Principal’s Notes from Nottingham – February 2, 2018

Start each day with a grateful and healthy heart – Healthy is the new Black

Dear Parents/Guardians,

I hope you enjoyed the additional family time last week; our instructional staff were busy preparing report cards and preparing lesson and unit plans for the 3rd quarter. Hard to believe it’s here already! Report cards will be sent home on Tuesday, February 13, 2018. Thank you in advance for taking the time to speak with your child about all aspects of their report card. Many goals have been reached and new learning goals, whether academic in nature or not, can still be set!

Teachers have worked with their students to set learning goals and renew their Hopes and Dreams. This week we held our school wide Responsive Classroom mid-year celebrations. Mr. Koutsouftikis and I enjoyed following the example of our Knights in sharing our own school (and life) related Hopes and Dreams. Check out our Twitter feed for a video of our Shark activity. Knights in grades K, 2 and 4 even began the celebration by demonstrating their budding Spanish skills greeting one another!

Principal Appreciation Week
Special thanks to our PTA Executive Team and to those of you who have sent an email of appreciation and recognition of the collaborative work of our instructional team. Mr. Koutsouftikis and I enjoyed the many drawing and letters we received from our Knights! Our work here is indeed a labor of love, made easier by the joy of being surrounded by a talented team of teachers and the wonder and the curiosity of our Knights.

Concert
Kudos and thanks to our outstanding Music Team comprised of Ms. Cora Rhodes, Mr. Randy Glasner, and Mrs. Jessica Simonetti!
Nottingham Knights were treated to a medley of songs and sounds from our NTM musicians:the 4th and 5th grade Chorus as well as our 5th Grade Strings and Band. I enjoyed the opportunity to hear and see the performance during the academic day. Parents/ Guardians in the audience were treated to a whole school rendition of our school song.

Our Chorus portion of the evening centered around our Knights singing in Canon or in a Round. Songs included “Toembai”, a Hebrew folk song and the “Taco Bell Canon” which was dedicated to our beloved P.E. team of Ms. Pugh and Mr. Giusto! Instrumentalists played such numbers as “Music in the style of Telemann” and “Miramar Fanfare” Please plan to join us for the spring performance this

Important Attendance Update
Thank you to so many of you who have worked to assist us in managing attendance and front office staff needs. We appreciate you monitoring your child’s health needs in this winter season and encourage you to reach out to our clinic staff if your child is diagnosed with the flu. If your child is absent from school, please send all attendance emails to: attendance.ntm@groups.apsva.us.

SCA
Thank you to those of you who are working with your child to assist our SCA in hosting our annual “Souper Bowl” food drive for AFAC (Arlington Food Assistance Center). Our drive will end on Monday, February 5th. If you have the following items in your patry and can donate, please note the following items the AFAC personnel indicate a need for: tea/coffee, crackers & cookies, baking mixes, jelly, peanut butter, low sugar cereal, oatmeal, canned foods and condiments. Quick meals such as Hamburger Helper, Taco Kits, Ramen Noodles etc., would also be appreciated. Collection boxes will be by the Main Office. Please, no glass containers.

The next SCA meeting will be held on Wednesday, February 7th, 2018 at 8:00 am in the library.

Arlington’s Summer Camp Registration begins Wed., Feb. 14
Your child can become a Wellness Warrior or explore a full day of gymnastics fun while your teen enhances nutrition skills in the Fabulous Fun Fixin’ Foods camp or completes nature adventures. And of course, our classic camps! Arlington County has great offerings to fit different skills, hobbies and interests for a variety of ages and abilities. check out our new camp search tool here. Registration starts at and register on Wed., Feb. 14 at 7 a.m. Looking for even more to do? Come to the Summer Activities Fair Fri., Feb. 9, 6-8 p.m. at Kenmore Middle School

Early Release Wednesday: February 14th, 2018
Please remember that Wednesday, February 14th is an Early Release Day. Our Knights will be dismissed at 1:26 p.m., giving time for teachers to attend to their professional development. Enjoy this gift of time with your children!

Upcoming Dates

-Monday, February 5th: Knights Take Note Week begins
-Tuesday, February 6th: PTA meeting 7:00 pm in the library
-Tuesday, February 13th: Mix It Up at Lunch
-Wednesday, February 14th: Early Release- Students dismissed at 1:26
-Monday, February 19th: President’s Day- No school

Thank you for being a partner in your child’s education.

Mary Beth Pelosky
Marybeth.pelosky@apsva.us
@NTMPrincipal @NTMKnightsAPS