October Newsletter
October 02, 2008
Northfield Elementary “Learning and Fun All in One”
1900 Flaten Ave Phone: (308)436-5555
Gering, NE 69341 Fax: (308)436-4352
The mission of Gering Public Schools is to develop the academic,
personal and social skills of all
students and to prepare them to be productive, responsible global
citizens of the 21st century.
October 2, 2008
Dear Parents and Guardians,
It has been a fantastic first month of school! As I walk through the building observing teaching and learning, I am impressed everyday with the excellent teaching/support staff and students we have at Northfield Elementary. This is truly an amazing school.
NORTHFIELD BOOSTER CLUB
At the September Booster Club meeting the members discussed the
need for air conditioning in the classrooms. Officers met with Mr.
Hague to discuss a long term plan for air conditioning in all
classrooms using chocolate sale monies.
Please plan on attending the October 13th Booster Club meeting at
6:30 p.m. in the library to further discuss this agenda item.
TAKE HOME FOLDERS
To improve communication between the school and home, a first day
of school folder was sent home. There are very important documents
in this folder. Please take the time to review them. Thank you
OFFICE
Be sure to stop in at the office FIRST whenever coming to
Northfield Elementary School. Our secretary, Mrs. Ellen Schnell
will assist you. Mrs. Lois Cecava, our School Nurse and Mr. Matt
Janecek, our Guidance Counselor are also located in the office and
are available to assist you if needed.
VISITORS and VOLUNTEERS
Visitors, parents, and volunteers are asked to wear a visitors
badge when in the building. If you would like to speak with a
teacher or the principal, we would request that an appointment in
advance be made. Please be respectful of instructional time. Thank
you
SCHOOL SAFETY
We are once again reminded of the importance of school safety. At
Northfield Elementary, we address a balance between sufficient
building security and providing students a healthy, nurturing,
normal school environment. We reinforce the importance of school
safety by creating a caring school community in which adults and
students respect and trust
each other. Below is a list of school prevention safety activities
that are/will be enlisted at Northfield.
1. Limited access to the school building. Once students are inside
the school building (7:50 a.m.) the doors will be locked. The only
entrance unlocked will be the southwest door. Doors will be locked
throughout the school day.
2. Students will be monitored and supervised in the hallways,
cafeteria, classrooms, and playground. A security camera is in use
in the building.
3. School guests will report to the office, sign in, and wear
badges. All unfamiliar people will be reported to the office. All
school personnel will wear ID badges daily.
4. The Gering Public School District has developed a Crisis
Response Plan that is designed to minimize danger to anyone
occupying a school should an emergency occur. Our main objective is
to attend to the health and welfare of your children in the event
of a crisis.
In most emergencies your children will remain and be cared for at
the school he/she attends. In the rare event of an emergency
affecting the school your child attends that prohibits re-entry to
the building (such as a broken gas or water main, a fire or toxic
chemical spill), elementary students will be transported via school
transportation to the nearest and most appropriate school building.
Junior and senior high students may be dismissed to return home for
the day.
We ask that you follow this procedure if you hear of any school
emergency:
• TURN ON YOUR RADIO OR TELEVISION. We will keep the media informed
in any emergency.
• PLEASE DO NOT TELEPHONE THE SCHOOL. We have limited phone lines.
These MUST be used to respond to the emergency.
• PLEASE DO NOT COME TO THE SCHOOL UNLESS REQUESTED TO PICK UP YOUR
CHILD AT SCHOOL. Any emergency involving your child’s school may
mean emergency vehicles and workers must be able to get to the
building. If the emergency necessitates relocation of staff and
students you will be informed via the media.
PLEASE GLUE THIS INFORMATION INSIDE THE COVER OF YOUR PHONE BOOK,
OR ATTACH IT TO THE FRONT OF YOUR REFRIGERATOR.
5. Fire drills, intruder alert drills, and weather drills will
be practiced.
6. A safe, supportive school climate is provided that includes
school-wide behavioral expectations, and positive intervention and
supports (conflict management, social skill development, positive
behavioral support system strategies).
7. Students are encouraged to take responsibility for their part in
maintaining a safe school environment (compliance with school
rules, reporting potential problems to school officials and
resisting peer pressure to act irresponsibly).
8. Students are signed in and out of the building when leaving or
entering. Please come to the office where the sheets are
located.
Northfield Elementary is a safe place and this will continue in
the future. Open communication between home and school is critical
to the safety and well – being of our students and your children.
Let us know if you have a concern about school policies or your
child’s safety.
SOCIAL SKILLS
Teaching social skills is an integral part of our day. They are the
life tools an individual needs to successfully survive in society.
Whether we are trying to keep a job, or simply keeping our friends,
we must possess the necessary skills to interact successfully with
others. Academic achievement does not ensure success in society –
especially if the student lacks appropriate social skills. At
Northfield we will continue to teach/review social skills with our
students. We realize the benefit these life tools create for
students. During October, students will learn the social skills
“Interrupting in a Nice Way” and “Correcting Mistakes.”
