THE ASTRONOMICAL
November 2019
HAPPY THANKSGIVING
Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays because it is the one celebration that is truly focused on taking the time to reflect and pay respect for all the things you are grateful for having in your life. As Felix Frankfurter so poignantly shared, “Gratitude is one of the least articulate of the emotions, especially when it is deep.”
I am sincerely grateful for being able to serve as the Principal of NAES. I am grateful for being in a position to watch our greatest resources enter our doors day in and day out with the brightest smiles on their faces! It is through their spirit that I am always reminded that it is indeed a wonderful and hopeful world.
I am grateful for being able to assist our wonderful families by being available when needed. When you say goodbye to your children as they march off to school, you have chosen to entrust the safety, security and welfare of your loved ones in my hands which I humbly share with my esteemed colleagues. I am also grateful to welcome our newest Tall Astro Mrs. Bailey, 4B. Mrs. Bailey, thank you for joining the Neil Armstrong Team. We are so glad to have you!!!
Lastly, I am especially grateful for being in a position to learn and grow from the greatest staff in Elementary School District 159. Not a day goes by that I do not witness great passion, motivation and joy that comes with being around advocates for children.
I want to wish each and every one of you a wonderful Thanksgiving.
Sincerely,
Mrs. Etherly
Principal
WE ARE THE CHAMPIONS
Please join me in CONGRATULATING our 2019-2020 Soccer Champions for Elementary School District 159!!! This is Neil Armstrong's first championship win in at least five years. We gives KUDOS to first year Soccer Coach Mr. Jabari Dowdell. Under his leadership, NAES ended the season with a 6-2 record.
Our illustrious team are as follows:
Back Row, Left to Right: Emmanuel Sowemimo, Jonah Landinghman, Janiyah Jones, & Mr. Dowdell
Middle Row, Left to Right: Aaleayeh George, Kiara Lee, Tristyn House, Phillip Claiborne, Glen Abbott, Brooke McLemore, Queshawn Green, & Celeste Gude
Front Row, Left to Right: Ethan Payne, Anaia Frazier, Wakeen Bilal, Rasayah Ingram, Joseph Smith, & Aayden Ware
not pictured: Jayden Armstrong
Etherly Espresso Cafe & NAES PTO
Average Daily Attendance Rate: October 2019
Grade 1: 96.65%
Grade 2: 95.67%
Grade 3: 96.66%
Grade 4: 96.11%
Grade 5: 96.78%
Staff: 90.36%
GOAL: 96%+
Family Astro Family Passport Quarter 1
1st – Kelaiah Rover 1A (pictured on the left)
2nd – Ryan Williams 2A (pictured on the right)
3rd – Ave & Gianmarco Pia K1/2G
4th – Hunter Hilton K2
As a token of our appreciation for your active investment as it relates to the teaching and learning of our SMALL ASTROS, the listed families will receive a coupon for a large cheese pizza (pick up only) from Dominos in Richton Park, courtesy of Mr. Saad Khan, Store Manager.
Attached to this newsletter is the Family Astro Passport Quarter 2. I look forward to even more families getting involved on behalf of ALL ASTRO at Neil Armstrong Elementary School! Success is even sweeter when we do it together as partners!
National American Indian Heritage Month-November 1st-31st
Although the first “American Indian Day” was declared by the state of New York in 1916, a month long recognition of Native Americans was not achieved until 1990. In that year, former President George Bush declared the first National American Indian Heritage Month on August 3rd. His action was based on legislation presented by Senator Daniel K. Inouye (D-Hawaii) and Congressional Delegate Eni Faleomavaega (D-American Samoa). In each of the four previous years, Congress had enacted legislation designating “American Indian Heritage Week.” This consecutive legislation allowed forthe establishment of a month-long observance.
The purpose of National American Heritage Indian Month is to honor and recognize the original peoples of this land. In 1996 former President William J. Clinton gave a proclamation regarding the contributions, past and present of American Indians and Alaska Native peoples. In his proclamation he declared November as National American Indian Heritage Month. He urged all Americans, as well as their elected representatives at the Federal, State, local, and tribal levels, to observe this month with appropriate programs, ceremonies, and activities.
