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newsletter Principal Update

FEBRUARY 2015

Monthly newsletters

are digital only

(email and website)

We have a lot to be proud of at Niwot Elementary! We have amazing students that come to school prepared to work hard every single day. We have an outstanding staff that puts in long hours to assure the best education for our students, and we have involved parents that support all aspects of our school. Thank you to everyone for the part you play in making Niwot Elementary the best school in the state! Niwot Elementary was recently awarded the John Irwin School of Excellence Award, which is given to schools that demonstrate excellent academic achievement. We were honored to receive this award again, but at the same time we know we can’t settle with where we are and we will continue to strive to achieve at an even higher level. I hope you have had a positive learning celebration with your child. Classroom teachers have worked very hard to make these purposeful and meaningful for the students and parents. Classroom teachers have conducted multiple assessments to have a clear picture of where their students are and where they need to be. This time of year tends to be a period of significant academic growth for children and a time we want to take advantage of as educators. Thank you for all of your support to help make the new traffic plan a huge success. We have heard many compliments about it, and we have

been able to change things as we go to make it even better than expected. We have noticed that Kiss & Catch #2 (the one closest to the school) is very busy and congested in both the mornings and afternoons. Please consider dropping off and picking up at the Kiss & Catch #1. Please remember to talk to your child about the changes of plans after school if you choose to now pick-up at Kiss and Catch #1. Hopefully if some families are willing to help out with this we will be able to find a better balance. We will be busy with state testing in the months of March, April, & May. Please see the enclosed schedule for testing dates. I would like to thank parents in advance for assuring students are present on testing days and that they are rested and encouraged to demonstrate all they have learned this year and in years past. Although the testing window is longer than years past, each grade level will actually be testing fewer days overall. Finally, please remember to send your students to school prepared for the weather. Students will go outside (before school and at recess) if it’s above 15 degrees, Continued on p. 8...

"Freezing

cold winds,

biting chills, and

white snow fluffed hills

Valentines day, oh how

gay!

presidents' day is coming our way.

February, sweet and small, greatest month of

all."

- Eric Lies, 28 Word Poem for February

Additional

Information to share

(pages 11-12)

Community

School Update

(page 8)

Important Dates

& Contacts,

Lunch Menu

(pages 9-10)

Announcements

and Updates

(pages 2-3)

PTAC Update

(page 4)

Mwebaza

Partnership

News

(pages 5-7)

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ANNOUNCEMENTS AND UPDATES MUSIC NOTES: Music Concert Dates

2nd Grade

Thursday, February 26th, 6:00 p.m.

Niwot High School Auditorium

Students should meet in the Choir Room

at NHS by

5:45 p.m.

5th Grade

Thursday, February 26th, 7:00 p.m.

Niwot High School Auditorium

Students should meet in the Choir Room at NHS by

6:45 p.m.

___________________________________________

VALENTINE PARTIES • Classroom Valentine Parties

will be on Friday, February 13th from 2:45-3:30pm. Please contact your child’s teacher or room parent for more details!

___________________________________________

Please Be Prepared!! In the snow and cold weather of winter, we still go outside unless it’s below 15 degrees and/or the wind chill is dangerous so PLEASE remember snow attire—boots, pants, AND don’t forget shoes for PE!

From the Art From the Art From the Art From the Art

Room:Room:Room:Room:

I hope all families will get a chance to see our students' artwork on display during Niwot's upcoming Learning Celebrations!

All students will have art on display at school during this time, in place of a school art show later in the year. Please ask your student(s) to show and tell you about their art while you are here together. ___________________________________________

NOTE FROM PRESCHOOL

Preschool registration

continues for 2015-16

Please see Hannah Sigg for more information.

She can be reached at 303-652-8185 or at

sigg_hannah@svvsd.org.

Also looking for outside tricycles donations!

___________________________________

FROM THE HEALTH ROOM

Unisex Clothing Needed

The health office needs—it’s the wet and muddy season!

