Dear Parents,
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Final totals are not yet in, but it appears that we will have raised close to $3000, 100% of which is going to several organizations who are directly  helping the people in Haiti.
Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! to the many, many people who have volunteered the past several weeks to help the different grades with their Haiti fundraising projects. Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! to the many, many
people who purchased bracelets, popcorn, hot chocolate and rummage sale items. Most of all, Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! to all our students who worked so hard on these many efforts. They are indeed boys and girls who care about others, and stepped up to the challenge. We are most fortunate to have all of you as part of our family! |
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| What do you mean there's no Black History Month at New City??? |
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from Sheryl Reardon, our Diversity Co-ordinator:
Black History Month is too often just one month of focus on “famous” African-Americans. To study Black History for just February sends the wrong message to everyone. To African-American children and adults, it offers a short period in which the achievements of persons who look like them are recognized. But if African Americans and their achievements and accomplishments are invisible the other eleven months of the years, that voice speaks even louder and stronger. To all other ethnic groups, a Black History Month allows them to gain some knowledge while retaining the false assumption that “mainstream” history never includes African-Americans.
So instead of a Black History Month, we incorporate into our curriculum the contributions of all individuals and groups in a holistic way. As you talk with your children and walk through our halls, we want you to see and hear actions and activities that support our beliefs. We believe that children who have worked with and played with and learned about people who are different from and similar to themselves will be well prepared to live, work, learn and play in our diverse world.
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| Check Out What's Happening in the Science Lab! |
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Fifth grade students dissected seastars as part of their unit on invertebrates. As they examined the creature they were challenged to figure out how the  features of the animal help it survive. Their observations and questions were amazing. Many students were surprised to find out that seastars can expel their stomach into clam shells to digest their prey!
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| What Should You Ask at Your Parent-Teacher Conference? |
 5th Grade Students Dissecting a SeaStar.
You received your child’s specialist reports this past Wednesday, and will receive the remainder of the reports on Tuesday. This is the second report of the year, and it may seem logical to think that if your child received an ME last time, he should earn an EE this time.. That may not necessarily be the case, however, because our expectations for your child have grown as well since November. More skills and concepts have been introduced, and as the work becomes more involved it means we are requiring more of your child; therefore, you should not view an ME on both reports as not making progress. It means that your child IS making progress. He/she is meeting New City expectations for that grade, and as our expectations increase, your child's abilities are also increasing. An ME both times is a very good thing.
Teacher conferences will be held next week, primarily on Thursday evening and Friday morning. Sign-up sheets for times for these conferences are on the bulletin board directly across from Betsy Blankenship’s office on the Waterman end of the building. You will find sign-up sheets for both classroom teachers and specialists. If you’d like to speak with a specialist, simply find a time that will work for you. Everyone will be available until 8:00 pm on Thursday night, and most teachers have also included other times in case this night does not fit your schedule.
For some parents, conferences can be a stressful experience. Just as our faculty discusses how to prepare for conferences in order to share essential details with you in a limited amount of time, it is equally important that parents come to a conference well prepared. Listed next are some ideas you can use to make the most of your conference time.
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| What Should I Discuss During My Conference? |
Before the Conference:
Talk to your son or daughter. This will help you find out what concerns or questions are relevant to your child as well as to yourself. Since you will have also seen the trimester progress report, comments contained in that should also be part of your discussion. Ask your child…
· if there is anything important to discuss with the teacher.
· what s/he likes best about school.
· if there are things s/he would like to do more often at school.
· what s/he wants the teacher to know about him/her.
· what questions s/he wants to have answered.
Generate a list of questions that you want to be sure to ask. Write them down, and then prioritize your list. Put your most important questions first, because invariably, you’ll run out of time.
To help you generate this list of questions, the sidebar includes some suggestions to get your started. (I will also include this information in your PR envelope that will go home on Monday.)
During the Conference:
Your child’s teacher will have samples of work to share with you that shows your son or daughter’s growth and progress in different areas. She will also ask you if there was anything in the progress report that surprised you or that requires clarification. If there is ANYTHING that is confusing or you don’t understand, don’t hesitate to ask for an explanation. Once the teacher has shared her comments, you should ask your most important  questions. (It’s OK to bring your written list with you - we older folks tend to forget things easily.) Before you leave, be sure to ask what you can do to continue helping with your child’s learning.
After the Conference:
Your work’s not done yet. When you get home, discuss the conference with your child, including any “action plan” that was agreed upon with the teacher. Act quickly on any suggestions (getting a particular book or supplies, scheduling a doctor appointment, instituting a homework time). Above all, make sure that your child understands that you and his teachers are partners working together on his behalf.
