Montessori Minutes

from The Children's School at Sylvia Circle

Issue: 03

September 12, 2014

I hope you had a good week!

We had a very productive Late Start on Wednesday as the staff worked on the School Improvement Plan.

Next Friday, we will celebrate International Peace Day. This is a special day for us as a Montessori school because we strive to provide a peaceful learning environment.

Don't forget-The Children's School at Sylvia Circle has a Facebook and Twitter account. This a great way to keep up-to-date with the latest school news in addition to the weekly newsletter. I encourage you to Follow us on FACEBOOK and TWITTER (use the links on the right hand column). Please share with friends and family too.

Sincerely,

Jacqueline G. Jones

Principal

The Children's School at Sylvia Circle

News

Spotlight on THIRD Grade

Students in Third Grade are working collaboratively, building community with their class buddies, enjoying time and finding peace with the school Labyrinth, working hard during work cycle time, and enjoying free-time with classmates.

INTERNATIONAL PEACE DAY

International Peace Day is on Sunday, September 21st. Our school celebration will take place next Friday. As a Montessori school "PEACE" is a major focal point of our school environment and curriculum. Throughout the day, students are encouraged to use peaceful ways to resolve conflicts such as conflict resolution and the use of a Peace Table.

On Friday, the entire school body will assemble on the front area field to form a large heart as a symbol of love and kindness. The RH Fire Department will be on hand to take an aerial photo. This photo will be displayed in the main hallway as a constant reminder of our commitment to PEACE.

Goodies for Grandparents Gallery - Great turnout

A special thanks to the Goodies for Grandparents Committee of the PTO and the many volunteers that helped make this event a success!

The Children's School at Sylvia Circle is kicking off the

2014-2015 Box Tops for Education Fundraiser!

We are requesting your participation in this fundraiser as it provides needed educational funds for our students and teachers. This year, we will have a competition between classes with quarterly results and rewards.

Participation is easy as 1-2-3-4!!

1.Buy your favorite Box Tops products.

2.Cut out Box Tops.

3. Send Box Tops to your child's class in a zip lock bag

with child's name, teacher's name and number of Box Tops in the bag!

4.Earn points for Class Prize!

Each class will have three chances to win this school year!!!!!

Quarterly collection dates:

September 15- November 21, 2014

November 24- February 13, 2015

February 17 - May 22, 2015

Parent Nights and Student-Led Conferences

*Early Childhood (3K-5K) - Tuesday, September 16th at 6:00 p.m. beginning in the school cafeteria

*3rd Grade - Tuesday, September 23rd at 5:30 p.m. beginning in the school cafeteria

*Lower Ele (1st & 2nd Grade) - Thursday, October 2nd at 6:00 p.m. beginning in the school cafeteria

During each night, we will begin in the cafeteria with a brief whole group session to review school goals, report cards, and answer any whole-group questions. Next, students and parents will transition to classrooms to review class expectations and procedures. Finally, the main event, each student will facilitate a conference with their parent(s) in which they will share what a typical day is like for them in their Montessori classroom. They will model and explain Montessori lessons, share journals, work using 1-1 with their iPad, and current project/assignments they are completing.

Montessori Site Visit

On yesterday, we had a Montessori site visit from Dr. Ginny Riga with The Center for Montessori Education/NY. During the visit, Dr. Riga had the pleasure of visiting several classes and talking with students and teachers. We are very fortunate to have her visits and I always learn some valuable information about how to improve our school. The feedback I received included:

*Compliments:

~Excellent teacher and student rapport

~Teachers and assistants used calm and peaceful voices when interacting with their class

~Classrooms were well-organized

~Halls and school was very clean

~Community meetings were very organized and students were able to express their thoughts during the community meetings to help promote team building

*Areas to improve:

~Add the word "Montessori" on an outside sign or marque

~Try to reduce clutter from walls and add more classical art

~Use as much Montessori materials as possible when teaching lessons

Guidance Corner

Message from Mrs. Tami Spain:

The word of the month for August 20th to the end of September is COURAGE. Courage is the quality of mind or spirit that allows a person to face difficulty, danger, or something new without fear. Another word for courage is "bravery." Starting a new school year with a positive attitude can take courage. Each day students will be reminded of the meaning of courage through our TCS morning announcements. Through classroom guidance, I will be discussing the character trait COURAGE with students.

