Montview Family Minute
May 2023
Message From the Principal
Dear Montview Families,
It is hard to believe that we are in the final month of the 22-23 school year. I will always remember this year at Montview as a time when families and the school community have come back together after a long break (Covid). There have been so many wonderful events this year in which Montview families have shown up in force to support your students. Mustang Pride at Montview is not just for students! I am so proud of the participation in our recent conferences, Specials Night, Literacy Night, Math Night, and M.A.P.. It is clear that we are building COMMUNITY!
This month provides many opportunities for students, families, and teachers to continue our partnerships in celebrating this community. Ms. LeCount and I look forward to seeing you and celebrating with you this month.
Peace,
Joe Taylor, Principal
Upcoming Important Dates
May 3 - Evening MAP, 5:00pm
May 4 - Morning MAP, 8:30-9:15am
May 5 - Field Day, 9-11am for Grades K-2, 12:40-2:40pm for Grades 3-5
May 8-12 - Teacher Appreciation Week
May 20 - Montview Carnival, 11am-3pm
May 25 - 5th Grade Continuation, 1:30-2:30pm
May 25 - Kindergarten Continuation, 2:00-3:00pm
May 26 - Summer Break begins
Attendance
- Classes with 90% attendance each day will earn choice of donuts or ice cream
- Classes with 12 days or more of 90% daily attendance will earn a popcorn party
- Students with perfect attendance in May will earn a Mustang plushie
- The top class from K-2 and 3rd-5th will earn choice of a pizza, ice cream, or donut party and will get to dump *whatever (within reason) they want on to the heads of staff members who sign up!
We appreciate your support in ensuring that your children are in school every day!
Please remember that breakfast starts at 8:00 A.M. in the cafeteria, and the first bell rings at 8:25 A.M. Students are expected to be in their classrooms no later than 8:30 A.M. in order to be marked present for the day.
Our Montview Values
For the month of May, we will be reviewing all four of our Montview Values.
- Kindness - helping others, using nice words and actions, sharing, being respectful, welcoming, showing empathy and being willing to stand up for what is right, and thankful.
- Responsibility - doing the right thing even when no one is looking or without being told. It's trying your best, being trustworthy and safe, and taking care of things and each other.
- Teamwork - working together, taking turns, celebrating others' success, following agreements, helping others, and all this leads to a healthy community.
- Self-Respect - taking care of your mind and body, setting boundaries, celebrating yourself or saying affirmations, and being kind to yourself with your words and actions.
We encourage you to use these words at home with your students, and ask them what they mean. Positively recognize your student(s) when you notice them demonstrating any of these values at home. Mention how it makes you feel. For example, "When I saw you take turns with your sibling, it made me feel so happy and relieved, knowing that you can work together nicely. Great teamwork!"
Practicing Our Values at Home
If your family has been practicing any of our Montview Values (Kindness, Responsibility, Teamwork, Self-Respect), email Mrs. Butler at sambutler@aurorak12.org so she can share your ideas and celebrate you in the newsletter. Pictures are also welcome!
Celebrating Asian American Native Hawaiian Pacific Islander Heritage Month
In 1977 the U.S. Congress (spearheaded by Representative Frank Horton of New York and Senator Daniel Inouye of Hawai'i) chose the first ten days of May to commemorate the history and contributions of Asian American communities here in the U.S. The week's observance became a month, the very month in which the first Japanese immigrants came to the U.S. in 1843. We also commemorate the completion of the transcontinental railroad on May 10, 1869 as the majority of workers who laid those railroad tracks were Chinese immigrants. And that's why AAPI Heritage Month is in May.
Source: PBS.org
Artistic Happenings with Ms. Lotspeich
We have some artists that have placed at the Aurora Festival of the Arts. We are so proud of our mustangs for all their hard work in creating art. It has been an exciting month for our artists having two art shows: one at the Town Center of Aurora Mall and here at Montview’s Specials Night. One thing is for sure - Montview has talent! Congratulations to all of our artists!
