Gold Awards Reminder

October 6, 2010

As I read the names of the gold award recipients in Chapel this morning, I was excited to see some new students receiving recognition. I realized later that many of our new families might not understand the meaning of gold awards.

Students receive gold awards for kind acts that go above and beyond our daily expectations. The “trick” of the gold award is to get “caught” by any school professional doing a deed that is beyond good manners. Let me give you an example.

Last week, I was outside at the kindergarten through second grade recess. A kindergarten student hit her head on some of the recess equipment and needed to go to the nurse for ice. I quickly looked around to have someone walk her to the nurse when a first grade boy, who happens to be new to the school, came over to ask the girl, "Do you know where the nurse is? I can walk you there if you want me to." A gold award moment indeed! I didn't have to ask and he didn't offer help to receive a gold award - he didn't even know they existed! He was just acting from the kindness in his heart.

The students celebrate gold award moments together. These are teachable moments we can all learn from. While the natural reaction might be, “I wish I had received that,” instead I’m hearing, “Good job!” Focusing on the positive – that is what this is all about. What we have seen over the years we have been doing gold awards is that the students in the Lower School grades do these good deeds out of habit because it makes them feel good and they head off to Middle School taking pride in helping others.

I'm proud of you students! Keep up the good deeds!

September 20, 2010

We’re off to a great start in Lower School! The students are settling into new routines, classrooms, teachers and classmates. After our first full week last week, I saw some tired faces during Friday’s dismissal—mine included! I was excited today to see rejuvenated faces ready for another week. As you’re busy establishing routines for the new school year, getting children to bed at a consistent time each night is so important. Check out this article for incentive to follow a schedule with your child’s bedtime routine! http://www.dailyspark.com/blog.asp?post=getting_enough_sleep_could_make_kids_smarter

Fifth graders are already demonstrating wonderful leadership qualities. On September 11, Maddie M. and Bryan Y. did a wonderful job with raising and lowering the American flag as the School gathered around our flagpole for a moment of remembrance. I was very proud of the two students, especially since the raising and lowering of the flag is always a new experience for fifth graders in September. Fifth graders are also selected to serve as table heads each month. Four students have the opportunity to serve as a table head to their peers, third and fourth grade students. Many fifth graders have come forward and expressed interest in this fun leadership responsibility. While it is fun, it is an important job in that the table head needs to ensure all students are eating a healthy lunch, appropriate table conversation is being held at that table and that concerns are reported to a teacher. That can be a tough job when your best friend is sitting at your table! Soon, we will have fifth grade safeties assigned, which will be very helpful during dismissal.

Reminders:

It is important to view your child’s teacher’s web page regularly. On the page, you’ll find reminders, special classroom notices and often photos and sometimes, videos of your child or your child’s classmates. If you need assistance logging onto, or even finding the parent section of our web site, please feel free to call me and I would be happy to walk you through the process.

Join us for Lower School Parents’ Night at 7 PM on Thursday, September 30. Parents will gather in Bell Hall for introductions to our many Lower School special subject area teachers. Following the time in Bell Hall, parents will travel to the classrooms for a presentation by your child’s classroom teacher. The evening concludes at approximately 8:30 PM.

Don’t forget to check out the wonderful Afternoon enrichment courses on our web site (you can link to this area from the Afternoons Enrichment article in Schoolhouse News). The options are fantastic and offer our students many fun ways to spend their time after school.

As always, please feel free to contact me at smarotta@montgomeryschool.org or by phone at 610-827-7222, ext. 220 if ever I can be of assistance! It’s my honor and pleasure to share many happy moments with you and your child during this school year.

Start of a New School Year!!

Wow! Here we are again at what I like to refer to as "Back to School Eve." Tomorrow is the first day of school, and I think I am just as excited as the children! I always think back to what it felt like on this night when I was a child. Oh the anticipation!! Would my teacher like me? Would I see my friends? Who would I sit with at lunch? Who would I play with at recess? Would I have homework on the first day? Would I be able to do the work of this higher grade?

As educators, I think it's critical that we remember our fears as children so that we can try to alleviate the anxiety our students may be feeling. I love at Montgomery that we take away some of these fears right away by things like our assigned lunch tables, which instill the feeling instantly that all of the children are part of a close, caring community; teachers serving as recess monitors to ensure that the children are safe and that all the students are involved in some sort of recess play; all of the students will see their friends in their own classroom and other friends will be waiting to see them in the classroom next door; and there’s no doubt that each child will feel success! We are all part of something remarkable at Montgomery School.

Recently, I came across an article about New School Year's resolutions, which proposed instead of waiting until January to make resolutions about school, students can start a new school year by establishing goals for their school experience. A simple concept, but one I have never thought of that I will talk more about during my upcoming Chapel. Take a look at this article, and perhaps have some fun setting resolutions with your own child!
http://www.miamiherald.com/2010/08/19/1784146/students-parents-make-resolutions.html

Chapel Message

Last week, Mrs. Oakes' kindergarten class gave a wonderful Chapel. The message has stayed with me and I wanted to share it so that others may be inspired. The students came dressed as "super heroes" with their self-decorated capes and of course, big smiles full of pride and enthusiasm.

The heroes' remarks were delivered with poise and confidence! Here are the powerful words they shared with the audience:

Hi my name is Abby but my secret identity is Kid Surgery Saver! I chose to help kids who are having surgery because I want them to be healthy.

