Bison Blurb

NBES Weekly Family Newsletter for December 20, 2024

As we begin the holiday break, I want to take a moment to express my gratitude for the incredible partnership and support you provide to our school community. Together, we’ve shared a year filled with learning, growth, and joyful moments that help make our school such a special place for our students.

The holidays are a time to reflect on what matters most—family, friendships, and the joy of giving and gratitude. It’s also a time to recharge and create lasting memories with loved ones. I hope this season brings your family peace, happiness, and plenty of opportunities to connect and celebrate.

Thank you for sharing your amazing children with us each day! They brighten our school with their curiosity, kindness, and enthusiasm, and we are so proud of the progress they’ve made this year.

Wishing you and your family a season filled with warmth, joy, and love. We look forward to welcoming everyone back in the new year, ready for more learning adventures together!

Happy Holidays and Happy New Year!

Golden Acorn Classroom Mini-Grant

Congratulations to Mrs. Foulk! New Buffalo Elementary school has been awarded $450.00 for the Setting Stories to Music project from the Berrien Community Foundation. This will allow Mrs. Foulk to purchase books to use for music education in her classroom.

Winter Testing

Mid year assessments will be in full swing when students return from winter break. The dates for testing can be found below in the important dates section. Please be sure that your child gets lots or rest and has a good breakfast on those days. The data collected during this time is key to helping us create instruction for all students!

Cell Phone & Smart Watch Usage

In the past few weeks there has been an increase in the amount of students using cell phones and smart watches at school. I want to remind everyone that the use of these devices during the school day is not permitted. Below is the student handbook rules regarding this. Please talk to your children about proper usage at school.

Cell Phone Use

Students may not use cell phones or other electronic devices during school hours. Cell phones or other electronic devices must be stored in the student’s backpack during school hours if a student chooses to bring them to school.

Students are personally and solely responsible for the security of their cell phones and other electronic devices. The District is not responsible for theft, loss, or damage of any cell phone or other electronic device.

Taking, disseminating, transferring, or sharing obscene, pornographic, lewd, or otherwise illegal photographs, video, audio, or other similar data, whether by electronic data transfer or otherwise (including via cell phone or other electronic device), may constitute a crime under state or federal law. A student engaged in any of these activities at school, at a school event, or on school-provided transportation, may be subject to discipline. A student engaged in any of these activities outside of school may be disciplined if the student’s activities substantially disrupt or negatively affect the school environment.

School administrators and teachers may confiscate a student’s cell phone or other electronic device if the student’s use or possession of a cell phone or electronic device violates Board Policy, the student code of conduct, or any applicable building or classroom rule. The building principal or designee may require a meeting with the student’s parent to discuss the rule violation before returning the cell phone or electronic

Transportation Reminders

Please help us make the end of the day dismissal easier! Students in kindergarten through 3rd grade must have their end of day transportation plans written in their planners. This ensures that all students get home safely. Late changes to transportation have become problematic! Please remember that the latest time to make transportation changes is 2:30! We understand that emergency situations come up. When it does, please contact Mrs. Bowen at (269) 469-6069. Emailing teachers in the middle of the day is not the correct way to make changes. Many times teachers are busy teaching and don't get to their computer. Calling the office with any changes will ensure that all people impacted are informed of any changes.

Cold Weather

Please make sure your child has appropriate clothing for the colder weather. We have had many students trying to go outside without coats. Students are outside for at least 15 minutes and need to be dressed warm during that time. Once the snow falls, students without boots and snow pants will have to stay on the blacktop areas if they don't have the required clothing to play in the snow.

Sickness

Sickness season is in full swing! We are encouraging lots of handwashing at school. If your child is sick, contact Mrs. Bowen at 269-469-6069 to inform the office of their absence. Below are some tips for helping keep your child healthy.

Winter School Lunch Menu

BASE Updates

1. Watch for registration information being sent home after Christmas Break for 3rd-5th grade students.

2. Upcoming half days: BASE Open

Thursday, January 16th

Friday, January 17th

Bring a cold lunch!

3. Please remember to send your child to school with the proper winter gear. We go outside longer than recess during the school day.

Positive Behavioral Inteventions and Supports (PBIS) in December

The word of the month for December is Empathy

This month we will focus on teaching students how to show empathy at school. Students will be able to spend their bison tickets to "beard" a staff member like Santa. The staff member that has the most bison tickets donated in their name will wear the beard at the holiday parties on December 20.

No Bullying School

New Buffalo Elementary has a zero tolerance for bullying! If you believe your child is being bullied you may use the link below to report it to our staff. We encourage you to talk with your child's teacher or myself if you have concerns at any time.

https://nobullyingschools.com/

2024-2025 New Buffalo Area Schools Calendar