Plain tops Pull on bottoms Boys underwear & socks

LOST AND

FOUND

Please check out the lost and found at school for those missing things from home—jackets, hats, boots, gloves, etc…..It’s getting mon-strous again!! And winter is not over yet!!

NOTE FROM THE FRONT OFFICE

Parents - Please do not drop off your students be-fore 8:50 in the morning. We do not have supervision before that time. We will be calling to ask you to come back and pick your student up if they arrive too early in the morning. And…if your student is sick or out of school, please call the front office to ad-vise. It is not sufficient to email the teacher as an unknown absence needs to be addressed immediately and teachers are not always on their email during the day.

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Kiss ‘n Catch Update/Reminders

NO illegal U-turns NO walking outside of the crosswalks NO standing still in lanes—keep it moving! (NO texting, talking on cell, not paying attention!!)

We do have 2 Kiss ‘n Catch Lanes—the original (#1) and the new (#2) in the very front of school. If you arrive from the west on Morton, you should use Lane #2; if you arrive from the east on Morton, you should use Lane #1. We have experienced much improvement in our traffic situation; however, we have noticed the pronounced use of Lane#2 over Lane #1 which is causing back-up. Please mind the route you should be using and/or consider using Lane#1 in our effort to balance the flow!

TESTING SCHEDULE SPRING 2015

Third Grade:

Math—3/13, 3/16; 5/7 & 5/8 ELA—3/25, 3/26 & 3/27; 5/11

Fourth Grade:

Math—3/11 & 3/12; 5/4 & 5/5 ELA—3/20, 3/23,& 3/24; 5/13 Social Studies—4/20, 4/21 & 4/22

Fifth Grade:

Math—3/9 & 3/10; 4/27, 4/29 ELA—3/17, 3/18 & 3/19; 4/30 Science—4/14, 4/15 & 4/16

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PTAC UPDATE

Happy New Year! I hope your 2015 is off to a positive start. PTAC kicked off the year with a very constructive conversation on students and technology at our January meeting. SVVSD CIO Joe McBreen provided some helpful tools that parents can use to manage technology in their families’ lives and the gathering offered a great forum for parents to share their questions and strategies with the rest of our community. If you missed it, the documents shared that evening are posted here, on the PTAC website. In the FUN department, it was wonderful to see all of the brave, talented kids participate in this year’s Talent Show. A HUGE thank you goes out to the PTAC Talent Show committee, Lisa Verbeck, Stacee McGovern and Liz Napp, for putting together such an efficient, seamless event. It is such a gift to our students. Coming up this month are the second round of CU Science Assemblies on February 4th, an NES PTAC Parent Survey in which we hope everyone will participate (more information to come soon), and our annual Mwebaza celebrations. This year, in addition to Mwebaza Day (February 19th), there will be a Mwebaza Parent Information night during which we will have the opportunity to Skype directly with Ms. Namatovu in Uganda! We have rescheduled the monthly PTAC meeting from Tuesday, 2/17, to Wednesday, 2/18, to correspond with this meaningful event. The PTAC meeting will begin at 7pm and will be followed immediately by the Mwebaza presentation at 7:30pm. Lastly, though there is a lot of school left this year, this is the time when the PTAC begins looking for new members to join the PTAC Board. Our Nominating Committee has been formed (thank you Jennifer Wilby, Mary Klingbeil and Christie Zingerman!) and would love to hear from you if you are interested in a position. Please contact Jennifer Wilby with questions or to throw your hat in the ring! Wishing you a “lovely” February, Hadley Solomon 2014-2015 NES PTAC President

"The February sunshine steeps your boughs and

tints the buds and swells the leaves within."

- William C. Bryant

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NIWOT-MWEBAZA

SISTERSCHOOLUPDATE

Nsanyuse nnyo okubalaba!Nsanyuse nnyo okubalaba!Nsanyuse nnyo okubalaba!Nsanyuse nnyo okubalaba! (“Nice to meet you! in the Luganda language of our pen pals)

SPECIAL “MWEBAZA DAY” SKYPE SESSION FOR PARENTS TO FOLLOW PTAC MEETINGSPECIAL “MWEBAZA DAY” SKYPE SESSION FOR PARENTS TO FOLLOW PTAC MEETINGSPECIAL “MWEBAZA DAY” SKYPE SESSION FOR PARENTS TO FOLLOW PTAC MEETINGSPECIAL “MWEBAZA DAY” SKYPE SESSION FOR PARENTS TO FOLLOW PTAC MEETING

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 18 AT 7:30 P.M.

