Friday, February 24, 2012

This weeks happenings:
February 27th-March 2nd
Tuesday-28th Prospective Parent Meeting FNM@Shaw in the cafeteria, 10:00
Wednesday-29th Incoming Middle School Parent Meeting, Main Campus, 5:00-6:00


Hello Faith North Community,
Observing one morning in one of our classrooms, I was approached by two elementary students. One politely offered to prepare me a cup of tea, the other offered a clipboard with a note paper and pen so that I could record any questions during my time there.
How do Montessori children, while in the environments, know how to wait for a turn, make a guest comfortable, respect someone else’s space, walk instead of run, ask politely for help or offer to help someone else? It’s not magic; they have learned each of these skills, and many more, in the lessons of Grace and Courtesy. These lessons are a regular feature of the Montessori classroom.
Grace and courtesy should promote harmony in every level of human existence, large and small:
At a small level:
…within each person
…in relationships
…within families
At a larger level:
…in the community
…throughout the world
Many different topics fall under the umbrella of grace and courtesy. Care of the classroom environment, social situations, friendships, care for the earth and its inhabitants, and the Montessori approach to high school, “Erdkinder”.
How does a child go about developing inner harmony? The child in the Montessori classroom is allowed many choices. Each child’s inner life is as distinctive as their fingerprints; having the freedom to choose their work (and all the details that go with it) gives them a chance to express their true selves.

Harmony between people is part of the social skills and conflict resolution that is the core of any Montessori classroom. Establishing “ground rules” with the help of the children happens at the beginning of each school year. Role-playing and discussion are done throughout the year so that children know how they should treat others – and how they should expect to be treated.
It’s obvious that skills of grace and courtesy are deeper and more complicated than simply teaching children how to shake hands or hold open a door (although those are important things to know). They go to the roots of how we behave towards one another and the world around us. Attention to grace and courtesy can often be the deciding factor in the formation of rewarding friendships; whether or not someone lands a job; whether or not marriages succeed.
Through these opportunities, children gradually build the social skills of a polite society. As they find activities that meet their inner need for self-development and as their space and autonomy are respected, a sense of calm and purposefulness settles over the classroom. Perhaps it is magic, after all, especially when enjoyed with a warm cup of tea.
All the best,
Susan Engdall
Principal

Friday, February 10, 2012

Events for the week of February 13-17

Tuesday the 14th-Celebrations of Affection
The North Star vs. Hererra, co-ed soccer 5:00 at Hererra. Go Stars!
Wednesday the 15th Join us for Family Literacy Night at the Burton Barr Library 5:30-7:30
Saturday the 18th-Michael Turley competes in the regional spelling bee, 9 AM at Morris K Udall School. Go Michael!
Monday the 20th-No School. Enjoy the day!

Hello Faith North Community,

We hope you can join us this Wednesday for our second annual Family Literacy Night. This evening at the library will be fun filled with games, tours and reading! Afterwards, do not forget to go on down to the new Zoyo at the corner of 7th Avenue and McDowell for a sweet treat. 20% of purchases that evening will be donated to our PTA. You must mention the fundraiser at the register.

Looking forward, our Father/Daughter Dance will be held on Friday the 24th in the FN multi-use room. Tickets will go on sale Monday. So grab your favorite guy and we will see you there.

All the best.
Susan Engdall
Principal

Friday, January 27, 2012

Events for the week of January 30-February 3
Tuesday, January 31st Prospective Parent Meeting FN 10:00 in the multi-use room
Wednesday, February 1st Site Council/PTA Meetings FNM@Shaw 5:00 and 6:00
Thursday, Febraury 2nd FN vs Whittier in Coed Soccer at Bethune, 6:00
Thursday and Friday 2/2 & 3 Parent Teacher Conferences and Early Release Days

Hello Faith North Community,

What a great day. Our own Michael Turley won the district spelling bee in the 13th round with the word eponoymn, yes really!
Michael will move on to the regional bee to be held on Februiary 18th where I am certain he will have no trouble.

This week also saw on of the best Show Me Nights ever! The children were the presenters of the incredible work that goes on daily. The parents were patient and amazed at the beauty, intelligence and grace of each presentation. Thanks to all of you that supported our school and your child by attending this beautiful parent education opportunity.

