Miller Elementary Weekly Update

Hello Miller Families!

I hope this weekly update finds your family adjusting well to your new morning and afternoon routines! It can be an adjustment for children and adults to get back into a school schedule. I'm sure children are coming home tired and needing time to rest and recharge. This is very common for the first 4-6 weeks of the school year so hang in there if your little one is not ready to share about their day quite yet!

One of the deeply rooted practices that we use at school is the idea that we focus on the process of learning and not just the end product. During this time of the year, many children are learning how to successfully pack up their bookbag with their folder, lunchbox, and maybe a special item from the day. This takes time and practice as we show children an example of the steps to follow to successfully pack their bags. They will experience a little bit of a productive struggle when that folder doesn't go in perfectly, or the lunchbox is a little too big, but it's important that we have them try, try and try again. This also includes helping them with zipping up their bookbag or jacket. They are learning how to do this independently at school each day so please allow them to practice this at home too! I know it is easier as a busy mom myself to help pack bookbags and get out the door, but remember to stay focused on the process of learning and not just the end product! This is the perfect time to start practicing for fall and winter zipper season. Try sending your child with a zip-up hoodie that they have to zip up each day. Very soon, they will be independently packing their bookbag and zipping up their jacket and you'll be buzzing out the door on time, each day!

Finally, I want to remind families that school picture day is coming on Tuesday, September 16th! We sent home the order forms this week or you can use the direct link found below to order pictures online. I want to point out that Ripcho included a class composite photo with all our picture packages which makes our picture packages a bit higher than the other buildings. If this is something your family does not want, please look at the a la cart options to order what you need. Pictures usually take at least 6 weeks to arrive. If you order a package with a composite photo, the composite will be delivered early winter once we have retake picture day. If you have any questions, please see the details below about school pictures.

Have a great weekend!

GO GREENMEN!

Maria Goodman

Miller Elementary Principal

330-954-2189

mgoodman@aurora-schools.org

Our fall picture day is quickly approaching! All children will have their picture taken by Ripcho Studios that will be used for our school yearbook and your family has the option to purchase a picture package using the online ordering form or a traditional form. We have volunteers ready to help every child fix their hair, adjust their outfit and ensure we can capture that perfect smile.

Picture Day is Tuesday, September 16th at Miller Elementary School

Save time and preorder your photographs on the Ripcho Studio webpage before your Picture Day, by clicking on the "Order Online" button below.

You Access Key is:
6J7PDZ8C

Please Note: The Online Password will expire 48 hours after the Photo Date so all online orders need to be submitted no later than 48 hours after picture day.

Click Here to Order School Photos at Miller Elementary

1. There is still time to join the Aurora Elementary PTO (AEPTO)! The purpose of the AEPTO is to develop and encourage a united effort by parents, teachers, the school administration and the citizens of the Aurora City School district toward a common goal of enhancing quality education within the Aurora City Public Schools.

Benefits of joining the AEPTO:

- Access volunteer signs ups first!

- Volunteer opportunities like classroom parties, Head Room Parents, Chairs/Committees for events like Book Fair, Holiday Shops, and so much more!

- Your membership fees go directly to the AEPTO to help pay for events and programs throughout the year that benefit students and staff members

- Provide input and help decide how funds are spent, what programs are offered, and how events are run

- Meet other parents in your community, share advice, and build a supportive network

Joining is easy and all online at https://www.runpto.com/pto/control_sd_membersignup/

Our first meeting is Wednesday, September 10th at 6:30pm at The Blind Squirrel Winery (7918 Pettibone Rd, Chagrin Falls, OH 44023). All are welcome!

2. Our fall flower fundraiser sale has been extended to Friday, September 5th! Proceeds from this fundraiser help to pay for AEPTO events and programs, like treats for all classroom parties.

If you haven't done so already, please visit https://www.fundraiseit.org/ to set up an account for your child. You can then share their individual shopping link with friends and family.

We do need volunteers to help on flower pick up day. Sign up online at https://www.runpto.com/pto/login?schoolid=auroraepto&app=Event&uid=86&hash=53e3a7161e428b65688f14b84d61c610

3. AEPTO Field Day/Spirit Shirts are on sale! We recently redesigned the shirt which can be purchased online at https://rdpsports.com/product-category/aurora/aurora-class-shirts-2025/. Shirts are available in youth and adult sizes and are only $8.50. Students may be asked to wear these for field trips or field day. It is also the perfect shirt for spirit days! Families are not required to purchase a shirt.

