NCS Family Newsletter

10/31/2024 NCS Community Gathering 7:35am-8am

11/2/2024 Verona Area Kids Expo,

Badger Ridge Middle School Gym 9am-12pm

11/7/2024 Outdoor Learning

11/12/2024 NCS Picture Re-take Day 8-10am

11/14/2024 Outdoor Learning

11/21/2024 Outdoor Learning

11/25/2024 Newsletter info due to Miss Amelia

11/27, 28, 29th No School, Thanksgiving Break

We want to make sure everyone is safe during school arrival and dismissal. Therefore, we ask that families and students using wheeled transportation walk their bicycles, scooters, and other forms of wheeled transportation when they are using the school sidewalks and paths with other students and families present. This is to avoid any collisions. This is especially true with any type of electronic bicycles or scooters.

Here is the language from the VASD Family Handbook about this:

Wheeled Forms of Transportation

Wheeled forms of student transportation including, but not limited to, bikes, skateboards, roller blades/skates, scooters, hoverboards, and “heelies” (shoes with built-in wheels) are not to be used on school property during the school day. Students who use these for transportation to/from school are required to walk or carry the items on school property. Students with “heelies” need to have another pair of shoes to wear during the school day. Inappropriate use may result in confiscation of the equipment and parent/guardian notification.

The VASD Elementary School Family Handbook is a good resource for families. Families are encouraged to review this information and refer to it throughout the school year. It is also available on our website.

If your student is ill, has an early morning appointment, or will be late arriving to school for another reason, in addition to notifying their classroom teacher please make sure that you one of the following PRIOR TO THE START OF THE SCHOOL DAY:

1) EMAIL NCS Attendance: ncs-attendance@verona.k12.wi.us

2) CALL the office at (608) 845-4500

Please do not email the school secretaries directly, we appreciate it! The attendance line/email is the best way to communicate with school.

New Century promotes innovation, critical thinking, and discovery by applying project based curricula designed by teachers. Teachers design curricula that enables students to ask questions, make discoveries, and learn from both teachers and other students. This often involves exploring the natural world, identifying real world applications, and learning scientific design principles.

From the Star News School Newspaper, edited by Gabby and Kate:

This month, Ms. Gleiter’s class learned about the engineer design process and what engineers are. They came up with something that they wanted to invent, then they made a plan and process for their invention. For example, one of the children wanted to make a flying pencil but they all chose something different. Now, moving on they are learning about fire safety. Ms. Bastien’s class is working on the same thing! They are learning about the engineering design process. they have been talking about the cycle and one thing they would fix. They are working on fire safety now. That’s all, have a great day!

Thanks to those parents and caregivers who have already completed the volunteer matchmaking survey! Your answers will help us pair you with your dream role... or at least a role that involves minimal glitter and glue (unless of course you love glitter and glue and then it's a match made in heaven). We're actively making the matches and if you didn't hear from us this week, you will hear from us very soon. We promise that your matches will be way better than what you might find on The Bachelor or The Bachelorette because you'll be able to help make a difference in the NCS community doing something that you love/are relatively decent at. If you didn't get a chance to fill out the volunteer survey yet, we still want to hear from you! You can access the survey here. We appreciate you more than the kids appreciate snack time!

All Verona area families are welcome to join us at the annual Verona Area First Five Years Kids Expo. This event is 9am to noon at Badger Ridge Middle School on Saturday, November 2 and it's free for all kids and their families and caregivers.

Vendors/booths will showcase local childcares and child-driven opportunities like martial arts, after school care, gymnastics and more. Each booth features fun for kids so get ready to build, craft, draw, play and more!

Special guests usually include Tucker Turtle, the Wildcat and Bubbles from Goldfish Swim School.

Nominations for Wisconsin teachers can now be submitted here for the 2025 Herb Kohl Educational Foundation Teacher Fellowship awards. The Herb Kohl Educational Foundation Fellowship recognizes teachers who have demonstrated a superior ability to inspire a love of learning in their students, have motivated others, and have provided meritorious service both in and outside the classroom. These awards include a $6,000 grant for the educator and a $6,000 grant for their school! Deadline is November 12th.

Dear Verona Area School District Families,

You’re invited to an evening of food, fun, and valuable information! Join us on November 20th at Redeemer Church in Fitchburg for a special night focused on supporting you and your student’s success. This is a great opportunity to connect with other families, enjoy a meal together, and learn about important tools and resources available to you in the Verona Area School District.

