Eaton Family Newsletter

October 20th, 2023

Dear Eaton Families,

Thank you to our amazing PTA, and all of our wonderful volunteers, for making our Fall Festival a fun event for our students and families. Despite the weather, it was a wonderful turnout. All of the costumes were amazing. Fun was had by all! Thank you to those who donated items, sponsored a game, bought raffle tickets, or supported this event in some way. Our students and their families are truly what makes Eaton a great place to learn and grow!

We are celebrating Custodial Week next week, October 30th through November 3rd. We are grateful for our hardworking custodial team. They work tirelessly to make sure that our school is clean and beautiful. Feel free to show your appreciation for our custodians with kind words, or any way that expresses your gratitude for the important work that they do.

Wednesday, November 1st, is a Teacher Workday.

Our Lost and Found section in the cafeteria is full. If your child is missing a sweatshirt, jacket, water bottle or lunchbox please come by and take a look in our Lost and Found.

Morning Drop Off Reminders

Please remember that parents are asked to remain in their cars during morning drop off. We ask that you do not park and walk students across the crosswalk. This holds up our line. We only ask that you park and walk a student in if you arrive to campus at 7:40 or later.

Students who are not in their classrooms when the bell rings at 7:40 are considered tardy, and must check in with an adult in the office to receive a tardy slip.

Save the Date: Winter Chorus Concert

Who: 4th Grade Chorus (whole grade) & 5th Grade Choir Club (select students)

Date: Monday December 11th, 2023

Arrival Time: 4:30 pm (parents can drop students off and return closer to the start time)

Start Time: 6:00 pm

Location: BLAIR Elementary School Auditorium

Attire: Festive, school appropriate winter wear. The more dressy, the better!

Please email me at carey.bland@nhcs.net if you have any questions.

SECU Art Display

We are excited to announce our collaboration with the State Employees Credit Union this year to exhibit student artwork. Feel welcome to visit the bank and look at your child's artwork! SECU always appreciates visitors and would love to have you there. Students, please be on the lookout for a note from Mrs. Parson regarding your artwork being displayed. She will notify those whose pieces have been selected. Artwork can be seen at the State Employees Credit Union, 2721 Northchase Pkwy SE, Wilmington, 28405

Student Device/Cell Phone Use at School

Eaton school policy states that student personal devices (cell phone, smartwatch, ipad. etc.) must remain off and in bookbags during the day and while on the bus.

Absence/Tardy Notes

If your child is absent please send a note explaining the absence when they return to school. You are also welcome to email the teacher and copy our data manager @ lyndsie.hutson@nhcs.net. Absences without documentation will be coded as unexcused. Please reference the attendance document shared at the bottom of the newsletter for information on excused and unexcused absences.

If you are coming to school from a medical appointment please remember to bring in your doctor's note in order to excuse the tardy. Although you may select Doctor/ Dentist Appointment in our check in system, without a note it will be marked as an unexcused tardy.

Due to the changes in school start and end times this year, students must be in class for 198 minutes a day in order to be counted Present. Late arrivals will need to be checked in by 10:58 am and present through school dismissal in order to be counted present. For early check outs students must be present from 7:40 am until 10:58 am to be counted present. If a student checks out and returns our system will calculate the time.

If you have any questions regarding attendance you may contact our Data Manager or School Social Worker.

Transportation Changes/Early Pick Up

All transportation changes (different than how your child normally goes home) must be submitted in writing.

If you need to pick up your child early from school, you must do so by 1:45pm. Please know that you will need your drivers license to sign your child out of school.

Visitors/Volunteers

All visitors and volunteers must sign in and out at the front desk when coming on campus (both inside the building and on school grounds)
Parent lunch visitors must sit at the designated tables by the windows, and may only eat with their child (students may not bring friends to sit with them and their parents at lunch)
If someone other than the parent/guardian wishes to eat lunch with a student we must have permission in writing from the parent/guardian

Science Fair Information

Calling all scientists in grades 3-5! We have an exciting opportunity for you!! We are beginning to think ahead to the Science Fair which will take place on December 8, 2023. A great science fair project takes time and planning. The more time you spend in the beginning stages connecting with your “inner scientist” the more you will enjoy what you investigate because it will be something you are interested in learning about. In the end, your project will be awesome because your experiment is something you had fun discovering. Please complete the Science experiment/STEM application by November 3, 2023 to participate in the fair. This project will be done completely at home. If you need more information or help in completing your project, please review this slide show. For more information email kellie.shanahan@nhcs.net.

Media Center/ I.T. News

This year, NHCS will again use a program called Neptune Navigate to teach students about digital citizenship. The lessons for this online program will be facilitated by the media specialist Ms. Mitchell during students' I.T. classes. They will begin these lessons later in the school year. Please see the parent letter for more information, including a link to the district implementation plan for the 23-24 school year.

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Eaton Copy of Digital Citizenship Program- Parent_Guardian Letter- Neptune Navigate 2023-24.pdf

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Ice Cream Volunteers

Unfortunately we are unable to offer ice cream at this time. When ice cream becomes available we will share a sign up sheet. Thank you to those who singed up as ice cream volunteers. We appreciate your willingness to help.

NHCS Child Nutrition Information

NHCS Child Nutrition Website (including menus)

MySchoolApps (apply for free/reduced lunch)

MySchoolBucks (lunch prepay)

Volunteer Information

All volunteers, both Levels 1 and 2, must complete volunteer training each school year.

All field trip chaperones must become a Level II volunteer, which requires a background check through NHCS. Background checks are good for three years. You can log into your account to check your expiration date, or contact Mrs. Allen. The NHCS background check system is linked below. Level 2 volunteers must also complete the orientation and assessment each year.

All volunteers must be at least 18 years old.

Level I

Parents, family, or community members volunteering to assist students in a supervised setting are not required to undergo a background check if they are continually supervised by school personnel during the school day.

Level II

Parents, family, or community members volunteering to assist students in an unsupervised setting away from school personnel are deemed Level II Volunteers. We also ask that all chaperones become Level II volunteers, as well as those interested in assisting in our media center and cafeteria at Eaton Elementary. An applicant designated a Level II Volunteer must complete the online application and the criminal background check. Applications must be completed at least two weeks prior to the time you wish to begin volunteering. The cost of background checks are $22.50.

Steps to Take to Become A Volunteer:

Review Volunteer Orientation Presentation
Read the Volunteer Handbook
Complete the Volunteer Assessment with 80% or Higher (You may retake the assessment if needed)
Level 2 Volunteers must also complete a Background Check application and pay $22.50
Email Mrs. Allen to let her know you completed the steps to become a volunteer

Eaton Volunteer Coordinator: Mrs. Allen, Assistant Principal

crissie.allen@nhcs.net