October Newsletter 2019
Get all the news you need to know.
October News
Peace Day was a huge success and I want to thank all of the parents and staff for their participation. It is a big undertaking to do something like this only 4 weeks into school but our staff really did a nice job of organizing and we are so appreciative of all of the parent support. Please do not forget to log those volunteer hours.
Construction is making good progress and is on schedule. We have had a very good working relationship with Level 10, our construction company, and they have been responsive to our concerns. We do ask that as a community you assist us in keeping everyone safe. If you see something that seems unsafe or unusual please let the staff know. With all of us keeping a watch it will ensure the safety of everyone at school.
"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has." ~Margaret Mead
Gala Committee Needs You!
We need your help, even if it is just taking on a small role or committing to something larger we would love your participation.
If you are interested please email Emily Zeller at emilylzeller@gmail.com.
Attendance Matters
Studies have directly linked student success with high attendance rates. Especially when you are at a constructivist school. It is nearly impossible to recreate a day of school in worksheets to be completed at home.
It is also very important when it comes to our budget. Average Daily Attendance (ADA) is how our school is funded. We were about 2% lower last year than where we would like to be, close to $90,000 worth of funds that we missed out on.
Obviously if your child is sick we ask for you to keep them home. We do understand that kids have all kinds of appointments that they need to attend, please do not keep them out of school for an entire day because of that. If they are here for even the smallest portion of the day we still get funding. Additionally, we are going to ask for you to please consider scheduling your vacations or Disney outings on days that we have off from school. Remember to fill out a contract in the office if you are going to miss three or more days of school, this helps us greatly in recapturing some of these funds.
You play a huge role in this and your help can go a long way in supporting your child's programs.
1 student day = ~$58.50 per day.
1 student year (175 days) = ~$10,237.5
1% increase in ADA is close to $45,000
Traffic Reminders - Please Read
Thank you to those of you who are picking up your kids at the designated time. Just a reminder that all middle school students and their younger siblings will be picked up 15 minutes after release time, this alleviates much of the traffic. It is also helpful if you do not come before students are released, the traffic gets incredibly backed up, that is why we have coned off the pick up zone. If you arrive and the cones are still up please circle the block or find a parking spot. We ask that you do not park in the fire zone, park in the middle of the street or park at then end of the coned zone as all of these things increase traffic problems on Levant Street.
Your continued help and attention to the safety of our students at pick up and drop off are greatly appreciated.
Picture Days are Next Week
Mr. Emil will begin taking our school pictures next week. The schedule is as follows:
Monday 10/7 - Primary
Tuesday 10/8 - Bridging
Wednesday 10/9 - Elementary
Thursday 10/10 - Kinder
Friday 10/11 - Middle School
Recess and Activity Space
We are super excited about the gaga pit that is being built for the kids. Coach Lindsey will be teaching the kids the game and how to play it safely. It should be available for recess play as soon as those lessons are finished school wide, likely mid-month.
Ms. Jo has been working hard to ensure that all of the kids have the appropriate space to get their wiggles out. She has structured the week with different activities and games. A sample schedule is below. The students during school recess do have the ability to engage in all kinds of games from board games to kickball, four square, football and a crowd favorite soccer.
Monday- kick ball, jump rope, board games and cards.
Tuesday- Jenga, four square, board games and cards
Wednesday- soccer, lemon twist, board games and cards.
Thursdays-No Recess
Friday - Ball toss, Giant connect four, board games and cards.
Having these games especially the ball games on a specific day helps alot with the limited space. Every week new games are added so the kids aren't playing the same thing every week . Additionally there is a calendar up in the Auditorium on the closet door so the kids can take a look and know what the activity is for that day. The kids have transitioned well to the new schedule. Feel free to check out the schedule if you are interested in what the kids are playing.
Brief Construction Update
I feel deep disappointment about this for many reasons as does the construction company who is also cramped for space. We are all working together to do our best with the limited space.
Technology Info (I can't stop reading about the affects on our kids)
As many of you know I have been reporting to you my concerns around technology use and how it is negatively impacting our students. Below is a small digestible clip from and article I recently read recapping my thoughts beautifly. I know as a mom and an educator this is not easy to hear and may lead to some anxiety. Our teachers who have been around for many years are seeing significant changes in student attention and dysregulation and as a staff see the importance of this discussion.
1. TECHNOLOGY
Using technology as a “Free babysitting service” is, in fact, not free at all. The payment is waiting for you just around the corner. We pay with our kids’ nervous systems, with their attention, and with their ability for delayed gratification. Compared to virtual reality, everyday life is boring.
When kids come to the classroom, they are exposed to human voices and adequate visual stimulation as opposed to being bombarded with the graphic explosions and special effects that they are used to seeing on the screens. After hours of virtual reality, processing information in a classroom becomes increasingly challenging for our kids because their brains are getting used to the high levels of stimulation that video games provide.
The inability to process lower levels of stimulation leaves kids vulnerable to academic challenges. Technology also disconnects us emotionally from our children and our families.
Parental emotional availability is the main nutrient for a child’s brain. Unfortunately, we are gradually depriving our children of that nutrient.