Lattizori

Twenty-First Century Technology

Exciting News!

The 21st century has arrived at Mt. Bethel! We were identified as one of seven pilot schools for the 21st Century Classroom initiative. Each of our classrooms received a mounted SmartBoard interactive whiteboard, mounted LCD projector, Senteo Student Response System, DVD player, speakers, and more.

This state-of-the art equipment has been provided through SPLOST I funds.  The entire Mt. Bethel community thanks the Board of Education for this wonderful opportunity given to our staff and students.  Exciting new doors in education have been opened for us and we can’t wait to walk through each one!                                                               

Holidays

Dear Families,

Merriam Webster defines tradition as, "The handing down of information, beliefs and customs by word of mouth or example from generation to generation without written instructions." The holiday season is ripe with traditions that vary from family to family and from culture to culture.

Each year Mt. Bethel celebrates our diversity through our own tradition that we call "Cultural Celebrations Around the World". This year the celebration will be held from December 10th through December 14th. If you have a moment, please stop by and view this wonderful display. You will learn, as our students do, about the various celebrations that take place among our Mt. Bethel family. Love, family and children are the common threads running throughout these customs. How fortunate we are to be able to see how each culture loves and celebrates their families.

As our Mt. Bethel family travels to be with loved ones and friends I want to wish you a joyous holiday season. Remember to hug your children, read to your children, laugh with your children and enjoy your children. These moments pass so quickly. Honor the traditions you were raised with and start a tradition of your own- one that will bring these precious moments back to you as you pass it down from generation to generation.

Please travel safely and know that when your children return to Mt. Bethel we will be waiting with open arms to greet them and continue our tradition of educating the leaders of tomorrow.

For kids,

Robin                                    

Twenty-First Century Technology

We are very excited to have been one of seven schools selected to receive 21st Century Technology! I would like to invite you to visit the Cobb County Schools website at www.cobbk12.org to find out more about the program. On the main page is the beginning of an article that will give you a lot of information about what to expect. Also on that website you can view a presentation given to the Board of Education by our very own Peggy Fleming! The Board of Education is asking for your input. At the bottom of the piece about the 21st Century Technology are the seven board members' email addresses. All seven need your input. Thank you for your continued support as we strive to do what is best for kids.

Welcome Back!!!!!

I can't wait to see everyone next Thursday at our Meet and Greet! Please check the postcard you received for the correct time for your child's Meet and Greet. School begins on Monday, August 13, 2007 at 7:45. See you very soon!

For kids,

Robin

School Council News

The establishment of school councils is intended to help local boards of education by bringing parents and the community together with teachers and school administrators to create a better understanding of and mutual respect for each other's concerns and share ideas for school improvement. School councils shall represent the community of parents and businesses.

The Mt. Bethel School Council involves at least seven members---three parent/guardians (one must be a business owner), two certified staff members, one business representative, and the principal. This group is intended to provide advice and recommendations to the school principal and when appropriate, to the local board of education.

Last spring, nominations were accepted for two new parent representatives to the Mt. Bethel School Council. We received two nominations therefore, since we had two openings on the council, an election will not be held. Paulette Farley and Cindi Cabral will be the new parent representatives. Thank you to Paulette and Cindi for their willingness to serve on this important committee.

Standards

Dear Families,

Recently the Georgia Department of Education adopted new curriculum standards. Standards are a set of expectations describing what students should know and be able to do. Standards guide the instruction and assessment in the classroom.

The area of instruction where our teachers have seen the biggest challenges has been in mathematics. Students should experience mathematics as interesting, relevant, and important as a bridge to the real world. This means going beyond memorization into a world of inquiry, reasoning, and problem solving.

When you were in school, you probably learned math skills by watching the teacher and then practicing the skill many times. While skills are still very important, today’s math programs also include attention to learning how to reason and apply their understanding and skills to solve a range of real problems.

While visiting a classroom today you might see students interacting with each other and using manipulatives. You might also see them working in groups to discover patterns and solutions. Students are becoming more aware of how math is applied to real life problems, not just learning isolated skills.

In today’s classroom you might see teachers posing problems that engage students in mathematical thinking. Teachers will often raise questions that encourage students to consider alternative solutions and deeper thinking about mathematical problems.

Your support makes a big difference in your child’s success in math. Make sure you communicate a positive attitude toward math. Look for ways to connect math lessons to daily activities. Encourage your child to count and sort items, to estimate and make predictions, and to compute money and to tell time. Schedule a regular time for homework and provide a comfortable place for studying that is free from distractions.

Together we can make these transitions smooth for your child. The standards and expectations are high. I believe our children are up to the challenge. Thank you for your continued support for all that we do.

Dear Parents,

Recently my husband sent the following story to me. I liked it so much I wanted to share it with you:

There’s a parable about woman who discovered a butterfly struggling mightily to escape its cocoon through a tiny opening at the top. She became concerned when the creature seemed to give up after making little progress. Certain that the butterfly would not make it without help, she enlarged the hole slightly.

