Bobcat Broadcast

Free to Learn: Why understanding the Instinct to Play Will Make Our Children Happier, More Self-Reliant and Better Students for Life

I am so very excited to announce our second annual Book Club for Parents. I have been reading this amazing book called, Free to Learn. In Free to Learn, developmental psychologist Peter Gray argues that in order to foster children who will thrive in today's constantly changing world, we must entrust them to steer their own learning and development.

Drawing on evidence from anthropology, psychology, and history, he demonstrates that free play is the primary means by which children learn to control their lives, solve problems, get along with peers, and become emotionally resilient.

Free to Learn suggests that it's time to stop asking what's wrong with our children, and start asking what's wrong with the system. It shows how we can act—both as parents and as members of society—to improve children's lives and to promote their happiness and learning.

I would like to offer a book club to anyone that is interested. Sometime in Mid-March, I would like to invite everyone to join me to enjoy some lively conversation about this book. If you are interested, complete this sign-up and a book will be sent home with your student.

The first 15 to sign-up will get a free book. After that, you are more than welcome to purchase the book and join us for the conversation.

Please click the following link to sign-up: Book Club Sign-up

Check out the book on Amazon here.

Happy Reading!

Devon Caudill

February 2 - Credit Union Deposit Day

February 4 - Northville Parent Camp (See information Below)

February 10 - End of Civic Concern Food Drive

February 17 - Half Day, Dismissal at 12:15

February 20 - No School

February 27 - Northville Inclusion Week

March 3 - End of Second Marking Period

March 9 - PTA Meeting 11:30 pm

March 11 - NEF Night for Northville Casino Night

What an incredible night we had celebrating student leadership at Amerman! At Tuesday's BOE meeting we had every grade level represented to help showcase how Friendship, Understanding and Kindness are the cornerstones of this year's theme. Highlights of the meeting included using ASL to open the meeting, leading breakout sessions, and answering questions by board members. As a staff we often say there is just something special about Amerman. Our AMAZING kiddos showed us exactly why that it true!

The newsletter made for Amerman kids, by Amerman kids is back for the 4th year in a row. Check out the eighteenth issue of the 2022-2023 school-year below!

• BPP Volume 4 - Issue 18
• BPP Volume 4 - Issue 17
• BPP Volume 4 - Issue 16
• BPP Volume 4 - Issue 15
• BPP Volume 4 - Issue 14
• BPP Volume 4 - Issue 13
• BPP Volume 4 - Issue 12
• BPP Volume 4 - Issue 11
• BPP Volume 4 - Issue 10
• BPP Volume 4 - Issue 9
• BPP Volume 4 - Issue 8
• BPP Volume 4 - Issue 7
• BPP Volume 4 - Issue 6
• BPP Volume 4 - Issue 5
• BPP Volume 4 - Issue 4
• BPP Volume 4 - Issue 3
• BPP Volume 4 - Issue 2
• BPP Volume 4 - Issue 1

Please visit our Kindergarten Enrollment webpage to sign up for an appointment to enroll your incoming Kindergarten student. Once you've signed up for an appointment, please return to the Enrollment webpage to complete the online portion of your pre-enrollment outlined in Steps 1-3.

If you have any questions, please call Student Data at

(248) 344-3524.

Northville High School is working hard to bring Inclusion Week to each and every school across the district. Inclusion week will be February 27 - March 3rd.

One of the things they are hoping to do to show support across the District will be a spirit week. See the flyer below with more details about what the theme will be for each day that week.

They are also selling t-shirts that were designed by students at the high school. Here is the link for anyone that is interested in purchasing a t-shirt: https://www.customink.com/g/yhu0-00cp-xd9t T-shirt orders need to be placed by February 5th.

Northville Parent Camp, presented by Michigan Educational Credit Union, is on Saturday, February 4, 2023, 9:00 am to 1:00 pm at the Northville High School! Northville Public Schools and Northville Educational Foundation have again partnered to bring you Northville Parent Camp; a morning filled with resources, speakers, and workshops, presented to empower parents of children of all ages with practical knowledge, resources and tools to help equip them to support and guide their children.

For more information regarding schedule and presenters For Parent Camp please visit NEF's website at www.supportnef.org/parent-camp. This year, in conjunction with Parent Camp, we will host Northville's 1st Annual Mental Health & Wellness Fair from 10am - 2pm in the Northville High School Cafeteria. Thank you to current fair sponsors, Galvin Growth Group, Building Bridges Therapy and Kiss My Lash. If you would like to become a sponsor please visit www.supportNEF.org.

