Cheetah Pride Press

Families,

It was such a pleasure to see so many families at our Open House evenings. I hope you found your time with all of our professional staff to be valuable. As is always the case, you are welcome to reach out to me and Andrea with any additional questions you may have. We want all of our students and families to look forward to their Memorial School experiences.

Fall officially arrives on Sunday. And right on cue, our daytime temperatures will begin dropping into the 60’s this weekend. Grab those sweaters and enjoy the many autumn events and activities that New England has to offer.

Have a wonderful weekend!

Joey and Andrea

Mrs. Evan's class teamed up with Mrs. Clark's class to practice starting with hello. They had to design something to keep as many bears as possible off the "lava".

We are thrilled to have Barnabas, our therapy dog, back at Memorial School. He and his handler, Coby, will be here, spreading love, patience, and joy every other Wednesday afternoon.

Preschoolers learned, made and surveyed all things applesauce!

A PAWsitive office referral is submitted when a staff member recognizes a student who is going above and beyond to exemplify one of our three school rules - taking care of others, taking care of self, & taking care of things.

Mrs. Opgaard is a paraprofessional at Memorial School. She comes to school each day with a positive attitude. Mrs. Opgaard is always willing to help out students and teachers in any way possible. Her hard work is truly appreciated!

Ms. Andrea Winiarski is the district K-5 Math/Science Coordinator and 3-5 Math Specialist. This is her sixth year in East Hampton after previously working as a classroom teacher and instructional coach in East Hartford. She is very excited about our K-5 math program, Bridges in Mathematics, and can’t wait for students to explore new concepts and hear the amazing mathematical discourse that will soon echo in the halls. Ms. Winiarski works at both Memorial and Center and enjoys working with students across the district. Her favorite thing about math is encouraging all mathematicians to find multiple ways to solve problems and show different ways of thinking.

Mrs. Elisabeth Ellis is the K-2 Math Specialist. This is her seventh year in East Hampton after previously working as a classroom teacher in Middletown. Prior to becoming a math specialist, she taught kindergarten, grade 1 and grade 5. Mrs. Ellis has always had a passion for math. She loves being able to go into different classrooms to talk with Memorial Mathematicians. Her favorite thing about math is using manipulatives to show her thinking. Keep an eye out around town for Mrs. Ellis and her three children who are always busy with sports!

Mrs. Abby Skarvelas is the 2-3 Literacy Specialist, and ELA Team Leader at Memorial School. This is her tenth year in East Hampton where she also spent her time as a second grade teacher. Before joining the Memorial team, she was a literacy coach and first grade teacher in New Haven. Her favorite thing about Memorial is the sense of community and the smiles she sees on students’ faces every day. Reading is her passion and she enjoys working to find ways to meet the needs of all learners. This year, she is looking forward to supporting teachers with piloting new literacy programs. When she is not at school, her daughters Alexandra (age 5 ½) and Ellie (age 4) keep her very busy!

Mrs. Kerry Liebler is the K-1 Literacy Specialist at Memorial. This is her fourth year in East Hampton. Prior to that, she was a classroom teacher and instructional coach in East Hartford. Mrs. Liebler enjoys getting into the classrooms and engaging with students during their literacy activities. She especially enjoys an interactive read aloud. Mrs. Liebler is looking forward to meeting the needs of the students with a new intervention program this school year. In her free time, you can find Mrs. Liebler curled up with a good book!

Mrs. Wendy Sturmer has been working as a paraeducator at Memorial for seventeen years. She loves teaching literacy and math to students in grades K-3. Her favorite thing about Memorial is the relationships she makes with students in her groups and watching them utilize what they are learning, making progress, and becoming self-assured and confident young learners each and every day. When she is not at Memorial, she can be found enjoying time with family and friends, traveling, and cuddling with one of her two kitty cats.

Mrs. Alexis Tammaro joined the Memorial Cheetahs in 2021 as a Math and Literacy Paraeducator. She’s really excited to kick off the new school year with our young learners, and is especially excited to engage students in the Bridges into Mathematics and S.P.I.R.E programs. Mrs. Tammaro really enjoys her time with the students, helping them grow, encouraging them to learn something new every day, and to not give up on themselves! She has two children who also attend Memorial, and is so excited to be a part of the community more. You can usually catch Mrs. Tammaro enjoying the outdoors with her family either on their boat, or exploring our beautiful state parks. She has a passion for always learning new things, be it with trying new recipes or helping her husband build something for the house.

Mrs. Linda Glaude is a Literacy and Math Paraeducator. This is her twenty-seventh year at Memorial. Her favorite thing about Memorial is how the staff collaborates and builds the confidence of all our young learners. She especially enjoys the occasions when a student has an “aha” moment when they discover that they can solve a problem that once was difficult. She is looking forward to welcoming new friends to the Reading Center and Math Lab this year. In her free time she can often be found walking with her dog on the airline trail or enjoying some kayaking adventures. She also loves reading books and spending time with her granddaughter.

