Early October--Crisp Apple Season!

Beautiful morning at NCS

Amazing!  October (literally) blew in last week!  Did we really return to school a full month ago? 

Maine is blessed with a definite rhythm to the year. OCTOBER: apples, pumpkins, foliage, darker mornings and cooler temps. Please be sure your child has a layer for being comfortable outdoors this month. The daily outside break is so appreciated, but it's not much fun if you are not dressed appropriately.  Keep in mind that some classes are heading outdoors, too, weather permitting. 

Parents, please be aware of this change to our 2020-2021 school calendar.  Students DO have school on FRIDAY, OCT 9.  No complaining!  Everyone still gets a long weekend. No school Monday, October 12 Holiday.

You may have noticed that your child's lunch balance is not creeping up as quickly as it has in past years. As long as grant funds last (approx. to 12/31/20), there will be no charge for student meals this fall, regardless of your lunch status. See the 9/15 office news post for details. You also do not need to pre-order your lunch online at this point in the year.  

Completing the FRL application is still important, if applicable to you (as mentioned in 9/15 post). FRL data can help our school in other subsidized ways. Contact the office if you need a FRL application.

Reminder:  Use the front circle if you drive your child(ren) to school. Drop off times are 8:05-8:15 am.  

Here are some pictures to show you more about school:

Kindergarten  Physical Education  

CAL Project: More tables

Music Class

Thanks for reading.  Find some joy this week!

September

How is your school year going so far?   We have been carefully attending to the business of school, and it really feels good to be back together!

A few families have asked about how breakfast/lunch works. Now that we are beyond the first week(s) of school, we'll no longer need you to pre-order meals electronically. Here's what you should know:

• If your child needs breakfast, they can stop and pick up a breakfast on the way to their classroom.   K-2 pick up spot is near the front door/entrance to the primary wing. The Gr 3-8 breakfast pick up spot is in the lower lobby.  Breakfast is provided enroute to the classroom, but your child will continue to eat meals in their classroom.  
• At this point in the year, it's not necessary to pre-order lunches. If your child is going to receive a school lunch, they will have an opportunity to pick it up and return to the classroom to eat.   

Thank you for helping us to plan and prepare at the onset of the school year. Read on for some very interesting news:

THIS JUST IN! News from AOS 93 Kitchens

• USDA has extended the Summer Food Service Program Waiver until December 31, 2020 or when funding runs out. This means SCHOOL MEALS will be FREE to ALL children under the age of 18 until further notice.
• Please complete a FRL application so your child's status is accurate when we do go back to the National School Lunch Program. (*More about that below.)
• Whether children are attending in school or not, meals are available at no cost under the waiver. Meal pickup will be available at most schools. Contact school to find out when these meals will be available for pickup.

FRL (free/reduced lunch) applications were made available through Powerschool registration, and we also have sent home forms. If you feel your family may be eligible, please complete a form and return it to school with your child. Contact the school if you would like us to send home an application. Another option is to complete an application online. Visit www.schoollunchapp.com  Choose Maine and then our school district--AOS93/Central Lincoln County School System.

Our school benefits in more ways than lunch as a result of Nobleboro's cumulative FRL status, so we are happy to receive your application. All applications are confidential. If your child was part of FRL last year, we MUST have your application again in September.  

If you have questions about this, please contact the school. 

 

We're back!

We hope you have enjoyed a long Labor Day weekend. What gorgeous September weather!

It was truly wonderful to see students back at school last week. The first days provided the opportunity to practice some new habits and routines. Thank you, families, for your part in helping to make it a smooth transition back to NCS. Whether you were nervous or excited about the first day (or a little of both), it was a happy time.

Instead of trying to explain, here are a few pictures:

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Our recess time may look a little different from before, but it's certainly nice to catch up with friends. . . or to make new ones. 

The 'learning tent' is very useful for holding outdoor classrooms.  Thank you to Midcoast Energy Systems for making that a reality.  We are going to enjoy this option while the weather lasts.

