PRM School Rocker
Issue 3, Volume 4 November 2022
Principal Simpson's Message
Greetings PRM Families,
As we approach the time of year set aside for giving thanks, we want to express our sincere gratitude to our school community for all of your encouragement, patience, and support thus far. We are still facing some very challenging times as a united community. We are working so hard every day to meet the growing needs of our school as we focus on Academics, Behavior, and Culture.
Thank you for once again making our Think Pink event a great success! We will host our Montessori Journey Night event on November 3rd. You will find details about this and other upcoming events in this newsletter.
Midterm week is the week of November 7th. We will be sending midterm report cards in Wednesday folders on November 16th. Please continue to nurture and build a strong partnership with your child's teacher so that we are able to have outstanding student outcomes.
We need your help. We have a large number of students coming to school late every day. Please do your best to make sure that your child is at school by 7:45am. Every minute counts. Our school social worker Allie Quinter, will be reaching out to families to support them with resources and to create Attendance Improvement Plans.
We sincerely hope you will continue to intentionally show love and care for your family and those you are connected to. Celebrate the meaning of Thanksgiving and how much we have to be grateful for. We appreciate each and every one of you. Stay safe and cherish each other.
Love,
Principal Simpson
Email: simpsoa@cpsboe.k12.oh.us
Phone: 513-203-9087
School Hours
Upcoming Dates
Poinsettia and Wreath Sale – Now Thru Friday, November 18th (Online)
PRM Montessori Journey Night – Thursday, November 3rd, 5-7pm
ILT Meeting – Monday, November 7th @ 2:45pm at PRM
No School: Election Day – Tuesday, November 8th
LSDMC Meeting – Wednesday, November 9th @ 3:00pm at PRM (Media Center)
PTO Meeting – Wednesday, November 9th @ 6:00pm at PRM (Cafeteria)
Foundation Meeting – Wednesday, November 9th @ 6:45pm at PRM (Cafeteria)
No School: Veterans Day – Friday, November 11th
Picture Retakes will take place on November 16th
Equity Group – Thursday, November 17th @ 6:30pm at PRM
Grandparent & Special Friend Day – Friday, November 18th from 7:45-9:30am
ILT Meeting – Monday, November 21st @ 2:45pm at PRM
No School: Thanksgiving Break – Wednesday, November 23rd – Friday, November 25th
Event updates throughout the month will be available on www.prmrocks.org/calendar
*You can also subscribe to the calendar on your device- find the green “subscribe” button on the top right side of the calendar page.
Time to Start Thinking About High School~Jackie Bonfield
This presentation includes:
- Links to some HS virtual visits
- Information about admission criteria for SCPA, Walnut, and Spencer
- Information about national percentile scores
- Links to a few online practice tests for Iowa and CogAT
- Additional information about the Iowa and CogAT assessments
PRM Community in Action:
We hosted our October Bash on Wednesday, October 26th. The PRM community showed up, and showed out! Thank you to all of the parents, and community partners, and a special thank you to the staff members who supported the event after such a long workday with students.
3-6 News
We continue to work hard through the second quarter of the school year. We do have several days off of school in November, please check the CPS/PRM calendar. And we have Picture Retake Day on November 16th.
We appreciate all of the support of our room liaisons and families to help our communities thrive. As always, please get in touch with your student's teacher with any questions or concerns. Thank you!
6-9 News
The whole 6-9 team would like to thank all the support from PTO we received for OST Testing. The 3rd-grade students loved the Doughnut Party on Friday, and the testing supplies and snacks were very helpful.
The 6-9 classrooms are beginning some cultural projects involving research for the 3rd graders on various topics. We are continuing to work on community building in all classrooms. The social worker, Ms. Allie, is joining some communities for SEL lessons using a district curriculum called PATHS which utilizes fun and engaging lessons for the students.
Remember, with the weather getting cooler, please be sure to send students with warm clothes to school.
9-12 News
The 4/5 grade team is studying the phases of the moon and ancient astronomers, and in math, students are working on multiplication and division. The 6th-grade team is working in math with tape diagrams to represent algebraic and numeric expressions; working with digital microscopes in science, exploring economics in social studies, and in English, they began their new novel "Out of the Dust."
Please remember to check your child's planner nightly for all assignments and reach out to your child’s teachers if you have any questions.
News from the Specialist Team
Technology updates from Mr. David:
The 6th-grade students are learning how to create and edit videos using WeVideo. The plan is to get all the basics down so they can take pictures over the holiday break and use them to create a movie when they return.
