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NewBrook Elementary School

NewBrook School News - March 30, 2026

Posted Date: 03/30/26 (05:00 PM)
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NewBrook School News

March 30, 2026
 

NewBrook School News - March 30, 2026

NewBrook Families,

Well, we are certainly close to spring…there are flowers pushing up on the sunny side of my house in Dummerston, but I still have not seen any fresh growth here at NewBrook. Soon!

The West River Education District board proposed a budget that was introduced a few weeks ago. The residents of Brookline, Jamaica, Newfane, Townshend, and Windham will be voting on the proposed budget at their respective polling places on April 8, 2026 between 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM. The WRED Annual Meeting will be the evening prior, on April 7, at 7:00 PM. You may choose to attend at Leland & Gray High School, or you can zoom.

We are in the midst of our Vermont Common Assessment Program (VTCAP) testing here at school. Our grades 3-5 students will be tested in English/Language Arts and Math, and our fifth graders will also be tested in science. Our fifth graders were the first to test this morning. Thanks to our families for helping us to support our students’ success in this work.

It is my intention to communicate the information that NewBrook families need to know in this newsletter. Please offer me your suggestions about our methods of family communication. And do not hesitate to call or email me to set up an appointment if you have any questions or concerns. Please let us know when difficulties arise. We would love to help and we all have time for you!

Scotty Tabachnick, School Principal
stabachnick@windhamcentral.org | ph: 802-365-7536

We are a community of kind, responsible learners.

Upcoming Calendar Items

Apr 1 - Teacher In-Service/Early Release for Students 11:50 pick-up
Apr 1 - Paraeducator Appreciation Day!
Apr 2 - Spelling Bee Fundraiser 6:00 PM
Apr 3 - Student Art Show Reception at Moore Free Library 3:00-5:00 PM
Apr 3 - Community Talent Show Union Hall 5:30 PM
Apr 6 - All School Sing 8:30 AM
Apr 6 - FIG Meeting (AKA PAC) 9:15 AM
Apr 20-24 - SPRING BREAK no school
Apr 27-May 1 - Camp Keewaydin (KEEC) Grade 5
May 1 - Principal Appreciation Day
May 4-8 - Teacher/Staff Appreciation Week!
May 4 - All School Sing 8:30 AM
May 4 - FIG Meeting (AKA PAC) 9:15 AM
May 6 - School Nurse Appreciation Day!
May 6 - Teacher InService/ Early Release Students 11:50 pick-up
May 18 - All School Sing 8:30 AM
May 22 - Farm and Field Day!
May 25 - Memorial Day Holiday NO SCHOOL
May 28 - Farm and Field Day (RAIN DATE)
May 28 - Science Fair 5:30-6:30 PM
May 29 - 5th Grade Move Up Day at Leland and Gray 7:50 AM-11:50 AM
Jun 1 - All School Sing (Tentative)
Jun 4 - Teddy Bear Tea - Library 1:00-2:00PM
Jun 5 - Playground Dedication
Jun 8 - Playground Dedication RAIN DATE
Jun 10 - Kindergarten Orientation Day (No Present K Students) 
Jun 17 - FINAL Student Day 11:50 pick-up
 

What's New?

  • All School Sing Scheduling - We had to re-schedule the balance of our All School Sings for the 2025-26 school year. So, we will be assembling on April 6, and May 4. Thank you.
  • Positive Behavior Intervention and Supports (PBIS) Update: This month, we are focused upon earning pennies with our “responsible" behaviors, hoping to earn a school-wide celebration: Board Game Day! Thanks to our generous and hardworking PTO for collaborating with staff to create this incentive event! When we meet the goal, earning 24 "falcon bucks,” we plan to celebrate our Bus Drivers with s special appreciation!  
  • After School Planning - Please be sure to communicate your after school plans to your child’s classroom teacher and Priscilla Halvey, our Administrative Assistant (phalvey@windhamcentral.org). We need documentation (either email, phone call, or a written note) for any changes to your regular plan prior to 2:00 PM daily. We will follow the regular plan unless we have received notification directly from the family.
  • Recess-Ready Reminder - Here at NewBrook, we spend time outside almost every day! Please send your children to school with clothing and outerwear that is appropriate for the weather. This time of year, the temperature varies widely throughout the day, so please keep that in mind! Thank you! If your child comes home with clothing that is not yours, please launder it and send it back to school so we have clothing and outerwear to lend. Please try to label your child’s clothing…our lost and found is getting bigger and bigger!

