Dike-Newell School Newsletter

December 23rd - December 31st - NO SCHOOL for Winter Holiday Break

January 1st - New Year's Day! NO SCHOOL

January 2nd & 3rd - No PreK

January 20th - Martin Luther King Jr. Day - NO SCHOOL

February 17th - NO SCHOOL for President's Day

February 17th - February 21st - NO SCHOOL for Winter Break

This is the time of year when parents often ask teachers how they can help their child at home with academics. Between extra time at home with school vacations, and the first report cards coming home with student progress, it's on many families' minds! Here are a few ideas!

#1 - Reading! One of the most important practices that can be encouraged at home is reading. Modeling reading for enjoyment, reading together with children, and setting aside time each day to read are wonderful ways to spend a chilly winter vacation day as well as to instill positive literacy habits.

#2 - Drawing and coloring! Fine motor skills are very important in being able to write, and to complete tasks with precision (like buttoning buttons and tying shoes.) Giving children opportunities to draw and color can help strengthen finger and hand muscles, and build stamina for pencil-paper tasks.

#3 - Playdough and clay - similar to drawing and coloring, molding and shaping dough and clay are wonderful ways to keep little hands strong. Plus, it's a great way to get creative and let that imagination go wild.

#4 - Games - There are so many games out these days, it can make your head spin! There's always a place for the classics though - Candy Land, Chutes and Ladders, UNO, Connect 4, Simon Says, Mother May I - all of these games and others like them help reinforce turn-taking and play skills, and many incorporate counting and math skills.

#5 - There's no fun like SNOW fun! Whether you prefer summer or you're a snow fiend, playing outside is an important and beneficial activity for kids (and grown-ups too!), and with cooler temperatures and snow, there are new ways to play. Sledding, building snow creations, ice skating, or even just taking a walk - exploring the winter wonderland is a good way to spend a school vacation day.

Kids can learn a lot by cooking with you, helping write thank you notes, building with blocks and legos, and so much more. Most importantly, try to have fun and enjoy the time with your young learner.

Live 5-2-1-0 Every Day!

The holiday season is upon us. It's a busy time of year for all of us with gatherings, vacations, and year end deadlines. Help your family stay on track by continuing to eat healthy and save money.

Check out letsgo.org/happy and follow Let’s Go! 5-2-1-0 on Facebook for more tips to live 5-2-1-0 every day!

Tonight! Friday, 12/6 - Bath Elementary PTA will be handing out hot cocoa at Bright Night Bath! Our table is located on Centre Street. In addition to hot cocoa, we will also have our cookie bags - all the dry ingredients for sugar cookies, sprinkles and a new cookie cutter (donated by Now You’re Cooking!) Grab a bag and some cocoa and make some fun holiday memories!

Coming up: Our next meeting is 12/11, 6pm at DNS

Holiday Beezar is coming back on 12/16! Fliers with more information were sent home with your child before Thanksgiving break. Many hands are needed to pull this event off - if you’re interested in volunteering, please make sure to fill out your RSU1 volunteer form and sign up here: https://m.signupgenius.com/#!/showSignUp/30E0A48ABAD28A7FE3-53465267-dnsholiday

Keep an eye on our FACEBOOK PAGE for all PTA related events.

Are you interested in being on a list of eligible volunteers? Visit the RSU1 website to learn more and to sign up: https://www.rsu1.org/page/volunteer-information. At site preference, scroll down to select DNS and be sure to click Submit after the form is complete and signed. Please allow one week prior to a field trip or event for processing.

Email: kwalker@rsu1.org
Website: https://dns.rsu1.org/o/dike-newell-school
Location: 800 High Street, Bath, ME 04530
Phone: (207)443-8285