North's News
North Smyrna Elementary School Newsletter
March 2024
A Note from NSE Administration
Dear North Smyrna Elementary Families,
March is here and, with it, the promise of warmer days ahead! We have a lot of fun packed into March! Please read on below for the awesome things our students and staff encountered during the month of February and the great things to come this month!
Sincerely,
Dr. Amber Augustus, Principal
Mrs. Amanda Noll, Associate Principal
Dr. Tiyana Mullen, Associate Principal
Important Dates
Thursday, March 1
- Early Childhood Tuition Due
Wednesday, March 6
- End of Trimester 2
Friday, March 8
- Inservice. Day, No School for Students
Saturday, March 9
- I Love Smyrna School District Day at SHS, 8:00-2:00pm
- SSD Referendum, 7:00am-8:00pm at SES, SMS, and CIS (see below for more information)
Sunday, March 10
- Daylight Saving Time Begins - Don't forget to "Spring Forward" one hour!
Wednesday, March 13
- K-3 Report Cards sent home for K-3
Thursday, March 14
- SOARing Eagles Recognition, K/1
Friday, March 15
- SOARing Eagles Recognition, 2/3
- SOARing Eagles Assembly, K-3
Wednesday, March 20
- NSE PTO Meeting at NSE, 5pm
- SSD Board Meeting at CIS, 6pm
Thursday, March 21
- Rock Your Socks for Down Syndrome Awareness! (see below for more information)
- Pumping Up For Kindergarten at NSE, 5:45-7:30pm
Wednesday, March 27
- Spanish Immersion Showcase at SHS, 6:00-7:00pm
Thursday, March 28
- Inservice. Day, No School for Students
Friday, March 29
- Spring Break Begins, No School for Students
- School Reopens Monday, April 8
Looking Ahead This Month
I Love Smyrna School District Day - Saturday, March 9th, 8:00-2:00pm
We hope you can join our district community at I Love Smyrna School District Day on Saturday, March 9th from 8:00am to 2:00pm at Smyrna High School. Performances, Join us for a day filled with community spirit and celebration!
Activities Include:
- Free Food
- Face Painting
- FFA Displays
- Over 40 Community Organizations Displays
- Classroom Displays
- District-wide Art Show (Check out our NSE students work!)
- Wellness Screenings
- Student Mini-Concerts (NSE's Kindergarten and 3rd Grade Chorus will perform!)
Don't miss out on the fun as we connect with our school family and community members!
Smyrna School District Referendum, Saturday, March 9, 7:00am - 8:00pm
Please vote YES for the Smyrna School District Referendum on Saturday, March 9th. Polls will be open 7:00am -8:00pm. This referendum will have a significant impact on NSE as it will provide the additional funding needed for an addition to our building.
A YES Vote Means:
- An investment in safety for our schools:
- A investment in the building and spaces for NSE, CIS, and a new intermediate school
- An investment in a variety of programs across the district
Polling Places
- Smyrna Elementary School, 121 S School Lane, Smyrna, DE 19977
- Smyrna Middle School, 700 Duck Creek Parkway, Smyrna, DE 19977
- Clayton Intermediate School, 86 Sorrento Drive, Clayton, DE 19938
You can vote in the election if you:
- Are 18 years or older;
- Live in the Smyrna School District;
- Are a USA and Delaware Citizen; and
- Show proof of identity and address
- Bring your Driver's License, State I.D. card, or passport
Spanish Immersion Lottery Applications Are Open Now!
To learn more: Why Spanish Immersion? Check out this link for more information: https://www.smyrna.k12.de.us/Page/946
You can also check out our booth at I Love Smyrna School District Day!
If you have any additional questions, please contact the NSE Main Office at 302-653-8589 or nsesregistration@smyrna.k12.de.us.
Rock Your Socks!
Pumping Up for Kindergarten Event - Thursday, March 21st
Do you have a child who will turn 5 on or before August 31, 2024 and is headed to kindergarten in the Fall of 2024? If so, this is an event you do not want to miss!
The 2024 Pumping Up For Kindergarten event will be held on Thursday, March 21st at North Smyrna Elementary School. Doors will open for the event at 5:45 and the event will start with a brief welcome at 6:00p.m.