Mrs. Sarah Moore-Riddell has worked for Memorial as a literacy paraeducator for 7 years. She really enjoys working with kids in smaller groups, helping them persevere with new concepts. This year she gets to be involved with math groups and supporting the Bridges program with enthusiasm and eagerness. Mrs. Moore-Riddell especially feels rewarded after a student smiles when an idea clicks. In addition to loving Memorial school, she loves her daughter who is currently in 8th grade as well as hiking, reading, and playing/watching all kinds of sports. She is looking forward to a great year with many milestones to achieve.

MATH AND LITERACY INTERVENTION SERVICES

The East Hampton Public Schools uses assessment data to measure student growth and skill development in both math and literacy. Through universal assessments, the reading and math department identifies students who may need additional tiers of support to demonstrate grade level skill attainment. Our reading and math department started meeting with students for additional support based on spring data the week of September 9th. Once our fall assessments are completed, we will review student needs to determine changes to services or groupings of students. The reading and math department communicates directly with families regarding any additional services.

Hi everybody,

We hope you all had a great summer!

PE class has been going great, we've been able to get outside everyday of the new school year so far! Hopefully this third week of Sept. will be the start to a long stretch of nice, cooler fall weather!

The children have been settling into our PE class routines, with our warmups first, including stretching and fitness running/jogging, and then our PE units and lessons, which involve our skills activities. In Sept. Our skill activities are: 1) soccer skills, foot skills with a ball, dribbling and passing and receiving with a partner, 2) lacrosse skills including throwing, catching, ground balls (scooping), and cradling, 3) fitness stations, and 4) the rock-climbing wall.

Our warm ups focus on balance, strength, power, speed, cardiovascular endurance, flexibility, and agility. Our skills units are our curriculum and standards set forth by the state and in coordination with the national standards and trends. Many of our objectives and goals are attained by incorporating games into our units that stress and highlight those skills and movements we are working on at that time.

Pre K, K, and Grade 1: We have focused on developing healthy routines and habits through exercise and skills games that will help them feel confident and comfortable during play and with their friends. Our cardiovascular activity is the run/walk start to each class, when outside we do a ¼ mile for K and ½ mile for Grade 1, with students often running more. We just ask that each student just try their best and give their best effort. Kindergarten and Grade 1 have PE class two times a week for a total of 90 min., Pre K has PE class for a total of 40 min. per week. We set up fitness/skill stations on the days we can't get outside (none yet!).

Grade 2 and Grade 3: We have focused on preparing the children for the State Physical Fitness Testing Program that they will take in grades 4, 6, 8, and 10, during our warmups. Our cardiovascular activity is the run/walk start to each class, when outside we do a 3/4 mile for Grade 2 and 1 mile for Grade 3, with students often running more. We just ask that each student just try their best and give their best effort. Grade 2 and Grade 3 each have PE class two times a week for a total of 90 min. We have introduced the children to the “Running Club”. We play indoor soccer on the days we can't get outside (none yet!), and introduced the children how to safely use the “Fitness Lab” equipment.

Other equipment we have used this Sept. include hula hoops, short and long jump ropes, jumping sticks, and the heart rate monitors.

Please help make sure your child wears (or brings) sneakers and a water bottle each day they PE class, for both their safety and comfort. As Oct. rolls around, your child may also want to bring a sweatshirt to PE class, as we try to go outside for PE class until about Thanksgiving time, weather permitting. If anyone has any used exercise equipment that you no longer use, we would be more than happy, and appreciative, to add it to our Fitness Lab. Just let us know and we will figure out a way to get it to the school, thanks!

Please feel free to contact us at any time about anything you might have any questions about concerning PE Class!

Thank you very much, stay healthy and active as best you can!

Coach Ruel

Coach Boscarino

School Meals are a great value to our students! Prepayment is expected for all cafeteria purchases. Families eligible for free and reduced meals may qualify by completing an application online on [easthampton.familyportal.cloud]Easthampton.familyportal.cloud or by paper application here: Application for Free and Reduced School Meals(also available in the school’s Main Office). Families with children enrolled in HUSKY or Temporary Family Assistance programs will have their status transmitted directly by the State of Connecticut to the District.

To deposit funds on your child’s account, please visit [easthampton.familyportal.cloud]Easthampton.familyportal.cloud . Our Cafeterias also accept checks made payable to “East Hampton Cafeteria Fund”.

In September, students can enjoy fresh apples from Beckett Farms of South Glastonbury and carrots from Cold Spring Farm of Colchester. Keep an eye out for upcoming celebrations!

If you have questions, please contact Director of Nutrition Services, Kate Caselli at kcaselli@easthamptonct.org or 860.316.7324.

Please allow me to share a little bit about myself with you. I know that outside of the home, the school is one of the most influential environments for our children. As a mom who has two children in elementary school, I know how this time of year can be overwhelming. You want everything to go right and smoothly for your little one(s), but most of all you wish you could attend the first days with them. We, at Memorial, all agree that it’s supposed to be a happy and exciting time as the new school year is upon us. As the nurse, I hope to offer you and your child(ren) some comfort and reassurance while they are with us for our 2024-2025 school year!

