Friday Flash

I'm happy to announce that Newbury Elementary will once again be partnering with the Upper Valley Trails Alliance as part of their Passport to Winter Fun program. This program encourages children and their families to get outside and get active during the winter. More details can be found below.

Speaking of being active in the winter our students have been participating in winter activities. Students have been bowling and skating. The last day of winter activities the whole school will head to Checkerberry for sledding.

We are wrapping up our winter testing at all grade levels. This information will be used to group students, adjust instruction and provide interventions to students. Parents of students in grades K-3 that scored at the urgent intervention level will be receiving a letter from the school. This letter will outline what supports are being put into place to help your child make progress towards the standard.

Tuesday January 27th students in the fourth, eighth & twelfth grade participated in the NAEP test. This is an assessment taken nation wide by students in the fourth grade. Students are selected at random to take either a math or literacy test. We don't get individual test results back, but the information is used as part of the National Assessment of Educational Progress.

It looks like the colder weather will be continuing into next week. Please make sure to send your children to school with the appropriate winter gear. Don't have winter clothing for your child? Contact the main office we might be able to help you out.

~Loretta

PS: Barring another snow day the 100th day of school is February 9th.

Dear Families,

This week, our school community will focus on the Other People Mindset of Cheering Others’ Successes. This means when someone else does well, we are happy for them and show our support.

It's normal to sometimes feel jealous or envious when others succeed, but learning to genuinely celebrate their accomplishments can improve our own happiness and relationships. Supporting others not only helps them feel good but also strengthens our community and creates a positive environment.

Encouraging your child to be happy for others can start with simple actions, such as congratulating a friend, noticing feelings of envy and asking why, or learning from others’ successes. These steps build a supportive culture in families, teams, schools, and communities.

To practice and encourage this Other People Mindset 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.

Thank you for your support!

Staying Healthy During Cold, Flu, and Stomach Bug Season

Colds, flu, and stomach bugs are making their way around our community. The good news is there are lots of simple things we can all do to help keep ourselves and our friends healthy!

The MOST important way to stop germs from spreading is good handwashing.
All Newbury students have learned how to properly wash their hands at school. Practicing handwashing at home helps make this a strong habit! Wash hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds:

Before eating
After using the bathroom
After coughing or sneezing
When coming in from outside

More ways kids can help stop germs:

Try not to touch your eyes, nose, or mouth
Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue or your elbow
Stay home when you are sick so others don’t get sick
Wear a mask when you’re not feeling well and are around others, if able

Help your immune system stay strong by:

Eating healthy foods
Drinking lots of water
Moving your body and exercising
Getting a good night’s sleep
Taking time to relax and unwind

Winter health tips:

Dress warmly for the weather
Spend time outside and enjoy the sunshine when it’s shining
Keep skin moisturized to prevent dry, cracked hands
Don’t share personal items like water bottles, utensils, or lip balm

Thank you for helping your child practice healthy habits at home. Together, we can help keep everyone at Newbury feeling their best this winter!

Warmly,

Nurse Sam

All students have an opportunity to enter the Green up day Poster contest or the Vermont Conservation Fish Art contest.

The 5th and 6th graders have been working on zentangling designs and neurographic Art in addition to the contests.

The 3rd and 4th graders have been illustrating their favorite book that will go in their zine book they created with Mrs. Williams. Clay terminology was reviewed and they got to play with self hardening clay before we start creating with clay next week.

The 2nd graders have been learning how to use slip and scoring to attach clay pieces together. They sculpted turtles using a variety of rollers to create unique textures.

The 1st grade started creating with clay and were able to create using their imaginations starting with a pinch pot.

Kindergarten students got to paint with shaving cream and glue to create artwork and write about “why the snowman melted”? During ABL they have been working on their cutting skills cutting out trains, and wheels that they will finish in art.

What’s Happening in PE!

Grades K-2: students learning how to pivot, jumping in a variety of ways, using force, dribbling, passing and shooting a ball in relation to basketball. The week before X-mas we participated in holiday games focusing on dodging and fleeing. We have begun the new year with balancing, jumping, and transferring of weight through gymnastics.

Grades 3-6th: The students were learning how to dribble, pass and shoot a ball in relation to basketball. The week before X-mas we participated in holiday games focusing on dodging and fleeing. We have begun the new year with balancing, jumping, and transferring of weight through gymnastics. We also learned how to play spikeball:)

Kindness Basketball Helps Kickoff New NES Foodshelf!!

We held our annual Kindness Basketball event! The students dressed teachers up like a christmas tree using PE equipment in a relay format. Then the event was held with a student from each grade being drawn to participate in a Hot Spot Contest with a teacher of their choice. We also had an additional drawing for those who donated to our new NES food shelf! If you find yourself in need of food supplies feel free to stop by during school hours and take what you need. Or if you would like to donate feel free to do so!!! A BIG THANK YOU! to nurse Mrs. Sam for getting this going!!

Dartmouth Basketball Game

In December, the 3rd-6th graders went to Dartmouth College for Education Day for students to watch a Dartmouth women’s basketball game! Fun was had by all, especially when Dartmouth scored the 67th point as the whole arena full of students erupted:)