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| Miscellaneous Information You Should Know |
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Have you turned in your re-enrollment forms for the 2010-2011 school year? If not, please contact Betsy as soon as possible. Registrations were due this past Monday, so you will now be charged a $75.00 late fee.
 All forms for the Six Flags Reading Club are due on Friday, February 19th. Completed forms should be given to your child’s homeroom teacher.
If you have any questions, contact Patrice, pmurphy@ newcityschool.org.
Sellers and Buyer at Popcorn/Hot Choclate Sale
Wendy Sock and her crew of wonderful parent volunteers will again be co-ordinating the upcoming Teacher and Staff Appreciation Dinner. It will be held the evening of parent-teacher conferences, Thursday, February 11, 2010. Sign-up posters are in the lobby near the Lake door entrance. Please volunteer to feed our hardworking, hungry teachers.
FOUND: one gray and black video camera case which was left at Joyce's desk the night of the preprimary show. If you are missing it, just see Joyce in the front hall.
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Spelling Bee Grade Level Representatives
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The following students each represented their particular grade during our schoolwide Spelling Bee last Friday: 2nd Grade: Arieyanna Davis and Rafi Brent
3rd Grade: Allison Ryan and Jake Finer
4th Grade: Selena Steinbach and Jake Goldfarb
5th Grade: Ellie Tomasson and Donovan Lindsley
6th Grade: Noelle Kinsell-Baer and Reid Doctor
Noelle Kinsell-Baer, 6th grader, is this year's Spelling Bee Champ. She will represent New City at the St. Louis Post-Dispatch Spelling Bee in March. Donovan Lindsley, 5th grade, is our runner up.
(The banner this week shows all of our finalists.)
Have a great weekend. See you on Monday.
Pat
M. Patricia Nuernberger, Ph.D.
pnuernberger@newcityschool.org
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COMING EVENTS
HGD 5th/6th Grade Parent-Child Presentation
Tuesday, Feb. 9th
Tuesday, Feb. 16th
6:30 pm in the Library
Parent-Teacher Conferences
Thursday, Feb. 11th
Friday, Feb. 10th
NO SCHOOL
Friday, Feb. 12th
NO SCHOOL
Presidents' Day
Monday, Feb. 15th
4th Grade
Living Museum
Wednesday, Feb. 17th
6th Grade Show
Thursday, Feb. 18th
6:30 pm
Friday, Feb. 19th
8:40 am
Trivia Night
Saturday, Feb 27th
Family...
Delano Art Gallery
through March
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CONFERENCE QUESTION SUGGESTIONS
For preprimary-aged children
Is my child progressing developmentally? How?
Does my child do really well in some areas that I can reinforce at home?
Does my child need special help with anything?
Does my child make friends easily?
Does my child participate in group activities?
What is my child like during the day?
What can I do at home to help?
For Kdg - 6th graders:
What aspects of school does my child appear to enjoy the most?
How well does my child get along with peers?
Does my child willingly participate in class?
Have you noticed any changes in my child’s behavior since the beginning of the year?
Where does my child fit academically in this class?
How can I best help my child? How much should I help my child?
How does my child learn best? What’s his learning style?
What is her predominant intelligence? Is there an intelligence in which she shows a real interest and which should be fostered? If so, how?
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Trivia Night
Trivia Night is officially SOLD OUT. Thank you to everyone who has reserved their table or seat! Doors open at 6:15 and the game will begin promptly at 7:00 p.m. If you would like to pay in advance ($20 per person) – it makes the registration table much less busy…you can give a check to Jami or Leslie in the Development Office. Looking forward to another great event!
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FROM LAURIE, SCHOOL COUNSELOR
Please remember that the Planned Parenthood Parent-Child human growth and development programs are coming up on the next two Tuesdays, February 9th and 16th for 5th and 6th grade parents and students. This is a two part series but even if you can only attend one and not the other, please consider joining us for whichever session you are able. The programs begin at 6:30 in the Library and childcare is available for siblings. Snacks will be served at the meeting but there will be no pizza dinner. Please let me know if you will be joining us and whether you need childcare by calling or emailing (lfalk@newcityschool.org). Thanks and hope to see you at these programs.
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ALUM and STUDENT SUCCESSES
Claudia Davis, (NCS '03), a junior at Indiana University was named to the Dean's List this past semester in the College of Arts and Sciences.
Reid Doctor, 6th grade, tied for first place in the Red Rook Tournament, and not second as was erroneously reported last week.
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