The 4th/5th graders are finishing up learning how to create Google Forms. We will create forms to collect data as the quarter progresses and put that information into databases.
The 1st-3rd graders have started a Computer Science unit. This is my first time working with all grade levels at once; normally, each level is doing its own thing. The focus at the moment is directions. They are learning sequencing and how step-by-step instructions must be performed in a particular order. The students will be writing/drawing instructions on how to make a peanut butter and jelly sandwich for an alien family that has moved in next door! The key to success is in the DETAILS!
Kindergarteners are learning how to log in on their own, and they are beginning to remember that their username and password are their name and birthday.
Updates from our new Strings teacher, Ms. Castle:
Hello Strings Families! I am excited that we now have all of our new string classes organized and playing. All students should be practicing for 15-20 minutes daily at home. Currently, we are working on 3 songs pizzicato (plucking) with open strings (no fingers closing the string). This week, we will begin learning the left hand/finger position, so I will need to put on finger tapes which will serve as guides, much like the frets on a guitar. If possible, please have your child stop by the music area beginning Wednesday mornings before 8:15am so that I may put on their tapes before class in order to save class time; thank you!
As a reminder, only students who played last year should be using the bow. Students should be practicing their bow hand position on either their small practice bow or a pencil every day for the number of their age. Please help them by making sure they are practicing their repetitions with careful attention to their finger placement by checking the examples in their book. Finger and hand position directly affects the sound they will produce, and they are SO excited to get to the next step! Thank you for helping them be successful. What a TALENTED school we have! I am grateful to be a part of this community and this wonderful staff.
Mrs. Bonfield’s updates on Brain Bowl and the first annual Spelling Bee:
BRAIN BOWL – Does your 9-12 student:
have lots of information and facts stored in their brain?
have a competitive nature?
think that they are “Smarter Than a Fifth Grader?”
want to represent PRM in district academic competitions?
IF YOU ANSWERED YES, then you should encourage them to try out for PRM’s Brain Bowl Team!
Brain Bowl is a team-based academic competition for CPS 4th, 5th, and 6th-grade students.
Participating elementary schools begin their team selection process in early November and start practicing once the team members are determined. District matches begin the second week of January and run through March, ending with the district tournament. (Tentatively scheduled for Saturday, March 18, 2023.) Weekly matches are held on Wednesdays or Thursdays and begin just after 4:00pm to accommodate schools with later dismissal times.
*Sign Up NOW to Try Out – Students must sign up by completing the Brain Bowl Team Tryouts Google Form before Monday, November 7th. The form was shared with students through their Technology Schoology Course. Only students that have signed up will be permitted to participate.
Round one will be held on Thursday, November 10th, from 1:10 to 1:45pm in the Media Center.
Students will have 20 minutes to answer questions in a written answer format from various subject areas such as Math, Geography, History, Vocabulary, Sports, Government, Science, Algebra, Grammar, Music, Art, Literature, Popular Culture, and Current Events.
The top-scoring students from each grade, 4th through 6th, will receive an invitation to participate in the second round on Thursday, November 17th, from 2:30 to 4:30pm. Parent/guardian permission, with contact information, will be required to participate in this round, along with a completed student questionnaire. This round is set up like a typical Brain Bowl match, where students use the buzzer system to buzz in and give their answers. PRM Brain Bowl team members are selected based on general knowledge of various subject areas, ability to perform under pressure, sportsmanship, ability to follow oral directions, and self-control.
On Friday, November 18th, each second-round participant and their parent/guardian will receive an email notification with the results of the tryouts. Students that are selected for the team will receive a practice schedule for November and December and study materials to begin preparing for the first match in January.
SPELLING BEE – New this year, PRM is going to participate in the National Spelling Bee! This is our first year of participating, and we have a lot to learn, but we are very excited to build this program at PRM.
The PRM School Spelling Bee will take place during the first two weeks of January, with the winner being announced on Friday, January 13th. All PRM students in grades 1-6 are invited and encouraged to participate but must have parent/guardian approval to be added to the roster. To give your student permission, please complete and submit this form no later than Friday, November 18th: https://forms.gle/VUGSp7B2aycFnpcB7
PTO & Foundation Hub News
Parent Organization Updates
PTO and Foundation will both be meeting at PRM this month in the cafeteria on Wednesday, November 9th starting at 6:00pm. If you have been wondering about volunteering, getting involved, or learning more about either of these parent leadership groups, then this is the meeting for you! Childcare is provided, and all are welcomed and encouraged to attend.
