Friday Focus
Week of September 2nd-6th
Week at a Glance
T: HOLA!
IEP/504 Meeting Day
W: Rise to Shine Begins
Th: NAES Admin out of the Office, District Meeting
F:
Happy Labor Day!
Let's Celebrate
The Labor
That Build Up This
Great Land
From Field To Field
Desk To Desk
They Built It
Hand In Hand
Take care to enjoy as much of the outdoors as you can. Relish your family and friends over some great BBQ and lemonade. If you must plan, plan on how you are going to luxuriate on Monday, plan for your next 3 day weekend, plan and budget accordingly for your Christmas shopping list has we only have 16-17 Fridays left!!!!!
With Astro pride,
Shahran
Open House Snapshots: Jesse's Family Snack Table
Open House Snapshots: Nikia's Welcome Memo to Families
Shout Out!
For taking it upon themselves to dress up one of our bulletin boards in time for Open House. I personally appreciate your extra time and efforts on behalf of the WHOLE SCHOOL!
Teachers' Corner by Jill Michalek
Each week, we will feature a Tall Astro on our Friday Focus. This wonderful idea was presented to me by our very own Jill Michalek who will also serve as our resident interviewer. Thank you Jill for such a great idea that only serves to strengthen our Astro Family. The more we know about one another the more we grow!
Meet…..Ms. Curry!
Our new first grade teacher is Nikia Curry! Nikia is new to Neil Armstrong but has previously taught for the past 8 years in Chicago. In that time, she has taught grades 2, 5, and 8. Of course, she loves her first graders but considers fifth grade her sweet spot so far!
Nikia grew up in Kalamazoo, Michigan with one sister. Michigan State University is where Nikia received her degree in education. She knew in high school that she wanted to be a teacher because she loves helping people and working with kids.
When not working, Nikia likes to go “thrifting” and watching/playing tennis. Most of the summer was spent with her 3 ½ year old daughter at the water park.
When asked what three things she would wish for if she were to find a magic lamp, Nikia replied health, happiness, and would be good with $20,000,000. What is the first thing she would do with all that money? Build a single story home with lots of privacy back in Chicago where she lived for several years. With 20 million, she could add a tennis court!
Items of Interest
Curriculum & Instruction Department:
- We have a new member to the Instructional Leadership Team. Her name is Milaan Petersen. She will serve as the Math & Science Coordinator.
- As an fyi, the NWEA testing window has been extended to Wednesday, the 4th for any new or absent students.
- Next week, Coaches will be conducting instructional snapshots in math. Each Coach has been assigned a grade level and will spend 10-15 minutes in each classroom collecting data on classroom instructional practices.
- Instructional professional development will begin next week. They will be launching a math book study and planning for small group instruction. I encourage you to attend. Once available, sign up will take place online via Eventbrite.
- Grade 5 District wide will be departmentalize by September 6th.
Tech Support: Mr. Gipson is our resident Tech Support Monday - Friday (Thursday is his day off). If you need any assistance contact Mr. Gipson directly via email using the address: TechnologyDept@Dist159.com. This is the preferred method per District 159 so they will have a record of any and all assistance in this regard. Mr. Gipson will IMMEDIATELY receive your email. If it is a super emergency then send a student down to the office. If you have any questions/concerns regarding this protocol please see me directly.
PTO Flyer: There was a PTO flyer that was placed in the family folder last night. Please encourage all families to complete and return. Our families are our greatest allies.
Rise to Shine: CPMS will need to use our gym from 8:30-9:00 AM on Tuesday, September 3rd and Tuesday, September 10th for 5th Grade Band Recruitment. Therefore, there will be no Rise to Shine on those two days. Additionally, the STEM lab will be unavailable from 9:00-11:00 AM on the 16th of September for Band Try-outs.
Data Days: Additional adjustments had to be made to the data days schedule again:) At this time, fingers crossed (lol) on Monday, September 9th: Grade 4 and K (AM & PM respectively), Wednesday, September 11th: Grade 2 and 3, and Friday, September 13th: Grade 5 and 1.
NAES Building Maintenance: As an fyi, I have provided you with information regarding the maintenance of NAES as a building and especially within the classrooms. This document will keep you informed as to when and what areas of the building, and especially your classroom will be addressed. As you know, one of the weekly questions asked via the , What's Up? is in regards to any custodial concerns. Now that we are all working under the same understanding, if you have any custodial concerns please document and send via the What's Up only. Additionally, while it is the role and responsibility of our B&G team mates to help keep our school as tidy as possible let us all do our part and encourage our students to keep our school and their work area as tidy as reasonably possible. I thank you in advance for your support and assistance.
Compensation Duties: Please review the document regarding Supplemental Day, Compensation, Committees and share your interest.