Elementary Parent Newsletter
January 2025
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Dear Tiger Families,
Happy New Year! We are excited to welcome everyone back as we kick off the second half of the school year with renewed energy and focus. We hope you enjoyed a wonderful holiday break filled with family and fun. As we step into the new year, we are committed to continuing our focus on academic excellence and student growth, making 2025 a year full of learning and success for all.
There are so many exciting things happening around our school! Our BETA Club, Kindness Club and Student Council have been actively engaged in leadership and service activities, setting a wonderful example for our school community. We are proud to see our students shining in these programs while continuing to stay committed to their academics.
Attendance remains a top priority, and we are proud of the great strides we’ve made in improving our attendance rates. Consistent attendance is vital to student success, and we appreciate your continued support in ensuring your child is at school each day, ready to learn. Thank you for being such a positive part of our school community and for partnering with us to make this year incredible!
We are thrilled to see tremendous academic growth across all grade levels! Many of our grade levels have successfully completed Module 1 of the Wit and Wisdom curriculum, building strong foundations in reading, writing, and critical thinking. As we move into Module 2, we encourage parents to engage with their children by asking about the exciting new concepts they are exploring. To continue this momentum, we emphasize the importance of reading at home each night and practicing basic math facts regularly. Simple, fun activities like flashcards or math games can make a big difference in building confidence and skills. Thank you for supporting your child’s learning journey!
Sincerely,
Mrs. Witt Mr. Crowder
K- 3 Principal 4th & 5th grade Principal
Director of Student Services Transportation Director
Important Dates:
January 13th - 17th - I Ready Winter Diagnostic
January 20th- No School
January 24h - Honors Assembly
Kindergarten and First grade - 12:15 pm
Second and Third grade - 1:15 pm
Fourth and Fifth grade - 2:10 pm
January 31st- Last day of January House Challenge
Wit & Wisdom Update: Book tastings and more!
We are excited to share our progress in Wit and Wisdom! Kindergarten, Second, Third, and Fourth grades have all successfully completed Module One and are eager to begin their next modules. The dedication and enthusiasm our students have shown in their learning journey so far have been inspiring. Each grade level has worked hard to build foundational skills and deepen their understanding through the rich texts and meaningful discussions embedded in the curriculum.
To celebrate the transition into the new modules, many grade levels hosted a book tasting event. During these engaging activities, students explored a variety of new texts and participated in creative exercises that sparked their curiosity and excitement for the upcoming lessons. We are so proud of the effort and positivity our students continue to bring to their learning, and we look forward to seeing even more growth and success as the year progresses
Kindness Club
The Kindness Club, led by the compassionate school counselor Miss Eggleston, is making a powerful impact by spreading positivity and kindness throughout the school community. This dedicated group of students has participated in heartwarming activities such as the Candy Cane Kindness Challenge, where they encouraged small acts of kindness during the holiday season. They also created heartfelt Christmas cards for military members overseas, bringing cheer and gratitude to those serving far from home. Currently, the club is making efforts toward establishing a Buddy Bench, promoting friendship and inclusion on the playground. Their commitment to making a difference truly embodies the spirit of kindness and service!
The Kindness Club, led by school counselor Miss Eggleston, is excited to launch the Bags for Buddies project, a recycling initiative that teaches students the importance of caring for their environment and working hard to achieve a shared goal. The club has entered a recycling challenge with the goal of collecting 1,000 pounds of plastic. If successful, the school will receive a recycled bench to be used as a “Buddy Bench” for Newton Falls students. A Buddy Bench serves as a safe space for students who need a friend. When someone sits on the bench, classmates are encouraged to reach out by saying hello, starting a conversation, or inviting them to play. Through this project, the Kindness Club hopes to spread positivity, build a stronger sense of community, and inspire students to make a difference.
Mrs. Koehrsen's Class Called to Action
The students in Mrs. Koehrsen’s Kindergarten class at Newton Falls Elementary were inspired to take action after their teacher read them the book Last Stop on Market Street by Matt de la Peña. In the story, a young boy named CJ and his grandmother take the bus across town after church, witnessing the challenges faced by those less fortunate in their community.
Moved by the book's message of empathy, kindness and helping others, the children decided to organize a food drive to benefit the Warren Family Mission, a local organization that provides meals, shelter and support services to individuals and families in need. Over the next few weeks, the students will work together to collect the donated canned goods, pasta, cereal, peanut butter and other shelf-stable foods.
ABC Club
Save the date for the ABC Club's Father-Daughter Dance on February 21st! Get ready for an unforgettable evening filled with music, laughter, and cherished memories. This special event promises fun for all, so mark your calendars and stay tuned—more details are coming soon!
Spelling Bee
The Newton Falls Elementary/Middle School recently held its annual spelling bee, featuring 30 dedicated participants from grades 3 through 5. Students competed with both pride and respectful sportsmanship, showcasing the hard work they put into preparing for this exciting event. Each contestant gave an outstanding performance, demonstrating their commitment to academic excellence. A special thank you goes to Mrs. Thompson for hosting the event and ensuring everything ran smoothly.
We also extend our gratitude to our judges: Miss Hartung, Mrs. Holesko, Miss Perrine, and Miss Eggleston, for their time and careful attention during the competition. Congratulations to our spelling bee winner, 5th-grade student E'Siah Reed, for his impressive achievement! Additional congratulations go to our 2nd place winner, 4th-grade student Jeremy Elza, and our 3rd place winner, Stella Coffee-Monty. E'Siah will continue to represent Newton Falls Elementary/Middle School in upcoming competitions. Best of luck, E'Siah – we are proud of you!
BETA Club
The BETA Club had a busy and rewarding December filled with impactful service projects. Their shoe drive continued successfully, surpassing 100 bags collected. They also held a Browns vs. Steelers fundraiser benefiting the Voices of the Trumbull Pound Dogs, raising an impressive $212.25 for the cause.
Students showed their holiday spirit by making Christmas cards for local nursing home residents and spreading cheer during a visit where they created festive crafts together. Additionally, five members assisted with the high school National Honor Society’s Elf Party, and several members rang the Salvation Army bell at Shop ‘n Save, raising nearly $300 for the organization. To top it off, 10 members volunteered at the Fairhaven Winter Wonderland event at the Eastwood Event Center on December 7.
Looking ahead, our members are hard at work preparing for the state BETA Convention in Columbus on February 13. They are collaborating on various projects for the competitions and demonstrating their continued commitment to leadership and service. We’re so proud of their dedication and can't wait to see their hard work shine at the upcoming event!
Thank you to Mrs. Sembach for your tremendous leadership of these young students!
Leader In Me: Habit 5 Seek First to Understand, Then to Be Understood
Leader in Me Habit 5, Seek First to Understand, Then to Be Understood, emphasizes the importance of active listening and empathy in effective communication. It encourages individuals to genuinely listen to others' perspectives without interrupting or forming a response while the other person is speaking. By prioritizing understanding, people can build trust, strengthen relationships, and reduce misunderstandings. Once someone feels heard and valued, they are more likely to be open and receptive to your ideas. This habit fosters respectful dialogue and helps create a positive, collaborative environment where everyone’s voice matters.
Family Resource:
Pawsitive Office Referrals
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