Dear Ely Families,

Welcome back Ely Families and students to the 2023-2024 school year. There is a lot of information in this newsletter as we begin this school year. Each month I will send out "The Ely Happening," to keep you informed of all things happening at Ely. In addition, please make sure to follow us on Facebook (Ely Elementary School-@elyementary).

We have several new staff members that are joining the Ely Family for the 20232-2024 school year. Please see further below for the new staff members and their roles at Ely.

Please make sure that you are connected to your child's teachers dojo. This will be the quickest and easiest way to communicate about your child with their teacher. In addition, please make sure to follow Ely Elementary School on Class Dojo to receive school updates and reminders.

I am excited and honored to be the principal of Ely Elementary and working alongside each of you to help support your child. As always I encourage you to reach out if you ever have any questions or concerns.

Email: eastonbrandon@elyriaschools.org

Principal Easton

Go Pioneers!

STUDENTS SHOULD NOT BE DROPPED OFF AT THE SCHOOL PRIOR TO 8:55!!

• Parents please make sure you are pulling all the way forward in the morning
• Your child can exit the vehicle anywhere along the sidewalk
• Please note that the tardy bell rings at 9:10. Any child being dropped off after this time their parent will need to sign them in the front office.
• Please turn right out of the parking lot during the indicated times on the sign to help with traffic in the car loop.
• Please do not park in the small loop-this loop is for daycare and busses only.
• Parent please only have your child get out of your vehicle on the passenger side. They should not be getting on the drivers side as this can cause a safety concern

Car Rider:

Any parent/guardian picking up a student in the car rider line will need to make sure that their car rider tag is visible in the car. Please note that the purpose for this car rider tag is to ensure a safe and smooth dismissal at Ely. Parents please make sure that you are leaving your car rider tag up in the car till your child gets into the car.

Please see below for a few reminders:

• Please make sure you are pulling all the way forward
• Please try to avoid backing up traffic on Ohio Street and Gulf. You may use the smaller parking lot located closest to Gulf (American Legion).
• Please stay in your car. If you do need to get out of your car to help your child, please use a parking spot
• Please have your child load and unload on the curbside of the school (passenger side of car) for your child's safety
• Please do not park in the bus/day care rider loop. You may use the provided parking spaces.
• Please turn right out of the parking lot during the indicated times on the sign to help with traffic in the car loop.

I encourage you to join us on our Monthly Coffee & Donuts With The Principal. This is a great time to stay informed of everything happening at Ely.

Make sure to follow us on Class Dojo!!

https://www.classdojo.com/invite/?s=5171835e027ff68718000112

Check out the latest Petey Podcast with Superintendent Schloss as well as previous episodes.

Petey Podcast Episodes

Have you opted in to receive text messages from Elyria Schools?

If you haven't already, please take a moment to sign up to receive automatic text messages from Elyria Schools.

This is a valuable tool in an emergency or when there's important, time-sensitive information to share.

The service is free and opting in is easy. Parents or guardians simply need to send a text message of “Y” or “Yes” to our district's short code number at 67587.

Just as simple, you can opt out at any time by replying to one of our messages with “Stop.”

The text feature and the robocall system are tied directly a student's contact information that is on file with your child's school. Please make sure this information is kept up-to-date to ensure you continue receiving calls or texts from Elyria Schools.

• Learners thrive when school is engaging and personally meaningful
• All Pioneers have a voice in decisions that affect them
• Excellence is achieved through vision, commitment and moral leadership

Click HERE to find the Elyria City School Food Service Web Page.

The waivers that allowed Aramark and other school foodservice providers to serve breakfast and lunch for free during the pandemic have expired.
In an effort to support student wellness, Elyria City Schools has opted to provide no cost breakfast to all students in grades K-8

Apply online for free/reduced meals

Aramark offers an easy online application process for free and reduced school meals at https://payschoolscentral.com/#/user/login.

The online option for completing the meal application is handy and efficient, and is also now possible through the online registration link for new and returning students.

For assistance completing the online application, please refer to this step-by-step guide.

First Student offers a live tracking app called FirstView that makes it easy for parents to follow the progress of their student's bus before and after school. This is helpful to allow you to see your students bus and in the event of a delay you could get the information quickly.

You can sign up here:

https://www.elyriaschools.org/departments/operations/transportation

School hours are 9:10am-3:10pm.

Doors do not open until 8:55- please do not drop off early or allow students to walk early.

If you are dropping off, please hold your child in the car with you until 8:55am.

Please call the office to report your child(ren)’s absence at 284-8005 before 9:30AM. Our phone has 24-hour voicemail so that you may call and leave a message anytime. Please leave a voicemail if no one answers the phone in the office; voicemails are frequently checked and the office will receive your message.

Please make sure you always have a photo ID with you, when you come to the school, this is for the safety of our students.

The Main Office of any school building is a hub of activity. Students and staff are always on the go, in and out of the space throughout the school day.

It’s an active place for regular check-ins and meetings with students, as well as staff conferences and daily interactions with school principals and counselors. The Main Office is also a confidential space at times for conversations and interactions between school personnel and students.

Parents and caregivers are part of the equation, too. For any number of reasons, parents may be asked to come to their child’s school during the day. When that happens, parents should follow the district’s visitor procedures by using the school’s main entrance buzzer and intercom system to gain entrance to the school, and then signing in at the front desk.

If parents/caregivers do not have a meeting at the school but still need to come to the school during the day to see their child or to speak to a staff member, call-ahead notice or an appointment is required.

