New Manchester Elementary School

A new teacher, classroom, supplies, and books…each school year is full of changes for your child. We are so excited to be a part of these wonderful changes. Our staff has been working very hard to ensure this is a productive year full of learning, growing, and enjoyment. Our theme, "Setting the Stage for Success" represents our goal to create engaging learning opportunities for our students to build a foundation of knowledge and excitement to carry them through their academic career. We want to work with each of you to ensure your child reaches his/her fullest potential and achieves academic, social/emotional, and behavioral success.

To help us along our journey, ask your child about his/her day, help with homework, and keep in contact with your child’s teacher. When we work together, we can help each student achieve wonderful things. We appreciate everything you do! Remember: “Learning is a treasure that will follow its owner everywhere” – A Chinese Proverb

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

9/1 No School - Labor Day

9/2 "Guidelines for Success" Kindergarten Day

9/4 First Day of Pre-K for 1/2 class

9/5 First Day of Pre-K for 1/2 class

9/8 "Guidelines for Success" Pre-K Day

9/10 LSIC Meeting at 3:30 in the NMES Cafeteria

9/11 Recognition of Patriot Day - Wear Red, White, and Blue

9/15 School Clothing Sale begins ONLINE

9/15 International Dot Day - Wear Polka Dots

9/17 Constitution Day

9/19 Summer Reading Challenge Reward

9/19 Progress Reports

9/22 First Day of Autumn

9/22 - 9/26 Book Fair

9/25 Open House

9/26 Family Read Aloud

9/28 School Clothing Sale ends

New Manchester Elementary School follows the Expected Behaviors in Safe and Supportive Schools – Policy JG and House Bill 199. A condensed version is found in the New Manchester Elementary School student handbook. A complete copy can be obtained in the Hancock County Board of Education office or our school office.

New Manchester Elementary School follows an evidence-based, multi-tiered system of supports framework designed to develop an effective classroom management plan that is proactive, positive, and instructional. Our “Guidelines for Success”, called our “Bearcat B’s” are aimed at effectively managing student behavior thus increasing student motivation and student success. These include Be Safe, Be Responsible, and Be Respectful. Each teacher will have classroom rules that fall under these “guidelines”. Each teacher also utilizes the Class Dojo application. This gives you instant information on your child’s behavior.

Throughout our Building and Classrooms, we will follow the CHAMPS acronym. Below is what we will be teaching throughout each day in order to provide a safe and effective classroom environment. Please discuss this terminology with your children so that we are consistent both at school and at home.

CHAMPS - Each will vary from environment to environment

C: Conversation - What is the voice level your child should be at - We will follow a voice level of 0 - 4. 0 = Silent Voice, No Talking (hallways, independent work, etc.); 1 = Whisper Voice, Partner Talk (working with a partner, bus level, etc.); 2 = Normal Voice, Table Talk (group work, lunch time, etc.); 3 = Loud Proud Voice, Classroom Talk (giving a presentation, etc.); 4 = Outside Voice, Playground Talk (Recess); What type of signal do we use for everyone to get quiet?

H: Help - How does your child ask for help - Students may need to raise their hand, ask a partner, walk to the teacher's desk, etc. when they have a question or need help.

A: Activity - What is my child doing at that time - Is it direct instruction time and they should be focused on the teacher? Is it small group time? Should they be eating their meal?; Is it Independent work time? Is it a time to transition from one activity to another?

M: Movement - How should my child be moving? Should my child be sitting at their desk? Should your child be walking to the next area? Is your child allowed to get up out of their seat to sharpen a pencil without permission? Is my child only allowed to get up with permission?

P: Participation - How is your child participating in an activity - Is my child working with a partner? Is my child working independently? What should my child do when they are done with their activity? Should my child be seated at the lunch table eating over their tray?

S: Success - You did it! You showed that you are successful! Yay!

Our theme: “Award Winning Behavior” will be utilized throughout the school year.

The Character Trait for our "Guidelines for Success" for September is Honesty which can be defined as being truthful in what you say and do. Being truthful also includes your actions. Being TRUTHFUL requires several other character traits such as good judgment, responsibility, loyalty, and courage. Truthfulness is a fundamental value that students need in order to learn to develop into responsible and trustworthy individuals.

