Hour of Code

Dear Parents:  We live in a world surrounded by technology. And we know that whatever field our students choose to go into as adults, their ability to succeed will increasingly depend on understanding how technology works. 

That’s why our entire school is joining in on the largest learning event in history: The Hour of Code, during Computer Science Education Week (December 3-9). More than 100 million students worldwide have already tried an Hour of Code. Our Hour of Code is making a statement that Nobleboro Central School is ready to teach these foundational 21st-century skills. Visit the Hour of Code for more information on this global event.

The NPTO Book Fair and more(!) will be here in 2 weeks

Thanks (again!) to the NPTO, the NCS BOOK FAIR is coming soon: December 10-14. Dust off those book bucks and head to the fair for some great winter reads. The fair is open in the NCS library immediately before and after school (7:50-8:10am and 2:20-2:45pm).  The book fair is also open before and after the NCS Arts Festival/Winter Concert on Thursday, 12/13 (5:45pm and 7:30pm).

Did you catch that date? The NCS ARTS FESTIVAL a/k/a WINTER CONCERT is Thursday, December 13th. Students are preparing to delight their audience that evening with music and art performances. This special event begins at 6:15. Students will meet in their classrooms by 6pm (band meets in the music room). 

The NPTO Wish Tree in the lobby is adorned with classroom wish ornaments. If you'd like to give something to your child's class, consider taking an ornament from the tree. Each ornament has a name and classroom wish on it. Purchase the item and return it to school by 12/21! 

Or, if you're contemplating ways to care for the larger community during the season of giving, NCS will extend our collection of nonperishable items for the local ecumenical food pantry. In fact, NCS kindergarten and 8th grade students are teaming up to inspire students to collect donations within the classrooms. More on this to come. . . 

Recently seen at NCS: lots of smiles . . .

Eighth grade students and staff hosted a Thanksgiving dinner for the entire school and our guests.  Thank you to EVERYONE for making it a successful celebration. We especially appreciate our K-4 guests for taking time out at midday to join us at school. We'd also like to thank those who were able to donate desserts/beverages. Your contributions helped to round out a delicious meal.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

Kindness Matters

The Lions Club of Damariscotta recently sponsored our artwork in an International Peace Poster Contest. All NCS 8th graders worked hard on their posters depicting the theme, "Kindness Matters."  Pictured above: Mrs. Workman, Izzy (3rd place), Madison (2nd place) and Paige (1st place) and Mr. John Harris from the Damariscotta Lions Club (who presented the awards).

It's always a pleasure to host our THANKSGIVING FEAST, and we're hoping that everyone planning to attend on its original date will STILL be able to join us as K-4 guests on Monday, November 19. K-2 families should plan to arrive at 11:20 so you will be able to meet their children in their classroom at 11:25. Gr. 3 & 4 students will meet their families in the lobby at 11:30. Enjoy!

We truly appreciate your offerings of dessert or water/cider for the Thanksgiving meal. Please drop desserts/drinks off at the office at the beginning of the day on Monday, if at all possible. 

The last day of parent teacher conferences are Monday. If you have not signed up, there may still be time. Most teachers have at least one appointment left on Monday. Use this link to sign up: PARENT TEACHER CONFERENCES 11/19

One more important message:  If you'd like to donate to the local food pantry, we will gladly accept your donations in the lobby on Monday. Non-perishable items like peanut butter, pasta, soup, spaghetti sauce, toilet paper, toothpaste are all great ideas for the food pantry.

It will be a short, but busy week at NCS!

Food for thought . . .

Not to give you the false impression that we are only thinking about food in November . . .  but . . .  well, right this minute there is a lot going on involving meals:

The Thanksgiving Community Feast, now rescheduled for MONDAY, 11/19, (grades K-4 have invited guests), next week's lunch menu has changes:

