April • Tuesday, April 1st STAAR 4th Grade Writing 5th Grade

Mathematics • Wednesday, April 2nd STAAR 4th Grade Writing Continues 5th

Grade Reading • Friday, April 18th is MAKE UP for SNOW Day – WE WILL HAVE

SCHOOL • Tuesday, April 22nd STAAR 3rd and 4th Mathematics • Wednesday, April 23rd STAAR 3rd and 4th Mathematics 5th

Science • Wednesday, April 30th Boosterthon Pep Rally 2:00 PM in the

Cafeteria May

• Friday, May 2 Kindergarten Roundup 9-10:30 am • Friday, May 9 Field Day/Boosterthon • Tuesday, May 13th - 5th Grade Math STAAR Retest • Wednesday, May 14th – 5th Grade Reading STAAR Retest • Friday, May 23 is MAKE UP for SNOW Day – WE WILL

HAVE SCHOOL! June

• Thursday, June 5th – LAST DAY OF SCHOOL 12:50 PM EARLY RELEASE

• Tuesday, June 24th - 5th Grade Math STAAR Retest

Field Day and Boosterthon are JUST

AROUND THE CORNER!

&

April 2014

Carrico Communication

5TH GRADERS WENT TO CAMP! Go to NRE 5th Grade Camp Facebook

to View More Pictures!

Please welcome Mrs. Monica Palla, our school secretary and newest member of our professional NRE family.

Inside

Dates to Remember!

GUIDELINES FOR

STAAR & SSI

IN AN EFFORT TO INSURE TEST SECURITY WE HAVE

ESTABLISHED GUIDELINES FOR CAMPUS VISITATION

AND CELL PHONES.

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NEED TO KNOW: STAAR BY MRS. SHANDA MCWILLIAMS, DEPUTY HEAD OF SCHOOL

NRE Closed to ALL Parents and Visitors During STAAR Testing Days

To insure test security, we are closing the school to parents and visitors on all STAAR testing days. The front office, will of course be open to all, however, no one will be allowed in the building pass the office unless he or she is a school employee. Here are some other guidelines for the testing days: Students are NOT permitted to have cell phones or personal electronic devices during STAAR testing as the devices can disrupt the testing environment and be used to compromise the security and confidentiality of the test. CELL PHONES: To ensure that Newton Rayzor Elementary is in compliance with this TEA Policy our procedures will be the following:

We are requesting that all students leave cell phones and personal electronic devices at home on test days. Any cell phones or personal electronic devices brought to school on STAAR test days will be collected by the teacher and turned off for the duration of the test. They will be returned at the end of the test day.

VISITORS AND LUNCH: In an effort to insure test security, minimize distractions and traffic on STAAR testing days, our Newton Rayzor campus will be closed to all visitors on April 1st, 2nd, 22nd and 23rd.

If you normally bring lunch or eat lunch with your child, it will not be allowed on test days. Please send a lunch in the morning or remind them that a cafeteria lunch is available.

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2013-2014 Boosterthon

Character Theme

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We again welcome our friends from Boosterthon Fun Run as we work to do our “PTA Once a Year Fund Raiser.”

Last year we raised $44,059 and were able to fund all of the PTA sponsored events and purchase a Nook Cart for use in the classrooms. You may have noticed that the district has been removing computers from our classrooms because they are old and are not compatible with the most recent operating system. This is both frustrating and concerning for our children. Currently, there is no district plan to replace these computers. I would like to see our school have at least 4 Mini iPads in each classroom. I am currently working with our budget to secure Mini iPads for each teacher or paraprofessional that is directly involved in instruction. In order for us to get 4 Minis per classroom, we would have to purchase approximately 140 Minis. The cost averages out to $500 each because in addition to purchasing the iPads we also are required to purchase a case and pay the district $100 for insurance. That means we will need to collect approximately $70,000. I would like for the money that the PTA gives the school from the Boosterthon Fun Run to go toward this goal.

So lets get ready and raise that money!

2014-2015 Fun Run will be in the FALL!

Boosterthon Fun Run and Field Day are Just Around the

Corner!

