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Having fun at Naples Elementary |
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October 28, 2017 |
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| Naples
Elementary September Citizens of the
Month! |
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By Robin Merrifield
Naples Elementary Principal
Is October really over already? As the old
cliché goes, “Time flies when you’re having
fun!” It doesn’t feel more accurate than it does
right now. The first couple months of school
have been amazing!
I have been learning so much about the students,
their families, the staff and the Naples
community. I still have more to learn, so bear
with me as I work to do so.
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Bonners Ferry
High School student Michael Cardinal has
been helping teach Naples students the
finer points of chess. |
We have been busy learning how to read, write,
master math facts and enjoy the arts, P.E. and
music. Many fifth graders are learning band
basics with their instruments under the
direction of Mrs. Hanna. The Naples Chess Club,
launched in September by Ms. Jennifer, Michael
Cardinal from BFHS, and Sheila Lavala, grew
leaps and bounds in just a few weeks. Six new
chess boards were purchased to make room for
more teams.
Most of fourth and fifth grade are now
participating in this game of strategy each
week.
K-3 has completed their fall benchmark reading
assessment. Mid-trimester progress reports have
gone home with students. We have conducted a
fire drill, an (unexpected) emergency helicopter
lockdown and an earthquake drill. Fifth grade is
beginning to dive in to the first courses of
Microsoft Academy.
It should be noted Naples Elementary is
currently the only elementary school in the
state of Idaho participating in this remarkable
training.
Most students in Idaho begin in middle or high
school. In search of a technology challenge for
our students, and knowing they are all capable,
we went for it! I want to give a gracious "thank
you" to Ms. Jennifer for helping “boot up” this
academy.
Miss Sam has now taken over the instruction.
It’s going to be amazing when our fifth graders
walk out of Naples in June certified in
Microsoft applications!
With the mention of Ms. Jennifer and Miss Sam,
we did have one more staff change recently. Ms.
Jennifer resigned mid-October to pursue other
adventures. We were surprised, but happy for
her.
Soon after, Miss Sam stepped forward to assume
the role as library and media center instructor.
It was an organic move and a natural fit. The
kids were quite excited to hear she was their
new librarian!
With that move, Sam’s position became available.
We welcomed Angela Atkins full time to the
Naples team as paraprofessional last week. This
was another natural and perfect fit!
Yes, there have been many unexpected changes,
but I strongly feel they have all been positive
and successful. Naples is still Naples. The
students are still going to benefit from the
fun-loving, small-town, individualized attention
they have been receiving here for many decades.
We recognized our first Citizens of the Month,
selected by their teachers for consistently
being Safe, Civil and Productive.
These students included: Milica Gatto, Colton
Alderman, Kinzie Bradley, Couper Hart, Tatem
Ramirez, Dahlia Wood, Christian Carson, Aspen
Haver, Baby Willow DeFalco, Brody Atkins, Jordan
Larson and Hannah Gardner.
This month, our support staff will also be
selecting Citizens of the Month. We value the
support you give your children at home in
becoming Safe, Civil and Productive citizens at
school, home and in their community. It shows
here at school!
In closing, I would invite you to help us keep
the lines of communication running openly in
both directions.
If you have a change of address or telephone
number, report it immediately. If you prefer
another mode of communication, please share that
with your child’s teacher or Mrs. Lucas in the
office.
Communication is key, and we will do our best to
share all that we can, as often as we are able,
and in as many formats as possible.
I am working on a Naples Elementary Facebook
page, so stay tuned for its release!
Enjoy this beautiful fall weather, and … GO
WOLVERINES! |
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