Monocacy Valley Montessori Public Charter School

Parent Newsletter
MVMPCS CALENDAR:
Wed., 10/9Primary Parent Education NightPractical Life & Language, 6:307:45 p.m. Fri., 10/11Prospective Parent Tour, 9:15 a.m. Fri., 10/11Project Earth Swap, 3:004:00 p.m., Sanctuary Tues., 10/15Ski & Snowboard Club Meeting, 5:30 6:30p.m., Middle School Classroom Wed., 10/16L.E. to Natural History Museum, D.C., 9:00 a.m.4:00 p.m.; Mr. Martys class to National Zoo, 9:00 a.m.3:15 p.m. Fri., 10/18School Closed for Students, Professional Development Day Wed., 10/23Primary Parent Education NightSensorial and Math, 6:30 - 7:45 p.m. Fri., 10/25School Closed for Students, Teacher Work Day Tues., 10/29Ms. Venus Class to Rosehill Manor, 9:15 a.m.1:00 p.m.

October 3, 2013
FROM THE PRINCIPAL
Dear Families, I would like to thank Ms. Venus class for organizing the International Peace Day gathering for the whole school last week. It was wonderful hearing all the students singing Light a Candle for Peace. This is the first time the whole school took part in this event. October is National Bullying Prevention Month. At MVMPCS we will be recognizing World Day of Bullying Prevention on Monday, October 7. On this day all over the world, students will be wearing blue to show their support for anti-bullying efforts. Remember to wear your blue shirt on Monday, Oct. 7! A few words about bullying: It is never appropriate when someone hurts or scares someone else. While this behavior is often unkind and upsetting, it is ONLY defined as bullying when it is intentional, repeated, and when it involves an imbalance of power between the offender and the victim. Bullying includes: name-calling, spreading rumors, teasing, hitting, exclusion, and threats. Bullying can take place in person or electronically. Someone who witnesses bullying but isnt a part of itthe bystandercan have a powerful effect on diminishing bullying behavior, either by reporting it or sometimes by simply urging the offender to stop. Bullying is hurtful and painful to the victim, but there are negative consequences for the bully also. Children who frequently bully others generally possess less empathy and are more likely to do poorly academically, get into fights, and vandalize property. They may also be victims of bullies themselves.

Join the Ski and Snowboard Club!

If you are looking for something fun to do during the winter months, consider joining the Ski and Snowboard Club! As a group, we are able to take advantage of a great offer from Ski Liberty for Night Club Cards that are also good to use at Whitetail and Roundtop ski resorts. This offer is open to both MVMPCS students and parents. To receive the best pricing, our applications must be handed in before November 4th, 2013. Learn more about the lift pass, rentals, and lessons at an informal meeting to be held on Tuesday, October 15th we will be available from 5:30 6:30 in the Middle School classroom to answer your questions. If you are unable to attend but would still like information, or have any other questions, please contact Kim McClure at kmccluredesign@verizon.net, or at 301-606-3149.

HARVEST FOOD DRIVE COLLECTION

Its time for an annual tradition at MVMPCS, the Harvest Food Drive Collection! We are collecting donations for the Harvest Food Drive to benefit the Frederick Community Action Agencys food bank located on All Saints Street. Please donate fully labeled, unopened, nonperishable canned or dry food items for collection. Helpful items include: pasta and pasta sauces, hearty stews, soups, cereals, canned tuna and chicken and childrens birthday party packages (cake mixes, plates and hats). Also appreciated are toiletry items such as deodorant, soaps, shampoos and toothpaste. Please drop off your donations in the lunch alcove. Thank you so much for your generosity!

