Elementary Parent Newsletter
May 2025
May 2025
Dear Tiger Families,
As we approach the final weeks of the school year, we want to take a moment to thank you for your continued support. Your involvement, encouragement, and partnership have made a meaningful difference in your child’s learning journey. We have seen tremendous growth in our students this year—academically, socially, and emotionally—and we are incredibly proud of all the hard work they have put in.
While the year is winding down, our commitment to providing high-quality instruction remains strong. Teachers are continuing to engage students in meaningful lessons while also incorporating some fun and memorable activities to celebrate the end of the year. These experiences help reinforce learning while building a positive classroom community as we close out the year together.
We ask for your help in providing some feedback for our PBIS programs within our building. Please click HERE to access our survey and help inform our future programming for next year!
Please be sure to check your child’s folder regularly and stay connected through our school website and Facebook page for updates, reminders, and event details. We have several exciting activities coming up, and we want to ensure all families are informed and can take part in the celebrations. Thank you again for all you do to support your child and our school community!
Sincerely,
Mrs. Witt Mr. Crowder
K- 3 Principal 4th & 5th grade Principal
Director of Student Services Transportation Director
Important Dates:
May 5th - 9th: National Teacher Appreciation Week
May 6th - ODNR event for Kindergarten and First grade
May 7th - Kiwanis visit with first and second grade
May 8th - LIM breakfast at the high school
May 13th - Seniors and Kindergarten Walk
May 21st - Fifth grade walking trip to the park (rain date May 22nd)
May 23rd - Fifth grade band concert and Art Show
May 26th - No school
May 27th - Kindergarten graduation & last day for Kindergarten students
May 28th and May 29th - Kindergarten screening for incoming students
May 30th - End of the year Honor's assembly & last day of school
9:15 am - 1st and 2nd grade
10:00 am - 3rd and 4th grade
10: 45 am - 5th grade
Teaching Is a Work of Heart: Celebrating Our Amazing Educators!
Our teachers demonstrate unwavering dedication to our students every single day. Long after the final bell rings, they spend countless hours planning engaging lessons, preparing materials, and finding new ways to meet the diverse needs of every learner in their classroom. Whether it’s staying late to tutor a struggling student, taking time to send encouraging notes, or celebrating small victories, their acts of kindness often go unnoticed but are deeply felt by our school community. They are more than educators — they are mentors, cheerleaders, and role models who invest their time, energy, and hearts into helping students grow.
In the classroom and beyond, our teachers go above and beyond to ensure every child feels supported, safe, and seen. They are a steady shoulder to lean on during tough times and a guiding hand when students need direction. Their patience, creativity, and compassion form the foundation of our school’s success. Please take a moment to reach out and let your child’s teacher know how much you appreciate all they do. A simple note or word of thanks can go a long way in showing them just how valued they are
Gallery of Greatness: A Celebration of Young Artists!
You are invited to our school-wide Art Show on Friday, May 23rd, 2025! This event is open to all family members. Our talented Tigers have been working hard all year to create stunning masterpieces, and we can't wait for you to see their creativity on full display. From vibrant paintings to imaginative sculptures, each piece reflects the hard work, growth, and artistic expression of our amazing students.
To help with traffic flow and provide a smooth experience for everyone, we kindly ask that families follow the suggested arrival times: Kindergarten and First Grade families at 9:45 a.m., Second and Third Grade families at 10:15 a.m., and Fourth and Fifth Grade families at 10:45 a.m. Fifth Grade families attending the band concert are welcome to enjoy the art show after the concert concludes. Families with students in multiple grades may choose whichever time works best for them. We look forward to celebrating your child’s creativity with you!
5th Grade Band Takes the Stage!
Come and join us on May 23rd to hear our talented fifth grade band showcase their musical skills under the direction of the amazing Mrs. Criazzo! Our young musicians have been practicing diligently, and they’re excited to share their hard work and passion for music with you in what promises to be a performance to remember.
Doors will open at 9:15 a.m., and the program will begin promptly at 9:30 a.m. We kindly ask that guests do not arrive before 9:15 a.m. to give our performers the time and space they need to warm up and prepare for the show of a lifetime. We can’t wait to see you there to support and celebrate our incredible fifth grade band!
Beta Club Beautifies: Tigers Tidy Up!
Members of the Elementary Beta Club showed their commitment to service and school pride by spending time after school on their last day before Easter break cleaning up litter across the school grounds. These hard-working students filled several bags of trash and removed larger debris from the school drive, stretching from the Grant Street entrance up to the back of the high school. Their efforts made a noticeable difference and helped beautify the campus just in time for spring.
In the near future, the Beta Club hopes to continue their clean-up efforts by tackling the litter along the sidewalk and ditch on Milton Blvd. Their dedication to keeping the community clean sets a strong example for all students. A big thank you goes to Mrs. Sembach for her leadership and ongoing dedication to the Beta Club. Her guidance and enthusiasm continue to inspire students to make a positive impact on their school and community.
From Seeds to Smiles: Kindergarten Blooms with Flower Farm Fun!
As part of our Wit and Wisdom Module 2 in kindergarten, students have been learning all about farms—and today, they had a special opportunity to dive deeper into the topic by exploring a unique kind of farm: a flower farm! Alina Henshaw from Marigold Flower Farm visited our classrooms to share her knowledge about the many different types of flowers she grows. She explained how flowers are planted in different seasons and how harvesting varies throughout the year, giving students a real-world connection to what they're learning in class.
We are so grateful to have community members like Alina from Newton Falls who take the time to enrich our students’ learning experiences. Her visit sparked curiosity and excitement among the children as they discovered more about farm life beyond animals and crops. A big thank you to our dedicated kindergarten team for making learning hands-on, engaging, and fun—it’s experiences like these that make a lasting impression on young minds.
Tackling Tests with Team Spirit: Coaches Jones & Sembach Inspire Our Tigers!
We would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to Coach Jones and Coach Sembach for taking the time to deliver a powerful and motivational presentation to our third through fifth grade students as they prepared for state testing. Their message was filled with encouragement, determination, and belief in our students' abilities, and it truly resonated with the kids. It’s not every day that students get to hear from such inspiring role models, and we are incredibly grateful for their support and leadership.
Our Tigers left the presentation feeling energized, confident, and ready to tackle the tests ahead. The coaches’ words reminded them of the importance of hard work, perseverance, and believing in themselves—lessons that go far beyond the classroom. Thank you again to Coach Jones and Coach Sembach for your dedication to our students. Your encouragement made a difference, and we appreciate you cheering on our Tigers every step of the way!
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Honoring Service: Newton Falls Elementary and Middle School Earn the Purple Star Designation
Newton Falls Elementary and Middle School are proud to announce that we have been recognized as Purple Star designated schools by the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce. This prestigious designation honors our ongoing commitment to supporting military-connected students and their families. The Purple Star Award is reserved for schools that demonstrate a strong dedication to meeting the unique needs of military families, ensuring that students facing frequent transitions and other challenges receive consistent support, understanding, and resources.
At Newton Falls, we believe in creating a welcoming and inclusive environment for all students, including those from military backgrounds. Through staff training, dedicated resources, and school-wide initiatives, we strive to provide a stable and supportive educational experience. We are honored to receive this designation and will continue working to ensure our military families feel seen, supported, and valued within our school community.
Leaders of the Month April 2025