Principal’s Notes from Nottingham – January 5, 2018

“So when you’re cold from the inside out and don’t know what to do,
Remember love and friendship, and warmth will come to you.”
― Stephen Cosgrove, Gnome from Nome

Dear Parents/Guardians,

Happy New Year to you and yours! It is wonderful to see our sleepy Knights back here in the halls of Nottingham. I enjoyed family and friend time in MA, which did not quite prepare me for these wintry temperatures. We trust you cherished the gift of time and the joys of family over the break. Our knights were quite animated as they excitedly greeted friends and teachers while sharing details of local “staycations” as well as travels to climates warmer than Northern Va. Many thanks to so many of you who assisted with Winter Holiday gatherings. Together with your children, you created warm winter memories and played your part in continuing long standing Nottingham traditions. Many thanks also, for your thoughtful and generous remembrances for our hard working staff!

We are delighted to highlight the hard work and significant accomplishment of our NTM colleague, Ms. Danielle Mascioli, who is now a National Board Certified Teacher! She holds a certificate is the area of Exceptional Needs Specialist: Early Childhood through Young Adulthood, (ages birth-21+). Ms. Mascioli is in her fourth year of teaching here at Nottingham and holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Elementary and Special Education with an endorsement in Autism. National Board Certification was designed to develop, retain and recognize accomplished teachers and to generate ongoing improvement in schools nationwide. National Board Certification is the most respected professional certification available in K-12 education. Those colleagues and families fortunate to work with Ms. Mascioli recognizes her strong content knowledge and calm, caring approach with all learners. Congratulations, Ms. Mascioli, we’re very proud of you!

Together with our instructional staff, we have dived right back into our purposeful work of planning and pacing for the next few weeks of instruction. By the end of the month, Mr. Koutsouftikis and I will have met with all of the staff we supervise, reviewed documentation logs and held Mid-Year SMART Goal meetings with teachers, reviewing their data driven goals for the learners in their classroom. Formative assessments help us as we review initial learning goals as well as our collective commitment to our Knights and their learning!

2018 Kindergarten Information Night Scheduled for Jan. 22
If you have neighbors and friends who have rising K learners in their homes, please remind them of the (APS) Kindergarten Information Night: Monday, Jan. 22, from 7 – 9 p.m. at Washington-Lee High School, 1301 N. Stafford St.
https://www.apsva.us/post/2018-kindergarten-information-night-scheduled-jan-22/

SCA
The next Spirit Day is Wednesday, January 31. The theme is “Group” Day. Knights on the SCA came up with this inclusive idea, hoping that other knights wil want to dress up aspartners of a sports or music ensemble, dress like twins, or triplets, etc… Even better yet, wear their Nottingham gear or any shirt that they wear as part of a “group.”

Nottingham’s traditional “Souper Bowl” is coming! It will be held from Jan.30 – Feb. 5 (leading up to the actual US Super Bowl). All members of our Community of Learners will be asked to bring in food to donate to AFAC. There will be boxes outside the main office. The grade with the most items donate, will be the Souper Bowl winner. SCA officers and representatives will talk to their classes and partner classes about this in January.

Recycling Update- Kudos and thanks to NTM parent Mimi Shah, as well as K assistant Marcie Williams for their efforts to partner with me in raising student and staff awareness about the values of recycling. Student Council officers and representatives are pushing into classes modelling recycling at Nottingham and putting out new signage in the cafeteria. Later this month, our SCA Officers will highlight recycling on Knights @ 9. The next SCA meeting will be held on Wednesday, February 7th, 2018 at 8:00 am in the library.

Recess
Thank you for helping us to ensure that our Knights are dressed for winter weather. Mr. Koutsouftikis works with our Front Office staff and lunchroom teachers to determine whether or not there will be Outdoor Recess or Inclement Weather Recess. Typically students are sent outside unless it is below freezing or raining. Thank you in advance for labeling your child’s jacket, coat, gloves, hat, and/or scarf.

Parent Workshop Opportunity
“Unstuck and on Target” Workshop for Parents: TMRW: Saturday, 1/6/18 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. at the Walter Reed Community Center, 2909 16th St S., Arlington, VA. For some students, problems with flexibility and goal-directed behavior can be a major obstacle to success in school and in life. But flexibility and goal-setting can be taught, and this how-to workshop equips teachers and parents with simple, real-world ways to help students develop this critical aspect of executive functioning. This workshop, facilitated by SEPTA, is highly recommended and it is free. A number of Jamestown teachers have been trained in the “Unstuck and on Target” strategies, and they recommend this workshop for parents who would like to help their children improve their executive functioning abilities.

Upcoming Events and other items:
Wednesday, January 10: Early Release. Students are dismissed at 1:26 pm.
Wednesday, January 10: PTA Meeting, Library 7:00-8:30 pm.
Thursday, January 12: Sign up for Shakespeare @8:35 am near the gym.
Monday, January 15: Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday. No School.
Tuesday, January 16 – Friday, January 19: No Name-Calling Week.
Wednesday, January 17: Nottingham Championship Round of the National Geographic Geography Bee.
Wednesday, January 19: Mark your calendars and start practicing your hula-hooping skills because the NES annual Sock Hop is this month!

The Sock Hop will take place on Friday, January 19, 2018 (Snow day planned for February 2)
6:30-8:00pm Dance for K-2nd graders
8:00-9:30pm Dance for 3-5th graders

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

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