PRM School Rocker
Issue 2, Volume 2 September 2020
Principal Simpson's Message
Greetings PRM Families,
Thank you all so much for your engagement during orientation week. We were able to connect with most of our students and families to help ensure a positive transition to remote instruction. It is our goal to do this and do it well. We can only accomplish that with your support and feedback.
Please know that we are doing our best to resolve issues as quickly as possible. We anticipated that there would be some kinks to work out and we appreciate your patience throughout this learning process. We are grateful for the solution-driven thinking of our entire community. When a problem presents itself there have been people readily on hand to find a solution.
Our monthly newsletter will continue to be a source of communication for our community with updates and resources. It will be sent via email on the first Wednesday of each month. It will also be posted to PRMROCKS.org and the PTO sponsored Facebook page. Be sure to update your contact information by calling the school office at 513-363-4400 if you are not receiving school email communication or robocalls.
We ask that you continue to persevere with us as we GROW through this. We value your partnership. The success of our students is our top priority. Thank you for all that you are doing!
Love,
Principal Simpson
Email: simpsoa@cpsboe.k12.oh.us
Phone: 513-203-9087
Staff Contact Information
MAP Testing Letter for Parents
Please read the attached letter with information about how we will administer the Measure of Academic Progress (MAP) assessment remotely.
We will also need you to sign and submit the signed testing agreement by Friday, September 11, 2020. You may speak to your child's teacher if you have specific questions.
A paper copy of the parent letter and testing agreement will be included in the material pick-up packets for ages 3-6 and 6-9 on Thursday and Friday this week from 8am-3pm.
MAP Testing Agreement for Parents/Caregivers
Weekly Material Drop-off and Pick-up
It is our goal to make sure that we are providing the best possible learning experience for our students during the remote period. Our teachers and staff want to ensure that students have the materials they need to be successful during the lessons each week and have the opportunity to turn in completed work for grading. We appreciate your willingness as parents to partner with us in this effort.
Every Thursday and Friday families may drop off completed work and pick up the next set of weekly materials from 8am-3pm. The area is located in the foyer of the main school entrance. We ask that you be sure to wear a mask and follow all safety protocols regarding social distancing. Materials to be dropped off go in the red basket of your child's homeroom teacher. New materials are to be taken from the green basket labeled with the teacher's name. All items are to be labeled with the child's name and room number.
Our ages 3-6 and 6-9 teachers will facilitate material drop-off and pick every week starting tomorrow (9/3/2020). Our ages 9-12 classes will have material pick-up/drop-off every other week beginning next week (9/10/2020).
Weekly Food Distribution on Wednesday 12pm-4pm
Remote Meal Cooking Instructions and Nutrition Information
While students are participating in distance learning through September 25, Student Dining Services will provide meal packages that contain breakfast and lunch items for five (5) days.
Cincinnati Public Schools will serve breakfast and lunch to all children 18 and under for FREE. Meal distribution will take place outside of each school building from noon – 4 p.m. on Wednesdays at the rear entrance of PRM. (Meals can be picked up at any of our schools.)
All nutrition info can be found on SchoolCafe. On your computer, visit schoolcafe.com. On your mobile device, visit SchoolCafe on the App Store or SchoolCafe — Apps on Google Play.
All products are thoroughly cooked and can be consumed cold or heated using the instructions in the links below.
For more information about remote meals, visit CPS Continuing to Provide Breakfasts, Lunches During Distance Learning.
BREAKFAST COOKING INSTRUCTIONS
LUNCH COOKING INSTRUCTIONSOur New Resource Coordinator
Monique Johnson is the CLC Resource Coordinator from the YMCA at Pleasant Ridge Montessori. Monique has 15 years of experience in the educational field. Monique recently transitioned out of the classroom which will enable her to reach more people and families in the community.
Monique has been recognized by her peers and coworkers in the educational field. She was featured in the Shining in the Face of Adversity- Northern Kentucky University magazine, YWCA Rising Star, W.E.B.DuBois Teacher of the Month as well as Teacher of the Year. Monique is the current president of the Black Alumni Council at Northern Kentucky University.
