Week of September 12-16
Calendar & News
Newsletter #4
Dear Parents,

While we all agree that the technology that we have at our fingertips will allow our children limitless opportunities, we must also remember that human touch and face to face interaction is vital!

Recent research has shown that in too many homes parents are using computers, iPads, TV, cell phones, etc. as electronic babysitters and that "screen time" has created a three parent family of sorts.  By the age of seven, a child born today will have spent a full year glued to screens...an average 10 year old has at least five screens available to him at home. The population's vast use of iPads, televisions, smart phones, and laptops has been linked to obesity problems and could adversely affect children's social relationships. The attached article shows startling evidence that there are serious perils attached to too much screen time.  (Follow this link to read the New York Post article.)

Park Maitland strives to remain on the cutting edge of 21st Century teaching as we incorporate the 4 C's -- creativity, communication, collaboration, and critical thinking throughout our curriculum. We realize that the internet and mobile devices can often be a powerful tool to enhance learning and build upon the 4 C's but also know that "face to face" communication and collaboration is vital for children's development!

Disconnect to Connect : At school, our children are given daily opportunities to learn and practice important "face to face" communications skills.  They learn to listen deeply - - seek first to understand by practicing the difficult task of interpreting emotions by watching the faces of other people.  We have revived the well-worn admonishment: "Look at me when I'm talking to you." Students practice and learn the importance of eye contact when communicating.  

Students work together in groups on projects and are challenged to accept advice, listen to others' opinions, synergize, and compromise.  They are given countless opportunities to present or speak in front of peers.   More importantly, our students are given high levels of face-to-face communication on a daily basis in each and every class.  A Stanford study recently released shows that this is associated with greater social success, greater feelings of normalcy, more sleep, and more healthy friendships, etc.

We want our children to be comfortable and speak with confidence in any social situation and have the tools to communicate and show empathy and understanding towards others. All of these experiences help your child to learn important communications skills that will help them not just survive but thrive in the 21st Century!

Warm wishes,

Cindy Moon
Head of School
Park Maitland School


"One man's trash is another man's treaure...and we need your treasures!
 
Grade 5 students are having a yard sale on Saturday, Sept. 24th!  Proceeds  from the sale will benefit various charitable projects taken on by our  ambassadors! Last year's yard sale was used to package 35,000 meals for the homeless here in Orlando and in Africa.

This year the money will be used to package 40,000 meals through Feeding Children Everywhere for those in need as well as help fund our major Ambassador program needs. 
 
Take a look at the linked   "Yard   Sale" flyer   for details and a list of ways in which you can help this incredible effort!
 
 
CONGRATULATIONS 
to our Eagles Volleyball 
Team for winning the first game of the season!

Please come out to support, encourage, and cheer on our awesome Eagles next Saturday as the play First Academy!
Saturday, Sept. 17th,  9:00am 
vs The First Academy (gold)
Court 1
 
All games are played at
2008 N. GOLDENROD ROAD
Gym is at the back of the property. 
 

D
ON
' T F O R G
ET
Grade 3 Parents' Night has been rescheduled to  Tues. Sept. 13.    

Mat h Olympiad Tryouts!

When: September 12th-16th
Where: Math Lab/Enrichment Class
For: Grades 3-6
Results: Students that meet the qualifying score will be contacted via email.  

Please click here for more information.

Want to prepare?
Visit Mrs. Sullivan's website for
practice material.  
On Monday, September 12, nearly  1.6 billion Muslims  around the world will begin celebrating Eid al-Adha (the Feast of Sacrifice) which is the celebration of one central figure in Islam, Judaism, and Christianity: the prophet Abraham.  We would like to acknowledge our Muslim
families and friends on this
day of celebration! 
Salaam Alikum!
(Peace be unto you) 
  
 
RELIGIOUS HOLIDAYS
 
Students observing these upcoming religious holidays will be excused from school on the following dates: 

Eid al-Adha 
Monday, 9.12 & Tuesday, 9.13

Rosh Hashanah
Monday, 10.3 & Tuesday 10.4

Yom Kippur 
Wednesday, 10.12

FALL BREAK CAMPS
Special Fall Break 
KRAFTY KIDS CAMP
-Friday, October 14th Only-
 
"Krafty Kids" Club will be offering a special SPOOKY camp for students in K-4 to grade 3 on Friday, Oct. 14th from 9:00 am - 1:30 pm while school is closed for fall break.  $60  
 
Please see the attached flyer for more information or c ontact Ms. Belle Warren  at [email protected] with questions.
 