HASSLE-FREE

#1 OF 128 THINGS BOOSTERTHON DOES

CREATIVELY TEACH DAILY CHARACTER LESSON TO STUDENTS

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Dr. Happy riding

“Big Purple” (her bike) on the last day

of school

2012-2013!

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In addition to the Boosterthon prizes that the company gives, here are the prizes that will come from our PTA:

Grade Level Prizes (1 classroom per grade level will receive prize) Classroom with Most Money Pledged & Returned Class Party (Class chooses what kind-- Pizza, Ice Cream Party, etc.) Most Class Spirit (on day of Fun Run) Class Pick (Electronics Day, Pajama Day, Picnic Day, etc.)

Most Countries Class Pick (Electronics Day, Pajama Day, Picnic Day, etc.)

Most States Class Pick (Electronics Day, Pajama Day, Picnic Day, etc.)

100% Participation (Pledge & Return) Class Pick (Electronics Day, Pajama Day, Picnic Day, etc.)

Best Costume on Day of Fun Run (Boy) Crown and sash to wear

Best Costume on Day of Fun Run (Girl) Crown and sash to wear

Teacher--Classroom Door Decoration Prize (1 Teacher per grade level; specials are considered a grade level; special services considered a grade level)

Teachers decorate their doors with Boosterthon theme (camp out) Judges come in from the community Prize for best-decorated door per grade level— $150 for classroom supplies

Drawing Kids get their name in the drawing for every pledge they receive After all pledges in and collected, we will draw 3 names They each get a Kindle and a $25 gift card for apps

Grand Prizes Avg $25 per lap: Water Park Season Passes for Family of 4 Avg $20 per lap: Pizza Party with Principal (winner and 1 friend) Avg $15 per lap: Movie Afternoon in cafeteria (winner and 1 friend)

Overall Return Rate Collect all money pledged: Dr. Happy gets pie in the face On NRE Morning News on last day of school! Meet Last Year’s Total plus at least $1 more: Dr. Happy rides bike through front drive and kids throw water balloons on last day of school (kids must supply their own water balloons!)

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OFFICIALLY ANNOUNCING THE 2013-2014 BOOSTERTHON CHARACTER THEME – CAMP HIGH FIVE!

During the 2013-2014 school year, Boosterthon will be bringing the best experiences of summer camp to schools across America with our newest character theme, Camp High Five! The Camp High Five theme is all about friendship. But not just developing the friendships students already have; it’s about viewing EVERYONE as a friend, It doesn’t matter who they are, or how different they may first appear to be. There isn’t a better gesture that communicates energy, positivity, cooperation, and friendship than a big HIGH FIVE, that’s why we’ve built this year’s character curriculum around the power of using your actions and your hands to show friendship. Students will learn five ways to treat everyone like a friend. Each Camp Challenge is paired with a signature hand gesture, called a Camp Signal, to make each character message sticky and memorable. We’re excited to transform classmates into friends with the Camp High Five theme. Over the last twelve months, our team put thousands of hours into developing our newest theme. With catchy songs and music videos, interactive character videos, and an exciting children’s book, Camp High Five is truly our most dynamic theme yet. As always, stay tuned for ALL NEW features to our program as we them roll out. And pack your bags . . . We’ll see you at CAMP HIGH FIVE! Watch our most popular music video yet! - Camp High Five music video: http://www.boosterthon.com/2013/08/officially-announcing-the-2013-2014-boosterthon-character-theme-camp-high-five/

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PTA Nominations for 2014-2015 Officers The nominations committee has gathered the following names to be presented for the 2014 NRE PTA officer slate: President-Miche Sheffield Vice President-Ashley West Treasurer-Jeff Palla Secretary-Katie Rose For more information, Ashley West can be reached at Farmhouse43@yahoo.com or beyondtheepiphany@yahoo.com

NEED TO KNOW: SSI

BY MRS. SHANDA MCWILLIAMS, DEPUTY HEAD OF SCHOOL

State Law Requirements The Student Success Initiative (SSI) was created by the Texas Legislature to ensure that all students receive the instruction and support they need to be academically successful in reading and mathematics. Under the SSI grade advancement requirements, students are required to pass the State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness (STAAR) grade 5 reading and mathematics tests to be promoted to sixth grade. Additionally, students are required to pass the STAAR grade 8 reading and mathematics tests to be promoted to ninth grade.

