Thank you for your wonderful children (seriously). It's an honor to be able to interact with so many great students every day!

As you know, I also have the responsibility of being the "bad guy" some times. It's not a part of the job that I necessarily enjoy, but it's part of the job. I try to handle each situation professionally.

We have lacked an effective means of natural consequences in the past. The teachers really need more administrative support with discipline, so we are starting an after-school detention program starting next Monday, February 8th. The detentions will be held Mondays through Thursdays (note - NOT Fridays) in the library from 2:45 - 3:30 p.m.

Students will not be allowed to talk. They simply need to show up on time and work on their school work. There will be an aide there to help if the student needs assistance. If the student fails to bring work, the aide will provide work to do from our new Character Education program. The point is that we want students to use the time wisely.

The challenge will be for you, as parents/guardians, to arrange for the students to be picked up at 3:30 p.m. I know this is an inconvenience, and I apologize, but we need to do more than assign "lunch duty" when students are sent to the office.

We have great students, but even good kids make mistakes. We try to be as respectful as possible, but we do try to hold students accountable.

Thank you so much for your support.

Respectfully,
Michael Westover
Director

LET'S "JAZZ" UP OUR SCHOOL BY WINNING A VISIT FROM A UTAH JAZZ PLAYER!

How: Participate in the Read-A-Thon.  Bring Your Own Book(s)
Who: Monticello K-6th Grades (7-9 grades weekly reading minutes DO COUNT towards a party and for Road to Success for our school though they cannot participate in the Read-A-Thon)
When: Friday, February 5, 2:00pm-4:00pm (you do not have to stay for  the full two hours)

Be sure to pick up a permission slip from the library or in the office and return it by Monday, Feb 1.

This Read-A-Thon is to help boost the JAZZ/Scholastic Reading Minutes from the last four weeks so plan to participate!

Prizes Are:

Top schools will win an assembly with a Jazz player, an ice cream party from Russell's and pictures of the Jazz player.

One student will have the opportunity to put your name in a drawing to attend a coaching workshop with the Utah Jazz Coach. Let your teacher or Mrs. Ballard know if you are interested in winning that workshop!

Amongst Monticello classes we will be having our own class competitions to win a class party. It will be between the following grades:

K-1;  2-3;  4-6;  7-9

If you have any questions, please contact Kathy Ballard in our Library or at kathy.ballard@monticelloacademy.net.

The Board-approved Monticello Academy Policy Manual states in Section 6-6 under the sub-section "Hairstyles" that "Hair must be clean, neat, and well groomed. Only natural hair colors are allowed. Extreme hair styles, cuts, or shaves ... are not allowed ..."

Further, section 6-10 "Miscellaneous" reads: "Students must present a neat and clean appearance."

I realize that one of the many latest and greatest hair styles for boys is to have long, flowing hair. I believe hair can be cut and worn a little longer and still "be clean, neat, and well groomed" and even "present a neat and clean appearance." However, I consider "extreme hair styles, cuts" as hair that covers any portion of the eyes for boys or girls and/or hair that is not properly clean and neatly maintained.

Please review this policy and information with your student(s) and make any necessary changes immediately. We have a great looking student body, but some students are pushing the hair limits, and we need your help.
Thank you for your support.

Respectfully,
Mike Westover
Director

Our school was featured twice in the West Valley Journal.  Below are links to the two articles.

Leonardo on Wheels visits Monticello Academy

Monticello transported to medieval times

As the weather turns colder many of you who have walking students have expressed a desire to use the carpool lane instead. You will need to register your students for a carpool to receive your carpool number.  You can do this by going to https://secure.monticelloacademy.net/carpool.  After you register your carpool number will be emailed to you within 24 business hours. Please note in the comments that you would like your students removed from the walking list.

• With the addition of ice and snow please use caution when driving or walking.
• While in the carpool lane if your speedometer registers you are going too fast.
• Keep space between you and the car in front of you to avoid sliding into each other.
• Watch for directions from the traffic volunteers to keep things moving smoothly.
• Keep your carpool number visible until you exit the carpool lane.
• If you are walking  DO NOT go over the hill and across the carpool lanes, use the sidewalks and the crosswalk.  Attempting to go over the hill is  dangerous and is not necessary.
• Remember that there is no left turn into the parking lot. Accesses to the parking lot is not available from aprox 2:30 - 2:45. You will need to wait in the carpool line if you wish to access the parking lot and arrive after traffic has reached the street.
• Remind your student to come out as soon as their number is called. We will ask cars who are waiting more than 5 minutes to go around to help keep traffic flowing.

If you have questions concerning traffic procedures please email info@monticelloacademy.net

I am very worried that some of you appear to be cutting some corners (literally) when you drop off your students in the morning. There is really no excuse for a lack of safe driving in the school zone. Someone is going to get hurt, no matter how many volunteers we have or how many emails we send, if each of us does not slow down and use common sense.

I am most concerned about the following issues at the moment - PLEASE DON'T DO ANY OF THEM:

1. Do NOT run the Stop sign at the end of the drop off area... Please heed the volunteer at the cross walk (we almost had a few students get hit)!

2. Do NOT drop students off in the double lane. Don't do it!

3. Coming from 4800, do NOT try making left-hand turns into the parking lot (you need to use the roundabout).

4. Coming from the roundabout, do NOT try to turn right from traffic on the street... get IN the right turn lane!

I realize that many of you are very safe drivers and are kind and courteous to our volunteers, so thank you! If you are someone who is pushing the limits, please decide now to follow the regulations set forth above, as well as good old common sense. I think we all agree that it would be devastating if someone/anyone were to get hurt.

Let's please drive courteously and safely, even if it takes an extra few minutes.

Thank you,
Mike Westover
Director