Music with Ms. Butler
P.E. with Ms. Schindel
Little Literacy Lessons with Mrs. Berney
Medicaid/CHP plus - Take Action Now!
The Covid-19 public health emergency is unwinding and continuous coverage of Medicaid and CHP plus is also ending. What does that mean?
Every single person who has Medicaid /CHP plus is required to take action by renewing their Medicaid / CHP coverage. If you currently have coverage, you will receive your renewal packet in the mail and you must take action, otherwise you will lose Medicaid/CHP coverage. APS will help you through this process. Call 303-326-1485 or email medicaid@aurorak12.org for assistance.
School Based Health Clinics
Summer School Registration
Did you know that the average student experiences learning loss while out of school for summer break?
That is why Aurora Public Schools is excited to offer free, in-person summer school programming to our preschool through 8th-grade students!
The program will run June 5 to June 30, Mondays through Fridays. The morning session, focused on academics, will be held 8-11:30 a.m. The afternoon session, focused on enrichment, is a free, space-limited option that will be held 11:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.
The APS Summer School program is a voluntary opportunity for ALL students to enjoy a wide variety of academic and enrichment activities in safe and supportive learning environments. Our highly-qualified educators will engage students in rigorous curricula that align with students’ learning goals. Our partners at Rocky Mountain Kids and Boys & Girls Clubs will expose students to various hands-on activities, project-based learning opportunities and more.
Housed at centralized school sites, the program provides students from across the district a unique opportunity to make new friends from different school communities! As you can see, summer school is no longer just for students needing extra time to meet academic requirements. It is a wonderful way for students to power their potential!
Registration for both the academic and enrichment programs is open now. Enroll your child today!
Highlights from April
Latinx Families - Explore the Outdoors at Cal-Wood
Judi's House
Learn more at their website: https://judishouse.org/campaign/campaign-home/
Mortgage Assistance Program
Mortgage assistance (not required to be delinquent)
Mortgage reinstatement assistance
Homeowner association fees or liens
Condominium association fees
Homeowner’s utilities (including electric, gas, internet service, home energy and water)
Payment assistance for delinquent property taxes
Homeowner’s insurance payment assistance
Aurora Recreation
Registration is Open for 2023 Summer Camps!
Color your child’s world with exciting camps that are designed to develop important life skills and build friendships.
New for summer 2023, we now offer day-to-day camps. Enroll your kiddo in camps that expand their horizons and work with your schedule. Ages 2 ½ to 17 years old are invited to join the fun.
Register now at AuroraGov.org/DayCamps.
Safe2Tell
Safe2Tell, is a toll-free, Colorado tip line and is available for anyone in Colorado concerned about a threat to student and staff safety. Callers may remain anonymous.
The number is 1-877-542- SAFE (1-877-542-7233). The link to the website is http://www.safe2tell.org/.
Meet Our Staff
Hedrine Tamajong - Pre-K Teacher
My name is Hedrine T Tamajong, I was born in Buea, in the South West Region of Cameroon. I am married with three beautiful children: 16, 14 and 10 years old, who are presently attending Aurora Public Schools. We came to the USA in 2008 and settled in Colorado, where we have been living all these years.
I went to the Community College of Aurora and University of Northern Colorado, where I obtained my Associate Degree and Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood education. I have been working as a classroom Para –educator since 2015.
Dawn Reese - Pre-K Paraprofessional
Daniel Storti - Special Education, Grades 3-5
Daniel Storti is returning as a special education teacher at Montview after spending 10 years in other educational roles including working as a school bus driver and paraprofessional. Daniel grew up in Colorado and obtained his BA in Behavioral Science from MSU Denver. His interests include history, music, football, exercising, playing the guitar, and all types of games. He loves learning about different cultures, is actively acquiring Spanish, and once spent an entire year teaching English in South Korea. Daniel is licensed to teach special education (K-12), English language development (K-12), and social studies (6-12).