News from The Children's School 10.10.14

Montessori Minutes

from The Children's School at Sylvia Circle

Issue: 07

October 10, 2014

Greetings!

I hope you had a good week!

We had a very busy day with International Walk to School Day and Kona Ice Day! These two events were great ways to build community and promote a Safe and Healthy School.

Don't forget-there is NO SCHOOL on Monday,October 13th. This is a Teacher Workday.

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 and PMD class

Take a LOOK at what's going on in THIRD grade this week:

~Students are beginning to use iPads to conduct short research projects.

~Student are studying the path that Explorers traveled through SC.

~Student cheerleaders showing school spirit-Go Sylvia Circle!

~Students enjoying Kona Ice Day!

~PMD class and 3rd grade Therapeutic Horseback Riding.

~Students making apple dapple cake with class buddies.

Independence Day

The Children's School at Sylvia Circle is excited to celebrate our very first "Independence Day"! The Montessori approach to learning aims to promote growth in the areas of independence and self-confidence, which we try to cultivate in every child throughout the day. Beginning on October 14th, ALL students will be encouraged to walk "independently" to their classrooms each morning. The TCS family (staff, students, and parents) are encouraged to wear red, white and blue to celebrate Independence Day. Thank you for your cooperation in participating in this important Montessori milestone for our students.

The Children's School Pumpkin Fun Run and Fitness Day

On Friday, October 31, 2014, our entire school will be participating in our fourth Fun-Run. This year's event will be called "The Pumpkin Fun Run and Fitness Day", which will incorporate many ways to encourage our children to develop an overall healthy living. This year's event will include Zumba, Yoga and other fun activities.

All children will be provided a T-shirt at no cost. Parents may purchase a T-shirt at $10 per T-shirt. Please clearly mark your size and payment on the pledge form on the back page. Parent T-shirt orders, including payment, is due by October 3^rd.

Each participant will raise funds by asking family and friends to sponsor them via pledging a one-time donation of any amount. We appreciate all donations regardless of the amount. No amount is too small!

You are now able to make contributions to TCS via PayPal at www.Paypal.com!!! If using PayPal, funds should be directed to CSSC.PTOTREASURER@YAHOO.COM. Please include the student's name and their teacher's name in the comment line when contributing.

Students and classes will have an opportunity to earn a number of prizes and awards based on their Fun Run pledges.

The Classroom that raises the most money will receive:

A plaque

VIP seating in the cafeteria for one day, lunch and ice cream party

Each child will receive a medallion or button

Extra recess time for one day

First Place Individual Student: Second Place Individual Student:

Academy Sports gift card Birthday party for 10 at Kate's Skating

Lunch with the Principal Lunch with the Assistant Principal

Teacher assistant for half a day Teacher helper for a day

Third Place Individual Student:

$25 gift certificate to be used at TCS Book Fair

3 Striker's Bowling Passes

Teacher helper for a day

Fun Run Pledge collections will begin on Friday, October 3^rd and end on October 30^th (collection dates are: October 17^th, 23^rd and 30^th).

Thank you for your continued support of our great school!

School Goals for 2014-2015

~Student Achievement: To increase student achievement in Math and Science

*Show a growth of at least 9% over the next 3 years in the Hi category (based on national norms) on Math MAP Test

*Show a decrease of least 9% over the next 3 years in the Lo category (based on national norms) on Math MAP Test

*Show at least an 8 point increase in the average mean score for 4th and 5th grade students on PASS Science Test

~Teacher/Administrator Quality: To increase staff collaboration and student achievement through Professional Learning Communities (PLCs)

*All staff will participate in weekly PLC meetings and have a clear understanding of its purpose

~School Climate- To continue to develop an increased commitment to Montessori beliefs and traditions while promoting Healthy School

*Staff will continue to take Montessori classes and attend Montessori conferences throughout the school year

*A minimum of 90% of families will attend at least one school function such as parent-teacher conferences, parent nights/orientations, a PTO sponsored event, or volunteer/visit in a classroom

*To reduce the total number of current 5th grade students that are overweight or obese to 33.7% (which is the state average for adolescents) based on BMI data

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

Fundraising with Coke Rewards & Labels for Education

Families can help raise money for our school:

~COKE REWARDS - by going to www.mycokerewards.com/school and register.

