Dear NCS Families,
Chronic Absenteeism
One of the specific areas that our school is assessed by the state and federal departments of education is absenteeism. A student is defined as chronically absent whenever they miss 10% or more school days for ANY reason. A chronically absent child, missing 17 or more days, is less likely to experience academic success and may experience social challenges as well. We know that students who are chronically absent in Kindergarten and 1st grade are much less likely to read at grade level by the end of 3rd grade. Chronically absent 6th graders are at a higher risk for dropping out of high school than their regularly attending peers.
To help ensure that your child is ready each day here are a few practical tips to help support regular attendance:
Establish a regular bed time.
Develop a consistent morning routine.
Prepare clothes and backpacks the night before.
Ensure your children go to school every day unless they are truly sick.
Avoid scheduling vacations or doctor’s appointments during the school day when possible.
Communicate with teachers and counselors if your child has anxiety about going to school.
Create back-up plans for getting to school in unforeseen circumstances.
Please reach out to me if getting your child to school is a challenge. Together we can problem solve and develop an attendance plan.
Best,
Adam Bullard
It seems there were some technical difficulties with last week's newsletter. In an effort to make sure you see all the wonderful things we've been up to, this weeks newsletter will be a a repeat of last with a few new things sprinkled in.
Third graders held a meet and greet with their "Senior Buddies" at the beginning of school year. They will continue to spend time with their buddies monthly doing fun activities at both NCS and the Round Top Education Center, including cider pressing, learning about prehistoric relics and fossils, and flower pollination.
In case you didn't hear, we had a great Summer Reading Celebration last week with Mr. Drew and His Animals Too.
Our fourth graders enjoyed their first of many visits to Hidden Valley Nature Center this week. Students spent the day exploring nature, finding frogs and lizards by Kettle Hole Bog, and carefully selecting their trees to watch and journal about throughout their visits during the changing seasons.
Its time to flash those pearly whites!
Strawbridge Studios will be here Monday morning, snapping pics of all our smiling faces. Here is the information, one last time, for all those wishing to order online. Paper order forms should be submitted to classroom teachers. Contact the office with any questions.
Happy Friday Everyone! I wanted to send out a few important announcements.
As some of you may or may not have heard, Maine is currently experiencing a significantly elevated risk of mosquito-borne illnesses. In recent weeks, the Maine CDC has reported:
West Nile virus (WNV) in 15 wild birds and in one human
Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) virus in 4 horses, 2 emus, 1 llama, and 1 wild turkey
Jamestown Canyon Virus (JCV) in 4 mosquito pools (groups of up to 50 mosquitoes regularly tested as part of routine surveillance)
Presence of these viruses in animals indicates that mosquitos in certain regions of our state do carry the viruses and therefore pose a risk to humans. Maine CDC has identified the following counties as being high risk: Cumberland, Kennebec, Penobscot, Somerset, and Waldo counties. All other counties are at an elevated risk at this time. All three of these viruses are spread through the bite of an infected mosquito and usually start with flu-like symptoms in humans. Severe symptoms can include brain swelling (encephalitis) and spinal cord inflammation (meningitis).
For more information regarding mosquito-borne transmission and ways you can protect yourself please click on the link Mosquito-borne Diseases.
If you would like to have insect repellent applied to your child while at school please fill out the Insect Repellent Permission Form and return to the office. Please send in the insect repellent you wish to use in a ziplock bag, with your child's name on it in their backpack.
Important Dates to be on the lookout for:
October 8th: Flu Clinic from 1-3pm - More info coming soon!
October 10th: Lions Club will be here to assist with Vision Screening! This is required per the Maine Department of Education for grades K,1,3,5&7.
Please reach out to Kayla O’Donnell, the school nurse at kodonnell@aos93.org if you have any questions, concerns or would like your child screened who are not listed in the grades above.
Monday, September 23rd
Picture Day!!
Soccer Home vs. Jefferson 3:45pm
Tuesday, September 24th
Kindergarten to Biscay Orchards
Soccer Practice 2:45pm
Wednesday, September 25th
Soccer Home vs. South Bristol 3:45
Thursday, September 26th
Soccer Practice 2:45pm
Friday, September 27th
Happy Friday!!
Are your kids tired of doing the same old outdoor activities? Here's a fun new offering at Hidden Valley Nature Center, with our very own Sarah Plummer!!
In case you missed it! There's still time to join in on the fun at our local YMCA, the Wiscasset Community Center, the Skidompha Library, and the Waldo Theatre.
