NPE Families,

We are well into the final stretch for the 2014-2015 school year at NPE. We have so many wonderful events still to come, as well as amazing learning opportunities that are often unique, hands on and memories that last with our students for years to come. Follow all the excitement on Twitter @dziegler15.

There are so many things I love about education, but at this time of year, I am always reminded of the power of reflection and planning. Each and every educator and student gets the privilege of pausing and reflecting on all the amazing work that has been done. We get to celebrate all that each of us has accomplished. Often in conjunction with one’s year-end goals, is the planning and excitement for the next year and the next steps. I feel so blessed to have this opportunity each year to celebrate and to be proud of what we have accomplished, but to also evaluate and plan for more greatness or improvements in the year to come. If you have anything you would like to see at Nate Perry I am always available to meet or have a conversation. We love new ideas and have so many wonderful things planned for next year.

We wish four special individuals in the NPE family well in retirement. Mrs. Droege, Mrs. Herd, Ms. Lisendrelli and Mrs. Maloney will be missed by the students and staff. They have served our community for over 95 years combined.  They will be missed.

I wish you all a wonderful summer where memories are made and learning continues in a different environment.

Warm regards,

Dana Ziegler

Principal

·            June 9^th   – 6^th Grade Musical – 7:00pm

·            June 18^{th  -}  Field Days all day and PTO Carnival 5-7 pm

·            June 19   – Rocket Launch Day at 4:00 pm

·            June 22^{nd –}  Last Full Day

·            June 23^rd – Half Day- 10:50

·            June 24^th – Half Day- 10:50

·            June 25^th – Last Day of School – Dismissal at 10:05 am

May 2015

The spring, almost summer-like weather has arrived and we are in full swing working towards reaching our goals for the end of this school year. I could not have been more proud of the hard work, perseverance, and grit our kids displayed on the state assessments. We are in an important and exciting stretch of the school year, growing learning and celebrating.

Exciting events from all domains are highlighted this month at NPE. If you aren’t following me on Twitter @Dziegler15 you won’t be able to see all the pictures and excitement in real-time. Please consider following NPE!!

Our 4^th and final Mindfully Green Day will take place on May 22^nd. The entire NPE community will take action around the grounds of NPE. We will clean, plant, garden, walk…and leave our mark. This is sure to be a highlight of this year! Send your child in work clothes, sunscreen, and even a raincoat if the weather doesn’t cooperate!

We will also participate as a school community in the Not So Perfect Hat Club on May 26^th. We will celebrate our individuality and the importance of not only respecting each other and our differences, but honoring and celebrating them! Open House will take place this evening as well, and you will be able to see the artifacts of this special day!

The last two months of school typically go at a record breaking pace! We will all work hard to be mindful, and in the moment soaking up each experience. I thank you for all of your support and as always, feel free to contact me with any ideas!

Warm regards,

Dana Ziegler

Principal

·            May 5   – PTO Meeting at 6:30pm

·            May 12 - Orchestra 4^th, 5^th, 6^th and Chorus Concert, 4^th, 5^th @ 7PM

·            May 13 – Author Tim O’Shei –“Live! Starring You!”

·            May 19 – VOTE -- Grade 4th, 5^th and 6^th Band Concert 7:00pm

·            May 21 - Special Olympics at CNS High School

·            May 22 – Half Day–Professional Development Day-Mindfully Green

·            May 25 – No School – Memorial Day

·            May 26 – Not So Perfect Hat Day-Author

Open House 5:00pm-6:30pm

·            May 28 – 4^th Grade Science Performance Test 

April 2015

It finally feels like spring might have arrived at NPE. I want to thank everyone for participating in our Read-a-Thon fundraiser for our playground. It was a huge success and generated a lot of fun and excitement in March towards reading throughout the entire school community. In June, we will have a walk-a-thon to continue our playground fundraising efforts.

Educational issues and disagreements currently flood the media. As the lead learner of NPE, I need to assure everyone we work hard collectively to provide the best, well-round education for each and every child. We respect family opinions and decisions and work to always improve the systems that we work within to prepare our students for their future. The new Liverpool mission and vision demonstrates our continual focus on our students’ future and the educational opportunities they will need to thrive!

This month we administer the Common Core State Assessments. Our message to our students is to do their best, and to not worry about these assessments! Please share the same statement with your child!

Thank you for all you do!

Warm regards,

Dana Ziegler

Principal

April Dates to Remember

April 5-12- Spring Break

April 14-16^th- 3-6 ELA State Assessment

April 17^th- PTO Spring Movie Night

April 22-24^th- 3-6 Math State Assessment

April 22^nd- Earth Day- Conserve Energy! Lights off Day

                                                       April 23^rd- Readers From Birth

March 2015

This past weekend I had the privilege of observing my own son pushing himself beyond the limits as he was being tested to earn his black belt. Outside of the pride I felt as a mother, it really refocused my attention to our conversations and work with GRIT! Grit is perseverance and passion for long-term goals. In today’s instant gratification and 24/7 societies, we as parents, educators and coaches of the next generation, sometimes fail to let our own struggle enough to develop this grit. Grit is one of the most powerful indicators of success, even more important than intelligence. Grit means things are tough and they get tougher before accomplishments occur.

We worry, I know I do about all the kids in my care, that this will hurt self-esteem, that we need to support and guide more, but sometimes this is at the detriment of all of our children’s long-term success. Struggle is one of the greatest gifts to develop grit. When we let our own struggle with a problem, social situation, or personal interaction, we are empowering them with the attitude that they can solve it, conquer it, and rise above it! There will not be an immediate fix that we did for them.

 I urge you to continue to think about letting your child struggle and work hard, and even be unsure. At school, we will also work to continue to balance support and plan for struggle, putting a focus on affording our kids the opportunities to, not have all the answers, deal with the social situation on their own, with all of our support and guidance, but allow them to achieve themselves. In all work with children, everything we do has vast impact. Our greatest pride as parents and educators come from this, as do our biggest fears. These things matter. The way we ALL work with our children matters and we know it!

March is a busy month at NPE and hopefully one that affords us a more typical schedule than the cold month of February. I hope to see you all at the PTO meeting at 6:30 on March 3rd. I will begin by addressing redistricting and discuss the upcoming assessments, NPE events and some of the educational topics that have been flooding the media.  

Together, we will all continue to grow and reflect and the impact on each and every child at NPE will be a powerful one!

Warm regards,

Dana Ziegler

Principal

March Reminders

3^rd- PTO Meeting 6:30 pm

6^th- ½ Day Parent-Teacher Conferences

13^th- Report Cards go home

19^th- Kindergarten Registration

         PTO Denny’s Fundraiser

20^th- No School- Superintendent Conference Day

31^st- Math Night for Grades 3-6 @ 6 pm

February 1^st, 2015

We spent our morning on Jan 30^th with our 3^rd Mindfully Green School-Wide morning. Aquaman, along with some 4^th grade helpers kicked off the assembly teaching all of us about the importance of conservation, with a focus on conserving water. We continue to be impressed with the student’s determination to be mindful of our Earth! The Chestnut Hill Middle School students from the Courtyard Clean up Project also came to share their learning to a fully captivating audience. It is so nice to see the power of student voice in projects and the leadership skills these students’ possess!

All students went forth and worked on projects that we will show on Open house of how they will respond and conserve our resources.

NPE February Events

Feb 11th- Redistricting Meeting: 6:30 Annex Cafe

Feb 12th- Sweetheart Dinner, Book Fair, Health Fair and Playground Raffle 5-6:30pm

Feb 16th-20th- Winter Break

Warm regards,

Dana Ziegler

Principal