Montclair Prints 1.10.2020
#BEAWESOME
Montclair Elementary School
Principal: Alicia Kotlarz ackotlarz@mpsomaha.org
Admin. Intern: Jason Rohde jmrohde@mpsomaha.org
Secretary: Lisa Rieper lrrieper@mpsomaha.org
Website: montclair.mpsomaha.org
Location: 2405 South 138th Street, Omaha, NE, USA
Phone: 402-715-1295
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MontclairElem/
Twitter: @MontclairElem
Weekly Events
1/13
1/14
1/15
1/16- 9:45-10:45 Stothert/Lausten Orleans Hanna testing
1/17
Safety Patrol
1/8-1/15
Chase A.
Bailey W.
Corbin N.
Nina S.
Damien A.
Joslynn M
1/15-1/22
Emma S.
Logan V.
Natayla R.
JD M.
Alyssa M.
Emily M.
All School Play information
All School Play: Cast and Crew registration dates are January 23rd and January 27th 3:45-5:00 pm in the hallway near the teacher’s lounge. All forms, $20.-fee, and t-shirts must be turned in on the dates of registration. The Montclair office does not accept registrations. Gift card donations for materials will be gladly accepted- fabric stores, craft stores, Walmart
See registration form below
Watch Dogs
1/13-Mr. Jones
1/14-Mr. Nelson
1/15-Mr. Triemert
1/16-Mr. Ostberg
1/17-Mr. Van Rooyen
Math Mentors
Calling all family members of Montclair Students! This year we are excited to add Montclair Math Mentors to our daily schedule in addition to Watch Dogs. Montclair Math Mentors ARE open to any adult family member of a Montclair student. Mentors would be assisting students across grade levels with Math based activities.
Use this link to sign up for January
1/13-Mrs. Jones
1/14
1/15
1/16
1/17
Save the Date!
No School: Jan. 20th, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
Pancake Man & Poetry Slam: Thursday, Jan. 23rd 5:00-7:00p.m. Sign up here to volunteer!
Registration forms below.
Report Cards go home Friday, Feb. 7th.
Conferences:
Pick A Time Live on Friday, Jan 24th
Thursday, Feb 6: 4:15-8:15 p.m.
Tuesday, Feb. 11: 4:15-8:15 p.m.
Wednesday, Feb. 12th: 8:00-12:00 p.m.
Book Fair coming!
Feb 6-Feb. 13
Click here to volunteer!
Valentine's Day Parties: Wed. Feb. 12th 1:15-2:00 p.m.
No School: Feb. 13th-Feb. 17th
Registration form for all school play
A note from Dr. Kotlarz on the "Power of Yet"
Jamie Back (2018) shares that as teachers, we are charged with helping our students develop a deep understanding of and appreciation for the material in our courses. Our ultimate goal is for our students to leave our classrooms with skills that they can apply in college or in their future careers.
"The longer I teach, the more firmly I believe that mindset (as explained in the book Mindset by Carol Dweck) must be a cornerstone of the learning strategies that we use to teach our students. I take time at the start of the year to help my students understand fixed and growth mindsets, the value of making mistakes, and the importance of struggle in learning. Last year, I read an interview in The Atlantic with Carol Dweck that gave me additional direction. In the interview, Dweck explained that simply giving praise to a student for their effort during a failure is not likely to help them develop or maintain a growth mindset. Instead, it is important to help them realize that “nobody has a growth mindset in everything all the time.” Dweck said that we all have fixed-mindset triggers, and it is important to help students (and ourselves) identify those triggers. We need to learn strategies that can help us overcome those triggers.
I see triggers in my students all the time: shaky self-confidence, not enough sleep, heavy workloads, or sometimes even nice weather on a Friday afternoon. The triggers usually manifest as words or body language. This year, my favorite tool to address triggers is “The Power of Yet”. It took only a few days of class to see the positive impact that the poster was making. When I hear a student say that something doesn’t make sense, I point to the poster and say, “…yet.”. When someone states that they don’t get it, I point to the poster and say, “…yet”. When students ask me a question and I don’t know the answer, I point to the poster and say, “…yet.” Of course, using the word “yet” in the classroom is not a new strategy. But I love this poster because the phrases that it contains gives all of us a common vocabulary to use during times of struggle. The phrases are a constant reminder that deep understanding takes time. I remind students that we need to allow ourselves the gift of time to ask more questions, work with peers or teachers, or consult additional resources to master the material. The words lead to strategies, and the words give us hope.
My students’ response to the poster has been overwhelmingly positive. Within days, they had integrated the word “yet” into their everyday vocabulary. They use “yet” to encourage each other. They use “yet” when asking questions. They tell peers and other teachers about “yet.” They even use “yet” to encourage me! I printed the poster onto smaller stickers, hoping a few students would take one. To my surprise, every one of my students asked for a sticker. Most put it on the back of their tablets (see picture below) so they would have a constant reminder of the “Power of Yet”.
A note from Rye McIntosh, School Social Worker
I don’t want to go to school!!!
I’m sure at some point every parent has heard their child say this. Unfortunately, for some, this strong feeling of reluctance to go to school develops into a pattern of poor attendance leading to what is termed, school refusal.
What is school refusal?
