The Week of September 19th

  Weekly Newsletter

Technology This Week

Students will no longer need to carry devices to school everyday. Please only send in your child's device on Thursday for Tech class and afternoon iReady practice. Your child will need to use their device to practice reading and math skills twice a week on iReady at home. They will also need to get on Amira at home and practice reading at least twice a week. Amira practice can be recorded on reading logs. 

Your child needs to log in to their device using the username (firstname.lastname@students.sccpss.com) and password taped on the computer. Then they will log in to ClassLink and this will give them access to both Amira and iReady. They will just need to click the icon of the app being used.

Headphones

If your child has not yet brought headphones to school, please send some in. Your child needs headphones to work on reading and math skills practice in the classroom. Thank you!

Spirit Night at Chipotle on Tuesday!

Our first PTA Spirit Night of the year will be September 21st from 4-8pm at Chipotle (located at 1801 E. Victory Dr. Savannah, GA 31404-4127).

Help raise funds for the Ellis PTA to support our school! Chipotle will donate 33% of all sales that use promo code G9GK4AY when ordering online. Pick up must be between 4-8 pm.

Reading Logs

Reading Logs went home last week! Your child is expected to read nightly for at least 20 minutes. This reading can be done on their own or with family members. Whatever works for them! Send the log back to school when its filled in and we'll send home another. 

8 REASONS WHY READING WITH CHILDREN IS IMPORTANT

Reading with children, especially struggling readers, on a regular basis does take time but the benefits speak for themselves. Here are eight of the most important.

1. Improves Reading Skills

First and foremost, exposure to books improves children’s reading skills. Practice makes perfect!

2. Boosts Vocabulary and Literacy Skills

Reading increases vocabulary, comprehension and communication skills. In addition sentence structure, grammar, punctuation and expression will improve.

3. Improves Writing Skills

Exposure to new words, grammar and punctuation will improve children’s writing.v

4. Builds Confidence and Independence

Reading every day builds independence, leading to greater confidence.

5. Broadens Minds and Develops Empathy

Diverse literature opens children’s minds to the lives of other people. Subsequently, helping children make sense of the world around them.

6. Academic Success

Regular reading promotes academic achievement across the curriculum. Non-fiction books provide opportunities for children to increase their knowledge and interests.

7. Develops Imagination

While reading children create new worlds. This develops their creativity and empathy as they immerse themselves in the lives of the characters.

8. Reading is Fun!

When reading with a child, they can tell if the adult is enjoying themselves. Reinforce the message that reading is an enjoyable alternative to video games and TV by being a good reading role-model.

Birthday Walk Around the Sun

We celebrate our students’ birthdays with a “Walk Around the Sun.”  The child holds the classroom globe in her or her hands and walks around a candle placed on the floor.  One trip around this “sun” for every year of age. At this time, caregivers are not allowed to come into the classrooms but if you want to write down exciting events, please do.    For example...When ____ turned one he/she started walking.  You are also welcome to make a timeline with your child.  By doing so, your child is able to simply add a picture for their celebration the following year. Students may also bring in a healthy snack to share. Birthday celebrations will take place the afternoon of your child’s birthday or another day that is agreed upon. 

Timelines

Timelines are used in the Montessori classroom extensively in the cultural and cosmic curriculum, first seen in the Great Lessons. This preparatory activity of creating their personal timeline readies the students to work with the extensive timelines that are presented throughout lower and upper elementary.

Example of a personal timeline. It does not have to look like this! 

Personal Timeline:

1. A timeline can be as short as one page or as long as a wall. 

2. To make a short timeline, draw a vertical line down the middle of a sheet of paper.

3. Write your child’s birth date on the left side of the line at the top of the page. On the right side of the line, write the corresponding event. (“I was born!”)

4. Add other important dates and events, such as when your child started to walk and talk, when siblings were born, when your child started preschool, when you took family trips, and so on, in chronological order.

5. To make a long time line, cut a length of paper from a large roll or tape several sheets of paper together. Draw a horizontal line across the middle of the banner.                     

