February 2015 - Mintz Elementary

VISION AND MISSION
February 4, 2015
To be a district leader in developing successful students.
MARITIME NEWS
We will work to create leaders,
one child at a time.
Mintz Elementary School
1510 Heather Lakes Blvd.
Brandon, Florida 33511
Phone: 813-744-8353
Fax: 813-744-6755
http://mintz.mysdhc.org
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News From Ms. Moltisanti
Dates to Remember
Date
Event
2/2
Early Release @ 1:15
Report Cards go home
2/3
Kg Awards @ 8:30
1st Awards @ 9:15
Beef O’ Brady’s Spirit Night
2/4
2nd Awards @ 8:30
3rd Awards @ 9:15
SAC @ 2:45 PM
2/5
4th Awards @ 8:30
5th Awards @ 9:15
2/6
No School - Fair Day
2/9
Early Release @ 1:15
2/13
PreK and K Field Trip
2/16
Early Release @ 1:15
2/17
Miller Ale House Spirit Night
2/18
PreK Field Trip
2/19
Spring Pictures
Multicultural Night @ 5:30
2/23
Early Release @ 1:15
2/25
Discipline Data Mtg.
Bloomingdale HS @ 6 PM
2/26-27
2nd Field Trip
3/2
Early Release @ 1:15
FSA Writing 4th & 5th
3/3
FSA Writing 4th & 5th
3/4
FSA Writing 4th & 5th
SAC @ 2:45 PM
3/5
FSA Writing 4th & 5th
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Student access to technology at school continues to grow at Mintz. I am pleased
to report that we will be receiving from the district a mobile cart with a class
set of laptop computers. Our 5th grade teachers will rotate this set of computers among their classrooms. Because our entire 5th grade is departmentalized,
our students will have more frequent access to one-to-one technology. We have
begun with our 5th grade students because their Florida Standards Assessment
will be, in part, computer-based. I am very excited to watch both our teachers
and our students grow in their learning experiences via technology.
Our annual School Climate and Perception surveys have already come home. I
hope you will take the time to provide your feedback.
Coming up in late February will be a new opportunity to provide input and suggestions on how we can support our students. Dr. Lewis Brinson, Assistant Superintendent for Administration, will present to parents from our area at Bloomingdale High School on 2/25 at 6 PM on the topic of Student Discipline. Then each
school will host a breakout session. Mrs. Horn and I will be on hand to present
our own data, take feedback and suggestions, and answer any questions you
might have. I hope you are able to join us.
Keeping Children First,
Debbie Moltisanti
Discipline Data Parent Meeting
Date: Wednesday, February 25, 2015
Time: 6:00 - 8:00 PM
Place: Bloomingdale High School
At this special event, Dr. Lewis Brinson will make a
presentation to all parents in attendance. Then, we
will be reviewing our school specific student disci pline data and seeking parent input on how we can
continue to support our students.
Deborah Moltisanti, Principal
Tara Horn, Asst. Principal
Page 2
Mintz Elementary School
On January 28, Mintz was recognized for our student usage of our
computer-delivered program, Istation Reading. Our students were
among a group that showed the HIGHEST HOME USAGE of this resource during their Winter Challenge. This recognition belongs to OUR
PARENTS, who support us each and every day.
If your child uses Istation at school, he or she can also reinforce skills
at home. All Kindergarten and 1st grade students have accounts. Select students in grades 2-5 also have access. Here's how you can gain
access to the parent portal and Istation Home for your child:
1. You will need the following login information for your child in order to gain access to Istation Home.
School/Domain: mintz.hillsborough.fl
User Name: Lunch Number
Password: MMYYYY of birthdate OR MMYYYYab (with the 2 letters being your child’s initials)
2. The next step is to install Istation on your home computer. This is a quick and easy process. Go
towww.istation.com/IstationHome/~and follow the simple installation instructions. This page will also provide
information on how to log in to the Istation parent portal, where you can view your child’s progress and access
reports and other resources. Software is available for your home computer or your tablet!
3. For more information or help, visit www.istation.com, call 1-866-883-7323, and press 2, toll-free, or email
support at [email protected].
Counselor’s Corner
Does your child have trouble paying attention and staying focused? Here are a few tips to help.
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Get your child’s attention in a unique way before giving directions
Encourage your child to recognize when he/she is losing focus and come up with a way to refocus
Reward your child for completing tasks/responsibilities in a reasonable amount of time
Reduce distractions like t.v., music, friends, and phone calls during work times
Give simple one or two step directions
Break down bigger tasks/responsibilities in to smaller steps
Have your child repeat directions back to you to check for understanding
Use a timer or assign a time limit to the task/responsibility
Make a written list or use a check of list of tasks
Establish a routine for evening tasks and make a timeline for the family with the events
Play a board game or read a book to your child extending the amount of focus time each time
Be consistent with your expectations of the child
Resources used for this article:
Home & School Connection March 2012
The Parent’s Guide: Solutions to Today’s Most Common Behavior Problems in the Home
Mintz Elementary School
Page 3
A REMINDER FROM OUR PE COACHES:
Please encourage your child to
bring water to PE!
