Nansemond News
October
Welcome back to school Parkway Braves! We hope you all had a restful and fun summer break. We are so excited to have you back!
Calendar Events for October
- 10/2 Custodian Appreciation Day
- 10/3 Early Release 1:15pm (If picking up student after 12:55, please get into the car line, do not park.)
- 10/15 Open House and Title I Information Night 6pm
- 10/16 Unity Day (Wear Orange)
Administration News
Dear Parents and Guardians
As we wrap up the first month of school, I want to take a moment to reflect on our journey together and celebrate the incredible accomplishments we’ve achieved as a community.
This month has been filled with excitement, new beginnings, and a renewed sense of purpose. Our students have jumped into their studies with enthusiasm, and it has been heartwarming to see their smiles and eagerness in the classrooms. From engaging lessons to creative projects, the energy in our school has been palpable!
I want to extend a heartfelt thank you to our dedicated teachers and staff. Your hard work and commitment to fostering a nurturing learning environment have made a significant difference in our students' lives. The support you provide, both academically and emotionally, is invaluable.
Additionally, a big shoutout to our parents and guardians! Your involvement and encouragement at home have set a strong foundation for our students. We appreciate your continued partnership as we work together to create a positive and enriching experience for our children.
As we move into October, we look forward to many exciting events and initiatives. Be sure to mark your calendars for upcoming activities, including our Open House event and Unity Day. These events are great opportunities to connect with each other and celebrate our students’ growth.
Thank you for being an essential part of our school community. Here’s to a fantastic year ahead, filled with learning, laughter, and achievement!
Suffolk Public Schools Cell Phone Policy
Grade Level News
We are “falling” in love with Early Start! We have been identifying the first letter of our name, writing our name daily and learning the features of the four main shapes. We will continue to use the Streamin3 curriculum where we will study “How Things Grow” and “The World Around Us!” We will start to explore the outdoors and do some gardening. The letters we will learn this month are Mm, Tt & Bb. Please have students color the October reading log based on their nightly reading!
Kindergarten:
In kindergarten we have covered the letters a,e,i,l,m,p, s and t. Please work on recognizing and writing the letter as well as producing the sound the letter makes. We are working on counting to 30 as well as counting sets of objects to 10. Continue to use the UFLI home practice sheets and the monthly study guide to keep up with what we are covering in class. Due to our early lunch, we have a brief snack period each day. Please send in a small snack with your child. Finally, please send in a water bottle with your child each day. Thanks so much for making the beginning of the year a smooth transition!
First Grade:
We have been learning lots of exciting things in First Grade. As we begin October we will continue to work on story structure (characters, setting, problem and solution) in Reading along with writing complete sentences with correct letter formation and punctuation for Writing. In Math we will continue to work on addition and subtraction and start equality problems. For Social Studies we have begun learning about Virginia symbols and how we have different traditions in our families. We will end the nine weeks in Science learning about the sun and how light affects plants and animals.
Second Grade:
Happy Fall Y’all! Our 2nd Graders have been doing a fantastic job these past few weeks! For the month of October in Math, students will continue to practice addition and subtraction to 20. In Reading students will work on spelling patterns and blending sounds. In Grammar students will practice using commas and extending their sentences. In Science students will begin learning about different types of weather. Parents are encouraged to read nightly with their child to help them with their fluency and comprehension.
Third Grade:
In October, third grade is diving into some exciting topics! In math, we will continue working on word problems, including multistep problems, and explore equivalency. We'll also begin learning about multiplication and division models. In science, we'll study simple machines and how they combine to create compound machines. For social studies, we will focus on map skills, with a special emphasis on key places in North and South America. It’s going to be a fun and busy month full of new learning!
Fourth Grade:
Hello Families,
We blinked and the month of September went by! We have been impressed with the overall effort of students and are excited for the month ahead!
Math: This month we will be diving into multiplication and division of multi digit numbers and word problems. We will also begin exploring decimal place value. Please continue to work on multiplication/division fact fluency at home.
Reading: In reading, students will finish Unit 1 and begin Unit 2. Our topics are centered around animals in both nonfiction and fiction texts. In both genres students will be expected to summarize what they have read and pull out key details. Students will develop their knowledge of academic vocabulary through these texts and strengthen their knowledge of morphology, synonyms, and antonyms.
