September

• Mon., 9/7 - NO SCHOOL - Labor Day
• Wed., 9/9 - Neshobe PTO, 7pm
• Fri., 9/18 - Early release day, dismissal at 11:30, PreK dismissal at 11:00am
• Wed., 9/23 & Thurs. 9/24 - Class picture days
• Fri., 9/25 - Veggie Van Go, 10:00-11:00am @ OV

Heather Best is looking for people who can help take care of Neshobe's chickens. Even offering to help for one day is greatly appreciated. Click on the Please reach out to Heather Best, hbest@rnesu.org if you can help or would like more information!

Neshobe PTO is doing the Neshobe Gear fundraiser again! The deadline to submit orders is Wednesday, September 16th. Order forms are being sent home with students.

To keep our students safe and ensure afternoon pickup runs smoothly, please keep the following timing updates in mind:

• Buses Arrive A Little Later This year, our buses arrive closer to 2:20 PM. We need the drive around Neshobe completely clear so the buses can safely navigate and fit into the circle in front of the buildings.

• Parent Pick-Up Arrival: Please wait to arrive for pick-up until between 2:20-2:35PM.

• Student Safety Comes First: Our official dismissal does not begin until 2:30 PM. Because students are often still outside playing until 2:20 PM, we do not let cars pass around the back of the building before then. This can cause a bit of congestion in the parking lot.

Thank you so much for your patience, cooperation, and partnership in keeping our dismissal routines safe!

Thank you to everyone who joined us for an amazing Open House and Back to School Night! Seeing so many smiles and hearing laughter fill our hallways was a wonderful reminder that learning should be joyful, and school should be a place where both our students and staff experience genuine joy every day.

When home and school work together, the impact on our students is immeasurable. We know that learning can be hard work, but together, we can tackle any challenge and help our children thrive.

We would love for you to be an active part of our school year:

Thank you for your incredible partnership, your energy, and for sharing your wonderful children with us. Together, we are going to make this a fantastic year!

Shauna and Matthew

Dear Neshobe Families,

As the new school year gets underway, we wanted to take a moment to introduce ourselves and share how we can be of assistance to your child's educational journey. The school counseling team is committed to supporting your student’s emotional, social, and academic development throughout their time here. We believe that a strong partnership between home and school is essential for your student's success, and we are here to be an integral part of that partnership.

The role of a school counselor is varied, but our primary goal is to create a safe and nurturing environment where your student can thrive. Here are some ways in which we can assist your student:

1. Individual Counseling: We are available for short-term one-on-one sessions with students to address personal and academic concerns, helping them develop essential life skills and coping strategies.

2. Group Counseling: We facilitate various group counseling sessions on topics such as self-esteem, friendship, and resilience, fostering a sense of belonging and emotional growth among students.

3. Classroom Lessons: We deliver biweekly classroom lessons on important topics like conflict resolution, self-regulation, bullying prevention, and personal safety all designed to equip your student with valuable tools for success.

4. Parent Support: We are here to provide guidance and resources to parents by offering insights into how you can support your student's educational and emotional needs.

Please know that our office doors are always open, and we are ready to listen, support, and guide your student through any challenges they may encounter. If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to reach out by phone or email.

We look forward to working with you and your student.

Darcey Wijsenbeek

School Counselor

802-247-3721

dwijsenbeek@rnesu.org

Chris Greco

School Counselor

802-247-3721

(802) 247-3721 (802) 247-3721

cgreco@rnesu.org

There is no fatigue quite like "First Week of School" tired. It’s a very real phenomenon that hits teachers, students, and families all at once. While reconnecting with friends and settling back into familiar rhythms brings a lot of joy, the sheer energy required to learn, teach, and enforce new routines takes a toll. Once the initial excitement begins to settle, that exhaustion often sets in, and with it, a bit of an emotional letdown.

Why Self-Regulation and Rest Matter, Especially Right Now:

• Big Feelings Run High: When brains and bodies are overstimulated and tired, emotions naturally feel bigger and harder to manage. Taking things slow, listening actively, and leading with extra patience gives everyone room to process the transition.

• Brain Breaks Are Essential: After a full morning of social and academic focus, students' nervous systems need a dedicated reset to digest what they’ve learned and refocus for the afternoon.

• Building Lifelong Skills: Down time isn't "lost" instructional time, t's active practice in self-regulation. Learning how to slow your heart rate, quiet your mind, and check in with your body is a critical life skill.

How We Practice Self-Regulation Across Our School:

To support this transition, most of our classes build in a quiet reset right after lunch and recess. Depending on the grade level, these quiet routines include:

• Read-Alouds & Storytime: Letting students unwind while listening to engaging books.

• Quiet Time & "On My Own" Time: Independent, low-stimulation activities like drawing, journaling, or quiet puzzles.

• Silent Reading: Giving students an uninterrupted block to get lost in a good book.

• Rest & Nap Time: Essential recovery time for our youngest learners to recharge their bodies.

Giving our minds time to slow down isn't just nice, it's necessary. As we wrap up these initial weeks, remember to build in that same grace and quiet space at home, too!

Parent Chaperones/Volunteers- We’d Love Your Help! 🌟

Field trips are such an exciting part of the school year, giving students the chance to explore, learn, and create lasting memories outside the classroom. To make these experiences possible, we sometimes need parent chaperones to join us! Teachers will let families know if chaperones are needed for specific trips.

If you’d like to be considered as a chaperone, please contact Katie Lufkin or Anne Jones in the main office to begin the required background check process. This includes receiving an information packet to complete, then completing fingerprinting at a local police department, specifically for our school. Background checks need to be updated every three years, and—just a heads up—background checks completed for other organizations cannot be accepted.

Since the process takes about six to eight weeks, we encourage you to get started now if you’d like to join us on a trip later this year. We truly appreciate your support in helping to make our field trips safe, fun, and unforgettable!

Vermont's new education law, Act 170, creates both important opportunities and significant decisions for school districts across the state. As enrollment continues to decline, we must consider how to maintain strong educational opportunities while addressing financial pressures, changing enrollment, school facilities, and the long-term needs of our communities. Although Act 170 encourages larger regional school districts, no decisions have been made about the future of our schools, and any potential merger would require voter approval.

Over the coming months, residents of our towns will have opportunities to help shape the conversation. This process is about identifying what our communities value, asking difficult questions, and exploring possibilities together—with meaningful local input. Since you currently have children in our schools, your perspective matters! Please take a few minutes to complete our community survey and share your priorities, concerns, and vision for the future of our schools.

A link to the survey can be found at rnesu.org/act170

Thank you for your continued support of our students, schools, and communities - and for joining us in shaping the future of education in Vermont.