Halloween Safety Tips
Halloween can be a fun and exciting holiday for kids, but it's important to prioritize safety. Safe Kids Worldwide offers valuable safety tips to ensure a safe and enjoyable Halloween:
1. Costume Safety:
- Choose costumes that are flame-resistant.
- Make sure costumes fit well and are not too long to prevent tripping.
- Opt for bright or reflective clothing, or add reflective tape to costumes for better visibility.
2. Mask Safety:
- Use face paint or makeup instead of masks, which can obstruct vision.
- If a mask is necessary, ensure it has large eye openings for good visibility.
3. Pedestrian Safety:
- Teach children to look both ways before crossing streets and to use crosswalks when available.
- Use sidewalks and paths, and if none are available, walk on the left side of the road, facing oncoming traffic.
4. Trick-or-Treating Tips:
- Children under 12 should be accompanied by a responsible adult.
- If older kids are trick-or-treating alone, establish a specific route and a curfew, and ensure they have a way to contact you.
5. Traffic Safety:
- Drivers, be especially cautious on Halloween. Slow down and watch for children, who may be excited and not as attentive to traffic.
6. Candy Inspection:
- Check all candy before allowing children to eat it. Discard any unwrapped or suspicious items.
7. Home Safety:
- Keep the home well-lit and free of obstacles to prevent tripping.
- Use battery-operated candles in pumpkins instead of real candles to reduce fire risk.
8. Costume Accessories:
- Ensure any costume accessories (swords, wands, etc.) are not sharp or dangerous.
9. Pumpkin Carving:
- If carving pumpkins, leave it to adults or older children. Use safety tools, or consider alternatives like stickers or paint.
10. Allergy Awareness:
- If your child has food allergies, be vigilant about checking candy ingredients and consider offering alternative treats.
11. Home Safety for Trick-or-Treaters:
- If you're handing out treats, make sure your porch and walkway are well-lit and free of hazards.
12. Emergency Information:
- Ensure that children know their home address, phone number, and how to call 911 in case of an emergency.
By following these Halloween safety tips, you can help make the holiday a fun and safe experience for children and their families.
Supporting Each Other
During periods of turmoil, it becomes vital for our community to unite and support each other. As individuals, in society, we have a duty to cultivate harmony and encourage understanding within our community. By participating in dialogues, we can gain insights into the perspectives and experiences of those directly impacted by the conflict. This in turn will enable us to develop a sense of empathy and dismantle notions. By listening and learning from one another we can bridge divides.
It is incumbent upon us to nurture tranquility and cultivate understanding within our community. To initiate this process, it is imperative that we actively engage in discussions surrounding the prevailing issues. Through conversations, we can gain perspectives into the experiences of those directly affected by the conflict. This will allow us to cultivate empathy and dispel any stereotypes or biases that may exist. By listening to each other's viewpoints and learning from these exchanges we can bridge gaps between individuals.
Through engaging in conversations, we can gain insights into the perspectives and experiences of those directly affected by the conflict. This will enable us to develop empathy and challenge any notions or stereotypes. By listening and learning from one another we can bridge divides and foster unity.
We have an opportunity to serve as a shining example of how people from different backgrounds can come to support one another during times of conflict. By promoting dialogue and helping where needed we can contribute towards creating a society that values compassion.
We are fully dedicated to creating a welcoming environment, together we can build a future for our children where everyone can flourish in an empathetic atmosphere.
20th Annual Italian Day at Newtown High School
On October 24th, the Newtown High School Italian World Language classes celebrated Italian heritage at their 20th annual Italian Day Festival. This festival includes displays and presentations of student projects featuring Italian cultural topics. Students participated in Italian culinary delights paired with traditional Italian music and activities. The students enjoyed playing Italian Kahoot quiz games and displayed their Italian-designed T-shirts.
Sandy Hook Walkahon
On October 9th, The Sandy Hook PTA hosted the Sandy Hook School Walkathon. This PTA fundraising event allows students to enlist donations from friends and family in exchange for the students walking a certain distance. The event is a full-fledged community event that includes an obstacle course, dunk tank, DJ, and llama kissing! All in all, it was a great time for the entire school community!
Grasso Band Competition
The Newtown Nighthawk Band and Color Guard participated in the Joseph P. Grasso Festival. On Saturday night I attended the Grasso Band competition at Blue and Gold Stadium. Although it was a wet and chilly evening, this didn’t stop the students from area schools from competing at a high level! Our band performed admirably through a driving rainstorm, I was very proud of their effort and their performance!
Class L State Champion!
Soheib Dissa deserves congratulations for his outstanding achievement as he clinched victory in the CIAC Cross Country State Championship, completing the race in a remarkable time of 15:59. This was even more impressive as Soheib also had to battle the unseasonable heat of almost 80 degrees on Saturday.
SWC Golf Champions
Congratulations to the Newtown High School Boys Gold team on their remarkable victory in the SWC Golf Championship! Their outstanding performance, with a total score of 317, showcased their talent and dedication. The Nighthawks' 18-stroke lead over New Milford (335) is an example of an outstanding team effort. A special shout-out to Carter Briggs, who contributed significantly to the team's success by shooting a fantastic 77 and securing fifth place. This achievement is a well-deserved testament to the team's skill and teamwork. Well done, Nighthawks!
National Merit Scholars Recognized
At the October 17th Board of Education meeting, eight Newtown High School students were recognized for achieving Commended Student honors, and two students were awarded Merit Semifinalitst for the National Merit Scholar Award. The National Merit Scholarship Program Awards are recognitions given to exceptional high school students, in the United States. These awards aim to acknowledge and reward their accomplishments. There are two categories for these awards; National Merit Scholar Commended Students and National Merit Scholar Semifinalists. Commended Students represent a group of high school seniors who achieve scores on standardized tests nationwide. Their remarkable achievements are celebrated as a testament to their abilities. National Merit Scholar Semifinalists in addition to excelling on these assessments progress to the round where they have the chance to compete for the prestigious title of National Merit Scholar and substantial scholarships. These awards not only recognize their commitment to excellence but also provide valuable educational opportunities and financial support, for their future studies. Congratulations! Merit Scholar Semifinalists: Andrew Arena, Adrian Totir. Merit Scholar Commended Students: Glenn Adams, Grace Chiriatti, James Guerrieri, Braden Macey, Puma Marx, Thomas Milligan, Lauren Smiley, Tyler White
Rotary Club Student of the Month
On October 24th the Newtown Rotary Club honored one of our Newtown Middle School students at Newtown Country Club. It was a moment of celebration and recognition as Jake Fattibene was honored for his outstanding achievements. The event provided an opportunity to acknowledge Jake's remarkable contributions, both academically and in the community. His dedication and commitment have set a high standard for his peers, making him a deserving recipient of this prestigious award. The Rotary Club, along with its members, congratulated Jake and expressed their pride in his accomplishments, highlighting the positive impact he has had on the Newtown community.