October 2022 Northtowne News
Inside: Spotlights, Pathway Express, Resources
October Important Dates
October 5 - Pre-k students ONLY, no class
October 7 - Doughnuts with Grown-ups during the lunch periods
October 9 - Pathway Express kick off event at the Ohio History Center
October 10 thru October 28 - Panorama Survey window
October 14 - School is in session as usual
October 21 - No school for teacher professional development
October 26 - No school for records day
October 27 - Northtowne Family Game Night
November 8 - No School; It is Election Day. We encourage all those eligible to vote to cast their ballot.
Save the dates!! November 2 and November 10 will be the Northtowne dates for Caregiver-Teacher Conferences. Look for more information to be coming from your student's teacher.
*** Please note that the October 21 date is a change from the original calendar that was published. Students will now attend on October 14 and have a day of no school on October 21. It is highly unusual for the District to make a late change like this one, and we want to be sure to get the information out to you all. We apologize for any inconvenience as we all adjust our plans.
You can keep up to date with the District wide school calendar by clicking here or using the button below.
Morning Drop Off
Please stay with your child prior to 8:30 a.m. and/or when there is no adult supervision. For the safety of your child, please wait until a staff member is outside.
Children should not be dropped off before 8:30.
Attendance Email
Northtowne Elementary PTO
We are still searching for those who would be interested leading a Northtowne Parent Teacher Organization (PTO). Our Family Ambassador is available to help support the volunteer leaders through the set up process.
Fundraising to raise Money for your purpose - There are many ways to get the funds you need to fulfill your objectives, and they don't have to involve having the kids selling things like candy and wrapping paper.
Field Trips - Talk with teachers to see if they could use your support and talk with your principal.
Cultural Arts Assemblies - Bring culture and educational events to your school.
Projects that Support Needs - Whether it be a new playground equipment, special events, programs for teachers to augment lesson plans, etc.
By clicking on the survey link below, you can let us know your level of interest and support for a PTO. If you are willing to commit to being the president, vice president, secretary or treasure of the 2022-23 PTO you can indicate that as well.
PBIS Mission Statement
I am prepared and ready to learn.
I will be respectful, responsible and focused.
I will make choices that focus on teaching and learning.
My hands are for helping, NOT hurting.
And my words are for encouraging.
I will be the best ‘me’ I can be.
Principal’s Corner - Autumn Has Arrived!
Hello Families, Caregivers, and Students,
The autumn season has officially arrived. I have been feeling the cooler temperatures when I am outside for the morning student arrival. Some days it is still chilly on the playground at recess time. Caregivers, please remember to send your student to school with a jacket. Soon, we will be reminding you that winter coats, hats and gloves are needed! If you need any assistance with getting the necessary outerwear for the Ohio weather, reach out to Family Ambassador Sarah Bowman. She will get the details of your needs and connect you with Northtowne Elementary or community based resources to help.
Autumn and October also bring us to the end of the first 9-week grading period. Can you believe it?! The last day of the grading period is October 25th. I want to take a moment to encourage all families to end the grading period with strong attendance. That means not only coming to school, but also arriving on time. As much as possible, students need to be in classrooms and ready to learn by 9:00am. A great way to make sure you student achieves this is to get them to school for the free breakfast service that starts at 8:30am. While we are aware that there have been some difficulties with bus stop pick ups for some of our bussing eligible students the District is assuring us all that the Transportation Department is actively working on solutions. If your child is bus eligible and you have any difficulties with successful use of the bus stop please call the Transportation Department at 614-365-5074. For our families who need translation assistance please call the English as a Second Language (ESL) Department at 614-365- 8802 to request assistance in the needed language.
One final note for this month is about the Panorama Survey. Every year families, students and staff are asked to complete a series of surveys that are used to evaluate the culture and climate of the district. These surveys are very important to Northtowne. They help to guide us in the programs we offer and inform us about how successful we are when we put out communications with families. When you get the emails and links to the survey please take a moment to open and complete the survey. The first survey window will be open from October 10-October 28.
I hope our Northtowne Knights will be enjoying a happy harvest season!
Mr. Taylor
Spotlight on Kindergarten
Ms. Easley and Ms. Gilbert would like to give a few reminders to families.
