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 had an exciting week at Elk Neck Elementary School! The kindergarteners had a great time on their field trip to Milburn Orchards, and we raised $900 for student activities with Bubble Gum Day!

We have several events to look forward to this week. The second grade is looking forward to their field trip on Monday, 9/30/24, to Fair Hill Nature Center. The trip is rain or shine, so second graders should dress accordingly. Tuesday, 10/1/24, is Custodial Appreciation Day! We are incredibly thankful for our custodial team and their care of our school to ensure that students and staff have a great place to learn and work. Volunteer Training will occur on Wednesday, 10/2/24. Volunteers must attend one training either at 9:30 a.m. or 4:30 p.m. Mrs. Cook is looking forward to our first Donuts for Grownups for the year, which will take place on Thursday, 10/3/24, at 8:00 a.m. The importance of attendance will be discussed as well as routines that will help your child be ready for school. Friday, 10/4/24, is Early Dismissal Day! Elementary students will be dismissed at 1:30 p.m.

Free and reduced meal benefit applications are available online at https://www.myschoolapps.com/Application. Meal benefit applications must be filled out each school year. If you received meal benefits last school year and you have not filled one out for this school year, your child’s benefits will expire on October 14, 2024. If you need a paper application you can pick one up at the school's main office, however we strongly suggest that you fill out the application online. Please be sure to fill out an application before October 14th. If you have received a NOTICE OF ELIGIBILITY FOR FREE MEALS letter you DO NOT need to apply as your student has already been approved. If you have any questions regarding meal benefits or anything related to school meals, please contact the Food & Nutrition office at (410) 996-6257.

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

DID YOU KNOW?

• Starting in preschool and kindergarten, too many absences can cause children to fall behind in school.

• Missing 10%, or about 2 days each month over the course of a school year, can make it harder to learn to read.

• Students can still fall behind if they miss just one or two days every few weeks.

• Being late to school may lead to poor attendance.

• Absences and tardiness can affect the whole classroom if the teacher has to slow down learning to help children catch up. Attending school regularly helps children feel better about school—and themselves. Start building this habit in preschool so they learn right away that going to school on time, every day is important. Eventually good attendance will be a skill that will help them succeed in high school and college.

Based on the 23-24 attendance data, we set two goals for our school in the area of attendance. Check it out!

2023-2024 ENES Attendance Data

• 59 students (13.8%) were chronically absent (absent 18 or more school days regardless of the reason)

• 1 student (.2%) was habitually truant (36 or more days of unexcused absences)

• 69 students (16%) were at risk for being chronically absent

• Monthly attendance average of 92.2%

Goal 1: Elk Neck Elementary will improve the monthly attendance by 2%.

Goal 2: Elk Neck Elementary will increase the percentage of students who are not considered chronically absent by 5%.

We will begin reporting weekly attendance data in October!

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 Kacey Marcinkevich and Kelly Winward for receiving the 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!

Congratulations to these amazing Elk Neck Retrievers who earned the Above and Beyond Award in September!

Penelope in Mrs. Webb's Class

Otto in Mrs. S's Class

Juniper in Mrs. O'Brien's Class

Hazel in Mrs. Taylor-Fink's Class

Colton in Mrs. Miller's Class

Brielle in Mrs. Walker's Class

Presley in Ms. Reilly's Class

Gentry in Ms. Moore's Class

MJ in Mrs. Blessing's Class

Audrina in Mrs. Hubb's Class

Charlee in Mrs. DiPietro's Class

Matthew in Mrs. Cantera's Class

Blake in Ms. Hilliker's Class

Cara in Mrs. Lyneis' Class

Aurora in Mr. Gilbert's Class

Kaylee in Mrs. Parker's Class

Ben in Mrs. Hartman's Class

Greysher in Mrs. Strauss' Class

Donuts for Grown Ups

Mark your calendars! Our next breakfast will be on 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.

Upcoming School Spirit Days!

• Oct. 2nd Blue Shirt Day (Bully Prevention Awareness Day)

In the coming weeks there will be a number of important dates related to local elections in Cecil County. On 10/9/24, the Cecil County Chamber of Commerce will host a General Election Candidate Forum beginning at 6:00 PM at the Milburn Stone Theater. This event is free and open to the public. Candidates for County Executive, County Council, and the Board of Education will be speaking.

On 10/22/24, the NAACP will host a candidate forum at Elkton High School beginning at 6:00 PM. All candidates for local office have been invited to participate.

The cutoff for voter registration is 10/15/24. Please visit the Maryland State Board of Elections for more information or to register to vote.

Local elections have a significant impact on our schools. Please make an effort to learn about the candidates running for local office and support and vote for those that are committed to supporting public education in Cecil County!

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 9:30 a.m. or 4:30 p.m. Please reach out with any questions!

Monday, 9/30/24

1st Marking Period Interim Period Ends

Grade 2 to Fair Hill Nature Center

Tuesday, 10/1/24

Custodial Appreciation Day! Thank you Missy, Christie, and Ra'Chelle!

Wednesday, 10/2/24

ENES Volunteer Training @ 9:30 a.m. or 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.

Tuesday, 10/8/24

Fire Prevention Assemblies for students

Friday, 10/11/24

Last Day for Joe Corbi's Orders