Welcome to Week 2!

Thank you for reading our newsletter! If your family is new to NES, please visit our website at http://nes.okee.k12.fl.us/ to read previous newsletters and access other important information. Parents who have an e-mail address on file in Skyward will also receive the newsletter via e-mail.



Dismissal Information

With all the rain and inclement weather, we have only had one regular dismissal. We would like to thank our families for their patience and for having the Rider Cards displayed to ensure an expedient dismissal even with rain and lightning!


If you need bus information, click on this link. Type in your home address, use the “stops” tab to find the nearest stops.

 

iReady Diagnostic Assessments

Students in grades 1-5 will start their iReady Diagnostic assessments this week. The results from these important tests will drive students’ instruction in iReady for the remainder of the semester. Please ensure that your child is at school, on time, to participate in these important assessments! 

Mon 8/16Tue 8/17Wed 8/18Thu 8/19Fri 8/20

Grade 1 ELA

Grade1 ELA

Grade 2 ELA

Grade 2 ELA

Grade 2 Math

Grade 2 Math

Grade 3 ELA

Grade 3 ELA

Grade 4 Math

Grade 4 Math

Grade 4 ELA

Grade 4 ELA

Grade 5 ELA

Grade 5 ELA

Grade 5 Math

Grade 5 Math

Students will use headphones for these assessments. Please send a pair of headphones with your child as it is an important school supply! 


Florida Kindergarten Readiness Screener

All kindergarten students will be participating in FLKRS assessment starting Wednesday this week. Parent letters will be sent home with students to help families understand this assessment. You can also visit https://www.fldoe.org/accountability/assessments/k-12-student-assessment/flkrs/ for more information on Florida Kindergarten Readiness Screener.


Student Success Lessons Start on Monday

All students at NES will participate in the Life Skills and Too Good for Violence program, facilitated by Ms. Laura Jones from New Horizons of the Treasure Coast and Okeechobee. This program promotes character values, social-emotional skills, and healthy beliefs of elementary students. It includes seven lessons that engage students through role-playing and cooperative learning games, small group activities, and classroom discussions. The first group of students to participate in these lessons are the students who have their Media Center rotations on Mondays. 

 

Let’s Talk Science!

One of our school-wide goals this year is to grow students’ curiosity and interest in Science. Most grade levels kicked off the school year by learning about the Nature of Science: inquiry, observation, and scientific method. Parents can help by participating in weekly science tasks with their child. Here are some super cool science topics for this week!

Sunday, 8/15

Monday, 8/16

  • Movie Monday: Name That Poop  
    Join SciKids as they talk about how you can observe poop in your neighborhood to figure out what kinds of animals live near you. Just don’t touch it!! Eww!!!

Tuesday, 8/17

Wednesday, 8/18

  • Word of the Week: Hoodoo
    When weathering wears away softer stones and leaves behind thin tall towers called hoodoos.

Thursday, 8/19

  • Tell your parents to take a picture of Jupiter today around midnight. This day it will be brighter than any other time of the year and will be visible all night long. This is the closest it will be to Earth.

Friday, 9/20

  • Fun Fact Friday: The nose can detect a trillion smells.

Saturday, 9/21

  • Science Experiment Saturday: Burp In a Bag
    Learn how to make a burp in a bag with this chemical reaction science experiment that is easy, fun, and loud.

Stay tuned for more science topics this year!

Lunch Menu for the Week

Monday

Chicken tenders or yogurt tray

Tuesday

BBQ chicken on bun or turkey and cheese on hoagie

Wednesday

Shepherds pie or hot dog

Thursday

Chicken patty on bun or ham and cheese sand

Friday

Cheese pinwheel or cheeseburgers

 

Clothing Donations are Appreciated!

To keep the momentum going when accidents happen, we sometimes need spare clothes. We are very low on shorts and underwear (boys and girls, all sizes). We will accept new and slightly used, clean clothes. Stretchy shorts are the best but anything will help. It is a good idea to send change of clothes with kindergarten students in their backbag daily. 

 

Free Breakfast and Lunch

Breakfast and lunch continues to be free for all students!



Important Updates


Our campus is closed for visitors outside of scheduled meetings with the front office and/or with the child’s teacher. We do invite families to visit us for scheduled meetings and Parent Information Sessions that will be held monthly. Be on the lookout for our first APTT meeting dates! Please limit all deliveries as well as items that you send with your child to items that have instructional relevance. 

School-Family Communication

School and family communication is very important to us! Our teachers are using Class DOJO or Remind for important information and additional tips for a successful school year. Since the classroom teachers will know your child the best, all academic concerns should always be directed to the teacher so that they can assist you. If a desired outcome is not reached, please contact the school office and we will be glad to assist you!


Important Documents

The following documents were shared at the Open House::

NES Student Handbook 2020 (keep - return the last page with Student-Parent-Teacher Compact with your signature)

Over The Counter Medication Form (return if authorizing medication)

Emergency Contact Information Sheet (return for all students)


Chromebook Information

Okeechobee County Schools Chromebook Handbook contains important information about our Chromebook program. Optional Chromebook Insurance is available to ensure that the device that your child is using is covered for accidental damages. Please print and complete the Chromebook Insurance form and send to school with payment by August 31. 


School Shirts

2021-2022 T-shirts are available for ordering! Place your order by clicking here: 2021-2022 NES School Shirt Pre-Order. Orders are due by August 20!


School Safety

Another safety drill will take place during the second week of school. Regular drills are held monthly to ensure that everyone on campus is familiar with the safety procedures. 

Additionally, all students have access to the Fortify FL reporting app on their Chromebooks at school. Fortify FL posters posted around campus to remind students they can report suspicious activity at anytime using the app.


Thank you for allowing us to educate your child this year!

Sincerely,
Dr. Tuuli Robinson
Principal of North Elementary School