WEEKLY WONDERS
Charles Ellis Montessori Academy, Week of January 24, 2022
"Human consciousness comes into the world as a flaming ball of imagination...Our aim therefore is to touch his imagination as to enthuse him to his inmost core." Maria Montessori
Montessori = Creativity
Our Montessori classrooms are imbued with a richness that sparks exploration, supports student research, and allows the child to discover who they are in the context of the vast universe. If you would like to know more about the philosophy and practices of Montessori Education I invite you to join us in our Parent Education Series, which kicks-off this coming Tuesday, January 25th at 6:00 PM. Our Family Engagement Team has provided the link to a short presentation that will fuel our discussion on Tuesday evening. My hope is that this video will touch both your heart and your intellect and that you will come with questions and reflections ready to join other parents and teachers in dynamic discussion.
Please take some time to view the video in this link:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EG3XeNti3Cw
Then Join us via zoom on the link below on TUESDAY 25th January @ 6:00 PM
https://sccpss.zoom.us/j/7151918166?pwd=cTRPV0ZpYm9vNGpxcHJ1SmVacHFqUT09
Zoom Meeting ID: 715 191 8166
Passcode: 3tEQo2
Peace,
Ms. Tanya
Important Dates
January 25- Parent Education Meeting "Montessori=Creativity"
January 27- PTA Meeting
January 28- DDDD Supporting the Red Cross
February 4- Choice Program Application Window Closes
February 8- Boosterthon Kick-Off (More info coming soon)
February 17- Boosterthon Dance Fit Event
February 21- Staff Planning Day- No School for Students!
March 4- Choice Program Lottery
School-Wide Grace & Courtesy Focus
The language for identifying/naming SELF-DISCIPLINE in "The Self-Awakened Child" series by Jonathan Wolff:
- When I do what is right for me to do--not just what I want to do-- I am acting with Self-Discipline.
- When I do what is good for me and other people--not just what is good for me--I am acting with Self-Discipline.
- When I stop my hurtful thoughts, feelings, words, and actions from hurting myself or hurting someone else, I am acting with Self-Discipline.
Choice Program Lottery
You can find more information about the choice program lottery on the Ellis website.
The lottery for entering Pre-K for next school year is separate from this lottery. Find more information about the Pre-K Lottery on the SCCPSS website.
Donation Dress Down Day
This month, Ellis will be supporting the American Red Cross of Southeast Georgia.
Students/Staff should donate at least $1 to dress out of uniform on this day. You may send cash with your student on Friday or pay with debit/credit card on School Cash Online when you receive the email to do so.
Students should follow the "Acceptable Dress for Non-Uniform Days" guidelines on page 17 of the 21-22 Student Code of Conduct linked on the SCCPSS/Ellis websites.
PTA Meeting
If you haven't joined the PTA yet, it is not too late to show your support. It is only $7, and you can sign up at this link.
Ellis in the News!
Bobcat Roar
*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.
It is recommended that you bookmark the link to the form on your phone/device for easy access. It will also be available on the Ellis website.
Vaccination Cards MUST be on File
However, we MUST have your student's COVID-19 vaccination card on file in order for your student to avoid getting sent home if they are identified as a close contact.
If you have not done so already, please email a photo of your student's vaccination card to Nurse Chris (christine.oboyle@sccpss.com) and Mr. Wes (wesley.cooper@sccpss.com).
Counselors' Corner
Mr. Wes and Ms. Rebecca would like to welcome Lauren McCarthy, a School Counseling student at Georgia Southern University, whom will be here on Fridays through April while in her Practicum program. Ms. Lauren will be learning skills to become a school counselor while here at Ellis this semester.
Note for 8th Grade Families- Choice School applications open this Saturday, January 22. Visit choice.sccpss.com and high school websites for more info about criteria. If you missed last month's High School Info Session, click here for the recording or click here to view a pdf of the presentation. To learn more about future opportunities, click here to understand the Dual Enrollment program.
Please let us know if your student needs anything, including a school counselor check-in, peer mediation session, or resources such as the Backpack Buddies free food program. Additional resources are available on the School Counseling Website including a list of mental health professionals, relaxation activities, and family newsletters.
Rebecca Burkhart- Primary and Lower Elementary School Counselor
Wesley Cooper- Upper Elementary and Erdkinder School Counselor
912-395-5470 x2
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).
Leopold's Creative Writing Challenge
Open to all Kindergarten-8th grade students
Theme: Kindness
Entry Deadline: February 11th
Visit the Live Oak Public Library website for more information
PTA Spirit Gear
If you haven't yet joined the PTA, you may also do that on the same site.
Thank you for your support!
From the Clinic
Please review the flowchart on the Nurse's page of the Ellis website.
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
If your student is classified as a "Close Contact" with someone who has COVID-19 at school, you will receive a phone call from someone on the Ellis Contact Tracing team.
- If your student is vaccinated and identified as a close contact, you will be notified, but you will not need to pick them up right away.
- If your student is NOT vaccinated, you will be asked to pick them up immediately.
- Whether your student is vaccinated or not, you will be sent a letter via email outlining further instructions including when you should get your student tested and how long they should quarantine. You can view that letter template on the Nurse's page of the Ellis school website for your future reference.
PLEASE make sure that you correct contact information (both phone numbers and email addresses!) on file in PowerSchool.
Contact Information:
912-395-5474
Walker Dismissal
- If it is a rainy day (without thunder/lightning) dismissal, students will still be dismissed to walk home/Circle Park. They must leave the school grounds once they leave the building.
- If it is a severe weather (with thunder/lightning) dismissal, students must wait in the MPR for an approved adult to pick them up from the MPR door on Battey St.
- Students are NOT allowed to hang out/wait outside of the school doors once they leave the school building. This is a liability as there is no adult supervision outside of the school.
- There is NO adult supervision by school staff at Circle Park since it is off school grounds. It is up to the parent/guardian to ensure that their student is behaving in a safe and appropriate manner.
Publix Partners
Here's how you can enroll and participate in just a few steps:
- Visit publix.com/partners and select our school: Charles Ellis Montessori- Savannah, GA
- Provide your phone number every time you check out at Publix.
- Publix will donate a portion of qualifying purchases to our school!
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 new Charles Ellis Montessori Academy website.
SCCPSS Website
Please visit the SCCPSS website regularly for the most up-to-date district information.