Sands Montessori
The Sands Montessori Parent Organization Newsletter
February 2015
From the PrinciPAL
I hope this newsletter finds you off to a gratifying 2015! One of our primary goals for our students
is to create and maintain a positive learning environment in which all students thrive. Our students
continue to learn strategies to help our school be peaceful and bully free. These are our school’s
Anti-Bullying Rules:
1. We will not bully others.
2. We will try to help students who are bullied.
3. We will try to include students who are left out.
4. If we know that somebody is being bullied, we will tell an adult at school and an adult at home.
Children’s behavior patterns are first established at home. It is important that parents create a home
environment that discourages bullying behavior and supports children who may be victimized. Here
are some suggested ways you can help eliminate bullying at home and school:
•
Take bullying seriously. Make sure your kids understand that you will not tolerate bullying at
home or anywhere else. Establish rules about bullying and stick to them. If you punish your
child by taking away privileges, be sure it’s meaningful. If your child acts aggressively at home
with siblings or others, put a stop to it. Try to teach non-violent ways to react, like walking
away and talking about the problem once they feel calm.
•
Teach kids to treat all others with respect and kindness.
•
Encourage good behavior. Positive reinforcement can be more powerful than negative
discipline. Catch your kids being good and when they handle situations in ways that are
positive, take notice and praise them for it.
•
Set a good example. Think carefully about how you talk around your kids and how you
handle conflict and problems. If you behave aggressively toward or in front of your kids
chances are they will follow your example. Instead point out positives in others, rather than
negatives. And when conflicts arise in your own life be open about the frustrations you have
and how you cope with your feelings.
Thank you for supporting a peaceful, bully free environment in our homes, school, and community.
Peace,
Mrs. Julie Ayers
See Board Policy 5517.01 Bullying And Other Forms Of Aggressive Behavior
6421 Corbly Street
Cincinnati, OH 45230
513-363-5000
SMPO Cash Reserve
In an effort to bring structure, stability, and transparency to its finances, the steering committee of
the SMPO (the Rudder) convened a Strategic Financial Planning Committee (SFPC) in the fall of 2012. The
SFPC was comprised of four former SMPO presidents: Jennifer Strom, Theresa Ware, Mary Beth Manolis and
Melissa Murphy; SMPO business manager, Ilka Lenox; and Matthew Fellerhoff an attorney and Sands parent.
The task of the SFPC was to propose a long-term strategy for the continued financial stability of the
SMPO. They were asked to recommend procedures for managing cash on hand and future spending needs.
The SFPC spent the next year researching how parent organizations at similar schools (Kilgour, North
Avondale Montessori, Clark Montessori, and Walnut Hills) handle their finances. In the spring of 2014 they
presented their report to the Rudder.
At its monthly meeting on January 20, the Rudder passed a motion incorporating many of the
recommendations made by the SFPC. Primarily, this motion created three distinct funds:
•
An Operating Expense Fund: This is where we keep the money that goes directly to teachers
annually (last year for example, the SMPO gave more than $24,000 in direct classroom/teacher
support. This year’s budget provides for $19,685 in teacher support.) At the end of each budget year
at least $10,000 must remain in the fund which prevents bank fees and provides cash flow stability
should there be a poor fundraising year.
•
An Annual Expense Fund: This fund has $21,000. Money from this fund may be requested by
teachers with $7,500 available for school year 2014-15 and $5,000 available each year thereafter
that the fund is solvent. The Rudder continues to refine the request process to make it easier for
teachers.
•
A Capital Reserve Fund: With a starting balance of $15,000 the purpose of this fund is twofold: to
finance larger school projects (should the need arise) as well as provide investment income. Money
from this fund can be released with the super-majority approval of the Rudder, ILT, and LSDMC. It
must then also be approved by the General Parent membership. Additionally, the motion stipulates that the SMPO Yearly Operating Budget will net to zero each
year (meaning, spending on SMPO sponsored events and activities is based on what we project we will make
in fundraising). If we make a profit in any given year, the extra money will be put into the Annual Expense
Fund. If we have a loss, the loss will lower the next year's Yearly Operating Budget. The SMPO will continue to solicit funds from the school community via the Education/Technology
Fund Drive, as a means of covering unbudgeted expenditures. This fund will continue to be collected and
spent in the same fiscal year. In the 2013-14 school year, this fund raised $2,763 and was spent on reading
and math materials for our volunteer tutoring program. In the 2014-15 school year, this fund has raised $860,
of which $577 has been spent on Fountas & Pinnell lesson cards used for guided reading instruction.