Another way to stay connected is through the PRM Rocks website; if you haven’t already done so, now is the perfect time to subscribe to emails: https://prmrocks.org/emailupdates/
PRM Champions and volunteers needed for upcoming events:
PRM has a wonderful community of staff & families all working together. The amazing October Bash last week was a perfect example. This event would not have been possible without a team of volunteers who supported the event and our champions – Laura Morales and Antoinette Moore. And another favorite event, Grandparents Day, is returning later this month on Friday, November 18th. Champions and volunteers make these events possible.
PTO is now seeking champions to coordinate more events this school year. A champion takes the lead on an event but works with a volunteer team to make it successful. Upcoming events are the Gingerbread House Making Party, Staff Appreciation Week, Staff Appreciation lunches, Donuts with Dudes, and The Spring Dance for All. *These beloved events will not happen if we can’t identify a champion to help coordinate and lead each event.
Please consider signing up as a champion if you are passionate about one of the above events. You can partner with another person or a small group. PTO will support you. Sign up here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1y8WWYSGqwhdwVCypY_ZaIS48oWkWS5BtC4E5qgPjR1w/edit
If you have questions, please reach out to PTO President Antoinette Moore at grayac1012@gmail.com or PTO VP Eva Borho at Eva.Borho@gmail.com
Foundation
The PRM Foundation has once again partnered with Benken to host our Annual Winter Poinsettia & Greenery Wreath Fundraiser. PRM receives a portion of each item purchased. Invite friends, family, and neighbors to participate. This is a great way to support our school and a local business! Thank you in advance for your support!
Order here: https://prmrocks.org/winter-2022-poinsettia-and-wreath-fundraiser/
Poinsettias are $15 each and come in red, white, and pink. Greenery wreaths are $45 and are 22” in diameter. The deadline to place orders is Friday, November 18th. Limited quantities of some colors are available, so get your orders in early to ensure you can get your color choice. Once a color has sold out, it will be out of stock.
All orders will be picked up at the school on Wednesday, November 30th, between 4:00 and 6:00pm. If you are unable to pick up on this day, you can designate someone to pick up your items for you. You must pay for your items in advance. Email Tami Kauffman at kauffmantami@gmail.com with any questions.
Boosters
Basketball and Cheer are both starting soon! Parent volunteers are working hard behind the scenes to create teams, set practice schedules, and get coaches up to speed so we can ensure a successful winter sports season for all athletes. Basketball games will begin the first weekend in December and continue through February. Cheering will take place at various home games throughout the season. More information about all athletic opportunities can be found at www.prmrocks.org/athletics, and any questions can be directed to prmathletics@gmail.com.
Equity Group
Did you know 15-20% of the world's children have Dyslexia? Yet, there are many misconceptions about what Dyslexia is and how it can impact a person.
Join the PRM Equity Group on Thursday, November 17th at 6:30pm in the cafeteria for a screening of the most-watched Dyslexia awareness film in history, Mical. Afterward, we will discuss the movie and learn more about the current Ohio legislation changes occurring to support students with Dyslexia.
ILT~Instructional Leadership Committee
The Instructional Leadership Team will meet at PRM this month on Monday afternoons on both November 7th and 21st. ILT will continue to discuss and work on important issues that affect student instruction during the school day.
LSDMC ~ Local School Decision Making Committee
The Local School Decision Making Committee will have our monthly meeting on Wednesday, November 9th at 3:00pm at PRM. We would like to introduce and welcome our newest member, Terri Hogan, a representative from the Amberley Village neighborhood council.
CLC Update
Hello everyone,
The CLC is here to provide you with various services that you may need. Feel free to contact either our Resource Coordinator- Ms. Monique Johnson at johnmon@cpsboe.k12.oh.us or our Asst. School Community Coordinator- Mrs. Jamie Donaldson at donalja@cpsboe.k12.oh.us.
We have to send out a HUGE THANK YOU to all of our wonderful volunteers who participated in many of the activities that took place at PRM during the month of October. Our Annual October Bash was another big hit! We had so many of our families and community partners to truly help light up the night. You all ROCK!
The PRM Think Pink Event was on Friday, October 28, 2022, and we raised over $579.71. The winning class is Community 2202-Mrs. Cleveland’s Class. We are making plans to do an activity with the winning class and our awesome school administrators.
