Northglade Montessori Newsletter

Dear Amazing Northglade Family and Staff;

Last week we had two emergency situations at our building: a tornado warning and a partial power outage. During emergencies such as these you prove yourselves to be the steady, competent and caring professionals that I have come to depend on to make our school safe and productive. Thank you for your unwavering commitment to our children, in even the most harrowing times.

While students were in sheltered areas, teachers told them stories and read to them, assuring them that all would be well and that they were safe. You all went the extra mile to make sure that though students were away from home at a potentially frightening time, they were still in good and loving hands. You maintained a calm, orderly environment and set a superb example for our children to following in times of crisis. We were even more able to handle the challenging situations because of the support of Mr. Talbott. We appreciate all the extra hard work our school custodian put into keeping us all safe. He lit the dark areas for the children, accomplishing his tasks with a big, reassuring smile. I can’t state often enough how great a part in getting our students home safely you all played.

Our day to remember ended with a night to remember. In contrast to the stressful day, however, the PTO gave us a night of fun and sharing when they sponsored Skate Night at Roller World.

IMPORTANT NOVEMBER DATES

Nov. 1-23 Performance Series Test

(Grades 3-5.)

Nov. 5: No school for students

Nov. 10: Grade Level Mtg.

Nov. 11-12: Hearing & Vision

Nov. 16 & 18: Fall Conferences

Nov. 18 & 19: 1/2 day of school

Nov. 24-30: No School

Calendar of Events from the Music and Arts Integration Program

November 1-15:

“Shadow and Movement” The Prints of Kirk Newman Art Show will be on display in the Library

Parents, please come to see this magnificent art display.

Thursday, November 4^th:

Northglade welcomes author Cynthia Leitich Smith. Mrs. Leitich will visit with the Elementary I (grades 1, 2, & 3) in the Cafeteria at 10:45 a.m.

Feel free to attend this event!

November 18 & 19

West Michigan Glass Science of Art Demonstration in Art Room with our Elementary 2 (grades 4 & 5).

November 22

Fall Festival (casual Thanksgiving Music Assembly) beginning at 2:30 in the Gym.

Invitation to follow.

ROOM PARENTS REMINDER!

We encourage you to please volunteer to be a room parent in your child’s classroom. Come aboard and add to the success of the boys and girls in your child’s classroom.

This week we begin Performance

Series Testing, an annual state test administered to students in grades 3-5, in the computer lab. We know our students will do well, but a good rest at night and a healthy start to the day will help them do even better.

Thank you from your proud principal,

Mrs. Flora Harrell

We Have A Junior Girls Scout Troop This Year! Families, Encourage Your Daughters to Join!

Junior Girl Scout Troop 488

invites all 4^th and 5^th grade girls to join them for their next meeting.

When: Wednesday, November 3, 2010

Where: In the school Cafeteria at 4:00

- Meet new friends.

- Learn what it means to be a Girl

Scout.

- Help plan exciting goals and

activities for the coming year.

Please contact either of the co-leaders with questions: Mrs. Heather Taylor at Northglade or Mrs. Felicia Crawford at (269) 998-7516. A parent informational meeting will be held after the troop meeting from 5:30 to 6:00 p.m. Parents should be prepared to register, to complete a child health information sheet, and to pay the $20 membership fee. Financial assistance is available.

PTO**BOOK NOOK IS OPEN**PTO

Affordable books for all boys and girls to purchase. The Book Nook will be open on Fridays from 12:30-2:00 p.m. It is located in the A-Wing hall.

From the Parent Corner…Magicians Alan Kazam and Alan Smola performed their annual “Halloween Spooktacular” show at the State Theater, Sunday October 24th.  Hundreds of children attended this family friendly production that showcased magic and illusions.  Throughout the show, the magicians asked for audience volunteers. From the hundreds of children in attendance, four Northglade girls participated in different segments of the show.
Jane Swartz and Natalie Swartz were part of a group of children that helped Alan Kazam make a bird and its cage disappear! We’re still wondering where that bird went.
Natalie Howard helped make a magic peanut butter and jelly sandwich. She held a paper lunch bag containing 2 slices of plain bread above her head. At the end of the trick, the 2 slices of bread were transformed into a sandwich with PBJ! How did that happen with the closed bag being held up in the air?
Isabel Stroud levitated in mid air! Alan Kazam made a hoop go around her body, with nothing holding her up. She didn’t even look frightened!
These Northglade girls rocked! The odds that out of all of the children present, 4 girls from the same school would get to participate is amazing. Our children are truly shining stars.
Mrs. Howard
Library Assistant
Northglade Montessori

