WEEKLY WONDERS
Charles Ellis Montessori Academy, October 4, 2021
A New Birth
Cosmic work, or a cosmic task, is that which anything in the universe does to contribute to the greater good, most often unknowingly. Maria Montessori calls Cosmic Education the path through which children develop a global vision. By developing gratitude for the universe and their own lives within it, the child then takes on an awareness of receiving many gifts from other human beings they will never know.
In our culture we are often caught up in the myriad of "Have to dos". We scramble from appointment to appointment, from one project to the next and all in the pursuit of checking off the interminable "TO DO LIST!".
But if we would take a brief moment to "Just Be" we may have a place to birth new ideas and feed our creativity. A breath taken, may re-nourish our bodies to engage in the world at a pace that is sustainable. A moment of peace, may bring perspective and understanding to how we relate to our fellow humans.
As adults, (teachers all), we must model a daily rebirth, so that our children can aspire to a more hopeful world. Hope incarnate!
Peace,
Ms. Tanya
Important Dates
October 6- Walk/Bike to School Day
October 8- Fall Break (No School!)
October 11- Staff Planning Day (No School for Students!)
October 12- Second Nine-Weeks Period Begins
October 15- Deadline to Purchase/Return Fall Pictures
October 18- Deadline for PTA Reflections Submissions
October 22- Drive-Thru PTA Fall Festival (More Info to Come)
October 25-29- Book Character Pumpkin Patch (More Info to Come)
October 26- Make-Up Fall Picture Day (More Info to Come)
No School!
Have a great break!
"Great Schools Have Great Principals"
We want to take this time to thank Ms. Tanya for all that she does on a daily basis for our staff and students. She always puts the best interest of our school community at the forefront of everything she does.
If you wish to show your appreciation, you can send Ms. Tanya a quick note of encouragement (tanya.melville@sccpss.com).
From the Clinic
Please note:
Nurse Chris' email address has changed to christine.oboyle@sccpss.com
If your child is (or will be) absent for any reason, please email your child's teacher AND copy Nurse Chris on the email.
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 to pick them up immediately. When you pick up your student, you will be provided with a letter from Nurse Chris outlining further instructions including when your student will be allowed to return to the building. You can view that letter template on the Nurse's page of the Ellis school website for your future reference. It is also listed in the updated Ellis Family Handbook.
Contact Information:
912-395-5474
Friendly Reminder: Devices Brought to School Daily
Students must also have their own set of earbuds/headphones. We cannot share these items among students for hygiene reasons.
If you would like your student to keep their device at school, please contact your student's teacher to arrange that.
Thank you for your help with teaching our students to be responsible for their school materials.
Walk/Bike to School Day
If you live close to Ellis, consider walking/biking to school on a regular basis. If you don't live close to Ellis, instead of dropping your student off in the car line, you could park and walk your student up to school.
Not only is walking/biking good for the environment, but exercise first thing in the morning is a great way to start your day!
Media Center
When I was a child, I participated in the BOOK IT! program as an elementary student. I have fond memories of going to Pizza Hut every month with my family, getting my very own personal pan pizza, and receiving a new star sticker on my BOOK IT! pin.
For several years now, I have coordinated the BOOK IT! program through the media center to give our students the opportunity to participate by tracking how much they read every month from October to March. This is an optional program for all Ellis PreK through 6th grade students, but I hope that you consider signing your student(s) up to participate and encouraging them along the way. You can even participate as a family! Any books read together can count towards your student(s) reading goal. It is fun to read together no matter how old your student(s) may be.
This year, we will be participating in the digital only program. If you wish to sign your student(s) up, all that you need to do is provide me with your email address. Student(s) will keep track of how much they read throughout the month and at the end of the month, I will send a reward coupon for a FREE one-topping, personal pan pizza from Pizza Hut to the email address provided to me. The reward coupon can be redeemed for dine-in, carry-out, delivery, and online ordering.
Here are some links to provide more information about the program:
https://www.bookitprogram.com/about
https://www.bookitprogram.com/programs/book-it
Here are some links for materials to keep track of your student(s) reading:
Lower Elementary (1st-3rd) Reading Log
Upper Elementary (4th-6th) Reading Log
If you have any questions, please let me know.
Happy reading!
Sincerely,
Ms. Lisa
Library Media Technology Specialist
Charles Ellis Montessori Academy
Counselor's Corner
If your child or someone you know needs any resources, including a free bag of food for the weekend, Ms. Rebecca is here to help. 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, School Counselor 912-395-5470 x2rebecca.burkhart@sccpss.com
School-Wide Grace & Courtesy Focus
The language for identifying/naming CREATIVITY in "The Self-Awakened Child" series by Jonathan Wolff:
- When I do something in my own special way, I am being creative.
- When I make something new that no one has ever made before, I am being creative.
- When I find a way to help myself or someone else fix a problem, I am being creative.
Fall Pictures
Please Note:
- Fall pictures are a fundraiser for our school! Every purchase will benefit our students directly.
- The deadline for purchasing photos and/or returning prints to school is Friday, October 15th, 2021. You can purchase online with the code in your picture packet or you may send cash or check (made payable to Strawbridge) in the envelope provided to school with your student.
- Make-Up Picture day is scheduled for Tuesday, October 26th.
- If anyone has questions, you may contact Ms. Lisa (lisa.odonnell@sccpss.com).
COVID-19 Testing Sites
**Update 9/16/2021**
See updated list attached below.
Please see the attached PDF below for alternative COVID-19 testing sites.
Thank you for your help.
PTA Reflections
Encourage your child(ren) to submit an entry to the PTA Reflections Competition!
The theme this year is "I Will Change the World By..." See the photo below.
All art forms are accepted: visual art, dance performances, literary compositions, film, and more! Click here for submission forms. If you have questions, email Amanda Fanelli, our PTA Reflections Chairman: ellisreflections@gmail.com.
We had three students place in the State finals last year, can we again "Change the World" this year?
All entries due (with forms in order and proper formats followed) to Ms. Lisa in the media center or to ellisreflections@gmail.com by Monday, October 18th. All entries will be showcased at the Drive-Thru Fall Festival on Friday, October 22nd!
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!
Ellis PTA
The PTA is calling all local business owners to consider investing in our school by being a PTA Business Sponsor. See attached form below. We appreciate your consideration and help spreading the word out to our community about this great opportunity
If you haven't joined the PTA yet, please do!
Joining the PTA is a small but significant way to get involved in our school and to make a difference in the lives of our Ellis community.
WE NEED YOU!
There is still a PTA Committee Chair open:
Arts Enrichment
If interested in joining a PTA committee, contact Emily Salzer (emilycsalzer@gmail.com) or Kellie Groover (kellie.groover@focuslabllc.com), PTA Co-Presidents.
If you are a parent/guardian of a new Ellis student, request to join the Ellis PTA Facebook Group to connect with us.
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.