Parent Teacher Organization Updates

  • Spelling Bee Dinner: The PTO is coordinating dinner for Mrs. VanPamelen’s famous Spelling Bee on April 2nd — you can sign up to bring food or volunteer via this SignUp Genius link.
  • Mark Your Calendar for Bingo! Our next bingo fundraiser at the NewBrook Firehouse is on Saturday, May 2nd; stay tuned to find out how you can help out.
  • Next Meeting: Join us Thursday, April 9th at 8:30 AM to discuss upcoming events and fundraisers. Questions? Email newbrookpto@gmail.com.
 

West River Valley Thrives Update

  • Community Talent Show - This Friday! Come out and enjoy an evening of fun, creativity, and local talent this Friday, April 3, 2026, 5:30 PM at Union Hall in Newfane. We have a great lineup of local talent that includes singers, musicians, magic acts, a plate spinner and even an interactive activity. Don’t miss the fun - come support NewBrook students and your neighbors!
  • Spring Newsletter - Find out more about what we've been up to the last few months in the West River Valley Thrives Spring Newsletter.
  • Teaching Self-regulation and Impulse Control - Helping kids build self-regulation and impulse control early can reduce risky behaviors later in life. Natural High shares how simple, everyday habits at home can make a big difference.
  • Try this quick strategy: Ask your child to name one goal for the week, one possible obstacle, and one plan to handle it. This small reflection builds their ability to pause, think ahead, and make thoughtful choices. Explore more tips in Guiding Kids to Self-Control. Thank you for supporting your child’s growth in small but powerful ways!
 

Friendly Reminders

  • THANK YOU to the NEWBROOK PTO! - Again, a HUGE thank you to our PTO for all that they have done for our programming and our students!  The NewBrook PTO are truly incredible in their organization, their diligence and their efforts to make our school a great place to learn and to work.   
  • Calendaring - You can find our Google Calendar on our website. If you would like to add it to your Google calendar, so you can overlay it with calendars you use, go to the bottom righthand corner of the calendar, and click the Google button. If you need a hand, please send me an email, or give me a call.
  • After School Planning - Please be sure to communicate your child(ren)’s after school plans with us either by sending a note in the morning, or by emailing your child’s classroom teacher and cc’ing Priscilla Halvey, our administrative assistant. Email is preferable to phone calls. If you need to change your plans, please call or email before 2:00 PM so we have time to communicate. Thank you!
  • Family Support - We know that, at times, things get tough for our families. I encourage you to call or email us, if you or your family are in crisis. Our understanding of the assets available in the community make us a wonderful resource for families who need a hand. We are here to serve you. Please reach out to Carrie Towle, our School Counselor at ctowle@windhamcentral.org, Bre Madison, our School Social Worker, at bmadison@windhamcentral.org, or Scotty Tabachnick, our School Principal, at stabachnick@windhamcentral.org
  • Curriculum and Instruction - Our Curriculum and Instruction web page outlines the curriculum we employ, and the standards that we teach. All of our programming is intended to create cohesion among schools in the WCSU, while respecting and enhancing the professionalism and creativity of our instructors.
  • Volunteering Opportunities @ NewBrook - Our school community is enriched by the volunteer efforts from our families. Please consider offering your time.  Our PTO meets once a month (remote/ in-person). Contact Sara Webb for more information. Our Family Input Group (FIG) meets monthly (after our All School Sing!) to discuss issues important to NewBrook students, staff and families. Contact Scotty Tabachnick for more information. Our Farm to School team meets several times throughout the year to plan educational and social events that revolve around sustainability, local procurement, and place-based and environmental education. Contact Amy Duffy to learn more. If you enjoy books, our Librarian, Monica Sullivan, is looking for help shelving books and organizing our library collection. If you are interested, please contact Monica Sullivan.
  • School Meals - NewBrook offers universal free meals for all students.  Lunch Menus are available online at our school website, and will also be sent home in physical form priorto the beginning of each month.  Please send your children with water bottles; we have a bottle filling station here at school.
 

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