- Free breakfast begins at 8:30. Please make sure to drop of your student with enough time for them to eat and get to class by 9:00.
- Warm coats will soon be needed as the Ohio weather beginning to turn cold.
- Kindergartener's Chromebooks can stay at home. Teachers will communicated with families when they will be needed for testing.
- iReady lesson practice from home can start. Students should get at least 30 minutes of practice at home each week. Log onto the Chromebook, go to Clever, finally click on the iReady icon. **log-ins use your student's district email address and birthdate (month - day - year format with dashes between like this: MM-DD-YYYY)
In addition to the iReady practice you can explore these great web sites for learning:
https://www.infohio.org/resources/gk5
Finally, the kindergarten classes are looking forward to their trip to the pumpkin patch later this month. Students will be allowed to pick a pumpkin to bring home and experience a hayride. Look for more information coming from Ms. Easley and Ms. Gilbert.
From the Guidance Counselor
We are continuing to ask that families please, complete the PBIS survey. We want to hear from our families about their ideas or concerns about our program. get to the survey by clicking the button at the end of this update from the counselor.
October is National Bullying Prevention Month, and we have several initiatives that will take place here at school. To get everyone on the same page, let’s first look at what is and what is not bullying. Bullying is unwanted, aggressive behavior that involves a real or perceived power imbalance. The behavior is repeated, or has the potential to be repeated, over time. Both kids who are bullied and who bully others may have serious, lasting problems. In short, Bullying is one sided. Bullying happens over and over again. Bullying has long term and lasting consequences.
What can the students do to stop bullying at Northtowne? Be assertive! Even before it's considered bullying, kids can stop unwanted behavior with their words! "Please stop." "Knock it off." "Cut it out." These are all great ways to confidently yet respectively resolve a conflict. If that doesn’t work, get help. Get an adult to help solve the problem. If you see something, say something. Even if the bullying is not directed at you, getting help from an adult is a great way to help stop bullying across the school. Please review these techniques with your student.
What can Northtowne do? When two students are having conflict, the most common solution is separating two students until emotions calm. Big feelings require a big response. Some students get help with self-calming strategies from their teacher, the school counselor or PEAK. After students calm, students will often debrief with an adult. Students are guided through reflecting on their behavior choice, their intended goals, the outcome of their behavior, and other potential choices they can make moving forward. The second most common solution is mediation. When appropriate, all students are gathered and under the guidance of a trusted adult, work together on resolving the issue.
If a student is identified as struggling with engaging in bullying behavior, Northtowne has strategies to help those students learn to make better choices. Opportunities are available for these students to learn about and practice prosocial behaviors (behaviors that benefit or help others) through social-emotional learning. Our PBIS support team hosts small groups that focus on empathy, emotional regulation, character, and conflict management. Students may even have the opportunity to work on these skills in a 1 on 1 setting if the need arises.
Notes from Nurse Brandi
Screenings
As part of CCS Health Services and in accordance with Ohio state law 3313.69, periodic health screenings are conducted at school. These screenings are for students in grades Kindergarten, 1st, 3rd, 5th, and anyone who is new to the district. Screenings will begin in October and continue through the school year.
Influenza and Covid Clinic
Columbus Public Health is coming to Northtowne Tuesday, Nov. 1st to give flu and Covid shots. These immunizations are free of charge and open to all students who have a signed parental consent. Consent forms will be sent home soon.
Immunizations
Thank you for your cooperation with getting your students up to date on vaccinations! Please continue to be vigilant throughout the year so that the students remain up to date and can stay in class.
Questions or concerns? Feel free to contact Nurse Brandi via phone 380-997-2099 or email bzeiter@columbus.k12.oh.us.
Thank you so much for your support and involvement with your child’s learning. Whether it’s conferences, attending the family meetings, or a quick chat throughout the day, we appreciate your involvement and efforts to build the lines of communication between home and school.
Report cards/grades will be available in the Parent Portal. If you need help accessing the Parent Portal please contact our Family Ambassador, Sarah Bowman. She can even link families to interpreters (Bilingual Engagement Liaisons or BEL) to help with understanding the Parent Portal set up process. Email: sbowman@columbus.k12.oh.us or you can call or text: 614-859-9654October is Physical Therapy Month
- I work with students and their educational team to maximize their success and independence at school.