This ensures parents will be seen in a timely manner and upholds the safety practices of the school. To contact the Main Office, please call 440-284-8005

Our school address is: Ely Elementary, 312 Gulf Rd, Elyria, OH 44035

Our phone number will stay the same: 284-8005

First Student offers a live tracking app called FirstView that makes it easy for parents to follow the progress of their student's bus before and after school. This is helpful to allow you to see your students bus and in the event of a delay you could get the information quickly.

You can sign up here:

https://www.elyriaschools.org/departments/operations/transportation

Class lists will NOT be displayed on school grounds. You can see and access your child's teacher by logging into PowerSchool on August 17th. We are working hard finalizing class lists now- thank you for your patience.

• Here is the PowerSchool link https://ps-elyr.metasolutions.net/public/

Hoodies, and similar tops or jackets with hoods, are "fan favorites" when it comes to school attire. We like them, too, but not when they are worn up and over the head during the school day.

The district's Student Code of Conduct provides direction on headgear, stating that it may not be worn over a person's head or scalp (excluding headgear that's worn for religious or medical reasons.) Hoods can make it difficult to identify an individual in an emergency, and they can also be a distraction in class. Please remind students that hoods may not be worn up during the school day.

The Student Code of Conduct also offers guidance on attire. Clothing must be school appropriate and may not present a health or safety hazard or disrupt the educational environment. Pants and tops must fit properly and be in good repair; crop tops are not permitted.

Additionally, footwear must be school appropriate--slippers and slipper socks are not permitted. Blankets also may not be worn in school.

Students may bring their cell phones to school but they must be turned off and put away during the day unless they are used as a part of a teacher-directed lesson in class. Same rules apply to Bluetooth headphones--they may not be worn during the school day.

If you need to reach your student during the school day, please contact the main office and our staff will convey a message or assist you in reaching your student.

My Name is Julie Mallcott and I am so excited to be teaching kindergarten at Ely this year. I have been in Education for over 20 years. I have taught first grade, preschool, have been a special Education aide, and for the past 2 years I was a Title Tutor here at Ely. This will be my first year teaching Kindergarten. I am originally from Atlanta Georgia, I moved to the Cleveland area 12 years ago. I live in Avon with my husband, three dogs and three children. I will have two kids in college this year. One at Ohio State and the other at University of Cincinnati. I enjoy being outside, swimming, walking my dogs, hiking, and watching my kids play soccer. I also love vacationing, and spending time with my family and friends. I am really looking forward to this year and many more to come in Elyria.

Hi! My name is Miss Nemes and I am the intervention specialist for grades 1 and 2. In years prior, I taught kindergarten and was an intervention specialist for grades ranging from K to 4. I enjoy taking trips to Target and relaxing in my free time. I'm so happy to be at Ely this school year!

My name is Miss Curtis and I am excited to join the Ely Elementary family. I was born and raised on a farm in Avon, Ohio. I graduated from Ashland University with a Bachelors of Science double majoring in K-12 Moderate to Intense and Mild to Moderate Special Education. I am also currently in the process of earning my Masters of Science in Curriculum and Instruction. This will be my 8th year of teaching. Previously, I have taught at McKinley Elementary, Windsor Elementary, and Northwood Campus in Elyria. I currently live in Elyria with my bird Blanca and my Pomeranian Charlie. Some of my favorites are the color teal, Wild Berry Skittles, shopping, and pizza. I enjoy spending time with my friends and family, going camping, sitting around a bonfire, and working on my flower gardens.

My name is Rachael Jandziszak Dorsey, but you can call me Mrs. Dorsey! I am a University of Akron graduate with a Bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education. This will be my 8th year teaching! One year ago, my husband, dog, and I moved from Indianapolis, IN to Vermilion, OH. I love spending time outdoors and have enjoyed exploring the Metroparks and beaches near our new home. This will be my first year at Ely Elementary and I am so excited to join the Pioneer family!

My name is Miss Verlotti and this will be my 6th year teaching. Prior to this year, I was a preschool intervention specialist, in which I taught two of those years at Elyria Early Childhood Village. I enjoy spending time with my family, friends, and my two dogs. I am beyond excited to start my teaching journey at Ely Elementary, where I went to school as a child. I look forward to new memories and carrying on with old traditions that I still remember from my time as a student here.

As the new school year approaches, it is important to ensure students are prepared with all their necessary supplies and that they are on top of all their required immunizations.

Parents and guardians can view the Ohio Immunization Summary for School Attendance here. For children needing immunizations to meet State of Ohio requirements, parents and guardians can contact their family doctor, health clinic, or Lorain County Public Health Department.

For questions on school immunizations or to update your child’s medical information, contact the school clinic directly at 440-284-8021.

Like last year, students in kindergarten through eighth grade are starting the year with a staggered return, beginning Monday, Aug. 21.

The gradual start gives elementary and middle school students the opportunity to meet their teachers and learn their new schedules in smaller, more individualized settings.

Staggered start begins Monday, August 21th for grades K-8.

• 8/21-First day for students with last name A-G only (last names beginning H-Z DO NOT attend today)

• 8/22-Frist day for students with last name H-O only (last names beginning A-G and P-Z DO NOT attend today)

• 8/23-First day for students with last name P-Z only (last names beginning A-O DO NOT attend today)

8/24-First day of school for ALL students

Email: eastonbrandon@elyriaschools.org
Website: https://www.elyriaschools.org/ely
Location: 312 Gulf Road, Elyria, OH, USA
Phone: (440)284-8005
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/elyelementary
Twitter: @elyschool