The Panther Press
September 30, 2024
In This Issue of the Panther Press
- Both EVCS Campuses are launching a Room Parent Program! Read on for more details and if you are interested in supporting your child’s classroom as a Room Parent, please complete the Room Parent Sign Up Google Form!
- The October Days Park CA Meeting is this Wednesday, October 2, at 7 PM. Zoom Meeting link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82795980704
- Join us for some fall fun with the return of Trunk or Treat! Hosted by both of the Community Associations, this event features tasty treats and fantastic festivities! Event runs from 1-3 PM on October 26 at the Hertel Campus Parking Lot and is open to EVCS families that attend both Days Park and Hertel.
- You can sign up to volunteer to help with Trunk or Treat here: bit.ly/EVCStrunktreat
- Hertel Parents/Guardians: The Hertel CA Is hosting a special happy hour for Hertel parents and guardians on October 9, 5 to 7 PM at The Garage at 1127 Hertel Avenue.
- October 16 is Unity Day! Wear orange in support of kindness, acceptance, and inclusion.
- And much more! Read on for more news, updates, and opportunities.
EVCS Calendar
Upcoming Events
October 2 - Days Park CA Meeting at 7 PM
October 14 - Indigenous Peoples' Day, No School
October 16 - Unity Day (Wear Orange in Support of Bullying Prevention Month)
October 17 - Half-Day with Early Dismissal (Pick-Up/Walker Dismissal at 12:05 PM, Bus Dismissal at 12:30 PM) and Parent-Teacher Conferences
October 23 - Picture Day (All Students)
October 26 - Trunk or Treat (1-3 PM at the EVCS Hertel Campus Parking Lot)
October 30 - Hertel CA Meeting at 7 PM
EVCS School Calendar 24-25
REMINDER:
Doors open at 7:40 AM
School day begins at 8 AM
Pick-up/walking dismissal begins at 3:05 PM
Dismissal for students taking the bus begins at 3:15 PM
EVCS NEWS, EVENTS, & INFORMATION
EVCS is adding a Room Parent Program! ✨
In a typical school year, students are in school 35 hours per week for 40 weeks in a year - making a student’s classroom like a home away from home. We know that there are many pieces of the social fabric of a classroom that may live outside the scope of a teacher’s role, but that lead to a fulfilling year for all students and their families.
In order to help with the logistics of these touchpoints and partner with EVCS in building strong classroom communities, EVCS is bringing back the role of a Room Parent.
What is a Room Parent? This is meant to be a huge value add to all the families in a classroom, but also a minimal lift on the parent who steps forward to fulfill this role.
Ideally, a Room Parent will:
Organize a communication stream for parents in the classroom - this can look like a Remind, an email distribution list, a phone/text tree. It can look like whatever best fits the majority of the parents in a given room.
Gather and distribute contact information to families to facilitate friendly communication about things like play dates, birthday parties, etc. as they arise (Note: This applies only to parents that agree to have their information shared).
Plan and execute two weekend social opportunities for all families to attend - ideally one in the fall and one in the spring.
Attend CA meetings (once a month; always over Zoom) and communicate back all important information from those meetings.
If you are interested in supporting your child’s classroom as a Room Parent, please complete the Room Parent Sign Up Google Form!
Unity Day: October 16
Wear Orange in Support of Bullying Prevention Month 🧡
Wear orange (shirts, socks, accessories) to send visible message of building commUNITY through kindness, acceptance, and inclusion to prevent bullying.
This annual tradition is part of National Bullying Prevention Month.
Community Associations Host Trunk or Treat
🎃 Fall Fun on October 26! 🎃
The Days Park Community Association and Hertel Community Association are joining forces once more to host the annual Trunk or Treat!
Trunk or treat features tasty treats, a food truck, dancing, and more festivities!
The event is October 26, from 1 to 3 PM at the Hertel Campus Parking Lot (665 Hertel Avenue) and open to ALL EVCS families that attend Days Park and Hertel.
Want to help out with Trunk or Treat? Host a truck, pass out popcorn, and more! Sign up to volunteer here: bit.ly/EVCStrunktreat
Dismissal Reminders
A few reminders to help arrival and dismissal run more smoothly:
- Please remember to update School Dismissal Manager (SDM) with any dismissal changes.
- If your child is participating in a sport or after school activity, it is important to update SDM listing which activity they are participating in AND their dismissal plan after the activity/club has finished. This will allow dismissal to run more smoothly for all.
Need help?
Please contact Estefany Hall (Days Park) at ehall@elmwoodvillageschool.org or NaShomi Shaffer (Hertel) at nshaffer@elmwoodvillageschool.org.
