October is such an exciting month at New Haven. The cooler weather, colorful leaves, and festive energy iof the next few holiday months bring a renewed sense of focus and fun to our classrooms! Students have settled into their routines, friendships are growing stronger, and learning is in full swing. From engaging lessons and creative projects to upcoming family and student events, our halls are buzzing with excitement.

As we move deeper into the semester, we're continuing to celebrate student growth, encourage positive habits, and build strong connections between home and school. Thank you so much for your partnership; it truly makes a difference in the success and happiness of every child.

Communication is the KEY to making sure everyone is on the same page and knows what is going on. In additional to the daily / weekly communication coming from each homeroom, is the scheduled parent/ teacher conferences at the end of the 1st quarter. This is an opportunity for teachers and parents to connect and discuss the academic and social progress of each student. It's also a point in the year where our teachers have had time to make observations and pinpoint areas of acceleration or areas of need, which are important pieces to share with parents. Early intervention is foundational to closing any developmental delays.

Our conference dates are October 23rd and October 28th from 4 to 7. Teachers have sent home sign ups - specifically through the BCS app. PLEASE check the app for that communication. Our goal is to meet with every single New Haven parent in the month of October. As a note to be aware of, because the meetings are scheduled times, it is imperative that families arrive on time and call ahead if you are unable to make it please.

We also want to share that Mrs. Carter, will be hosting open sessions on how to download and use the BCS app if you have not already signed up. If you have any technology questions, this would be a great place to get assistance!

Raising kids today looks very different than it did just a decade ago. Between constant screen access, social media pressures, and fewer real-world connections, our children are growing up in a world that can feel overwhelming. The Anxious Generation by Jonathan Haidt explores how these changes have affected kids’ mental health, confidence, and overall well-being, and what families, schools, and communities can do to help them thrive again.

New Haven Elementary is proud to host a Community Book Talk centered on The Anxious Generation. This was born from a conversation with many of our parents at at Family Resource meeting and has taken on it's own form! This event brings together parents, educators, and community members for honest conversation about the challenges our kids face and the small, meaningful steps we can take together to support them. We are learning from the author, Dr. Haidt, parents, and other professionals.

We are sharing key takeaways from the book, looking at current trends impacting children, and discussing practical strategies for building healthier habits around technology, play, and connection. Whether you’ve read the book or are just curious to learn more, everyone is welcome! We had our 1st discussion on October 7th and it went really well. We would love to have more families interested in how to create a better, safer future for our kids to join. You can come to 1 event or all 4; it's open to all.

Together, we can combat the obstacles our children are facing and ensure they grow up feeling safe, connected, and confident.

11/18 @5:30pm-7pm, New Haven Elementary 
1/13 @5:30pm-7pm, New Haven Elementary 
2/10 @5:30pm-7pm, New Haven Elementary 
2/28 (TBD - BIG NEWS)! 

Here is a quick 10 minute video to give you a synopsis of our focus: The Anxious Generation Summary

We will be hosting a "Trunk or Treat" at New Haven on Friday, October 17th from 6 to 8. We hope you can come out for a little bit and join us in some Fall fun!

Our Veteran's program is something that is near and dear to all of our hearts. Please see the message from Mrs. Dern below in the honoring of all of our Veterans! We would love for you to join us!

Dear New Haven Families,

We are starting to prepare for Veteran’s Day! Our ceremony will be on Tuesday, November 11th at 9:30am, doors will open at 9:00am after all students are in class. If you have a Veteran you would like to invite, please send a picture via email to heather.dern@boone.kyschools.us. All pictures should also include the Veteran’s name and their branch of service. If your child would like to write a letter to their Veteran or about how special all Veterans are, I have attached writing prompts for them to use. You can send all completed letters to Mrs. Dern.

Dear Veteran Who is your hero?