If you have any questions, please reach out to an Executive Board member. Thank you for your support!

President, Jen Borman: President@auroraelementarypto.org
Vice President of Leighton, Kelly Shoffstall: Leightonvp@auroraelementarypto.org
Vice President of Craddock, Ashley Ingersoll: Craddockvp@auroraelementarypto.org
Vice President of Miller, Tasha Romo: Millervp@auroraelementarypto.org
Treasurer, Leah Drake: Treasurer@auroraelementarypto.org
Secretary, Kristin McDowell: Secretary@auroraelementarypto.org
Vice President of Fundraising, Samantha Nelson: Fundraisingvp@auroraelementarypto.org
Assistant Treasurer, Kelly Davis: Assistanttreasurer@auroraelementarypto.org

SEPTEMBER:

Wednesday, 9/10 - FIRST PTO MEETING @ 6:30 Blind Squirrel Winery
Sunday, 9/14 - PTO Fall Flower Fundraiser Pick Up
Tuesday, 9/16 - Miller School Picture Day - More Information Forthcoming
Monday, 9/22 - Board of Education Meeting @ 7:00 Kohanski Conference Center

OCTOBER

Friday, 10/10 - NO SCHOOL (Happy NEOEA Day!)
Monday, 10/13 - NO SCHOOL (Staff Professional Development Day)
Saturday, 10/18 - PTO Monte Carlo Fundraiser
Week of 10/20 - Miller Parent Teacher Conferences and Book Fair Family Nights
Monday, 10/27 - Board of Education Meeting @ 7:00 Kohanski Conference
Thursday, 10/30 - Preschool Fall Costume Parade and Festival
Friday, 10/31 - Kindergarten Fall Costume Parade and Festival (More Details Forthcoming)

We recently were required to add a new form into our Final Forms titled "Parents Bill of Rights." Dr. Milcetich has previously highlighted much of this information in his opening communication to families.

Everyone will need to log back into Final Forms to access this form and add their signature that you have received this communication. If you could complete this as soon as possible, that would be very helpful. All of your forms must appear GREEN to be COMPLETE. - THANK YOU!

CLICK HERE - EVERYONE MUST UPDATE FINAL FORMS

This is a friendly reminder that we have sent out tuition reminders to any families that have an upcoming payment due on September 15th.

Our total tuition cost for preschool is $2000 and full-day kindergarten is $2500. Many families have paid the initial down payment and we collect the next set of fees by September 15th and the final payment will be due on January 15th.

If you sent in a check for the September payment, thank you! We will be running credit cards after September 15th if you have not reached out to us about a change in payment. The tuition information along with our tax-id number for taxes can be found on the tuition contract you signed for preschool or kindergarten enrollment.

The Aurora Schools are committed to developing a love of reading and to help all children become life long readers! That begins at an early age at Miller when we help children develop skills to understand concepts of print, listening comprehension, developing letter-sound correspondence and helping the young child put that all together to blend and segment words.

Just like children didn't learn to roll, crawl, walk and talk at the same rate, their literacy development will evolve with careful explicit instruction all while following research based practices. Our curriculum office has spent countless hours, months, and years researching and vetting what systematic approach we will use in the Aurora Schools.

Beginning in preschool, you will see that we use the Heggerty Phonemic Awareness approach to develop an understanding of the spoken language and how to listen and hear individual sounds. This carries through kindergarten, first and even second grade which will continue to build and enhance skills. Then in Kindergarten, we use UFli for our systematic phonics instruction that helps children learn to build and write letters and words. These activities might feel tricky for some as it requires us to build stamina for sitting, working through something new, and of course using their careful listening skills. Ask your child what they like about UFli or Heggerty!

Has your child come home talking about earning a fuzzy pom? Did they bring home a reward ticket? We have officially kicked off teaching our learners about school expectations. At Miller, we work to help our children develop skills to be respectful, responsible, and problem-solvers. However, what does that look like and sound like in our school building? Each week we target a skill that supports the development of social and emotional skills that help all children be a member of a safe and fun learning environment. We will teach them a new skill for the next 6 weeks that helps them be safe, happy, and ready to learn.