6. Write the dates and events of your child’s life from left to right.

7. Glue on photos or let your child illustrate each event.  

Thursday Explorations

Students have Explorations (PE, Music, Tech, Steam, Spanish, Art) classes on Thursdays. Your child needs to wear sneakers and bring a snack, water bottle, school device and headphones. 

Masks and Water Bottles

Please make sure your child has extra masks in their book bag DAILY. Children need to wear new masks daily and parents should check and replace any masks that have been used throughout the day. Water bottles are a necessity! It is hot outside and there are no water fountains from which our students can drink. There are water bottle refilling stations so students can refill their bottles during the day.  

IT IS IMPERATIVE THAT THE NURSE IS IMMEDIATELY MADE AWARE OF ANY POSITIVE COVID TESTS or CLOSE CONTACT WITHIN A FAMILY. 

Please send an email to Ms. Marianne, Ms. Jazmin and Nurse Chris - christine.o'boyle@sccpss.com

PLEASE DO NOT SEND YOUR CHILD TO SCHOOL SICK OR IF EXHIBITING THESE SYMPTOMS:

Fever of 100.4 orally or 99.4 using a thermal device

New cough

Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing

Fatigue

Muscle aches or body aches

New loss of taste or smell

Sore throat

Vomiting, diarrhea, or nausea

Congestion or runny nose

Headaches

Wishlist

https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/37YRRBS0MZI5D/?ref_=lol_ov_le

*Dates to Remember 

Tuesday, September 21- PTA Spirit Night@Chipotle

Friday, September 24- $1 Donation Dress Down(benefiting Ambucs)

Friday, October 8- Fall Break- No School!

Monday, October 11- Teacher Planning Day- No School!

Tuesday, October 12- 2nd Nine-Week Period Begins

The Week of September 12th

 Weekly Newsletter

Continent Study

Our community will begin continent research this week! Blue Jays will be studying North America and Cardinals will be studying South America. If you have any artifacts from these continents that you are willing to share with the class, please send them in with your child.

Headphones

If your child has not yet brought headphones to school, please send some in. Your student needs headphones to complete online assessments. We will be completing MAP and Amira testing during the next 2 weeks of school. Your child also needs headphones to work on reading and math skills practice in the classroom. Thank you!

MAP Testing

The district-mandated MAP Assessment window is now open. It is imperative that students bring their devices to school EVERY DAY, FULLY CHARGED in order to complete the required assessments. 

Spirit Night at Chipotle!

Our first PTA Spirit Night of the year will be September 21st from 4-8pm at Chipotle (located at 1801 E. Victory Dr. Savannah, GA 31404-4127).

Help raise funds for the Ellis PTA to support our school! Chipotle will donate 33% of all sales that use promo code G9GK4AY when ordering online. Pick up must be between 4-8 pm.

Reading Logs

Reading Logs went home last week! Your child is expected to read nightly for at least 20 minutes. This reading can be done on their own or with family members. Whatever works for them! Send the log back to school when its filled in and we'll send home another. 

Birthday Walk Around the Sun

We celebrate our students’ birthdays with a “Walk Around the Sun.”  The child holds the classroom globe in her or her hands and walks around a candle placed on the floor.  One trip around this “sun” for every year of age. At this time, caregivers are not allowed to come into the classrooms but if you want to write down exciting events, please do.    For example...When ____ turned one he/she started walking.  You are also welcome to make a timeline with your child.  By doing so, your child is able to simply add a picture for their celebration the following year. Students may also bring in a healthy snack to share. Birthday celebrations will take place the afternoon of your child’s birthday or another day that is agreed upon. 

Timelines

Timelines are used in the Montessori classroom extensively in the cultural and cosmic curriculum, first seen in the Great Lessons. This preparatory activity of creating their personal timeline readies the students to work with the extensive timelines that are presented throughout lower and upper elementary.

Example of a personal timeline. It does not have to look like this! 