    We are confident that the combination of the Montessori math curriculum and the district math program will help us deliver high quality mathematics instruction for all children.  You can help your child be successful in math by making sure that they complete all homework assignments and practice the math facts for quick recall.  Teachers will continue to use Test Pro in class, and some may assign it as homework.  If you have any questions concerning the homework, please call the office and leave a message for the teacher.

      Writing will also be a major focus this year.  Writing is an area where our students fall behind on district tests.  Learning to become proficient writers is a process that takes practice and consistency.   You can help at home by having your child write in the following ways:  journaling, writing reports, letter writing, poetry, opinion writing and writing stories.  Children love to read what they have written to others.  Take some time to listen to them as they read their writing.

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**IMPORTANT HELPFUL INFORMATION**

SOME QUICK REMINDERS:

For the safety of our children, it is important that the following procedures be consistently followed throughout the school year. Thank You!

Picking Up Students Early from School

Parents/Guardians must sign their student(s) out at the office. Office staff will then call the classroom to have your child dismissed. Please wait for your student(s) in the office.

Students Going to a Different Destination after School

When riding a different bus, your student must bring a signed and dated note from you indicating where the student is going.  The bus driver will not allow unassigned students to ride their bus.  If at all possible, we ask that you make decisions concerning any changes before school in the morning.  We do not encourage student use of phones to ask permission for last minute change of plans.  

Last Minute Change of Plans

Please call the school before 2:30 pm if there is to be a last minute change of plans for the end of the school day. This allows us time to get the message to the classroom teacher and will help to facilitate the necessary change.

Children Absent

Please call the school to report all student absences.   Also, please send a note to have the absence excused when your student returns to school.

Children Late to School

School starts at 8:40 a.m. Students are late at

8:53 a.m.  Students arriving after 10:30 a.m. are marked absent for the half day.  Students receiving breakfast must be at school by 8:30 a.m. All students arriving on late buses will be served breakfast upon arrival and are not counted as being late.

ALL FAMILIES ARE ENCOURAGED TO ATTEND OUR 2010-2011 OPEN HOUSE

September 20, 2010 from 5:30-7:00 p.m.

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED FOR OUR SCHOOL

All volunteers in public schools must meet the NCLB guidelines. Please call the office if you have questions.

v     Volunteer to update our web site

v     Parents willing to read with children

v     Parents to tutor children in math

v     Volunteers to assist with Lunch and Enrichments

                 Times: EC – 12:00-1:00

                             E2  – 11:40-12:30

                             E1  – 12:40-1:30

v     Make copies for teachers

v     Help cut out materials for teachers

MEDICATION

All medication is to be taken in the office.  The parent or guardian, and the child’s doctor, must sign a permission form (available from the school office).  Only medication prescribed by a doctor will be administered.

Dismissal Procedures

For the safety of all children, parents and/or siblings must wait for their children to exit the building during dismissal.  Please notify your child’s teacher before you leave with him or her. Thank you, in advance, for your attention to this matter. 

     The circle drive in front of the building is for busses only.  The parking lot is reserved for students being picked up in cars. Please help us ensure your child’s safety at all times.

     Due to the high level of traffic during dismissal, never allow children to cross Cobb Street without you. 

IMPORTANT SEPTEMBER DATES

Sept. 13-24     DIBELS

Sept. 16           PTO meeting from 6:00-7:00 p.m.

Sept. 17           PTO Fund Raiser Kick-Off

Sept. 20           Open House from 5:30 -7:00 p.m.

Sept. 27           School Improvement Mtg.

                        5:00-6:00 p.m.

Sept. 29           Picture Day– Smile!

Sept. 29           STUDENT COUNT DAY