2nd Annual Multicultural Fair
Mintz Mariners raised
$1426
to benefit the
American Heart
Association.
Please join us as we explore and learn about
our Mintz families’ heritages. During this FREE
event, we will be representing many countries around the
world. Student work will be on display, along with crafts
and food samplings from many different countries!
Thank you to everyone who donated!
Thursday, February 19, 2015
5:30 - 7:30 PM
Mintz Teacher Has a New
Book Coming Out!
We’re very proud of our own Mr. Sanders, whose newest book, Outer
Space Bedtime Race, is being released this month! He will be appearing
at a book launch to celebrate.
Event:
Outer Space Bedtime Race Book Launch
Date:
Saturday, February 7, 2015
Time:
2:00 PM
Place:
Barnes & Noble Booksellers, South Tampa
213. N. Dale Mabry Hwy., Tampa 33609
Page 4
Mintz Elementary School
Mintz Elementary PTA
813-744-8353 ext. 239
[email protected]
From Your PTA President
It was wonderful to see so many families for the recent Bedtime Stories
event! PTA is so proud to have been able to support this event and our students by providing free books for every student to take home that evening.
Your continued support and contribution to BoxTops made this possible.
We’re so excited to be able to offer the Chick Fil A fundraiser card as our
Important Dates:
2/3
Beef O’Brady’s
Spirit Night
spring fundraiser. It’s a fantastic value. See details below.
You can always reach us via email at [email protected] or by phone at 7448353 ext. 239. Sincerest thanks for your continued support.
Sincerely, Christie Wittmeyer
2/17
Miller Ale House
Spirit Night
2/19
Multicultural Fair
2/16 - 27
Chick Fil A
Fundraiser Cards
available
Spring Fundraiser!
Great Value! Lots of Freebies!
What: Chick Fil A Fundraiser Cards
Cost: $10 each
When: February 16 - 27
Order forms will come home with your child.
Field Day Volunteers Needed
Field Day is coming up fast! This year’s
event is on Friday, March 6. PTA supports our coaches by
providing volunteers to serve lunch and pick up food donations. Will you please consider donating some of your time?
Email [email protected] with Field Day Volunteer in the
subject line. Thanks!
Mintz Elementary School
Page 5
Safety First from Deputy Tillis
As of January 1st, several new laws for children and car seats took effect. Here is a review of the current requirements for children riding in
vehicles.
1. Rear Facing Seats: For the best possible protection, place infants in the back seat of your vehicle in rear-facing child safety seats. This seat
should be used until the child no longer meets the height or weight limit of the particular seat.
2. Forward Facing Seats: When children outgrow their rear-facing seats, ( at least age 1 and at least 20 pounds) they should ride in forwardfacing child safety seats installed in the back seat of the car. This seat should be used until the child reaches the upper weight or height limit of
the particular seat.
3. Booster Seats: Children age 4 and at least 40 pounds should ride in a booster seat until the safety belt fits properly.
4. When children outgrow their booster seats, usually at age 8 or 4'9" tall, they can use the adult safety belts in the back seat. Safety belts fit properly when the lap belt
lies across the upper thighs and the shoulder belt fits across the chest.
5. Children 13 and older can ride buckled up in the front seat.
6. According to research 3 out of 4 child safety seats are installed improperly. Please read the seat instructions for correct installation.
Seat belt violations:
Child $157.00 per child
Adult $107.00
As always feel free to contact me with any questions or concerns.
Congratulations to our January Terrific Kids!
Alex Cuello
Anjaly Kattakayam
DJ Torres
Aideliz Pagan
Chance Suarez
Khemani Douglas
Nathan Collazo
Gabriel Kontakos
Gabriel Montalvo
Kamila Diaz
Amari Campbell
Miguel Elliot
Jayden Collins
Jasmine Marion
Victoria Rudolph
Abhishek Kattakayam
Soli Martinez
Jayden Dryden
Kennedy Levy
Swarnabha Chakrabarty
Chiane Collins
Eliana Concepcion
Izeiah Gomez
Nathaniel Flores
Elijah Baez
Amariah Cruz
Brenda Perez
Logan Miller
Ricky Barter
Francisco Caballero-Vilar
Jakob Beamon
Aidan Angel
Montana Johnson
Marissa Courtney
Rachel Horn
AJ Vicenti
Aodhan Queen
Noah Rojas
Tony Garufi
Ashley Martin
Sannitra Cowen
Zoe Litten
Alazaysha Horton-Wong
Jamya Darby
Jianna Loyola
Chase Robinson
Fahad Imran-Aziz
Jarinettte Torres
MEDIA NEWS
Mintz 5th graders are currently reading and writing poetry, in preparation for
our upcoming annual Poetry Jam! On March 5th, each 5th grader will be performing a poem at the Mintz Poetry Jazz Cafe!