Personal Timeline:

1. A timeline can be as short as one page or as long as a wall. 

2. To make a short timeline, draw a vertical line down the middle of a sheet of paper.

3. Write your child’s birth date on the left side of the line at the top of the page. On the right side of the line, write the corresponding event. (“I was born!”)

4. Add other important dates and events, such as when your child started to walk and talk, when siblings were born, when your child started preschool, when you took family trips, and so on, in chronological order.

5. To make a long time line, cut a length of paper from a large roll or tape several sheets of paper together. Draw a horizontal line across the middle of the banner.                     

6. Write the dates and events of your child’s life from left to right.

7. Glue on photos or let your child illustrate each event.  

Thursday Explorations

Students have Explorations (PE, Music, Tech, Steam, Spanish, Art) classes on Thursdays. Your child needs to wear sneakers and bring a snack, water bottle, school device and headphones. 

Masks and Water Bottles

Please make sure your child has extra masks in their book bag DAILY. Children need to wear new masks daily and parents should check and replace any masks that have been used throughout the day. Water bottles are a necessity! It is hot outside and there are no water fountains from which our students can drink. There are water bottle refilling stations so students can refill their bottles during the day.  

IT IS IMPERATIVE THAT THE NURSE IS IMMEDIATELY MADE AWARE OF ANY POSITIVE COVID TESTS or CLOSE CONTACT WITHIN A FAMILY. 

Please send an email to Ms. Marianne, Ms. Jazmin and Nurse Chris - christine.o'boyle@sccpss.com

PLEASE DO NOT SEND YOUR CHILD TO SCHOOL SICK OR IF EXHIBITING THESE SYMPTOMS:

Fever of 100.4 orally or 99.4 using a thermal device

New cough

Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing

Fatigue

Muscle aches or body aches

New loss of taste or smell

Sore throat

Vomiting, diarrhea, or nausea

Congestion or runny nose

Headaches

Snack Time

Please send a snack in with your child daily. Students choose when they would like to eat snack during the day.

It is very important that all families sign up for our community Remind!  Please text @ac3c9 to number 81010 or if you are having trouble with 81010 try texting @ac3c9 to 971-239-4842  (Please sign up!)

Wishlist

https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/37YRRBS0MZI5D/?ref_=lol_ov_le

*Dates to Remember 

Tuesday, September 21- PTA Spirit Night@Chipotle

Friday, September 24- $1 Donation Dress Down(benefiting Ambucs)

Friday, October 8- Fall Break- No School!

Monday, October 11- Teacher Planning Day- No School!

Tuesday, October 12- 2nd Nine-Week Period Begins

The Week of September 5th

Weekly Newsletter

We hope you are enjoying the lovely three day weekend! The lowered temperatures certainly made it easier to spend time outside with the family!

Reading Logs

We will send home a reading log in your child's folder this week. Your student is expected to read nightly for at least 20 minutes. This reading can be done on their own or with family members. Whatever works for them! When the log has been completed, send it back and we'll send home another.

 The First Great Lesson

This week, our class will experience our first great lesson! This lesson includes stories and experiments about the creation of the universe. After receiving this lesson, students are ready to engage in discussion about the solar system, the night sky, and the composition of the world around us and how we interact with it. This is the basis for all of the cultural and scientific work they will undertake going forward in our community.

Thursday Explorations

Students have Explorations (PE, Music, Tech, Steam, Spanish, Art) classes on Thursdays. Your child needs to wear sneakers and bring a snack, water bottle, school device and headphones. 

Testing This Week

We will continue administering Amira assessments in the classroom this week. Your child needs their device and headphones to complete these assessments.  

Masks and Water Bottles

Please make sure your child has extra masks in their book bag DAILY. Children need to wear new masks daily and parents should check and replace any masks that have been used throughout the day. Water bottles are a necessity! It is hot outside and there are no water fountains from which our students can drink. There are water bottle refilling stations so students can refill their bottles during the day.  

IT IS IMPERATIVE THAT THE NURSE IS IMMEDIATELY MADE AWARE OF ANY POSITIVE COVID TESTS or CLOSE CONTACT WITHIN A FAMILY. 

