THE PRIDE PRESS
Essex Elementary School Newsletter
October 9, 2020
PRINCIPAL NEWS
We had a terrific four day week with most of our students back in the building. It was so nice to have our classroom communities together in one place. I want to thank all of our families, teachers and students for your flexibility and positivity as we navigate this next phase. I also want to thank families for your understanding every time you receive "another" email from me. I am grateful for the partnership as we prioritize the health, safety, and education of each EES student.
My Best,
Ashley, EES Principal
Upcoming events/ reminders
- 10/12/20 - No school
- 10/20 & 10/22 - Picture day
- 11/3 - No school
- 11/23 - Conferences (via Zoom)
- 11/23-27 - Thanksgiving Break
picture day
Portrait Vouchers Available!
We have complimentary portrait vouchers available for families in need. Picture packages include 1-8x10 portrait, 2-5x7’s, 4-3x5’s, and 8-2x3’s. Please contact your child’s school counselor to request a voucher!
Sarah Buhl- sbuhl@ewsd.org (802) 857-2132
Brea Heaslip/ Jen Tumilowocz- bheaslip@ewsd.org, jtumilowicz@ewsd.org (802) 857-2105
SCHOOL COUNSELORS
How to Help Children Share About Their School Day
Hello Families,
Is this conversation all too familiar? You ask “how was school” and your student gives a one word answer like “fine” or “good”. It can be difficult to get children to really describe their day at school. The question of how was school is a big question and requires children to sum up the whole day, which is hard for kids and even adults! Read below for some tips on how to keep this conversation going.
Timing is Everything - Try to pay attention and notice when the child may have more energy to engage in conversation with you. For many children when they get off the bus or into your car at the end of the day, they are tired and hungry. Some kids may need time to ease from school back into the home routine. Some children may naturally talk more when they are unloading their back pack or when eating a snack or dinner. Every day won’t be the same, but in general children may have a time of day they are more open to providing details and information.
Ask Simple, Specific Questions - Try to use questions which are specific and also open-ended to elicit details. Here are some conversation starters:
Tell me about the best part of your day.
What was the hardest thing you had to do today?
Tell me about what you read in class.
Who did you play with today? What did you play?
Who did you sit with at lunch?
Can you show me something you learned (or did) today?
What did you do in Art, Music, PE or Learning Center?
What game or greeting did you do in the Morning Meeting?
Sarah Buhl, Jen Tumilowicz, Brea Heaslip
Health Office
Vision and Hearing
The Vermont Department of Health is encouraging us to partner with the medical community to promote annual vision and hearing screenings in the medical home during well child visits.
If your child had or will be having a well child visit this year, please send in a copy of their hearing and vision results. If they were seen by a specialist please provide me with a copy of those results as well. You may email, mail, or fax them to me.
As always feel free to call or email me at any time if you have any questions or concerns about your child's health and wellness while at school.
Thank you,
Kimberly Bullock, BSN
EES Nurse
857-2104
FAX 879-0602
ART
Hello EES Families!
Our young artists are working hard and having fun in art class this year. Please follow our Instagram account to see some of the wonderful artwork being made.
See you there!
- Ms. L and the Art Cart
Learning Center
Back in the Learning Center October 2020
It was our first week having students in the Learning Center. It was very heart-warming to welcome the students back in our space, and many children expressed similar sentiments.
Students love having the freedom of choosing their own books, and exploring the vast array of books we offer in our library.
A short anecdote… one student at the end of the day remarked to me that she wished she didn’t have to go home. Hers was the last library class of the day and I took her comment to mean she wished she didn’t have to leave school. But she clarified her feelings when she said, “But tomorrow isn’t library day. I love the library.” It is times like this when I feel I have the best job in the whole world, and I am so lucky to work with children.
We are following several safety protocols, such as using hand sanitizer as soon as we enter the library, and spacing our chairs well-apart. Velco circles on the floor give visual cues to help students keep their distance from each other when lining up. Between each class we disinfect all tables and chairs the students have used. Mrs. Fukuyama and I are calling ourselves the Formula 401 Team, similar to the pit team in Formula One!!
Thank you to all who have dug deep and searched their homes for last winter’s library books! It is not too late to bring back those books. We appreciate everything that gets returned. We will even accept books from our other district schools, and can easily send them through inter-office mail to their correct locations.
LATE ARRIVAL / EARLY DISMISSAL
If your student will be arriving after 8:00 a.m. please pull up to the front of the school and call the main office at 878-2584. A staff member will walk out to receive your child, take their temperature and escort them to their classroom.
Please communicate in advance if you need to pick your child up early and call the school when you arrive. We will escort your child outside to you. We are unable to accommodate early pick up times after 2:15 p.m. (1:15 p.m. on Wednesdays) due to the dismissal process.
lost and found
ESSEX ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
We take care of each other
We take care of our school
Email: dsturgess@ewsd.org
Website: https://www.ewsd.org/EES
Location: 1 Bixby Hill Road, Essex Junction, VT, USA
Phone: (802)-878-2584