Struggles to remember common sight words (like the, and, said).

2. Trouble Understanding What They Read

Can read the words but cannot explain what the story is about.
Has difficulty answering simple questions about the text.

3. Slow or Choppy Reading

Reads much slower than peers.
Pauses often or loses their place on the page.

4. Avoids Reading

Says reading is “too hard” or “boring.”
Gets frustrated or anxious when asked to read aloud.

5. Limited Vocabulary

Uses very basic words when speaking or writing.
Has trouble learning new words from stories.

How You Can Help at Home

Read Together Daily: Even 10–15 minutes makes a big difference.
Talk About Stories: Ask questions like “What happened first?” or “Why do you think the character did that?”
Play Word Games: Rhyming, letter sounds, and sight word bingo can make reading fun.
Model Reading: Let your child see you enjoying books, magazines, or newspapers.

We want to thank you for your enthusiasm to support literacy and learning.

If you have any questions, please reach out to Carolyn Matthews Matthecj@pwcs.edu , Jessica Monahan Monahaje@pwcs.edu or Jessica Hesser Hesserj@pwcs.edu.

November: Academic Tips, Community Service, & Specialty Program Information

November is the perfect time to strengthen academic habits as we head toward the mid-year mark! Here are some tips and resources to help your child succeed:

1. Build Strong Study Routines

Encourage a consistent homework time each day.
Create a quiet, distraction-free space for learning.

2. Practice Goal Setting

Help your child set one academic goal for the month (e.g., “I will read 20 minutes every night”).
Celebrate progress to keep motivation high!

3. Use School Resources

Check out our Study Skills Groups and Peer Reader Program for extra support.
Reach out to your counselor for personalized strategies.

4. Reading Matters

Reading daily improves vocabulary and comprehension. Pair up with your child for a fun read-aloud session!

5. Growth Mindset

Remind students: mistakes are part of learning! Praise effort, not just results.

🧶For 3rd and 5th Grade Boys: Join the Boys Crochet Club!

Looking for a way to give back and learn something new? Come be part of our Community Service Stars Crochet Crew! Signup: Neabsco STARS Community Service Stars Crochet Crew! – Fill out form

What We’ll Do: Crochet together, Build friendships, and Create handmade gifts for children at the local children’s hospital

📅 When: 8:20 AM – 9:00 AM, Thursday & Friday mornings starting November 20 & 21 (8 sessions total) No experience needed—we will teach you! Come Make a difference, one stitch at a time.

🔅 5th Grade Specialty Program information:

Specialty Programs - Prince William County Public Schools

Middle School Programs - Prince William County Public Schools

Link to Apply for Specialty Program: Avela Apply

🌟The Stars Supporting Stars Peer Mentorship Program wrapped up Round 1 today with amazing results:

✅ 100% of mentees improved their individual attendance
✅ 60% achieved perfect attendance during this round

Way to go, Mentors and Mentees! Your hard work is making a difference. 5th Graders—get ready! Round 2 is coming soon!

📧 How to Contact Us:

Mrs. Larimore, School Counselor – LarimoLT@pwcs.edu

Mr. Clewell, Counseling Intern– ClewelTD@pwcs.edu

There is still time to order. Visit www.strawbridge.net

Neabsco Picture ID FM480088

Currently seeking peer models for Early Childhood

Neabsco Elementary School is currently looking for peer models for their Early Childhood

Special Education (ECSE) General 6x6 Preschool Class(es) for SY 2025-2026. Our ECSE General 6x6 preschool classrooms consist of 6 students that have IEPs for a variety of developmental delays and 6 typically developing children from the community to act as peer models. All students are ages 3-5 years old. Peer models must be 3 or 4 by September 30th of the attending school year. They should also have developmentally appropriate language, social skills, behavior, impulse control and they must be toilet trained. Potential peer models will participate in play groups and be selected before the first day of school. There is no cost for registration or enrollment in the peer model program. It is a half day program.

If interested, please email Benedicta Tsogoo at AddaiB@pwcs.edu, or

Houda Toloa at ToloaH-@pwcs.edu