NAMily Newsletter
December Edition
A word from the principals!
Greetings NAMily!
We are coming down the home stretch of the 2nd quarter and year 2025. December is going to come and go very swiftly. This is the season of sharing and giving, which leads to our virtue of the month: Generosity. Enjoy the Fall/Thanksgiving Break!
"No one has ever become poor from giving." -Anne Frank
Best Regards,
Principals Ferguson & Lewallen
Upcoming Events:
Important Dates:
November (THANKFULNESS)
24-28 No School Thanksgiving Break
December (GENEROSITY)
2 STEP Store
3 67th Day of School
3 Foundation/PTO Meeting
:10 LSDMC Meeting 6:15p
17 Virtue Assembly
18 Principal’s Breakfast
18 G2W Bake Sale
22-31 Winter Break
January (PERSEVERANCE)
1-2 Winter Break
5 No Students- PD Day
7 Foundation 5p & PTO 6:15p
14 LSDMC 6:15p
19 No School-MLK Day
29 Virtue Assembly
30 Principal’s Breakfast
February (INTEGRITY)
2 Valentines Grams
4 Foundation 5p & PTO 6:15p
9 No School
11 LSDMC Meeting 6:15p
12 PTC 4-8p
16 No School-Pres Day
20 Mardi Gras Dance (G2W)
26 Virtue Assembly
27 Principal’s Breakfast
27 BHM Program
March (Cooperation)
2 PD Day-District
4 Foundation 5p & PTO 6:15p
11 LSDMC Meeting 6:15p
13 Golden Party
20 Career Day
23-27 Spring Break
Oratory Festival (Date TBD)
April (TOLERANCE)
1 Foundation 5p & PTO 6:15p
3 G2W Fish Fry
8 LSDMC Meeting 6:15p
16 Academic Night (STEM)
25 Gala
30 Virtue Assembly
May (KINDNESS)
1 Principal’s Breakfast
6 Foundation 5p & PTO
13 LSDMC Meeting 6:15p
21 Virtue Assembly
22 Principal’s Breakfast
25 Memorial Day
26 6th Grade Ceremony
27 Field & Sports Day
28 Move Up Day
28 Last Day for students
29 Last Day for staff
Holiday Assistance Resources
Grades 3-6 Upcoming Diagnostics
IReady Math Testing-Grades 3-6 Week of December 1-5
IReady Reading Testing-Grades 3-6 Week of December 8-12
North Avondale Montessori’s Leaf Legends
North Avondale Montessori’s Leaf Legends—a team of ten Men of M.O.R.E. students—are leading an interior landscaping initiative to transform the school’s entry lobby and main front hallway into a vibrant, living environment. Supported by a Keep Cincinnati Beautiful Safe & Clean Grant, along with over $3,000 from Urban Blooms for design and installation support and over $2,000 in plants and supplies from Bell Nursery via Home Depot, this project empowers students to take an active role in sustainability and school pride. The Leaf Legends are charting plant health through leaf, stem, and soil observations, maintaining cleanliness on around plant areas, and ensuring each plant thrives at its best. They will be supported by members of the Green Team, who will assist with ongoing maintenance—together cultivating a lasting model of student leadership, environmental stewardship, and collaboration.
November Highlights
Virtue Celebration Assembly
The monthly Virtue Assembly took place on Thursday. The staff shared a poem about thankfulness! Each homeroom teacher selected one student to represent the class as the Virtue Student of the Month. (See below) Those students were able to participate in a breakfast with the Principal. Next month we will focus on Generosity as the Virtue of Month. See lessons that can be taught at home below.
November Virtue of the Month Students
Names:
Back Row (Left to Right): Lucien Berry, Gio Jeffries, Rahquel Johnson, Caroline Mulrey, Kenadi Harris, Anaya Turner
Middle Row (Left to Right): Mia'Marie Clay, Maylee Martlett, Trinity Norris, Michael Addicks, Delilah Jones, Rilynn Maxberry
Front Row (Left to Right): Kyra Bower, Ellie Gibson, Sean Ervin, D'Ante Goodwin, Trinity Carius, Edith Stradtman, Messiah Smith, Knox O'Neal
Men of MORE visits Central State Univerity
MORE Men had a blast a few weeks ago on a Saturday at Central State University and the Afro-American National Museum Tour. They toured the whole campus and were involved in a Scavenger Hunt at the Museum! Our young men did an amazing job and represented NAM very well! I am very proud of how they conducted themselves and how they were very engaged the whole trip!
