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NAMily Newsletter

December 2024

NAMily NewsletterDecember 2024

A word from the principals!

Greetings NAMily!


This is my favorite time of the year as everyone seems to show so much love! I hope you plans to enjoy the upcoming winter break with family and friends. It was so great seeing so many of you at the Book Fair/STEM Night. As the year is coming to a close, I want to take this time to wish a safe and happy end to the year. Take time to do something nice for yourself as you are planning to do for others.


I am generous. I look for opportunities to give and to share. There is plenty of time for thoughtfulness. I give freely, fully and joyfully.


Principals Ferguson & Lewallen

Frank Sinatra - Let it Snow, Let it Snow, Let it Snow!
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Important Dates:

December Highlights:

2-Jan 24 Acadience Winter Benchmark Window

9-13 Reading iReady Benchmark (Grades 1-6)

10 STEP Store (Times Vary)

11 LSDMC 6:15p

17 ILT Meeting 8:00a

19 Staff Winter Party 6p (Revel OTR)

20 Holidays Around the World-Cancelled!

23-Jan 3 No school for students


January Highlights:

7 ILT Meeting 7:30a

8 LSDMC 6:15p

10 Creatures of the Night Play 10a (Ages 6-9)

20 No School-MLK Day

21 ILT Meeting 8:00a

31 PD Day District (No School)


February Highlights

4 ILT Meeting 7:30a

5 PTO Meeting 6p

5 PTC 4-7p

5 Math Night 5-7p

10-14 Lockdown Drill (One Day this week)

10-13 Valentine’s Grams (Student Council)

11 Staff Meeting 7:30a

12 LSDMC 6:15p

14 G2W Chicken Dinner Fundraiser

18 ILT Meeting 8:00a

19 LSDMC District Meeting 6-7:30 @ Ed Center

25 Staff Meeting 7:30a

28 Black History Month Program


March Highlights:

3 No School for Students (PD-No Paras)

4 ILT Meeting 7:30a

4 STEP Store

5 PTO Meeting 6p

12 LSDMC 6:15p

18 ILT Meeting 8:00a

24-28 Spring Break (NO School)

Read A Thon Updates

There are still a few days left for student to obtain pledges for the read a thon. Check out our progress!

Top Classrooms:

  1. $585 Carmelita Mays
  2. $550 Adam Bauman
  3. $540 Heather Bailey

Student Attire

As the weather is turning bitter cold, please dress students warm. Students are not permitted to wear coats and hats in school. Also, we have seen an increase in students wearing smart watches and head phones that can be a distraction during instructional time. Please only allow them to be worn at home.

November Highlights: November Highlights:

Men of M.O.R.E.

Please see following update from Mr. King: "On 11/23/24 our young men volunteered for CAFA/Sigma Gamma Rho giving away free turkeys! We had a blast and helped impact the community positively!" Excellent job to Mr. King and the men of M.O.R.E. for representing NAM and supporting the local community!

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Grandparents Day

Thank you to our PTO for planning and facilitating such an AMAZING Grandparents Day! Our esteemed guests enjoyed musical performances, a step number, light refreshments, and time in classrooms during their visit. We are so grateful for everyone who planned and/or attended this special day!

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Book Fair/STEM Night

Shout out to Ms. Simpson and the PALMS Team for planning an awesome Book Fair and STEM Night. Kudos to the choir, AI Club, and Parent Volunteers for their assistance and support. What a great time of fun and learning.

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PTO Updates PTO Updates

  • November Volunteer Spotlight


Thank you to our volunteers for helping host Grandparent’s Day!



  • Fall 2024 PTO Survey

The NAM PTO is continuously working to improve the community at NAM. We are working on branching out from just doing events to addressing other projects and needs in the school. We are seeking feedback from families, teachers, and staff concerning their experience at NAM and what they want from the PTO.


Please consider taking a few moments to complete our survey:


https://forms.gle/GGXKebvRUqnxoNFt6


  • NAM Family Directory


One of PTO’s goals is to build community among our students and families. To address this the PTO is working on putting together a school directory. We hope this will make it easier for families to organize play dates, birthdays, etc. Stay tuned! More details to come!


  • Pick up/Drop off Update

Mrs. Ferguson has been meeting with District officers and the NAM Safety Committee to find a better solution for pick-up and drop-off in front of the school in the hopes of reducing congestion and improving the safety of our students. A trial phase will take place in 2025. More details to come in 2025! Stay tuned!


  • JOIN the NAM Facebook Group!


