Neff Newsletter - December 2008
Principal’s Note
Since grades came out last month, Mrs. Vanderhorst and I have been speaking with several students about setting personal goals and study habits. Since interim reports are coming out today with this newsletter Mrs. Vanderhorst and I will begin another round of these interviews and looking for other alternatives to help our students become successful. Many students comment that they are not preparing for tests and quizzes. As adults, we know that planning is a key to success. Here are some basic tips to help your child study for tests:
Begin studying for tests once your child is aware that there is going to be a test.
Review notes nightly until the test arrives (this will also reduce test stress).
Make flashcards for pertinent vocabulary, and then have them quiz you or a sibling.
Create historical time lines, if appropriate.
Brainstorm hard questions that students believe could be on the test.
Have your child create his or her own test and answer key and administer it to a parent.
I hope that these simple tips will help to reduce your test stress as well as your child’s!
Please enjoy your children over the upcoming Winter Break! Put away the video games, tell your children that the friends can’t come over today and plan a fun family night of activities as simple as playing a board game that your children choose. Spend time with your immediate family and continue to build the relationships that will outlast every friendship.
Neff PTO News
Spirit Wear is still available for any last minute holiday shopping needs that you may have this year! We still have many white and Hensley hoodies in stock. If you are interested, please call Sandy Newman @ 847-8090 or e-mail her at bubbysgal@aol.com to shop.
Infinity Fundraiser - Mr. Smith was recently in our building to reward students with a drawing to win money from the “money machine.” Congratulations to: Annie Peters, Jana Lukacs, Mallory Centers, DJ Vance, Blake Billett and Samantha Hall.
Hello Neff family! My name is Jessica Bergman, and I am the newest math teacher at Neff Elementary. Before joining the Neff community, I graduated from Chaminade-Julienne High School and then attended the University of Dayton, where I received my bachelor’s degree in Middle Childhood Education. I student taught 7th grade Language Arts last year at Wantz Middle School in Miamisburg.
I love to play and watch sports. I am a die hard Cincinnati Bengals and Ohio State Buckeye fan. I’ve played softball since I was eight. In college I was an outfielder and pinch runner for the University of Dayton’s softball team. I have a fetish with the number 5, palm trees, and monkeys. In my spare time, I enjoy shopping, listening to music, going to festivals, looking up houses, and taking pictures.
***DATES TO REMEMBER;
December
12/16—PTO Meeting @ 6:00
12/17—Teams 3 & 4 Cultural Fair
12/17 Lunch Bunch
12/17—MUSE Caroling 2:45—6:00
12/18—Board of Education Mtg.
12/22—1/4—Winter Break
January
1/7—Band Rehearsal 2:45—6:00
1/8—MUSE Meeting 2:45—4:00
1/10—MUSE to Victoria
1/13—Band Concert @ 6:00
1/14—COSI on Wheels @ Neff
1/14—Student Council Mtg. 3-4
1/19—MLK Day—No School
1/20—PTO Mtg. @ 6:00
1/21—Lunch Bunch
1/21—Skating Party @ Romar
1/22—End of 2nd Nine Weeks
1/23—No School
Parents Remember:
Always call the Neff Office to report a student’s absence. Please remember to send a note with them when they return.
ABSENCE NOTES – Please send in notes every time your son/daughter is absent or tardy and include both first and last names on them. All absences and tardies require a note. Many students still need to return absence/tardy notes to the office that only require a parent signature. Please help by checking your child’s backpack to see if the office has made notes that require your signature.
ADDRESS/TELEPHONE CHANGES – If you move, please remember to turn in proof of residency for new address. Also telephone number changes at home, cell or work are necessary for emergency/crisis situations that may arise.
Staying Healthy
Here are some tips to help you and your family stay healthy this flu season:
1. Get plenty of sleep, eat right and exercise. This is difficult during the holiday season, but extremely
important.
2. Stay away from others who are ill. Reinforce with your child not to share food and drinks with other
students.
3. It is important to keep your houses clean of germs and bacteria. Lysol spray and wipes are good to
keep around. Get new toothbrushes after an illness.
4. Keep your hands away from your face. Do not use your hands to touch your eyes or nose. Wash your
hands frequently, especially before eating.
5. Dress appropriately for the weather. Neff is outside during recess on days where the weather is at
least 20 degrees.
6. If your child has a cough or is sneezing, reinforce for them to do so in their elbow or sleeve...not in their
hands. What they touch, someone else will touch and that will transfer germs.
7. If your child is sick--please keep them home. Students must be fever-free 24 hours after an illness
before returning to school. This will prevent other students and teachers from getting sick and prevent
your child from getting worse or sick again. As much as we love to see your darling here at school, we
want them healthy so that they can do their best.
School Fee Reminder...
School fees are due yearly. School fees for the 2008-2009 school year are $30 for students in 6th grade. If you need to pay your school fees, please make checks payable to Neff Elementary School. If you need to establish a payment plan, please contact Mrs. Palmer at 866-5919. Thank you!
"Caught" Being Good
Students get “caught” at Neff for practicing their 40 Assets on a regular basis at school. When they are caught by a staff member, they are sent to the office—for good reasons! When their names are sent to the office, they get called to the office during morning announcements. When they arrive, they receive recognition from Mr. Geyer and Mrs. Palmer prior to getting their picture taken that is proudly displayed in the main hallway on the first floor for the entire school year.
The office and the 40 Assets Committee would like to congratulate the following students:
Travis Moss James Longworth Candace Estes
Joey Shaner Michelle Pressel Johnathan Henning
Riley Blair Madison Calhoun Darion Hiles
Kathy Tran Ashley Johnson Lezley Weishample
Connor Pease Rachael Berridge Joe Shaner
Jenna Gilkison Kelsey Miller
Sam Rinderle Austin Weidner
Marqueta King Tabitha Ladd
TJ McGhee Wesley Abill
WSU Chemical Demonstration Show
As all of you know, all Neff students recently attended Wright State for a very fun field trip dealing with science! Our students got to see and hear the various characteristics of matter and that types of changes that matter can go through.
If you have not spoken with your child about the field trip, make sure to ask them about the wacky scientists at Wright State!