Miller Elementary Weekly Update

Hello Miller Families!

Can you believe we have successfully finished another week of school? I'm sure families are adjusting to the busier days and nights all while helping your child through the adjustment period of getting out the door on time each day and managing nightly routines. When your child arrives home, they might need some quiet time, maybe another snack, or possibly watching one of their favorite shows. Just like at school, you can create an after-school routine that includes the needed downtime before taking on nightly routines. If you need help with any ideas or suggestions, please feel free to reach out at any time!

One of the deeply rooted practices that we use at school is the idea that we focus on the process of learning and not just the end product. During this time of the year, many children are learning how to successfully pack up their bookbag with their folder, lunchbox, and maybe a special item from the day. This takes time and practice as we show children an example of the steps to follow to successfully pack their bags. They will experience a little bit of a productive struggle when that folder doesn't go in perfectly, or the lunchbox is a little too big, but it's important that we have them try, try and try again. This also includes helping them with zipping up their bookbag or jacket. They are learning how to do this independently at school each day so please allow them to practice this at home too! I know it is easier as a busy mom myself to help pack bookbags and get out the door, but remember to stay focused on the process of learning and not just the end product! This is the perfect time to start practicing for fall and winter zipper season. Try sending your child with a zip-up hoodie that they have to zip up each day. Very soon, they will be independently packing their bookbag and zipping up their jacket and you'll be buzzing out the door on time, each day!

As a reminder, our Superintendent Mr. Roberto has invited all Miller or Craddock family members to join him at an open forum discussing potential building in the Aurora Schools. Our meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, September 7th from 7:00 - 8:00 p.m at the Aurora Schools Conference Center located next to the Walker Building and Aurora Fire Station.

We hope everyone has an enjoyable 3-day weekend!

Go GREENMEN!

Maria Goodman

Miller Elementary School

330-562-6199

Maria Goodman - Miller Elementary Principal

330-954-2189 Email mgoodman@aurora-schools.org

Our fall picture day is quickly approaching! All children will have their picture taken by Ripcho Studios that will be used for our school yearbook. Your family has the option to purchase a picture package using the online ordering form or a traditional form.

Please be on the lookout for a paper form that will be sent home next week or use our online link found below.You can also call Ripcho's Customer Service Department at (216) 631-0664 Ext 28 or Toll Free (800) 686-7427 Ext. 28 if you have any questions.

Our Miller Elementary Code is: 1590mill

Our teaching and reinforcing of school expectations and appropriate choices has continued with another new skill, "I CAN HAVE A SAFE BODY." This can be one of the most important skills we target at Miller as many students are learning how to use their words to communicate their wants, needs and feelings instead of using physical means of communication. At school, this can look like taking toys from another friend, pushing too hard when playing tag, swinging their backpack which accidentally hits a friend, or invading someone's personal space. When we see students using a safe body or safe hands, they are rewarded with verbal praise, we hand them a Proud Pom and they get to add their Pom Pom to their class bucket!

There are times that young children need more time developing skills to keep a safe body and safe hands. It is important that we use consistent language at school and at home to monitor these behavioral actions. With consistent reminders about the appropriate expectations and time to practice these skills the right way, the more successful students will find using their words instead of using unsafe hands. If we reach out to your family about practicing safe hands, please remember we are all working together to help remind your child about ways to communicate and treat others. We will also share all the great choices they continue to make while at school. We have included some tips below for you to use at home.

We had our first fire drill this past Tuesday afternoon! Classroom teachers have been busy covering a lot of important safety reminders such as fire safety, bus safety, recess safety, and much more. We started off by reading stories about the importance of practicing for an emergency. This included ways to safely exit the building if an alarm goes off. By previewing what will happen, all children knew what to expect, before our first fire drill occurred.

For this first fire drill, we made an announcement that we are practicing what to do in the event of a fire. Our eyes are on the teacher, our ears are listening and we follow the leader out of the building. Next, we sound the alarm once all students have exited the building. We have found this approach to be more developmentally appropriate for our youngest children who might have never heard an alarm and or might be a little scared. We are happy to share that we successfully exited the building very quickly and quietly! This would be a great time to review fire safety in your own home and develop a common meeting spot outside in the event of an emergency.

This week we also practiced bus safety with some of our bus drivers! Our kindergarten students were reminded of all the safety rules and hand signals that our drivers use to help children to be safe both on and off the bus. In addition, they practiced exiting the bus in a safe way and how to sit safely in the seats.

There will be times when your child is ill or needs to miss school due to appointments.

We ask that you call Miller School at 330-562-6199 to either speak with Vicki Wolf or leave a message. Please share your child's first name, last name, teacher, and the reason for the absence. If they are going to an appointment, please ask for a doctor's note to have on file here at school. Thank you!

If your family will have a planned absence due to an event or vacation, you will need to fill out a planned absence form for our schools. Please send in a note requesting this form as soon as you know your anticipated date.

If your child is experiencing COVID-related symptoms and you have questions for our school nurse, Jackie Pawlowski, you may call 330-954-2286. She can help answer any questions.

