WEEKLY WONDERS
Charles Ellis Montessori Academy, Week of Feb. 21st, 2022
International Montessori Week 115 YEARS of MONTESSORI EDUCATION
Together with schools around the globe we acknowledge how children can be our greatest teachers as we strive to create a more peaceful world. While we acknowledge the wonderment and the joy of childhood that is provided through Montessori Education, we also remember the children who face the struggles of war, famine, poverty etc, that are the result of what are adult decisions. We also keep in our hearts the children who are suffering in our own community.
We can all become peacemakers, comforters and healers when we take the time to look into a child's eyes and see the way that leads to a greater humanity.
Peace,
Ms. Tanya
Important Dates
February 20-26- Montessori Education Week
February 21- Staff Planning Day- No School for Students!
February 24- Virtual PTA Culture Fest
February 25- Donation Dress Down Day
March 3- Montessori Education Roundtable Discussion- "Collaborative Planning" (6pm)
March 4- Choice Program Lottery
March 4- Pre-K Lottery Application Window Closes
March 11- Deadline to Pre-Order Yearbook
Teacher of the Year!
Read the Savannah Morning News Article and visit the SCCPSS website for more information on this honor and what it entails.
We know that Ms. Beth will represent Ellis and Montessori Education well throughout the next school year in this new role. We cannot be more proud of her hard work and accomplishment!
February 21st- No School for Students
We will see everyone back in school on Tuesday, February 22nd.
Soccer
Middle School (6th-8th Grade) soccer officially starts on Tuesday, Feb 22. with practice/tryouts at Daffin Park. Those interested in playing need a current sports physical turned into Mr. Sean to practice/try out. We will meet in the backyard and be bussed to Daffin Park to practice until 5pm.
If students haven't already expressed interest to Mr. Sean please let him know ASAP- sean.vetrovsky@sccpss.com.
Chorus
Culture Fest
DDDD
Friday, February 25th, is our next Donation Dress Down Day (DDDD).
This month, the funds raised will go to support MESS (Montessori Education Society of Savannah).
Students/Staff should donate at least $1 to participate. An item will be made available to donate through School Cash Online (including processing fee) at the beginning of the week OR cash may be sent to school on Friday.
Pre-K Lottery
Find more information about the Pre-K Lottery on the SCCPSS website.
Boosterthon
WE DID IT! We met our goal of $15,000 and Coach Lesley is going to get slimed!
So far, Ellis has raised $18,000 to help our school! Pledging is still open until next Thursday, February 24th so remember to get your final pledges entered and it’s not too late to register on MyBooster.com. All prizes will be delivered once pledging closes.
We are so thankful to everyone who has already supported our school thus far. It is because of you that we will be able to provide outdoor learning experiences for our students.
Ellis has the greatest community! Go, Bobcats!
Coming Up: Montessori Education Roundtable Discussion
Please watch this brief (15 minute) video prior to the meeting, then join us at this Zoom meeting link on Thursday, March 3, at 6pm to discuss. We look forward to seeing you!
Counselors' Corner
This week in school counseling instruction, classes have been learning about assertiveness, advocacy, and standing up for themselves. Lower Elementary read the book Yertle the Turtle and practiced using I-messages. For more information about I-messages, click here. Upper Elementary and Erdkinder have been discussing self-discipline and advocating for oneself.
Please reach out if we can be of assistance to you and your family. Your input helps guide school counseling program activities, better serving the needs of our community. Resources are available on the School Counseling Website including a list of mental health professionals and relaxation activities. Please reach out if you need anything.
Rebecca Burkhart- Primary and Lower Elementary School Counselor
Wesley Cooper- Upper Elementary and Erdkinder School Counselor
School-Wide Grace & Courtesy Focus
The language for identifying/naming PEACE in "The Self-Awakened Child" series by Jonathan Wolff:
- When I feel calm and quiet inside, when I do not let anyone or anything take away my calmness and quiet, I am feeling and being Peaceful.
- When I try to understand another person's feelings and thoughts, when I talk with him about our problems instead of hurting him or hitting him, I am being Peaceful.
- When I feel angry or scared and I help myself feel calm and quiet inside instead of hurting someone or telling someone to go away, I am practicing Peacefulness.
**Updated SCCPSS COVID-19 Guidelines**
Read the full document at this link. A summary and the full document can be found for future reference on the Nurse's page of the Ellis website.
The Bobcat Roar
Many of you know that Erdkinder Communications students write and produce a weekly school broadcast, The Bobcat Roar. Students use the program WeVideo, a collaborative video software compatible with Chromebooks, to record the audio, add music, transitions, and video backgrounds on multiple tracks. Many thanks to PTA for funding the yearly subscription to WeVideo! With this subscription, students working on The Bobcat Roar can simultaneously contribute to the success of each episode from their own devices in school or at home.
New this week: students are using CANVA to create their own creative backgrounds for The Bobcat Roar. Listen and now VIEW each week for new interpretations.
Peace out, Bobcats!
Visit The Bobcat Roar to catch the latest episode!
Help Send Our Montessorians to Nashville
An Ellis parent has taken the initiative to create a GoFundMe campaign to help these teachers offset the cost of the trip. If you would like to donate, visit the GoFundMe website.
*NEW* Student Illness Notification Form
After we receive your form response, a member of the Ellis Covid Contact Tracing Team will contact you. Do NOT bring your student to the school building before an Ellis staff member contacts you.
Contact Tracing Team:
Rebecca Burkhart (rebecca.burkhart@sccpss.com)
Wes Cooper (wesley.cooper@sccpss.com)
Lisa O'Donnell (lisa.odonnell@sccpss.com)
Beth Whalen (elizabeth.whalen@sccpss.com)
In addition to completing this form, please contact your student's teacher so that they are aware of the situation and so that they can provide you with information about school work your student can do at home, if appropriate per the situation.
This form is available for future reference on the Ellis website.
Yearbook Pre-Orders
Use this link to order your copy today!
Yearbooks will be delivered in April/May to your student(s).
If you have any questions, contact Ms. Lisa (lisa.odonnell@sccpss.com).
From the Clinic
Visit the Nurse's page of the Ellis website for the most recent SCCPSS COVID-19 Guidelines.
If your student has been vaccinated for Covid-19, please send a copy of the vaccination card to Nurse Chris and Mr. Wes (wesley.cooper@sccpss.com) for our records.
Please note:
Nurse Chris' email address has changed to christine.oboyle@sccpss.com
PLEASE make sure that you correct contact information (both phone numbers and email addresses!) on file in PowerSchool.
Contact Information:
912-395-5474
Contact Us!
Principal
Ms. Tanya Melville
Ms. Ja'Dayia Coleman-Kennedy
jadayia.coleman-kennedy@sccpss.com
Information Specialist Clerk
Ms. Lucy Holloway
School Secretary
Ms. Patricia Solomon-Brown
patricia.solomon-brown@sccpss.com
Library Media Technology Specialist
PTA Teacher Liaison
Ms. Lisa O'Donnell
Email: Tanya.Melville@sccpss.com
Website: https://spwww.sccpss.com/schools/ellis/Pages/default.aspx
Location: 220 East 49th Street, Savannah, GA, USA
Phone: (912) 395-5470
Ellis Montessori Academy Website
Click here to view the Charles Ellis Montessori Academy website.
SCCPSS Website
Please visit the SCCPSS website regularly for the most up-to-date district information.