Newell Family Sunday Message 05/19

Newell Families,

Thank you all. As we conclude the 2023-2024 school year I am filled with gratitude. Thank you all for partnering with us. We can’t do our work without you all!

Our students have learned and grown together and as our time draws to a close we hope each and every child has a wonderful summer. Please take advantage of opportunities at the Grand Island Public Library to read and participate in learning activities, but also take time for your child to relax and play, be active, be creative, listen to music, laugh, and spend time with family and friends. We look forward to seeing you again in August.

- Mr. Balcom

Our 4th graders took their annual trip on the Oregon Trail last week. They learned about the history of the trail and the challenges that pioneers faced, and had a lot of fun!

Yearbooks will be coming home the last week of school.

Wednesday May 22nd is our Last Day of School. Students will dismiss at 11:00am. No lunch will be served.

Newell 5th Grade Families, there are a few things coming up:

Wax Museum:

Wax museum for fifth grade parents and families is Friday May 17th from 1:45pm - 2:45pm in fifth grade classrooms and the WIMC.

Ryder Park Trip:

Monday May 20th 5th Grader classes will walk to Ryder Park and enjoy a day of fun and teambuilding.

Newell 5th Grade Recognition:

On the evening of Tuesday May 21st we will celebrate our 5th Graders in the Gym at 6pm. They will sing and be given certificates.This is a great time to get photos with friends!

Newell Tunnel Walk:

5th Graders will walk the Newell halls one last time, Wednesday May 22nd beginning at approximately 10:50am. Parents are welcome to come in and take pictures/videos. The walk will begin in the Kindergarten Hallway and end walking out Door #1 at the front of the building.

Mark your calendars for these important dates in August! Starting with another FREE Island Oasis Pool Party, THANKS Newell PTA!

The weather on Monday postponed our Kindergarten Ready event. May is a busy time so we are rescheduling our Newell Kindergarten Ready Event to Monday, August 12th 2024 from 5:30pm to 6:30pm. This will be right before school starts and allow our new Kindergarten Families to see the building and meet the teachers before the first day of school.

If you have copies of birth certificates or immunization records you are welcome to drop them off at our front office anytime during the school day or bring them on August 12th. You are welcome to email birth certificates or immunization records to our school secretary Heather Glause hglause@gips.org

Here is the link to the Kindergarten Ready Slideshow we prepared for Monday (it will also be shown on August 12th). https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/e/2PACX-1vTYxwO3qp3Mhe7-DDk0Xdb15MgVvjIs5hZn5xlx3VNTsRJJPVXEm7d8Jt6WLUgcsjOYcbFMJxeTP_CH/pub?start=true&loop=true&delayms=5000

The school supply list is available here: https://www.gips.org/Page/87

If you have any questions about the coming school year, please feel free to reach out to Mr. Balcom.

This section includes updates and important information from our amazing Newell PTA! More information is always available on our Facebook Page: www.facebook.com/NewellElementaryPTA

Monday, April 15th at 6:00 pm at Newell.

PTA's mission is to make every child’s potential a reality by engaging and empowering families and communities to advocate for all children.

Your voice matters and we want you to be involved!

Click Here to Join: https://forms.gle/4KW6E9KYYnZN4PMaA

Join us for a FREE night of fun at Island Oasis on Tuesday August 6th from 6:15pm to 8:15pm! Outgoing 5th Graders are welcome to attend as well.

Make sure to like our Newell PTA Facebook Page so you don't miss out on any information!

https://www.facebook.com/NewellElementaryPta/

Did you know our school is a Box Top for education school? It’s super easy to help our school raise extra funds!

1. Download the Box Top for Education app!
2. Choose our school— A B Newell Elementary School
3. Go grocery shopping!
4. Scan every receipt just to make sure you’re not missing anything!
5. Repeat steps 3&4 as often as you need to!

Friday May 17th from 1:45pm - 2:45pm

• 5th Grade Wax Museum

Tuesday May 21st at 6pm.

• 5th Grade Recognition

Wednesday May 22nd

• Last day of school. 11am Dismissal.

Enjoy these photos from last week!

Click to zoom in.

Important messages we've sent previously.

Parents, there is a lot of illness going around. Please monitor your child for symptoms.

Description of Fever:

1. A fever is a temporary increase in body temperature, usually caused by an illness.
2. In most mild, two to five day, childhood illnesses, fever is lowest in the morning, rises in the afternoon, and will be the highest in evening and night. As the child begins to recover, morning temperatures will be normal with fever still present later in the day.

Management:

1. Students with a temperature of 100 F or more may be sent home from school.
2. Students may return to school when their temperature has remained below 100.0 for 24 hours without fever reducing medication.

Social media posts as well as a phone call, email or text message will inform you of urgent announcements and weather emergencies. Please be sure our office has your most current telephone and email information.

A regular school day begins at 8:00am and dismisses at 3:05pm, Monday through Friday. Students may be dropped after 7:30am. Students must be picked up by 3:15pm.

Please make your child aware of his/her after school plan. If transportation or daycare plans change, please call the office so we can let your child’s teacher know. Thank you.

We start our school day right at 8:00am. It is VERY important that your child is in class ready to learn at 8:00. Breakfast is served from 7:30am to 7:50am. We are unable to serve students breakfast after 7:50am. If your child needs to eat breakfast at Newell, plan to have them on campus with enough time to get to our breakfast line by 7:50. Students arriving after 7:50 should go to their class lines.

• Meals: Breakfast and Lunch are served at school each day. Breakfast begins at 7:30am.
• Meal costs can be found HERE.
• Funds should be added to the student account through LINQConnect, or check or cash can be given to the cafeteria staff.
• Free and Reduced meal applications can be found on LINQConnect or picked up at the school office or the Kneale Administration building.
• Ala carte items may be purchased as long as students have money on account or in hand. Students are encouraged to select a meal first for the best nutrition.

ALL visitors need to check in at the office and wear given identification while in the school. All visitors must ring the buzzer at door #1. Our staff is busily working with students during the school day. If visiting Newell to speak with a staff member, you may be asked to make an appointment at a later time.

Birthdays may be celebrated in each child’s classroom. Families are NOT required or expected to provide treats or gifts. However, if you want to offer treats, please provide healthy snacks that are individually packaged. Cupcakes, cookies, donuts, etc. will not be allowed.

As cited on page 34 of the GIPS Student Handbook:

"Students in grades Pre-K-5 are discouraged from bringing ECDs (Electronic Communication Devices) to school."

If you need to send an Electronic Communication Device with your student, the handbook states:

"Phones should be kept either turned off, or on silent following the rules specified by the classroom teacher."

At Newell students either keep their phones off or silent in their backpacks or they bring their phones to our secretaries in the office at the beginning of the day to keep them safe, also off or on silent. Note: your child will not be able to send or read messages or calls during the school day.

If you have questions please reach out to Mr. Balcom.

The full handbook is online here: https://www.gips.org/Page/105

Have an amazing week!

Nate Balcom- Principal

Heather Glause - Secretary

Cheryl Brax - Attendance Secretary

Jami White - Social Worker

Tiffanie Oswald - Nurse

Yolanda Seiler - Spanish Interpreter