This event includes on-site Kindergarten Registration for the 2024-2025 school year, informational sessions on Kindergarten readiness topics and early math and literacy skills, as well as information on the Spanish Immersion program. Incoming Kindergarteners who attend the event with their families receive a backpack with additional math and reading resources, supplies, and more.
3rd Grade Girls - GOTR Spring Season Begins!
We are thrilled to announce NSE will have its second season of Girls on the Run this spring! We are excited for this opportunity and appreciate our GOTR coaches, Ms. Hudson, Mrs. Dolan, and Mrs. Naugle!
Congratulations to Micahi Hernandez, SHS EdRising Student and NSE Intern!
Congratulations to SHS EdRising Student and NSE Student Intern, Micahi Hernandez, for making it to the EdRising National Competition which will take place in Washington, DC this year! Micahi is in 12th grade at SHS and plans on pursuing his degree in education when he enters college next year. Each week, he interns at NSE in the Early Childhood program, supporting students and assisting teachers as he learns what it is like to lead a classroom. From everything we have seen, he is going to be a tremendous asset to the teaching profession!
What Fun We Had Last Month!
NSE Celebrated Black History Month
Throughout the month of February, we celebrated Black History Month at NSE! All classrooms around our building learned about different aspects of Black History from noteworthy individuals throughout history, historical events, and the impact on American culture in the past and present to name a few.
To start our Black History Month celebrations, 1st-3rd grade students experienced a laser light show that highlighted the contributions of African Americans throughout US history. Individuals such as Shirley Chisolm, Maya Angelou, Valerie Thomas, Ida B. Wells, and Barack Obama, among others, were recognized for the impact they had on the world.
Check out the video below to see more of what our students learned as the month progressed.
SHS Black Student Union Members Visit NSE
SHS Black Student Union Members visited NSE on February 27th. They met with students, read books personally chosen by the BSU members, and answered questions. It was a great day in which our district's SHS students continue to support the students who are following behind them!
Read Across America - February 26th - March 1st
We celebrated reading the week of February 26th through March 1st! Our spirit week included lots of fun events including having the SSD Black Student Union and SSD Football Team join us to be guest readers throughout the week!
SHS Football Team Readers Visit NSE
During Read Across America Week, SHS Football Team members visited NSE to read to students. Laughter and the shared love of reading was witnessed in classrooms throughout the building!
SMS Readers Visit NSE!
On February 21st, SMS student readers visited NSE to spend time reading to our K-3 students. It was a great afternoon as we saw some of NSE's former students come back to spend time in classrooms in which they once learned helping to teach others. NSE students had a great time spending time with and learning from them. We look forward to another visit in the future!
On Wednesday, February 21st, first responders from the Dover Air Force Base Station 58 and Delaware State Police Department visited NSE to greet students and to encourage them to be SOARing North Smyrna Eagles! These members took time out of their daily schedule to let our students know how important their presence in school and their job as students is to their future. High fives, fist bumps, and lots of encouragement were witnessed as students entered!
Thank you to the Dover Air Force Base Station 58 members and Delaware State Police for taking time out of your day to show your support for our students and our school!
Our Local Heroes Support Our SOARing Eagles!
SHS Football Team Supports Our SOARing Eagles!
On March 1st, the SHS Football players rallied together during morning arrival to bring joy, fun, and encouragement to our NSE Eagles! Our students were thrilled to have them join us! #ProudToBeSSD
Rock Your RARE - February 29th!
On February 29th, NSE rocked our RARE in recognition of rare disease awareness. Students and staff came donning hats of all types and wearing their black and white in support. All money donated through the hat day fundraiser will go to CH
February Is Love the Bus Month!
In February, we showed our appreciation for our NSE bus drivers and aides. These hardworking individuals make it their mission daily to transport our students safely to and from school. On February 22, we recognized them for their dedication.
We Recognized February's Students of the Month!
Congratulations to our Students of the Month! These students are selected due to their diligence in putting forth their personal best each and every day! They are role models for others, and we are so proud of their tremendous effort!
