North Star News - Family Edition

As we embrace the festive spirit and bid farewell to another remarkable year, I extend warm greetings to each of you in this December edition of our newsletter. It's a pleasure to reflect on the accomplishments and growth we've witnessed within our school community over the past months.

December brings with it a sense of joy and togetherness, and I am thrilled to witness the enthusiasm and creativity displayed by our students during various seasonal activities. From heartwarming holiday events to spirited classroom decorations, the energy within our school is truly contagious.

As we approach the end of the year, it's an opportune time to express gratitude. I extend my sincerest appreciation to our dedicated staff, supportive parents, and, most importantly, our incredible students. Your commitment to education and collaboration is the driving force behind the success of North Elementary. Let's take a moment to reflect on the achievements and challenges we've faced together, knowing that each experience contributes to our growth as a community.

Looking ahead, we have exciting plans for the new year. We will continue to focus on student attendance, ensuring a well-rounded and nurturing environment for every child. Stay tuned for some fun attendance initiatives!

As we approach the winter break, I want to wish each of you a joyful and restful holiday season. May you find time to reconnect with loved ones, enjoy the magic of the season, and return in the new year refreshed and ready for the exciting opportunities that lie ahead.

Thank you for your continued support, and I look forward to celebrating the spirit of December with all of you.

Most sincerely,

Candy Llewellyn, Ed.D.

Principal

Saturday, December 2 --> NES Santa Breakfast (8:30AM - 11:30AM)

Friday, December 15 --> Colonial Pride Day (wear your RED, WHITE, & BLUE)

Monday, December 18 --> SNOWMAN Day - wear white, blue, or silver or wear snowman on your clothes

Tuesday, December 19 --> LONG WINTER'S NAP day - wear your coziest school appropriate pajamas (no slippers - please wear shoes)

Wednesday, December 20 --> DECK THE HALLS - wear your tackiest sweater or holiday outfit

Thursday, December 21 --> ROCKIN' AROUND THE CHRISTMAS TREE - wear your HOUSE colors (students in grades 3-5) and/or a festive hat

Please make sure that you have your car tag if you are picking your child up in the afternoon. We ask that you stay inside of your vehicle. Children should enter the vehicle on the passenger side (closest to the sidewalk) to avoid them being in the way of oncoming cars. If you need to get out of your vehicle to assist your child, we ask that you park and do so in order to keep the lines moving.

We ask that if you must pick your child up early that you do so BEFORE 2:30 p.m. After 2:30 p.m. it is challenging to get the children up early with all of the other dismissal things going on. If you arrive after 2:30 p.m. you may be asked to wait until normal dismissal.

Please make every effort to have your child at school on time every day. Obviously, if they are not well, we encourage you to keep them home. Being at school on time and not leaving early is just as important as coming to school every day!

We have had several house meetings so far this year! Students are excited to learn about their houses and to see other house members from different grades. We have just gone live with the House app. Families can download the app from the app store on your mobile device (RCA House Points app).

The app will allow our staff to award points to specific houses and to specific students. Students and families can see the total house points and will be able to see when their student has been awarded points. This is still in the early stages but we do have total points for each house in the app already!

Please be aware that each student in grades 3-5 were given a house handbook and were required to return a signed form before participating in the house events. If your student has not returned this form they will not be eligible.

Winter Break begins on Friday, December 22!!

We return to school on Monday, January 8, 2024.

It is important for students to be in school every day. However, if your child is ill, please keep them home. We do require a doctor or parent note following any absence - even if you called the school office. We want all of our Stars to be successful and in order for that to happen we need them at school each and every day. If possible, please do not schedule vacations during the school year.

Remember if a child misses more than 2 days of school per month (even for excused absences) that equates to 18-20 days over the course of the school year - making them chronically absent.

Please be mindful that our school day begins at 8:30 a.m. and students who arrive after 8:30 a.m. are considered tardy.

If you drop your child off after 8:30 a.m. --> You must park and walk your child in to sign them in. This is a change from the way we have done this in the past.

1- Keep your hands and feet to yourself.

2 - Be honest.

3 - Be respectful to others.

Please review these rules with your child. We discuss these on a daily basis to make sure students understand what our expectations are.

Breakfast and lunch will be served daily to all students at no cost.

School menus can be found HERE.

If your child will be bringing his/her lunch to school, please help them so they are able to open juice boxes or other containers they bring in their lunch. We have adults on hand to help but if the students can open things themselves, it makes lunch go smoother!

Parents - PLEASE do not bring food to share with students at lunch. We have many students who have allergies and for the safety of ALL students it is imperative that you do not bring food to share when you visit for lunch.

If you bring cupcakes for a birthday, they must be store bought and the teacher should be the one to distribute them.

If you have any questions about this procedure, please do not hesitate to call the Nurse Kelly or Dr. Llewellyn.

Please remind students that they are not permitted to wear hats, hoods, or any head covering of any kind in the building or on the school bus.

Character Trait of the Month:

This month’s focus is Empathy. One way to think about Empathy is “understanding and connecting with other people’s feelings.” Empathy is a practice that can help us grow strong relationships. Empathy is 1 of 3 traits we will focus on throughout the year that helps students Be Kind. Across grade levels, students will be developing skills like perspective-taking, conflict resolution, and leadership.

North House System:

We have started our North House System where we are building a culture of excellence through authentic connection and a sense of belonging. The system provides a consistent and purposeful school-wide positive behavior support system designed to increase student achievement academically, socially, and emotionally for our 3rd -5th grade students. Our motto is, “We are stronger together.” North House System handbooks have been sent home and we ask that you sign the handbook agreement and return it

to school as soon as possible .

Anti-Bullying Note:

Bullying is defined as unwanted, aggressive behavior that involves a real or perceived power imbalance where the behavior is repeated, or has the potential to be repeated, over time. Bullying includes actions such as making threats, spreading rumors, attacking someone physically or

verbally, and excluding someone from a group on purpose. In order to help us prevent bullying here at North Elementary we would love it if you could talk to your student about what bullying is and how to stand up to it safely. Please let your student know bullying is unacceptable at North Elementary.