Mintz 4th graders are continuing to read this year’s Battle Books, and we are
excited to post pictures of students who have read ALL of the books to our
Battle of the Books Wall of Fame. Please ask your 4th grader how many battle books he or she has read. Thanks for your support!
Mintz 5th graders are continuing to earn Digital Citizenship
Badges, by completing both written and online activities
that promote safe use of technological devices. Please
take time to have conversations with your children regarding being safe and smart when using technology.
We are excited to announce Author and
Illustrator Henry Cole is coming to Mintz on
February 18th
to present to 3rd grade – 5th grade!!!!!
***** Book choice grows a lifelong love for reading! *****
Page 7
Mintz Elementary School
Sun
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
1
2
Report cards go
home
Early Release
1:15 PM
3
4
5
2nd Awards @
8:30
3rd Awards @
9:15
4thAwards @
8:30
5th Awards @
9:15
6
No School:
Fair Day
7
Kg Awards @
8:30
1st Awards @
9:15
Beef O’Brady’s
Spirit Night
8
9
Early Release
1:15 PM
10
11
12
13
14
PreK & Kg Field
Trip
15
16
Early Release
1:15 PM
Chick Fil A
Fundraiser
opens
17
Miller Ale
House Spirit
Night
18
PreK Field Trip
19
Spring Pictures
Multicultural
Night @ 5:30
20
21
22
23
Early Release
1:15 PM
24
25
Discipline Data
Parent Mtg.:
Bloomingdale
HS @ 6:00 PM
26
2nd Field Trip
27
2nd Field Trip
Fundraiser
ends
28
March 1
2
FSA Writing 4th
& 5th
Early Release
1:15 PM
3
FSA Writing 4th
& 5th
4
FSA Writing 4th
& 5th
SAC @ 2:45
5
6
FSA Writing 4th Field Day
& 5th
7
8
9
10
11
12
14
SAC 2:45 PM
13
Phone # 813-744-8353
TEACHER/Dept.
VM EXT.
TEACHER/Dept.
VM EXT.
TEACHER/Dept.
VM EXT.
Aubin, Amy
402
Hicks, Naomi
225
PTA
239
Bachtel, Jennifer
403
Hill, Lila
426
Ramlochan, Michelle
451
Buffano, Emma
445
Holderman, Holly
427
Reed, Justin
439
Cafferty, Carrie
408
Hornback, Sara
449
Reed, Katie
446
Carbonell, Haley
409
HOST
247
Riviezzo, Alice
430
CLINIC (Parson, Letitia)
226
Howell, Beth
229
Rubner, Amy
443
Coad, Michele
407
Hussey, Deby
421
Sanders, Rob
448
Colleton, Juanita
235
MacDonald, Angela
234
Schreck, Christine
447
Cooper, Sharon
410
MacInnes, Lindsay
433
Shank, Denise
465
Craciun, Bridget
411
Marcellin, Nicole
436
Simpson, Karen
450
Cruz, Cecibel
412
Medina, Adria
242
Snode, Susan
452
De Los Santos, Evelyn
462
Miller, Julie
413
Solomon, Amy
453
Derosier, Cassandra
414
Moran, Kerri
437
Spahn, Todd
454
Ellerman, Devrun
416
Moss, Stephanie
415
Standen, Lisa
444
Garrett, Lindsey
428
Nevins, Kathy
438
Uebel, Connie
455
Gentile, Nicole
417
Nichols, Erica
406
Velez, Nikki
458
Gordon, Sharon
418
Nichols, Michelle
464
Wagner, Stephanie
461
Gowder, Stephanie
419
Noiseux, Miranda
435
Walker, Lisa
459
Grimaldi, Jennifer
425
Nussdorfer, Sarah
240
Witschen, Yong
460
Grove, Kay
420
Peluso, Danielle
440
Wood, Rachel
462
Hagemann, Shelby
432
Piegaro, Bess
434
Wooten, Harlan
456
Hanagriff, Stephanie
423
Perez, Linda
227
Wright, Chris
463
Hansen, Tammy
424
Psarras, Denise
441
Young, Star
466
Zuckerman, Emily
467
Visit: http://mintz.mysdhc.org and click on the Faculty &
Staff tab for links to faculty via email.
County School Board
Chair - Susan L. Valdes
Vice Chair - Doretha W. Edgecomb
Members - April Griffin, Sally A. Harris, Carol
W. Kurdell, Melissa Snively, Cindy Stuart
School Board of Hillsborough County, Florida
Post Office Box 3408
Tampa, Florida 33601
Superintendent of Schools
MaryEllen Elia
www.sdhc.k12.fl.us