Friday Flash

Over these first few weeks of school in January 2026 our students have been participating in our winter assessments. Early results are showing steady improvement especially in the area of literacy. Students took their testing sessions seriously and it showed in their results. Students should be proud of the progress that they continue to make this school year. If you would like to know how your child did on their most recent math or literacy assessment please reach out to their teacher.

The first draft of the school budget was shared with the OUUSD school board on Wednesday night. NES's portion of the budget was up 20.63%. This increase is due largely to the addition of a preK program, increase in OESU special education assessment and salary and benefit increases for staff. Unfortunately, our ADM and CLA formulas show a decrease in support coming from the state, which can only mean a significant increase in taxes. This is only the first draft and adjustments will be made based on direction given to the administration from the school board. As always it's my goal to get the most out of each tax dollar for our students and community. FY 27 budget documents can be found in the board materials for the January 14th meeting.

Upcoming on Friday January 23rd is our first day of winter activities. Students will be bowling or ice skating this week. This year we were unable to partner with Burke Mountain for skiing and riding lessons. Should you wish to take your child skiing or riding on winter activities days, please contact the main office for planned absence forms. Families can choose to take their child skiing in place of participating in winter activities. However, without a planned absence form it will be considered unexcused.

Friday kindergarten Teacher Cassi Harmonay and her husband Colin Connery welcomed a baby girl to their family. We wish to send congratulations to them all. Charles Simmons will be filling in for Ms. Harmonay while she is on maternity leave. His bio can be found below.

~Loretta

Hello Kindergarten Parents and Guardians,

My name is Charles Simmons (Mr. S), and I will be your child’s kindergarten teacher while Ms. Harmony is out. I have had the pleasure of working at Newbury Elementary School as a substitute teacher for the past three school years.

I hold a Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Arts with a focus in Elementary Education from New England College. During my time at NEC, I worked in a local middle school teaching theatre for three years. I also bring several years of experience working at summer camps, including one year as a middle school bunk counselor and the past two years working closely with our youngest campers. In that role, I taught digital and hands-on crafts while supporting campers’ social and emotional growth.

Over the past several weeks, I have spent a great deal of time in the kindergarten classroom working alongside Ms. Harmony, getting to know your students and preparing to step into this role. I am incredibly excited to be teaching your children from the end of January through June and look forward to a wonderful time learning and growing together.

Dear Families,

This week, our school community will focus on the character strength of Perseverance. Perseverance means completing what you start despite obstacles. It means never giving up.

People who show perseverance keep trying, even when they face challenges. They stay focused on their goals and work hard, even when things don't go as planned. Those who persevere often achieve great things because they don't quit. They also learn a lot and get better at what they do.

Perseverance can also inspire others. When one person in a group keeps going despite setbacks, it can motivate the whole team to keep trying and reach their goals.

To practice and encourage the character strength of perseverance at home, please visit The Positivity Project’s mobile-friendly P2 for Families (available in English and Spanish), where you will watch a video together and discuss a quote and three questions. Below are links to this week’s P2 for Families lessons. Click on the grade level that best meets your child’s needs.

Pre-K–K

Thank you for your support!

Last week, 5th and 6th grade students participated in a two-day experiential learning activity focused on food preparation and outdoor education. On the first day, students worked in shifts to prepare rabbit stew, practicing skills such as peeling, chopping, par-cooking and kitchen cleanup. On the second day, students met Kim Goody and me at Forest School, where they reheated the stew and made bannocks over the fire and played forest-based games. The experience emphasized collaboration, practical life skills and connection to food and place.

~Cindy Ross

Happy New Year and thank you Newbury Families for supporting NES Music ! The concert was extremely well attended by families and the community and it is wonderful to have such support. Students of all levels and ages performed with confidence and pride. I am blessed to be at NES!

Beginning in 2026 all Woodwind( flute, sax and clarinet), Brass (trumpet, trombone, baritone and french horn) Percussion (drum kit) will continue for the rest of the year -same days and times. Students should continue with their current instrument and not switch. They are on the cusp of playing a 5 Note Pentatonic Scale which opens the door to familiar pop, rock and marching tunes! We are hoping to have them march in the spring so it is important that they continue as they have worked so hard to get this far. It only becomes more fun in the months to come! ( “We Will Rock You” is in the repertoire)
If your son/daughter is in grades 3,4,5 or 6 and they want to begin one of the instruments above and have not studied a band instrument this year, please send me an email as we would love them to join to make our group even bigger.

NES 4,5,6 Chorus will continue January 14th on Wed mornings at 7:45am. Please send me an email if your son/daughter would be interested in joining this fun group! The students were excited to be able to sing carols at Atkinson House the Newbury Store and around the common before winter break.

Keyboard and Guitar classes for Grade 2 will not continue in January 2026 due to a change in my schedule. They may resume in March, more information on this to come. Keyboard and guitar classes will continue for grades 3-6.

An exciting new music opportunity for students in grade 2 will be offered. Registration and information will be sent out next week.

Thank you again for your support of NES Music and I cannot wait until the show in the Spring!

Happy New Year!!!
Ms. Zampieri

During weekly Guidance classes in the Library students at all grade levels learn about the 24 Character Strengths which anchor our school-wide Positivity Project. Each class session includes practice in Mindfulness through breathing exercises or movement. Recent Positivity Project focus skills have included Bravery, Gratitude, Kindness, Self Control and Other Person Mindset: Supporting Others When They Struggle. Students this week learned more about Optimism and changing perspectives to the positive. We discussed how learning most things involves a “process” that is not always linear and uninterrupted. Students practiced some positive self-talk in the spirit of optimism and extended those discussions into the H-3 classes this week.

Students in K-2 have recently completed the six lessons in Prevent Child Abuse Vermont’s Care For Kids sexual abuse prevention curriculum. We completed lessons on Asking For Help, Feelings, Bodies, Babies, Asking For Permission, and the final Concluding Lesson just prior to the Holiday Break. Students learned skills for personal safety including identifying and accessing their trusted adults when confronting confusion around touching, learning appropriate names for body parts, and understanding the difference between public and private settings. I am proud of the effort shown by our K-2 learners at NES during Care For Kids lessons.

January 19th: No School-MLK Jr. Day Observed

January 23rd: Winter Program Bowling & Skating

January 30th: Winter Program Bowling & Skating

February 3rd: Early Release 12:15pm

February 6th: Winter Program Sledding

February 20th: Winter Carnival, Read a thon and Knights of the Round Table

February 25-March 3rd: February Break

March 4th: School Resumes

Email: loretta.cruz@oesu.org
Website: https://www.nesvt.org/
Location: 214 Pulaski Street, Newbury, VT, USA
Phone: 802-866-5621
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/newburyelementaryVT