Please send an email to Ms. Marianne, Ms. Jazmin and Nurse Chris - christine.o'boyle@sccpss.com

PLEASE DO NOT SEND YOUR CHILD TO SCHOOL SICK OR IF EXHIBITING THESE SYMPTOMS:

Fever of 100.4 orally or 99.4 using a thermal device

New cough

Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing

Fatigue

Muscle aches or body aches

New loss of taste or smell

Sore throat

Vomiting, diarrhea, or nausea

Congestion or runny nose

Headaches

Snack Time

Please send a snack in with your child daily. Students choose when they would like to eat snack during the day.

It is very important that all families sign up for our community Remind!  Please text @ac3c9 to number 81010 or if you are having trouble with 81010 try texting @ac3c9 to 971-239-4842  (Please sign up!)

Wishlist

https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/37YRRBS0MZI5D/?ref_=lol_ov_le

*Dates to Remember 

Monday, September 6- Labor Day - No School!

Tuesday, September 21- PTA Spirit Night@Chipotle

Friday, September 24- Donation Dress Down(benefiting Ambucs)

Friday, October 8- Fall Break- No School!

Monday, October 11- Teacher Planning Day- No School!

Tuesday, October 12- 2nd Nine-Week Period Begins

The Week of August 29th

 Weekly Newsletter

Welcome Ms. Suzy!

This week, we were fortunate to welcome our new teaching assistant, Ms. Suzy Karpf! Ms. Suzy is a parent at Charles Ellis and has long been a Montessori advocate. Her familiarity with school administration and learning methods have made Ms. Suzy such an asset to our community already and we are so happy to have her! 

1/2 Computer Charger Missing

Please be on the lookout for the lost half of a computer charger. The part that plugs into the outlet is missing and we think that maybe it went home with a student. Thanks so much!

 Thursday Explorations

Students have Explorations (PE, Music, Tech, Steam, Spanish, Art) classes on Thursdays. Your child needs to wear sneakers and bring a snack, water bottle, school device and headphones. 

Friday, September 3-Picture Day

Picture Day is scheduled for this Friday. Students can enjoy a free dress down (or dress up for pictures) day!

Testing This Week

We will continue administering beginning of the year assessments in the classroom this week. Your child needs their device and headphones to complete these assessments. Please make sure that your student gets plenty of sleep and water this week! 

Masks and Water Bottles

Please make sure your child has extra masks in their book bag DAILY. Children need to wear new masks daily and parents should check and replace any masks that have been used throughout the day. Water bottles are a necessity! It is hot outside and there are no water fountains from which our students can drink. Parents should send students to school with a bottle full of water. There are water bottle refilling stations so students can refill their bottles during the day.  

IT IS IMPERATIVE THAT THE NURSE IS IMMEDIATELY MADE AWARE OF ANY POSITIVE COVID TESTS or CLOSE CONTACT WITHIN A FAMILY. 

Please send an email to Ms. Marianne, Ms. Jazmin and Nurse Chris - christine.o'boyle@sccpss.com

PLEASE DO NOT SEND YOUR CHILD TO SCHOOL SICK OR IF EXHIBITING THESE SYMPTOMS:

Fever of 100.4 orally or 99.4 using a thermal device

New cough

Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing

Fatigue

Muscle aches or body aches

New loss of taste or smell

Sore throat

Vomiting, diarrhea, or nausea

Congestion or runny nose

Headaches

Chilly Classrooms!

The classrooms can be cool at times.  It is a great idea to send a sweater or zip up sweatshirt, labeled with a name on the tag, in your child's bookbag.

Snack Time

Please send a snack in with your child daily. Students choose when they would like to eat snack during the day.

It is very important that all families sign up for our community Remind!  Please text @ac3c9 to number 81010 or if you are having trouble with 81010 try texting @ac3c9 to 971-239-4842  (Please sign up!)

Wishlist

https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/37YRRBS0MZI5D/?ref_=lol_ov_le

*Dates to Remember 

Thursday, September 2- Explorations -Water Bottles & Sneakers

Friday, September 3- Picture Day- Free Dress Down

Monday, September 6- Labor Day - No School!