This year, we wanted to give parents a better opportunity to learn about the Niwot-Mwebaza partnership and the positive impact Niwot families have had on Mwebaza School and the village of Kyengera, Uganda. Thus, we will be having a special presentation for parents at 7:30 p.m. in the Library on Wednesday, February 18 (the night before Mwebaza Day on Thursday, February 19.) This session will follow a special Thursday-night edition of this month’s PTAC meeting. The half-hour PTAC meeting begins at 7:00. Parents may attend both the PTAC meeting and the Mwebaza presentation, or one or the other. Childcare will be available for those attending. To reserve childcare, please email vpniwot-ptac@gmail.com and let them know how many children will be coming so they can be sure there are enough sitters. At the Mwebaza presentation, Mr. Peterson will present a brief slide show about the Mwebaza partnership, followed by a Skype session between parents and Mwebaza School Headmistress, Ms. Namatovu Catherine. Ms. Namatovu has wanted an opportunity to express her gratitude to parents in our community, and this Skype session will allow her to do so, and give parents the opportunity to ask any questions they may have for her. Mwebaza Foundation Development Assistant, Devaki Douillard, is currently working in Uganda, and will be with Ms. Namatovu during the parent Skype session. (In Uganda, it will be 5:00 a.m. on the 19th when the Skype session is taking place!) Parents will also get to sample the “obutunda’ – passionfruit juice – that will be served to students on Mwebaza Day. Obutunda is used in Uganda to celebrate special occasions. Please mark your calendars for this special, cross-cultural, community event! Hope to see you there!

MWEBAZA DAY: A DAY OF KINDNESS, GENEROSITY, AND GRATITUDE

“Mwebaza Day,” is a celebration of the partnership between Niwot and Mwebaza Schools and an affirmation of the values we share. Mwebaza Day has become an annual tradition at Niwot Elementary. This year, Mwebaza Day will be held on Thursday, February 19. The day will begin with student assemblies featuring a transatlantic Skype session where students from Niwot and Mwebaza Schools will perform several songs for one another. After the songs and greetings, a Boulder County marimba band – the Low Flying Knobs - will entertain students with African music. Later in the day, students will participate in a reflective writing assignment, read special Africa-themed books, and partake in a traditional passionfruit juice toast to our friendship with the children of Mwebaza School. An assembly for Kindergarten, first, and second graders will be held from 9:15 – 10:00, and a second assembly for third, fourth, and fifth graders will be held from 10:15 – 11:00. Parents are welcome to attend the assemblies.

BLOGGING HER WAY THROUGH UGANDA

Mwebaza Foundation Development Assistant, Devaki Douillard, is currently working in Kenya and Uganda. She is conducting oversight on Mwebaza Foundation projects including the establishment of a sustainable lunch program at Empakasi School in Kenya, installation of doors and windows at St. Paul School in Uganda, the completion of the roof at the middle school being built for Mwebaza students, and the construction of a solar power system at St. Paul School, identical to a system we plan on installing at Mwebaza’s future middle school in the future. She is working with Mwebaza staff to purchase a parcel of land adjacent to the middle school property that can be used as a playground and a garden space. Devaki is keeping a blog while in Africa. She posts something new every few days. You can follow her adventures at: http://mwebazafoundation2015.blogspot.com/ .

