Miles ELC Newsletter
October 2023
Monthly Site Council and PTA Zoom Link
Email: mileslecpta@gmail.com
Website: https://tusd1.zoom.us/my/mileselcmainzoomlink
Location: 1400 East Broadway Boulevard, Tucson, AZ, USA
Phone: 520-225-2200
Facebook: Miles Exploratory Learning Center K-8 | Tucson AZ | Facebook
Instagram: Miles ELC (@miles_k8) ⢠Instagram photos and videos
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Upcoming Events
Monday October 2nd- Friday October 6th, Walk N' Roll To School Week
Friday October 6th, Grading Day, No School
Monday October 9th- Friday October 13th, Fall Break, No School
Tuesday October 17th, PTA Meeting at 6 pm (Zoom link in bio)
Wednesday October 25th, Professional Development, No School
Saturday October 28th, Spooky Fall Night
Principal's Corner
Happy Fall Mustangs!
October brings an end to quarter one and a start to the second half of the semester. As you move through this newsletter, you'll see all of the wonderful things planned in the coming months. Hopefully, you can join us for it all!
At this time of year, we begin to closely monitor our tax credit contributions. At Miles, tax credit contributions are the only source of money we have to fund enrichment programs. Our garden program, elementary ASL program, and after school tutoring are our enrichment programs and are 100% reliant on tax credit.
Friends, unfortunately, at this time, and the with only a couple thousand dollars left in tax credit, I cannot guarantee that any of our enrichment programs will exist past this school year. We need tax credit contributions now more than ever. Please, follow the link below to our website and make your contribution today. I'm always happy to answer questions about tax credit and encourage you to do so if you are hesitant. We value our enrichment instructors and their programs and want to see them all return next school year.
With the biggest ask I can,
Principal Andrea Steele
CLICK BELOW TO MAKE YOUR TAX CREDIT CONTRIBUTION TO MILES TODAY!
Congratulations to our Girls Volleyball Team on Advancing to the Semi Finals
Counselor's Corner
Hello, this is Mr. Alex, your School Counselor,
Here at Miles, we do our best to ensure that we create a positive and supportive environment for learning and growth. This month in September, we are practicing Responsibility. When I asked a student to define Responsibility, he said "it is the ABILITY to RESPOND." While some students laughed at the literal definition of the word, when you actually think about it, that is correct! Responsibility means that we must take action when we encounter a problem and understand how our choices impact ourselves and others. For the past week, we have been learning about how to be responsible by understanding the levels of social formality. This means that how we behave depends on where we are, what we are doing and who we are with. This can change from time to time whether at school or at home. We have 4 levels:
- SILLY
- FUN/FUNNY
- KIND OF SERIOUS
- SERIOUS
Practicing these things can be challenging because even as adults, we have to constantly read the room and prepare to respond according to what is happening around us. That can look differently from time to time! We cannot anticipate a real-world emergency, but establishing these boundaries, it will be easier to prepare and plan accordingly.
For example, if the fire alarm goes off during a fun class activity, that is an abrupt change from Fun to Serious in such a very short time and requires us to make a huge adjustment in how we respond. With those protocols in place, we can then interpret a serious moment with purposeful action and conscious decision making. Even if we feel a sense of guilt and shame that we didn't respond quickly enough or say the right thing at the right time, we should always remember that responsibility is a virtue that is practiced and develops over time.
đĄFood for Thought:
Think of the word: mistake. Our minds probably go to a place of shame that we did something wrong, or that there is something about us that we lack. What if it's something that you can gain? Or that moment that activates the voracious appetite for learning? Let us think of it this way: If a film director wanted to film a scene again, they would shout "Scene 1, TAKE 2." Maybe the actor was too loud, or the lighting was too dim, or even an extra sneezed during a take! You'll soon realize that there are some things inside and outside of your control. So, think of life's circumstances as a take. When things don't turn out how you expect, think of it as a "miss take" Film your life's scene differently. If a familiar mistake comes up in a scenario, you can always make the right adjustments for the outcome to work in your favor. A mistake is just a lesson that you can take away from. What's your take?
Questions you can ask your child:
How are you responsible at home and at school?
What are some big issues at Miles you know of and how can you help make them better?
What are some other examples of SILLY vs SERIOUS?
Have a fun, safe and responsible day!
-Mr. Alex
Cross Country
The Miles students had their first cross country meet at Reid Park and they all did amazing. We are so proud of them. Here are a few awesome photos taken at the meet!
KVOA and Ms. Tia
We are super excited share that Ms. Tia had an interview with KVOA last week regarding the amazing grant she won last year.
Watch the interview below!
A message from Ms. Tia
Fiesta Bowl Charities have been providing grants to teachers to help them make their dreams come true. Teachers apply online and are placed into a lottery. If you are chosen, you get use 'Donors Choose' as your avenue to purchase items. I was awarded $2,500 and with that money, I was able to add a Horeshoe table, a whiteboard table, floor seats, beanbags and comfort items. It has transformed my classroom and made me a better teacher.
Everyone got free books from the Book Blast!
Community Liaison News
Hi Miles families! I am recruiting volunteers for our upcoming Spooky Fall Night on Saturday October 28th. If you are interested in volunteering for this or any other event contact me
I look forward to seeing you at Spooky Fall Night!
-Grace
Garden News
The Miles gardening program grew in September! Parents and students are helping clean up the field and playground during âTool Timeâ. This is a drop-in activity each Wednesday from 8:30-9:00. The student-led lunchtime club âRoots & Shootsâ re-started for grades 3, 4, and 5. Making bird feeders and an educational website are this semesterâs goals. Gardening classes as well as Janaâs ELA class have been taking great care of the school chickens. Some groups have even enjoyed egg salad made from garden ingredients. Other groups have been busy mulching, planting, watering, and finding ways to save water.
Thank you âFall Cleaningâ volunteers! In October, weâll take a break from garden work days. Instead, would your family like to help with a garden project from home? Contact Anna for materials and more information.