Principal’s Notes from Nottingham – January 24, 2018

“Life’s most persistent and urgent question is,”What are you doing for others?” – Martin Luther King, Jr.

Dear Parents/ Guardians:

Kudos and thanks to Nottingham Social Studies Lead Teacher, Ms. Jacoby, who enthusiastically planned and facilitated Nottingham’s 2018 Geo Bee held earlier last week! The Bee, an annual competition organized by the National Geographic Society, was designed to inspire and reward fourth through eighth grade students’ curiosity about the world. Each year, thousands of schools across the United States participate in the National Geographic Bee, competing for college scholarships and the glory of being the National Geographic Bee Champion!

Here at Nottingham, Knights in fourth and fifth grade were given an opportunity to participate in the initial rounds of questioning. Congratulations to our top ten Knights who made it to the final round of our school wide competition! The finalists impressed those in attendance with their growing knowledge of Geo Bee facts. Even well-travelled adults in the audience were daunted by some of the rigorous questions.

Congratulations are in order to:
Gabriel B., Collin D., Hayden B., Matthew H., Ryan H., Meredith L., Claire M., Drew M., Megan R., and Wylye T.
Special Congratulations to Claire M. who will serve as our 2017-18 Nottingham Geo Bee Champion! I enjoyed dropping by the Maverick classroom to deliver Claire a book I love that encourages exploration at a young age. With Claire’s knowledge of all things Geo related, no doubt she will go on to become a citizen of the world! Best wishes to Claire for her upcoming qualifying test for the Virginia State Geography Bee.

Sock Hop
A big shout out and thank you to Mrs. Laurie Sinton who wore her PTA hat while chairing the Sock Hop Committee. Knights enjoyed a fun time dancing with their friends. The costumes were delightful, showing lots of creativity in recreating a 50’s look. Laurie thanks all the parents/guardians for their large and small efforts to ensure this beloved tradition continues for our Nottingham Knights!

Nottingham Kindergarten Observations
Do you have a friend or neighbor with a rising K learner? Invite them to join me at a K orientation. Call 703-228-5290 to reserve a spot at one of our K Orientations.

Wednesday, February 7, 2018 – 10:30-11:30
Wednesday, March 14, 2018 – 10:30-11:30
Wednesday, April 4, 2018 – 10:30-11:30
Wednesday, May 2, 2018 – 10:30-11:30

We encourage parents / guardians to bring their rising Knights to our Kindergarten Information Day scheduled for Wednesday, April 11, 2018 2:15-3:30 pm.

No Name-Calling Week
Dr. McCormac and members of the Student Services team worked collaboratively to use the national No Name-Calling Week to remind our Knights with ways to handle name-calling and bullying. This week serves as a reminder that name calling can be a form of bullying. Knights were taught that while it might often start out by joking, calling someone a name with the intent of hurting them is not okay. Thank you in joining us by sharing the message with your child that when calling someone a name, even if they feel the person deserves it, is not okay and if repeated will be considered bullying. Efforts were made to reinforce to Knights that even if the child is doing the name calling, “behind their back” or through an electronic device, it is still hurtful and might be shared with that other child. It is never acceptable, even if the other child started the name calling. At Nottingham, Knights are taught early and often the following strategies to handle name calling: 1) ignore; 2) be assertive; and if those do not stop it 3) tell a trusted adult in our Nottingham Community of Learners.

5th Grade Instrumental Music
We hope to see you tonight at the 5th grade Instrumental Music and Chorus concert at 7:00 pm. Our Knights have been practicing both at home and at school to prepare a wonderful concert highlighting our talented musicians!

Upcoming Dates to Remember
• 1/26 – Teacher work (Grade Prep) / No School for our Knights
• 2/6 – PTA Meeting, Library, 7:00-8:30 PM
• 2/9 – Family Bingo Night – Multi-Purpose Room, 6:30-8pm
• 2/14 – Early Release – 1:26 p.m.
• 2/19 – Presidents Day / No School

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

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