"Just make a mark and see where it takes you." This line from The Dot by Peter H. Reynolds was the theme of the day on Monday (and carried us through the week). The Dot supports our DREAM vision for the school year. It encourages creativity, innovation, and reflection on what our students, as individuals may want to do or be so they can make a mark in our world. We, as educators, parents, and caretakers, are the "dream managers" for our students and children. Whatever their passion is... whatever ignites their hearts... those are the things we are looking to help them develop so that they can start the journey of learning who they are and who they want to be in this world. If you have not read this book, don't wait another minute! Below in a link to a read aloud.

Trivia Tuesday was another success! Students were eager to share what they learned from listening to the KidNuz podcast each morning. Moreover, students are displaying collaboration and teamwork as they brainstorm their answers and, when needed, remind their peers why their answer is the right answer. Looking forward to more trivia next week. Listen along with your student using the podcast link at the bottom of this newsletter!

Thursday we held our first grade level assemblies or "Town Hall" and began to collect the words that will create our school-wide Charter. The charter, based on the SEL resource from Yale EI, will contain the students input regarding the kind of school they want and the agreed upon ways they want to feel when they as students at Montebello.

Please read the flyer and the letter bellow for information about Meet the Teacher Night on Thursday, September 26. Also, please note that this evening is for parents only. Please note that parking is limited. Read the letter on the flyer below or in the "Meet the Teacher" link below for more information. Thank you!

September 23 - September 27 during school hours

*The Book Fair will also be open during Back to School Night on September 26 for parents!

If you email Dr. Ivey, please also include Mrs. Eileen Lomei, secretary, and your child's teacher. This will ensure that your communication has been received and will be addressed.

If there are any health issues/concerns that you would like to share with Nurse Cooper, please be sure to include the teacher on the communication as well (if you feel the teacher should also know).Finally, if you are emailing your child's teacher about a change in pick-up or absence, please also include our secretaries.

Thank you!

Please remember!

1. Please remind your child that recording and/or taking pictures of others is not permitted on school grounds or on school transportation. Phones should remain in backpacks.
2. Supervision does not begin for students until 8:30 AM. Students should not be left at the building before an adult is standing on the sidewalk. Thank you for your attention.
3. Please do not allow your child to get out of the car before you pull up to the sidewalk and an adult walks over to the car. This is a safety matter.
4. Cell phones are NOT permitted during lunch or recess and should not be used anywhere on school grounds. If your child has a phone, they must leave it in their bag and keep it off. If we collect cell phones during the day, they will be brought to the main office and have to be picked up by a parent/caretaker at the end of the day or the following day.

The flyers below are from the Sloatsburg-Montebello PTA. Also, please note that picture day is on October 16, 2024. Re-takes are om December 11, 2024.

This year we will have daily themes for each day of the week. Each of the themes reflects one of the values in our school. Our focus this year, D.R.E.A.M., will be reflected in all that we do through events, spirit days, books, videos, conversations, and our words and actions. The five themes below are a few ways to keep the theme alive every day we are together.

The contents below include books, articles, podcasts, blogs, etc., that I have found interesting and want to share. All of the books, etc. that I share are things I have read with the lense of an educator and a parent. I hope that you enjoy exploring them and please share any suggestions you may have with me as well! I will update this throughout the year and add your suggestions! Enjoy!

Sincerely,

Dr. Ivey