This new structure fulfills a long held SMPO goal to chart a comprehensive financial road map. Such
guidelines are essential so the Sands parent organization remains fiscally responsible and solvent, now and in
the future. All Cincinnati Public Schools continue to feel the impact of district budget cuts. It is the mission of
the SMPO to support and enrich our school community to the best of our ability through events like the
Silent Auction (which takes place on March 14th! Keep an eye out for your invitation and come out for the
party of the year!); Carnival; Hike, Bike and Run; Grandparents Day; International Night; athletics, tutoring;
assemblies, field trip transportation and direct teacher support. The Rudder looks forward to working with
parents, teachers and staff to ensure that these programs t will be available to our school community for
years to come.
For Upcoming Events And Virtual Backpack Go To www.smpo.net
General Music News
This Semester all students are learning to sing folk songs from Canada, Africa, Asia, Australia,
Europe and the Americas. Students will also learn proper playing techniques and musical skills by
accompanying the songs on Orff instruments. Students will also listen and move to Karl Orff’s
Carmina Burana, F.J. Haydn’s Creation and Ralph Von Williams Sea Symphony. These works are being
performed in Cincinnati during the May Festival. Students will show movement in personal and
general spaces. They actually get the opportunity to show how the music is moving them, which is
unique in the public school music classroom.
9-12 students will research history from the beginning to the modern periods. This work will
aid in their comprehension skills, helping them make a relationship between music, history, athletics,
and everything else in their environment. Students will also learn how to read music, sing properly
with confidence, accompany performers, and respond appropriately to classical music.
It is my hope to give students the best musical experience possible within a 45- minute period
once every four days. Students should be able to transmit musical information and make connections
to other environments. It’s important that students realize the powerful effect musical has on the
individual and that the great masters were correct in saying that music can change the world!
--Tony Barkley
Be sure to attend the Silent Auction on March 14, where you can bid on 2 tickets (plus
parking!) to the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra’s May Festival, donated by Mr. Barkley
Choir News
This semester the choir numbers about 40 students ranging from K – 12. This is one of the
best sounding choirs in recent memory. Their acapella singing is stellar and unique. Choir needs
more male singers. If you have a son who is wants to build confidence by performing in front of
audiences, Sands Choir or the Cincinnati Boy Choir is the place to be. We work on singing,
presenting and sharing musical ideas regardless of ability. One must be willing to develop vocal
ability and overcome obstacles to achieve goals of being in the public eye.
This spring the choir will sing music ranging from the Renaissance through to the Modern periods.
We are also going to present the Musical Let’s Hear it for America by Carmino Ravosa during
international night. Sands students got a preview earlier this semester when the Clark jazz
ensemble came for a visit. In February, the choir will present a set of spirituals from both the civil
war and civil rights eras. This spiritual set will feature singers of the future. It’s our hope that
students who want to move forward vocally will have the chance to pursue their dreams of
becoming the best singer they can be. See you at the shows!
Stay Connected
The Sands Reporter is a monthly newsletter published by the SMPO. It arrives electronically via
an email blast by the 5th of every month except January. It is also posted monthly on smpo.net.
Make sure sign up to receive SMPO emails at smpo.net so you receive the Reporter. Submissions
to the Reporter can be sent to [email protected]
The SMPO weekly email blast is sent every Monday morning to keep you informed about the
week ahead at Sands. Sign up to receive SMPO emails at smpo.net
For School Information Go To www.sandsmontessori.org
Fuel Up To Play 60
Smart School Snacks
Hi, I'm Aiden Lenox and I'm a 6th
grader from Sands Montessori and I'm a
Play 60 Ambassador. I want to tell you
about our Play 60 campaign. It is called
"Smart School Snacks". We want everyone
to eat healthy foods around school.
We don't want to ban foods like
chips and crackers. But we are getting to
the point where we're eating way too
much junk food. An example could be to
bring sugar free Jell-O instead of cupcakes.
Maybe for lunch, a snack could be fruits,
vegetables, or even gluten free (wheat or
bread free) foods.
Gluten free is very important for
many people whose bodies cannot process
it like other people. I am one of those
people. Sometimes if I eat too many foods
high in gluten, I have certain tics or make
certain noises that I can't control. A
gluten-free diet makes them go away.