Now is your chance to purchase tickets to the premier event of the season.Northville Educational Foundation's Night for Northville presented by Royal Truck & Utility Trailer. Tickets are on sale now! This year we are again Betting on our Students at an exciting Casino Night!

Join us Saturday, March 11th at 6:30 PM at Northville Square! We will have more Casino tables available this year, amazing silent auction, heavy hors d'oeuvres and open bar provided by The Lava Grille Northville, delicious beer provided by North Center Brewing Company, dancing, wine pull and much more!

NEW THIS YEAR ---> Become our VIP! Limited tickets available for VIP Cocktail event. VIP tickets include early admittance at 6:00pm, reserved seating and cocktails at the exclusive bar in Lava Grille for the entire Casino Night Event, free valet, and a special Thank You swag bag! VIP Cocktail Event is sponsored by Kiss My Lash of Northville!

Visit https://www.supportnef.org/night-for-northville to purchase your tickets!

Back this year - Amerman's PTA can win $500!! How does it work?! It’s simple - A $500 check will be written to the PTA for the school with the most attendees represented at Night for Northville. Don’t forget to write Amerman's name in the “Additional Notes” section when you register! Last year Winchester was the big winner…. maybe Amerman will receive the big check this year!?

Please email your yearbook pics to amermanyearbookpics@gmail.com Please include which teacher your students have so we can organize them easier!

Pizza night just got a little more fun! Everyone in the family can help make pizza with these kits! Pre measured and packaged ingredients to keep in your freezer until you need them. Great for sleepovers, pizza night or even the big game party.

Starting today and through February 15th, you can buy Pizza Kits to help us raise funds for the Northville Council PTA community engagement programs and your school's PTA as well.

We need everyone’s help and it’s super easy to participate…

1. Here is the link to order the Pizza Kits online. https://fundraising.littlecaesars.com/fundraisers/support/977945a9-5011-40f6-a012-6200881c1d2e?ko_click_id=ko_hdmyghqqovhu3xfp5
2. Wait for your package to be delivered to your door by FedEx.
3. Get meals that are fun to make and delicious to eat! Enjoy!
4. Every kit we sell makes an impact. We earn $6.00 on every item sold so your participation makes a big impact.

But should you have any questions about our fundraiser, please contact northvilleptavp@gmail.com.

Northville Youth Network (NYN) provides valuable programs and services to the Northville Community such as education and awareness, referral services and case work services. As part of the ongoing Social Emotional education NYN provides to our community, they have included resources that are available for parents! Please check out NYN's latest resource templates: Tech and Internet Safety and Social Anxiety as well as all of their other offerings! Be sure to check back in the future as their templates will be updated throughout the year (https://www.twp.northville.mi.us/your_government/departments/NYN)

February Wellness Wednesdays are all about self-love and self-care! Teens and Tweens join us for one of these programs:

• Yoga & Mindfulness for Self-Care for Tweens (9-12) - Wednesday, February 8 Facilitated by Stephanie Rife, Yoga Instructor

• Love Yourself - Building Self-Esteem for Teens (13-18) - Wednesday, February 22 Discussion and activities around being unique, happiness, and remembering how to unapologetically love yourself! Facilitated by Kristie Wyler, MA LLP, McCaskill Family Services

Families must preorder lunches for preschools and elementary students. Orders must be in by 8:30 AM for elementary students to receive a lunch that day. The system will not allow you to order after the time listed above. For your convenience, meals can be preordered up to 30 days in advance. To avoid any issues, we recommend ordering the night before.

• Order Online at Nutrislice

• Download the App (Apple Store)

• Download the App (Google Play)

During the month of February we will be working on Habit 5: Seek First to Understand, then to be Understood.

What this means: Listen before you talk. In order to communicate effectively, we must first understand each other.

“I listen to other people’s ideas and feelings.”

“I try to see things from their viewpoints.”

“I listen to others without interrupting.”

“I am confident in voicing my ideas.”

“I look people in the eyes when talking.”

How can I do this in my life?

1. Listen.

2. Put yourself in the other person’s place.

3. Notice a person’s body language, tone, and reflection in their voice.

Great Books for Habit #5-Seek First to Understand, Then to Be Understood

Alejandro’s Gift by Richard E. Albert

The Runaway Bunny by Margaret Wise Brown

Stellaluna by Janell Cannon

Jamaica’s Find by Juanita Havill

The True Story of the Three Little Pigs by Jon Scieszka

Email: caudillde@northvilleschools.org
Website: amerman.northvilleschools.org
Phone: 248-465-2100
Twitter: @amermannv