Notable Native American Indians
Charles Curtis (1860-1936): Kaw Senator and Vice President under the Hoover administration
Betty Mae Jumper (1923-): Seminole tribal leader and publisher
Pocahontas (1595-1617): Peacemaker
Will Rogers (1879-1935): Cherokee actor and humorist
Sequoyah (1766-1843): Cherokee Syllabary
Maria Tallchief (1923-): Ballerina
Original Inhabitants of Illinois
Chickasaw Tribe
Dakota Sioux Tribe
Ho-Chunk Tribe
Illini Tribe
Miami Tribe
Shawnee Tribe
Other Indian Tribes That Migrated After European Arrival
Delaware Tribe
Kickapoo Tribe
Ottawa Tribe
Potawatomi Tribe
Sac and Fox Tribe
FIRST QUARTER - AR 25 POINT CLUB
Claiborne, Phillip 25.
House, Tristyn 25.7
Dibie, Daria 26.
Armstrong, Jayden 26.9
Beamon, Aliyah 26.9
Smith, Joseph 26.9
Vickers Roberts, Amya 32.6
Phelps, Mayah 33.0
Johnson, Elijah 33.3
Mambo, Gene 33.4
Okorie, Caleb 33.5
Burchett, Quentin 39.7
Condee, Addison 44.4
Ajaere, Tobechukwu 48.2
Foster, Marquise 49.1
Landingham, Jonah 53.7
Smith, Abdul Matin 54.6
Sowemimo, Emmanuel 72.7
Ehizemwogie, Justin 106.5
At NAES our AR Point Goal for the 2019-2020 school year is 10,000 points between our 2nd-5th grade students. We have a monthly goal of 1,000 points. For the month of September we have accumulated 1,138 points. For the month October we accumulated a total of 1,317 points.
Would you like to see your Small Astro in the 25 Point Club?
How can you help?
If your answer is yes to both questions please contact your child's teacher as every students has an AR goal per quarter. Your child's teacher would be happy to share your student's goal and progress towards that goal. As a friendly reminder, AR points is 10% of your child's report card (Grades 3-5).
Disney Live at Neil Armstrong
Our next school party will take place Friday, December 20th. If you'd like to lend a hand, please contact your child's teacher!
First Day of Snow
Thank you Mrs. Moody for capturing what many will remember.
IN THE KNOW
Sincerely,
Mr. Larkin and the Astro Team!
Greeting of the Month - Cherokee: This month we are acknowledging National American Indian Heritage Month here at NAES. As we continue to seek ways to expand our mental horizons via literature, music, food, and history I would like to take this opportunity to share some useful words from the Cherokee Tribe. I sincerely hope that as a family you will take time to learn and use the following terms as applicable within your loving home.
CHEROKEE PHRASES
Hello Osiyo (O-see-yo)
Goodbye Donadagvhoi (DOH-nah-dag-voy)
How are you Dohitsu (DOH-hit-su)
Reply to above Osda (Os-dah)
Please Howatsu (how-at-soo)
Thank you Wado (wah-do)
Sorry Uyo ayelodi (OO-yo ah-yeh-lo-dee)
I understand Goliga (GO-lee-gah)
Reading Aloud: Tips for Reading Success: "I always stumble because I read too fast.” “I’m afraid my child won’t listen to me.” “I was laughed at when I read aloud at school.”
Do you have worries like these when you read aloud? You’re not alone. Many parents avoid reading aloud to their kids. However, reading aloud is one of the best ways to help your child succeed in school. Keep these tips in mind.
1. Everybody makes mistakes. If you make mistakes when reading aloud, your child will learn that it’s okay for him to do so, too.
2. Practice makes perfect. Find a book that you like and read it aloud by yourself until you feel comfortable.
3. Involve your child in the story. Have him turn the pages. Or, read one line and have him read the next.
4. Take your time and don’t rush the story. Your child can tell if you’re in a hurry. Reading slowly will help you read clearly.
5. As you feel more comfortable, try changing your voice to show the character’s feelings—joy, sadness, fear. These variations can make the story more exciting for both of you!
6. Remember that you are helping your child learn to enjoy reading. Try different types of reading materials, such as comic strips and poetry.
7. Above all, try to relax and enjoy the time your spending with your youngster.