Newcomb News 12/8/24

Dear Newcomb Families and Caregivers,

We have two more weeks until Winter Break. Friday, 12/20/25 is a minimum day with a 1:00 pm dismissal. We will have after school supervision on the 20th until 2:00 pm.

There is a lot of exciting stuff happening the next few weeks. Please be sure to review the newsletter and check the Newcomb Events Calendar linked here for updates.

Also, I want to send a huge shout out to everyone involved in bringing back the Reflections Contest to Newcomb. Our students who participated really benefited from the experience. The list of winners is below.

Finally, please help support us as our students are completing iReady Diagnostic 2 the next two weeks. Please make sure that students are at school everyday and that they are on time so they have all the time they need to complete this assessment.

Take Care-

Chris

Drumroll, please! 🎉 We are absolutely thrilled to unveil the extraordinary lineup of talented students who will be taking Newcomb's banner to new heights at the Council Level of the REFLECTIONS competition! These bright stars are ready to shine and reflect their brilliance on a grand stage, proving that hard work and creativity truly pay off. Let’s give a round of applause as they embark on this exciting journey—after all, it's not just a competition; it's a celebration of imagination and innovation! 🌟

Elizabeth "Lizzy" Manson 1st Place Dance Choreography 3-5

Catherine "Katie" Manson 1st Place Literature K-2

Eleanor Nastase 1st Place Literature 3-5

Declan DeVeny 1st Place Literature 6-8

Julius Carter III 1st Place Music Composition 3-5

Maria Podkorytova 1st Place Visual Arts K-2

Ellison Waldren 1st Place Visual Arts 3-5

Kennedy Curtis 1st Place Visual Arts 6-8

As we prepare for our upcoming Winterfest event, I wanted to share a few important details with you and your families. Attached, you’ll find the Winterfest flyer with all the event information.

Additionally, we’ve set up a SignUp Genius link for volunteering at the event:

Thank you so much for your support! We look forward to making this Winterfest a memorable event for the kids.

We are in need of a Boys Track and Field Coach. The Season will begin after Winter Break. Tryouts will need to be held no later than the week of 1/20/25. The first meet is Saturday, 2/2/25, and then their are two more meets on 2/22 and 2/26. Please let us know ASAP if you or someone you know would be willing to help. Contact dcastro3@lbschools.net or cthompson@lbschools.net

Here is a link to slides describing the iReady Diagnostic Assessment that is given to students in grades 1-8 three times per year. In September, December and March. The next iReady diagnostic window is 12/2 to 12/20.

iReady Slides Link

Congratulations to these amazing Spartans for being selected to the District Honor Orchestra and Band. Way to go Tiago, Hannah, Alani and Cooper!!!!!

---Sports Updates---

Boy's Basketball- Our boys will be playing their last game of the Season on Monday, 12/9 at Bancroft MS at 3:45 pm.

Girl's Track and Field- The Newcomb Girls Track Team will be competing at League Finals on Wednesday 12/11 at Wilson HS starting at 4:00 pm.

Let’s Celebrate Our Amazing Middle School Teachers!

Our teachers and staff work tirelessly to inspire and guide our students every day. This holiday season, let’s show our gratitude by hosting a special Teacher Holiday Luncheon in their honor! We need your support to make this celebration a success. Please consider donating $15 or more, or any amount you are able. Donations can be made through PayPal or by dropping off an envelope labeled “PTSA Middle School Teacher Holiday Luncheon” at the front office. Let’s come together as a community to express our thanks and appreciation for all that our teachers do.

Donation Link Here

Thank you for your generosity!

Newcomb PTSA

Below is a list of Clubs and Activities on Campus. Primarily for Middle School. Please note that dates and times are subject to change. Be sure to talk to the teacher who is running the club to confirm.

Hey Middle School! If you are interested in having lunch in Newcomb's garden on a select day each month sign up here. We will allow a limited number of students who sign up to bring their lunch to the garden, hang out and learn about our plants, veggies and how we are sharing a love of gardening and sustainability at Newcomb.

Follow this link to select a date to have lunch in the garden- https://forms.gle/Za9spCoVjySsciQg8 We will let you know what date you have been selected for Lunch in the Garden. Please know that you may not get your first choice.