Hi my name is Julia but my secret identity is the Hospital Hero! I chose to help Children’s Hospital because they make kids feel better.

Hi my name is Evan but my secret identity is the Quake Quieter! I chose to help earthquake victims because they need supplies for their homes.

Hi my name is Logan but my secret identity is the Bear Boss! I chose to help bears because I want them to have enough food, especially before winter.

Hi my name is Nick but my secret identity is the Pooch Protector! I chose to help Seeing Eye Dogs because they are so helpful to blind people.

Hi my name is Jack but my secret identity is the Hunger Hero! I chose to help hungry people so their whole family can have food.

Hi my name is Sydnie, but my secret identity is the Animal Rescuer. I chose to help orphan animals so all baby animals have a Mommy and a Daddy.

Hi my name is Kat, but my secret identity is the Animal Protector! I chose to help animals in Africa because they need help finding enough food and water.

Hi my name is Matthew, but my secret identity is the Rainforest Rescuer! I chose to help the rainforest because a healthy rainforest means the whole world is healthy.


Hi my name is Heidi, but my secret identity is the Haiti Hero! I chose to help Haiti because after the Earthquake, people’s homes were damaged and they did not have enough food and water.

Hi my name is Kimberly, but my secret identity is the Planet Protector! I chose to help the Earth because I would like it to be a cleaner place to live.

Hi my name is Cooper, but my secret identity is the Cancer Crusader! I chose to help people with cancer because I want to help people that I know that have cancer.

This remarkable group of children are thinking of ways to make a positive difference in the world at the age of five and six. If they have these thoughts now, I can hardly wait to see the leaders they will become as adults. They are indeed super heroes to me! Mrs. Oakes left the audience with this wonderful thought - "Even small actions can make a big difference!" Words to live by!

March Gold Awards

PreK
Dominic M.
David K.
Ellie M.
Maleah M.
Grace L.
Drew B.
Cole B. - 2

Kindergarten
Evan M.
Abby G.
Kat R.

First Grade
Preston H. - 2
Tyler R.
Reilly D.
Tabitha M.
Sean N.
Ella H.
Millena C. - 2
Griffin H.
Henry L.

Second Grade
Bryce E.
Rahdir H.
Billy G. - 2
Isabella V.
Cole C.
Anjali. B.

Third Grade
Liam B.
Anna H.
Ainsley V.
Samantha B.
Madison O.

Fourth Grade
Kayla N.
Gene K.

Fifth Grade
James K.

Gold Awards for February

PreK
Drew B. - 2
Siena L. - 2
Lily H.
Maleah M.
Grace J.

Kindergarten
Jack P.
Heidi V.
Annete D.
Abby P.
Logan B. - 2
Kody K.
Sydnie B.
Evan H.
Kimberly T.

First Grade
Lexi S.
Bella L.
Rilly D.
Travis C.
Michael R.
Tyler R.
Henry L.
Olivia G.

Second Grade
Aidan W. - 2
Ethan R.
Cole Y.
Billy G.
Mario S.

Third Grade
Laura L.

Fourth Grade
Aubry T.
Naomi P.
Lauren H.
Charlie A.

Fifth Grade
Charlie B. - 2
James K.
Erik K.
James P.
Julz R.

Standardized Testing

Standardized testing begins next week, February 1 through 5 for grades three through seven. At Montgomery, the students take the CTP IV, which stands for the Comprehensive Testing Program, fourth edition. The test is created by ERB, or the Educational Records Bureau, the same organization who also provides the ISEE (the independent school entrance exam), which many independent secondary schools require as part of their application process. Independent schools throughout the country use the CTP IV. In addition some of the local public school districts, such as Tredyffrin Easttown and Radnor also take the CTP IV.

We are not a school who “teaches to the test.” The CTP IV does follow many aspects of our curriculum nicely, naturally. We want our students to have an exposure to taking standardized tests. It also gives us an opportunity as a school to see areas where our students perform well and could alert us to areas that we may need to strengthen within our curriculum.

This week our students have had practice tests in grades 3-5. The test is scheduled over five days next week with about two tests per day. Students still participate in their specials during the week as we try to keep things as normal as possible.

I'm often asked by parents how to best prepare their child for the week of testing. It's hard as parents to not become stressed about children taking any kind of test. Of course, children do tend to figure out when mommy or daddy seem "nervous" about something! If you take a calm approach to testing, chances are, your child will follow your lead. The best thing you can do next week is to ensure your child has plenty of sleep, eats a good breakfast and celebrate a week of no homework as a family! (Did I mention the testing week is a no homework week? Hooray!)

Scores for testing usually arrive in early March. National norms are not provided in grade three. ERB urges parents to look at the scores for the first year on an individual basis –the focus is on the student rather than the norm comparisons. This is something I ask parents to do each year! See how your child performs first, and then look at the comparison norms. I am happy to meet with families individually to look at the scores. Scores do not suggest a “pattern” until at least three years of results. These early years serve as a baseline. We’re very careful about drawing conclusions until we have three years of data. In third grade, parents receive a narrative report with the report explaining areas that meet expectations and exceed expectations as well as areas “developing.” It also shows the number of correct answers (for ex. 13 of 14 questions correct). Grades 4+ will show how your child performs nationally, within the suburban schools (public and independent locally), and within the independent schools.

Keep in mind that this test is a PIECE of information about your child. It is a measure of your child on a moment in a day. It does not completely define who your child is as a student.