CAMP TINKERFEST
While the school is closed on 
October 14 th, come join
Mrs. Blomquist and your school 
friends for a day of fun in the
Tinkering Lab!
* CREATE * MAKE * PLAY *
Who:   K4 - Grade 6 students
What:   A fun day of making
When:   Fri., 10/14   8:00am - 3:00pm
Where:   Park Maitland School
Cost: $65


Contact Ms. Emily Blomquist at [email protected] with questions.

SECURITY  KEY TAG   

Don't forget to get your new security key tag!  This is an important part of our campus security measures.  All previously issued key tags are deleted from the system at the end of each school year. Simply bring in your current driver's license when you check in at the front office!
Come Join Cub Scouts   
 
Park Maitland's Pack 627 will be hosting its recruiting night for all new and existing scouts.  Scoutmasters will come through the school on Monday, September 12 th  to talk to first and second grade boys. A recruiting night will be hosted in the AAC on Wednesday, September 14 th at 6p.m.  Bring your future scout and a parent or guardian.

HomeworkNow's 
Week-at-a-Glance

K-4
 
K-5
 
 
 
 
 
 

Great Links
SmugMug Photos
Weather
Calendar Events
- Week of Sept. 12- 
 
Mon. 9.12 -- Parents' Night (Grade 2) at 4:30 p.m.
Mon 9.12 - Fri. 9.16 -- Math Olympiad Tryouts (see details below)
Tues. 9.13 -- Parents' Night (Grade 3) at 4:30
Wed. 9.14 -- Gr. 1 & 6 - The first "Jelly Fudge Friends" meet up
Fri. 9.16 -- Grade 6 Movie Nite  
Sat. 9.17 -- Eagles Volleyball vs. The First Academy 

  
Calendar Looking Ahead
 
Wed. 9.21 -- Early dismissal day for students (see details below)
Fri. 9.23 -- K-5 "Johnny Appleseed Day"
Sat. 9.24 -- Gr. 5 "Yard Sale" 
Wed. 9.28 -- Individual Student Portraits
Wed. 9.28 -- K4 & K5 Partnering with Parents Chat - Carol Miller
Sat. 10.1 -- Eagles Volleyball vs. Eastland Christian
Thurs. 10.6 -- Speech and Hearing Evaluations
  
  
 EARLY DISMISSAL DAYS
   
During the 2016-2017 school year, we will have several "Early Dismissal" days. This time will be used for staff training and for professional development.  These "Early Dismissal" days  will occur on the following dates: 

Wednesday, Sept. 21st
Friday, Nov. 11th 
Tuesday, Feb. 14th 


EARLY DISMISSAL SCHEDULE   
K-4, Grades 1, 3, and 5 -- 11:25 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Gate opens at 11:25 a.m. -- closes at 12:00 p.m.
K-5, Grades 2, 4, and 6 -- 12:13 p.m. - 12:45 p.m.
Gate opens at 12:13 p.m. -- closes at 12:45 p.m.

AfterCare Options
You will have the option of picking up your child at the assigned early dismissal time or they could go to our  "Club Eagle AfterCare" program.  "Club Eagle" will provide special child care for students who are not actively enrolled for only $15 per child. Simply contact Club Eagle by email at [email protected] or by calling 407.647.3038, ext. #159.   Children who attend AfterCare regularly can follow their usual after school protocol.