Next week we look forward to seeing you during parent/teacher conferences.

All the best,
Susan Engdall
Principal

Wednesday, January 18, 2012

Events for the week of January 23rd-27th

25th Show Me Night an evening of Montessori education presented by your child 5:30-7:30 in you child's classroom
27th District Spelling Bee 10:00 We wish our spelling champ Micheal Turley the best of luck. Go Micheal!


The Inner Guide
Each of us was born with an inner guide and all the tools to use no matter what is found in the environment, to create a self-fulfilled individual. Although our own schooling may not have been based on a respect for this guide, we can provide it to our children. You can create a marvelous environment, learn to observe and interpret your child’s behavior to discover his or her needs, and get out of the way! This is no easy task, but it is possible.
The focus must stay on the needs and tendencies of the young child or young person, and a little bit less on the academic requirements of today. The world is changing far too rapidly for us to assume to know all that our children will need to know in ten years. But we do know that he will need to know how to be happy, to be kind and to enjoy doing a good job in all kinds of work.
A child who experiences independence—going to the grocery store on his own, finding books in a public library, interacting with people outside the school and family—by the end of the stable age of six to twelve—will have a better chance of experiencing a happy transition from the second to the third plane of development as well as adolescence to adult life: going to college, or moving out into the adult world, and earning a living.
We are parents, grandparents, teachers, friends or advocates of children, because we care about others. No matter how much we try to be perfect we must be easy on ourselves being careful not to waste time wishing we “had only known earlier,” but remembering to laugh, to pick up the pieces, and to begin again. It is my hope for the coming year that you continue to listen to your inner guide, enjoy your roles as parents and to share your wisdom and experience with others in our community for the benefit of all.
All the best to you in the New Year,
Susan Engdall
Principal

Friday, January 6, 2012

Events for the week of January 9th-13th:

9th Afterschool class signups begin
10th 1:00 Practice Spelling Bee
11th Site Council PTA on the North Campus
12th Chess Exhibition at FNM@Shaw 12:30-1:30
12th School Spelling Bee at 2:00 in the multi-use room at North
13th Chess Exhibiton at FN 11:30-12:30

Hello Faith North Community,
After school class signups begin on Monday, January 9th.

Faith North Montessori After School Classes
These classes will be held on the Faith North Main Campus

Classes run from the week of January 23rd and will end May 11th unless otherwise noted.
Class times are from 3:25-4:25 unless otherwise noted.

Register for Chess Club, Jump Bunch, Twinkle Toes Dance,
Mad Science and Beginning Guitar directly with the vendor.

Jewelry, Girl Scouts, Clay & Taiko Drumming registration will be held in the Faith North Main Campus Office.

FNM@Shaw students may ride the bus from Shaw to Faith North to attend classes
but must be picked up at the conclusion of class.
FNM@Shaw students may not transition to PEER on the Main Campus (state licensure rules).

Monday Chess Club Come join our Chess Club. This club will be led by a real Chess Master. Research shows a strong link between chess and academic performance and besides that, it’s just plain fun! This class can accommodate 20 children from grades K-8. Chess Club is $89.00 and will be held in room 101. Please make checks payable and mail to: The Chess Emporium (See attached flyer).

Monday Taiko-Japanese Drums. Taiko is the Japanese word for "great drum". This ancient musical art form originated centuries ago in Asia. The resounding beat of the massive drums, ranging from one foot to six feet in diameter is amazing! Come learn to play. Children will improve coordination, learn tempo, mood and dynamics, work their auditory memory and just enjoy learning from these amazing drums. This class can accommodate 20 children from 1st-6th grade and costs $200.00 for the semester. Please call Ken Koshio at 602.412.7781 for more information. Payment is required at the time of registration and should be made to Ken Koshio. Class will be held on the stage from 3:25-5:00.

Monday Jewelry Making with Lisa Ramirez In this class, students will learn to create jewelry through several different techniques, using a variety of materials like, wire, ribbon, leather, silk, clay, found objects, beads and more. They will learn how to “wire wrap” beads, create daisy chain, hand knot, create one of a kind beads and more! Students can expect to produce 10-12 jewelry pieces, which can be kept treasures or given as gifts. Class size is limited to 8, 4th through 8th graders. Class cost $75.00 made payable at the time of sign up to the Faith North PTA and will be held in room 104.
Class times are 3:25-4:45.

