A Note from the Principal . . . .
Dear Incoming 6th Grade Parents,
As we near the end of the school year and you embark with your families on summer adventures, I wanted to share with you some important information to better prepare your child for middle school.
Below I have included information about the 6th grade summer reading assignment as well as a wonderful resource put together by our middle school librarians with recommended reading for students at the middle level. There is nothing that prepares a child for middle school more than becoming an avid reader and writer. As they head off to camps and summer travel locations, encourage them to also keep a journal to capture their experiences and feelings, creating seeds for future writing pieces.
I have also shared with you a "suggested 6th grade supply list". I know that many students feel more prepared for school when they have their own personal supplies. There is nothing like opening the page to a new notebook to mark the new beginning of an academic experience.
Finally, and most importantly, remind your child to enjoy these last few days of elementary school. They are very precious as they celebrate the end of an important developmental stage and a farewell to a community many have known for 6 years. Cherish every moment.
At Day we are busy working to welcome you and your children to our school community, and your child's next important step in their academic and social emotional lives. I am available through most of the summer. Please feel free to stop in to say hello, or reach out via email. You will be hearing from me periodically over the summer, and then on a weekly basis through newsletter beginning in late August.
In the meanwhile, enjoy the peace and joy with your families that only the summer months can bring.
All the best,
Jackie Mann
Principal
A SUCCESSFUL STEP UP DAY!
It was amazing welcoming your children to the Day Community today at our annual Incoming 6th Grade Step Up Day. Students were greeted on the fields by our 7th grade ambassadors - students and teachers alike, who escorted each group around to a sampling of classes that they might have next year. It was wonderful seeing all of the smiling and excited faces. Each student left with a parting gift - some Day Swag Bags courtesy of our very generous Day PTO
6th Grade "Suggested" Supply List
Linked below is a list of "suggested supplies" complied by the 6th grade teachers. It is a general supply list to help your child get the year started but does not include more specific items that might be required for each class.
Please note that this is only a "suggested" supply list. We will offer supplies to any child who does not have access to their own.
FIRST PHONE
As your plan for your child's transition to middle school, one of the issues you will likely discuss is their access to a cell phone. The decision of whether to get your child a cell phone for middle school will vary by family. We recommend that prior to purchasing a cell phone for your child, there are many conversations about responsibilities and expectations. Our own school policy is that cell phone are off and away while your child is at school, but you may also want to consider your family policies and expectations.
This past fall, the NPS Middle School PTOs co-sponsored a presentation by Dr. Catherine Pearlman, author of First Phone: A Child’s Guide to Digital Responsibility, Safety and Etiquette. Her book includes many resources that you will find helpful as a new middle school parent.
As we end the school year and your family may be considering getting your child a smart phone, I felt it would be helpful to re-share her talk. Click this link to watch the recording.
We also encourage you to order her book! It is written for a student audience and equally helpful for parents. First Phone by Dr. Catherine Pearlman (Amazon link)
Dr. Pearlman also shared some helpful resources including:
I hope you find these materials helpful.
DAY PTO
We hope you will consider joining the Day PTO. This is a wonderful way to get involved in supporting your child at the middle level. There are volunteer opportunities from being a Team Parent to sponsoring Teacher Appreciation Events to chaperoning the Fall Fest Dances.
Please reach out to the Day PTO a the contact information below.
FALL MUSICAL
The Fall 2023 Musical will be Mean Girls.
A note from Ms. McGettrick, Day Drama Teacher, about some new policies around the fall musical. See below.
We are going to make certain audition materials for Mean Girls jr. accessible all summer, and interested families of incoming students who don't yet know Schoology will be able to get access through a Google Drive share - I've done this before through a Google Form on my website, and it's been successful for helping new families get oriented.
NEW - For the musical - We are going to formally audition only the 7th and 8th graders for principal roles and ensemble roles.
We want to maximize opportunities, but also minimize stress and pressure, as new students get acclimated to the program.
To that end - Sixth graders will have a separate two-day audition process to provide an orientation to what rehearsals and performances are like, and we will provide a more holistic approach to the audition process - for example, more small group singing in the audition, than solo singing, etc. I see this as an incredibly positive teaching opportunity as they get adjusted to middle school, in general, but seeing if Day Drama is a good fit for what they'd like to do after school.
FOR INFORMATION ABOUT THE FALL MUSICAL, CLICK ON THE DAY DRAMA WEBSITE BELOW.
BUS TRANSPORTATION
Bus registration for the 2023-24 school year will begin in early June. All students who wish to ride the bus MUST register for a bus pass.
There are significant changes to the fee structure for purchasing a bus pass this year. Please note the following:
The bus fee has increased to $400 per student, with a family cap of two passes ($800.)
All elementary students who reside LESS than 2 miles from their elementary school must now pay a bus fee. We expect this to impact the majority of elementary students.
Elementary students who reside MORE than 2 miles from their elementary school DO NOT pay a bus fee.
As has been the case in previous years, all students in grades 7-12 pay the bus fee.
6th grade students: All students in grade 6 who reside MORE than 2 miles from their school do NOT pay a bus fee. 6th grade students residing less than two miles do pay a fee. Please visit our NPS Bus Fee webpage for details.
Please use this link to determine your distance from your school.
When bus registration opens in early June, you will be notified via email. You will register and pay via MySchoolBucks. Installment payment plans will be available. More information on bus registration can be found on our NPS Bus Registration webpage.
Financial assistance is available for those who qualify. Please read below for details on how to apply.