Friday, October 8- Fall Break- No School!

Monday, October 11- Teacher Planning Day

The Week of August 22nd

 Weekly Newsletter

Testing This Week

We will be administering beginning of the year assessments in the classroom this week. Your child needs their device and headphones to complete these assessments. Please make sure that your student gets plenty of sleep and water this week! 

Technology Matters-Deadline Approaching

Families who did not complete the digital version of the Student Learning Device Loan Form received hard copies of this three-page document on Friday. Please fill out the form and return ASAP so your child has a device for testing this week. Thank you! Devices should return to school, fully charged,  every day that students are in the building. 

Masks and Water Bottles

Please make sure your child has extra masks in their book bag. Children need to wear new masks daily and parents should check and replace any masks that have been used throughout the day. Water bottles are a necessity! It is hot outside and there are no water fountains from which our students can drink. Parents should send students to school with a bottle full of water. There are water bottle refilling stations so students can refill their bottles during the day.  

Covid Protocols

In order to prevent our entire community from having to quarantine should one student test positive, we have separated our students by rosters and the teachers will be moving between the two classrooms. Cardinals are located in room 27 and Bluejays are located in room 29. 

IT IS IMPERATIVE THAT THE NURSE IS IMMEDIATELY MADE AWARE OF ANY POSITIVE COVID TESTS or CLOSE CONTACT WITHIN A FAMILY. 

Please send an email to Ms. Marianne, Ms. Jazmin and Nurse Chris - christine.o'boyle@sccpss.com

PLEASE DO NOT SEND YOUR CHILD TO SCHOOL SICK OR IF EXHIBITING THESE SYMPTOMS:

Fever of 100.4 orally or 99.4 using a thermal device

New cough

Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing

Fatigue

Muscle aches or body aches

New loss of taste or smell

Sore throat

Vomiting, diarrhea, or nausea

Congestion or runny nose

Headaches

Chilly Classrooms!

The classrooms can be cool at times.  It is a great idea to send a sweater or zip up sweatshirt, labeled with a name on the tag, in your child's bookbag.

Snack Time

Please send a snack in with your child daily. Students choose when they would like to eat snack during the day.

It is very important that all families sign up for our community Remind!  Please text @ac3c9 to number 81010 or if you are having trouble with 81010 try texting @ac3c9 to 971-239-4842  (Please sign up!)

Wishlist

https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/37YRRBS0MZI5D/?ref_=lol_ov_le

*Dates to Remember 

Thursday, August 26- Explorations -Water Bottles & Sneakers

Thursday, August 26 - PTA Meeting

Monday, September 6- Labor Day - No School!

Friday, October 8- Fall Break- No School!

Monday, October 11- Teacher Planning Day

The Week of August 15th

 Weekly Newsletter

Technology Matters-Deadline Approaching

Laptops went home with Bluejays who registered to take their devices home. Devices should return to school, fully charged,  every day that students are in the building. Cardinals who are eligible will get their devices this week. 

For all of those who have not yet filled in the Student Learning Device Loan Form, you can fill out the digital version at this link​.

*Deadline-8/20* Additionally, the district is offering a Family Protection Plan (FPP) for the devices this year for only $25. The FPP will cover accidental damage (not loss or theft) of the device and provide up to TWO replacement devices this school year. Please note that the cost of device repairs (if the FPP is NOT purchased) has increased due to demand for the parts (a Chromebook screen replacement, our most common repair, is now $90!), so we HIGHLY recommend that you purchase the FPP for each student's device.

The FPP can be purchased through School Cash Online​. You will find instructions on how to register for School Cash Online and connect your student(s) to your account here​. 

Masks and Water Bottles

Please make sure your child has extra masks in their book bag. Children need to wear new masks daily and parents should check and replace any masks that have been used throughout the day. Water bottles are a necessity! It is hot outside and there are no water fountains from which our students can drink. Parents should send students to school with a bottle full of water. There are water bottle refilling stations so students can refill their bottles during the day.  

