Hello Families, Caregivers, and Students,
Wow! Can you believe it? This is the last month of the school year! It is amazing how quickly time passes. Please take a moment to think back to your student at the beginning of the school year. Maybe look back through some photos on your phone or social media to see what your student looked like in August/September of this school year. Now take a look at your student today. They have grown and changed, haven't they? Think about what they have shared that they have been learning this year and how they have grown academically as well. I hope that you see the growth and development that the Northtowne Staff sees in our Knights!
Early congratulations to our class of 5th grade students who are nearing the end of their elementary days! The transition to middle school brings many changes. Among those changes are a bigger school building, switching classes throughout the day, and larger student bodies. If our Northtowne Knights remember the tools of being respectful, responsible, and focused (RRF) I know it will help them positively navigate many challenges and opportunities found in middle school. Good luck to our 5th graders!
Summer is a great time to relax after a successful year of learning and growth. Summer is also a great time to explore a learn more in personal interest areas. I suggest visiting the neighborhood public library often. While there, sign up your student for the summer reading program and fun activities that will be offered throughout June, July and early August. Also visit your local Metro Park and pick up a schedule of free, fun activities for the whole family to take part in all summer long. Sharon Woods Metro Park on Cleveland Ave at Schrock Rd is the closest Metro Park to the school and there are many others in nearby areas.
Have and excellent and safe Summer,
Mr. Taylor
Please stay with your child prior to 8:30 a.m. and/or when there is no adult supervision. For the safety of your child, please wait until a staff member is outside. Children should not be dropped off before 8:30.
If you drive your student to school, please enter the parking lot area and drive beside the sidewalk. Pull forward, as much as possible, until just past the open cafeteria doors.
Breakfast is served starting at 8:30 and is free for any child who chooses to eat.
The first event is our school concert happening Thursday, May 9th at 6:30 pm. Our 4th and 5th grade instrumental music students and the Northtowne Choir will perform in combination with Forest Park Elementary at Woodward Park Middle School (5151 Karl Rd Columbus 43229). The Woodward Park 6th grade band will also give a special performance.
The second event is is our first annual Northtowne Art Show happening Thursday May 16th and 6:00 pm. Come out to our school gymnasium and see the beautiful art that has been created by our students under the guidance and instruction of our very own Ms Doty! Special performances by kindergarten, 2nd grade, and 4th grade vocal music students will also take place.
May is Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month
In 1992, the month of May was designated by President George H. Bush as Asian Pacific American Heritage Month. The annual celebration honors the many contributions and accomplishments of Asian Americans, Pacific Islander Americans, and Native Hawaiians. The month of May was chosen to commemorate the immigration of the first Japanese to the United States on May 7, 1843, and to mark the anniversary of the completion of the transcontinental railroad on May 10, 1869. (senate.gov)
Like all cultures, Asian heritage is a diverse and ever-changing concept that has varied meanings to different communities and generations. During Asian Heritage Month we are invited:
- to celebrate traditional as well as contemporary Asian-American culture, which includes poetry, dances, sports, music and art;
- to learn about the many achievements and contributions of Americans of the diverse Asian heritage that makes up our communities; and
- to understand the historical journeys and ongoing struggles of diverse Asian communities. (etfo.ca)
During Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, our Nation celebrates the diversity of cultures, breadth of achievement, and remarkable contributions of these communities; of brave immigrants who, motivated by the promise of possibilities, picked up their lives and found new homes here; of native peoples who have stewarded these lands since time immemorial; and of community leaders shaping a brighter future for us all. Throughout our history, they have represented the bigger story of who we are as Americans and embodied the truth that our diversity is our strength as a Nation (whitehouse.gov).
Check out the information, located later in the newsletter, on how Columbus is celebrating Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month during the Asian Festival. There are multiple days of different activities you can experience.
End of year notes from Nurse Cassie include vaccination reminders, area health clinic information, dental information, and summer safety reminders.
Vaccinations:
Over the summer families should to check to be sure that all school aged children have their required vaccinations. It is also important that the full series of vaccinations be given. Some vaccines require administration more than once. For instance, polio requires 4 vaccinations and measles/mumps/rubella requires 2 vaccinations. To check your student's vaccination status contact their pediatrician or Columbus Public Health. You can get many vaccinations for free at Columbus Public Health. Call 614-645-8180 to schedule. Columbus Public Health location and hours are:
240 Parsons Ave.
Mondays 8 am -4:15 pm
Tuesdays 10 am - 6:15 pm
Wednesdays 8 am - 11:15 am
Thursdays and Fridays 8 am - 4:15 pm
COSI is hosting the largest singular STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, and math) event in Ohio
May 4, 2024, 11am-5pm
Big Science Day will include over 100 exciting exhibitor stations with hands on science hosted by STEAM professionals, researchers, and experts from Central Ohio and beyond. This free, exciting event for all ages will be located on the Scioto Peninsula, just outside COSI. This event is FREE for the entire family!!
Did you delete a Northtowne News email and then realize there was a resource you still wanted to check out? Do you remember seeing a newsletter announcement about a community resource but now you can't remember the name of the organization and you can't find the email from the newsletter? Don't worry! The information you need is not lost! All prior Newsletters and mid-month updates are available on the Northtowne Elementary web site. The button below will take you directly to the newsletter archive.