Lori Smith's "Smart Social Media Usage" Parent Chat

Attorney Lori Smith offered our parents and students an insightful and  impactful chat on Smart Social Media Usage.  If you were unable to attend, we urge you to read the attached presentations which will give a great overview of our first "Partnering with Parents" chat. 
 
 
 

We've had six very successful "Parents' Nights so far! Parents continue to comment on the passion and skill our outstanding teachers demonstrate at each event! 
 
We're excited to continue the fun this week as we welcome our 2nd and 3rd grade parents to visit our wonderful school. This enjoyable, informative event will start promptly at 4:30 p.m. in your child's homeroom.  An overview and classroom map will be sent the day before to help guide you through the night.  The presenters have much great information to share with you about your child's "home away from home."
 
"Club Eagle AfterCare" will provide special child care for Park Maitland students who need a place to "hang out" (so that you can enjoy the "Parents' Night" events).  Childcare is available for only $15 per child.  Simply contact Club Eagle by email at [email protected] or by calling 407.647.3038, ext. #159. Children who attend AfterCare regularly can follow their usual after school protocol and be picked up after the "Parent's Night" event. 

Our Read to Lead program is underway!  Encourage your children to fill out their reading logs to receive more brag tags!  All of the Read to Lead information can be found on the HomeworkNow Week-at-a Glance. Please contact Christine Talbert at [email protected] with any questions. 
 
  
YEARBOOK NEWS
 
We are "re-inventing" our school yearbook this year with many exciting changes in store!  Our new yearbook will be student-led and we are thrilled to introduce our first "mini" co-editors, Alexis L. and Sydney J.  They will be instrumental in the design, content, and photography of the 2016-2017 yearbook.

In an effort to be more "eco-friendly" we have also decided to use a new yearbook provider, TreeRing.  TreeRing has a strong commitment to the environment and to protecting the planet that our children will inherit.  They print all yearbooks on recycled paper and eliminate unnecessary waste...and they plant a tree for every yearbook sold!  We can't wait to see what our talented 6th graders create!



Partnering with Parents
Mark your calendar for some very interesting chats on the horizon.  The coming sessions will be broken into four different events based on age groups so that you, as parents, get the most specific information relevant to your child or children.   All chats will begin at 8:15 a.m. 

K4 - K5 -- Wednesday, Sept. 28
Grades 5-6 -- Monday, Oct. 10
Grades 1-2 -- Monday, Oct. 24 
Grades 3-4 -- Wednesday, Oct. 26
  • Learn what your child is up to in personal and social development in this phase of life. 
  • Identify play and its purpose in the life of your child. 
  • Walk away with useful tools for talking to and playing with your child during this phase of life.  
  • Understand the social needs of your child. 
  • Learn about setting and maintaining limits. 
  • Parent to support your child in today's world.
 
 
HomeworkNow Tech Tips
 
Parents, when visiting your child's HomeworkNow page, please only use the HomeworkNow links found on our Parent Access page or the HomeworkNow links at the end of each Newsletter.  
 
For quick and easy access to the HomeworkNow links, add them to your mobile device's home screen or to your desktop. Simply follow these easy instructions!
 
Desktop computer  - Drag your student's HomeworkNow link from this newsletter onto your desktop.
 
iPhone/iPad - Open the HWNow web page you would like to add to your home screen. Tap the Share button on the browser's toolbar (that's the rectangle with an arrow pointing upward.)  On an iPad the Share button is located on the bar at the top of the screen, and on an iPhone the Share button is on  the bar at the bottom of the screen. Tap the Add to Home Screen icon in the Share menu.
 
Android  - Open the HomeworkNow web page you would like to add to your home screen.  Tap the menu button and tap Add to home screen. You'll be able to enter a name for the shortcut and then Chrome will add it to your home screen.
 

  
"Catch the Flag" water break!


Who can resist a good photocrash opportunity?

Ms. Finwall's 6th grade class enjoyed morning meeting greetings and "Muffins with Mrs. Moon" this week.
Cheryl Tight
Communications Manager
Park Maitland School
407-647-3038, ext. 122

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