Huff's Headlines

 

Dear Parents,

 

Thank you for your constant support of Mountain View Elementary and the investments you make in your children’s lives.  We are grateful that we have such a supportive parent base that is willing to help in so many ways.  We have a great opportunity once again to make a difference in our children’s lives with this spring’s fundraiser the Boosterthon Fun Run.

 

            We will be kicking off the Boosterthon Fun Run on April 28^th.  Please look for your child’s “pledgebook” and informational DVD on how you can help.  Please watch the “D.R.E.A.M. Big” DVD to hear about this great program and feel free to also visit www.funrun.com

 

            The Boosterthon Fun Run is interactive, community-based and promotes three specific values: FITNESS, EDUCATION & CHARACTER.  Students are challenged to get 10 pledges for the laps they will be running on May 6^th.  Students will run for 30 minutes and average 25-35 laps with a “lap cap” of 35.

 

            The Boosterthon Fun Run is for every student regardless of financial giving.  All students receive an All-Star T-Shirt and we invite all parents to come to the Boosterthon Fun Run and share this great event with them!

 

Our goal is to raise $40,000 for  Technology.

We will be keeping 52% of the monies collected

 

We ask you to help Mountain View Elementary in the following four ways:

 

1.         Please help connect your child to potential sponsors and help them acquire pledges from family, friends and contacts.

 

2.         Ask your child about the “D.R.E.A.M. Big” character trait they learn at school each day during the Boosterthon Fun Run program.

 

3.         Please come to the Boosterthon Fun Run on May 6^th  and don’t forget to invite others to attend our fun community event.

 

4.         Help us promote thankfulness in our community by encouraging students to thank their sponsors for their support to our school!

 

Thank you again for being such a wonderful group of parents!

 

Sincerely,

 

 

Angela M. Huff

April

Dear Parents,

 

Wow, it is April; the year is truly almost over.  My mother always told me “as you get older, the years would pass by faster” and I am starting to believe that there was a lot of truth in her words. 

In this troubled economy with many people experiencing job loss, I thought it would be great to devote this month’s entry to a selection that I read in a book entitled Don’t Sweat The Small Stuff… and it’s all small stuff written by Richard Carlson, Ph.D.

 

 

Make Peace with Imperfection

 

I’ve yet to meet an absolute perfectionist whose life was filled with inner peace.  The need for perfection and the desire for inner tranquility conflict with each other.  Whenever we are attached to having something a certain way, better than it already is, we are, almost by definition engaged in a losing battle.  Rather than being content and grateful for what we have, we are focused on what’s wrong with something and our need to fix it.  When we are zeroed in on what’s wrong, it implies that we are dissatisfied, discontent.

Whether it’s related to ourselves; a disorganized closet, a scratch on the car, an imperfect accomplishment, a few pounds we would like to lose, or someone else’s “imperfections”, the way someone looks, behaves, or lives their life; the very act of focusing on imperfection pulls away from our goal of being kind and gentle.  This strategy has nothing to do with ceasing to do your very best but with being overly attached and focused on what’s wrong with life.  It’s about realizing that while there’s always a better way to do something, this doesn’t mean that you can’t enjoy and appreciate the way things already are.

The solution here is to catch yourself when you fall into your habit of insisting that things should be other than they are.  Gently remind yourself that life is okay the way it is, right now.  In the absence of your judgment, everything would be fine.  As you begin to eliminate your need for perfection in all areas of your life, you’ll begin to discover the perfection in life itself.

 

Thanks for all you do and I will see you at school!

 

Angela M. Huff

March Memo

 

Principal’s Corner

Dear Parents,

 

It’s hard to believe, but it is time to turn out thoughts to class placement for next year.  The teachers and I take the placement process seriously. With our understanding of each child, we will plan for heterogeneous classes; a combination and balance of boys, girls, abilities and learning styles.