K-3 Students of the Month
EC Students of the Month
Mrs. Hastings, NSE's Behavioral Health Professional Award Recipient
On Wednesday, February 21st, Ms. Hastings, NSE's Behavioral Health Professional Award Recipient was recognized at the SSD Board Meeting! We were so proud to see her honored for her hard work and dedication to students!
100 Days Smarter!
On February 20th, we celebrated being 100 days smarter! Students and staff got into the spirit by finding ways to represent 100!
Scenes From NSE
Math Work Places in 1st Grade
101 Days in School
Calendar Time in EC
Information for Families
A Note From Our Transportation Department
Students who bring large items on the bus (including, but not limited to: sports equipment, musical instruments, class projects, extra large carry bags, and similar-type items) must maintain the item(s) on or about their person during transport. Placing any of the forenamed items in the aisle or on an empty seat, creates a safety issue and will not be permitted. If an assigned seat is vacant, then the student and his/her/their large items may move to the vacant seat with those items, with the bus driver’s approval. It is also necessary for students to use caution when moving to and from a seat, and ensuring that neighboring students are not inadvertently struck by such items during onboarding and offboarding. Please reach out with any questions.
Lost and Found Items
The next time you are visiting NSE, please take a moment to visit our Lost and Found which is overflowing with jackets, hoodies, hats, gloves, and lunch boxes! We know these items are missed, and we would like for them to go home with their owners!
NSE Spirit Wear - Now on Sale!
Spirit wear is having a sale! All ombre items are 50% off. The sale ends on March 4th. Use the link below to grab some spring and summer spirit gear.
Ombre flyer: https://assets.1stplacespiritwear.com/marketing/images/23holiday/pdf/18957.pdf
The website: https://1stplace.sale/18957
Smyrna School District Elementary Code of Conduct
The Smyrna School District strives to provide a safe, drug-free, positive school climate that allows students to succeed. To achieve this goal; school personnel and parents/guardians must assume a responsible role in creating a relationship as partners in the educational process of the students we serve. Promoting the values of responsibility, compassion, integrity, perseverance, and respect in every school environment in Smyrna will create a positive learning environment and promote behavior that encourages the academic, social, and emotional growth of all students.
The Smyrna School District is committed to a restorative and trauma-informed approach to student behavior. Restorative practices are both a preventative and responsive approach to student behavior focused on building and repairing relationships. Our goal is to build healthy communities, increase social learning, decrease anti-social behavior, repair harm, and restore relationships in an effort to educate the whole child. Restorative practices are not just a response to misbehavior, but an inclusive process that engages all members of a school community. Through use of a Multi-Tiered System of Support (MTSS), we are able to blend social and emotional development with academic growth to ensure we are meeting the needs of each student.
Please take time to review the SSD Elementary Code of Conduct utilized at NSE located below. If you have any questions, please contact our Main Office.
North Smyrna Eagles SOAR
At NSE, we value recognizing excellence in our students! Each month we celebrate students in each homeroom for being SOARing Eagles. These individuals are fantastic role models of being safe, taking ownership of their actions, strive for high achievement, and demonstrate respect in all they do. Check out our NSE FB page for more pictures of our last SOARing Eagles recognition!
Student Illness and Absences
We are reaching the point in the year where illnesses are ramping up and student absences become necessary. Please note the following items if your child is experiencing an illness:
- If your child runs a fever, please be sure he/she is fever free for 24 hours without the assistance of medicine before sending him/her back to school.
- If your child is experiencing a medical need of any type, please contact the school nurses (Mrs. Hastings & Mrs. Warner) so that we can work together to ensure your child is receiving the care they need.
When your child returns from an absence, a note must be sent in with them regarding the absence so that we can update their attendance record accordingly.
- If your child stayed home ill under your care, please send in a parent excuse note with the following information: date of and reason for the absence. This note can be handwritten and sent in with your child or it can be emailed directly to our attendance secretary, Mrs. Mullen, at nsesattendance@smyrna.k12.de.us. The district attendance policy allots for 10 parent excuse notes per year.
- If your child has seen a doctor, it is strongly encouraged that you send in a doctor's note upon his/her return.
Students' health and their attendance are both important to their success. If you have questions or would like to speak more indepth regarding these matters, please contact our nurses or the Main Office.
