Park Maitland Newsletter #36

Newsletter #36 2019-2020

Peace • Love • Park Maitland

#Empathy

Superpowers Come in Many Forms

Dear Parents,

From the mouths of babes : During a Zoom call this week, when a 1st grader, Jayden K., was asked, "If you could have your own superpower, what would it be?" She responded, "hmmm, well I think I already have it... the power to love!" What a powerful and mature statement coming from a 7-year-old!

Well, we think that our Park Maitland parents have incredible Super Powers as well. Despite myriad challenges you are faced with during this pandemic, your patience, love, and genuine desire to put your "superpowers" to work shine through!

It isn't always easy: Each day I am in conversations with parents about the challenges and tribulations that this pandemic has brought. You are not alone! Please join us for a wonderful parent workshop offered by Spring Education Group to hear from an expert on parenting during this tumultuous time. See registration details below.

Remember, we are on this journey with you and are here to help every step of the way. We will come out stronger together!

With ongoing support,

Cindy Moon

Upcoming School Events

Weekly Challenge with Mrs. J: Color Our World Beautiful (More information below)

April 27: Wear your Favorite School Uniform to Distance Learning

April 29: Supply Pickup (more details below)

April 30: Poem in Your Pocket Day

May 1: Park Maitland School Empathy Day, wear your Empathy t-shirt to Distance Learning

Empathy Challenge with Mrs. "J" Jaworski, our wonderful School Counselor!

Week 5: Color Our World Beautiful

Dear Students and Families,

Last week we focused on Planet Earth because we all celebrated Earth Day. We showed our gratitude and empathy towards our one and only planet to which we are all connected. It is my goal to help us all continue to feel connected to each other, our Park Maitland School community, our neighborhood communities, Central Florida, and the world at large.

Taj M. built a worm composting bin for Earth Day!

Every day I look for the silver linings in our quarantine, and there have been many. Some of the things that make me smile daily are seeing your faces on Zoom, hearing amazing stories of great works from teachers, and listening to your parents share stories about what you are doing with each of my weekly challenges.

This week, I want you to stay connected by Coloring Our World and bringing joy and smiles to all who walk by, drive by, run by and bike by. Get out that sidewalk chalk and take it to your driveways and sidewalks. Draw a mural. Write your name. Design words of encouragement. Brighten your neighborhood. And don't forget to take pictures and send them to me!

I can’t wait to see your amazing brilliance brighten our world.

Mrs. J

Please remember, this activity, school-wide challenges, and enrichment experiences are optional for those families who would like to participate. We understand that each family is experiencing their own "juggling act", activities like this are merely suggestions to supplement day-to-day learning. What is most important is that you and your family find a healthy balance.

Working, Teaching, and Parenting During a Pandemic

Without a doubt, families may be facing one of the most challenging periods of their child’s life. Caregivers and children are adjusting to cancelled school and activities, disrupted child-care, loss of in-person social situations and playdates — all with the potential threat of job loss, illness and lack of everyday familiar food items. Dr. Korb will help to reassess your work at home plans, help to battle boredom and set realistic expectations with the goal of not just surviving, but thriving during this pandemic.

Please sign up HERE to attend the April 30th informative session.

When:

7:00 - 8:00 pm EST

Zoom Link: https://stratfordschools.zoom.us/j/94566879889

Meeting ID: 945 6687 9889

Dr. Korb

Damon Korb MD, FAAP is a renowned behavioral and developmental pediatrician, founder and director of the Center for Developing Minds (and dad to five children!) Dr. Korb is also an adjunct clinical professor at Stanford University Medical Center. He is based in Los Gatos, CA.

Questions

There will be two ways to ask questions.

1) Firstly, you can send a question in advance using the sign-up Google Form . We will do our best to find answers to your questions. Please submit by April 26.

2) Secondly, you may ask questions via Zoom's chat feature at the end of the presentation.

