Elliott Express
9/23/2022
From the Principal's Desk
Thank you so much to the PTO and the volunteers for making our Walk to Stay Fit such a success. It was wonderful to see all of the parents walking with the classes.
Please see below for upcoming events and shout outs to students with positive behavior.
Have a great weekend.
Ms. Guernsey and Mrs. Jez
Upcoming Events
Attention all 4th and 5th grade families:
Do you love learning about interesting words? Do you find spelling fascinating? The Elliott Spell Bowl Team currently needs 5-6 more students to join! Practices are on Fridays before school starting at 8:10. We will practice the list of words by playing fun games. You can even earn some prizes! If you are interested, please contact Mrs. Stewart at mastewart@munster.us or Mrs. Valdez at jmvaldez@munster.us . Come be a part of this fun team!
Positive Office Referrals
Great job to the following students for receiving Positive Office Referrals!!
Isaiah Boyd
Emman Galvan
Danny Gindlen
Addison Jones
Jahmir Jones
Lucy Pieper
Lauren Siergey
Dismissal Changes
Spotlight on Our Staff
Mrs. Branagan, Library
Years at Elliott: This is my 4th year at Elliott!
Grades: The first two years, I was an Instructional Aide for 5th grade and this is my 2nd year as the Media Tech/Librarian.
Family: My husband and I have been married for 17 years. We have two children: My daughter Reese is in 7th grade at Wilbur Wright and my son Gavin is a 4th grade student here at Elliott.
Favorite free time activities: During my free time, I enjoy reading and catching up on TV shows. I also love great food and trying out new restaurants with my family.
Some of my favorite things: One of my favorite things to do is travel. Last summer we took a nine day road trip out West to the Badlands, Mount Rushmore, Yellowstone and the Grand Tetons. It was amazing!
My favorite local place is Lake Michigan and the Indiana Dunes. We’re so lucky to live so close!
The best part about my job is that I see ALL of our students weekly in the library. I also love getting to know the 5th graders better when we do the morning announcements (which I promise will start up soon!).
Mrs. Shanks, 2nd Grade
Years in education: I completed my first 25 years at Elliott teaching 5th graders. I am currently working on doing the same with 2nd graders.😊This is year 13 for me in 2nd grade, so I have already made it past my halfway point!
Grades: In addition to teaching 5th and 2nd grades, I did my student teaching at Frank Hammond School in 4th grade and taught 6th grade summer school.
Family: You might just run into Mr. Shanks at the Schererville Menards. He has been in retail management for as long as I have been teaching. Our son, Tim, is in sales, and our daughter, Krystle, is completing her 9th year as a 1st grade teacher at Kolling in the Lake Central School System. We are blessed to have 2 grandchildren, Maverick who turned 2 this year, and Ezlynn who will turn one. My brother lives right here in Munster, and my sister recently moved to Denver, Colorado.
Favorite free time activity: My favorite thing to do is play with my grandchildren. Otherwise, you’ll find me walking my dog, Rocket, or reading a good book on my Kindle. We love to travel, and Colorado has become a new destination for us. My husband and I enjoy bowling, and we love going to new places in the area with our high school friends.
Some of my favorite things: I love spending time with my grown children and our grandbabies, sunny and warm weather, and a great friend on the other side of a text or phone call. I also enjoy searching for new ideas to bring into the classroom.
The best things about working at Elliott are kids who truly want to learn, and all the parents who support them and the staff. We have a great staff who believes in kids and one another. I love to see all the support throughout our building.
Mrs. Valdez, 4th Grade
Years in education & grades: This is my sixth year at Elliott, but I have been teaching for sixteen years. Before coming to Elliott, I was a 4th grade teacher in Chicago Heights, IL. I have also taught fifth and sixth grade, but I love all the fun and exciting things we learn about in 4th grade! My favorite subject to teach is math!
Family: I have been married to my husband, Dave for fourteen years, and we have three children. Lucas is in sixth grade, Aubrey is in third grade, and Riley is in first grade.
Favorite free time activity: We love to travel and see new places. Our favorite place to go is the beach! We are a soccer family, so most of our free time is spent at the soccer field!
Some of my favorite things: Some of my favorite things: chocolate, coffee, and Target runs! 😊
Some of the best things about working at Elliott are the supportive environment, parent involvement, and of course, my students! I love watching them grow throughout the year!
Sign up to be a room parent for classroom parties!
It’s time to start getting organized for this year’s classroom parties and we're excited to announce parent volunteers will be allowed back into the classrooms!
If you’re interested in being a Room Parent and helping plan & actively running a party in person please sign up below or at www.elliottelementarypto.com
Also seeking Head Room Parents for each class.
A Head Room parent serves as the main contact between the classroom teacher and the other Room Parents. More details about Head Room Parent vs. Room Parent can be found on the sign up link below.
Please note the Requirements & Selection process:
· MUST be current PTO Members
· Must be willing to provide a license for the Raptor system with the school
· Only four (4) Room Parents per party per classroom
· Room parent slots are filled on a first come, first serve basis.
· If more volunteers sign up than allowed, a lottery system will take place
· Only Room Parents on the list for each party will be allowed in the classroom
Party Dates:
Halloween Party – Monday, October 31st at 2:00 p.m.
Winter Party – Wednesday, December 21st at 2:00 p.m.
Valentine’s Day Party – Tuesday, February 14th at 2:00 p.m.
If you have any questions, please contact Julie Fatemi at Jhfatemi@gmail.com
PTO Membership is still open!
Join today to be the first in the know on all things PTO!
Vision:
Purpose Statement:
ELLIOTT ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
Email: nmguernsey@munster.us
Website: http://ere.munster.us/
Location: 8718 White Oak Avenue, Munster, IN, United States
Phone: (219)838-5250