October 2018 In This Issue:
From the Front Office | A Word From Your PTA | Staff Spotlight | Birthday Celebrations | After School Activities | More on Upcoming Events | Rewards Programs | PTA Membership | PTA Meetings | School Board Meetings | iChat Form | Sponsors |
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From The Front Office Mr. Marando's Memo: October is Bullying Prevention Month
October is Bullying Prevention month. Throughout the school year, Amerman staff help students build their social and emotional bank account building off of The 7 Habits. This process helps us build leadership and problem solving skills all year long. Northville Public Schools has a policy about bullying. We do not tolerate bullying. You can find our policy here: NPS Anti-bullying Policy Additionally, NPS addresses bullying, and the penalties for bullying in the student code of conduct, accessible here: Student Code of Conduct - See item #28 Bullying is defined as any behavior that any reasonable person would know is likely to cause harm to another. Bullying tends to be repetitive, it is often targeted behavior (meaning the bully is looking for, or coming after a particular person or group of people), and bullying features an imbalance of power. One person is powerful, the other is powerless. So what are the differences in bullying behavior vs. rude behavior, or mean behavior? There are differences, though none of these behaviors are acceptable. An article in Psychology Today by Signe Whitson, L.S.W., details the differences in these three socially unacceptable behaviors. Rude behavior = Inadvertently saying or doing something that hurts someone else.
The operative word in the above definition is "inadvertent." These are socially insensitive behaviors that come from a failure to care about or read social cues. Most of us have been rude or insensitive at times. There's no doubt these behaviors can be hurtful, and certainly interfere with the development of normal, positive relationships. People who are rude may have a pattern of insensitive behavior. They're likely not targeting anyone in particular. Rude behavior is an equal opportunity offender.
Signe Whitson describes mean behavior as different than rudeness as it is intentional whereas rude behavior is unintentional. Mean behavior carries intention: Mean behavior = Purposefully saying or doing something to hurt someone once (or maybe twice).
Mean behavior is impulsive, but intentional behavior. It's the kind of thing that may happen more than once and it tends to be a result of anger or disagreement. Whitson writes, "Very often, mean behavior in kids is motivated by angry feelings and/or the mis-guided goal of propping themselves up in comparison to the person they are putting down." On the playground this can look like posturing when playing a team sport, or criticizing someone else's choices, or their way of doing something. "Your team cheats," is an example of a mean comment designed to hurt. Siblings and family members can be deliberately mean. Children may be mean to friends during a disagreement. Meanness becomes bullying when it's repetitive and controlling.
Ms. Whitson defines bullying as: Bullying = Intentionally aggressive behavior, repeated over time, that involves an imbalance of power
The literature on bullying features these three elements: an imbalance of power, repetition of mean, rude, hurtful behavior, and the targeted intention to cause harm. When I investigate a charge of bullying I'm looking for answers to the following questions: Has this happened more than once? Does the "bully" respond when the "victim" says "no" or "stop?" Is the behavior intentional? Is the behavior targeted? Does the "bully" behave this way only to one person, or one specific group; or does the "bully" behave aggressively toward everyone? Was there anger involved? How is the recipient of this behavior chosen? Who else does this behavior happen to? Is it planned behavior or is it impulsive behavior? What is the motive of the behavior? Was the behavior witnessed by anyone else or experienced by anyone else? Is there an implied or actual threat? Would any reasonable person recognize the threat or harm? Allow me to be clear - in a civil society there is no room for any of these three behaviors, and we handle all these behaviors when they crop up at school. Children must learn to interact in a kind and respectful manner, even when we disagree - perhaps especially when we disagree and when we're angry! To recap:
Habit 8 - Finding Your Voice - is the habit that helps kids with bullying. To bully-proof your kids, they need to learn self-advocacy skills. Most bullies will target victims who are seen as powerless, unwilling or unable to speak up, or stand up for themselves. Children who speak up tend not to become victims of bullies. We're working at Amerman to help every child find their voice. Please remember when you have the TV on that children are also soaking up this information and may be learning behavior. If you're watching TV with your child, please take the time to reflect on and comment on the behaviors of candidates and characters in the show you're watching. Frame inappropriate behaviors for your children so that they're not re-enacting these behaviors at school or on the playground. If your child is having social difficulties, we can help. We are quick to act if we know something's not right. Here's to a fun, peaceful, October! |
Congratulations To Our Winners!