Nurses' Notes
Reminders from the Health Office
**PLEASE NOTE**
Without an up-to-date physical, students may be excluded from after school activities and/or field trips. Updated physicals are also REQUIRED to participate in school sports.
Days Park Nurse Email: nursedp@elmwoodvillageschool.org
Days Park Confidential Fax Line: (716) 884-0010
Hertel Nurse Contact: sbudzinski@elmwoodvillageschool.org
Hertel Confidential Fax Link: (716) 464-3560
Make sure your student has an updated physical and immunizations!
Swag Sale
Represent EVCS with Custom Merch!
We have launched the first of four swag sales for the school year!
Browse hoodies, t-shirts, and more and place your order online.
Deadline for the Q1 Swag Sale has been extended! Place your orders by October 17, 2024!
Interest Form for 2024-2025 School Year
As we make the switch to a new application platform, we want to make sure everyone in the community has an opportunity to still express their interest in applying to the CURRENT school year (2024-2025).
If you know someone who is interested in joining EVCS for our current school year, please share this form with them: bit.ly/EVCSInterestForm_2425
EVCS COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION NEWS AND EVENTS
Get Involved with the Community Association
The EVCS Community Associations sponsor events and fundraisers to support school activities that enrich the experiences of our community and that align with the Mission of the Elmwood Village Charter Schools.
Interested in getting involved? Email your campus CA to get started!
Days Park CA Email Address: daysparkca@elmwoodvillageschool.org
Hertel CA Email Address: hertelca@elmwoodvillageschool.org
Next Days Park CA Meeting: October 2 at 7 PM. Zoom Meeting link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82795980704
Next Hertel CA Meeting: October 30 at 7 PM. Zoom Meeting link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85415189940
Signing up to volunteer for upcoming CA events is a great way to get involved. Many volunteer opportunities are available for Trunk or Treat, sign up here: bit.ly/EVCStrunktreat
Hertel CA Happy Hour
Join the Hertel Community Association
The Hertel Community Association is hosting a special happy hour for Hertel parents and guardians on October 9, 5 to 7 PM at The Garage at 1127 Hertel Avenue.
It is a fantastic opportunity to meet with your CA and connect with fellow EVCS Hertel parents and guardians!
EVCS OUT IN THE COMMUNITY
Mrs. Badger featured on Daytime Buffalo
In addition to teaching music at EVCS Hertel, Mrs. Badger owns a boutique! She recently sat down with Daytime Buffalo to discuss fall fashion trends.
Mr. Williamson Title Match with Buffalo Championship Wrestling
Did you know that our very own Hertel Assistant Principal, Mr. Williamson, participates in the local wrestling promotion - Buffalo Championship Wrestling? This past Saturday, he participated in a title match!
Check out the picture above of his wrestling alter ego with some of the EVCS staff who attended to cheer him on!
COMMUNITY EVENTS & RESOURCES
SAVE THE DATE: WNY Girls in Sports
United Way Hosts New Event October 26
WNY Girls in Sports are events hosted by the United Way of Buffalo & Erie County to promote fitness and sports among girls in the WNY community.
The next event is October 26 from 11 am to 2:30 PM at Murchie Family Fieldhouse, 105 Webster Rd, Amherst, NY 14228.
More details to follow!
PARENT RESOURCES
Records Requests, Withdrawals, & Address Changes
Withdrawals - If you are looking to withdraw your child from attending EVCS, please complete the Withdrawal Form: bit.ly/WithdrawEVCS
Address Changes & Transportation Application - If your address changes, please complete the Change of Address Form: bit.ly/AddressEVCS.
You will be required to provide a new proof of residence and if your child takes a bus, please complete a new Transportation Application: bit.ly/EVCSBUS
BPS Transportation Hotline: (716) 816-4895
Parent Handbooks
Our Parent Handbooks are additional guides to help you understand the culture, organization, and logistics of EVCS.
SDM Clinic Recording
Please view the video below for an overview of the basics of School Dismissal Manager (SDM).
SDM is an important tool for all EVCS families, as it is how you inform the school about dismissal plans, absences, late arrivals, and more. In order to ensure a safe and smooth dismissal process, parents/guardians should make sure to utilize SDM.
EVCS Mission Statement
“The Elmwood Village Charter Schools will provide a stimulating and engaging learning environment that recognizes student capability, fosters their connectedness to their immediate and broader communities, and offers them ways to contribute to school life. EVCS believes that all students can and will learn at high levels when provided with the right learning conditions.”
We put students first. We act with urgency. We seek to be better. We work as a team.