Newfield Middle School

Newsletter

LETTER FROM THE PRINCIPAL

Hello Newfield Middle School Families,

�I cannot believe that we are heading into the last few months of the school year. The month of April is a time of transitioning from the many winter activities into the anticipation of spring. As we hope for warmer weather, we want to keep our students focused on continuing to strive to do their best. I appreciate all of the effort you put in at home to ensure this carries over into their school day, as it impacts their academic progress.

� We have our state tests coming up this month and next.  The tests this year are all computer based so please be sure that your child is charging their devices before coming to school each day.  It is a pleasure to watch your children learn and grow throughout the school year. Please feel free to contact me at any time with questions or concerns.  I appreciate your ongoing support.

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Thank you,

Melissa Addy

Newfield Middle School Principal

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Dear Middle and High School Families:

�As some of you may have seen from the BOE docs, we have a special new staff member at Newfield! 

�My dog, Ollie, and I are now a certified therapy team through Alliance of Therapy Dogs (https://www.therapydogs.com). Ollie is a 2-year-old, medium-sized black and silver Berne doodle (Bernese Mountain dog and small Poodle mix), and he is non-shedding. I have been a School Social Worker at Newfield for over 20 years, and so although I am based in the Elementary School, Ollie and I would like to volunteer after Elementary students are dismissed to give Middle and High School Students the opportunity during 9th period to access time with the therapy dog, Ollie. We will be coming over a few times per month, and it will be on the announcement which days they can stop down 9th period to the Middle School office to visit. 

�There are a few key rules and expectations that I wanted to inform you about as they are different from some of our other therapy dogs in the past:

�I am the only handler allowed, so I cannot pass him off to anyone else [*unless there was a true emergency and it was necessary]

I am the only person allowed to give him any treats. (Sorry, this one is a bummer, I know!)

Ollie will only greet others if they wish to be greeted, and if he has permission to approach, meaning we will not approach or have contact with anyone unless it is wanted.

Ollie will be on a 4-foot leash at all times. I will have an additional leash just for students to hook onto his collar for walking with me.  

�*Although Ollie is non-shedding, we will pay close attention to be aware of anyone with dog allergies. 

�As always, please feel free to contact me at any time with any questions, concerns, ideas, or requests at jmccaffrey@newfieldschools.org or 607-564-9955 ext. 1213.

� My best,

� Jamie C. McCaffrey, LCSW, School Social Worker

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We all know the steps to take the night before to improve test performance: a good meal, a little exercise and going to bed early to get enough sleep.  Have you ever thought about what foods to eat before a test and/or during a test break?  Here are some good foods to help performance during a test (or completing homework and during your school day)!

• Whole wheat pretzels and hummus: Rich in protein and low in fats, hummus is an ideal snack on test day. When combined with more complex carbs like whole wheat pretzels or veggies, this power snack can’t be beat.
• Greek yogurt with fruit or berries: Go for the real stuff here. The first ingredient in yogurt shouldn’t be high-fructose corn syrup. Combine Greek yogurt’s protein — which is roughly double that of traditional yogurt — with the slow-burning sugars in fruits and berries and your brain won’t crash as it might from a bag of M&Ms.
• Hard boiled eggs: This simple snack is packed with proteins and the essential omega-3 fatty acids – a brilliant brain food!
• Protein wrap: Select sliced turkey or chicken, cream cheese, hummus, lettuce, tomato, and cucumbers wrapped in a whole wheat tortilla for an all-around solid snack to get you through the lunch hour.
• Trail mix with nuts and dried fruit: The protein in nuts and natural sugars in fruit are great for your test day. Avoid super-sugary trail mixes, however,
• Celery or carrot sticks spread with cream cheese or peanut butter: Veggies and a protein will never steer you wrong. Or you can use a multigrain waffle topped with natural peanut butter or honey and sliced bananas. This is another high-protein, complex-carbohydrate option, with a little natural sugar to keep your brain burning bright for hours.

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Brought to you by https://www.winwardacademy.com/snacks-to-bring-on-test-day 

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Counselor’s Corner

HONOR ROLL MP: 4

HIGH HONOR ROLL MP: 4

Spring Break

NO SCHOOL

Spring Break

NO SCHOOL

Spring Break

NO SCHOOL

Spring Break

NO SCHOOL

Spring Break

NO SCHOOL

Give Back Snow Day

NO SCHOOL

ELA STATE TESTING

5^TH-8^TH GRADE

ELA STATE TESTING

5^TH-8^TH GRADE

SCIENCE

STATE TESTING

8^TH GRADE

MATH STATE TESTING ~ MAY 8^TH & 9^TH

^{5TH -8TH GRADE}