We have winners of Invest in Your Child....Fundrai$ing Made $imple: Grand Prize: Tommy Brian
Principal for the Day 1st Prize: Adele Plenchette Mrs. Fritz for the Day 2nd Prize: Dean Agacinski Mr. Greg for the day Congratulations to everyone that won. And a HUGE thanks to everyone that donated!
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Staff SpotlightFeatured This Month: Katie Pinkleman and Regan Cowger
If you could learn to do anything, what would it be?
I would love to learn how to play the guitar or learn to be a better cook. If you won the lottery, what is the first thing you would do? I'd buy an automatic tennis ball thrower for my dog, Alfred. When you have 30 minutes of free-time, how do you pass the time? If the weather is nice, I'll try to be outside - going for a walk or relaxing on my patio. If it's a rainy day, I'll be reading a book or catching up on a TV show. What’s your favorite indoor/outdoor activity? I love to go to the movies! What is your favorite thing about working at Amerman? Other than the people (students, staff, families), I love that I teach fifth grade in the same classroom where I was once a fifth grade student! What would you name the autobiography of your life?
"No, thank you!" If you could learn to do anything, what would it be? Manage myself better & play guitar If you won the lottery, what is the first thing you would do? Buy my dad a really, really old but *mint* car :) When you have 30 minutes of free-time, how do you pass the time? Snuggle up w/ my big dog and/or try to win the affection of my little dog and 2 cats, or catch up on my fave bands online If you could be any fictional character, who would you choose? Linus Van Pelt from Peanuts What is something you learned in the last week? What tombstones are made of (random, I know!) What’s your favorite indoor/outdoor activity? Concerts-- both indoor & outdoor :) What chore do you absolutely hate doing? I'm not really a fan of emptying the dishwasher. If you could meet anyone, living or dead, who would you meet? My grandfather (mom's dad) At what age did you feel like an adult? I'm still waiting for that feeling to kick in... What three traits define you? I'm highly sensitive/emotional, I express exactly what I'm feeling (good or bad), & I'm pretty reliable. Ten years ago, who did you think you would be now? Me but with many more dogs and no cats. What’s the coolest (or most important) trend you see today? Kindness. It's too bad it has to be a trend... it needs to be always. What would you do (for a career) if you weren’t doing this? Animal rescue What is on your wish list for the next 10 years at Amerman? Better time management and more of a work/life balance. What would you most like to tell your elementary school self? Appreciate those naps! Sleep more! How do you define success? Inner peace & happiness :) What is your favorite thing about working at Amerman? The kiddos & the family-like staff! :) |
Birthday CelebrationsBirthday Book Club
Birthday Book Club is a great way to celebrate your child’s birthday and support our Media Center! Here's how it works:
We will put your child’s name on a commemorative bookplate inside the book, celebrate them on our Birthday Book Club bulletin board, present them with a fun bookmark, and make them feel like an all-around Reading Rock Star! It’s that easy... and a great way to encourage reading, make your child feel special, and grow Amerman’s Media collection! *for June – September birthdays, we will celebrate during their half-birthday month 😊 Birthday Cafe
Is your child's birthday coming up? Celebrate the occasion with a lunch date at school! This program is by reservation only and is completely voluntary. Families are invited to bring in a special lunch and/or treat to enjoy with their student at the birthday table in the cafeteria (aka Birthday Café) during their usual lunch period. Booking requests are preferred at least one week prior to your desired lunch date. The sooner you request, the more likely you are to get your preferred date! Thanks for your support of the Amerman PTA!! Either sign up entirely online at MemberHub, or print and fill in the form located here (one per student), detach and send in the bottom portion with a donation of cash or check payable to Amerman PTA. Visit the Birthday Café calendar at amermanpta.com/birthday-café.html to view all available and booked lunch dates. Questions? Contact Karri Somers at: [email protected] OR text 313/415-7756. |