Monique Johnson is no stranger to helping out in the community. As an active and faithful member of Bright Star Community Church, she has worked tirelessly as the summer campsite supervision, coordinator, and helped on the summer curriculum team, to run a summer camp for over 12 years holding over 125 students. She is also an active member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc., which has given out over $50,000 in scholarships and proving services to the community in the Tri-State area.
Monique is from Lexington, Kentucky, and a graduate of Northern Kentucky University. She is excited and eager to work with the faculty and staff at PRM. Her door is always open. Her contact information can be found below.
Email: johnmon@cpsboe.k12.oh.us
Phone: 513-363-4429
Community Learning Center (CLC) Updates
We are excited about some great resources here at PRM. If you have any questions or need additional information, feel free to reach out to the Resource Coordinator.
- After-School Sign-Ups- Wednesday, September 16 from 1-4 pm
- Imago Rangers have weekly lessons and activities that the whole family can enjoy.
Click on the link and Enjoy Nature! https://imagoearth.org/video-lessons-2/
- Need a place for your child to go, check out these wonderful options
YMCA of Blue Ash- child care programs https://myy.org/programs/childcare/
CRC- Enrichment Program- School Day Enrichment Program
Forever Kings- Free Distance Learning Hub for young men in grades 4th-12th
· Lunch Pick-up is every Wednesday from 12-4 pm in the back of the school building.
Enjoy and have a fantastic September!
Our New School Social Worker--Rebecca Tepe
Hello Pleasant Ridge Montessori Families,
My name is Rebecca Tepe and I am a new social worker with the CPS district! I have been a social worker for 10 years and have prior experience in several Cincinnati schools as well as at Cincinnati Children's Hospital. I am so excited to be a part of the CPS family and the Pleasant Ridge Montessori team!
I will be available at Pleasant Ridge Montessori every other Monday and every Tuesday and Wednesday during remote learning.
School Social Workers have transitioned to the Department of Positive School Culture and Safety under the guidance of Dr. Carrie Bunger. My primary focus will be assisting and supporting the implementation of PBIS throughout our school, supporting students with Social Emotional Learning needs and providing crisis and behavioral intervention. I will continue facilitating attendance intervention plan meetings, conducting home visits, and making necessary referrals.
The district has made a commitment in regards to truancy/attendance efforts by hiring Attendance Support Specialists to take over most of the administrative tasks that School Social Workers previously handled (attendance reports, letters, phone calls, updating demographics as necessary, etc).
Please WELCOME our Attendance Support Specialist, Melingqua Davis.
I look forward to working together to help our students achieve academic success!!
Email: tepereb@cpsboe.k12.oh.us
PRM Reading Specialist-Marcy Berns
Welcome back PRM family! I am so excited to be beginning my sixth year at PRM! I just wanted to give you a few details about myself. This is my 17th year of teaching! I have been a reading specialist in the district for nine years and prior to that, I was an intervention specialist. I have a Master’s Degree in Special Education from Northern Kentucky University. I then went on to obtain my Science of Reading Certification from Mount St. Joseph and my Teaching English as a Second Language certification from Xavier University. I have my dyslexia certification from Mount St. Joseph through the state of Ohio. I have trained in the Orton Gillingham multi-sensory reading method of instruction, where I obtained my practitioner/master teacher status. I am currently a supervisor at Mount St. Joseph for the practicum class.
I was previously the English Language Arts curriculum council chair for CPS. I have my lead teacher status from the district and my Teacher Leader certification from the state of Ohio. I have previously been a Language Essentials for Teachers in Reading and Spelling (LETRS) from the state of Ohio as well as a LETRS TOTS trainer (pre-school). I am currently an AFT facilitator for Beginning Reading Instruction and Comprehension Reading Instruction for the Cincinnati Federation of Teachers. I am also an Acadience mentor/trainer.
