WEEKLY WONDERS
Charles Ellis Montessori Academy, February 22, 2021
To Educate The Whole Child for a Whole World
International Montessori Week February 21st - 27th
Important Dates
February 22-26- International Montessori Education Week
February 22- Cohort A Returns to the Building
February 24- Cohort B Returns to the Building
February 25- PTA Culture Fest
March 4- Pre-K Lottery Application Window Closes
March 8- Choice Program Lottery
March 17- St. Patrick's Day- No School!
Culture Fest
Calling all Ellis families! Please share your culture with our community through song, dance, or sharing a tradition. Use the Flipgrid link below to submit your video.
We are inviting our Ellis families to share their cultural traditions through songs, dance, music
or other traditional activities. Performances can be up to 3 minutes. Please plan to attend this event to experience the culture and entertainment of our very own Ellis Families.
Here is the Flipgrid to record your video.
Culture Fest will be Thursday, February 25, 2021@ 6:30pm. Click here for Zoom link.
Thanks in Advance,
PTA Cultural Diversity Committee
SCCPSS MAP Assessment Update
Update from the SCCPSS District:
Due to the potential changes in our instructional virtual/in-person delivery model, the decision was made to eliminate MAP Reading and Math Readiness Assessment. This assessment is scheduled to occur March 1 through March 26, and we felt with the fluctuations in dealing with the pandemic this time period would be better served on student instructional delivery. Schools will use their local assessment tools to measure student achievement and provide support services.
Hybrid Learning Device Distribution
If your student is returning to school during the Hybrid 3/2 Rotation model, they will need a device as they will be participating in a combination of both in-person and virtual instruction. To alleviate issues with connectivity, students will be provided with a SCCPSS Chromebook.
If your student has already been given a school device, they will need to bring it with them on the days they come to school.
If your student has NOT yet been given a school device, they will receive one to use the first day they come back to the building and paperwork will be sent home with the student for the parent/guardian to sign and return to school the next day. Devices will not be sent home with the student until the paperwork is signed by the parent/guardian and returned to the school.
The expectation is that students will bring their device back and forth to school every day so the devices can be charged at home and kept with that particular student for Covid safety protocols. We understand that this is may not be an ideal situation for all of our students (especially our Primary students), but this expectation is an attempt to adhere to the rigorous safety procedures that we need to follow.
Ms. Lisa has sent an email to all parents of returning students with the information about the device distribution and the optional Technology Protection Plan (TPP). Please check your SPAM folder if it is not in your inbox. If you have access to a printer, you are welcome to print and sign the TPP paperwork and send it to school with your student the first day they return.
If you have already received a device from the District and you plan on purchasing the Technology Protection Plan provided by the District, please pay for that through School Cash Online and send the signed paperwork to school or email it to Ms. Lisa.
If you have any questions, email Ms. Lisa (lisa.odonnell@sccpss.com).
SCCPSS Pre-K Lottery
SCCPSS Pre-K Website (including application, registration information, and more)
To participate in the Pre-K Program, children must be four years of age* on or before September 1, 2021, and must be a resident of Chatham County.
* Five-year-old children who have not previously attended the Pre-K program and who have developmental delays that impact their readiness for school may also enroll at the request of their parents. A Parent Acknowledgement form must be completed during registration.
For additional information, please email: amanda.drought@sccpss.com
Counselor's Corner
This week in School Counseling Instruction, we have been focusing on Confidence and Self-Compassion in all developmental levels. Primary and Lower Elementary families can view their lesson here, and Upper Elementary and Erdkinder can view their lesson here.
School Counseling Instruction will be held during community class meetings rather than during Explorations time going forward. I am excited about continuing to work with our students in lessons for their development socially, emotionally, academically, and in planning for their futures.
There's a lot of resources on the School Counseling Website, so be sure to check it out and do let me know if I can be of service to you and your family.
Ms. Rebecca, School Counselor
912-395-5470 x2
or you can message me on ItsLearning
School-Wide Grace & Courtesy Focus
The Language for Identifying/Naming the Qualities of Peace from 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.
Device Grace & Courtesy
Please do not allow them to add stickers to, draw on, or carve into the device. Also, please do not allow your child to eat or drink around these devices as liquid and crumbs can cause major issues with how they function.
These devices are property of SCCPSS and they should be treated as any other borrowed material by taking care of it as you would want your own things taken care of. Thank you for your help with this practical life skill.
itsLearning Parent Portal
The District sent out emails to parents on how to login to the new itsLearning Parent Portal on Monday, February 1st.
Click the links below to view information from SCCPSS about the upcoming release of the itsLearning Parent Portal.
Is Your Student's Chromebook Running Slow?
Here are a couple of things that you/your student can do on a regular basis to improve the Chromebooks performance.
- Clearing Cache/Cookies from Chrome Browser
- Upload Files from Chromebook to Google Drive- After you copy any files from the device to your student's Google Drive, delete the files from the device.
From the Clinic
Please read the attached flyer with health and safety information.
Covid-19 Parent at Home Screening
If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to me.
Thank you,
Nurse Chris
912-395-5470 Ext. 71213
Join the Ellis PTA and Support Our Community!
Please consider joining the PTA to support our Ellis community. Membership is only $7/person.
So far this school year, the PTA has done the following:
- Held a school supply drive for our Ellis families
- Funded the purchase of individual Montessori materials for our Primary students
- Sponsored teachers to attend an Anti-Racist, Anti-Bias Teaching in the Montessori Classroom seminar.
- Organized the Fall Festival Parade
- Organized the PTA Reflections contest
- Accepted teacher grant applications
- Funded improvements to the playground and multi-purpose room
- Sponsored the Read-A-Thon
- Organized the Angel Tree for families in our Ellis community
- Donated non-perishable food items to Emmaus House
- Purchased Medify HEPA Air Purifier/replacement filters for classrooms
- Supplied Nurse Chris with needed health and wellness supplies
- And so much more!
The PTA cannot do all this without your help and support. The easiest way to show your support is simply by joining the Ellis PTA.
Visit the PTA Website.
Contact US!
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
Email: Tanya.Melville@sccpss.com
Website: http://internet.savannah.chatham.k12.ga.us/schools/Ellis/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 this website regularly for the most up-to-date SCCPSS District information.