New City School

NO SCHOOL Friday, February 12th, NSAS available
NO SCHOOL Monday, February 15th, No NSAS available

The fourth grade's rummage sale was a huge success last week, and the fourth grade is able to give the Red Cross a sizeable donation for their relief efforts in Haiti.  Beginning today, and running through the end of next week, the fourth grade is sponsoring another sale.  This time you will find a number of paintings, some framed and some on canvas which have been donated by an NCS parent.  These paintings are in the Lake Avenue lobby area, as well as along the first floor hallway.  If you see a painting that you like, please put your donation ($5 or $10 minimum donation) in the envelope provided, and give it to Joyce (or whoever is sitting at the receptionist desk).  If you want to pay by check, please make it out to the American Red Cross.  Once you've paid, you may take the painting with you. 

 
This photo was taken by 5th grader Suleman Burrows as part of his Art class' study of photography.  He chose this subject to illustrate the design element of balance.

How were your conferences?  Did you leave feeling your child's teacher knows his/her strengths?  Were your concerns adequately addressed?  Did you develop a plan together for how you can support your child in reaching his/her goals?  If needed, do you now have new ways to help your child overcome the challenges facing him/her?  Conferences are the time for us to share how we see your child's progress in school. They are meant to be an opportunity to talk WITH your child's teacher about ways to help your child meet his/her potential.  Hopefully we have accomplished all of the above, but if we have not, please feel free to contact your child's teacher to continue your conversation.  We all want the best for each one of our students, and working together with you is the best way to meet this goal.

I recently came across an organization called the Search Institute whose 50-year mission has been to discover what kids need to be successful, not just in school, but in life.  (Where have you heard that before?)  There are a number of good articles on their website, so I think it's worth your time to take a look at what they have:  www.search-institute.org.

This Institute provides a newsletter with parent tips on how to help children develop their assets, those tools which represent the rlationships, opportunities and personal qualities that young people need to thrive.  Below is the eight overarching themes under which everything else will fit:

• Supporting and loving your child;
• Empowering your child;
• Setting clear and realistic boundaries and expectations;
• Helping your child use free time in meaningful, constructive ways;
• Encouraging your child to develop a lifetime commitment to learning;
• Instilling in your child positive values;
• Developing social competencies in your child
• Encouraging your child to forge a positive identity

This is not unlike what we mean when we say that developing the Personal Inteligences is such an important foundation for learning.  Below is a modified checklist for you to consider about your own child.  There is no standardized scoring; just give yourself a point for each "Yes" answer.  A perfect score here is a 20; the longer checklist on the website includes 40 statements.  Obviously, our goal is always to achieve 100%, but don't beat up on yourself if that is not the score you received; instead, use the results to consider other ways you can help your child grow and flourish. 

This photo was taken by Julien Stair and illustrates the design element of line.

The fifth grade Art program this year is focused on photography and all the elements of what makes a good photo special.  Through the activities that Shannah facilitates, the students are asked how they might use photography to reflect their place in the world.  Photography relates in many ways to the 5th grade theme of perspectives and is used to help the boys and girls observe, reflect, and communicate, always with a focus on visual literacy. They will continue photography in art until the end of the year with a culminating gallery show and portfolio to showcase their work.  Included here are several of the students' photos, each focused on a different visual element, such as space, lines or color.

Many families will soon be celebrating the Lunar New Year. This may be known by different names depending upon the culture, country or community celebrating. Tet (Vietnam) and Solnal (Korea) are celebrations that are typically of a smaller scale in the Unites States than Chinese New Year, but are festive occasions filled with tradition.

The Chinese New Year is celebrated on the first day of the First Moon of the lunar calendar. This New Year will be the Year of the Tiger and will begin February 14th. It will be year 4708 on the Chinese calendar.  Legend has it that in ancient times, Buddha asked all the animals to meet him on Chinese New Year. Twelve came, and Buddha named a year after each one. People born in each animal's year are believed to share that animal's personality. Those born in Tiger years are said to be emotional, sensitive and capable of great love. Tigers have a tendency to be a bit stubborn and may be viewed as rebels. The Vietnamese zodiac has similar traits assigned to animal years, though the hare is replaced with a cat.

Families prepare for Lunar New Year’s festivities by cleaning house, sweeping out dust and dirt along with bad luck, and decorating for visits from family and friends. Purchasing new clothes, paying off debts and resolving differences and conflicts with family members and friends are similarities among the celebrations.  How does your family celebrate Lunar New Year?  I would love to hear from you!

This photo was shot by Reggie Crawford
and illustrates the design element of texture.

Last Thursday, all the classroom winners in Boggle had a Final Showdown with Betsy Blankenship.   Betsy faced off against 12 students and although all the students did a great job, Betsy won against 11 of them.  For an unbelievable 5^th year in a row , however, Betsy was beaten by Jessica Ryan.  Jessica’s run in Boggle has been impressive.  Betsy will be treating her to lunch in the near future.  Congratulations to Jessica!

As is the case with each game tournament, we also conduct a corresponding T-shirt design contest in which students use their spatial intelligence to create a drawing to best represent the particular game. Students in all grades then vote for their favorite illustration.  The winning design this year was created by Meg Corbett.  Kudos to her!  You might see students wearing these cool shirts around the school; if so, take note of Meg's wonderful drawing.                  

1.     My child receives a lot of love and support from family members.
2.     My child and I communicate positively, and he/she is willing to seek me out for advice and support. 
3.     My child feels empowered to make decisions that directly affect him/her.
4.     Our family has clear rules and consequences, and consistently follows through with them. 
5.     I model positive, responsible, respectful behavior. 
6.     My child’s best friends model positive, respectful behavior.
7.     I encourage my child to give his/her personal best effort at all times.
8.     My child spends time each week engaged in music, theater or other arts.
9.     My child spends time each week in sports, clubs or organizations.
10.   My child likes to learn new things.
11.   My child wants to do well in school for him/herself, not just for me.
12.   My child tells the truth even when it is not easy.
13.   My child accepts and takes personal responsibility.
14.   My child knows how to plan ahead and make choices.
15.   My child is good at making and keeping friends.
16.   My child seeks to resolve conflicts non-violently.
17.   My child feels good about herself or himself.
18.   My child reads for pleasure three or more hours each week.
19.   My child acts on convictions and stands up for his/her beliefs.
20.   My child places high value on helping others.