On behalf of the Memorial School staff I want to extend a warm welcome to every parent and student! Feel free to contact me by phone or, better yet, email with your questions and concerns. My goal is to collaborate with you and help make this school year a healthy and enjoyable one. I would like to offer a little guidance from the health office. Below you will find some answers to frequently asked questions.

Communications

If a student is seen by the nurse or nursing assistant, they will receive a “Nurse’s Pass” ( or Pink Slip) with a brief review of their visit. However, Parents/Guardians will receive a phone call in the following circumstances:

• The student needs to be picked up from school

• Follow-up at home is required or recommended (ie doctor visit, continued observation at home, or the such)

• Any significant injury to the head, new marks on face

• Further communication is needed regarding student Health Office visit

Please note that the above criteria are made with Registered Nurse assessment, observation, and judgment. If a parent would like calls for any nurse visit or in specific situations, please communicate that to the Health Office specifically and your child’s chart will be updated.

We are Pro-Communication!!! ☺ If you have any concern please don’t hesitate to call or e-mail us, but email or Parent Square is best, and please include both Ms. Michelle and I on your outreaches. We want the best for your child(ren) and we want you to feel secure in their health and safety at school.

Medications

Every medication that is brought into school requires a “Medication Authorization” form to be signed by the student’s doctor and parent/guardian and the medication in original packaging with prescription label is to be brought in by a parent/guardian, not in the child’s backpack. No child may carry their own medications at the Elementary level. Please use a large ziplock bag for the medication plus the medication order, and label the bag with your child’s name before dropping off. Any controlled medications will need to be counted and signed off with the RN and parent so please allow for a few extra minutes at drop off.

Please note: COUGH DROPS count as medications and are not allowed in school. All over-the-counter medications also need a medication order from your provider.

Food

We have several students with severe food allergies, therefore we highly recommend non food items to share for birthday celebrations. We ask for at least 48 hours advance notice. A great resource for allergy free snacks is the Safe Snack guide at https://snacksafely.com/safe-snack-guide/. We appreciate your assistance in keeping our school safe.

Health Concerns:

• If your child has a new health concern which you would like to speak to the nurse about e-mail kwilliams@easthamptonct.org and mlemire@easthamptonct.org at any time. Please let us know if your child is diagnosed with any illness or injury (such as strep, flu, pink eye, fracture/broken bone, etc.) as the nurse office tracks illnesses and sends notification letters home if there are 2 or more cases in a specific classroom.

• If you have any specific concerns that arise during the school year (such as stitches, concussions, broken bones/fractures, etc) it is best that you send in a doctor’s note with dates, guidelines and restrictions, so we can all be on the same page and keep your child safe.

Respectfully,

Katie Williams, RN

and Ms. Michelle Lemire

kwilliams@easthamptonct.org, mlemire@easthamptonct.org

Your Health Office Team

Memorial Elementary

Phone 860-365-4020

Fax 860-365-4024

23rd- BOE Meeting at 6:30pm

27th- Jog-A-Thon= Times TBD

OCTOBER

1st, 2nd, 3rd- Picture Day

4th- Summer Reading and Math Celebration

9th- CT Grown For Kids Day- Dress Like a Farmer

14th Indigenous People Day- No school

21st- PTO Meeting at Center school 5:30pm

25th- Cheetah Pride Assembly- Wear Your Cheetah Gear!

The East Hampton Board of Education and the school community as a whole promote a secure and productive school climate, conducive to teaching and learning that is free from threat, harassment, and any type of bullying behavior. Therefore it shall be the policy of the Board that bullying and/or teen dating violence committed against a student by another student is prohibited. The Board believes that a school environment in which students feel safe, supported, engaged and helpfully challenged is optimal for learning and healthy development. The Board seeks an environment in which students and adults feel socially, emotionally, intellectually and physically safe; an environment that is free of harassment, intimidation, teen dating violence and bullying. Our website provides links to various policies and reporting forms including our Safe School Climate Plan. Hard copies are also available in our main office. If at any point you have any concerns, please do not hesitate to reach out to building administration for further assistance.

When considering the number of absences your student has accrued, keep in mind that a student must be present for 195 minutes in order for the day to count! When bringing your student in late, or signing them out early if they have not been in school for a 195 minutes the day will be recorded as an absence.

Memorial School Attendance email:

memorial_attendance@easthamptonct.org * there is an _ between memorial and attendance!

Please Review This Important Information Below.

Students, parents, and community members have access to an anonymous tip line on the front page of the school district website to report self-concerns, mental health concerns of a friend, or concerns of violence. Simply click here or view on the website: https://www.easthamptonps.org/.

Email: jbauer@easthamptonct.org
Website: https://www.easthamptonps.org/o/memorial-school
Location: 20 Smith Street, East Hampton, CT, USA
Phone: 860-365-4020
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ehmemorialschool