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2014-15 School Year
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August 22, 2014
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City Garden Montessori School Newsletter
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1618 Tower Grove Ave
Saint Louis, Missouri 63110
314-664-7646
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Dear City Garden Families,
Before the start of school, we shared with you our deepened commitment to create an environment in which we simultaneously exemplify the highest of standards and levels of accountability and also a culture of support, love and joy - for the children and adults. These two principles are our guiding mantra as we continue to develop our programs, our structures and our staff:
1. What is best for the children?
2. Will it keep the children in the forefront of our actions?
As the first week of the school year comes to a close, we want to extend our gratitude to you for helping us to live out this commitment.
We have asked a lot of you this first week of school and you delivered. Thank you!
Gratefully Yours,
Nicole and Christie
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Environment for Learning
The Living Room
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We would like all of our children to get the most out of their day with minimal interruptions. This year, a quiet Living Room is critical to this. At 8:25 each day, parents, family members and visitors will be asked to move away from the Living Room so that our quiet time can begin and that all children will be in their respective places at 8:30 when the school day begins. We love our parents and friends, and if time is needed to chat, you are more than welcome to use the gym for a few moments in the morning.
The Living Room will remain a quiet zone during school hours.
Throughout the school day, children will be using this quiet space as an extension of their classrooms to study, read, and to work with our Reading Specialists. If you are in the building during school hours, we ask that you please respect the Living "Class" Room space by keeping silent and walking around the perimeter, instead of through the center of the space.
Dismissal Time
Our students are learning right up until dismissal time at 3:30. When a parent is requesting an early dismissal, the disruption may possibly affect the student's progress in school. Effective immediately, we ask that all parents and family members wait until 3:30 dismissal to pick up their children. No one will be allowed entry to the building after 3:00, except for those who have business with the school.
If you must pick up your child for a doctor's appointment, especially between the hours of 2:30 and 3:30, please notify Ms. Mosley at least a week in advance.
We are working towards a smooth systematic school year, and need to have procedures such as these in place to ensure the well-being of our students. Of course emergencies happen but if we all work together, all of our policies and procedures will definitely help our students have a very productive school year.
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To Do List
From Ms. Mosley
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If you have not returned your back to school forms, please return all forms in the brown envelope, located in the red Back to School folder.
All forms should be completed and returned by Monday, August 25, 2014.
Thank you!
From Mr. Rouse
To thank our school for organizing an event last June, the Cardinals are offering a special discount on upcoming home games. For the upcoming Pirates series (September 1-3), the Cardinals are offering $5 Loge tickets.
To purchase tickets, visit www.cardinals.com/thankyou and enter the coupon code "THANKYOU14". You can purchase up to 24 tickets online. Food, Glorious Food
Please remember to turn in lunch and/or breakfast forms if your child is wanting to participate in either or both programs. We are required to give a three-week notice to our food providers so they can order properly. Without returned forms, we run the risk of running short on meals to serve our students.
Please note, both forms have a box you may check if you would like to sign up your child/children for the entire year. If they are signed up for the entire year, you do not need to turn in forms again until next year!
Activity Fee
Each family is requested to provide an Activity Fee of $50, to defray the costs of class trips and other expenses that enrich the curriculum for our students. Please turn this payment into Ms. Mosley if you have not already done so.
Weather Alert
Just in time for the end of summer, St. Louis is experiencing high temps, humidity, and heat-advisories. We try to provide opportunities for outdoor play, but weather may not always cooperate. During this time of year, it is best to equip your child with a hat, water bottle, and sunscreen just in case.
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Operation Re-route
A Different Kind of Map Test
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Thank you so much!
Our new route has gone so much faster for most parents!!
City Garden has received praise for its new route from our Alderperson, neighborhood businesses, and cyclists on Tower Grove Ave. All of these folks appreciate you taking the new route, because it makes their commute safer, easier, and quicker.
Here are a few new tips to help you navigate the route:
- If you are coming from Shaw or HWY 44, please head EAST on McRee (southern street parallel to our school). Take a left on Klemm, a left on Folsom, and then line up in the QMC parking lot to come down our alley.
- If you are headed northbound on Tower Grove Ave, please turn onto McRee. Take a left on Klemm, a left on Folsom, and then line up in the QMC parking lot to come down our alley.
- If you miss the turn on McRee, you may continue (past Blaine) and take a right on Folsom. If you do this, please continue East on Folsom, past the QMC alley entrance. Make a U-turn when it is safe, and join the east-bound line waiting for the QMC entrance into the alley.
Please do not use a right-turn onto Folsom as your primary route to City Garden. It is dangerous, causing unnecessary stress to our neighbors, local businesses and other parents.
- You will no longer be able to wait in line for entrance to the alley in the east-bound lane on Folsom for safety reasons.
