North Dec. 20

Dear Students and Families,

As we approach the Christmas holiday season, I want to take a moment to express my heartfelt gratitude to each of you for your dedication, hard work, and support throughout this semester. This time of year is an opportunity to reflect on all that we've accomplished together and to celebrate the joy of learning and growing.

I hope this holiday break offers you a well-deserved chance to relax, recharge, and spend quality time with loved ones. Whether you are celebrating Christmas, the New Year, or simply enjoying the season's peace, may your holidays be filled with warmth, happiness, and good health.

Looking forward to continuing our journey together in the new year. Stay safe, stay joyful, and enjoy every moment of this festive season!

Warmest wishes and see you January 6, 2025,

Sharon Novak

Our children had a special visit from Santa and his wife along with many helpers! Thanks for making this such a great day for our North Family!

Mrs. Manning’s second grade performed The Gingerbread Man for the kindergarten classes. They practiced using speaking voices and fluency with expression. Our class loved the squeals from the kindergarten when the gingerbread man POPPED out of the oven!

We also spent the week comparing different versions of the story focusing on what is the same and different about the problems and solutions within the stories. They also made a plan to catch the gingerbread man. They sequenced the steps, then drew a diagram of their plan using headings, labels and illustrations.

Word of the Month

Our January word of the month is Ready. Our students know this word as part of our 3 Big Expectations (Ready, Responsible, Respectful). We will be reviewing what being ready looks like across all settings.

Classroom Lessons

Kindergarteners have been introduced to all 4 Zones of Regulations and feelings associated with each zone. They have also learned a few coping skills as well, which we will continue to do in the new year.

First graders have discussed kindness with cotton ball words vs. sandpaper words, and agreed that cotton ball words feel good. We are now diving into a favorite book, What Should Danny Do? This book allows the kids to choose good choices for the main character and learn how our choices affect our day.

Second graders have learned about the Peace Process, which is a conflict resolution strategy. By solving their own problems, they can stick up for themselves, apologize when necessary, and move on without letting it ruin their day! The students also practiced "Tapping", which is a calm down strategy. Ask your student to show you how it works.

Years in the district: 15 years

What excites me most about my job: To me, first grade is such a special year. The amount of growth from the beginning of the year to the end, for each student, is truly remarkable.

Reason(s) you chose to pursue your position/subject or role at Midview Local Schools: It felt like it was a good fit to truly be able to make a difference in the lives of some of these children.

A few of my favorite things include: Coffee. Target. Flair pens. Ohio University (Go Bobcats!)

What is most important to me in my role: Loving your students as if they are your own. The difference you can make in a student's day, really makes teaching unlike any other profession.

Years in the district: 29 years

Reason(s) I chose to pursue my position at Midview Local Schools: Midview is my home. My grandparents, parents, my husband, myself, and all three of my children are Midview graduates. I feel honored to be able to pursue my career here at my family's and my alma mater.

Some of my hobbies/interests outside of my career: I am an animal lover and think of my pets as family. I have 3 dogs and a cat. I also enjoy gardening, swimming, hiking, kayaking, and spending lots of time with my family.

I am not a big fan of: Scary movies and scary things

Working at Midview Local Schools has taught ME: Working at Midview has taught me that change it ok. I have experienced many changes in my long career and have learned to accept them and be flexible.