What to Expect:

• PowerSchool Parent Portal: Tips for accessing your student’s grades, attendance, and more.
• VASD Attendance Policy: Get the latest updates and understand how attendance is tracked.
• Lunch Accounts: Learn how to access and manage your student’s meal account.

Bring your questions and meet our team members who will guide you through each topic. We hope to make accessing these resources easy and stress-free!

Details: Date: November 20th
Location: Redeemer Church, Fitchburg
Food: Dinner will be provided!

We can’t wait to see you there for an evening of learning and connection. Please RSVP by completing this Google form by November 11, 2024.

If you have any questions, please send a message to Tamera Stanley, Family, Staff and Community Engagement Liaison stanleyt@verona.k12.wi.us

Thank you,

Mrs. Tamera Stanley

It is not always easy to decide if your child is sick enough to stay home or well enough to be in school. Children who come to school are expected to participate fully in school activities including recess and physical education. A doctor’s note is required for any activity restriction.

Our most current guidelines are found here.

We love adult volunteers. Remember that in order to volunteer in a way that you'll be with students, you need a background check. This includes field trip chaperones. Here is the background check form for all volunteers.

This year starts our use of the Savvas program. This meets the standards of the new Wisconsin legislation, which is a requirement for our school, integrates reading and writing, and promotes reading topics across themes. Because it is the same curriculum adopted by the rest of the district, the funding will come from VASD rather than our school funding. Our teachers are amazing and will be assessing how well this program meets our students' and teachers' needs for improvement, growth, and autonomy.

Outdoor learning is planned for Thursday mornings. Adult volunteers are needed! If you have availability, check if there's a time that works for you: Outdoor Learning SignUp Genius

Bucky Books are on sale currently: $35/each

Please reach out to Jen to purchase your book today. We are happy to send home in your child's backpack or Jen can drop it off within the Verona area.

Bucky Books can also be purchased online and shipped directly to the you here. (There is a slightly lower return rate to the school for online sales.)

Our students experience having two different classroom teachers throughout the day. It can be confusing for families to know which teacher to communicate with at times. If you are reaching out to your child’s teacher, please include both teachers on any communication.

The Bridging Brighter Smiles program is a safe, affordable, accessible way to meet a dental hygienist... right here in Verona Area School District!

Learn more at https://bridgingbrightersmiles.org/

Here is the link to a Google Public Calendar with this year’s updated NCS events:

NCS Google Public Calendar

This calendar will be updated continually throughout the year with school events, such as swim, Picture Day, Back to School Night, field trips, parent/teacher conferences, days off of school, Governance Council meetings, and so much more! We hope that this will make things easier for you!

Have you joined the New Century School Parent Community Facebook Group?

Current and incoming families are welcome to join “New Century School Parent Community” on Facebook. This is a great place to post summer events and pop-up playdates. This is also a great resource for new parents/guardians to ask any questions they may have.

Additionally, please like and follow our New Century School Facebook page here.

If you need assistance with lunch costs please visit our Free and Reduced Lunch application for information on income levels and an application for assistance.

Our health room helpers have reminded us how an extra set of clothes are appreciated here at school. All students, not just our kinders, run into needing a change from time to time. Milk spills, wet slides at recess, unexpected puddles all lead to a need for new clothes.

If you can send a Ziploc bag with a pair of pants, socks and underwear it will come in handy over these next wet months.

And, always, we will happily take your donations of gently used sweatpants and bottoms that have stretchy waists. All colors, sizes, patterns are appreciated.

Interested in getting to know our kiddos and helping to build community within our schools? Do you have a couple of hours to spare occasionally or is your time flexible enough that you can come once a week? We would love to have you assist in our lunchroom. We could really use a Monday volunteer.

All volunteers will need to be background checked through the district here.

Please complete this short survey with your availability.

The Sunshine Committee is made up of many amazing family members of students from our schools whose mission is to spread kindness and support for families and school staff. They do this by providing support in the form of cards, meals, gift cards, and other resources to families and staff in need of a little pick-me-up. They also have provided support to our school through stocking those awesome bathroom supply baskets in our staff bathrooms and by helping organize our winter clothes.

For more information and to assist in bringing sunshine to our community please contact Tiffani Roltgen at roltgent@verona.k12.wi.us or Hannah Merryfield at merryfih@verona.k12.wi.us.