 

The Mountain View class placement procedures are as follows:

 

1. Parents may put in writing their placement concerns before classes are formed for next school year. Written notes should be geared toward special concerns. It is NOT necessary for EVERY parent to write. Notes will be accepted from March 23 to April 20. Once placement decisions are made, belated notes will NOT be used for placement considerations.
2. Parents may request a particular learning environment or state specific characteristics about their child that need consideration.
3. Parents may NOT request a specific teacher. Placement or non-placement will not be based upon what may have been heard about a teacher. Just as each child is unique, so is each teacher. An experience that other parents may have had with a teacher most likely will differ from another child’s experience.
4. A written request, or lack of such request, will have no effect on the care given in each child’s placement. Each child will be carefully considered. 
5. Consideration of all educational factors, academic and social, is the primary determinants in placement decisions. The final decision on placement assignments rests with the administrative team.
6. Requests for a child not to be placed with another student, for whatever reason, should be in writing. We try to honor these requests. However, be aware that other considerations may prevent this. All parent notes will be carefully considered, but there will be no individual response.

 

Please know that our goals are to have children experience great success in school, and to offer them a variety of experiences with teachers that will help them grow and gain confidence. As always, we appreciate all you continue to do to support Mountain View Elementary.

 

Angela M. Huff

Principal

February

Parents:       

Welcome February! It is amazing to think that we are well into the second half of our school year already. As I have been outside opening car doors, I feel that a review of procedures might be appropriate to keep safety a priority.

In order to expedite carpool in the safest and most efficient manner, we ask that you review the following guidelines:

1. Please drive slowly.

2. Driving in the bus area is prohibited.

3. Stay in a single line. For safety reasons, this is a no passing zone.

4. Watch for instruction signs and pull your vehicle all the way to the beginning of the drop off area to allow as many students to enter/exit their vehicle as possible.

5. Please do not ever let students out of your vehicle until you are in the drop off area which is staffed by Mountain View personnel.

6. Students must enter/exit their vehicles on the passenger side ONLY.

7. Parents, please do not get out of your cars. If you need to come inside or assist your child, please park your car and escort your student.

8. All student materials are to be secured and organized prior to exiting the vehicle.

9. Please allow extra time during inclement weather.

Morning Drop-off

1. The school doors open at 7:20 a.m. Riders may begin unloading in the carpool area at that time.

2. Should your child need additional assistance getting out of the vehicle or unloading items, please park and walk your student into the building.

3. Students will be marked tardy if they are not in their classrooms when the bell rings at 7:55 a.m. If your child is tardy, please park your car and escort your child to the office to check them into school.

NOTE: Students are not permitted to be dropped off or picked up at the community center or in the parking lot. All students must be accompanied by an adult to the school's side or front door.

Afternoon Pick-Up

1. All Carpool students will wait for their ride in a designated grade level area.

2. Your child should watch for their car in the carpool line. Mountain View duty personnel will escort the student to your car.

Thank you for your cooperation with keeping everyone's safety in mind. Here's to a great rest of the year!

Angela M. Huff, Principal

January

Dear Parents,

I begin the New Year by sharing an inspirational message as opposed to my usual information. Please reflect on the message that is being delivered. Welcome back!  

 

The World in a Bright Light

Grateful

 

Everyday is a blessing, and in each moment there are many things that we can be grateful for. The world opens up to us when we live in a space of gratitude. In essence, gratitude has a snowball effect. When we are appreciative and express that gratitude, the universe glows a bit brighter and showers us with even more blessings.

 

There is always something to be grateful for, even when life seems hard. When times are tough, whether we are having a bad day or stuck in what may feel like an endless rut, it can be difficult to take the time to feel grateful. Yet, that is when gratitude can be most important. If we can look at our lives, during periods of challenge, and find something to be grateful for, then we can transform our realities in an instant. There are blessings to be found everywhere. When we are focusing on what is negative, our abundance can be easy to miss. Instead, choosing to find what already exists in our lives that we can appreciate can change what we see in our world. We start to notice one blessing, and then another.