Tuesday - Girl Scouts Girl Scouts is the world’s preeminent organization dedicated solely to girls, in an accepting and nurturing environment.Girls build character and skills for success in the real world. In partnership with our committed adult volunteer, Yvonne Masters girls will develop qualities that will serve them all their lives, like leadership, strong values, social conscience, & conviction about their own potential and self-worth. This program will be held in room 114 every Tuesday. This class is open for girls 4th grade and up. The fee is $12.00 for the year. Meeting times will be 3:30-5:00.

Tuesday Jewelry Making with Lisa Ramirez In this class, students will learn to create jewelry through several different techniques, using a variety of materials like, wire, ribbon, leather, silk, clay, found objects, beads and more. They will learn how to “wire wrap” beads, create daisy chain, hand knot, create one of a kind beads and more! Students can expect to produce 10-12 jewelry pieces, which can be kept treasures or given as gifts. Class size is limited to 8, grades 1st, 2nd and 3rd. Class cost $75.00 made payable at the time of sign up to the Faith North PTA and will be held in room 104.
Class times are 3:25-4:45.

Wednesday Clay Class - Come explore making pottery by hand as well as glazing techniques! Learn how to build with coils, slabs, molds and other methods. A variety of decorating techniques will also be introduced. If you have worked with clay before, we will build upon your previous experience. The class is open to K-8th grade. Class will meet in room 146 from 1:30 to 2:45 pm. Class size is limited to 10 students. Cost: $100.00 (includes clay, glazes, tools and firing).
Please make checks payable to Richelle Turley. Clay class WILL NOT be held on April 18th and 25th due to the fact that these ARE NOT early release days.

Wednesday JumpBunch Sports & Fitness is an international program developed to provide exercise to kids in a structured format that introduces a wide variety of sports and builds coordination, balance, and confidence. Activities for the fall semester include Soccer, Football, Cheers, Cricket, Hopscotch, Parachute, Broom Ball, Javelins & Jump Ropes, Yoga, Kickball and much more! Classes for Preschool and Kindergarten students (3-6 year olds) will be held every Wednesday from 1:25-2:25 p.m. on the playground. Visit us online at www.jumpbunch.com (See attached flyer)

Wednesday Club JumpBunch adjusts the well-developed and researched JumpBunch program to meet the interests of older kids too. We bring in equipment more suited to older kids along with a more challenging and competitive curriculum. With a different sports and fitness activity played each week, kids are exposed to many sports, they work different muscles, build coordination, and most importantly, are continually challenged! Activities for the fall semester include Soccer, Football, Cheers, Cricket, Hopscotch, Parachute, Broom Ball, Javelins & Jump Ropes, Yoga, Kickball and much more! Club JumpBunch classes for students in grades 1-6 will be held every Wednesday at Faith North Campus from 1:25-2:25 p.m. on the playground. Visit us online at www.jumpbunch.com (See attached flyer)

Wednesday Guitar For Little Hands (GFLH) - Grades 1 - 4: This class will allow students the opportunity to learn more about the basics of guitar playing. They will learn warm-up techniques, finger-strengthening exercises, tuning, proper hand positions, posture, note-reading, finger-picking, simplified chords, and how to play simple songs step by step by the end of the sessions. Basic fret board theory will also be introduced. Maximum enrollment is 15 students per class. No prior experience required. Room 100. Students will be required to provide their own guitar for class sessions. For more information, please contact Phoenix Conservatory of Music: 602.353.9900 or www.pcmrocks.org

Wednesday Beginning Youth Guitar (BYG) - Grades 5 - 8: This class will allow students the opportunity to learn more about the basics of guitar playing. They will learn warm-up techniques, finger-strengthening exercises, tuning, proper hand positions, posture, note-reading, finger-picking, basic chords, and how to play simple songs step by step by the end of the sessions. Basic fret board theory will also be introduced. Maximum enrollment is 15 students per class. No prior experience required. Room 100. Students will be required to provide their own guitar for class sessions. For more information, please contact Phoenix Conservatory of Music: 602.353.9900 or www.pcmrocks.org