The PTO often uses the NAM Facebook group to communicate with families. Please join to get

important updates, voice your concerns, and join the discussion:


“2024-2025 NAMS Community”


https://www.facebook.com/groups/cincyNAMS


  • January Meeting

Our next Meeting is Tuesday, January 7 from 6:15-7:15p in the Music Room.

Free Childcare and

Pizza will be provided.


Here is the link to join virtually:


https://meet.google.com/tbo-edfm-xwn?hs=122&authur=0

Student Council Updates Student Council Updates

Student council will be hosting their second fundraiser of the year. All proceeds of this fundraiser will go towards an end of the year event (TBD).


We will sell winter grams. Student council members will come around to each classroom at the end of the day to collect any money/Gram requests sent. Money/Grams can also be placed in either Mrs. Pitts or Ms. Tamala's mailboxes.

There will also be a “winter gram sale” table set up during some lunch times on 12/11- 12/13, and 12/17/24. Sale closes 12/18 and will be delivered 12/20/24

Thank you,

Student Council

Student Council Candy Grams

NAM Basketball Schedule NAM Basketball Schedule

North Avondale Montessori

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Welcome Wednesday Reader

Our learning community would like for you to be a part of our Morning Meeting gathering that takes place on Wednesday mornings from 8:30-8:50a.. During this time, you would read your favorite children’s book or story (or an excerpt from the book or story), poem or motivational quote for 5 minutes or less. Be expected to answer a few questions related to the book or about why you chose what you read. If you need a book, one can be provided. You would be expected to interact with students for a maximum of 10 minutes.


To sign up, please click here and follow the legend that accompanies the sheet. (CPS Employee, Student Family Member, Community Member, 9-12 Student.) We look forward to your participation during our “Welcome Wednesdays” as we promote literacy within our learning community.

It was great to have Deputy Superintindent Alesia Smith as one of our Welcome Wednesday Readers.

Transportation Updates-DOTE

Department Of Transportation & Engineering (DOTE) approved the temporary speed sign to be installed at NAM. They’ve indicated they will be installed shortly.

December Virtue of the Month December Virtue of the Month

Generosity

What is Generosity?

Generosity is giving and sharing. It is giving freely because you want to, not with the idea of receiving a reward or gift in return. Generosity is being aware that there is plenty for everyone. It is seeing a chance to give what you have and then giving just for the joy of giving. It is one of the best ways to show love and friendship.


Why Practice It?

Without generosity, people act uncaring, refusing to share their belongings, their time and their friendship. People who need help feel helpless because no one will give them what they need. When we give freely, especially if a sacrifice is involved, our spirits grow strong. When one person is generous, other people want to be generous too.


How Do I Practice It?

When you are generous, you think of ways to share what you have. You think about what people need and do things to give them happiness. You share your time, your ideas, your things, or your money. When you give away something that is really special to you, that is a very generous way to show love. It feels good to give freely, just for the sake of giving.


What Would Generosity Look Like If…

-A friend comes over to play the day after your birthday and you have a new toy?

-Someone who has broken your things before wants to borrow your favorite things?

-Your grown up is cooking dinner and needs someone to set the table, and you’re watching a good TV show?

-A student in your class has forgotten her lunch and doesn't have any money?

-Someone’s birthday is coming up and you wonder what to get him?

-You learn that there are children somewhere who are hungry and do not have enough clothing?


Signs of Success

You are practicing Generosity when you…

-Are thoughtful about the needs of others

-Notice when someone needs help

-Give freely without expectation of reward

-Give fully without holding back

-Are willing to make sacrifices for others

-Use wisdom about sharing treasured belongings


Activities and Resources for Generosity

Edutopia Generosity Videos


Generosity List - Make a list of ways you can be generous with your time and energy and with your belongings. Think of something generous to do for someone in your family and do it!

Gift Wish Box - Decorate a small recycled box or tissue container. Make some paper hearts and write on each of them some gifts you wish to give others, such as an act of service (washing the dishes, setting the table), or a toy you are willing to share for the day. Let someone take a heart out of the box and then be generous.

Drawing Generosity - Draw three of your favorite things. Are these things to share or things to keep only for your own use? (Deciding that is up to you!) Include one thing that you are willing to share.

Poster Points -

  • Giving Freely, Giving Fully

  • Giving Joyfully

  • Sharing Yourself

  • The More We Give the More We Have


Reflection Questions

  • When do you find it most difficult to share? When do you feel like sharing?

  • How do you feel when someone does not share with you? How do you feel when someone does share with you?

  • What helps you to be generous?