- Please obey all standard traffic signals and customs. Please make sure you are not blocking exits for any of our local businesses on Folsom.
- Please wait in the curb lane. There is no reason for City Garden drivers to block moving traffic lanes on any of these streets.
Lastly, please make eye contact and smile at your crossing guards!! They are working hard in the heat and rain for the safety and efficiency of your child's dismissal.
As always, thank you for your infinite patience and cooperation. Here are a few more photos of our Green Vest Coalition  
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Upcoming Events
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PAC - Our Parent Advisory Committee
PAC is City Garden's parent advisory committee. All parents are a part of PAC and we would love for you to participate in any or all PAC events. Subcommittees are forming now!
We will tell you all about it when you join for our first general meet and greet of the school year on September 18 from 6 to 8 pm.
"If you are a parent, you are a member of PAC. Come for food, fun and meet some parents. After the social hour, we will meet and discuss plans for the 2014-15 year."
- Jamila Owens-Todd, PAC President
PAC Committee Events
PAC Social Engagement Subcommittee Kick-Off PARTY
Wednesday, September 3rd at 6:00pm
Do you like community events such as School BBQ's, Bowling, and Bingo? Do you like meeting and getting-together with other parents at City Garden while helping the school at the same time? Then join our team!
The PAC Social Engagement Subcommittee (SES) puts on fun social events throughout the school year that help our families connect with each other and the school and strengthen our community. We are made-up of parents and led by parents just like you! We need more members in order to host all of our events this year. Please join us! It's a fun way to get involved, and we understand and work with busy family schedules!
We will have a kick-off party and first meeting of the year on Wed., September 3rd at 6:00pm at the home of Rebecca and David Hankins (committee co-chairs). Kids are welcome! Pizza will be provided, but please bring a side dish, dessert, or drink to share if you'd like.
Please RSVP to Rebecca at rebecca.hankins@americanrec.com or 314-517-0292 for her address. If you cannot make the meeting, but would still like to get involved or want more information, please contact Rebecca!
We look forward to seeing you September 3rd!
From the PAC Social Engagement Subcommittee
Cupcakes and Success - Please save a date!
Parents please save the date for one of the below sessions to learn how you can help "Cultivate Opportunity" for every child here at City Garden. SweetArt cupcakes and childcare will be provided. More information will be forthcoming.
Sunday, September 7, 2014 (3:30 pm - 5 pm)
Monday, September 8, 2014 (6:00 pm - 7:30 pm)
Tuesday, September 9, 2014 (8:00 am - 9:30 am)
Thank you,
PAC (Parent Advisory Committee) Fundraising Committee
Annual BACK-TO-SCHOOL BBQ Sunday, September 14th 1:00pm at Tower Grove Park
Please join us for the annual City Garden Family BBQ and Picnic hosted by parents of the PAC Social Engagement Subcommittee. We will be located in the southwest area of the park at The Gurney Site.
City Garden is providing hot dogs (including vegetarian) for all. If at all possible for your family, we would appreciate your contribution of the following to share, enough to serve around 25 people, for our potluck-style meal (based on last name of child):
A-D: chips (1 bag)
E-O: salad / side dish
P-Z: dessert
Please also bring your own lawn chairs or blankets, and water/soft drinks for just your family. City Garden will provide plates, utensils, and napkins for all.
Looking forward to seeing all of our CG Families on Sept. 14th for food, fun, and sun to celebrate the new school year!
From the PAC Social Engagement Subcommittee
* In case of afternoon rain, the picnic may be cancelled. Please be sure to check your e-mail and voicemail messages that day.
Click here for the Tower Grove Park map.
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Development - Annual Fund Fall Calendar
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September
7th, 8th, & 9th - Cupcakes and Success: Annual Fund Kickoff
13th- Car Wash Fundraiser, 9 am - 11 am (Sponsored by Junior High Class)
October
3rd & 4th - Rummage Sale (Friday Preview Sale from 6 pm - 8 pm) Saturday Hours: 7 am - 2 pm
4th - Fall Festival, 11 am - 2 pm
November
6th - TJ's Pizza Sales Begin
8th - Trivia Night and Auction, 7 pm - 10 pm
15th - Pancake Breakfast, 9 am - 11 am (Sponsored by Junior High Class)
December
3rd - TJ's Forms are Due
18th - TJ's Pizza Distributed
Gala Committee Work
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City Garden College Planning and Saving Night, September 30th, 6:00-8:00pm
o We want our student(s) to have the opportunity to go to college!
o Come learn about ways to save and earn matching money for college tuition!!
o City Garden, United Way, and Wells Fargo are partnering to provide our families to learn more about saving for college and preparing your child financially for a bright future.
o Financial experts and nonprofit partners will present on topics including savings vehicles, scholarships, and college planning.
o Dinner and childcare will be provided.
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