BEAR FACTS

• 1/14: PTO Meeting @ NBES Art Room, 6pm
• 1/15 - No Early Release Due to NHS Mid-Terms
• 1/19 - No school - MLK Jr. day
• 1/30 - Hula Hut Fundraiser (More Info Below!)

Welcome to the New Year! We hope everyone had a happy and healthy holiday break. We are excited to welcome everyone back after the long break and happy to see the halls bustling with activity again. As we enter into this stretch of the year, we often get asked by parents what to do to help support their child's academic success. The biggest thing every caregiver can do is read to or with your child. Modeling reading and encouraging reading creates a lifelong love of learning. Check out the D.A. Hurd library for books that might be of high interest to your child. Exploring the bookshelves and finding new discoveries and interests is a wonderful activity during these cold winter months.

Here is to a great 2026 full of learning and fun!

Sincerely,

Heather LaFrance - Principal

Eustaquio Dones - Assistant Principal

Morning Drop-Off
Please remember that student drop-off begins at 8:15 a.m. We do not have staff outside to supervise students before that time, so for everyone’s safety, students should not be dropped off prior to 8:15. Thank you for helping us ensure a safe and supervised start to the day.

Afternoon Dismissal Traffic Flow
During afternoon dismissal, please enter Varney Street using the correct lane and do not drive up the left-side exit lane. We also ask that families remain in the dismissal line—it begins moving within the first five minutes. Staying in line and following the traffic pattern helps keep dismissal safe and smooth for all students, families, and staff.

North Berwick Elementary School was happy to partner with The Cromwell Center for Disabilities Awareness in December. Our students took part in some great conversations about abilities, respect and inclusion. This fit perfectly with our school's own efforts to build kindness and respect for all students and suppport them becoming the best BEARS they can be.

To learn more about this Maine non-profit and their free disabilities awareness programs, visit www.cromwellcenter.org/

We wrapped up 2025 with so many exciting events and special moments leading up to winter break. We are thrilled to be back together and ready for a great start with our Bears!

Here is the link to the December PTO Meeting Minutes. The next meeting will take place in the Art Room at NBES On Tuesday, January 13th.

Are you looking for some new BEAR swag? The PTO Swag store has great options for all bears - big and small!

You can follow them on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1BR1Fjat1T/

The High/Low Game is a quick, affordable, and engaging way to build number sense for all ages. Customize the challenge by using numbers 0–20, increasing to 0–100, or stretching thinking even further with fractions from 0–2.

Brave. Empathetic. Attentive. Respectful. Safe