Writing: Students will complete their unit on argumentative essays this month. We will turn our focus to expository essays. Students will research a topic for the purpose of informing the reader. They will utilize several sources, graphic organizers, and editing tools to produce an accurate essay.
Science: In science, we will be jumping into learning all about ecosystems including food webs, classifying organisms, and niche/habitats. We will explore these topics through a use of hands-on activities and group research projects.
Social Studies: In VA studies students will be learning about the colonization of Jamestown! Topics will include how charters were granted to settlers, the reasons for colonizing, the geographical location information, and the hardships that settlers faced during the early settlement years.
Thank you again for your support at home. We appreciate all your hard work that is contributing to your child’s success.
Fifth Grade:
It is hard to believe it is October! We have had a busy start to the school year. We are completely engaged in routines, procedures, and the curriculum. Similarly to 4th grade, we have SOLs in THREE subject areas in the Spring. Reading, Math, and Science and the content is challenging. As a fifth grade team, we are constantly talking to the students about responsibility. Responsibility for learning, responsibility for organization, and responsibility for actions.
Please note that we still have students who do not have headphones and we do need them for some of our digital applications. Please come and join us for a NPES Open House on October 15th at 6:00 pm. Last but not least, please remember the importance of attendance. We are teaching until 3:40 every day. When your child misses instruction, it is hard to make it up-tardiness, absences, and early dismissal adds up! Everyday Counts and we love seeing your child every single day!
Resource:
From the Library
I am thrilled to announce that all students have had the opportunity to check out library books! This is a wonderful opportunity for them to explore new stories and expand their love for reading. Please encourage your child to remember to bring their book back each week on their designated library day. Your support in this matter is invaluable!
Important Announcements:
Book Returns: If your child has any books from last year, please ensure they are returned or arrangements are made to pay for a replacement. Your cooperation helps keep our library resources available for all students.
Get Ready!
October 21-25 is Book Fair Week!
The best and safest way to buy books is to set up an e-wallet account. While cash will be accepted, the e-wallet ensures that money is not lost or misplaced. More information will be sent out in October, so stay tuned!
As always, we encourage open communication between home and school. If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to reach out. I value your input and are here to support you and your child in any way we can.
There are exciting things happening in the art room at Parkway!
This year we are participating in a creative fundraiser with Art To Remember! This organization will take your child's artwork and print it on to a keepsake that will be available to purchase. A portion of the proceeds from this fundraiser goes straight back into the art program here at NPES.
Please consider supporting the arts at Parkway, and be on the lookout for your personalized order form that will feature your child's artwork. I'm confident your family will be thrilled to see their masterpiece transformed into a one-of-a-kind keepsake.
Thank you for your continued support of our school and programs!
Guidance Update:
The Student of the Month program is starting in October. Students will be selected by
their teachers for demonstrating a different character trait each month. The character trait for
October is Respect. Students will receive special recognition along with their awards.
October is National Bullying Prevention Month. We have lots planned:
● The Anchored 4 Life Club is sponsoring a Bullying Prevention poster contest. Posters
should reflect information related to “How to Prevent Bullying” and are due by October
15th. There will be a winner selected for each grade level. Please include: student’s
name, teacher, and grade on the back of their poster.
● Students will also work together to create a school-wide project to “Lend a Hand to
Prevent Bullying” during art class.
● Unity Day - October 16th. Students are asked to wear orange to show that they are
united against bullying.
Please feel free to contact me if you need assistance with your child's academic or
personal/social needs. I can be reached via email at chandapittman@spsk12.net or by calling
the school at (757)923-4167.
Title 1:
The ability to read, write, speak, and listen in a way that facilitates efficient communication and helps us make sense of the outside world is known as literacy. Virginia has taken the lead to improve early literacy outcomes for its young learners with the passage of the Virginia Literacy Act (VLA). Click on the link below to learn more about the Virginia Literacy Act.
What Parents Need to Know About Literacy (English)
What Parents Need to Know About Literacy (Spanish)
References
Virginia Department of Education. Literacy. Retrieved September 13, 2024 from,
https://www.doe.virginia.gov/parents-students/parent-resources/literacy