Elk Neck Express

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

Who To Contact Document

Hello Elk Neck Elementary Families,

We can't believe it's the first day of fall! We've loved seeing students adjust to routines in the school and classroom and our staff back doing what they love. This week, students will attend a PBIS Assembly to revisit our PBIS expectations (Be Safe, Be Respectful, Be Responsible). Ask your child about the PBIS expectations at Elk Neck!

On Friday, 9/27/24, we will have our first Bubblegum Day! Bubblegum will be sold (2 pieces for $1) with a purchase amount limit of $5. Squishies will also be sold for students who are unable to chew bubblegum. Squishies will be $1 and limited to one per student. Pre-k students will only be sold squishies. The funds from Bubblegum Day will be used to support student activities throughout the school year.

We've had several calls with families requesting a change in transportation. For student safety, please note that students are only permitted one bus and one bus stop. Also, should you need to change how your child is transported home, please notify Mrs. Tahaney and Mrs. Cloud in writing by 3:00 p.m. on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday. Should a transportation change be needed on Wednesday, please notify Mrs. Tahaney and Mrs. Cloud in writing by 1:00 p.m Thank you for your help in making sure all of our students get home safely.

As always, we are here to serve our families, students, teachers, and the community. Should you have any questions or concerns, please don't ever hesitate to contact us. Please reference the Who To Contact document to reach the staff member who can best respond to your need.

Sincerely,

Mrs. Ashlee Groce, Principal

Mrs. Kimberly Whitney, Asst. Principal

Parents, would you like to know more about what your child is learning this school year? Our district has provided many resources for families, including course overviews, that you can access online. Below, you will find links to access these resources. If you have any trouble, please let us know.

ENES Curricukum Overview Documents

Early Childhood
English Language Arts
Mathematics
Science
Social Studies

Fine Arts and Physical Education/Personal Wellness

The 2024-2025 Free & Reduced Meal Benefit Applications are now available online. Please go to the following link to fill out the application: https://www.myschoolapps.com/Application.

If you filled out an application last school year, you must complete a new one for this school year. If you have any questions, please call the Food & Nutrition Office at (410) 996-6257.

Congrats to our third-grade teacher, Paula Cantera, and our nurse, Theresa Robinson for receiving our first Golden Retriever Award for going above and beyond at the start of this school year! Elk Neck is so fortunate to have staff like you in our Elk Neck Family!

Donuts for Grown Ups

Mark your calendars! Our next breakfast will be on Thursday, October 3rd at 8:00 am. Our topic will be the importance of attendance and how to help your child have better back-to-school routines. We hope you can join us! Invitations will come home with your child next week.

Individual Guidance/Group Counseling:

Please feel free to contact Mrs. Cook if you are concerned about your child and would like to seek individual or group counseling for him/her. Some common concerns that we can assist your child with; academic progress, peer relations, family changes, behavioral changes, stress/anxiety, self-esteem, and responsible behaviors..

Mrs. Cook will be starting small counseling groups on Grief counseling, Self-Esteem, Friendship Skills, Changing Families, Self-Regulation, Aiming High (Academic Skills), and Trauma. Please let me know if you feel that your child may benefit from small group counseling sessions. alcook@ccpps.org or 410-996-5030

Weekend Food Bags

If your family is experiencing financial hardship, food bags are available for your child over the weekends. Please contact Amy Cook, School Counselor (410-996-5030 if you would like to register your child for this program.

Parenting Tips

The first character trait we focus on with our Elk Neck Retrievers is RESPECT. Ask your child how many paw prints their class has earned for displaying respect, responsibility, and safety throughout our school building. Ask them what they are excited to earn as a class.

Ways to encourage your child to show RESPECT:

• Using good manners: Saying "please" and "thank you" regularly, holding doors open, and complimenting others

• Being kind: Treating others well, not name-calling, and allowing others to express their opinions

• Being considerate: Listening to others, not talking over them, and looking people in the eye when they speak

• Being responsible: Apologizing when they make a mistake and admitting when they're wrong

• Being open: Sharing their wants and needs, and confiding in others when they have a problem

• Being empathetic and being a good friend to others

• Being respectful of others and accepting others

• Including others who may feel left out

We need your help! Our school is looking forward to having volunteers support the work that happens in our schools. Please fill out THIS form to indicate your interest and a member of our team will follow-up with you about attending a volunteer training session. Elk Neck Elementary will have their volunteer training on Wednesday, 10/2/24, at 4:30 p.m. Please reach out with any questions!

Please join us for our first SECAC meeting of the year. September 26, 2024, from 6:00-7:30 pm at the Administrative Services Building 900 North East Road. We want to hear from you!

Dinner & Presentation: "Writing Conferences as a Path to Independent Writing" with Dr. Vicki McQuitty of the Maryland Writing Project

Tuesday, September 24th; 5-7:00pm @ Fairwinds Farm in North East

CCLC Members= $19, Non-Members= $30

Whether you teach or you parent, enjoy a pit beef dinner and learn how to hold results-oriented conversations about writing with kids, regardless of their age.

Tuesday, 9/26/24

PBIS Assembly for students

Wednesday, 9/25/24

Hat Day!

Thursday, 9/26/24

Kindergarten Field Trip to Milburn Orchards

Friday, 9/27/24

Bubblegum Day! See above for more information.

Monday, 9/30/24

1st Marking Period Interim Period Ends

Grade 2 to Fair Hill Nature Center

Wednesday, 10/2/24

ENES Volunteer Training @ 4:30 p.m.

Thursday, 10/3/24

Donuts for Grown-ups @ 8:00 a.m.

Friday, 10/4/24

Early Dismissal @ 1:30 p.m.