School refusal occurs when a student’s poor attendance is related to some anxiety or worry that the child or adolescent has about going to school often leaving parents uncertain of how to respond.
What are the signs of school refusal?
If your child has missed more than 2 or 3 times over a two week period, especially if related to some of the behaviors described below, your child may be exhibiting the signs of school refusal:
• Difficulty attending school after weekends, holidays, school camps or sports days.
• Long periods or frequent visits to the health room.
• Tantrums, clinginess, avoidance, or running away before school or during drop off.
• Tearfulness before school or repeated pleas to stay at home causing frequent lateness or absences.
• Frequent complaints of illness before or during school such as stomach aches, headaches, dizziness, or fatigue.
What are the consequences of school refusal?
Elementary children who refuse to go to school today often times develop long-term patterns of resistance to school attendance in later years which have long-term consequences for the entire family. Missing one day of school each week equates to 2 months of learning over the school year. Chronic absenteeism can lead to potential difficulties with social relationships, a decrease in academic growth, and even more so can affect household income as caregivers have to forgo work to stay at home with the child.
How can you help at home?
• Listen to your child’s concerns and fears about going to school in order to help the problem-solving process.
• Talking with your child’s teacher is a great place to start.
• Develop a bed time routine.
• Be firm and kind in getting your child to school regularly and on time will help.
• Reassure your child that you will be home later to discuss their day and spend time together.
• Decrease the reward for staying home (i.e. no video games or TV, outings).
• Seek support through your family doctor, the school counselor or social worker, family & friends, etc.
If you want more insights, information and practical tools and tips for school attendance, feel free to contact me. You can reach me by phone at (402) 715-8774 or e-mail me anytime at rlmcintosh@mpsomaha.org.
Respectfully,
Rye McIntosh, LCSW
Elementary School Social Worker
The Pancake Man is coming!!!
Poetry Slam Registration form below...
Kids Heart Challenge (formerly Jump Rope for Heart)
We are kicking off our Kids Heart Challenge program (formerly Jump Rope for Heart) on January 6th We are thrilled to participate as we work together to raise money for the American Heart Association and learn how nutrition and being active can help us live longer, healthier lives.
Through the Kids Heart Challenge, we are going to talk about three things:
1. Habits to keep our hearts healthy
2. How we can help others
3. Encourage everyone to take the challenge to adopt one of three healthy habits
This year we are excited to welcome the Heart Heroes to our school. Over the next few weeks, the characters will share important messages about keeping their heart healthy, building self-confidence and helping others. The first step is getting your student registered and taking a challenge. When they register, they will receive their free wristband and join the Heart Heroes!!! If we can get 50% of our students registered to take the challenge our school will receive $500.00 in PE equipment!!!
1. Go to www.heart.org/khc register your student for our Kids Heart Challenge
2. Choose your challenge
a. MOVE MORE
b. BE KIND
c. BE READY
3. Earn your free glow-in-the-dark Heart Hero wristband
4. Download the Kids Heart Challenge app to bring the wristband and any Heart Heroes to life.
Your student can earn the Heart Hero characters and additional gifts by asking friends and family to make donations in the support of the American Heart Association.
Thank you so much for supporting our school and the American Heart Association.
Together we can do this!
Future Chefs Competition for 4th and 5th Grade
Lunch Menu
Read At Home tips for Kindergarten-3rd grade
Millard North Middle School Informational Night
Millard Summer Show Choir Camps, see attached flyer
Hey Families,
Do you know a current 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, or 5th grader who loves to sing and move? We would love to have them join us at one of our Millard Summer Show Choir Camps! We are offering 3 camps this year!
Andersen Middle School - kids currently in 1st and 2nd (kids going into 2nd-3rd)
Email: atdirks@mpsomaha.org
Beadle Middle School - kids currently in 3rd-5th (kids going into 4th-6th)
Email: klwhisinnand@mpsomaha.org
Millard North Middle - kids currently in 3rd-5th (kids going into 4th-6th)
Email: llbrown@mpsomaha.org
Please check out the attached flier for all the information! Then you will email the director of that camp to get registered. We can't wait to see you this summer!
Early College Program for future 6th graders
PTO Pointers
PTO Pointers:
2019-2020 Board Officers:
President: Deana Hammond
Vice President: Catrina Alexander
Secretary: Jenny Miller
Treasurer: Lucas Shook
Don’t forget about Montclair for your TAGG and Amazon Smiles purchases
Want to send your child a shout-out on the lighted marquee? Celebration Marquee forms are in the office and on the PTO website.
2019-2020 meeting dates/times:
Mon., Jan. 27 @ 7 PM
Mon., Feb. 24 @ 4 PM
Mon., Mar. 30 @ 7 PM
Mon., Apr. 27 @ 7 PM
MMPEA (Millard Montessori Parents Education Association)
Thu 1/23 - Due to Pancake Man/Poetry Slam on 1/23, Parent Education Night has been rescheduled to 1/30.
Thu 1/30 - Parent Education Night at Russell Middle School (student-led panel discussion), 6-7 pm, childcare provided
Tue 3/10 - Community Night at Russell Middle School
Thu 4/9 - Parent Education Night at Norris Elementary (topic: Montessori educational tools), 6-7 pm, childcare provide