Celebrating What Makes You, You!

Last night, as I played with my daughter, I was enjoying music from a new DJ I randomly discovered on Spotify. The music was a confluence of sounds that I wouldn’t have anticipated would go together. It was uniquely his own sound yet universal at the same time. Listening to this music made me think about probably the greatest life lesson I learned growing up.

When I was a child, my mom always told us, kids, to “Make your life,” meaning that we didn’t have to subscribe to the “shoulds” and could march to our very own beats. Growing up, I struggled with embracing my own uniqueness while “fitting in” with my peers and community. At some points in my development, I bucked the system and denounced everything mainstream or “normal” by shaving my head, changing friend groups, or wearing the same outfit every day as a protest to vanity (boy, I’m glad that phase was short-lived!). In the end, I was privileged to be able to try on my many hats of identity without judgment, allowing me to be fully “me” as an adult.

This school year, I have enjoyed noticing changes in children from last year and celebrating the various ways they are presenting themselves. As well, I have thought a lot about what hats of identity are they trying on that I can’t see, but that I also want to celebrate? Ms. Rashida and I are working diligently to create clubs, lunch bunches, and workshops that foster more widespread acceptance throughout our student body with the goal of creating a safe space for personal expression. We welcome thought partners in this work so feel free to email me (srao@cityneighborshamilton.org) if you’d like to meet!

Have a great week!

–Dr. Shyla.

This Week at CNH

  • Monday through Thursday, 3:30-5:30 — MS Girls Soccer has officially begun (MS Boys Soccer is will soon begin — keep an eye out for important paperwork and sign-up sheets!)
  • Friday, 2:40-3:15 — All-School this week is Staff open mic. Come and watch some of your kids’ teachers show their talents, have some fun, and embarrass themselves a little bit for the students!

Mark Your Calendars!

  • Friday, September 27th — 90s Dance Party 6:30-8:30
  • Friday, October 4th — School Picture Day
  • Tuesday, October 8th — Committee Night for all CNH Families
  • Wednesday, October 23 — Friday, October 25 — Progress Report Conferences

The Cooking Elective at CNH Needs Your Donations

Ms. Keara, our cafe manager, is leading a Cooking Elective with a group of middle school students. Please help this elective be a success by donating some used or new cooking supplies! You may drop off cooking supplies in the main office. Thanks for your support!

Here is a list of what is needed:

  • Sauce, frying, cast iron, roasting, cake, and spring pans
  • Whisks, tongs, rubber spatulas
  • measuring cups and spoons
  • Mixing bowls and storage containers
  • Food processor, blender, mixer
  • Zesters, melon ball cutter, and vegetable peelers
  • Chef, utility, paring, and serrated knives

90s Dance Party NEXT FRIDAY, September 27th, 6:30-8:30!

Help us end the first month of school with a ridiculous amount of fun! We will have a DJ, snacks, awards for the best 90s outfits, CNH gear for sale, and simply a great time. Pay-what-you-can entry (suggested donation $5 per person). Attendees of this year’s party will also help to select the theme for next year! Hope to see you there!!

Committee Nights at CNH — October 8th, 6:00-7:00

As a parent collaborative school, every CNH family agrees to participate/volunteer at the school a minimum of 40 hours per family per school year.

Help us complete the work of the school while also fulfilling your Family Participation hours by participating in Committee Nights every other month from 6:00-7:00.

Free childcare for schoolage children and free food are provided for all participants. If you have not already joined a committee, you may join one when you come to the Committee Night. Hope to see you there!! A list of committees for Committee Night is below:

  • Classroom Support
  • Communications
  • Community Relations
  • Culture of Care
  • Diversity and Inclusion
  • Facilities
  • Fundraising
  • Family Participation
  • Finance
  • Governance
  • Advocacy (This committee does not meet on Committee Night)

You can read each committee description here.

Winter Coat Swap

It’s starting to get cold outside! Please consider donating new or gently used coats, hats, scarves, and gloves for us to share with our friends at CNH. By donating a coat, your child will be able to participate in the Coat Swap later this trimester — Students will be able to “shop” the coats and pick one that they would like to wear this year! Even if you don’t want your child to participate in the coat swap, please consider donating a coat to help keep another child warm this winter.

We will keep the hats, scarves, and gloves for students to use during recess or if they do not have some of their own.

Clothing Donation Drive

We keep a collection of plain t-shirts, sweatshirts, and sweatpants in the office in case someone slips in the mud, spills something on themselves, or needs a change of clothing for any reason during the day. We also keep a collection of belts in case someone needs one.

Please consider donating new or gently used children and adult-sized clothing (for kindergarten through 8th-grade students to wear). All donations will be collected in the Main Office.

DIY Professional Development for Educators at City Neighbors — Open to ALL educators

DIY PD Sessions at City Neighbors:   Join us on October 14th at 5 pm!

We want to invite you to participate in a new professional learning community opportunity.

Join us for DIY PD Sessions at City Neighbors.    The DIY PD sessions gather no more than 30 folks.   During one hour, folks can choose two of four short learning sessions – each led by one of our attendees and focused on a strategy, approach or problem of practice.   After those learning sessions, everyone gathers, has the opportunity to make a simple delicious dinner together for taking or eating together with their colleagues.  And, it’s free!

DIY PD sessions go from 5-6:30 and will be located at City Neighbors Charter School (4301 Raspe Avenue).   After work – but still enough time to get home and have an evening.

  • 5:00-5:30          Mini-Workshop 1
  •  5:30-6                Mini-Workshop 2
  • 6-6:30                Make and Take Dinner with your colleagues.

The first DIY PD Session will take place on Monday, October 14, 5 pm. If you are interested, please register here:  here.
Please share the event with colleagues and educators from other schools.   And, please contact Gwendolyn Unoko, Director of Community Programs (gunoko@cityneighbors.org) with any questions.