January 19, 2017

Dear Neff Families,

We are off to a great start for 2017 at Neff! Students returned from the winter break ready to learn. As you know we have been talking with children about our PRIDE traits of being Positive, Respectful, Involved, Dependable, and Excellent. Next month we will focus on some of the characteristics found in the book, What Gritty Kids Do When No One Is Looking. Each class has read the book and will go back to it to learn more about the character traits in it. Students will learn about being a “gritty kid” by demonstrating courage, tenacity, hard work, optimism, resilience, social intelligence, gratitude, conscientiousness, perseverance, delayed gratification, persistence, self-control, and open-mindedness.

Next month we will welcome Linda Billet, a mosaic glass artist, as our artist in residence. She will be here for the first two weeks of February. Ms. Billet will be working with all students to create an original glass mosaic that will be hung in our school. Each class will get to participate in the creation of this original piece of artwork!

Congratulations to Andrew Ramos, McKenna Suhina, Tessa Richard, Ella Daly, Owen Zimmerman, Mikaela DesAutels, Ellie Burkholder, Kenly Stapler, Amelia McClure, Kaitlyn Heist, Ethan Mellinger, Haley Miller, Owen Smith, Henry Zellers, and Sara Lehman who were December’s students of the month! These students did a great job of demonstrating the PRIDE trait of being dependable.

Kindergarten registration is starting! Do you have, or know someone, in Manheim Township who has a child who will be 5 on or before August 31, 2017? Registration information is on the district’s website.

Are you interested in learning more about options for consideration regarding renovation of the Middle School? A presentation by Remington, Vernick and Beach Engineers will take place on Thursday, February 2 at 6:00 PM in the Middle School auditorium. They will provide information to the Board of School Directors and the public about several recommended options for consideration for the renovation of the Middle School. The District is also hosting an open tour of the Middle School on Saturday, February 11, from 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM, which will be held during the February “Saturday Conversations with the School Board” event. Students, parents, administrators, teachers, and board members will be there to help give tours and answer your questions.

Sincerely,

Travis Bash

Principal