Spelling Bee- This is our first year doing this event, and we are excited to be a part of it all. We are inviting all 1st through 6th-grade students to participate in this event. If your child is interested in being part of the team, we ask that all parents/guardians complete the permission slip by clicking on the link below. Permissions and forms must be submitted no later than November 18th. Click on the link here to sign-up: https://forms.gle/VUGSp7B2aycFnpcB7
Thanksgiving Box Celebration, we have partnered with Pleasant Ridge Presbyterian Church to help us box everything up. This is going to be a community event and e would love for you to come and join us as we bless our families at the school and the community. This event will take place on Sunday, November 20th, at 10 am. For more information, contact Ms. Monique Johnson.
Thanksgiving Distribution- We are hosting our PRM Thanksgiving Distribution again this year. Parents, if you are in need of a Holiday box, please contact our Resource Coordinator- Monique Johnson or are Social Worker- Allison Quinter. If you would like to help through a monetary donation, we ask that you go to the PRMRocks.org page for more information.
Coat Drive- Our Annual coat drive is starting soon. Collections will be from November 14th through December 2nd. Distribution of winter coats and items will take place in December. We take new or gently used coats, hats, scarves, and gloves. If you would like to donate, you can come by the school and drop off your donated items in the box in the lobby. If you would like to receive a coat, please contact Ms. Johnson, our school resource coordinator, at 513-363-4429. There are order forms for shopping in the front office and your child’s take-home folders for next week.
BE PRESENT! CPS has rolled out this initiative. You will see it at every school, and we want to ensure that you are a part of it all. If you are interested in volunteering, please make sure you click on the link and complete the online form. Be Present Link: https://www.cps-k12.org/domain/164
After-School Clubs and Groups are geared up for a fun and exciting school year. The clubs/groups' leaders send out information and applications to students. Some of the clubs will not start until January. Be on the lookout for more information. Here is a list of current Clubs/Groups:
Girls 2 Women (4th-6th)- Meets every Wednesday
M.O.R.E. (4th-6th)- Meets every Wednesday
Chess Club (3rd-6th)- has not started yet.
Brain Bowl (4th-6th)-meets every Thursday
Hooked on Fishing (4th-6th)- will start in January
Design Club (4th-6th)-meets every Tuesday
Music (Choir) Club (2nd-6th)- meets every Tuesday
Drama Club-Matlida Jr. (4th-6th)- meets every Thursday
Webby Dance- (PK-1st)- meets every Tuesdays & (2nd-5th)- meet every Thursdays
Sprint Sisters (3rd-5th)-Spring
Spanish Academy (2nd-6th)-meets every Tuesday
Broadcasting Club (2nd-6th)- has not started yet
Coffee Cup (4th-6th)- meets every Wednesday
TeamWorks (1st-2nd)- meets every Wednesday
Whiz Kids Tutoring (2nd-6th)- meets every Tuesday
Athletic Sports- goes through Boosters-checkout our PRMRocks.org page
Resources
Freestore Foodbank Holiday Distribution is November 1-24, 2022, from 8 am-4 pm. They provide food boxes for the holiday season for you and your family to enjoy. The Freestore Foodbank is located at 112 E. Liberty Street, Cincinnati, OH 45202
Community Happens Here is hosting a Hair Talk with Crown Club on Friday, November 18th, from 6:30 pm to 8:00 pm. This is a free event.
Menus
District Calendar 2022-23
Support Hotlines
Cincinnati Public Schools:
513-363-0123
Cincinnati Children's Hospital PIRC intake line:
513-636-4124
Suspected Child Abuse or Neglect:
513-241-KIDS
Suicide Prevention Hotline:
1-800-273-TALK (8255)
Crisis Textline:
Text 4HOPE to 741741
Disaster Distress Helpline:
1-800-985-5990
Domestic Violence Hotline via Women Helping Women:
513-381-5610
CPS Parent Technical Support Line
R.O.C.K.S!
Our Character Program centers around:
Respect, Ownership, Compassion, Kindness and Safety, Safety, Safety!
Below are the three school-wide expectations that we expect students to follow throughout all parts of our learning community. Please support us by reinforcing these at home.
- Be Respectful
- Be Responsible
- Be a Problem Solver
Principal Simpson & Assistant Principal Stegman
Website: https://pleasantridge.cps-k12.org/about
Location: 5945 Montgomery Road
Phone: 513-363-4400