Some things that we can do at school and at home to teach and encourage truthfulness is:

• Explain the meaning of truthfulness/honesty
• Share our experiences with students of times we were/were not honest
• Explain the consequences of not being truthful
• Plan some hands-on activities to explore truthfulness
• Praise and rewarding children when they display the trait of truthfulness

This will begin next month.

One student per classroom will be chosen each month by the teacher to be recognized for our "Student Spotlight". The student will have their picture posted to our front lobby bulletin board, will be recognized in our monthly newsletter, and will receive a token of appreciation for their efforts at our PTA meetings

Criteria for selecting the Crew Chiefs will include (but is 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

New Manchester Elementary School is encouraging attendance by promoting our theme: "9 or Less = Success: Be an Attendance Super Star!" September is Attendance Awareness Month.

NMES will recognize grade level attendance each month through tracking their attendance on our bulletin board in our lobby and celebrating the grade level with the best attendance monthly.

Research has proven that students who attend school regularly do better academically, socially, and emotionally in school. When your child misses school, even if it is for a few minutes, it is difficult to "catch up". Nothing substitutes participating daily in classroom activities.

Attendance does matter!
9 or Less = SUCCESS

When a student misses 2 days of school a month:

• They will miss 20 days of school a year
• They will miss approximately 30 hours of math instruction over the school year
• They will miss approximately 60 hours of reading instruction over the school year
• They will miss over 1 year of school by graduation

Remind your child that school is important and that she/he can only be absent if she/he is sick. Please try to schedule appointments and family trips outside of school hours. If your child is absent, you MUST call the school office to inform us of your child’s absence. After 3 unexcused absences, families will be contacted. After 5 unexcused absences, the attendance director will become involved. It is best practice to receive a medical excuse from a medical provider if your child is sick or must attend an appointment during school hours.

If your child is tardy, a parent or guardian MUST come into the office with the student to sign the student in.

To help you and your child to keep track of their absences, please place the form below on your refrigerator at home.

We understand that parenting is a challenging and oftentimes overwhelming experience. This program connects you with a free parenting coach and therapist-created content to help you navigate the ups and downs with confidence.

https://parentguidance.org/

Our Title I program at New Manchester Elementary School is a school wide program. Mrs. Cole is our Title I Reading Interventionist and Mrs. Zoellers is our Title I Math Interventionist. Both teachers work on our Multi-Tiered System of Supports with our students providing interventions, resources, and support.

This school year, our Title I program will offer a variety of programs for our families. We will offer several family engagement nights throughout the year in which families and students will participate in interactive learning experiences. We will be offering academic supports for families with PD at the Printer. These will be newsletters that you can scan a QR code to learn more information about academic learning and expectations. You will find the September newsletter attached below that discusses the "Science of Reading". We will also offer opportunities to learn about our curriculum and content standards.

All families received the School - Parent Compact and the Hancock County Schools Parent Involvement Policy in the first day of school packets. These can also be found on our school website. Copies of both are also attached below along with the Hancock County Literacy Pledge.

If you have any questions about our Title I program, please do not hesitate to contact Mrs. Cole.

Local School Improvement Council (LSIC) is designed to represent the voice of the community's stakeholders. The councils are comprised of the principal, teachers, service personnel, parents, students, community members, and business representatives. The LSIC is directly involved with the operation of our school.

The LSIC serves an integral role in our school governance through shared decision making. The LSIC is responsible for addressing issues and fostering changes that directly impact our school.

The LSIC can provide a unique perspective and assistance to NMES to help us attain our goals and improve the education of our students.

LSIC meetings will be open to any of our stakeholders that would like to attend. Meeting dates and times will be announced on our school website. Our first meeting will be held on September 10, 2025 at 3:30 p.m. in our school cafeteria. NMES has started the process of nominations for committee members. If you are interested, please contact Mrs. Yeater at the school office.

New Manchester Elementary School is proud of our PTA commitment and involvement. The PTA provides many wonderful programs and incentives for our students.