The steps students will review/learn:
“Interrupting in a Nice Way”
1. Look at the person.
2. Wait for the other person to respond.
3. Follow the instructions from that person.
4. Tell the person why you interrupted
“Correcting Mistakes”
1. Look at the person.
2. Listen to what you did wrong.
3. Say “Okay.”
4. If possible, do it over the right way.
Please visit with your child about these skills and practice them
at home. We
will keep you informed each month as to the skills we are reviewing
and learning.
PARENT – TEACHER – STUDENT CONFERENCES
Parent-Teacher-Student Conferences will be held October 27, 28, and
29. Please read attached note.
FOSTER GRANDPARENT PROGRAM
This school year we have five wonderful Foster Grandparent
volunteers assisting staff and students daily. These five ladies:
Mrs. Nonie Heil, Mrs. Margie Walker, Mrs. Marge St. Germain, Mrs.
Donna Meyer, and Mrs. Lenore Anderson enrich the lives of many
students and staff member throughout the day. The Foster
Grandparent program has been in existence since 1965. The program’s
purpose is to empower seniors to enrich their lives and the lives
of children they serve. The Foster Grandparent Program currently
has volunteer sites in Elementary and Secondary Schools,
Preschools, Head Start Centers; and in Day Care centers throughout
the nine county area of western Nebraska. If you are interested in
finding out more about this worthwhile program, please call the
school office.
ITEMS TO SAVE
Continue to save Panhandle Coop receipts, Campbell’s soup labels,
old cell phones, Kemps Bottle caps, Box Top receipts and used
computer printer cartridges. Students may bring these to school at
any time and deposit them in the correct container by the school
office. Thank you for supporting these programs.
TELEPHONE
This year 360 students and 66 staff members attend Northfield
Elementary. As you can imagine, our telephones are very busy. We
are asking for your assistance in not calling school to give a
message to your child unless it is an emergency. When your child
leaves in the morning make sure he/she knows what to do for lunch
and after school.
CHANNEL 12
Channel 12 on cable television will post the weekly activities at
Northfield. A lunch and breakfast menu is posted as well as monthly
happenings.
RED RIBBON WEEK
October 23-30 has been designated as Red Ribbon Week. Throughout
the United States school children will be taking part in activities
that reinforce anti-drug issues. The effort began after the 1985
torture and murder of Drug Enforcement Agent Enrique Camarena by
drug warlords. Friends and family in Carmena’s hometown of
Calexico, California, started a movement to honor him and stop the
destruction caused by drugs. Carmena Clubs were formed there in
which members pledged to live drug free. A red ribbon became the
symbol of this fight against drug abuse. Parent associations in
other areas took up the fight and adopted the red ribbon symbol.
The movement gained national attention. In 1988, the United States
Congress proclaimed Red Ribbon Week, and Nancy Reagan, then First
Lady, served as Honorary Chairperson. Now, more than 100,000
schools and civic organizations participate. As parents, you can
support this week by wearing a red ribbon, displaying red ribbons,
setting a good example, practicing ways to say NO to drugs,
planning drug free family activities, and by pledging to lead a
drug free life.
FRESH FRUIT AND VEGETABLE PROGRAM
Thank you parents for the positive feedback on the FFVP. The
students have tasted/eaten dried cherries, papaya, kiwi fruit,
pomegranates, asparagus, broccoli, and cauliflower plus many more
fruits and vegetables. We have also learned many new interesting
facts about the fruit and vegetable we eat during the day. Please
ask your child to share information learned about the snacks eaten
daily.
ARRIVAL
Again, we are asking for your cooperation in making sure that your
child arrives at school after 7:35 a.m. as there is no supervision
until then. Also, if you bring your child to school or pick him/her
up after school, please do not park in the driveway in front of the
school. We need to keep this driveway clear for all of the busses
that drive through to load and unload students. Also, please make
sure your child uses the crosswalk when crossing the street. If you
have questions or concerns, please call 436-5555.
Sincerely,
Pam Barker
Pam Barker, Principal
October Happenings:
Monday-Friday, Oct. 6-10……….Fire Prevention Week
Wednesday, Oct. 8…………………2:00 Dismissal
2:15 Staff meeting
Monday-Friday, Oct. 13-17……..National School Lunch Week
Monday, Oct. 13…………………….4th grade Flowerfield – Manasek
6:30 Booster Club meeting
Tuesday, Oct 14…………………….7:10 a.m. ALL PRO DAD’s Breakfast
4th grade Flowerfield – Rueb
Wednesday, Oct. 15……………….2:00 Dismissal
2:15 Staff meeting
Thursday, Oct. 16………………….Spirit Day – Wear Hats
Friday, Oct. 17………………………Teacher Work Day
NO STUDENTS
Monday-Friday, Oct. 20-24……..National School Bus Safety Week
Monday, Oct. 20……………………School Board meeting
Tuesday, Oct. 21…………………..12:30 Chuck Elley with 6th Grade in
Gym
Wednesday, Oct. 22……………….12:00 Dismissal
12:30 Staff meeting at High School
Thurs. Oct. 23 – Thurs. Oct.30 ……..Red Ribbon Week
Monday, Oct. 27…………………….Parent-Teacher –Student Conference
3:30 – 5:00 and 6:00 – 7:30 p.m.
Thursday, Oct. 30………………….Halloween Parties
Monthly/Quarterly Assembly
Friday, Oct. 31……………………..NO SCHOOL
