See Shaw Shine
Shaw Montessori Newsletter Week of April 6th
IN THIS ISSUE
- From the Habitat of Tortie Banks
- Message From Principal Engdall
- Shaw PTA Announcement
- Tax Credit / Class Trips
- Information and Student Meal Resources
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From the Habitat of Tortie Banks
Dear Shaw Community,
It is a beautiful day on the Shaw campus. The sun is shining and there is a slight breeze. Every day I find a spot to rest in the sun, feeling the warm sun on my shell.
While this is my favorite time of year, there just seems to be something missing. I still hear the usual sounds of the light rail traveling past our school, but it’s just not the same around here without the sound of the Shaw Montessori students walking to and from class, visiting the library, going to the playground, and on their way to and from lunch. I am a little confused since last year when the students left it was very hot outside, which was fine because mostly during the day I stay in my burrow.
I sure miss you all and your smiling faces stopping by my habitat each day. I hope that wherever you are, you are enjoying yourself and are bringing a smile to another human or animal’s day. But don’t you worry, Mrs. Engdall is taking good care of me, dropping delicious flowers into my habitat when she is here. You all take good care and I look forward to seeing you when you return!
Love,
Tortie Banks
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Message From Principal Engdall
Greetings Shaw Montessori,
I hope that with each passing day, your life at home is taking on some rhythms that are benefitting you, your child and others around you. That you have found outlets to relieve the ever changing stressors and emotions that come with each new day.
For the past three weeks our instructional staff has been on a tremendous learning curve right along with you! Because their work has been dramatically altered, they are working doubly hard to maintain a balance of enough learning/support for you and your child. Where daily our joyful task of preparing the Montessori environments for your child has now suddenly fallen to you, and a computer! (WWMS-- What would Maria say?) Each of you have come to this new job of “homeschooling” in your own way. I have had some amazing conversations with many of you. Thank you for that. Please continue to reach out for support should you need it—only 33 more instructional days to go!
Our district is developing a plan to get devices to our students that need them. Your elementary and middle school teachers will be reaching out to you to see if we can help with this need. If you know someone that does not have a way to let us know what their need is, please contact me: susan.engdall@phxschools.org and I will assist them. By the end of the week, we should have systems in place for distribution. We will keep you informed.
Our district feeding program has changed slightly. I am including the information here: Please note this is the schedule below for Monday and Tuesday, April 6th and 7th. Then, beginning on Wednesday, April 8th, we will provide meal pick up every Wednesday ONLY using the time schedule below. The pickup will include 5 days of grab and go meals for a total of 10 for each child 18 years of age and younger whether they live in our district or not.
- Lowell School located at 1121 South 3rd Ave. Phx 85003: 11:30 AM – 12:30 PM
- Capitol School located at 330 N 16th Ave. Phx 85007: 11:30 – 12:30 PM
- Dunbar School located at 707 West Grant. Phx 85007: 10 AM – 12 PM
- Garfield School located at 811 N 13th St. Phx 85006: 10 AM – 1 PM
- Magnet Traditional School located at 2602 North 23rd Ave. Phx 85009: 10 AM – 1 PM
- HU-O-te Park located at 641 N 11th Ave. Phx 85007: 10 am – 11 AM
- Edison School located at 804 N 18th St. Phx 85006: 11:30 AM -12:30 PM
- Herrera School located at 1350 S 11th St. Phx 85034: 10 AM – 11 AM
Our social worker Ms. Hildwein is also available to you or someone you know for support. She can be reached at: Laura.hildwein@phxschools.org
Be well,
Principal Engdall
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Hello Shaw Community!