Covid Protocols

In order to prevent our entire community from having to quarantine should one student test positive, we have separated our students by rosters and the teachers will be moving between the two classrooms. Cardinals are located in room 27 and Bluejays are located in room 29. 

IT IS IMPERATIVE THAT THE NURSE IS IMMEDIATELY MADE AWARE OF ANY POSITIVE COVID TESTS or CLOSE CONTACT WITHIN A FAMILY. 

Please send an email to Ms. Marianne, Ms. Jazmin and Nurse Chris - christine.o'boyle@sccpss.com

PLEASE DO NOT SEND YOUR CHILD TO SCHOOL SICK OR IF EXHIBITING THESE SYMPTOMS:

Fever of 100.4 orally or 99.4 using a thermal device

New cough

Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing

Fatigue

Muscle aches or body aches

New loss of taste or smell

Sore throat

Vomiting, diarrhea, or nausea

Congestion or runny nose

Headaches

Chilly Classrooms!

The classrooms can be cool at times.  It is a great idea to send a sweater or zip up sweatshirt, labeled with a name on the tag, in your child's bookbag.

Snack Time

Please send a snack in with your child daily. Students choose when they would like to eat snack during the day.

It is very important that all families sign up for our community Remind!  Please text @ac3c9 to number 81010 or if you are having trouble with 81010 try texting @ac3c9 to 971-239-4842  (Please sign up!)

*Dates to Remember 

Thursday, August 19- Explorations-Students need tennis shoes and water bottles

Friday, August 20- Protection Plan Purchase Deadline

Thursday, August 26 - PTA Meeting

Monday, September 6- Labor Day - No School!

Friday, October 8- Fall Break- No School!

Monday, October 11- Teacher Planning Day

The Week of August 8th

The Weekly Newsletter

We were so happy to welcome students back to the building on Wednesday! The children are continuing to enjoy getting to know each other this week.  We are learning routines and getting back into the swing of sharing space and ideas. 

Please note that we will be meeting each individual student's needs by changing seating and amending work requirements according to our observations. 

Chilly Classrooms!

The classrooms can be cool at times.  It is a great idea to send a sweater or zip up sweatshirt, labeled with a name on the tag, in your child's bookbag so that they can be comfortable throughout the day.  However, the dress code does forbid pullover hooded sweatshirts so please refrain from allowing your child to wear these to school.

Snack Time

Please send a snack in with your child daily. Students choose when they would like to eat snack during the day.

Technology Matters

If your child currently has a laptop computer checked out from the school please return it (with the charger), as soon as possible so the devices can be checked in, cleaned, and checked back out to your student.  

For your information:  

Student Learning Device Loan Form and FPP Information​ (This form MUST be filled out by a parent/guardian for EVERY student). You can fill out the digital version at this link​.

Additionally, the district is offering a Family Protection Plan (FPP) for the devices this year for only $25. The FPP will cover accidental damage (not loss or theft) of the device and provide up to TWO replacement devices this school year. Please note that the cost of device repairs (if the FPP is NOT purchased) has increased due to demand for the parts (a Chromebook screen replacement, our most common repair, is now $90!), so we HIGHLY recommend that you purchase the FPP for each student's device.

The FPP can be purchased through School Cash Online​. You will find instructions on how to register for School Cash Online and connect your student(s) to your account here​. 

 It is very important that all families sign up for our community Remind!  Please text @ac3c9 to number 81010 or if you are having trouble with 81010 try texting @ac3c9 to 971-239-4842  (Please sign up!)

                                     

 

Breakfast 7:55-8:15

All children are welcome to eat school breakfast and/or lunch daily at no cost to families.

*Dates to Remember 

Thursday, August 12- Explorations

Friday, August 20- Protection Plan Purchase Deadline

Thursday, August 26 - PTA Meeting

Monday, September 6- Labor Day - No School!

Friday, October 8- Fall Break- No School!

Monday, October 11- Teacher Planning Day