 

When we constantly choose to be grateful, we notice that every breath is a miracle and each smile becomes a gift. We begin to understand that difficulties are also invaluable lessons. The sun is always shining for us when we are grateful, even if it is hidden behind clouds on a rainy day.  A simple sandwich becomes a feast, and a trinket is transformed into a treasure. Living in a state of gratitude allows us to spread our abundance because that is the energy that we emanate from our beings.  Because the world reflects back to us what we embody, the additional blessings that inevitably flow our way give us even more to be grateful for. The universe wants to shower us with blessings. The more we appreciate life, the more life appreciates and bestows us with more goodness.

 

Angela Huff,

Principal

December

 

We are so amazed by the speed with which this year is passing! The holidays are upon us and shortly we will find ourselves halfway through this school year! We would like to share some upcoming events that we are offering to parents. On Tuesday, December 9^th at 6:00 pm, Mrs. Huff will address parents with her “State of the School” presentation. She will be covering test scores, classroom strategies, professional learning and other issues vital to Mountain View. In January, we will hold an orientation to the Online Assessment System (formerly known as CRCT online) combined with a test taking strategies session so parents feel better equipped to support their children through any test taking situation, including the CRCT. In February (TBA), we will be offering Thinking Maps training to parents. Thinking Maps are visual organizers attached to specific thinking processes. At Mountain View, use of Thinking Maps Kindergarten through fifth grade provides a structure and common language that teachers and students utilize school-wide. We think it is important that parents are aware of this initiative in order to support a student’s potential use of the maps during work or projects at home.

     Children grow up quickly and how we interact with them makes a big difference in their lives. For many of us, this is a season of gift giving. Take time to reflect on the gifts that as parents we can give to our children on a daily basis.

As I Grow

Please understand I am growing up and changing very fast.
It must be difficult to keep pace with me, but please try.

Please reward me for telling the truth.
Then I am not frightened into lying.

Please tell me when you make mistakes and what you learned from them.
Then I can accept that I am okay, even when I blunder.

Please pay attention to me and spend time with me.
Then I can believe that I am important and worthwhile.

Please help me explore my unique interests, talents and potential.
In order for me to be happy, I need to be me.

Please do the things you want me to do.
Then I have a good, positive model.

Please tell me by your words and actions that you love me.
Then I will feel loveable and will be able to love myself and others.

 

Have a wonderful, family-filled holiday season!

Angela M. Huff and Melanie Medders

November's News

 

Dear Mountain View Families,

            October was a busy month.  Our PTA had numerous successful events; Walk to School Day, Sally Foster and Fall Festival.  Ben West, Lucy Crabtree, Kara Segal and their many volunteers helped to make all these events spectacular!  Lynne Cherrington with our Foundation is also working hard to collect funds to continue sponsoring our Computer Lab teacher, Ms. Newhouse, don’t forget to give your financial support to this great endeavor!

            In November, please join us for BINGO night on November 14^th, Thanksgiving lunches:  November 11^th – grades K & 4, November 12^th – grades 5 & 3, and November 13^th – grades 1 & 2.  Students will also be out of school November 24^th – 28^th for the Thanksgiving Break. 

As you share a week of family time at the end of this month, please consider ten ways that words can enrich family life.  These ways come from a book that I love:  “Positive Words, Powerful Results” written by Hal Urban.

1.      Model the language you want your children to use.

2.     Read to your children

a.     It bonds the child and the parent both physically and emotionally.

b.     It introduces the child to great literature and powerful stories with a moral message.

c.      It fosters a love of reading in the child.

d.     It leads to success in school.

3.     Have a meaningful conversation – Parents need to make face-to-face meaningful conversation a high priority.

4.     Ask good questions.

5.     Celebrate the day at the dinner table – Don’t ask “did you learn anything today?” rather ask, “What was the best thing that happened to you today?” With this question you get better results and you will probably find out what was learned.

6.     Catch your kids doing something right.

7.     Correct gently.

a.     Literally count to ten to give yourself time to think about what you’re going to say and how you’re going to say it.

b.     Keep your voice at a normal volume.

c.      Reassure the child.

d.     Focus on the wrongdoing, not the person who did it.

e.     Forgive the child.