Enter the codes from the caps and select our school to donate points. Select the amount of points you want to give then click "donate"

or you can drop your Coke caps off in the school bin located in the front office area and the PTO coordinator will enter codes.

~Labels for Education - by collecting Campbell's labels and dropping them off in the school bin located in the front office area for the PTO coordinator.

(A detailed flier will be coming soon from the PTO)

Guidance Corner

Message from Mrs. Tami Spain:

The Character word for October is HONESTY. Honesty is the quality of being fair and truthful. Each day students will be reminded of the meaning of honesty through our TCS morning announcements. As students make new friends and work closely with adults at school it is important to be honest with actions and words. Through classroom guidance, I will be discussing the character trait HONESTY with students.

Also, this month Mrs. Spain is beginning the Friendship Circle with lower elementary students. Only students with signed permission forms are able to participate. This group will meet as a lunch bunch once a week through October.

Media Update

NOTE from Mrs. Robinson

Accelerated Reader has begun for the year. This is an online reading motivation program generously provided by our PTO. Students in grades 1-5 can take quizzes on books they read and earn points. Parents may view their child's reading record online at
https://Hosted299.renlearn.com/47933/HomeConnect

You will need to know your child's log-in information to access their record. In addition to viewing your child's record, there is a resource called AR Book Finder, which will allow you to see which books have quizzes along with reading level and point value.

This year, during our fall and spring book fairs, the boy and girl in each grade with the highest point total will be allowed to choose a free book. The winning students must also have an 85% correct average and an average book level no lower than 2 grade levels below their actual grade.

Music Corner

Messages from Mrs. Heather Turner (TCS Music Teacher)

Mrs. Heather has a webpage for music class:
http://tcsmusic.weebly.com/
What you'll find on there:

-pictures of classes in action

-program dates

-ways to get in touch with Mrs. Heather

-great links to fun music websites as well as some fun musical videos

3-5 graders are beginning work on their songs for their November 20th music program called "An Attitude of Gratitude". The music has been selected and the webpage (mentioned above) has a link called 3rd-5th that features all of their songs, links to mp3 recordings and lyrics. This is so they can practice at home, in the car, and everywhere in between. The program's success will come with their memorization of lyrics.

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

~Fall Music Program for 3rd-5th Grade

~Thursday, November 20th at 6:30 at South Pointe High School

~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

Our next meeting will be Monday, October 27th at 5:00 p.m. in the school media center.

**Just a reminder-the District SIC meeting will be Tuesday, October 21st at 6:00 p.m. in the District Training Room

PTO Update

Next meeting is on Thursday, October 16th at 6:00 p.m.

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 Sally Hartgrove (Challenger Director of TCS). Although Sally is new to the TCS family, she has adjusted well as the director of our afterschool program. I appreciate her hard work and running a smooth program. Great Job!

Upcoming Events

October (DEAR Soldier Campaign Kicks-off)

October 8th-November 12th - Parent-Teacher Conferences conducted

October 7th - 28nd - K5-2nd grade MAP Testing

13th - Columbus Day-NO STUDENT attendance (Teacher workday)

16th - PTO Meeting at 6:00 p.m.

21st - Fall District SIC Meeting at 6:30 p.m.

23rd - End of 9 weeks

24th - NO STUDENT attendance (Teacher workday)

24th - School spirit night at Chuck E Cheese (3:00-9:00 p.m.)

27th - SIC Meeting at 5:00 p.m.

27th - 31st -RED RIBBON WEEK