Hope everyone is staying safe. I would like to share communication we recently received from the AZ PTA with regards to what current Arizona PTA Bylaws and Local Unit Bylaws allow. Please read this document in its entirety as there is information specific to our community. _____________________________________________________________________________________________
The Arizona PTA Board of Managers met virtually and unanimously voted to allow for Arizona PTA President, Mr. Chavez to convene a special committee on Covid-19. The Board of Managers and the Covid-19 Committee held an emergency vote and voted to give Mr Chavez emergency powers based on the Non-Profit Corporation Revised Statutes to suspend only the part in the Arizona PTA Bylaws which requires in-person meetings for executive boards.
This vote will allow for local unit leaders to meet as an executive board/committee virtually or over the phone during school closures due to Covid-19.
What this means:
As of right now we at Arizona PTA have voted to allow your Executive Board/Executive Committee (your officers) to meet virtually as needed.
What this doesn't mean:
Arizona PTA is monitoring the closures of schools in Arizona. As of now General Meetings are NOT ALLOWED to happen virtually - the Arizona PTA Bylaws still require in person meetings for General Membership. This means your executive board should postpone any scheduled general meetings including elections and simply hold executive meetings as needed to make decisions about scheduled events, virtual spirit weeks, etc. Your executive board can NOT change your budget or reallocate funds; your executive board cannot create new fundraisers. However, your executive board can reach out to vendors and event coordinators and cancel events, postpone fundraisers, seek refunds or assistance as needed, etc.
What does this mean for the SHAW COMMUNITY? :
The PTA Executive Board for Shaw Montessori met on Sunday, March 29th @ 9:00PM. The items discussed were as follows:
- TEACHER SUPPLY FUND - In September 2019, the members voted and approved a $300 reimbursement to each teacher for supplies they’ve purchased for their classroom. The fund consists of monies for twenty four teachers, eighteen classrooms and six specialty areas. On April 2, 2020 new online procedures were sent out to all of the teachers who had not yet submitted their expenses for reimbursement, which was approximately half of the staff. We will be processing the reimbursement payments for the remaining staff through May 15, 2020.
- ELECTIONS – The board is considering splitting up some of the PTA board and coordinator positions for the 2020/2021 school year. Over the next few weeks, we will be creating new job descriptions for those positions. We will share the proposed positions along with any open board positions for the 2020/2021 school year with the community in May. The Arizona PTA is working diligently on new guidelines for conducting virtual General Meetings and Elections. Once we have this guidance, we will inform the community via See Shaw Shine.
- SPRING CARNIVAL – In February, a $350 deposit was made to the large inflatable vendor. The vendor issued a “Raincheck” for the deposit that will remain on file for up to 1 year. We will discuss the timing of this event at the first PTA meeting once school resumes in the fall.
The executive board members meet virtually and communicate with Principal Susan Engdall weekly. COVID-19 has created a challenging time for all of us and we know many of you are concerned about the welfare of our students and staff members. Shaw Montessori PTA will offer its support and assistance as we adhere to the certain rules set out by the AZ PTA at this time. We will continue to work under the guidelines set forth by the AZPTA until the situation improves and/or we’ve received further direction. If anyone has any questions, please feel free to contact me via email at addie.weddington@gmail.com.
Sincerely, Addie Weddington (2019/2020 PTA President)
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Tax Credit Information / Class Trips
The cancellation of the end of year trips is very difficult for our community.
We have been in contact with the vendors for these trips to either receive refunds or credits, depending on their policies. Next steps will be determining refunds to our families. Our office manager Ms. Girard along with our Business Services Department will be working through this process for the next couple of months.
We will send updates as they become available. Please know that if you paid for part of your child’s trip with an Arizona Tax Credit, it is non-refundable but may help you reduce your Arizona State taxes. Please consult with your tax preparer.
If you have a question for Ms. Girard she can reached at: Christina.girard@phxschools.org
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Information and Student Meal Resources
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Shaw Montessori Facebook
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Contact Us
Email: Susan.Engdall@Phxschools.org
Website: https://phxschools.org/shaw
Location: 123 North 13th Street, Phoenix, AZ, USA
Phone: 602-257-3914
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1614897512101327/?ref=group_header