NAM Rosey Reader Program
North Avondale is rocking it. We’ve got 213 students signed up. That means we’ve reached 74% of our K–3 population.
Thanks so much for your support. We’re getting closer and closer to the finish line. Let’s keep the momentum going. Seventy-three more students to reach!!!!! NAM is rocking it.
STEM Mini-Dome Project
I am excited to share two special initiatives that showcase our students' creativity, problem-solving, and technical skills: the Ohio Code Scholars program and our STEM Mini-Dome project.
The Ohio Code Scholars program is designed to provide students with hands-on, project-based learning experiences in computer science and STEM. Through this program, students gain coding skills, computational thinking, and real-world problem-solving abilities. They also practice research, planning, and project management skills, many of which are reinforced through our library instruction, teaching them to locate, evaluate, and use resources effectively.
Building on this foundation, students participated in the STEM Mini-Dome project, an interdisciplinary, collaborative challenge that integrates engineering, math, coding, and library skills. R2-D2 inspires the Mini-Dome, complete with flashing lights, two motors, and interactive components, allowing students to see the direct results of their work come to life.
This project was made possible through grant funding, which provided the materials, technology, and resources needed to transform their ideas into reality. Students are deeply committed to every step of the process: from research and design to construction, coding, and testing. Along the way, they strengthened skills in teamwork, creativity, critical thinking, and responsible resource management.
What makes this project especially meaningful is that it allows students to experience STEM in action. They move beyond abstract concepts to tangible, hands-on learning, seeing how math, science, and coding intersect in real-world applications. At the same time, they are learning essential library and research skills, including finding, analyzing, and applying information to their projects.
Initiatives like the Ohio Code Scholars program and the STEM Mini-Dome project demonstrate how we are preparing our students for the challenges of the 21st century. By combining STEM, coding, library skills, and creativity, we are fostering innovators, problem-solvers, and lifelong learners. This is precisely the kind of experiential, engaging, and impactful learning that inspires our students and prepares them for the future.
Check out NAM News reporting on the mini dome project video.
GENEROSITY- December Virtue of the Month
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 spirit grows strong. When one person is generous, other people want to be generous too.
How Do You 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 thing?
Your father 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
Congratulations! 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
Affirmation
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.
Activities with Generosity
Generosity List
Make a list of ways you can be generous
With your time and energy
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!
Virtues 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.
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
Quotable Quotes
“What goes around comes around.”- unknown
“One of the marks of true genius is a quality of abundance.”- Catherine Drinker Bowen
“A man of humanity is one who, in seeking to establish himself, finds a foothold for others and who, desiring attainment for himself, helps others to attain.”- Confucius
“A cheerful giver does not count the cost of what he gives. His heart is set on pleasing and cheering him to whom the gift is given.”- Julian of Norwich
“The more one gives, the more one has.”- Chinese Proverb
“Whatever you give to others is also a gift to yourself.”- Sanaya Roman
Resource Coordinator Contact and Resources
Please see the attached links from Ms. Brookins, our resource coordinator. She can be reach at brookit@cpsboe.k12.oh.us with any questions!
How can parents get involved?
Foundation (5pm-6pm) and PTO (6:15-7:15pm) Monthly Meeting on the 1st Wednesday of the month- Also the debut of our sale of NAM Spirit Wear!
Join us in person in the NAM music room, or online using google meet: https://meet.google.com/tbo-edfm-xwn
PTO Meeting Information:
Interested in Mental Health Support for your child?
Please see attached links for small groups offered by Ms. Nicole, our school social worker. We are also included the mental health referral link below:
LSDMC Information
Mission Statement:
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
