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NEW ALBANY PRIMARY SCHOOL

January 6, 2025

NEW ALBANYPRIMARY SCHOOLJanuary 6, 2025

DEAR PRIMARY FAMILIES,

Welcome back! We hope you had a restful and enjoyable break filled with special moments with family and friends. As we settle back into our routine, we are excited to embrace the learning and growth opportunities that this season brings.

Today’s unexpected snow day is a beautiful reminder of the joys of winter. We hope your family takes this time to relax, play, and make warm memories together—whether it’s building a snowman, sipping hot cocoa, or simply enjoying the peaceful scenery.

Thank you for your continued support and partnership in making our school community thrive. Stay safe, stay warm, and we look forward to seeing everyone back at school soon!

BRUTUS VISIT

As a part of the second and third grade seat belt program, we had a special visit on our last day of school before winter break - Brutus the Buckeye! Thank you to our district’s School Resource Officers for organizing this program and for visiting our second and third grade Wellness classes to teach a lesson about safety with a focus on seat belts. We are fortunate to have three New Albany Police Officers that support our school campus every day!

House Family Communication

We're excited to announce the launch of our school's new House System! Our goal is to foster a stronger sense of community, reinforcing positive behaviors and deepen the sense of belonging among our students and staff. Later this month each student will use a digital spinner that will randomly determine which Primary School House he or she will belong to. We plan to share with the students, “You don’t choose the House, the House chooses you!”


Included in this newsletter is information about the characteristics of each of the four Primary School Houses. If interested, please read below where you can learn the meaning behind each House name, the animal that is represented in each House crest, and the House colors. If you have students in the Intermediate School, you will recognize these House names as the same ones used in grades four, five, and six.

House Akoma

Meaning: Comes from the Asante language, of present day Ghana, meaning to have heart and understanding / tolerance

House of: Kindness

Wolf: The wolf is deeply loyal to the family “pack.” They act as guardians to their family members and show compassion, trust, and support to one another.

Colors: Red

House Zonta

Meaning: Sioux word meaning honest and trustworthy

House of: Honesty

Horse: Horses have been historically valued for their strength, endurance, and reliability in labor-intensive tasks. They symbolize hard work, stamina, and the capacity to keep going despite challenges.

Colors: Forest Green & White

House Fortis

Meaning: Bravery and stand-up for others, resolute

House of: Bravery

Dolphin: Animals who are guardians of harmony, strength, unity, protection and wisdom. In ancient cultures, people saw dolphins as guides and helpers

Colors: Navy & White

House Yìlì

Meaning: Willpower and perseverance in Mandarin

House of: Perseverance

Mountain Lion: They represent independence and self-reliance, embodying individuals who forge their own paths and remain unaffected by external influences. Mountain lions are also associated with courage and leadership.

Colors: Orange & White


We are looking forward to continuing to engage students in House as we build a supportive learning community for all students!

LOTTERY FOR PRESCHOOL REGISTRATION CLOSES JANUARY 8

If you have a child who will be of age to attend preschool for the 2025-2026 school year, you can learn about the registration process for the New Albany Early Learning Center preschool program at this site: https://elc.napls.us/our-school/preschool/preschool-at-napls

SENATE BILL 288 / ERIN’S LAW

Ohio Senate Bill 288 requires annual instruction in child sexual abuse prevention to students in grades kindergarten through six. As with last year, the one lesson per grade level will be taught by New Albany’s elementary school counselors. Parents can review the lesson using this link: K-6 Lesson Guide for Parents

Parents have the right to excuse their child from the lesson. The students who are excused from the lesson will have an alternative place in school for supervised activities (such as the school library). If you do not want your child to participate in the lesson, please complete the opt-out form linked in the K-6 Lesson Guide for Parents by January 31, 2025. Questions can be directed to Director of Elementary Education Scott Emery at emery.3@napls.us.

INVIEW RESULTS FOR SECOND GRADE STUDENTS

In November the second grade students took the InView Cognitive Assessment. The results will be sent home in student backpacks beginning this Friday. Please check your child’s backpack for an envelope addressed to you. For additional information about the InView test, please click here.

SMARTWATCHES

We have seen an increase in students wearing smartwatches to school. Please know that students are not permitted to take photos, send text messages, or place and receive phone calls during school hours with any wireless communication device. If a smartwatch is causing a distraction to the learning environment, the administration reserves the right to take the smartwatch and hold it in the office until a parent comes to school to retrieve it. If you need to reach your child during school hours please contact the main office and a message can be delivered to your child. Please click here to review the school policy regarding personal communication devices.

RECESS UPDATES

As we progress through the cold days of winter, please remember to dress students in warm winter clothing. Students will normally have one recess each day and other times at the teacher’s discretion. Recess will be held indoors when the temperature and wind chill factor register 20 degrees or below, or when very wet weather conditions prevail.


Please also remember to label student belongings and encourage students to keep coats and accessories on when playing outside. If labeled items end up in our lost and found, they can be returned!

STUDENT ILLNESS

As the weather changes, cold and flu season comes too! We hope for our Primary students to be at school every day, but there are times when illness requires them to stay home. If you are unsure if your child can attend school, please refer to this page from the district website through Health Services.


If your child must stay home due to illness, please call or email our attendance hotline to report their illness.

(614) 413 - 8100

attendance@napls.us


As a reminder, if your child has any pre-planned absences (family trips, etc), please complete this form and return it to school at least 7 days before the absence.

PTO UPDATE

Check out the NAPS PTO website here.


Coleen Barber- President

Lauren Bar-Lev- President Elect

Carrie Mayer- Secretary

Lindsey Osborn- Treasurer

Samantha Rafael- Membership

Andrea Wiltrout- Fundraising

Programming- Rachel Maloney & Amy Wenker

Communications- Kiki Piletz & Laurie Lauderback

Hospitality- Jonelle Abounaoum & Erin Foster

HRP Coordinator- Stephanie Wissman

UPCOMING DATES

January 20: No School (Martin Luther King, Jr day)

January 21: No School (Teacher Professional Day)

February 13: Kindness Parties

February 14: No School (Teacher Professional Day)

February 17: No School (President's Day)

February 18: No School (Teacher Professional Day)

March 3-14: NWEA - MAP Testing Spring (Reading & Math)

March 24: Spring Recess Begins (No Students/Teachers)

March 31: No School for Students/Teachers

April 15 & 17: Ohio State Tests - ELA

April 18: In-Lieu of Parent Teacher Conferences (No Students/Teachers)

April 22 & 24: Ohio State Tests - Math

Where Eagles Learn to Fly,


Teresa Smith, Building Principal

Colleen Masters, Assistant Principal

Dr. Sara Peterson, Assistant Principal

Our Purpose

The New Albany-Plain Local School District is committed to creating a culture of accountability that achieves the best academic and developmental outcomes for each student.

Teresa Smith
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