The Astronomical - December 2023

Inspired by, “Real Men Read” our theme for this year’s Family Reading Night was, “Real Men Are Superheroes!” Our theme included both comic book superheroes and real life heroes right here in our very own community. Dressed as The Flash, 5th Grade Math Teacher, Mr. Nate Vimarco was our featured guest reader. Other guest readers included Richton Park Fire Chief Mike Smith, Richton Park Police Officer Shaw, and NWA Wrestler All Day Marshe Rockett. Featured stations included a comic/superhero themed bookmark station, comic strip creation station, and ELA superhero selfie station. Last but not least, there was a book exchange table and members of both the Matteson and Richton Park Library was on hand to share pertinent information and sign up anyone wanting a library card. To make the event even more special, our Tall and Small Astros were able to arrive to both school and our evening event dressed as their favorite book character or superhero. During this event, we also collected non-perishable items to help fill our local food pantry.

KUDOS to F.A.C.E. Coordinator Mrs. Ina Jones and our Astronomical Family Night Reading Committee of Tall Astros for their superhero efforts to ensure a great night was had by all!!!

Every November 8th, the fields of science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics take the spotlight for National STEM/STEAM Day. By celebrating the ways in which STEM/STEAM affects our lives and our world, we’re able to show our Small Astro Scholars how important it is to study these fields and to be aware of their impact. The goal is to heighten the awareness and enthusiasm of our students so that they are inspired to pursue these fields of study in their own careers. Because our future depends on it!

In honor of National S.T.E.A.M. Day, the Small Astro Scholars of Neil Armstrong spent the ENTIRE DAY channeling their inner scientists as they only engaged in S.T.E.A.M. related lessons and activities from beginning to end complete with lab coats.

As you know, our attendance theme for 2023-2024 is, "WE THRIVE When WE STRIVE for 95!"

Homerooms that have a 95% attendance rate for the month will receive a special treat from Mrs. Etherly and Mrs. Tancredi! This could be: extra recess, treats/snacks, a dance party, ice cream social, etc.

If a grade level gets a 95% attendance rate for the month, they will receive a special treat from administration, too! Let’s get our attendance rate up to 95!

AVERAGE DAILY ATTENDANCE - November 2023

OVERALL K-5 - 94.77%

Kindergarten 94.1%

Grade 1 95.9%

Grade 2 95.9%

Grade 3 94.6%

Grade 4 93.6%

Grade 5 94.5%

KUDOS TO THE FOLLOWING HOMEROOMS WHO MADE THEIR 95%+ GOAL

FOR THE MONTH OF NOVEMBER!!!

Mrs. Madon 1A - 97.3

Mrs. Watkins 1B - 95.2

Ms. Brown 2A - 96.9

Mrs. Keith 2G - 95.6

Mrs. Owens 3A - 96.8

Mrs. Smith 4A - 95.2

Mr. Vimarco 5A - 96.9

Mrs. Rosen 5B - 96.0

Mrs. Hawkins 5G - 95.2

November was quite a productive month for PBIS. Our Small Astros earned enough “Gotchas” to have a COLOR WARS HUNGRY HUNGRY HIPPOS CONTEST!! On December 1, at exactly 9:00 a.m., the whole school will converge on the gym to let the games begin!

December promises to be equally as exciting because on Friday, December 8th from 7:30AM -8:30AM, we will be hosting our annual Pastries/Pajamas with Parents event. So come on out in your PJs and celebrate this festive season with the students and staff at Neil Armstrong.

We have also sent home our letters for our annual PBIS Candy-Grams. Orders are due by 12/15/2023. If you are interested, fill out the form and return it to your child’s teacher with the appropriate amount of money. Each Candy-Gram is $1.

And finally, our December incentive for our Small Astros is popcorn and a movie! If on December 22ND, we have earned our 600 Gotchas, then we will let the festivities begin!

Small Astro Scholars will be introduced to Unit 4: Problem-Solving. The themes for this program are as follows:

• Conflicts
• Values
• Decision-Making
• Relationships
• Perspective Taking

Students learn how to apply their emotion management, communication, and empathy skills to solve interpersonal problems and demonstrate strategies for effectively dealing with interpersonal conflict.

Families, you should receive Home links and weekly communication from your child's teacher as it offers ideas to help you support your child's social-emotional development at home. If you have not received a notice, please contact your child's teacher.

Jabari Dowdell: Social Worker at Neil Armstrong

Suzanne Goldsborough: Social Worker at Marya Yates

Kelly Nolen: Social Worker at Colin Powell

Gwyn Pounds: Social Worker at Sieden Prairie

Belinda Whittier- Social Worker at Woodgate

Debra Williams- School Counselor at Colin Powell

Gaskin Therapy, Counseling

& Consulting LLC

Call 708-868-9505

For an appointment

S & T Medical and Behavioral Health Center

Call 630-776-4694

For an appointment

Elementary School District 159 Board of Education Meetings

2023-24

Time: 6:30 pm - Closed Session, 7:30 pm Open Session

August 9, 2023

September 20, 2023

October 18, 2023

November 15, 2023

December 20, 2023

January 17, 2024

February 21, 2024

March 20, 2024

April 17, 2024

May 15, 2024

June 12, 2024

NO STUDENT ATTENDANCE DAY

Monday, December 25th - Friday, January 4th - Winter Break

GENIUS WEEK HOSTED BY STEAM TEAM

December 4th - 7th

SCHOOL IMPROVEMENT DAY

Friday, December 8th - Early Dismissal: 11:45 am dismissal

QUARTER 3 BEGINS

Monday, January 8th

TEACHER INSTITUTE DAY

Friday, January 12th - NO STUDENT ATTENDANCE

NO STUDENT ATTENDANCE DAY

Monday, January 15th - Martin Luther King Day

When all anyone can think about is the approaching holiday, might as well learn about ALL KINDS of holidays! December is full of them! Below are various ways people around the world celebrate in December.

Winter slide is the phenomenon of students losing skill and knowledge during their school break. It can be caused by a number of factors, from lack of practice to boredom or disinterest in academic subjects. The effects of winter slide can range from minor to serious, depending on how much ground was lost and how long it takes for your child to get back up to speed on academics.

Please click on the button below titled, "Vacation Enrichment Activities" for a list of holiday related activities.