TCS May Newsletter

Dear Families-

Now that April vacation has ended, you know what time it is - time for the fast and furious end to the school year! These last eight weeks at TCS will certainly be no exception. As you will see in this newsletter, the final stretch of school promises to be action packed!

The move from winter to spring also means that we recently met the new TCS kindergarteners for next year at our recent kindergarten registration day! I have to say, that is one of our favorite days of the year. It is also time for students in grade 6 to start thinking more about the transition to middle school. In the coming week, they will be visiting KRMS and taking part in the upcoming Bridges Day with all other grade 6 students in the district.

You may recall that in recent newsletters, I have been sharing what some of the daily themes are for the school-wide morning announcements that I do each day. I previously shared that each Wednesday is the "TCS Question of the Week" and Thursdays find me "Live and On Location" from a different part of the school. Since my last newsletter, some families have asked what the themes are for the other days of the week. I am happy to share!

Here goes: Mondays are "Mindful Mondays" and I usually walk the school through a brief mindful exercise or reminder to help build kindness, focus and calm for the day ahead. On Tuesdays, we talk a bit about one of our school habits (ready, thinker, considerate, contributor) and a student who recently received an Outstanding Owl shares why they received that Owl and what school habit was displayed as part of that action. You already know about Wednesday and Thursday, so lastly, we end each week with a Friday "TCS Weekend Weather Report". I typically share something interesting about the weather (wind, rain, snow, temperature, sun, etc.) not only here in Tuftonboro, but sometimes in different parts of the world. We check in at the Mt. Washington Observatory from time to time, as well, and monitor the amazing weather that happens way up there, too! There you have it - an inside look at the morning announcements/activities for each day of the week here at TCS!

We know that this is a busy time of year and for some students, one that is full of transition. Please let us know if there is anything we can do to help you or your student to make the last portion of this school year as successful and positive as possible. As always, if you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact me at ksmall@govwentworth.k12.nh.us or 569-2050.

Happy month of May!

Warm regards-

Katie Small

Principal

We recently held the TCS Spelling Bee and the top three spellers in grades 3-6 participated. Congratulations to Madison McGourty for finishing in first place, Zane Smith for finishing second, and Oliver Leavitt-Carlson for coming in third. All students who competed did a great job!

Due to additional funding available this year, Tuftonboro Central School (together with Crescent Lake School in Wolfeboro) will be offering a morning summer school program that will focus on providing reading and math instructional support, along with projects and extensions for students. This program will take place at Crescent Lake School in Wolfeboro and will run Tuesday-Thursday, July 9th through August 8th, from 8:00 am - 11:30 am.

The 2024 Summer Program will be free for all students and transportation is provided. Breakfast and lunch will not be provided and students are encouraged to bring a snack.

If you are interested in your child attending the TCS/CLS Summer Program, please complete the form that was sent home and return it to the main office of TCS by MONDAY, MAY 13TH. If you would like another form, please call the main office. Although the program is free to attend, we need to know of your interest by this date so that we can plan staff accordingly.

On April 17, children's author Marty Kelley visited TCS and not only talked about his process, but shared his amazing talents and discussed how important it is to persevere when we try new things! Students were treated to an in-person illustration demonstration, as well. Thank you, Marty Kelley!

Now that spring is fully here, 6th grade students start thinking more about transitioning to middle school and what offerings are available at Kingswood. Recently, these students received a visit from Lakes Region Technology Center students/staff and were able to try their hand at a number of different hands-on program opportunities!

Our Spring Concert will take place on May 15 at 6:30pm at the Kingswood Arts Center in Wolfeboro. This will be a combined concert with students from the New Durham School. The grades 5-6 band (not 4th grade beginners), 4-6 chorus, and 4th grade (playing their recorders) will be performing. More info will be coming home from Mrs. Johnson soon!

TCS will be presenting a Memorial Day program on the front lawn of the school on Friday, May 24, at 9:15am. Please feel free to join us!

Thanks to our excellent PTCO, Family Fun Night will take place on Friday, May 31 (with a rain date of June 7) from 5:30-7:00. This year, a Scholastic Book Fair will also take place in the gym during this event! We look forward to seeing you and your family on May 31.

The New Hampshire Statewide Assessment System (NHSAS) testing in the areas of reading and math will start in the middle of May. As you may recall, the NHSAS Writing Test was already given in March. Students in grades 3-6 are taking part in the testing.

Does your child enjoy inventing and creating? Camp Invention offers these opportunities and more for TCS students who will be in grades 1-6 during the coming school year. Held at TCS during the week of June 24-28, Camp Invention is a day camp that is a very hands-on experience and a lot of of fun. It is a first come, first served, sign-up process and there are limited slots, so be sure to return the permission slip as soon as possible (it will be sent home this week).

Here are a few notes from the TCS PTCO:

1. Staff Appreciation Week is the week of May 6-10 and as a parent/guardian TCS community, we want to show gratitude to our amazing TCS staff! A flyer was recently sent home with your student. Please consider signing up to help our PTCO celebrate the staff by providing a food item on the sign up sheet. If you have any questions, please email the PTCO at tcsptco@gmail.com.

2. Don't forget that Family Fun Night is right around the corner on May 31! This year, we are also excited to host a Scholastic Book Fair that night, as well!

3. We are always looking for more volunteers to join the TCS PTCO! Whether you can volunteer once or many times, all help is appreciated. Please email us at tcsptco@gmail.com for more info.

Did you know that Tuftonboro Central School qualifies (and takes part) in the NH Department of Education's "Fresh Fruit and Veggie" Program? TCS is reimbursed for the cost of fresh fruit and vegetables that are served to students during non-meal times. This means that each day, our kitchen staff cuts up and distributes fresh fruits and vegetables for each class as a snack. Students not only receive a healthy snack, but they also find that they are introduced to produce that they have never tried before (and have discovered that they like). We love this program and are very thankful to qualify!

May 29 - Grade 6 Tour of KRMS

June 3 - Bridges Day (6th Grade)

June 20 - 6th Grade Promotion

June 21 - Last Day of School

Email: ksmall@govwentworth.k12.nh.us
Website: https://www.tuftonborocentralschool.org
Location: 205 Middle Rd, Center Tuftonboro, NH 03816
Phone: 603-569-2050