Our teaching and reinforcing of school expectations and appropriate choices has started off with "I CAN HAVE A SAFE BODY or I AM READY TO LEARN." These two skills can be some of the most important skills we target at Miller. Many children are learning how to use their words to communicate their wants, needs and feelings instead of using physical means of communication. At school, this can look like taking toys from another friend, pushing too hard when playing tag, swinging their backpack which accidentally hits a friend, or invading someone's personal space. When we see children using a safe body or safe hands, they are rewarded with verbal praise, we hand them a Proud Pom and they get to add their Pom Pom to their class bucket!

There are times that young children need more time developing skills to keep a safe body and safe hands. It is important that we use consistent language at school and at home to monitor these behavioral actions. With consistent reminders about the appropriate expectations and time to practice these skills the right way, the more success students will find using their words instead of using unsafe hands. If we reach out to your family about practicing safe hands, please remember we are all working together to help remind your child about ways to communicate and treat others. We will also share all the great choices they continue to make while at school.

Curious about hockey? Now’s your chance!

Join us at The Pond Ice Skating Rink on Saturday, Sept. 13, from 1:20-2:55 p.m., for Try Hockey for Free Day – a nationwide event for kids ages 4–9 to experience the thrill of hockey in a fun, safe environment.

No experience needed

Equipment provided (just bring your energy!)

Certified coaches on the ice

Let’s grow the game—one smile, one skate, one slapshot at a time!

Please share and sign up today at bit.ly/Try4Free913

In all our Elementary Buildings, we utilize a Google Form to report attendance, late arrival, early dismissal, and change of transportation such as switching from a bus rider to office pick-up!

To report an absence or change your child to a car rider or bus rider, please click the button below or scan the QR code magnet that we will pass out at Open House. This can be done from any device and your reply will be sent immediately to our secretary, Mrs. Toler.

If your child will be absent, you will use this form to report the absence along with the reason for the absence. We are working really hard to reduce the amount of phone calls, emails, or notes that we receive. We ask that you reserve those modes of communication for emergencies only. Thank you in advance for your help and let us know if you have any questions at all!

Click Here - 25-26 Attendance and Transportation Reporting

Alternate Bus Stop Form - Email to transportationinfo@aurora-schools.org

Information to Download the My Ride K-12 Bus App

Click Here to View the School Lunch Menu

Click Here to Add Money to Your Child's Lunch Account

You can track your child's lunch account by setting up your profile using the login information from Open House. You may also send in cash or a check written out to the Aurora City Schools.

- Please make sure your Final Forms medical information is up to date. We will closely read the health sections to address any medical concerns. If your child requires medication (over the counter or prescription) during the school day, we must have a signed medication form on file. You can find this attached below.
- It is important to check your child each day for symptoms of illness as you know them best. If they become I'll during the day, or are injured, we will reach out to you and let you know if their symptoms are worsening. We call home for injuries, fevers, and continued sickness. We do not call home for every trip to the nurse for a band-aid, ice pack or upset tummy. We certainly will call if symptoms worsen. We sometimes use our School Nurse Cell Phone.
- Students sent home with a fever, may not return to school until they are fever free without medication for at least 24 hours. This means if your child was sent home on Tuesday at 12:00 p.m. with a fever, he/she may not return to school until 24 hours later. If your child does return the next day, our school will be calling for you to come pick him/her up. Please help to support our efforts in this area.
- DO NOT medicate your child with fever reducing medication and sending them to school. Yes, there are times when children need allergy medication, cough suppressant or nasal decongestant and can still attend school. If your child is feeling yucky, they are not at their best for learning and others can get sick when your child is symptomatic.
- Children between the ages of 3-6 often become sick more frequently due to learning sneeze and cough etiquette along with how to use a tissue correctly. You can practice this at home and remind your children the importance of covering their mouth and not spreading germs.
Finally, please make sure your child has extra clothes in his/her backpack. Accidents and spills happen all the time and it's safe to always have their own clothes in their book bag instead of wearing our spare clothes.