Except for Mrs. Stewart, everyone in kindergarten is new to our school, and we have some new faces in several other classrooms too.  Welcome!  A future post will introduce new staff members.

Students, please return summer reading logs to Ms. Harriman by 9/18. 

If your child(ren) eat school meals, you may send a check in to school or pay online. If paying electronically, look for the myschoolbucks link in your Powerschool account. If you need an access code for your schoolbucks account, please contact the office. Free and reduced lunch (FRL) applications are available. If you were eligible last year, it's important to reapply again in September.

Hang in there, and have a great week!

School begins on Tuesday, September 1 !

 

Looking back; looking ahead. . .

It's always amazing to watch growth spurts in our students at the end of a school year. The phenomenon seems especially evident in the kindergarten and 8th grade.  Kindergarten children came to us looking a bit like preschoolers. Suddenly, as summer approaches, the same children resemble first graders. Eighth grade students mature and actually look like they'll fit in high school rather than in jr. high. In fact, at every level kids suddenly look like they belong in the next grade. We have missed witnessing this marvelous transformation (in person) during the spring, but have faith the growth is happening. 

This week, our K-4 students participate in virtual enrichment activities. Enjoy learning some new things! Students are wrapping up the spring trimester. The last student day is Friday, June 12th. Technology gear will be collected at school on June 15th. 

Congratulations to the class of 2024!  We have truly enjoyed being part of your lives and wish you the best as you celebrate your accomplishments so far. 

 (Maine's ladyslippers are in bloom. That's amazing too!)

May!

It's time for another round of GR K-6 STUDENT PACKET PICK-UP's on Monday, 5/11/2020, 11am-1:00pm or 4-6pm.    UPDATE:  Gr 6 has work to pick up at school too.

Please begin collecting your NCS LIBRARY BOOKS.  All books should be returned by Monday, June 15. Technology equipment will also be returned to school by June 15th. 

Do you have a younger child heading to kindergarten in September?  Please contact ncourville@aos93.org NOW or complete this link: Kindergarten pre-registration form. If you know of another Nobleboro family with a child getting ready for kindergarten, please pass this request on to them too.

Wednesday, May 13, 10:30-12:30:  FAMILY PANTRY at the Second Congregational Church in Newcastle--all families welcome!  Before or after your school lunch pick up, you're invited to swing by the Ecumenical Food Pantry in Newcastle. They are offering a pantry box of items. A special "Cook with your Kids" meal will be included too.

YMCA GEAR SWAP: The flyer has all the details:  YMCA GEAR SWAP FLYER

NCS is planning an 8th grade promotion in June. Details will be forthcoming. It may not be exactly what we're used to, but well . . . let's just wait and see.  In the meantime, if you are heading to Lincoln Academy in the fall, you may enjoy this:  A Message for 8th Graders from LA

NCS SPIRIT WEEK

We miss you all! Even thought we can't all be together in the same building, we can still rock our Nobleboro school spirit! Please join us all week (5/4-5/8) in celebration with your classmates. Everyone is invited to share a picture of yourself dressed for success on Seesaw or in your Zoom meetings. The Spirit Week themes are below:

• MONDAY, MAY 4:  Crazy Hat Day. Wear your favorite crazy hat, or even better, make one out of the things in your house.
• TUESDAY, MAY 5:  Favorite Sports Team or introduce your favorite stuffed animal.
• WEDNESDAY, MAY 6:  Mismatched Day. Throw fashion to the wind! This is a day to celebrate plaids and polka dots together. We can't wait to see what you come up with. 
• THURSDAY, MAY, 7:  School Spirit Day. Celebrate the NCS Lions by wearing green and white or wearing your NCS gear.
• FRIDAY, May 8:  This one is going to be easy for all of us. Crazy Hair Day.  Don't hold back! Time to celebrate the importance of barbers and hairstylists.