  • Who is it hard to be generous to? Who is it easy to be generous to?

  • Have you ever sacrificed something that was important to you? How did that feel?

  • When is it important to balance generosity with assertiveness about what you choose to share?

  • What boundaries do you need to set with people who are not gentle with your things?

  • Name three ways you can be generous at home today.

Busy Being Kids Parent Survey Busy Being Kids Parent Survey

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LSDMC Update

Hello North Avondale Soccer Families!


Spring 2025 Registration is now open at: http://sports.bluesombrero.com/NASAY


Early Bird fee is $40; with prices increasing by $5 on January 15th. Don't wait to register as many teams fill quickly.


Spring is our "move-up" season, where kindergartners become eligible and sixth graders roll out of the program. Spring divisions will be:


Passers: K & 1st grade

Wings: 2nd & 3rd grade

Strikers: 4th & 5th grade


Practices will start early/mid-March, with games running March 29 through May 18.


Please consider coaching, and thank you for your support of our all-volunteer program.

Project Connect Holiday Info Project Connect Holiday Info

pdf
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_2024 Holiday Sponsor Request (2).pdf
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Winter Safety Winter Safety

Family Handbook

Take a moment to read through the NAM Handbook. Sign this form to indicate that you have read the document.


https://docs.google.com/document/d/1G5ooJavbhKz1XQoXeLfeNUlBWAfHVvNt/edit

Greater Cincinnati Excellence in Education

We have the best staff in the city of Cincinnati. join me in nominating staff members from NAM to be recognized for their great work in education. Click the link to see the various categories for nominations. https://greatercincyed.org/

Parents Right to Know

You have the right to know about the teaching qualifications of your child’s classroom teacher in a school receiving Title I funds

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NAM 2024-2025 Parents Right to Know-Title 1 ESSA Letter_English.docx.pdf
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Art to Remember

Check your child's backpack for information about purchasing Art to Remember that was made by your child. We have some amazing budding artists at NAM, don't miss a chance to get a copy of their keepsake.

Want to volunteer?

Click here for steps to complete volunteer application.

Community Happenings Community Happenings

Breakthrough Cincinnati

Breakthrough Cincinnati is looking for the next cohort of amazingly curious and committed 5th and 6th-grade students who want to be academically challenged in the summer among a community of like-minded peers who aspire to go to college and make a difference in their community. Click here for more information.

Project Connect Sponsors

If you are willing to serve as a Holiday Sponsor for a child or family, please email Rhonda Lewis at lewisrh@cpsboe.k12.oh.us with your name, phone number, email address, and the number of individuals you wish to support. Please include the following information:


1. Specify your preference for an individual or family size.

2. Holiday Sponsors will be paired with a Project Connect (PC) Liaison who will communicate the individual or family's wish list.

3. Sponsors will use this wish list as a reference for their shopping.

4. Once your shopping is complete, please inform your assigned PC Liaison, ensuring that the gifts are clearly labeled with the recipient's name(s).

5. Your assigned PC Liaison will arrange to collect the gifts and ensure they are delivered to the respective individual or family.

Foundation News Foundation News

Monthly Meeting Information

Our monthly Foundation meetings will be held in person in the NAM Music Room directly before the monthly PTO meetings. There will also be a Google Meet option (same link as the PTO meetings).


Foundation Meeting Agenda/Notes (Running Document):
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1_fKX2P2fPPbOlaBYPvSYS_tpL8tZgz8guAHfwribzFc/edit?usp=sharing


Google Meet Link if you need to join virtually:
Click this link: https://meet.google.com/tbo-edfm-xwn
Otherwise, to join by phone, dial +1 931-330-0530 and enter this PIN: 446 760 320#

Resource Center News Resource Center News

TriHealth Behavioral Services

TriHealth Behavioral Services under the direction of Gwynn Griffiths is currently accepting referrals. If you are interested in services, contact Ms. Griffiths at griffig@cpsboe.k12.oh.us or 513-363-3900.

LSDMC Information

Click here to find Meeting agenda and notes. The next meeting will take place Wednesday, December 11th 6:15p Virtually. Click here to join the meeting.

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Mission Statement:

Our mission is to create an environment that provides children the foundations for knowledge skills, self-awareness, and independence needed to become responsible members of a more harmonious world and contribute to its development.

Email: fergusk@cpsboe.k12.oh.us
Website: https://www.cps-k12.org/northavondalemontessori
Location: 615 Clinton Springs Avenue, Cincinnati, OH, USA
Phone: (513) 407-2444
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CPSNorthAvondale

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