After School Activities
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More Info: Upcoming EventsTrunk or Treat
Friday, October 19th | 6:00PM - 8:00PM | Amerman's North Parking Lot Come enjoy some trunk-or-treat fun as our little ghosts, goblins and princesses walk and collect candy from decorated car trunks! There will also be a DJ, food and refreshments! Please consider decorating your trunk and passing out candy, we need trunks to make this event fun and festive! Sign up is below. However, if you would like to just come and enjoy the event you are more than welcome to! We just ask that you bring a bag of candy to be handed out. Candy runners will collect the candy and distribute among trunks. NEW THIS YEAR! Bigalora will bring their food truck for our dining pleasure and serve wood-fired pizzas made to order! Cash and credit is accepted at their truck, pizzas are $8-$9. Gluten and dairy free pizza options are available, please email [email protected] with requests so they have enough! Cold and hot beverages will also be available for purchase in the MPR, cash only. When you rsvp for this event please include the total number of people attending in your family so we can have an idea of our headcount. Please RSVP here even if you already did so on the FB event. Middle school and High school kids are wanted to help run this event!! You can sign them up below! Back again this year is our wonderful teacher pumpkin contest! Kids can vote for their favorite and one lucky winner will take each pumpkin home with them! Tickets will be for sale in the MPR, cash only. Proceeds benefit our ongoing courtyard improvement project! LASTLY, We are also collecting personal hygiene products for Northville Civic Concern - deodorant, bandaids, shampoo/conditioner, laundry soap, lotion, etc. Please look for the marked drop-off containers! This event is held Rain or Shine!!! See you then for a super fun evening! |
Rewards ProgramsBoxTops
It is time for the first BOXTOPS submission! Sometime next week your kid will bring home a flyer with a bag. It's very easy! Just cut your BOXTOPS, place them in the provided bag, write your kid's name and teacher on it and send them in! The class with the most BOXTOPS will win extra recess with Mr. Marando, and your kid's name will be entered in a drawing for a movie basket ( including a $35.00 AMC gift card). Please send your BOXTOPS by October 19th. You can also go to: www.boxtops4education.com coupons and get coupons of your favorite products. (They change every month). Thank you for all your support ! |
What is the PTA? Why become a member?The PTA (Parent Teacher Association) is made up of parents and teachers who work together to enrich our children's lives. Joining and participating in events and donating your time are also great ways to make friends and get to know the people in your community.The number one reason to join the Parent Teacher Association is to benefit your child. In doing so, you also help your school. But there are many more PTA advantages:
Ready to join? Fill out the form online at www.amermanpta.com or on our Member Hub Directory. The membership form is also available online for printing. |
iChat FormThe Northville Public School District requires that a background check via the Internet Criminal History Access Tool (iChat) with the Michigan State Police be conducted for individuals who school officials reasonably expect may have regular and continuous contact with students, or may at times be with students absent the presence of a school staff member. This may include but is not limited to: 1. pre-student teachers 2. field trip chaperones 3. regular volunteers 4. extra curricular group leaders 5. anyone handling cash or district funds.
Still need to fill out yours? It's accessible here. |
PTA MeetingsThank you for your attendance to the PTA meetings. Our first meeting was September 12; mark your calendar for future meetings (all in the MPR, unless otherwise indicated):
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2018-2019 Board of Education MeetingsUpcoming meetings for 2018-2019 are scheduled as follows:
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Our Sponsors |
2018-2019 Board Members
PTA President: Laura Christensen Guthrie
VP Blue: Christina Beattie
VP Gold: Kate Mitchell
Secretary: Michelle Garr
Treasurer: Tanya Edwards
PTA President: Laura Christensen Guthrie
VP Blue: Christina Beattie
VP Gold: Kate Mitchell
Secretary: Michelle Garr
Treasurer: Tanya Edwards