PTA meetings are on Thursday evenings every other month. We will still have classroom presentations/performances during these meetings as well as recognizing our "Student Spotlight" of the months. The meetings will usually be held on the first Thursday of the month with the exception of December.

PTA membership is now underway. Information has been sent home with students. The information can also be found on our school website and is attached to this newsletter. Please consider joining the PTA. It is a great way to become involved in your child's education at New Manchester Elementary School.

Our PTA officers for the 2025-26 School Year

Brittany Mills Budney, President

Michael Staley, Vice President

Jessica Barron, Secretary

Sara Wolverton, Treasurer

I would like to extend a heartfelt “Welcome Back!” to our Bearcat Family. As I did last year, I thought it would be a great idea to explain the role of a school counselor in this first newsletter of the 2025-2026 school year.

What a school counselor does do:

I serve ALL students at NMES, not just those struggling socially, emotionally, or behaviorally. I do preventative work by teaching social-emotional skills to all students through classroom guidance lessons. I assist students academically by teaching lessons on topics like study skills and offer individual academic assistance in the classroom to those needing help with focus or behavior management. I collaborate with our teachers regarding whole classroom concerns or those pertaining to an individual student.

Since school and personal safety remain priorities at NMES, I do anti-bullying guidance lessons in all classes with our Resource Officer and address any reports of individual bullying. I also can meet with individual students regarding safety concerns in their home or neighborhood environments.

I communicate with guardians regarding any issues of which I become aware with their child. As a licensed counselor, I provide short-term individual or group counseling with permission from the guardian. Regular updates are provided to the student’s grownups either through phone calls or Class Dojo. Students and guardians get to decide what information is shared with the respective teacher. Otherwise, the information is considered confidential.

What a school counselor does not do:

While I work with students on making positive behavior choices and understanding feelings, I do not discipline children beyond the use of our Class Dojo point system. My role is to provide Restorative Practices in situations that might warrant a Minor Offense – in lieu of punishment when appropriate.

I do not do long-term counseling because of time constraints but will gladly assist families in locating appropriate services as needed.

I do not judge students and or families for what they are experiencing. I am here to help and support students and families and connect families with resources to eliminate or significantly reduce needs.

Lastly, I do not fix problems with a “magic wand.” However, I am committed to doing everything in my power to help every student become the best possible version of themselves.

Please, feel free to contact me with any questions or concerns.

My phone number is 304-564-3242, ext. 3809.

My email address is pdtaylor@k12.wv.us.

I am also connected to all classroom Dojo accounts.

I am so excited for the 2025-2026 school year! I want to use the September Nurse's Corner to remind parents of the West Virginia Department of Education guidelines.

• For students in Preschool, Kindergarten, and 2nd grade, proof of a yearly wellness check and dental visit is needed for their school medical file.
• If your child has had a physical or dental check within the last year, please have the physician’s office fax me your child’s record.

The school fax number is 304-564-5084.

Please let me know if you have any questions!

Let’s have a Happy and Healthy School Year!!!!!

Math happens everyday, everywhere - even when washing your hands! We all know that it is important to wash your hands to keep them clean and that you should wash your hands for at least 20 seconds. We can make washing your hands a fun learning experience. Try these math tips while washing your hands at home:

• Have your child count out loud to 20
• Have your child count backward from 20
• Have your child count by 2s, 5s, 10s
• Think about counting to 20 and then add 10 more. What happens if you change the first number to 11, how does that change the other number you count to?
• Have your child use numbers and math words to explain what they are doing
• Can your child come up with a different way to count

• September is known as the harvest month
• September 22 is the fall equinox. This means that the day and night hours are roughly the same
• September is the month with the most letters in its name, and its nine total letters also equal its position in the calendar, the ninth month of the year
• September is full of wacky days, including National Speak like a Pirate Day - ARR, matey!
• The first newspaper in the US was published on September 25, 1690 in Boston
• A full moon in September is known as the corn moon or the harvest moon

"It Takes a Team to Educate a Child"

Email: cyeater@k12.wv.us
Website: https://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