News from Eli Terry
Week of September 8th, 2023
A Note from Your Principals
Did you know World Gratitude Day is celebrated annually on September 21st?? This day aims to remind us of the importance of expressing gestures of thanks and appreciation.
Celebrating this day, not only on the 21st but throughout the year, aligns perfectly to the feelings identified in Eli Terry’s “Charter”; the document outlining how we want to feel when spending time together in our school. We agreed that we’d like to feel: supported, valued, connected, included, and trusted.
One way we can ensure we have these feelings is by sharing our gratitude for all the amazing things our community members do for one another! Research shows that practicing gratitude actually invites joy into our own lives.
As a result, we are continuing our Eli Terry Community “Shout Out” initiative!
We encourage every member of our school (staff and parents/families) to practice gratitude by sharing their appreciation(s) for any member of our ET community. It may be another colleague, parent/family member, district employee, bus driver, 4th R counselor, or a student, etc.) who has done something that deserves a "shout out". “Shout outs” can be submitted quickly and easily using the Google Form linked below and "shout outs" will be celebrated during staff meetings/PTO meetings, over morning announcements, on our monitor displays, or in "shout out" cards throughout the school year.
Last year we received and shared 202 "shout outs". Let's aim to spread even more gratitude and joy this year!
Important Health and Safety Updates
Keeping our students, staff, and visitors safe is of the utmost importance. In order to do so, it is necessary to have procedures in place and practice them throughout the year. As you may know, schools are mandated by state law to practice emergency drills each month, which include fire drills, evacuations, and lockdown procedures. This morning we conducted our first lockdown drill. This was a planned and announced drill. Students and staff were not in danger, and all students and staff were briefed before and after the drill occurred. If your child comes home and expresses fear or anxiety about this drill, or our first fire drill, please talk with him/her about the importance of practicing these procedures. They are only intended to keep everyone in our school safe.
We are also looking for your support in keeping students safe on the bus. As a result, we are asking you to remind your child/ren that food and/or drink is NOT permitted on the school bus. This critical policy ensures the health, safety, and well being of all our students.
Eating/drinking on the bus:
- Poses a significant, even deadly, risk to our students with life threatening food allergies.
- Poses a choking hazard to even our oldest and/or responsible students.
- Impacts the cleanliness of our buses; creating unnecessary work for our bus drivers.
Thank you for your partnership. Working together we can ensure that all our students have a positive and safe school experience!
A Peek Inside Our Week
Looking for an Early Release Wednesday Option?
Here is the link to explore program offerings and register:
4th & 5th Grade Families - From Ms. Kwiczor
Just a reminder, Instrumental Music lessons begin on Monday!
Information and schedules have been posted in your child's Band or Orchestra Seesaw.
Contact Ms. Kwiczor if you have any questions.
Upcoming PTO Events
Reach out to Rachel Goetz, event chair, with any questions: rgoetz1013@gmail.com.
Peace at Home Parenting - September Newsletter
Mark Your Calendars!
- Early Release Wednesdays - 12:45 dismissal (begin 9/13 and continue through 12/22)
- Open House - Wednesday, September 13th, 6:30-8PM
- **Virtual** PTO Meeting - Wednesday, September 20th, 7-8PM (Meet link to come!)
- PTO's Movie Night - Friday, September 22nd, 2023, 6:45PM-movie end
- Fall Picture Day - Thursday, September 28th
Remember...any of the above events can be quickly added to your own Google Calendar just by clicking the blue hyperlink!
Events in the Larger South Windsor Community
Want Access to a Previous Newsletter?
If you would like access to ALL previous newsletters you can find them here!