Girls on the Run (GOTR) Registration continues

For Girls in grades 3-5: Girls on the Run is an after school running club that will meet on Monday and Wednesday at TCS. All girls in these grades should have a flyer in their Tuesday take-home folders for parents to learn more about this opportunity. There will be information about online registration. Registration dates are Sept. 2nd -Sept. 26th. Paper applications will be available with Mrs. Spain. Any interested student may apply for a need-based scholarship to cover part or all of the registration fee for this fall season.

This year's coaches, Ms. Barton, Ms. Jenkins, Ms. Powell and Ms. Spain, are excited for a great 2014 season!

Music Corner

Messages from Mrs. Heather Turner (TCS Music Teacher)

*On Sunday, September 14th, the city will celebrate the 200th anniversary of the writing of the "Star Spangled Banner". It will be celebrated at the Old Town Amphitheater and York County Library. Children's activities will be available starting at 2:30 and at 4:00 there will be special program featuring a group sing-along of the "Star Spangled Banner". All students have been learning about the history of the "Star Spangled Banner" so we would love to see our children there to help celebrate and sing-along.

*Mrs. Heather is encouraging all of her 4th and 5th grade students to audition for the Rock Hill Elementary Honors Choir. This is a prestigious group of students from all elementary schools in the district that rehearse on Mondays afterschool. Mrs. Heather will be doing the first stage of the audition on 9/2 and she is able to send 8 names to the final audition with the choir director, Mr. Simon. If your child enjoys singing and you can get them to rehearsals on Mondays after school then please encourage them to try. In the audition for Mrs. Heather, students are going to echo a short melody and then sing the traditional version of "Happy Birthday" (not the Stevie Wonder version). If your child is selected as one of the 8 names, they will come home with a letter with more specifics about the final audition date and time.

SAVE the DATE--Fall Music Program and General PTO Meeting

~Fall Music Program for 3rd-5th Grade

~Thursday, November 20th at 6:30

~Theme: Gratitude

In the Montessori environment, GRATITUDE is a key component of peace education. Showing gratitude is an important part of who we are as humans. It strengthens our relationships and our connection to our community and studies show that expressing appreciation makes us happier and more compassionate people.

~The performance will begin promptly at 6:30 with a PTO meeting in the middle of the performance. All of

Mrs. Gayton's 2nd graders will participate in this program, as well.

Changing the Community

Lilly (3rd grade) and Lola (2nd grade)

click to see flier to learn more about how you can support their efforts

These Montessori students are really making a difference in our community!

School Improvement Council (SIC) Update

During the Open House and Back to School Bash on August 18th nominations were accepted for 3 vacant seats on our SIC due to 2-year terms ending. The SIC serves as an advisory committee to a school's principal and faculty. SIC members play a key role in the education of our state's stakeholders to collaborate on the improvement of their school. More than 16,000 people serve on SICs in South Carolina. These positions are for 2 years.

Ballots are due back today and results will be shared next week.

PTO Update

Next meeting is on Thursday, September 18th at 6:00PM.

Parent Business Survey

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1Ov05MwVo7jL0UDUZAEgBdLOsSFyeQdPIWRPM4O8V3WI/viewform?c=0&w=1&usp=mail_form_link

"Shout-Outs"

The Faculty and Staff of TCS

I'd like to give a "shout-out" to the Leadership Team of TCS (Laura Ashe, Tami Spain, Tracy Danenhower, Julie Joyner, Latanya Porter, Anne Hart, and Rita Wilbrun). They have worked so hard to collaborate as a group and with their colleagues to develop our school goals. Great job!

Upcoming Events

September

9th - 30th - MAP Testing begins for Grades 3-5

16th - Early Childhood (3K, 4K & 5K) Parent Night & Student-led conferences (6:00)

18^th - PTO Meeting

19^th - Celebrate International Day of Peace

21^st - International Peace Day

23rd - 3rd Grade Parent Night & Student-led conferences (5:30)

25^th - Spirit Night @ Chick-Fil-A on Dave Lyle 5:00-8:00PM