Scott M. Ellis Elementary - Greenville Central School District

Scott M. Ellis Elementary
www.greenville.K12.ny.us
Cafeteria Prices: Breakfast— $1.50
Lunch—$2.50
Milk— $.50
Elementary Arrival times: 7:55-8:10 am
Dismissal time: 2:25 pm
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Emergency Closings
Please be sure that the office has updated information
as to where you would like your child to go in the event of an
emergency dismissal. We follow parent’s requested plans
since we are not able to phone all families. WRGB provides a
free service for families to receive notification via text
message if our school is closing. Parents may sign up for this
service at: www.cbs6albany.com, mobile school watch link.
Parent Sign-in Procedures
Please remember to sign in each time you enter our building, whether you are
volunteering in a classroom, joining your child for lunch, or here for a meeting.
In our efforts to maximize all students’ learning time, teachers will inform the office of
parents who are expected as classroom volunteers. Upon arrival, volunteers may sign in and go
to their child’s classroom. If parents would like to go to a different classroom even if only to
ask a “quick question”, we ask that they return to the office first so that staff can check the
teacher’s availability.
If parents are coming in for an unscheduled visit, our greeter at the front desk will call
the classroom to see if the teacher is available. If the teacher is not available, office staff
will assist parents in setting up an appointment. We thank everyone for their cooperation in
maximizing students’ learning time.
Congratulations to our Students!
3/4
A
c
a
d
e
m
i
c
A
w
a
r
d
s
Reading
Writing
Math
Mercedez Martell
Alexis Valestin-Hawver
Samantha Siegel
Ryan McAneny
Isabella Antonelli
Camryn Elwyn
Meghan Hallenbeck
Kyle Hummel
Aaron Smith
Ethan Spring
Jacob Winn
Donald Davis
John Pebler
Olivia Otero
Holly Feit
Cole Ackerman
Ravin Schipano
Brendan Travers
Garrett deLong
Nicholas Bucci
Jude Kappel
Hannah Smith
Michael Leonardo
Devon Lasher
Chrissy Focken
Emily Vetere
Collin Loucks
Jarrett Field
Travis Wilson
Shaun Trossbach
Taylor Lovelace
Elise DuBois
Ellen Hagan
Character Education
Congratulations to Max Johnson who was the randomly selected winner from students
recognized by their teachers in January for displaying the quality of Self-Control.
Our character education quality for February is Commitment.
P.E. Students of the Month
John Motta, Maddisyn Pike, Richard Sanchez,
Skylar Pettit, Ashley Albert, Emily Vetere , Alysia Thomas,
Alexander Shaver, Abrielle Vincent, Madison Wisenburn,
Dante Mason, Ryan Blair, Tess Fitzmaurice, Kaitlyn Silk,
Angela Feely, Keenan Mulholland, Valerie Lewis, Maria Cone,
Daniel Mahoney, Adrian McAneny, Cole Hulbert,
Keira Baitsholts, Colin Kendrick, Leonard Lambert,
Sierra Loucks, Jeffrey O’Connor, John Morgan Gergen,
Gabrielle Gardner, Timothy Czyzewski, Harley Kelly,
Joseph O’Connor, Andy McEvoy, Rebecca Cronce,
Arianna Pahl
Note from PE Teachers
The Physical Education department would like to remind parents and students that
sneakers are required for P.E. classes. Snow boots and hiking boots are not appropriate for
gym use. Sneakers are necessary for a safe environment. As always, earrings and other
jewelry are not permitted in P. E., due to the safety risk for students.
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Scott M. Ellis Elementary
Elementary Art Program
Congratulations to the following students who have been recognized for their
outstanding efforts in creativity during art class for the month of January-
Kindergarten– Melody Sprague, Celina Miller, Brian Tanner, Matthew Batcher,
Annalise Vereen, Katriana Corbett, Madeleine Stewart, Nathaniel Harper-Lewis
First grade– Kaila Mahne, Matthew Hagan, Benjamin Lewis, Hudson Turon, Arianna Pahl,
Alexis Stanger, Aryah Kargoe, Lauren Rauf, Colby Klob
Second grade– Michael Eufemia-McNerney, Erika Spence, Kate Dushane, Matthew Mason,
Samantha Alix, Kenneth Beattie, Joseph Hall, Alaina Shutter, Bryanna Tanner
Third grade – Lily Hackett, Holly Feit, Christine Focken, Garrett deLong, Antonio Walker,
Michael Parmiter, Bridget Rose, Alexis Valestin-Hawver, Ashlynn Peck
Fourth grade – Garrett Ingraham, Lacie Hotaling, Joseph Mancini, Peyton Russell,
Kaitlin McGuinness, Ian McIlhenny, Jonathan Kuschka, Mark Whittaker, Alexander Shaver,
Shelby Doren, Victoria Rauf
Fifth grade – Theodore Nugent, Quinn Turon, Brandon Winn, Ashton Hale, Sabrena Sisson,
Harley Kelly, Abigail Peters, Colleen Corrigan
Thank You Parents!