Contact Information
Interested in being a NSE substitute?
A few reminders
- a water bottle filled with water only
- a snack
- an extra pair of clothes to keep in their bookbag
- a charged Chromebook (1st-3rd grade) - issued soon!
Chromebook Usage & Care
Each 1st-3rd grade student will be issued a Chromebook for their use at home and school. Kindergarten students will have access to a Chromebook while at school.
Please see below for additional information on their usage and care to help ensure your 1st-3rd grade child is ready to use his/her Chromebook each day:
- Charge the Chromebook nightly.
- Place the Chromebook back in the bookbag before each morning.
- Treat the Chromebook with care and avoid placing food or liquid near it.
- Keep the charger with the Chromebook to avoid loss. This is a good time of year to check with your child to ensure he/she still has the charter.
Chromebook Student Accounts
As our students begin the year working with district Chromebooks and district Google accounts, we want to share information on student IDs and passwords needed for logging in:
- For all students, their userid is firstname.lastname. If there are students with the same name in the District, we append a “1”, “2”, etc onto the lastname (john.smith, john.smith1, john.smith2). If this applies to your child, you will be notified.
- For all K-6 grade students, their password will be SSD###### with the “######” being the student’s School Lunch Number, and it will stay the same from year-to-year.
If you have any questions with logging in, please contact your child's teacher.
Student Attendance
A Note From Our School Nurses, Mrs. Hastings & Mrs. Warner
Our classrooms incorporate time outside each day in the winter, weather permitting. This time is important for the development of gross motor skills, movement, and socialization. Please be sure to send your child in dressed for the weather including jacket, hats, and gloves so that they can comfortably enjoy this part of their day.
Counselor's Corner with Mrs. Brogen & Ms. Montalvo
The SEL focus in March is Problem Solving and Conflict Resolution. See the resources below for more information.
Reading@Home
Spring Break begins for students on March 28 and will end on April 7. During this time, we will have a reading challenge for our K-3 students. More details will be coming from your child's teacher soon! Please be on the lookout for more information. We look forward to celebrating our students once we return from our spring break!
Math@Home
See the attached newsletter for parents from Bridges in Mathematics (the district math curriculum) about how parents can ask questions to help with math at home.
Check out the NSE PTO Facebook Page
We are continuing to update the PTO Facebook page with learning activities and information for families. Please check it out at North Smyrna Elementary School PTO.
Our next PTO meeting for the year will take place on Wednesday, March 20th at 5pm. We hope you will consider joining as we work together to provide the best educational experiences to our students throughout the year!
Child Nutrition
At NSE, all students receive one free breakfast and lunch daily.
The NSE Cafeteria is also offers students the option to purchase a snack, drink, or a double entree at lunch. If your child is interested in purchasing one of these options, he/she will need additional money in their account. Money can be added to your student's lunch account by sending in cash, a check (made out to the Smyrna School District), or by creating a myschoolbucks.com account to deposit funds electronically. If you have any questions,, please contact our Main Office.
Prices for 2023/2024
Extra Breakfast Entree $1.00
Extra Lunch Entree $2.00
Juice $0.50
8 Ounce Water $0.75
Milk $0.50
Chips $1.25
Ice cream $1.50
Switch (sparkling 100% juice) $1.75
Smyrna School District Food Pantry
Grading Policy for K-3
Parents continue to have access to their student's grades at any time by utilizing the Home Access Center website. If you need your user ID and password to login, please contact the NSE Main Office at 302-653-8589.
As a reminder, Early Childhood students do not receive grades, interim progress reports, or report cards. Updates on student progress are available midyear and at the end of the year as well as by contacting your child's teacher at any point.
North Smyrna Elementary School
Mrs. Amanda Noll, Associate Principal
Dr. Tiyana Mullen, Associate Principal
Website: https://nes.smyrna.k12.de.us/
Location: 365 N. Main Street, Smyrna, DE, USA
Phone: 302-653-8589
Email: nsesregistration@smyrna.k12.de.us
Facebook: facebook.com/NorthSmyrnaElementarySchoolPTO
Twitter: @NSESSD
YouTube :https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCoEsLnqVcfz-l0Fa8YhxqOw