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've made it to October and look forward to many great events this month! One of our more popular events is PTO's Trunk or Treat, which will be on Thursday, October 24, 2024, from 6:00-7:00 p.m. Our PTO is an amazing group of volunteers who enhance the educational experience for our students and our overall school community. At this time, only 24 parents/guardians have joined this organization. Joining PTO does not mean that you need to attend meetings or volunteer (but we would love it if you do!); however, the money is used to fund various events throughout the year. It's only $5 to join! The flyer with information to join is located in the PTO information section of this newsletter. Thank you in advance for your consideration.

We are officially halfway through the first marking period! Interims for students in grades 2-5 will be emailed to parents/guardians on Tuesday, October 8, 2024. Should you have any questions or concerns regarding your child's progress, please reach out to their teacher.

Our first school-based ALICE drill will take place on Monday, 10/7/24 at 10:00 a.m. More information about this drill was emailed to families on Friday afternoon. A copy of the letter may be found HERE.

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 that when students leave early, the time adds up? If a student leaves just 10 minutes early each week, they will miss a full day of learning by the end of the school year. If they miss the same block of time each week, it may negatively impact their progress in that content area. While we understand that there are times students need to be picked up early due to appointments, we ask that you avoid picking your child up early unless it's necessary.

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 Sarah Hooker, special education teacher and Linsey Webb, pre-k teacher for receiving the Golden Retriever Award! Elk Neck is so fortunate to have staff like you in our Elk Neck Family.

PBIS NEWS ALERT:

• We have had 9 sunshine calls so far in October.

• Congrats to Mrs. Hartman’s Class, Mrs. S’s Class, Ms. Reilly’s Class, Mrs. Cantera’s Class, Mrs. Walker’s Class and Mrs. Webb’s Class who have earned their first Golden Paw Print!

• Mrs. Cantera’s Class and Mrs. DiPietro’s Class have earned Finer Diner in the cafeteria!

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

Nolan in Mrs. Webb's Class

Kaylani in Mrs. S's Class

Eleanore in Mrs. O'Brien's Class

Eli in Mrs. Taylor-Fink's Class

Aria in Mrs. Miller's Class

Greyson in Mrs. Walker's Class

Oliver in Ms. Reilly's Class

Romee in Ms. Moore's Class

Brady in Mrs. Blessing's Class

Isaac in Mrs. Hubb's Class

Richard in Mrs. DiPietro's Class

Bailey in Mrs. Cantera's Class

McKenley in Ms. Hilliker's Class

Thomas in Mrs. Lyneis' Class

Axel in Mr. Gilbert's Class

Cameron in Mrs. Parker's Class

Mackenzie in Mrs. Hartman's Class

Annabelle in Mrs. Strauss' Class

Back to School Routine Tips!

• Create a Family Calendar- include when projects are due, practice days/times, open house, special events, etc…

• Create a Homework Including pencils, paper, glue, crayons, etc., .. necessary to complete the homework

• Create a Morning or After School Checklist- pack lunch, brush teeth, get dressed, etc. … Kids can check off items as they complete them.

• Lay out clothes ready the night before- lay out outfits to save time in the mornings

• Pack lunches the night before

• Book bag ready to go the night before- eliminates morning chaos; Be sure to leave in the same spot every night. Examples: by the door, on the counter, or a specific chair

• Encourage older kids to set their alarm to wake up in the morning

• Bedtime routine- ask your child to share before bed…

Help- is there anything they need help with?

Thanks- what are they grateful for?

Wow- what is something good that happened today?

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!

Turnk-or Treat is coming up! Please see the flyer to join in on the fun. We also have received raffle donations from The Old Dusty Cupboard. Raffle tickets will be sent out to staff and family next week and a winner will be chosen the morning after Trunk or Treat. ALL proceeds go to the PTO and back into the school.

This week is Eat for Elk Neck at The North East Store on Tuesday, 10/8! It's also Eat for Elk Neck at Snatcher's Creekside beginning 10/9-10/16. You need to show the flyer below for a portion of your sales to go to our school.

Monday, 10/7/24

School-based ALICE Drill @ 10:00 a.m.

Tuesday, 10/8/24

PTO Eat for Elk Neck at The North East Store

Fire Prevention Assemblies for students

Friday, 10/11/24

Last Day for Joe Corbi's Orders

Tuesday, 10/15/24

Picture Day!

Wednesday, 10/16/24

PTO Meeting @ 6:00 p.m

Friday, 10/18/24

Professional Day - No School for Students

Monday, 10/21/24

Book Fair Begins

Tuesday, 10/22/24

ALICE Drill with the Cecil County Sheriff's Office @ 9:30 a.m.

Thursday, 10/24/24

PTO Trunk-or-Treat from 6:00 -7:00 p.m.

ENES Book Fair Evening Sales

Friday, 10/25/24

Bubblegum Day!

Last Day of Book Fair

Friday, 10/31/24

Fall Walk @ 10:00 a.m.