WEEKLY WONDERS
Back to School Edition
August 1- First Day of School
August 14- School Council Meeting
August 21- Picture Day
August 30- SCCPSS e-Learning Half Day
August 31- Deadline to Purchase Family Protection Plan (FPP)- See below
View the SCCPSS Academic calendar at this link.
View the SCCPSS Assessment calendar at this link.
Please read these newsletters thoroughly every week so that you are aware of that latest news and information from our school.
You must have a current email address and/or phone number on file in PowerSchool in order to receive the newsletters directly.
If you would like to opt in to receive the newsletter (and other school communication) via text, text "Yes" to the number 87569.
Stay in the know through Parent Access
- Attendance, Report Cards, Assignments, Grades, Forms and more to come!
Two Ways to Get Access:
1. Online Applications:
Families Tab
Student & Parent Tools
PowerSchool Parent Access
New parents can sign up and/or recover a previous account if you forgot your password within minutes
2. Paper Applications:
Available at the school site (and attached below)
New accounts or recover a previous account within 24hrs.
If you have questions, contact your student's teacher.
Ellis (like all SCCPSS schools) is 1:1 with student technology meaning that each student (Kindergarten through 8th grade) is assigned a device for them to use throughout the school year for assessments, classwork, etc.
This year, Kindergarten and 1st grade will be assigned iPads and 2nd-8th grades will be assigned Chromebooks.
It is IMPERATIVE for parents/guardians to sign the "Student Device Loan Form" in PowerSchool. Currently, the district requires this form to be signed annually. A paper copy of the form can be provided upon request (also attached below).
Generally, the devices will stay at school unless there is a scheduled SCCPSS e-Learning day or your student has permission to take the device home per parent request, but this varies by teacher/grade level. Talk to your student's teacher if you have questions or concerns.
It is optional, but HIGHLY RECOMMENDED that families purchase the Family Protection Plan (FPP) for $25 for each of their students' devices as you are financially responsible for any damage that may occur to the device (either at home or in the classroom). You can purchase the FPP through School Cash Online. The deadline to purchase the FPP is August 31st.
For help accessing the necessary forms on PowerSchool, click this link for instructions.
Hotspot devices (for use at home) are available on a first come, first served basis, if needed. Contact Ms. Lisa to request one.
If you have any questions about technology, contact Ms. Lisa (lisa.odonnell@sccpss.com).
7:55am- Doors open for student arrival
8:15am- Doors close and classes begin (If you arrive after this time, you MUST walk your student up to the front door and sign them in)
2:55pm- Dismissal process begins
If your student was at Ellis last year, your family dismissal number is the SAME.
Even if you have an Upper El (4th-6th grade) or Erdkinder (7th-8th grade) walker, you should know your family dismissal number in case of a severe weather dismissal. During a severe weather dismissal, NO student will be dismissed from school without an adult.
Arrival/Dismissal for car riders:
Front 49th St. Ramp:
- Primary (Pre-K and Kindergarten) students along with their older siblings, if applicable
- Lower El (1st-3rd grades) students along with their Primary siblings, if applicable
Back 48th St. Ramp:
- Upper El (4th-6th grades) students along with their Lower El siblings, if applicable
- Erdkinder (7th-8th grades) students along with their Lower El and Upper El siblings, if applicable
Arrival/Dismissal for walkers:
- Primary and Lower El (Pre-K through 3rd grade) can enter/dismiss from the McGillicuddy St. door/gate (see map below). A parent/guardian must walk them to the door and pick them up from this location. Please know your family's dismissal number.
- Upper El and Erdkinder students (4th-8th grades) MUST have digital/written permission on file with their teacher before they will be dismissed as a walker (without an adult) home or to McCauley Park.
- Lower El (1st-3rd grades) students can be dismissed as a walker to McCauley Park IF they have an older sibling to escort them AND they have digital/written permission from a parent/guardian on file with their teacher.
Please communicate any daily dismissal changes to your child's teacher(s) as soon as possible, but no later than 12pm so that we can ensure your child goes to the correct dismissal point.
The first few days of carpool always takes longer at the beginning of a new school year. Please have patience as we work to make the process as quick and smooth as possible over the first week or two of school.
Breakfast is FREE for all students. Breakfast closes at 8:15am, so if your child wants school breakfast please ensure that they arrive on time.
To add money to your student's lunch account, visit myschoolbucks.com.
About the School Counseling Program:
The School Counseling Program at Charles Ellis Montessori Academy strives to help students from an academic, social, and emotional standpoint as they navigate their early educational career and build relationships with their peers and community. We connect with students through a variety of ways, most notably through classroom instruction, small groups, or individually based on student need. In addition, we collect and analyze data to ensure that the School Counseling Program at Charles Ellis Montessori Academy is a comprehensive, research based, data-driven program.
We're honored to be here for your students in the 24-25 school year! As a reminder about attendance expectations, we wanted to highlight our school's attendance policy, per the Charles Ellis Montessori Academy Family Handbook.
Regular full-day school attendance is critical to the academic success of students. Parents are asked to follow the State & SCCPSS policies for attendance. It is expected that students will be punctual and prepared for a full day of learning. Administration views tardiness and early dismissals as a disruption to the learning environment and will act according to SCCPSS policy and procedure.
A written excuse is required for every student's absence. NEW THIS YEAR- FAMILIES CAN NOW UPLOAD ATTENDANCE EXCUSES DIRECTLY VIA PARENT POWERSCHOOL.
Please visit our school's Family Handbook for more information on attendance and other important protocols.
Resources:
We partner with The Collegiate Church of St. Paul the Apostle to provide the Backpack Buddies food program. If your child is on the free/reduced lunch program and could benefit from a bag of food for the weekends, let us know. In addition, we have some school supplies should there be a need.
We and our incredible school social worker are here to help! Here's to a fantastic 24-25!
Ms. Rebecca
912-395-5470 x71201
Ms. Ava
912-395-5470 x71243
Throughout the school year, Ellis has a school-wide focus on certain positive character traits. Each teacher may choose to highlight these "Grace & Courtesy" emphases differently, but as a school we follow a general common curriculum.
From August 1st-23rd, our school-wide Grace & Courtesy emphasis is RESPONSIBILITY.
The language of identifying Responsibility from "The Self-Awakened Child" series by Jonathan Wolff
When I do what I say I am going to do, I am being responsible.
When I make a mistake and tell the truth about what I did, I am taking responsibility for what I do and say.
When I do something that helps everyone and hurts no one, I am acting responsibly.
When I tell the truth about my sad, scary or angry feelings and I ask someone to help me feel better, I am taking responsibility for my feelings.
The PTA is a vital part of our school community. Anyone (grandparents, community members, etc.) who wants to support our students, staff, and school is encouraged to join the PTA.
Membership must be renewed yearly at this link. It only costs $7 to join.
If you are interested in becoming the lead on a PTA committee, contact one of our PTA co-presidents Lacey Wyland (lswyland14@gmail.com) or Diana McGaw (dianagurley@gmail.com).
- Your student's teacher
- SCCPSS website
- Ellis website
- Fellow school community members (via "Charles Ellis Montessori Academy PTA" Facebook group- search for it and join!)
Principal
Ms. Amanda
amanda.zito@sccpss.comVice Principal
Ms. Patrice
Ms. Cara
cara.bunkley@sccpss.comLibrary Media Technology Specialist
PTA Teacher Liaison
Ms. Lisa
Website: https://spwww.sccpss.com/schools/ellis/Pages/default.aspx
Location: 220 East 49th Street, Savannah, GA, USA
Phone: (912) 395-5470