8.      Use and teach the magic words – For hundreds of years the magic words “please” and “thank you,” along with a number of other terms of courtesy, were taught and modeled in virtually every home.  This began to change in the mid 1960’s for a variety of reasons.  While good manners are still stressed by many parents, it can no longer be assumed that most children are learning them in the home.

9.     Write a family mission statement about words in the home – A brief declaration of purpose that helps keep its members focused and reminds them of their responsibilities.

10.              Schedule a family night – There are only four rules regarding family night.

a.      It would be at the same time and same day each week.

b.     It would be held even if a family member was absent.

c.      It would be a minimum of one hour in length.

d.     The activity had to include conversation.

As always, thanks for what you do for me and the staff at Mountain View Elementary, I appreciate each of you!

October

  Dear Parents:

     It is hard to believe that we are in the month of October. There is always so much going on at Mountain View at this time of the year.

     Remember to visit our school website for up-to-date information on our school happenings. Please take the time to explore the website at http://www.cobbk12.org/~mtview/index.htm to stay “in the know” with our school. You will find monthly calendars, school lunch menus, our book of the month, this monthly newsletter from administration, PTA and Foundation information, Accelerated Reader lists, and new this year – e-mail subscriptions to teacher blogs. Speaking of teacher blogs, did you know that our teachers communicate a wealth of information through their classroom blogs, located on the teacher tab of our school website? They share schedules of upcoming events, websites to support grade-level curriculum, study guides, classroom goals, announcements, and even Power Point presentations supporting current units of study. You will be amazed by the amount of information at your fingertips, so we encourage you to visit these blogs. 

            As stated above, students will continue to study one book a month as a school.  The August/September selection was The Ticky Tacky Doll by Cynthia Rylant and illustrated by Harvey Stevenson. Teachers will continue to plan various lessons monthly that will cover each book. Please ask your child what they have learned weekly as it relates to the monthly books. The October book selection will be announced soon, so please check for this information on our school website. As an administrative team, we will study What Great Principals Do Differently, by Todd Whitaker and Ahead of the Curve by Douglas Reeves. These book studies and related research allows our administrative team to gain knowledge on the latest trends and research, and also helps us discuss happenings in other local schools, and around the nation. 

            You should have recently received a brochure that described the professional learning that the staff will be involved in for the 2008-2009 school year. This month, our staff will be trained in Think Math and Writing Strategies, focusing on ideas and style. We are committed to continue learning so that we can provide additional opportunities for your children/our students. I am committed to making sure that as the leader of this school, I investigate all areas to ensure that we continue to encourage, push and challenge our students.

            As always, thanks for your support, and please visit soon. 

Angela M. Huff

Summer Scoop

Dear Parents,

Let me personally thank you for another great end of the year staff luncheon. Again this year, the staff dined at Outback Restaurant. There were games where some staff members won door prizes and each woman walked away with a special gift (and there were also designated gifts for our male staff members). Every staff member also walked away with a "date pack" to enjoy with their spouse or significant other. In addition to the purchase of gifts, your financial contributions also allowed staff members to enjoy their meal with no cost to them. Our Partners in Education (Kroger, Publix and O'Charley's) as well as a non-partner (Georgia Credit Union) also contributed to the luncheon. Thanks to those parents who wrapped gifts, helped me to set up the restaurant and donated gifts for door prizes. The staff has begun to really look forward to this luncheon. Thanks for helping me honor the staff of Mountain View!

In the May issue of this newsletter, I shared some new staff members coming for the 2008-2009 school year. Please read below additional staff members that have joined us since that edition:

Ashlee Kobar-First Grade

Lee Steele-Third Grade

Maureen Armstong-Art Teacher

Sarah Motzkus-Special Education

Crystal Bentley-Clerk

Amy Inglee-Clerk

Laura Johns-Paraprofessional

Elizabeth Goldman-Paraprofessional

Kim Butcher - Lunchroom Monitor

Continue to enjoy your summer and I'll see you at Sneak-a-Peek in August.

Angela M. Huff