Greeting to families and friends of NCS!

Recently while reviewing the many academic standards our Maine students are expected to achieve, I thought about how fortunate I am to be principal of a school where students, teachers, and families are committed to education. Each and every day I witness important and vibrant academic learning. Equally important, I see our students becoming good citizens - demonstrating initiative, persevering in challenges, and accepting responsibility for their decisions and actions. 

As we begin our holiday break on Wednesday, I want to take a moment to say thank you to families for giving us the gift of your children and your support for our efforts. On behalf of the faculty and staff, I share with you our wishes for a safe and happy holiday season and every good wish for the coming year. We'll see you in 2015!

All the best,

Ann Hassett

Principal

Bits and Pieces of News

Hello!   

This week we have two full days of school.   Students have a full day on Tuesday, December 23rd, and at 2:35 we will officially be on a vacation break!  

No Homework Club on Monday, 12/22 or Tuesday, 12/23
No Big Brothers, Big Sisters on Monday, 12/22.

The NPTO Classroom Wish Tree is in the lobby.   Anyone interested in purchasing an item for a classroom is welcomed to take an ornament and fulfill a wish.    The classroom suggestions are small, but not insignificant to teachers and students.

Concert, Student Art Show, Book Fair, Lost & Found, NPTO Giving Tree

Tonight--Thursday, December 11--is our Winter Concert.  Students have been practicing the music they will share tonight, and I can tell you first hand, they sound great!   

Band and Senior Chorus students should arrive at 6pm and report to the music room.   K-5th grade students should meet in their classrooms at 6:15.   


Looking for something to do between 6 pm and 6:15?   Why not stroll through the lobby and halls and enjoy the student art work on display!  A few other building highlights are:

• The NPTO wish tree.   This is in the lobby.   Teachers/staff members have placed paper ornaments on the tree with a classroom wish.   If you would like to grant a wish, you may take the ornament, purchase the item and use the ornament for a gift tag.   Classroom gifts may be left at the office or under the tree between now and the December vacation break.
  
• NPTO book fair.  This is being held in the library and will be open for business before and after the concert.   The book fair will be open through dismissal tomorrow (Friday, December 12th).
  
• Change for Change.   You may see posters and a donation jar here and there relating to a project that the 6th grade students are sharing with our school.   They have been studying about Africa and are raising money to provide animals for African families. They will be collecting change until tomorrow, Friday, December 12.   We appreciate any change you may want to add to our jars.
  
• Lost and found.   You can't miss this if you're heading for a seat in the gym. Take a look at the items on the table and if you see something you recognize, please take it!

That seems to cover just about everything . . . 

"and a partridge in a pear tree!"

"

CONCERT IS THURSDAY EVENING

We hope to see you at the WINTER CONCERT on THURSDAY, DECEMBER 11 at 6:30 pm.  

This is a special event for NCS, and we hope that you will be able to attend.  All students in grades K-5 perform in this concert, as well as Jr. band, Sr. band and Sr. Chorus members.   Students in K-5 should meet in their classrooms at 6:15.   Band students warm up in the music room at 6 pm.   The concert begins at 6:30.

A bonus to our concert is the student art on exhibit in the lobby and halls.   The NPTO book fair is in the library and will be open before and after the concert Thursday evening.

Families, thanks for all you do to make school events an enjoyable experience for our students and community!

Preparing for the coming week--December 8-12

Families and friends:

Here are some things to remember about the coming week:

• NPTO Book Fair in the library (before and after school) Monday, Dec. 8-Friday, Dec. 12.   Monday is class preview day, and then we'll be open for business right before school begins in the morning and at dismissal.   The book fair will also be open before/after this week's concert.
  
• Thursday, December 11, 6:30 pm is the WINTER CONCERT.   We'll have an art show in the halls that evening too.   Students have instructions about what time to arrive. Basically, students singing with their classes should arrive in their respective classrooms at 6:15 pm. Band students should arrive at 6 pm and go to the music room to warm up.  We hope your family will be able to attend this special NCS event!
  
• Speaking of warming up, it's FRIGID out today and I am reminded to mention that students should come to school prepared to be outdoors at recess time.   For young students, that means boots, hats, mittens, and snowpants.  These items are a must if they want to play in the snow.
  
• Away basketball games on Monday.   Home game on Wednesday.   Always check our website for changes/additions to sports news.
  
• Friday, December 12:  Report card day.   Students in grades K-4 bring home paper report cards.   Students in grades 5-8 see their trimester 1 grades online.   Parents of students in Grades 5-8 have access to this information through Powerschool.   If you need help in figuring this out, please be sure to call the office this week.   We'll be happy to assist you.

By the way, the sixth grade made Mancala games in Art (pictured above).  Awesome!

December's coming . . .

Time just seems to fly between Thanksgiving and the winter holiday break.   Here are some important dates for families to be aware of during December:

The end of trimester 1--Friday, December 5th--is approaching.   This means students should be working NOW to have all assignments turned in to their teachers before THEN. Grade 5-8 students/parents are able to check student assignments on Powerschool.    

Many parents have attended (or scheduled) a parent/teacher conference by this time in the year.   If you missed that opportunity, please contact the school to arrange a meeting with your child's teacher(s), if necessary.  There are some conference times still available for Tuesday, December 2.

Friday, December 12th is report card day. Kindergarten-Grade 4 students will bring a paper copy home for review.   Parents should sign and return the envelope.    For 5-8th students, grades appear on Powerschool through your parent portal.  Grade 5-8 families will be provided a form to acknowledge they have reviewed the grades.  Please keep in mind, if you have questions about accessing grades on Powerschool, we will be happy to help you learn how to access grades.  Call the school if you have questions.

The NPTO book fair will be happening this month.  The book fair is held in the library before and after school, Monday, December 8-Friday, December 12.   We will also be open for business before and after the Winter Concert on Thursday, December 11th too.  The book fair is a great place to stock up on holiday gift giving.

Our winter concert is Thursday evening, December 11th.   The event begins at 6:30 pm.  

You should have received a letter in the mail explaining the school nutrition program and the importance of keeping informed of your child's lunch balance via mySchoolBucks. Meals are supposed to be paid in advance. No one is denied a meal at school, but students owing $6 or more will be offered an alternative to hot lunch.  The link to mySchoolBucks is on our website under "Parent Resources" or right here: myschoolbucks.    Finally, please keep in mind that if your family's circumstances change, you can apply for free or reduced lunch at any time during the school year. 

Happy Thanksgiving!

 Students and staff welcomed kindergarten through grade 4 guests on Friday, November 21. Thank you to students and staff for working to make this time a success.  Thanks also to our guests for taking time to share this special event with our students.  A short vacation break will begin Wednesday, November 25.    

                                                                                            Happy Thanksgiving!