NCS Family Newsletter

8/20/2024 GC Meeting - NCS Library - 6-8pm

8/28/2024 Back to School Kickoff and Popsicles on the Playground- 5-6:30pm

9/3/2024 First Day of School

9/17/24 GC Meeting - NCS Library - 6-8pm

9/25/24 NCS Picture Day - 7:45am-11:15am

9/30/2024 No school / Education Professional Development Day

Dear Families,

Welcome to the ‘24-’25 school year! I hope you are enjoying a wonderful and refreshing summer break. I look forward to hearing about your many summer adventures. I have been fortunate to have my own adventures near and far with my family throughout this summer.

As we begin a new school year, I want to take a moment to share some exciting updates and highlights of the work our staff has been doing over the summer. All of our staff have been involved in a variety of essential tasks to ensure a smooth and successful start to the year. From instructional planning and teaching summer school to participating in numerous professional learning opportunities and training sessions, they have shown unwavering commitment to our students' success. They have been busy ordering and organizing materials and supplies to create a warm, welcoming and well-equipped learning environment.

Our teachers have been deeply engaged in professional development, focused on the Science of Reading and new curriculum materials. They have spent time learning and planning to bring rigorous and enriching learning opportunities into our classrooms. We are thrilled to see the positive impact these new instructional practices and materials will have on our students' learning experiences.

Our custodial staff has worked tirelessly to ensure our school is in pristine condition. The building is sparkling clean and ready to welcome our students back. Additionally, we have had a new roof installed on our building.

We are excited to see our students and families at our Back to School Kickoff on Wednesday, August 28th from 5:00-6:30 pm. We look forward to a year filled with learning, growth, and community. Thank you for your continued support and partnership.

Warm regards,

Mrs. Parks

The VASD Elementary School Family Handbook is a good resource for families. Families are encouraged to review this information and refer to it throughout the school year. It is also available on our website.

Reading Corps is a beneficial program for students throughout VASD. We have had great support for this program from caregivers, especially grandparents. Sugar Creek and Core Knowledge are both hiring tutors. As a Reading Tutor, your impact the lives of children and offer vital assistance to those who need extra help reading at their grade-level. Your commitment during school hours for the entire academic year ensures a profound impact.

Sugar Creek Tutor Position

Core Knowledge Tutor Position

Making sure we have a safe and efficient school arrival and dismissal is a priority for everyone. We ask that we all work together to ensure this happens for our students. We appreciate your patience and cooperation.

A visual of our car rider arrival and dismissal procedures are here.

Arrival:

• Supervision starts at 7:15 and the bell rings to enter at 7:30 am. Students should not arrive before 7:15 am as they will not be supervised during this time.
• Students who walk, bike, or arrive by a care wait in front of school at Door 1. Students who arrive by bus enter in the back through Door 5.
• Car Lane- Our car lane is designed for families to be able to drop students off quickly and leave. For safety, students only should enter and exit on the curbside of the car. Families are asked to stay in their vehicles and not exist to assist. Use the parking lot if more time is needed or others are exiting the car during the drop off.

Dismissal:

• Our dismissal time is 2:25 pm. We do have our K/1 students exit the building a few minutes before other classes to better support their dismissal.
• Staff members walk our students out of the school during dismissal. If a student is being picked up, then the teacher looks to make visual confirmation of the caregiver or caregiver's vehicle before dismissing students. Staff members walk our bus riders to the bus door.
  
• Car Lane- Our car lane is designed for families to be able to drop students off quickly and leave. For safety, students only should enter and exit on the curbside of the car. Families are asked to stay in their vehicles and not exist to assist. Use the parking lot if more time is needed or others are exiting the car during the drop off.

The Verona Area School District contracts with First Student to provide transportation services for our students to and from school, sports competitions and field trips. If you require assistance with bus routing, please contact First Student at (608) 341-2799 or the VASD Operations Manager, Michael LaCount (lacountm@verona.k12.wi.us ).
• Bus Route, stop, and time information is available on the Infofinder transportation application tool.
• The Bus Schedule is shared about a week before the first day of school on the district website main page. Go to the Verona Area Schools website, the school bus icon, Bus information. Infofinder Transportation Application.

Our summer is underway and we're having fun, but we did a little bit of work, too. Here is information about New Century Charter School that the Governance Council put together, we hope it helps you get excited for another awesome school year here at NCS. NCS Year in Review

Futura - Where SPANISH comes alive! Registration is now open for 2024-2025 – All new material and lessons!

Don’t miss out on this valuable opportunity for your student to practice Spanish in an interactive bilingual classroom!

Enroll today: https://futuraadventures.com/wisconsin-region/

For 2024-25 School supplies: Children will need a backpack, headphones, clean gym shoes and a large, old shirt for art class.
Please purchase as many items as possible under your student’s grade level. THANK YOU!!!

NCS School Supply List

Stop by for popsicles at the

2024-2025 NCS/VAIS

Back to School Kickoff.

