Elk Neck Express
September 1, 2024
11.3.24
Elk Neck Elementary School
Ashlee Groce, Principal, ajgroce@ccps.org
Kimberly Whitney, Assistant Principal, krwhitney@ccps.org
Website: https://enes.ccps.org/
Location: 41 Racine School Rd., Elkton, MD, 21921
Phone: 410.996.5030
A Message from the Principal
Hello Elk Neck Elementary Families,
We hope that you enjoyed the extra hour of sleep this weekend! We've made it to November and the end of the first marking period on Wednesday. It's hard to believe we're already through 25% of the school year. Parents/guardians can contact their child's teacher to schedule a conference at any time.
Please note that schools are closed for students on Tuesday, November 5, 2024, for Election Day! I encourage all families to get out and vote. If possible, take your child so that they can learn more about the voting and election process.
We receive many phone calls throughout the year regarding attendance letters. CCPS Policy states that we must notify parents/guardians in writing when a student has accumulated 4, 8, 12, and 16 absences regardless of whether or not the absences are excused or unexcused. The notification is a computer-generated letter with consistent wording and format for all CCPS schools. We appreciate your understanding of this policy.
As always, we are here to serve our families, students, teachers, and the community. Should you have any questions or concerns, please don't hesitate to contact us. Please reference the Who To Contact document to reach the staff member who can best respond to your needs.
Sincerely,
Mrs. Ashlee Groce, Principal
Mrs. Kimberly Whitney, Asst. Principal
Flu Vaccine
The Cecil County Health Department will be holding a flu vaccine clinic for students at Elk Neck on Wednesday, 11/13/24, at 10:30 a.m.. If you wish for your child to receive the flu vaccination at school, please send in the signed notice of consent.
Thanksgiving Luncheon
I am happy to report that it is time to host our Thanksgiving Luncheon on November 21, 2024. As a reminder, due to the limited seating capability we have split the Thanksgiving Luncheon and the Winter Holiday Luncheon to ensure we have adequate space and can accommodate no more than two guests per student effectively. For the Thanksgiving Luncheon, we are inviting guests of students whose last name begins with A-K. All students will have the opportunity to purchase or receive a holiday luncheon on both days regardless of their last name. Please click the link below for more information.
Attendance
We have begun tracking daily and weekly attendance percentages as we monitor progress towards our school goal of having a 94% or better monthly attendance average for our school.The grade level attendance averages for the week of 10/21/24 are below.
Pre-kindergarten: 94% (decrease)
Kindergarten: 91% (decrease)
Grade 1: 94% (increase)
Grade 2: 93% (decrease)
Grade 3: 93% (decrease)
Grade 4: 92% (decrease)
Grade 5: 94% (decrease)
Schoolwide average: 93% (decrease)
BrightPath: A Free Mental Health Resource for Elk Neck Families
Counselor's Corner
PBIS NEWS ALERT:
Congrats to Mrs. Miller’s Class who recently earned their first Golden Paw Print!
We have had 24 sunshine calls so far in October.
Winter Coats
Cold weather is coming, if your child is in need of a Winter coat please let Mrs. Cook know! We would be happy to assist your family. alcook@ccps.org or 410-996-5030
Toys for Tots Holiday Help
If your family is experiencing financial hardship and would like to know more about our Toys for Tots program. Please contact Amy Cook, School Counselor, at 410-996-5030, if you would like to register your child for this program or respond using this Toys for Tots Request Link
Parenting Advice
Most kids struggle with homework from time to time. But kids who learn and think differently may struggle more than others. Understanding the homework challenges your child faces can help you reduce stress and avoid battles.
How to Help Your Child Who Struggles with Homework
Schedule: Try creating a homework schedule and set a specific time and place for your child to get homework done. Use a timer to help your child stay on track and get a better sense of time.
Note-taking isn’t an easy skill for some kids. Try some of these Note Taking Strategies Use sticky notes to mark a page of reading they do not understand and write a question down.
Studying: create a checklist of all the steps that go into studying. Have your child mark off each one. Lists can help kids monitor their work.
Organization: Help your child keep their backpack organized. See these organization tips
Working memory: If your child has trouble with verbal memory, try using visual study aids like graphs, maps, or drawings.
Motivation: Show your child that adults have homework too. Reward your child for great effort!
Breatbreaks: Take a brain break before homework or in between assignments. Short brain breaks during work time have been shown to have real benefits. They reduce stress, anxiety, and frustration. And they can help kids focus and be more productive.
Create a Homework Caddy-include pencils, paper, glue, crayons, etc., .. necessary to complete homework
Local Elections
Recently, Board of Education candidates met to share their ideas and platforms. The links to the Cecil TV recordings can be found below.
Cecil Chamber Candidate Forum, October 9 2024, Board of Education - District 1, Dianne Heath
Important Dates
Tuesday, 11/5/24
Election Day! Schools closed for students and 10 month staff. Get out and vote!
Wednesday, 11/6/24
Last Day of the First Marking Period
Thursday, 11/7/24
Second Marking Begins
Goal Setting Assembly for Students
Friday, 11/8/24
Early Dismissal Day! Students dismiss at 1:30 p.m.
Monday, 11/11/24
National School Psychology Awareness Week!
Veteran's Day Assembly @ 9:30 a.m. - Wear red, white and blue!
Tuesday, 11/12/24
Eat for Elk Neck @ The North East Store
Wednesday, 11/13/24
Joe Corbi's Pick Up (Time TBD)
Thursday, 11/21/24
Thanksgiving Luncheon (see letter above)
Family Math Night @ 5:30 p.m.
Friday, 11/22/24
Turkey Trot for all students during grade level special times.
Wednesday, 11/27/24 - Friday, 11/29/24
Thanksgiving Break - No school for students.
