WEEKLY WONDERS

Week of September 9, 2024

Pictured above: Small groups of Lower Elementary students worked with Master Gardener Julie Thomas and volunteers Ms. Billie and Mr. Ted (Grandparents to Noel and Grace) to plant potatoes in the raised bed gardens Friday morning. This is a farming experiment where students will observe and measure the growth of their potatoes and record the progress in their journals. We know that we are ahead of the typical planting season for potatoes and will also add carrots and radishes to our crops this fall. Students will be tending their crops regularly until it is time to harvest. At that time, volunteers will guide students in their harvest as well as food prep for their classmates.

This opportunity was organized by Ms. Angie - Ellis technology teacher, garden lead, and UGA Master Gardener.

Photo by: Ms. Donna

Important Dates

September 7- PTA Primary Playdate

September 16- JC Lewis Mobile Heath Unit Onsite

September 25- PTA Spirit Night @ Chipotle

September 27- Donation Dress Down Day

September 27- Deadline to Purchase/Return Photo Packets

View the SCCPSS Academic calendar at this link.

View the SCCPSS Assessment calendar at this link.

PTA Primary Playdate

If you have a Pre-K or Kindergarten student, please join our PTA for a playdate at Hull Park on Saturday, September 7th, from 1:30-3pm.

This is a great opportunity to meet and connect with other families in our school community. We hope to see you there!

Student Photo Packets

Student photo packets were distributed to homeroom teachers and they should have made their way home by now.

This is a fundraiser for our school! Strawbridge donates a small portion of every purchase to Ellis...so we appreciate your support!
Photo packets should be purchased and/or returned by Friday, September 27th.
You can purchase online at Strawbridge.net using the code in the packet or you may send cash or check (payable to Strawbridge Studios) to school in the envelope provided.
Make-up picture day is October 15th for anyone who was absent or who does not like their photo. More information about this will be sent out to families via this newsletter closer to time.

If you have any questions, contact Ms. Lisa (lisa.odonnell@sccpss.com).

JC Lewis Mobile Health Services

The J.C. Lewis mobile health care unit will be at Ellis on Monday, September 16th, from 8:15am-11:15am.

Pre-registration is required. Completed forms are due to Nurse Chris (Christine.Oboyle@sccpss.com) no later than Monday, September 9th.

The mobile unit will have tentative visits to Ellis each month and the schedule is to be determined.

You can find more information (including PDF copies of the required paperwork) on the Ellis website.

Help PTA Stock the Staff Lounge

If you would like to help the PTA stock the staff lounge, you can scan the QR codes on the flyer below or click the following links:

Amazon Registry

Target Registry

School Counseling

If you haven't yet seen our September School Counseling Newsletter, please click here. Let us know if we can be of assistance to you and yours. Resources are available on the School Counseling Website including a list of mental health professionals.

Following the tragedy in Winder, GA this week, here are some ideas about calming fears of our children, and possibly ourselves:

Check out the children's book, The Breaking News.
Limit exposure to television and the news.
Listen to fears and concerns, of your children, and your own.
Families and adults need to first assess their own responses to crisis and stress.
Rebuild and reaffirm attachments and relationships.
Review this helpful PBS Kids article: Helping Children with Tragic Events in the News

Let us know if we can be of assistance to you and yours. Resources are available on the School Counseling Website including a list of mental health professionals.

Ms. Rebecca

912-395-5470 x71201

rebecca.burkhart@sccpss.com

Ms. Ava

912-395-5470 x71243

ava.woodie@sccpss.com

Athletic Event Information

The information below is from the SCCPSS district regarding athletic event attendance:

All children under the age of 15 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian in order to enter all SCCPSS high school athletic contests and the following middle school athletic contests: football, track, and all playoff games.

Anyone entering a SCCPSS athletic contest who appears to be under the age of 15 will be required to show identification for age verification. (School ID with DOB, State ID, Driver’s License, Driver's Learners Permit, Valid Passport)

Spectators under the age of 15 may purchase a ticket and must enter with a parent or guardian who has purchased a ticket.

Parents or guardians are required to remain in attendance at the game with their child.

If no identification is available, spectators who appear to be under the age of 15 must purchase a ticket and enter with a parent or guardian who has purchased a ticket.

Identification will be verified by event staff prior to entering the security screening area.

Signage will be placed strategically as additional notification prior to arriving at the event entry point.

Grace & Courtesy Focus

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 26th - September 13th, our school-wide Grace & Courtesy emphasis is KINDNESS.

The Language of Kindness from "The Self-Awakened Child" Series by Jonathan Wolff:

When I care about how other people feel as much as I care about my own feelings, I am being kind.
When I am a good friend to others-- to people, to animals, and plants-- and help them be the best they can be, I am being kind.
When I treat myself, other people, animals, and plants gently and with love, I am being kind.

Community Library Use

Parents/guardians are WELCOME and ENCOURAGED to utilize the use of our school library to check out books.

A community account can be created for you to check out up to 10 books for a loan period of two weeks.

The library is open to families after school until 3:30pm.

Contact Ms. Lisa (lisa.odonnell@sccpss.com) with any questions.

PTA Student Grant Opportunity

The Ellis PTA is now accepting student proposals for their annual "Do Good Things" grant program. The application is attached below.

Proposals may be for projects that give back or enhance our community here or outside of Charles Ellis Montessori Academy.

The deadline to submit a proposal to charlesellismontessoripta@gmail.com is Friday, October 11, 2024.

pdf

insert_drive_file

PTA_Do Good Things Grant_2024.pdf

Download

238.7 KB

Questions?

If you have any questions, don't hesitate to reach out. You have resources available to you:

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!)