NREP Newsletter
Director's Desk - Dr. Tabitha Reeves
Dear NREP Families,
I am writing to share an important update regarding my role within the NREP Regional Program. I will be transitioning to the position of Director of Special Instructional Services with Frederick County Public Schools.
Serving as the Director/Principal of the NREP Regional Program has been an incredibly rewarding experience. I have been deeply privileged to work alongside your children and witness their remarkable growth and achievements. The dedication and resilience displayed by our students have consistently inspired me.
While I am excited about this new opportunity, I want to assure you that my commitment to the NREP community remains strong. I will continue to support the program in a collaborative capacity, ensuring a smooth transition and ongoing alignment with our shared mission.
The students and staff of NREP hold a special place in my heart. I will sincerely miss the daily interactions with your children, whose unique perspectives and talents have enriched my professional life. I also extend my deepest gratitude to the dedicated NREP staff, whose collaborative spirit and unwavering commitment have been instrumental in our program's success.
My new role with Frederick County Public Schools presents an opportunity to expand my impact and contribute to the advancement of special education services for a broader student population. I am eager to collaborate with the educators and administrators in Frederick County to ensure all students receive the necessary support to achieve their full potential.
I understand this transition may raise questions, and I am committed to ensuring a seamless handover. I encourage you to reach out to me for any inquiries. Thank you for your continued support and partnership. It has been an honor to serve your children and the NREP community.
Sincerely,
Dr. Reeves
ECSE News with Mrs. Strosnider
Dear Families,
We hope this message finds you safe and warm! Unfortunately, the winter weather has brought quite a bit of snow, resulting in several missed school days. As you know, these interruptions can create some inconsistency, but we have been working diligently to help our students re-establish their routines. Much of our time has been spent reinforcing basic classroom skills to ensure a smooth transition back into learning. We greatly appreciate your patience and continued support as we navigate these changes together!
St. Patrick’s Day Activities:
🍀 Shamrock Hunt:
Cut out shamrock shapes and hide them around the house. Have your child search for them, practicing counting as they find each one. You can even add a little green "treasure" (chocolate coins or small toys) for extra fun!
🍀 Pot of Gold Coin Counting:
Use gold-colored coins or any small objects to practice counting and sorting. You can make a “pot of gold” by gathering the coins in a container or bucket and counting them together.
🍀 Rainbow Color Sorting:
Create a rainbow using paper or colored pencils, and then have your child sort small objects or toys by color. This helps with color recognition and categorization while tying in with the St. Patrick’s Day theme.
🍀 Lucky Leprechaun Craft:
Create a leprechaun craft using paper, markers, and stickers. Discuss the colors of the leprechaun’s hat, the gold coins, and the rainbow. This activity encourages creativity while reinforcing color recognition and fine motor skills.
🍀 St. Patrick’s Day Music & Movement:
Play some lively Irish music and encourage your child to dance like they are celebrating St. Patrick’s Day! You can talk about the rhythm and movement, and practice different dance moves or actions like “jump like a leprechaun” or “twirl like a rainbow.”
As always, we will continue to work towards helping our students succeed. Thank you for your patience, flexibility, and support!
Stay warm and safe!
Mrs. Amy Strosnider
Staff Spotlight
We are happy to share with you that February 15th was National School Resource Officer day. We would like to extend our appreciation to Deputy Ricketts for his outstanding leadership in our school. We know we are safe and secure with Deputy Ricketts at the helm. In addition to Deputy Ricketts, we have Mrs. Ricketts and Mr. Laing as our school security officers. They ensure that our daily life at NREP happens smoothly and safely.
Parent Resource Center with Ms. Joy Kirk
We want to be sure you know about an important resource for parents of children with disabilities. Ms. Joy Kirk is our Parent Resource Center Specialist at the school board office. Ms. Kirk is equipped to help parents through the journey of special education. Your child has unique needs, and Ms. Kirk has many resources to help. Please reach out with questions and support. Click on the button below for her newsletter.
Bright Futures: Weekend Food Bags
If you would like to receive the Bright Futures weekend food bag for your child, please reach out to Rachael Mendez, our Student Support Specialist. Each food pack includes enough food to cover two breakfasts and two lunches, two snacks, a fruit, and a vegetable. Ms. Rachael delivers the bags to your children's classrooms every Friday. Contact her at 540-665- 0103.