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• MONDAY 11/19 (NEW DATE):  Thanksgiving Community Dinner! (See the recent post for details on the THANKSGIVING MEAL that our entire school takes part in, now scheduled for MONDAY. If your child is in K-Gr 4, we want to hear from you! How many guests should we plan for? Here's the link for K-4 RSVP. K-4 THANKSGIVING INVITE/DETAILS/RSVP
• Occasionally, it's helpful to remind everyone that students and staff are expected to pay for meals up front. We don't let students go hungry, but we do have to keep an eye on balances. Families can check balances through their own schoolbucks account. You may receive a notice or a friendly email reminder if we think you are not aware of a growing balance. We appreciate your help in supporting our lunch program! Payments can be made online or through the office.
• Financial needs sometimes change during the school year. Please remember that any family is able to complete a free/reduced lunch (FRL) application at any time (and more than once) during the year. Applications are at the office; information on the application is strictly confidential. 
• At this time of year, people tend to think more about giving. NCS will be collecting nonperishable items for the local ecumenical food pantry on Friday, Nov 16 at the Thanksgiving Feast. Peanut butter, pasta, soups, toilet paper, toothpaste are all good items for the cause. 

Parent/Teacher conferences begin next week.  Are you signed up?  Here's the link to all the teachers if you would like to choose an available time. PARENT/TEACHER SIGNUP Conferences are on Tuesday, Nov. 13, Thursday, Nov 15 and/or Monday, Nov 19. 

The NCS basketball preseason begins Nov. 13. See the school calendar. Trimester 1 will be here soon, too--Friday, Nov. 30.

MONDAY is a holiday-NO SCHOOL in observance of Veterans Day.

The STEAM Team

The STEAM team in the Art room would love donations of a few sewing machines.  Perhaps there is a working machine laying around, unused at your house? We are also looking for a hand drill.  

Caring about Neighbors

THANKSGIVING FOOD BASKETS:  If you, or someone you know who lives in Nobleboro, would like to receive a Thanksgiving basket, be sure to contact the Nobleboro town office by today, Tuesday, November 6. Baskets are packed by volunteers from Lincoln County and surrounding area churches and will be distributed to town offices on November 20.

GIVING TREE:  For the third year in a row, the CLC YMCA is partnering with local schools to help families within our community who might need a little extra assistance this holiday season. We are hoping to help spread the word and encourage families who could use some support putting presents under the tree to take part in the Y's Holiday Tree of Giving program.  The process is simple:

You'll find a short application in the NCS lobby (or contact Mrs. Weeks to have one sent by email or regular mail). Applicants complete information that will help provide each child in your family up to 2 gifts (1 want and 1 need). The YMCA will have these gift requests anonymously hanging as an "ornament" on a tree in their lobby. Community members and organizations can take, fulfill and return the gifts to the Y.  All applications to participate in this program are confidential and can be returned to the school or the YMCA. The application deadline is November 15th.

Families who are looking to help by fulfilling wishes are encouraged to visit the YMCA lobby for ornaments from the Tree of Giving. 

Welcome to November! How did we get here so quickly?

So many things happen in November!

• Chess Club has kicked off for the year. It's on Thursdays for any interested gr 3-8 students
• On November 7 @ 6:30pm, 8th grade families are invited to Lincoln Academy for 8th Grade Family Night
• Grade 4 has 2 scheduled trips this month for outdoor learning at Hidden Valley Nature Center (Nov. 8 and Nov. 14, weather permitting).
• Picture Retakes are on November 8th.  If you want a re-take, bring your package to school that day.  (Don't worry--any 4th grade students will have retakes before leaving for HVNC.)
• No School on Monday, November 12
• Parent Teacher ConferencesCONFERENCES are on a combination of these evenings:  Tuesday, 11/13; Thursday, 11/15 or Monday, 11/19.  If you did not sign up at our open house, please follow this link to schedule yours. You'll see a link for each teacher there. PARENT TEACHER CONFERENCES  
• Pre-Season jr. high basketball begins on 11/13 (boys) and 11/14 (girls).  Check the family calendar on our homepage for basketball times/dates.
• The NCS Family Community Thanksgiving Feast is on Friday, Nov. 16. PLEASE SEE THANKSGIVING DETAILS/YOUR INVITATION HERE  
• No school November 21, 22 and 23
• End of Trimester 1 is Friday, November 30

A final note that we'd like to pass along to you:  In November the surrounding towns provide Thanksgiving Food Baskets to families that may be in need of help. If you, or someone you know, would like to receive a food basket, please contact our town office by November 7.  Nobleboro's town office: 563-8816.