Along with the smart healthy
snacks, people should eat a maximum of
2000 calories per day. Presently, people
have been eating way too much food or
over 2000 calories per day. It is okay to do
it occasionally but not every single day.
Otherwise in the future people could
become obese. Now, don't just stop eating
a single food. Starving yourself is a no-no. It
is not the right choice because you could
start to feel sick and hungry.You should
eat at least 2000 calories per day, every
day.
We want everybody to make the
right food choices. So our motto is "Smart
School Snacks".
Submit your Articles to [email protected]
Visionaries + Voices
Visionaries + Voices art enrichment
program began at Sands last year and
was a huge success. Help us boost
enrollment this semester by signing up
your young artist for a unique
opprotunity. The V+V After School
program is an exciting opportunity for
students who have a strong interest in
art-making and wish to explore a
variety of new processes and creative
projects. Students involved in this
program will participate in small group
art sessions, working side-by-side with
V+V artists and the Education Team,
making art and learning how to discuss
it! Through these sessions, students
will learn about the things that inspire V+V artists to create while
they explore a variety of artmaking techniques including
drawing, painting, collage, and
sculpture.
Founded in 2003, the mission
of Visionaries + Voices is to
provide artistic, cultural, and
professional opportunities for
artists with disabilities. They
create a world in which
artists with disabilities not
only produce and share
works of art, but also are
given continuous
opportunities to learn and
develop
professionally, collaborate,
exhibit, and celebrate with
community members. For a
full brochure of SEP Programs
go to smpo.net.
Submit your Articles to [email protected]
And Now A Word From Student Council
Hey, it’s Molly and Kylia. We are back with more news! Recently, the Student Council has organized
a coat drive for the whole school. We think it is awesome that so many of you donated coats,
which are going to City Gospel Center and Hoseah House. The coat drive ends on January 23rd,
Thank you so much if you have already donated.
Now let’s talk about RAK (Random Acts of Kindness). We have adopted a few ideas for you and us
to practice as the year goes on:
1.
2.
3.
4.
Write a thank you note to a teacher, staff member, friend, custodian, parent etc.
Offer to help a teacher/friend in need by cleaning
Leave an anonymous nice note for a person
Find someone that needs a pick me up and do something that may help.
Okay this article has come to an end. Make sure to read us next time, same place, same time.
Quote of the Day: “Love is the only force capable of transforming an enemy into a friend.”- Martin
Luther King Jr.
This article was created by Molly Manolis and Kylia Shearer. Thanks for Reading and have a great
Silent Auction Save The Date
The biggest party of the year is
happening Saturday March 14 at 7:30 at
Longworth Hall. The funds raised
directly benefit the teachers and
students at Sands. VIP Raffle Coming
Soon. Early Bird Tickets are available for
$10.00 until 2/27/15. Unlimited drink
bracelets are $20. To volunteer or
make a donation contact: Joie Linser,
[email protected]. Look for
more information to come home in
backpacks and the SMPO emails. If you
are not on the list sign up for emails at
smpo.net.
Submit your Articles to [email protected]
Volunteer Spotlight: John Davis
I have volunteered for a number of organizations over the
years and I've also worked with kids for many years and
believe that it’s the one-on-one interaction that is critical. The rewards are many but seeing a child do better in his/her
subjects, see them light up when something "clicks," finding a
way to show them how to solve a situation, and most
important, helping them to find a higher level of self
confidence in their abilities; all these are benefits and rewards.
Why is math important? Simply put: in today's technology
oriented world, math becomes necessary in order to quantify
our world: be it a paycheck, a savings account, budgeting for a
college education or car or home, or figuring our taxes. The love of my life is my dog Honey (see picture). I'm retired
and she is my best gal. We go to the dog park most every day
to see our friends and get some exercise. Honey loves kids
(and kids love her!) and
wishes she could come
to school with me, as
do I. I'm working with six
kids, grades one
through three. They
are fantastic and it's a
pleasure to see them
get better and help
them along in their
lives. These are the
people who will inherit
our country in a few
years and it's best if
they're well prepared
for what awaits them.
Mark Your
Calendar
February 16
President’s Day. No
School.
February 27
African American
History Program.
March 13
End of 3rd Quarter.
Students Report.
March 14
Silent Auction
March 30-April 3
Spring Break. School
Closed.
April 6
School Reopens.
April 14
Picture Day
April 16
Community Wellness
Night
April 23
International Night
May25
Memorial Day.
School
Closed.
May 28
Last Day For
Students.
Submit your Articles to [email protected]