Greetings NAMily!

It's time to Blast Off in 2025! As we approach the 2nd half of the school, let's set some high goals and expectations to finish strong. The time is NOW. If not NOW, then When? The NAM staff is ready to push our students to higher heights. Yes...productive struggle is healthy, so don't be surprised if students come home and say that they struggled on tasks. Moving forward have your child to read grade level books everyday from 15-30 minutes. This will help their reading proficiency. Can't wait to see you soon at one of our upcoming events.

Principals Ferguson & Lewallen

January Highlights:

7 ILT Meeting 7:30a

8 Foundation Meeting 5p

8 LSDMC 6:15p

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

15-16 WHEE Make Up Tests (6th Grade only)

15-17 Co-Gat Make Up Tests (2nd & 6th Grades)

20 No School-MLK Day

21 ILT Meeting 8:00a

30 Girls 2 Women Sweet Treats

31 PD Day District (No School)

February Highlights

4 ILT Meeting 7:30a

4 PTO Meeting 6p

5 Parent Teacher Conferences 4-7p

5 Math Night 4:30-6:30p (New Date)

10 No School

11-14 Lockdown Drill (One Day this week)

11-13 Valentine’s Grams (Student Council

11 Staff Meeting 7:30a

12 LSDMC 6:15p

14 G2W Chicken Dinner Fundraiser

17 No School-President's Day

18 ILT Meeting 8:00a

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

25 Staff Meeting 7:30a

28 Black History Month Program (TBD)

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

19 Talent Show 6p (Details TBD)

21 Spring Bling 6-9p

24-28 Spring Break (NO School)

April Highlights:

1 ILT Meeting 7:30a

2 Foundation Meeting 5p

2 PTO Meeting 6:15p

7-11 OST Reading (3rd-6th Grades)

8 Staff Meeting 7:30a

9 LSDMC 6:15p

15 ILT Meeting 8:00a

21-25 iReady Math Benchmark Testing (K-2 Grades)

21-25 OST Math (3rd-6th Grades)

22 Earth Day

26 Gratitude Gala

28-May 2 iReady Reading Benchmark Testing (K-2 Grades)

May Highlights:

5-9 Science Benchmark Testing (4th & 6th Grades)

6 ILT Meeting 7:30a

7 PTO Meeting 6p

14 LSDMC 6:15p

16 Field Day (All Day)

21 6th Grade Recognition Ceremony 5:30-7p

22 Last Day of School for Students

23 Last Day of School for Staff

• 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, NAM Safety Committee, and security to 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.

• 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

• February Meeting:

Our next Meeting is Tuesday, February 4 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

• NAM Yearbook

  Send pictures from any NAM events to be included in the yearbook.

  Send pictures to namrocketspto@gmail.com

  Please include name of event

  
  

It’s January, and the 6th grade promotion ceremony in May will be here before we know it. I am in charge of creating the slide show used at the ceremony. I learned my lesson last year about waiting until May to start it! Please send a baby picture of your sixth grade student via email to me at hallerk@cpsboe.k12.oh.us. Also, include in that email any organizations/ after school activities/ NAM sports that your child has been a part of thus far this year. In April, I will send another Talking Points/announcements asking for more information. Any questions, just email me! Thank you. ~Ms. Haller

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

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.

What is Perseverance?

Perseverance is being purposeful and steadfast. It is sticking to something, staying committed, no matter how long it takes or what obstacles appear to stop you. A good example is the story of the tortoise and the hare. Even though the tortoise was slower than the hare, he won the race because he persevered - he didn’t let anything stop him or distract him. He kept on going.

Why Practice It?

Without perseverance, people give up on things easily. They don’t keep their promises. When we persevere, people can depend on us to finish what we start and to keep our commitments. When we persevere, we stay friends even when the friendship is tested. We don’t give up until a problem is solved.

How Do You Practice It?

You practice perseverance by committing to someone or something. Choose your commitments wisely and then stick with them. When you commit to a task, pace yourself, and be persistent, doing it step by step. Stand by your friends even when they aren’t much fun, or are having a hard time. When trouble or doubts come up, be like a strong ship in a storm. Don’t let yourself become battered or blown off course. Just ride the waves.

What would Perseverance look like if…

• You begin to feel bored being with a long time friend?

• You are in the middle of a hard job and begin to feel tired?

• You have spent a lot of time practicing a sport or dance and doubt if you have what it takes?

• Your family is hiking to the top of a mountain and you don’t think you can make it?

• You are doing something you have never done before and are afraid you won’t get it right?

• Your best friend moves away and you don’t want to forget each other?

Signs of Success

Congratulations! You are practicing perseverance when you…

• Think before deciding to commit to someone or something

• Pace yourself

• Set goals and stick with them until they are completed

• Take one step at a time, remaining steady

• Don’t let doubts or tests blow you off course

• Stand by your friends and loved ones

Affirmations

I have perseverance. I keep a steady pace in what I choose to do. I keep on keeping on. I finish what I start. I am a loyal and committed friend.

A Story of Perseverance

Share Aesop's Fable of the Tortoise and the Hare and discuss.

Virtues Reflection Questions

• When in your life have you been like the Hare?

• When in your life have you been like the Tortoise?

• How can you tell if you want to commit to a new friend?

• What qualities do you look for in a friend?

• How do the following jobs need Perseverance? What would happen if people in these roles did not persevere?

• Parent

• Fire-fighter

• Professional athlete

• Teacher

• Inventor

Drawing Perseverance

Draw a picture of someone doing a job that takes perseverance.

Poster Points

• Keep on keepin’ on

• I finish what I start

• Riding the waves

• A winner never quits

Quotable Quotes

“Success comes in cans. Failure comes in can’ts”

“A winner never quits and a quitter never wins”

Videos

• Bruno Mars Sesame Street- Don’t Give Up
• Janelle Monae Sesame Street Power of Yet
• David Beckham Sesame Street Persistent

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

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/

Click here for steps to complete volunteer application.

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#

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.

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.

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