WEEKLY WONDERS

Week of November 11, 2024

Pictured above: Computer Science students in grades 2-6 are getting to know a little blue robot named DASH in their computer science class. Once students finish Driving School, they program Dash to move in multiple directions, tell a joke, come to them when called, and more. Students learn the basics of sequencing, loops, variables, and conditions. They get a lot of practice working as a team, discussing strategy, solving problems, and being patient when their program does not work the first time!

Photo Credit: Ms. Angie

Important Dates

November 11- No School!

November 12- Meet and Greet w/ Ms. Amanda

November 12- High School 101

November 14- PTA Spirit Night at Panera

November 19- Montessori Literacy Night

November 21- PTA Meeting

November 22- Donation Dress Down Day

Nov. 25-29- Thanksgiving Break

November 30- PTA Read-A-Thon Ends

View the SCCPSS Academic calendar at this link.

View the SCCPSS Assessment calendar at this link.

Last Chance M.E.S.S. Fundraiser

**Last chance!** 3 spots left!

Nov. 9th with Kate Keiser.

Sign up today: https://messavannah.square.site/

PTA Wreath Sale

The Annual PTA Greenery Sale is NOW OPEN for orders until November 11th at this website: https://sherwoodfundraiser.com/charlesellispta.

Make-Up Student Photos

The deadline to purchase and/or return those photo packets is Tuesday, November 12th.

Photos can be purchased online using the website/code found in the packet or you can send cash (exact change only) or check (made payable to Strawbridge) to school in the envelope provided in the packet.

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

PTA Spirit Night at Panera

JC Lewis Mobile Health Services

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

Pre-registration is required. Completed forms are due to Nurse Chris (Christine.Oboyle@sccpss.com) no later than December 6th.

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

School Counseling

If you have not already, please check out our November School Counselor Newsletter. Of special note are two exciting upcoming events: Meet, Greet, & Pumpkin Treats with Ms. Amanda on Tuesday, November 12 from 5-6pm and Literacy Night on Tuesday, November 19 from 5:30-6:30pm.

Erdkinder parents: Families of rising high schoolers, the choice school website is updated with application timelines and criteria. If you have any specific questions, reach out to the choice school of interest, or reach out to Ms. Ava. She will be available to answer any questions in person on Tuesday, November 12 during Meet, Greet, & Pumpkin Treats.

Angel Tree: if you and your family would like to “adopt” a child for holiday gift-giving, our Angel Tree will be ready after Veterans Day. Simply pick an ornament off the tree and shop per the student’s sizes and likes. The tree will be located in the front foyer. If you would like us to send an Angel ornament home with your child, email rebecca.burkhart@sccpss.com or ava.woodie@sccpss.com. Gifts must be wrapped and turned in by Friday, December 6. Consider spending no more than $30-$50.

Child Safety Matters Lessons for Lower Elementary (1st, 2nd, 3rd) will be presented in November. To learn what these lessons entail, click here. If you would not like your child to participate in these lessons, please return the linked opt out form no later than November 13.

Lower Elementary Opt Out Form

Ms. Rebecca

912-395-5470 x71201

rebecca.burkhart@sccpss.com

Ms. Ava

912-395-5470 x71243

ava.woodie@sccpss.com

LOPL PLAY Program

Did you know that your student has access to the Live Oak Public Library print & digital resources with their SCCPSS student ID number?

PINES Library Access for Youth (PLAY)

The PINES Library Access for Youth (PLAY) program gives students free access to public library materials and online resources to help them succeed in school. Live Oak Public Libraries (LOPL) partners with local schools to provide the PLAY program.

Student PLAY program FAQs

How to login:

PLAY account: 3-letter school district (SAV) followed by student number

PLAY password: 6-digit student birth month and year (MMYYYY)

Example:

Account: SAV1234567 (SAV is the district in all caps. 1234567 is the student number. No spaces.)

Password: 042006 (04 is birth month of April. 2006 is birth year. No spaces.)

Students have the option to change their password.

**Please Note: Your student number is available through PowerSchool. Your homeroom teacher should also be able to provide your student number to you.

PTA Read-A-Thon

The 13th Annual PTA Read-A-Thon will be taking place November 1-30. Any student who raised $100 or more will receive a gift certificate to the Scholastic Book Fair, which is scheduled for December 6-12th, in the media center.

Find more information on the Ellis website.

If you don't have a student participating, you can still donate by clicking the "Make a General Donation" button on the Read-A-Thon website: https://bit.ly/2024EllisReadAThon

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

PTA Membership Drive

Join the Ellis PTA at this link.

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 October 28th-November 15th, our school-wide Grace & Courtesy emphasis is FORGIVENESS.

The Language for Identifying/Naming Forgiveness from the "Self- Awakened Child" series by Jonathan Wolff:

When I make a mistake and say to myself, "It's OK to make a mistake. I will try to do better the next time, " I am Forgiving myself.
When I make a mistake and say to someone who feels sad or angry at me for what I did, "I'm sorry. Is there something I can do to help make it right?" I am helping the other person to Forgive me.
When someone hurts my feelings or does something that makes me feel sad or angry, I am practicing Forgiveness when I say to them, "I felt hurt and angry by what you said and did. Maybe what you did was an accident. If I did anything that caused you to hurt my feelings, I'm sorry and I will try to do better. I hope you feel better soon." Then I let me hurt and angry feelings go away.

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!)