Hello Miller! I am honored to be your child’s school counselor for the 2022-2023 school year. I am available to support students, families, and staff with any social-emotional, academic, and believe it or not- career exploration which at Miller may be focusing on student strengths! There is no question too small to contact me about. I encourage and welcome open communication as we all have the same goal: school success for your students!

During the school day, I will provide individual counseling, small group counseling and classroom guidance lessons. Initially, I will ensure that all students transition from summer break to their school day with ease. My first visit to classrooms will allow the students to become more familiar with me and explain how I can help them during the day.

The 2022-2023 school year will be my eighteenth year in education. I have spent the previous years working as a classroom teacher, middle school counselor, and an elementary school counselor. Helping students is what I love to do!

When I am not at school, you can usually find me at a sporting event for one of my three children: Dominic (11), Daniel (9) and Elle (9). We live around the corner in Hudson with my husband, Brian and miniature goldendoodle, Louie. If there is anything you need, I am here to help! Please reach out via email to lambrosia@aurora-schools.org or 330.562.6199, extension 5414.

We have a school nurse, Mrs. Jackie Pawlowski, on staff during school hours. She is here each day to assist students at a time of need or illness. Here are some important reminders to ensure the safety of our school community each day:

• Check your child each day for illness symptoms. If they begin to feel ill, please know she will assess your child and make contact with a family member when necessary.
• Students sent home with a fever, may not return to school until they are fever free without medication for at least 24 hours. This means if your child was sent home on Tuesday at 12:00 p.m. with a fever, he/she may not return to school until Thursday. If your child does return the next day, our school will be calling for you to come and pick him/her up. Please help to support our efforts in this area.
• Please make sure your Final Forms medical information is up to date. We will closely read the health sections to address any medical concerns.

Finally, please make sure your child has extra clothes in his/her backpack. Accidents and spills happen all the time and it's safe to always have their own clothes in their book bag instead of wearing our spare clothes.

Mrs. Pawlowski will be at our Kindergarten Meet and Greet and Preschool Welcome Days to answer any questions, collect forms, or receive any medications that we have authorization to administer during the school day. Please stop by the nurses office behind Mrs. Wolf!

• Monday, 9/05 - NO SCHOOL (Labor Day)

• Wednesday, 9/07 - Elementary PTO Meeting at 7:00 p.m.

• Thursday, 9/15 - Miller School Picture Day

Welcome back to the 2022-2023 school year! Each year our PTO helps to organize a t-shirt order for our children to wear throughout the school year. Each homeroom will be assigned a class color and shirts will be printed and delivered to the school. The t-shirts cost $5.00 each. If you would like to order a class t-shirt, please fill out the form below.

https://forms.gle/UyyZfMQpZGwVMCVg9

Hello Miller Families!

The Aurora Elementary Parent Teacher Organization (PTO) is a non-profit that supports our schools, students, teachers, and staff and coordinates activities like Book Fair, Family Fun Nights, Field Days, and so much more! Becoming a PTO member gives you first access to sign up for volunteer opportunities, like classroom parties.

Please use the link below to join! The deadline to join the PTO is September 30th.

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1zdua75K_DzW_ZvfepUTd7yJbVNCgLJoNWHioGHc6VtI/edit?ts=62ec216d

If you're interested in being Head Room Parent, the deadline to submit your interest is August 31st.

Lastly, please join us at our first PTO Meeting on September 7th at 6:30pm at Mad Jacks! We look forward to seeing you there!

Sincerely,

The Aurora Elementary PTO

Hello Parents,

We are starting Aurora Elementary PTO’s Fall Mumkin Sale! Our goal is to raise $6,000 to help benefit our school. The PTO sponsors wonderful programs for our students, school, and community, including Field Trips, Teacher Appreciation lunches, Donut Days, Kona Ice, Field Days, teacher requests, and more!

We have chosen Foertmeyer & Sons Greenhouse to help us raise our funds this year. Your child is coming home with a catalog, but we are asking that this year you please order ONLINE! Go to fundraiseit.org, click on ONLINE SHOPPING and enter the code on the sticker that is associated with your child’s name.

Our Fall Mumkin Sale dates are as follows:

• Friday August 18 – Online store goes LIVE! Flyers sent home

• Thursday September 1 – Online store closes at midnight

• Sunday September 18 – Your flowers arrive at The Board of Education parking lot, pick up time is from 10:30 AM - 1:30 PM

• PLEASE NOTE: If you are unable to pick up your plants on this date and time, please make arrangements with friends or family to have them picked up. We are NOT responsible for any plants not picked up.

Plant Tips:

Have questions about the plants? Check out a brief description of each plant, as well as how to care for them! Visit www.youtube.com/foertmeyerplanttips

Thank you for taking the time to help us reach our goal!

Sincerely,

Katie Stump - kstump316@gmail.com

Anna Kandra - aecolini@hotmail.com

Kayt Binns - kayt.binns@yahoo.com

PTO Fall Mumkin Sale Chairpersons

Maria Goodman

mgoodman@aurora-schools.org

Principal

Vicki Wolf

vwolf@aurora-schools.org

Secretary

Email: mgoodman@aurora-schools.org
Website: aurora-schools.org
Location: 646 S Chillicothe Rd, Aurora, OH 44202, USA
Phone: 330-562-6199