- The physical therapy services I provide relate to a student being able to access their school environment and curriculum. That makes me a part of the "related services team." If I am working with your student, you will know it because of permissions you will have signed.
- I am a resource to the faculty and staff of Northtowne to advise and support identified students with small group (tier 2) and individual (tier 3) gross motor interventions. One of the things I helped create for the whole school is the movement mazes you see on the hallway floor. 🙂
- I have been a physical therapist for almost 35 years. I am the mother of 4 children who are now grown ups. My husband and I are originally from the Boston area of Massachusetts.
Physical therapists are an important part of special education services for those who qualify. Thank you, Ms. Nancy, for all that you do for the students you serve. Have a happy Physical Therapy Month!
Reading Suggestions
Tractor Mac Harvest Time
by Billy Steers
How Many Seeds in a Pumpkin?
by Margaret McNamara
Pete the Cat: Five Little Pumpkins
by James DeanScary Stories to Tell in the Dark
by Alvin Schwartz
All the Colors of the Earth
by Sheila Hamanaka
Spi-Ku: A Clutter of Short Verse on Eight Legs
by Leslie Bulion
Upcoming Virtual Family Engagement Sessions:
Virtual Family Engagement Sessions are scheduled for every Tuesday and Thursday starting at 6:oo p.m. Sessions rotate through various topics. Currently topics are announced one week at time. Click here to find out what the upcoming session topics will address.
Click here to join the sessions directly starting at 6:00 p.m.
Does your schedule not allow you to join the sessions live? No problem! Past sessions are recorded and posted on the Virtual Family Engagement Session Library in case you are unable to attend.
The Pathway Express Has Arrived!
Columbus City Schools’ Pathway Express program returns this school year, and students, families, and staff can expect a host of new, exciting learning experiences designed around our Portrait of a Graduate attributes.
The extended learning initiative was launched last year with goals of showcasing learning opportunities beyond classroom walls, authentic engagement, and creating equitable access to notable destinations within our community. Thousands of families benefited from the free resources available at each stop.
Each quarter, Pathway Express will transport families to a different family-friendly destination where they’ll participate in hands-on academic activities that directly align with our vision for student success. Students will also receive take-home learning kits designed to stimulate their minds and make learning fun.
The kick off event at the Ohio History Center will feature:
Meet-and-greet with New York Times Best-selling author Tami Charles;
Coat giveaway for students;
All Hallows Eve ticket giveaway (while supplies last); and
Resources and support from the CCS Family Engagement team and local partners.
All families who register and participate during October will also be entered into a drawing. Winners will receive a one-year family membership to Museums for All and a surprise for their student’s school. Click here to pre-register for October Pathway Express events.
Pathway Express at the Ohio History Center
Even if you cannot come for the kick off event, you can have free admission to the Ohio History Center and Ohio Village every Saturday and Sunday in October from 10:00am-5:00pm.
Sunday, Oct 9, 2022, 01:00 PM
800 East 17th Avenue, Columbus, OH, USA
Northtowne's Resource Center
If there is information that you need, but don't see available, please reach out to our Family Ambassador, Sarah Bowman. She will be happy to help you locate services to meet your needs. mailto:sbowman@columbus.k12.oh.us or 614-859-9654
Free Produce!
The location closest to Northtowne is:
Tuttle Community Center (Tuttle and Linden)
240 W Oakland Ave, Columbus, OH 43201
Produce is distributed on the third Thursday of each month.
For more information and other locations click here.
Thank you for reading this month’s newsletter.
Send a note to let us know what you thought, make suggestions or ask a question. We would love to hear from you. Please send a note to your child’s teacher or send a message.
Contributors:
Austin Taylor, Principal
Phone: 614-365-5488
Fax: 614-365-5487
Email: ataylor4@columbus.k12.oh.us
Sarah Bowman, Family Ambassador
614-859-9654
Email: sbowman@columbus.k12.oh.us
Susan Bryant, Building Coach
614-365-5488
Email: sbryant9569@columbus.k12.oh.us
Frank Beickelman, Grant Provider
614-365-5488