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UPCOMING EVENTS Wednesday, February 18, 7:00 – 8:00 p.m. – Presentation for parents on Niwot-Mwebaza partnership and Skype session with Ms. Namatovu Thursday, February 19 – “Mwebaza Day” assembly including Skyping with Ugandan pen pals and African musical performance Wednesday, February 25, 3:30 – 6:00 p.m. – Mwebaza Used Children’s Book Sale (see ad on the previous page) Wednesday, May 6 – Mwebaza Jog-a-thon fundraiser with Cold Stone fundraiser after school (ice cream served by NES Staff)

Ms. Namatovu from Uganda leads Niwot students in a dance. Parents will have the opportunity to Skype with Ms. Namatovu at a Mwebaza Presentation for Parents on Wednesday, February 18 at 7:00 p.m.

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Continued from p. 1…..

so it’s important that they have proper winter/snow attire. Also don’t forget to pack proper shoes for PE. Thank you for your ongoing support! Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions or concerns. Nancy Pitz Principal . Our Mission: Foster lifelong learning. Promote respect.

Nurture each other.

COMMUNITY SCHOOL

February 4th is a PLC morning. Childcare will be offered from 9:00 am – 11:30 am. Look for new Community School classes starting soon!! • Webkinz • Cartooning • Chillaxed • Little Legos • Time Machine Island Check Community Schools section of the school website for times and registration forms. Please contact Jennifer Novick with any questions regarding classes—

720-652-8063 or novick_jennifer@svvsd.org.

Happy Valentines Day from Niwot Community School!

"I'm a li�le groundhog, it's my day. Wake and stretch, go out and play. Down in my burrow, down so deep,

Time to wake, from my long winter's sleep. Grumble, grumble, scratch, scratch,

Grunt, grunt, yawn. I'll eat my breakfast in your front lawn.

I'm a li�le groundhog, it's my day. Wake up and stretch, go out and play.'

- Author Unknown

Late Start Wednesday,

February 4th

CU Science Discovery will again be

conducting grade level interactive

presentations with our students!

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IMPORTANT NUMBERS

Niwot Elementary School

303.652.2828

Transportation Services

303.776.6200

Community School

720.652.8065

Pre-School

720.652.8066

IMPORTANT DATES

More information available on our

web site calendar

• Feb. 3rd, 4-7pm – Kinder & 3rd Grade

Learning Celebrations

Feb. 4th—Late Start—school starts at

11:30am; it’s also Box Tops Collection Day!

• Feb. 5th, 4-7pm — 3rd & 5th Grade Learning

Celebrations

• Feb. 5th—Equations Contest at Trail Ridge

Middle School

• Feb. 7th, 9am—Regional Spelling Bee at

Monarch High School

• Feb. 13th—VALENTINE PARTIES in

classrooms, 2:45-3:30pm

• Feb. 16th—NO SCHOOL– Presidents’ Day

• Feb. 18th—PTAC Meeting & Mwebaza

Parent Presentation, 7-8:30pm in Library

• Feb. 19th—Mwebaza Day

• Feb. 26th—2nd Grade Concert, 6pm;

5th Grade Concert, 7pm

• Feb. 25th—Mwebaza Book Sale, 3:30-6pm,

Niwot Elementary Gym

• Feb. 27th—NO Student Contact Day, No

School, Teacher Work Day

And looking ahead:

Mar. 3rd-13th—Cougar Climb in the gym!

"Winter is the time for comfort,

for good food and warmth, for

the touch of a friendly hand and

for a talk beside the fire: it is the

time for home."

- Edith Sitwell

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Presidents Day (also called Washington's Birthday) is celebrated in the USA on the third Monday of February. It is a Federal holiday in the USA. George Washington's birthday was originally designated a national holiday in 1885, but its date was changed by Congress in

1971. The official US holiday is meant to honor only George Washington, but many people consider President's Day a day to honor both George Washington (born on Feb. 22, 1732) and Abraham Lincoln (born on Feb. 12, 1809). Presidents Day (also called Washington's

Birthday) is celebrated in the USA on the third Monday of February. It is a Federal holiday in the USA. George Washington's birthday was originally designated a national holiday in 1885,

but its date was changed by Congress in 1971.

“Be sure to put your feet in the right

place, then stand firm”.

Abraham Lincoln

“Happiness and moral duty are inseparably

connected”.

George Washington

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