In addition to the SSI grade advancement requirements, state law mandates that high school students must not only meet all their course requirements but also perform satisfactorily on STAAR end-of-course assessments in English I, English II, Algebra I, biology, and U.S. history to receive a diploma from a Texas public high school. See BROUCHURE for more information.

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DESTINATION)IMAGINATION)REGIONAL)TOURNAMENT)WINNERS)

Newton'Rayzor'Destination'Imagination'(DI)'teams'participated'in'the'North'Central'Regional'tournament'held'in'Creek'View'High'School'in'Carrollton'on'March'1st'2014.'Both'of'our'competitive'teams'placed'and'did'well.'One'will' go' on' to' compete' at' State' Level.' DI' teams'would' like' to' thank' the' school,' teachers' and' staff' for'supporting'DI.'

''The'Pink'Fluffy'Unicorns'team'won'1st'place'in'the'Elementary'Improv'Challenge'Q“Pandemonium”.'They'will'compete'at'State)level'on'April'11Q12th.'Team'members'are'Kason'Chesky,'Ethan'Jones,'Siddhartha'Shah'&'Sebastian'Bourbon'(McNair).'They'also'received'the'Da)Vinci)award,'which'is'given'for'outstanding'creativity.'

'

Mrs.'Coleman’s'&'Dr.'Valerius’'4th'grade'team'won'

6th'place'in'the'Scientific'Challenge'Q'“Going'to'

Extreme”.'Team'members'are'Elizabeth'Lock,'

Helena'Coleman,'Ben'Coleman,'Andrew'Lock'and'Milena'Hutton.'

'Mrs.'Dickey’s'2nd'grade'Rising'Star'team'won'the'Award'“Ready'for'the'Ring'(Big'Time)”.'Team'members'are'Taylor,'Siena,'Landon,'Abigail'&'Harper.''

'Ms.'West’s'Rising'Star'team'won'the''Best'Tent'Construction'(great'teamwork'building'it)''Award.''Team'members'are'Hailey'LaViolette,'Laith'Sadri,'Madeleine'Johnson,'Chandler'Johnson,'Paige'Johnson,'Vincent'Rigaud,'Gabriel'Simms'and'SeEna'Gillum.'

NRE Business Sponsors *The following businesses have donated at least $500 in the 2013-2014 school-year!

1 8 2 5 W U N I V E R S I T Y DR I V E , DE N T O N , T X 7 6 2 0 1 MON - F R I : 8 AM - 1 1 PM , S AT - S UN : 7 AM - 1 1 PM ( 9 4 0 ) 3 8 3 - WASH

Marla Carrico MORELLE M. MILLER, REALTOR marlacarrico@hotmail.com Mobile:940-395-0414

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From the Healthy Lifestyles Chair of Newton Razor PTA

Did you know that Physical activity has been shown to improve academic achievement, including grades and standardized test scores? Physical activity impacts cognitive skills, including enhanced concentration, attention, and improved classroom

behavior. Research shows healthy habits learned in childhood support proper growth and development of children’s bodies and brains and promote better health outcomes in adulthood. Because good mental and physical health are linked to learning ability and because good health is a critical predictor of future productivity, it is essential that Texas schools provide students with access to learning environments that support healthy lifestyles.

Fact: Properly nourished children perform better in school-both academically and behaviorally. Fact: Physical activity strengthens children’s bodies, minds, and self-esteem. Fact: A good night’s sleep is essential for optimum growth, development and performance. Fact: Healthy habits are best formed during childhood.

(Source- Texas PTA website)

Upcoming events which can help/ your child increase their physical activity:

Denton Dash on April 5, 2014- for information go to www.dentoncomunitycouncilofptas.org

Also, the upcoming Field Day/ Boosterthon on May 9th is a great way to get in extra activity!