The Technique:
Fill the Balloon: Inhale deep into your belly (not your chest).
Slow Release: Exhale slowly to signal your brain that you are safe and ready.
Why it’s your Exam Superpower:
Calms the Nerves: Instantly lowers your heart rate.
Boosts Focus: Clears the mental "fog" caused by anxiety.
Total Control: You can do it right at your desk without anyone even noticing!
Coach’s Tip: Practice 3 "Balloon Breaths" the moment you get your test. Take a beat, find your focus, and then begin.
Our 3rd graders have been working so hard on their Math and ELA concepts this week!They’ve been reviewing Math concepts in small groups through i-Ready checks and playing whole-group games to make learning enjoyable. It is wonderful to see our scholars so engaged and excited to learn!
As students from kindergarten to 8th grade are preparing for testing next week, we encourage families to spend some time reviewing at home this weekend.
A little bit of practice goes a long way in building confidence! Whether it's reading a favorite book together or practicing some quick math facts, your support makes a huge difference.
We want to hear from you! Please join us on Wednesday, January 14, to discuss important updates and exciting upcoming activities for our students.
We will be covering:
Picture Day details
Report Card Conferences
Upcoming Student Activities
When: Wednesday, Jan 14
Where: School Library
Choose the time that works for you:
Morning Session: 8:45 a.m.
or
Afternoon Session: 3:15 p.m.
Your voice matters in our school community. We hope to see you there!
Welcome back, Truman families!
We hope everyone had a restful holiday break. We are kicking off the new year with high energy and even higher towers!
Our 7th-grade students dived straight back into learning with a thrilling STEM and Art challenge at Ms. Nabakooza`s art room. Working in teams, the objective was to engineer the tallest and most stable tower possible using only:
Dry spaghetti
Marshmallows
String
Tape
It was amazing to see our students collaborating, problem-solving, and testing their structural designs. There were a few "collapses" and plenty of laughs, but in the end, their teamwork reached new heights!
Check out these amazing pictures of our future engineers in action!
Friendly Reminder! 📢
Please note the upcoming schedule for New Haven Public Schools:
🚫 Tomorrow, January 2nd: Closed
✅ Monday, January 5: Open (Regular Schedule)
🚫 Tuesday, January 6: Closed for Three Kings Day
✅ Wednesday, January 7: Open (Regular Schedule)
Have a great break!
Check out these smiles! Proof that being a Tiger is the best!
This cozy morning officially starts our Home Reading Challenge. The goal? Read every day during vacation!
Challenge accepted! Who’s joining us?
They also received mittens today from a former teacher and friend of Truman School. Thank you to Ms. Durso's and family for keeping us warm.
Our 4th graders turned into master architects! They ditched the pencils and picked up the peppermint to build these incredible gingerbread houses.
Check out the awesome details:
Candy Cane Pillars for that perfect holiday look.
M&M Roofs for a pop of color.
Marshmallow Snow to keep things cozy.
It was a day full of sticky fingers, big smiles, and amazing creativity. Great job, Mrs. Gordon’s class!
Students participating in the Math and Soccer afterschool program with Mr. Keller, really enjoy the games and ended up winning the last 4 games of the Fall Season! Between the soccer matches and our math sessions, it has been a very busy and successful time!
It's time for our Winter Wonderland!
Join us on Tuesday, December 23, 2025, during Specials time for a half-day of fun before the break!
Students will enjoy:
🎶 A DJ and great music
🕹️ Fun games and activities
🎁 A chance to make their own ornaments
Important Note on Concessions: Please give your student a small amount of money so they can enjoy their favorite snacks and beverages at the concessions stand! 🍿🥤
Let's end the year with some winter fun! See you there!
REMINDER: December 23rd students will be dismissed at 12:50.
The students had a blast experiencing the music, the lights, and the joy of live theater. It was a wonderful day of community and festive fun for our young learners!
A HUGE thank you to the New Haven Public Schools Multilingual Department! They fully supported and funded this trip, making it possible for our Truman students to enjoy this amazing experience. We are so grateful for their ongoing commitment to our bilingual programs and our families!
In Ms. Nabakooza’s class, many students crafted beautiful pop-up tree cards, but this particular piece added a unique layer of "pop-up" creativity!
While the original design features a 3D tree, the artist included a hidden surprise: underneath the red paper flap, the student wrote "Feliz Navidad." It’s a wonderful example of a student taking a shared classroom project and adding their own interactive, personal flair.
It was so sweet to see them teaming up with their families to get the job done. Between the mountains of frosting and the "test-tasting" of the gumdrops, there was so much laughter and creativity in the air!
Today’s celebration was all about Gratitude. We took the time to reflect on what we are thankful for and to honor our amazing Students of the Month! These students have stood out for their kindness, their hard work, and the positive way they contribute to our school family.
Friday, Jan. 2nd: Schools Closed (Official Holiday)
Monday, Jan. 5th: Schools Reopen (Regular Schedule)
Tuesday, Jan. 6th: Schools Closed (Three Kings Day)
We appreciate your understanding and flexibility regarding this last-minute announcement from the Board of Education. We know that late changes can be challenging for scheduling, and we thank you for your patience.
Look at how colorful and festive their feet were! It brought so much holiday cheer to the classroom!
