Knightly News
JANUARY 2024
Dear Newland Elementary families,
As we embark on the month of February, I am delighted to share our principal's message with you, focusing on a character trait that is fundamental to the fabric of our school community – Integrity.
Integrity is the quality of being honest and having strong moral principles. It means doing the right thing, even when no one is watching. This month, we encourage our students to reflect on the significance of integrity and how it shapes their actions and decisions.
In the classroom, our dedicated teachers will be incorporating discussions and activities that highlight the importance of integrity. Whether it's completing assignments with honesty, treating peers with respect, or taking responsibility for one's actions, we believe that instilling a sense of integrity is crucial for the holistic development of our students.
Parents, we invite you to join us in reinforcing the value of integrity at home. Engage in conversations with your children about real-life situations where integrity plays a key role. Share stories that emphasize the positive impact of making honest choices, even when faced with challenges.
Additionally, we encourage you to celebrate instances of integrity you observe in your child and their peers. Whether it's a small act of kindness or a demonstration of honesty, acknowledging these moments reinforces the importance of integrity in their lives.
In closing, let us embrace the power of integrity as a guiding force in shaping responsible, compassionate, and successful individuals. Together, as a school community, we can inspire a generation of leaders who understand the true value of doing what is right.
Thank you for your ongoing support, and here's to a month filled with growth, reflection, and the reinforcement of the core value of integrity.
Warm regards,
~Ms. Presnell
Did you know NEWLAND ELEMENTARY School receives financial assistance from the Federal Government because we are a Title 1 School?
What is Title 1?
Title I is a federal program that provides financial assistance through State educational agencies (SEAs) to local educational agencies (LEAs) and public schools with high numbers or percentages of low-income children to help ensure that all children meet challenging State academic content and student academic achievement standards.
LEAs target the Title I funds they receive to schools with the highest percentages of children from low-income families. Schools enrolling at least 40 percent of students from low-income families are eligible to use Title I funds for school wide programs that serve all children in the school. All elementary and middle schools in Avery County Schools receive Title 1 funds and have school wide programs, which means all students within the schools are served.
Both school wide and targeted assistance programs must be based on effective means of improving student achievement and include strategies to support parental involvement.
What do Title I programs offer?
- Title I programs generally offer:
- Smaller classes or special instructional spaces
- Additional teachers and aides
- Opportunities for professional development for school staff
- Extra time for teaching Title I students the skills they need
- A variety of supplementary teaching methods
- An individualized program for students
- Additional teaching materials which supplement a student’s regular instruction
Finally, Title I schools:
- Identify the students at their school who need the most educational assistance based on the criteria that school has chosen. Students do NOT have to be from low-income families to receive Title I services.
- Set goals for improving the skills of educationally disadvantaged students at their school.
- Measure student progress to determine the success of the Title I program for each student.
- Develop programs for each individual student in order to support/supplement regular classroom instruction.
How can I get involved?
Complete the Free and Reduced Lunch Form online or get a copy from Newland Elementary. It is important that you do these every year and/or anytime during the year when a change occurs in your household that may affect your qualification status.
If you still feel like you are missing out on anything, please call me (733-4911 ext. 2501) or email me (tamarapresnell@averyschools.net) anytime!
Thank you for your continued support,
~Ms. Presnell