Thank you to all of our parents who participated in the Price Chopper “Tools for Schools”
program. Last year parents raised enough points to add 4 new shapes to our Ellison die-cut
collection so that all teachers can make attractive academic tools and decorations in an
efficient manner!
Our school benefits greatly from this program. If you would like to register for this
program, you can register at www.pricechopper.com/toolsforschoools/, and Scott M. Ellis will
begin receiving points when the program begins again. Our school code is: 15784
All-County Elementary Band
Congratulations to the following students who were selected to represent Scott M. Ellis
Elementary at the Greene County Spring All-County Festival: Olivia Baumann, Amanda Terrell,
Katie Koehler, Austin Case, Silas Yelich, Scott Davis, Lucas Makely, and Malcolm deLong. These
students will be performing as part of the Elementary Band at Hunter-Tannersville High
School on March 26th.
Scott M. Ellis Elementary
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Responsive Classroom
excerpt from Teaching Children to Care, by Ruth Charney
Time-out is a strategy used in many classrooms for helping children learn and practice
self-control. Used consistently and calmly-and in a non-punitive way-it can be highly effective
in maintaining clear limits for behavior while preserving the integrity of the individual and the
smooth functioning of the group.
Used in a non-punitive way, time-out allows children to make mistakes within the
guardrails of adult controls. Most importantly, it contributes to creating an environment that
is safe and orderly, one that is conducive to learning.
Guidelines for positive use of time-out
Below are general guidelines for how to introduce and use time-out effectively. These
guidelines reflect how this strategy is used in the Responsive Classroom approach to teaching.
Explain the purpose to children
Because many children may have experienced punitive uses of time-out in the past, it’s
important to explain clearly that the purpose of time-out in this classroom is to give students a
chance to calm down and regain self-control, not to punish them. It’s important to let children
know that after they have gathered themselves, they will be welcomed back into the group.
Establish one or two specific places
It’s usually most effective to designate one or two places in the room for time-outperhaps a chair, a cushion, or a beanbag. The spot should be neither isolated nor in the thick
of activity. This gives children the separation they need in order to refocus, yet allows them
to keep track of what’s going on in the classroom.
Teach time-out procedures
The first week of school is the time to introduce time-out. This introduction should
involve talking about, modeling, and letting students practice how to use time-out.
Use time-out for small disturbances, before a situation gets worse
Using time-out early means the child will have an easier time pulling him/herself back
together and rejoining the group with dignity. It helps preserve the child’s relationships with
classmates and the teacher’s own feelings of empathy.
Keep time-out brief and clarify who decides when it’s over
Time-outs are generally just a few minutes long, though the duration depends greatly on
the individual child’s ability to regain control and return to the group. Some children might
need thirty seconds; others might need five minutes.
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Scott M. Ellis Elementary
Use a calm voice and few words
When telling a child go to time-out, the fewer words used, the better. A simple ”Timeout” or a visual signal such as making a capital T with the hands or handing the student a card
is often enough.
Lengthy explanations or negotiations will only disrupt further.
Use time-out democratically
It’s important for students to see that time-out is used for everyone. At one point or
another almost all children, even the “model” students, forget the rules or lose their cool.
Remember that time-out doesn’t work for all children
In these cases, it may be wisest for teachers to seek help from colleagues, parents, and
counselors, and consider other problem-solving strategies.
A gentle nudge to get back on track
As primary teacher Deborah Porter puts it, “Like those small grooves on the side of the
highway, time-out is a gentle nudge that helps us get back on track so we don’t barrel off the
road.”
Something New in 1/2 Multiage!
This year several of our 1/2 multiage teachers are piloting the Fountas and Pinnell
Benchmark Assessment System. This assessment system was created by literacy specialists
Irene Fountas and Gay Su Pinnell. Our goal in using this assessment is to identify each
student’s reading level and to guide specific reading instruction that supports the development
of decoding, comprehension, and fluency. The benchmark assessment is completed with each
student on a regular basis, usually three times per year, which allows teachers to provide
parents consistent information about their child’s reading progress at the regularly scheduled
parent-teacher conferences.
We will continue to monitor the benefits of this program, and share our experiences
with the GCSD Quality Education Committee. At the end of 2010-2011, we will determine if we
would like to adopt this as a core part of our educational program.
The assessment system is an extension of literacy research by Fountas & Pinnell.
Elementary faculty members are currently examining this research and studying the continuum
of literacy. As stated by Fountas & Pinnell, describing the continuum of literacy helps teachers
“construct a common vision for student achievement across grade levels K-8. With this shared
vision, teachers can work together to provide the powerful teaching of a specific body of
behaviors and understandings, that students in kindergarten through grade 8 must acquire to
become highly efficient users of oral and written language. The continuum is a foundation for
setting clear learning goals and planning specific lessons for students based on those goals.
The continuum also makes possible the close articulation of the literacy curriculum within and
across grade levels.”
We look forward to sharing more information about this pilot program, and our work to
support a strong literacy program in future newsletters.