Thursday Twinkle Toes Dance is an exciting dance program designed to encourage imagination and promote healthy lifestyles. Basics of many styles of dance will be taught. Please call 623-810-6153. PAYMENT AND REGISTRATION THROUGH JAIME SHAW - TWINKLE TOES DANCE. First Session (K-2nd grade) 3:25 – 4:15 held in Media Center. Second (Grade 3 and up) 4:15 – 5:00 in room 146. (See attached flyer)

Thursday Mad Science Join our scientist for a hands-on science class that promises to spark your imagination and curiosity. This is an interactive educational program that will instill a clear understanding of what science is really about and how it affects the world around us. This class will be held in room 146 and is open to K-4th grades. Class begins on Thursday, March 29th and runs thru Thursday, May 17th. Room 146. This class cost is $96.00 and has limited availability. Please mail checks and registration to Mad Science. (See attached flyer).

Tuesdays & Thursdays - Net Sports – Grades 1-3 Net Sports is Back! This 4 week session (January 23rd – February 23rd) is designed to introduce basic racket skills, scoring, rules, footwork and strokes for badminton, tennis, volleyball, and ping pong! This class meets twice a week on Tuesdays and Thursdays 3:25 – 5:00. $50.00 Payment made to Laurie Clark (See attached flyer).


*Children may not be excused from afterschool classes without prior written permission from parents

All the best,
Susan Engdall
Principal

Friday, December 9, 2011

Events for the week of December 12th-16th

10th Pancake Breakfast, Art Auction and Eco Fashion Show 9:00-11:00 on the Main Campus, Beautiful Art, Great Fashion and Yummy Food!
13/14/15 Kids Sale at FN
15th Kiwanis Dictionary giveaway to our 3rd years
16th Last day of school--see you January 3rd
17th Don't forget to send in your tax credit donations

Hello Faith North Community,

What a great time the upper elementary students has last Saturday presenting our newly styled coop and baby chickens on the Tour De Coops. A big thanks you to parents Tonie & Carlos Basulto for their kind generosity and work to help make this happen.

Consider this when contemplating ideas for your New Years Resolutions:
One of the most important attitudes to nurture is to see a child as a new being each day, forgetting the past and seeing only the potential for greatness. This is also the best way to look at ourselves. It is a lot to ask of the adult to provide everything a child needs and I believe that time should be allotted, perhaps at the beginning of each day, to get mentally prepared for the task by taking a walk or just sitting quietly, then we are better able to take a deep breath and face the day with a feeling of being new and in the present moment. If we can balance ourselves--our interactions with our children will be more enjoyable.

All the best,
Susan Engdall
Principal

Monday, November 21, 2011

Upcoming Events for the week of November 28th-December 3rd:
Tuesday 11/29 FN boys’ basketball team vs. Magnet at Capitol, 6:00
Thursday 12/1 Holiday Symphony Trip 9:00
Thursday 12/1 FN boys’ basketball team vs. Lowell at Capitol, 7:00
Friday 12/2 Snow Day Event, 4:00-8:00 to raise funds for the middle school trip to New York City
Saturday 12/3 Tour De Coops, Faith North will have its coop on tour!


Dear Faith North Community,

As we spend Thanksgiving with our family and friends, all of us at Faith North have so much to be thankful for.

I am thankful for all of our students who come to school every day prepared to learn and are amazing little and big Montessorians.

I am thankful for our outstanding teachers, who put in so many hours and are so committed to making sure every single one of our students is getting a quality education and preparing themselves for life.

I am thankful for our instructional assistants, nurse’s assistant, media center, front office and facilities staff who are all so critical to our mission of preparing every student to succeed and who are always so willing to do whatever it takes to accomplish that mission.

I am thankful to Phoenix Elementary School District who helps us form one impressive team as we continue to build what I believe is a school of choice that builds strong, flexible and creative learners.

Finally, I am thankful to all of our parents and families. We need you to be active and engaged participants in your student's education in order for them to succeed and we appreciate all that you do.

I hope all of you have a safe and enjoyable Thanksgiving holiday.

All the best,
Susan Engdall
Principal