*Be sure to RSVP to the 7:00 pm EST session

Supply Pickup:

Wednesday, April 29th

K-5 Supply Pick Up: 1:00 - 1:30

Optional 1st Grade Supply Pickup: 1:30 - 2:00

First grade families will receive a Google Form asking if they would like to receive hardcopies of the Saxon math papers for the month of May. These papers will be distributed Wednesday, April 29 from 1:30 to 2:00.

A pick up day is not needed for all other grades on this date as previously communicated. Students in grades 2-6 already have access to all of the required resources necessary to complete assignments for quarter 4 through the use of online tools/textbooks, their iPad, and/or hard copy textbooks at home.

A final pick up day at the conclusion of the school year will be announced for all grades to collect any remaining personal items, mementos, or materials left at school in addition to students’ returning any loaned materials or library books. This date will be announced as soon as possible.

Park Maitland Uniform Day

Let's get into the mindset of learning!

On Monday, April 27th please "come" to class wearing your

favorite school uniform!

Park Maitland Empathy Day

Friday, May 1st is Empathy Day. Don't forget to wear your Empathy T-Shirts to virtual classes!

Although there are many unknowns right now, we are hoping and planning for our return to campus for Summer Camp at Park Maitland!

Summer Camp at Park Maitland is comprised of 3 different camp experiences, based on the camper's grade for the 2020-2021 school year.

In addition, we are excited to offer full and half-day specialty camps to current Park Maitland students!

Click Here for more information and to register!

Registration is Risk Free , if we are unable to offer camp for the week you registered, you will receive a full refund for your registration fee and deposit. If for any reason your child will not be attending, a two weeks cancellation notice is required in order to receive a full refund.

Don't Forget!

Poem in Your Pocket Day is next Thursday

Poem in Your Pocket Day will take place on Thursday, April 30th this year! Due to distance learning, and copyright laws prohibiting students from sharing poetry without publisher's permission via Zoom, we are going to do things slightly different this year. We'd like every student in K4-6th grade to compose their own poem that will be shared during homeroom on April 30th. Look for additional details from your Language Arts teacher!

If students would like to create their own "Poem in Your Pocket" to wear on the big day, please print and assemble the pocket found at this link . Alternatively, students can simply place their poems "in their actual pockets!"

A Time in History 2020:

Proud at Home Scrapbook Prompts

Click on each prompt for Your Choice Board and an introductory video.

Alternately, you can simply choose to write about your day or what you are feeling. Click Here For a Kids’ Template . Your family can even create a Time Capsule!

Enjoy Ms. McGuire's video sharing her favorite at home activity!

Be on the lookout for updated information on this magical event!

Don't forget to share pictures of your children during distance learning! Please submit pictures to Lauren Kuharske at Newsletter@ParkMaitland.org.

If you are posting on social media, please use #ParkMaitlandProudAtHome.

The bond between 1st and 6th grade JFF's is incredibly special! These special friends were able to virtually reunite for story time!

We love seeing our students' random acts of kindness. Tanner and Clayton F. drew beautiful sidewalk art for their neighbors to enjoy. Zara R. painted kindness rocks to place in her neighborhood.

Students are keeping our Park Maitland morning routine by starting the day off with the Pledge of Allegiance.

We are in awe of the response to our Spain Letters of Love project. Thank you to everyone who participated!

6th grader, Joshua W., recently had a Zoom call with the President of i-Tech Support Inc., who has offered him mentorship in the field of technology, as well as the opportunity to work on summer technology refresh projects together. This call was launched from Joshua's 6th grade Design Thinking Passion Project on designing mobile technology solutions.

3rd grade Design Thinking students made desk organizers for their distance learning workspace using recycled materials they found at home.

Ms. Dawson challenged her 3rd grade students to use their new and profound understanding of simple machines to create siege weapons, medieval castles, and cool Rube-Goldberg inspired contraptions!

K-4’s listened to a A House for Hermit Crab by Eric Carole and then made their own decorated hermit crab shells complete with sweet little hermit crab hands!

5th grade students have been hard at work on their Food Truck Challenge project. Want a sneak peak of some of their logo designs? Be prepared to be impressed!