I love working at PRM and I am here to help students get the extra support that they may need in reading. I also assist teachers as necessary. I am here to help in any way so if you have any questions, please contact me using the contact information below. I am looking forward to this year and working with the wonderful students at PRM.
Email: bernsma@cpsboe.k12.oh.us
Phone: 513-363-4487
PRM Community in Action:
Community News: PRM Staff and Teachers all participated in the Remote supply pick up and ice cream. Thank you to PTO for donating and passing out ice cream to all the families!
PTO & Foundation Hub News
Parent Organization Updates
Happy Start of the 2020-2021 School Year from PTO, Foundation, ILT, LSDMC, and Boosters. All meetings will be remote and the links will be available on the calendar. We would love to see you and hear from you at the meetings! All voices are welcome!
- Subscribe to the PRMRocks.org email updates here: https://prmrocks.org/emailupdates/
- Subscribe to the PRMRocks.org calendar here: https://prmrocks.org/calendar/
PTO Meeting Survey
The first Virtual PTO meeting of the school year will be Wednesday, September 9th at 6pm. For future meetings, we would like to hear from you about what days and times work best for you for future Virtual PTO meetings this year. We will make changes to the PTO meeting day and time based on the survey results beginning with the October meeting. Please complete this survey by Sunday, September 20th. CLICK HERE for the survey.
Parent Group Upcoming Meetings
- PTO - September 9th @ 6p
- Foundation - September 15th @ 7p
- ILT - September 21st @ 2:45p
- LSDMC - September 9th @ 3p
- Boosters - September 3rd @ 7p
PRM Parent to Parent Tech Support
PRM Cookbook Fundraiser!
- CALLING ALL COOKS! Everyone has their favorite family recipe. PRM is creating a Cookbook to share these TIMELESS treasures with others. Your assistance and participation are needed to help make this event a success.
- PARTICIPATION IS EASY! Simply submit your favorite recipes for inclusion in the Cookbook.
- SUBMIT ANY TYPE OF RECIPE. Breakfast, Crockpot, Main Dishes, Snacks, Appetizers, Desserts, Breads
- SUBMIT YOUR RECIPE EMAIL IT: Send an email to Erin Spears at prmcookbook@outlook.com
- DEADLINE TO SUBMIT RECIPES: 9/25/2020
New to PRM? Check out Buddy Families!
What is a Buddy Family? Organized by the PRM Parent Teacher Organization (PTO), Buddy Families matches existing school families with new families to help ensure a smooth transition to PRM. Buddy Family Ambassadors will assist New Families with answering questions, getting connected to Room Parents, providing information about school programs and events, and in general, supporting new families throughout the year as they become part of our school community.
New Families: New to PRM? We would love to connect you to an Ambassador Buddy Family. Please sign up using this link: tinyurl.com/newprmfamily2020Existing Families: Interested in being a Buddy Family Ambassador? Please sign up using this link: tinyurl.com/prmambassador2020
Questions?: Please contact Elizabeth Johnson, elizabethjohnsonedd@gmail.com
or (513) 227-6749
Student Device Pick-Up
All students must pick up a CPS device to access instruction during remote learning.
Please call 513-363-4400 if you have any questions.
Connect Our Students (Free Internet Program)
Open to eligible families at ALL CPS schools (have an enrolled student at CPS and live within the Cincinnati Bell service coverages area)
Two ways to sign up: At future CPS device distributions until August 20th. Direct call to sign up with Cincinnati Bell (513)566-3895 or (513) 566-3894 for Spanish
Address must be correctly registered with CPS and used when signing up. To update your address, please contact the PRM office at 513-363-4400, or the CPS Customer Care Center (513) 363-0123
CPS Parent Technical Support Hotline
CPS Calendar
Virtual Mindpeace Rooms
Tips for Using Google Meet
Virtual Montessori Materials
Virtual Homework Help
Forever Kings Distance Learning Hub
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
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: prmrocks.org
Location: 5945 Montgomery Road
Phone: 513-363-4400