Bullying should always be reported to an adult, so that we can provide help, support, and guidance for both the victim and the offender. Remember: No one deserves to be bullied, and we can all work together to make our school bullyfree!
Now that we are in the fall season and as the weather cools down, we are scheduled to have John J. Kirlin at the school to change our system from AC to heat later this month. Until then, we are running the AC. There are days the outside temperature has made many of our classrooms cold. Please encourage your children to bring a sweater or light jacket if they are feeling cold in their classroom. We are hoping that when the system is changed to heat, we will not have any above average temperatures. Unfortunately, once we change to heat, we cannot run the AC if the temperature outside becomes warm. When to change from AC to heat tends to be a tricky decision every year! Cita

MVMPCS NEWSLETTER
NEW MVMPCS LOGO!

PAGE 2
ART ROOM DONATIONS WANTED

It is with a tremendous amount of gratitude to MVMPCS parent, and graphic designer, Ludwing Najera that the Governing Council announces the selection of the new logo for Monocacy Valley Montessori Public Charter School!
The MVMPCS GC worked with Ludwing through the summer and early fall to come up with options for a new logo/identity for our school. We asked the larger MVMPCS community to give us their thoughts about three options for the logo -- and many of you did (thank you!). During a Sept. 9th meeting, the GC took those comments under consideration, and voted to approve the logo you see attached to this email. We will be rolling out this logo to appear on school letterhead, the website, and, eventually, T-shirts and other gear. (Please note that children are welcome to continue wearing the school Tshirts with the "old" style logo on them for field trips, etc.) The logo is available for use in full color or black-and-white, and Ludwing also provided a guide on how the logo should appear and be used (with spacing considerations, etc.). So, if anyone would like to use the logo, please consult with our Communications Committee to obtain the proper file and guidelines for usage (email Brian Blank at webmaster@mvmpcs.org). Thanks again to everyone in the community who provided input about the logo, and to Ludwing and GC parent rep Brian Blank for working on this effort! . Molly Fellin Spence MVMPCS Governing Council Chair gcchair@mvmpcs.org

Ms. Elizabeth is seeking the following household items for Art:

(1) Dish Drying Rack - Just need one (1 or 2) Blenders - Just need one or two Large Plastic Bowls Yogurt Containers - Individual and Large (cleaned) Paper Towel Tubes Empty Cereal Boxes If you have any questions, please contact Ms. Elizabeth by email at Elizabeth.Benefiel@fcps.org.

MVMPCS ATTENDANCE YEAR TO DATE: 97.30%

MD STATE REQUIRED ATTENDANCE: 94%

PROJECT EARTH SWAPFRIDAY, OCT. 11 The ever popular semi-annual swap sponsored by Project Earth will take place in the MVMPCS sanctuary on Friday, 10/11/13 from 3-4:00 PM. This is a great opportunity to move some of the things you are no longer using out of your house, while acquiring some new things that your family can use. Please start saving clothes, books, toys, and small household items that you are ready to pass on to someone else. Drop off your goods in the back pews of the Sanctuary that morning, and come back to shop the swap at dismissal. As there will be a tour starting in the sanctuary that morning at 9:00. Please leave items in the back pews before 9:00 a.m. or at dismissal. The intent of the swap is to provide an opportunity to exchange still-serviceable items in good condition with other members of the school community. We ask that you do not donate anything that is broken, stained, obsolete, missing pieces, etc. Items should be able to fit in a paper grocery bag. No furniture, please! Please bear in mind that this event is staffed entirely by parent volunteers. Volunteers are needed to help set up the swap and/or pack up and transport any unclaimed items to a local charity in the afternoon

The Monocacy Montessori

Communities, Inc.
MIXED BAG FUNDRAISER STARTS OCTOBER 7TH!
LOOK FOR YOUR CATALOGS NEXT WEEK! THE CATALOG IS FULL OF UNIQUE, ECO-FRIENDLY PRODUCTS. THERES SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE!
REUSABLE BAGS LUNCH BAGS TRAVEL SETS COOL STORAGE TOTES & MORE!

While at the swap, be sure to check our MVMPCS lost and found area, located outside the Sanctuary by the computer lab. You may find some of your own missing treasures!
Remember to bring a bag for shopping! To help with set up and/or clean up, or if you have questions, please contact Jenny Woodall at jennywoodall@gmail.com.