Scott M. Ellis Elementary
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Student Safety
Many of our families drive students to school in the morning. In order to keep our parking lot safe,
please remember to follow the flow of traffic. Traffic is to move one way, and there are no U-turns allowed
in our parking lot.
If parents need to walk students into the building, please enter the lot and park in a marked parking
space. Parents who are dropping-off students should follow the flow of traffic and let students out of the
vehicle next to our school building (in the area between the sidewalk entrance and the north doors). No one
should drive around and pass another vehicle that is standing in this area. As a reminder, children
should not be dropped off in front of the building from Route 32, as this is a no parking area.
Any student who is tardy (entering the building after 8:10) should be walked to the front entrance
and signed in by his/her parent. We thank everyone for their cooperation in following these important
safety routines!
Just a reminder, parents picking up students at the end of the day can do so in the Multi-Purpose
Room between 2:25-2:40. At 2:40 students will be brought to the Main Office for pick up.
Bus Notes
We realize that there are times when your child may need to ride a different bus to a
location other than home for childcare purposes. If you need to make a change in your child’s
transportation please send a note in with your child and include child’s full name, teacher’s
name, regular bus route, and the residential address where you would like your child to be
dropped off, phone number at that residence, and the name of the adult who will be meeting
your child. This information will assure that your child will be transported to the correct
residence for care.
After School Enrichment
The PTA sponsored After School Enrichment (ASE) program will begin on Wednesday,
February 3, and will continue on the following Wednesday afternoons: February 10, 24, and
March 3. Students in grades K-5 are welcome to participate. (Please note, due to the limited
number of parent volunteers, not all children will be included this year.) If you have questions,
ideas, or would like to volunteer, please call Taknika Salvio at 772-1886.
PTA Needs Working Parents
Although daytime commitments can keep us from being able to volunteer during school
hours, there are a number of ways that working parents can become involved in our PTA.
Parents who can make phone calls in the evenings, organize materials for upcoming events, and
help chaperone are a great help to the PTA. If you would like to become involved, please call
Taknika Salvio, PTA President, at 772-1886.
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Scott M. Ellis Elementary
Kindergarten Registration
We are already planning for the group of children who will enter Kindergarten in the Fall
of 2010. This year Kindergarten registration is planned for the second week in February in
order to give us a better idea of enrollment for September. We rely on enrollment data to
determine the number of Kindergarten classes we will need. This information is crucial in
planning our budget for 2010-2011.
Kindergarten registration will be held on February 8th, 9th, 10th & 11th by appointment.
Please call the registrar’s office at 966-5160 ext. 305 to schedule an appointment.
Children must be five years of age on or before December 1, 2010 to attend
Kindergarten in September.
If you or anyone you know has a child eligible to attend Kindergarten in the fall, please
call the registrar’s office (966-5160 ext. 305) for registration information.
Classroom Assignments
Parents who would like to provide input in the placement process, should complete a
“Parental Input on Placement” form, which will be available at the elementary office February
1, 2010. Input forms must be submitted to the elementary office by April 16th.
Completed forms will be read by classroom teachers, other faculty, and building administrators
during the classroom assignment process.
Specific requests for individual teachers will not be honored. Sometimes parents
request a particular teacher by name and discuss this openly with their child. These
conversations can be stressful for children and can lead to anxiety for the entire family if the
teacher assigned is not the teacher who they thought was the “perfect match.” Please
remember that the creation of class lists is a complicated process based on the educational
needs of the entire grade level. Final decisions regarding placements will be made by the
building principal.
February
15th
Box Tops for Education
If you are interested in participating, Scott M. Ellis Elementary School does collect the
Box Tops for Education labels on the top of General Mills products. Labels can be dropped off
in the main office or left in Mrs. Lansing’s mailbox in the faculty room. Labels will be used to
purchase supplies for the playground.
Scott M. Ellis Elementary
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Upcoming Events
Feb. 3
Feb. 4
Feb. 8
Feb.8,9,10,11
Feb. 10
Feb. 12
Feb. 15-19
Feb. 22
Feb. 24
Feb. 26
March 1
March 3
March 3
March 8
First Session of After-School Enrichment-2:30-3:45
PTA meeting, 6:30 in the Elementary Library
Board of Education meeting, 7:00 in High School Library
Kindergarten Registration—by appointment
Second Session of After-School Enrichment-2:30-3:45
Jump Rope for Heart
Winter Recess – No classes for students
Board of Education Budget Workshop – 7:00 in High School Library
Third Session of After-School Enrichment-2:30-3:45
Student Activity Club Activity Night 6:00
Board of Education Budget Workshop – 7:00 in High School Library
Fourth Session of After-School Enrichment-2:30-3:45
Music in Our Schools Vocal Concert—7:00 in High School Auditorium
Board of Education meeting, 7:00 in High School Library
Please Keep in Touch
We continually strive to deliver the best educational program possible to your child. We
always seek ways to improve. Please let us know about the successes your child experiences as
well as areas about which you have a concern.
Scott M. Ellis Elementary
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