February 5, 2023

A Note from the Director

Dear families,

Thanks to all that attended the PTA meeting last week. It was wonderful to be together in person. This month we will also have opportunities to share our gratitude for Ivymount staff and each other. Scroll to the PTA section for information on how you can help.

Throughout February, we will share examples of how our programs spotlight Black History Month. Let's start with some great books! See below for some of the many titles our team put together.

Sincerely,

Susan Holt

NEWS YOU NEED RIGHT NOW!

Ivymount School

Dates to Remember

February 20

President's Day

No School for Students or Staff

February 21

Professional Day

No School for Students

March 17

Professional Day

No School for Students

Ivymount Celebrates Black History Month

This month Ivymount is excited to celebrate #BlackHistoryMonth. Mr. T and the SMART team curated a display of library books featuring Black authors, illustrators, and historical figures.

Some of the Books inlcude:

Back Home by Gloria Jean Pinkney
Mac & Marie & the Train Toss Surprise by Elizabeth Fitzgerald Howard
Elizabeth's Song by Michael Wenberg
Freight Train by Donald Crews

Students can stop by the library this month to check out a book!

Social Learning

Students in Classroom 164 from the Endeavors School Program had a fun and exciting lesson this week as part of their social learning curriculum, where they worked on meaningful social interactions with their peers and important communication skills. The group is supported and run by the consulting Speech-Language Pathologist, Gabriella Cameron. This week’s lesson focused on Winter and appropriate winter attire. Classroom 164 will be ready if the area finally sees snow!

Winter Snow Cone Season!

Students in 182 from the Endeavors School Program are busy running two separate classroom businesses! These entrepreneurial-minded students have successfully run a year-long craft business called The Crafty Classroom, where they market, create, package, and fulfill seasonal craft orders for their classmates and teachers. In addition to The Crafty Classroom, students have recently opened a weekly snow cone business. Every Wednesday, Endeavors students can explore different jobs within the business, including ice preparation, greeting customers, cashier duties, pouring flavors, and serving.

Spread the Word - Outreach Resource Fair

Do you work with great service providers that other families could benefit from? We encourage you to let your provider know that they can reach many families by being an exhibitor at the Ivymount Outreach Resource Fair on Sunday, March 19.

Previous Fairs have hosted 70+ organizations and hundreds of attendees. Mark your calendar to attend this free event.

Click to read our online Resource Guide to find services in eight categories

PTA NEWS AND UPDATES

Join Us this Week

Parent/Caregiver Hangout

Wednesday, February 8

9:15 -10:15 am

Corner Bakery (Bethesda)

Easy Way to Volunteer and Make a BIG Impact

The PTA was excited to host our first onsite PTA meeting since the pandemic this past week. It was a great discussion and we identified many ways to bring our community together. We want to have more PTA family events and we can only do it with your help!

We need a few parents to help coordinate a spring dance and our fall festival. All planning can be done remotely and we have examples from previous events to help guide the way. Please let us know if you can help make these two events happen. Contact ckgottfried@gmail.com.

Sign Up to Donate Snacks for Valentine's Staff Appreciation

The Ivymount PTA is planning a Special Staff Appreciation Event for Wednesday, February 15, 2023 to show some Valentine’s Day love to the dedicated Ivymount staff. The PTA is asking families to send in boxes or bags of nut-free snacks and treats for Grab ‘n Go Snack Bars that will be set up for staff. In addition to store-bought snacks and treats, homemade baked good are welcome. Individually-wrapped or individually-packaged snacks, treats and baked goods are preferred, but not required.

Snacks can be sent to school with students who arrive in buses or vans or brought to school during drop-off and pick-up times for students arriving by car starting on Monday, February 13 and continuing through arrival on Wednesday, February 15.

To sign up to provide snacks, go to this SignUpGenius link:

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/5080948AAA822A64-valentines