8th Grade Baby Photos- 8th grade families & friends, please email Mr. Jeffery a good photo to be included in the 2025 yearbook. We will be accepting submissions until the beginning of Winter Break, 12/20.

Mr Jeffery's Email- jsjeffery@lbschools.net

Holiday Grams- will be n sale to all students from 12/2 to 12/13. Grams are one dollar and will be sold at the front gate in the morning and the Middle School gate in the afternoon.

Hello Middle Schoolers and Middle School Parents,

Newcomb Middle School Yearbooks preorders are now available through our web store.

They will ONLY be sold online this year, so secure yours now!

Here is the direct link to the store along with the QR code attached:

https://www.balfour.com/student-info?smi=7443

Parents and Guardians-

Please do not have fast food delivered or dropped off in the office. This creates problems for our office staff. The food also attracts ants. In rare cases food is picked up be the wrong person. We do not have the staffing to monitor items left in the office. If a student forgets their lunch, all students have access to a free breakfast and lunch in the Cafeteria. Thanks for your help with this.

Respectfully-

The Newcomb Team

Family & Friends Fridays (These are days that we will be inviting families on campus before school to hang out and build community) 12/20, 1/24, 2/21, 3/28, 4/25, 5/30, 6/12 (Last Day of School)

Coffee with Chris (These are informal parent meetings with the Principal to discuss important topics) 12/12 (Library @ 6 pm), 2/21(Auditorium), 4/25 (Auditorium)

Lunch With A Loved One- 3/21/25

Chris Thompson, Principal- cthompson@lbschools.net

Ross Morinaga, Counselor- rmorinaga@lbschools.net

Dylann Castro, Office Supervisor- dcastro3@lbschools.net

Nurse CJ- ccoreyholder@lbschools.net

Judy Caceres, Attendance- jcaceres@lbschools.net

Sharon Onorati- Enrollment- sonorati@lbschools.net

Newcomb Teacher/Staff Email List Link

Click this link to access Newcomb's Google Events Calendar. You should be able to add to your calendar so that you can keep up to date on all Newcomb Events. (Calendar Link)

Bell Schedule

Middle School A/B Schedule

Holiday/Minimum Day Schedule

Cell Phone Policy

Dress Code & Uniform Policy

Recommended Supply Lists

Behavior Expectations Slides-

• Elementary School
• Middle School

After school playground supervision will begin on the 2nd day of school. Supervision will run from the end of school until 3:00 pm M-F. All students must be picked up by 3 pm. After 3 pm we do not have any adult supervision. Any students who are not picked up will be brought to the main office.

***The only exception will be on minimum days, when supervision will go from 1 pm to 2 pm.

Newcomb Kids' Club Directors-

Lacey Rogers- lrogers@lbschools.net

Stephanie Blaser - SBlaser@lbschools.net

Newcomb Kids' Club Main Line- (562) 430-7104

Kids' Club District Contact Information-

Shannon McCone, Manager, at (562) 627-1022, extensions 296, 297, or 299.

Below is our emergency drill schedule for the entire year. We practice each month evacuating the entire school. Staff and students prepare for fire and earthquake emergencies and we also practice Lock Down Drills (in the event there is an intruder on campus or police activity in the neighborhood). We also practice Shelter in Place Drills in the event their is an environmental emergency like heavy rain or a lightning storm, bee swarm or gas link. All classrooms are equipped with first aide kits and emergency supplies. This year we will be practicing a full scale disaster drill in February. The Newcomb team is fully prepared to ensure the health and safety of all our students and staff.

If you should have any questions about emergency drills at Newcomb please e-mail Mr. Thompson at- cthompson@lbschools.net.

• Title IX Parent Notification
• Spanish Title IX Parent Notification
• AR 5145.71 Title IX Sexual Harassment Complaint Procedures (English)
  
• AR 5145.71 Procedimientos de Denuncia de Acoso Sexual del Título IX (Spanish)
  

• UCP Annual Notification (English
• UCP Annual Notification (Spanish)

Principal Email: cthompson@lbschools.net
Website: https://newcomb.lbschools.net/
Location: 3351 Val Verde Avenue, Long Beach, CA, USA
Phone: (562)430-1250
Instagram: @newcomb_k8_lbusd