Meet other caregivers,

play with friends, chalk the walk, and enjoy popsicles!

Wednesday, August 28 from 5-6pm

Welcome, families, to our Back to School Kick off! Come for popsicles, meet your teachers, drop off supplies and have some fun. We will have presentations in the Gym:

• 5:05-5:25-K/1

• 5:30-5:55-2/3

• 6:00-6:25-4/5

Our school is participating in Wisconsin Harvest of the Month! Harvest of the Month is a statewide campaign that encourages students to eat more fruits and vegetables. Each month, our school will feature one Wisconsin-grown fruit or vegetable that is seasonally available. We will encourage students to taste, explore, and learn about the importance of eating fruits and vegetables in the classroom and cafeteria.

Watch the school menu, for more information about the Harvest of the Month fruits and vegetables. We will feature fruits and veggies from this list.

Ask your child about Harvest of the Month foods and prepare these foods at home. Providing many opportunities for your child to try new foods is important for building healthy eating habits and adventurous eaters.

We hope you join us in this opportunity to promote eating fruits and vegetables!

It is not always easy to decide if your child is sick enough to stay home or well enough to be in school. Children who come to school are expected to participate fully in school activities including recess and physical education. A doctor’s note is required for any activity restriction.

Our most current guidelines are found here.

Mendota Elementary: October 7, 12-4pm

Holtzman Learning Center: October 19, 10am-2pm

Public Health Madison & Dane County is partnering with Madison Metropolitan School District and SSM Health this spring to offer three more school vaccine clinics to get students up to date on their school vaccines ahead of the 2024-25 school year. These clinics will take place out in the community. It is highly encouraged that appointments are scheduled through the website listed on the flier attached. Vaccine Clinic

Bucky Books are on sale currently: $35/each

Please reach out to Jen to purchase your book today. we are happy to send home in a your child's backpack or Jen can drop it off within the Verona area.

Bucky Books can also be purchased online and shipped directly to the you here. (There is a slightly lower return rate to the school for online sales.)

Our students experience having two different classroom teachers throughout the day. It can be confusing for families to know which teacher to communicate with at times. If you are reaching out to your child’s teacher, please include both teachers on any communication.

Here is the link to a Google Public Calendar with this year’s updated NCS events:

NCS Google Public Calendar

This calendar will be updated continually throughout the year with school events, such as swim and gym days, library days, Picture Day, Back to School Night, field trips, parent/teacher conferences, days off of school, Governance Council meetings, and so much more! We hope that this will make things easier for you!

Have you joined the New Century School Parent Community Facebook Groups?

Current and incoming families are welcome to join “New Century School Parent Community” on Facebook. This is a great place to post summer events and pop-up playdates. This is also a great resource for new parents/guardians to ask any questions they may have.

Additionally, please like and follow our New Century School Facebook page here.

If you need assistance with lunch costs please visit our Free and Reduced Lunch application for information on income levels and an application for assistance.

If your student is ill, has an early morning appointment, or will be late arriving to

school for another reason, in addition to notifying their classroom teacher please make sure that you one of the following PRIOR

TO THE START OF THE SCHOOL DAY:

1) EMAIL NCS Attendance: ncs-attendance@verona.k12.wi.us

2) CALL the office at (608) 845-4500

Please do not email the school secretaries directly, we appreciate it!

Our health room helpers have reminded us how an extra set of clothes are appreciated here at school. All students, not just our kinders, run into needing a change from time to time. Milk spills, wet slides at recess, unexpected puddles all lead to a need for new clothes.

If you can send a Ziploc bag with a pair of pants, socks and underwear it will come in handy over these next wet months.

And, always, we will happily take your donations of gently used sweatpants and bottoms that have stretchy waists. All colors, sizes, patterns are appreciated.

Interested in getting to know our kiddos and helping to build community within our schools? Do you have a couple of hours to spare occasionally or is your time flexible enough that you can come once a week? We would love to have you assist in our lunchroom. All volunteers will need to be background checked through the district here.

Please complete this short survey with your availability. **We are especially in need for help on Tuesdays at this time.**

Your school needs YOU! Please consider giving one hour of your time to help shelve library books, create displays, repair items, and assist with schoolwide and classroom project prep. No prior library experience necessary and no long-term commitment required. Thank you so much for considering! ~Ms. Roltgen, NCS/VAIS Library Director

The Sunshine Committee is made up of many amazing family members of students from our schools whose mission is to spread kindness and support for families and school staff. They do this by providing support in the form of cards, meals, gift cards, and other resources to families and staff in need of a little pick-me-up. They also have provided support to our school through stocking those awesome bathroom supply baskets in our staff bathrooms and by helping organize our winter clothes.

Canned drinks and packaged snacks are always welcome at any time in the teacher workrooms.

For more information and to assist in bringing sunshine to our community please contact Shannon Ratchman.