On its next try, the butterfly emerged easily. The young woman’s joy turned to horror when she saw that its wings were shriveled and useless. Her well-intentioned intervention had turned out badly because it interrupted a natural process. Forcing the butterfly to squeeze through a small opening is nature’s way of assuring that blood from the creature’s body is pushed into the wings. By making it easier, she deprived the butterfly of strong wings.

Childhood is a sort of cocoon. If a healthy adult is to emerge, parents must allow, even encourage, their children to struggle, make mistakes, learn from them and pay a price for bad judgments and conduct.

Of course, good parents should be ready to protect their children from serious harm. But being overprotective can itself inflict damage. Adversity is not always the enemy. It’s often teaching that helps a young person develop wings strengthened by self-confidence and self- reliance.

Sometimes we think we need to rescue our children from every single possible moment of discomfort. By doing this we can be guilty of robbing them of a life lesson. In a recent conversation with a

Mt.

Bethel

parent I was asked, “I know that in business we can micromanage our employees…do you think parents can micromanage their children?” I believe the answer is yes. Allowing your children to problem solve on their own, accept consequences for their behavior, receive well earned praise, and learn from their experiences prepares them for the next step.

Therefore, let’s all work together to prepare our children for that next stage of life, allowing them to spread their wings and fly!  I hope you and your family have a wonderful holiday!  I look forward to the second half of this school year as we work together to do what is best for our kids.

For kids,

Robin

Carpool Safety

Dear Parents,

As you know, traffic on rainy days is very heavy and the same is true for our carpool line. Please let your children ride the bus. Buses sometimes run late during inclement weather. However, your children are not counted as tardy if they are on a Cobb County School Bus. If for some reason you need to use the carpool line on a rainy morning follow the advice of traffic reporters and leave early to give yourself some extra time to make it through carpool on time. When you are in the carpool line, you must follow all of the carpool guidelines that are designed for the safety of all children. Those rules are listed below for your review.

Our children are precious to each and every one of us. Please make use of the transportation provided by The Cobb County School District. It is the safest, easiest way to school.

Sincerely,

Robin

Carpool Line Rules:

1. If you drive your child to or from school, please use the carpool line. If you must accompany your child into the building (heavy project, conference, volunteering, etc.) please cross at the crosswalk. Do not cross the carpool line at any other point.

2. Do not let your children out in the center of the parking lot and allow them to cross the parking lot. It is very difficult to see children darting in and out of cars.

3. Do not pass other cars in the carpool line. For everyone's safety, the carpool line is single file.

4. If cones have been placed in the parking lot, please follow the flow of traffic.

5. Your children must exit the car on the right side of the vehicle.

6. Please do not place bookbags, projects, etc. in the trunk. Your child needs to be ready to exit the car quickly upon arrival at the front of the building. This will allow the carpool line to move quickly.

7. Follow the instructions of the Mt. Bethel staff members who are at carpool duty  for your child's safety.

Parking Lot Rules:

1. Do not block the crosswalk.

2. Do not park in handicapped spaces if you do not have a permit.

3. Park in a designated parking space. Do not make your own spot by the recycling bins or at the end of a parking row. Do not park in the turnaround or in the crosswalk. Cars left in these areas block other cars and impede the safe, efficient flow of traffic.

4.Please do not park in reserved spaces.

5. Follow the speed limit of 15 mph.

6. At times the parking lot is filled to capacity. Remember that only one side of our driveway is designated for overflow parking. If cars are parked on both sides, our buses are not able to get through. Also, in the event of an emergency, rescue vehicles will not be able to reach the school.

Thank you in advance for following these important guidelines. Remember, they are for the safety of your child.

Carpool Safety

Conference Week

Dear Parents,

First, thank you for your help in making this beginning of school so smooth. Your support of all that we do helps to make Mt. Bethel the wonderful school that it is!

Conference Week is just around the corner! The purpose of parent-teacher conferences is to keep parents informed regarding their child’s progress and to set the tone for continued success for the school year. As you prepare for your child’s conference, please keep the following things in mind:

• Talk to your child. Find out what he/she thinks is their best subject and what they feel they need to work on. Ask them if there is anything they would like you to talk about with their teacher.
• Come prepared. Teachers will be prepared...with work samples, assessment results, etc. This is your time to hear about your child and to understand his/her strengths or areas to improve.

• Please be on time. As you know, we have scheduled only twenty minutes for each conference. This is not a lot of time when you consider the vast amount of information your child’s teacher will want to share with you and any questions you may need to ask. If you arrive at your conference time and the door is shut, be sure to knock to let the teacher know that you are there and that it is your scheduled time.
• Work together. Conferences are successful when teachers and parents are working together to help children succeed.
• Enjoy your conference. Remember, we are partners for your child. Any information the teacher shares with you, whether everything is going well, or if he/she needs to share concerns, is for the benefit of your child.

Teachers are always willing to discuss your child’s progress. If you ever need additional conferencing, please contact your child’s teacher to set up an appointment. Honest, open communication will only enhance your child’s learning experiences. Together we can make this the best year yet for your child.

For kids,

Robin