THE PRIDE PRESS
Essex Elementary School Newsletter
May 29, 2020
PRINCIPAL NEWS
Hello Families, and Happy Friday!
As I write this teachers are busily gathering, sorting, bagging and tagging student belongings in order to have them returned to you. Anyone who is touching your child’s belongings is following district, state and national protocols for safe handling of materials. These bags will sit in our D-wing hallway (along the route 128 side of the building) for the following four days without being handled by anyone.
On Wednesday, June 3rd, from 8:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m and again from 1:00 p.m to 3:30 p.m. we invite parents to come and pick up student belongings and drop off library books using virtually the identical system we used for picking up printed packets way back when the lockout started. (which seems like a whole other lifetime right now!) The system will work this way:
All pickup/dropoff will be in the driveway on the route 128 side of the building
This is curbside pickup only; nobody should or needs to leave their vehicle
Please pull into the driveway at the end by the dumpsters (there will be signs!)
Pull up to the stop sign where someone will ask for your students name and their teacher’s name. On the driver’s side of the car there will be a cart to place library books on. (no need to leave your car!)
At the opposite end of the drive you will be met by the person who has collected your child’s belongings. They will place the bag(s) in your trunk, front or back seat.
Pull away and enjoy the rest of your day!
If you have any questions about belongings, please contact your child’s teacher. If you have questions regarding library books, please contact librarian Carol Scrimgeour and if you have questions about the process, please contact me.
Thank you in advance for following the protocol and helping to ensure the safety of us all!
Learning Center News
Library Book Returns
As we rapidly approach the end of the school year, we are hoping to tie up loose ends by encouraging families to return their library books. School closed down so quickly in March, and nearly everyone had library books checked out. We understand it's been a challenging and long period of time since we were all in school. Please rest assured that we are not charging fees for late library books.
Books that had been returned to the classroom library cart before school closure have just been collected and checked in on Friday, May 29th. Email notices were sent out on Thursday, May 28th to help families remember what to look for, so you may receive a notice about books that have already been returned.
EES has scheduled Wednesday, June 3rd as a day to pick up your child's belongings and drop off library books. See Mr. Farrell's details in this newsletter. We would greatly appreciate it if library books could be dropped off that day. If you are unable, please don't worry, we will be exploring alternative opportunities for book returns. Also, if you are unable to locate the books, please don't stress about it; they may turn up over the summer and can be returned to school in September.
The Library will also be offering summer book checkouts to K-2 students. A google form will be shared with families next week, through which students can indicate which books they would like to borrow for the summer. I will then gather the books and have them ready for pickup on Thursday June 11th. Books will be due back at the beginning of the school year. Students moving on to 3rd grade will be able to return their EES summer books to the FMS library.
If you have any questions or concerns, please don't hesitate to contact me at cscrimgeour@ewsd.org.
Welcome to Founders
Founders Welcomes Second Grade Families!
The end of second grade usually brings excitement and sometimes jitters for a new school, new teachers, and new opportunities. Due to building closures, the usual transitional activities that Founders would be able to provide students and families will have to look different. Founders is committed to helping second graders make a positive transition to their new school and will work to find new ways to be supportive in the current landscape. Below is a link to a slideshow that you can share with your second grader to learn a little bit more about Founders.
HEALTH OFFICE NEWS
Student Medications
Hi Parents and Guardians, I still have several EPI PENS and Inhalers for students.
If you would like to pick up your child’s medication please email me and we can set up a time.
Stay Well,
Kimberly Bullock, BSN, RN
EES Nurse
CLassroom News
Mrs. Fortin
Mrs. Fortin's first grade readers discuss the book, The Goat in the Garden.
First grade has been working on I can identify the problem in a story and the solution.
Fostering Resilience & COVID-19
A message to parents & caregivers - Week 3
Joelle van Lent, Psy.D
Better than being perfect is to repair well. This situation provides lots of room for misunderstandings and for our coping approaches to bump into each other. Notice when you fumble and repair well. Make room for varied ways of coping and perspectives.
Stress can look like irritability, rigidity, silliness, lack of focus, loss of motivation, and being unable to see things from other people’s perspectives.
When you notice signs of stress-
Do not take the person’s response personally.
“Step over the behavior” and respond to the need.
Reconnect & validate
Later on & when people are calm, you can discuss the behavior, if necessary. Strike while the iron is cold
Children are more resilient to prolonged stress when they:
Have a sense of purpose each day- give children roles & responsibilities.
Can feel a sense of accomplishment each day- offer tasks that can be completed in short bursts of effort.
Feel competent- offer real challenges that are within their reach & engage in high interest activities regularly.
Feel helpful- offer legitimate ways for children to contribute and help at home or in the community.
Can play, explore, & feel curious.
Have a positive future orientation.
Have good sleep hygiene, healthy nutrition, & regular exercise.
Are regularly engaged in healthy distraction.
SCHOOL COUNSELORS
Hello Families,
With people wearing masks to protect themselves and others more and more, we realize that some young children have questions, discomfort, and anxieties around this. Please consider showing your child the following video created by Eileen McCoy, Early Childhood Special Educator at Richmond Elementary School. The video shows Mrs. McCoy and her young daughter demonstrating what they look like with and without a mask. They share the simple message that masks keep us safe.
One of our wonderful pre-k teachers at EES, Sayde Burke, found some ideas for play activities that can help children become more comfortable with wearing masks. Please have a look!
Helping Your Child Wear a Mask through Play
We hope that you have a lovely and safe weekend!
Brea, Kim, and Sarah
Mrs. LaFountain
Hello EES families,
My name is Christen LaFountain, Behavior Specialist at Essex Elementary School. My role is to help our students with behavior strategies and self-regulation skills. I support many children during the school day with all sorts of different challenges that they might face. I understand it may be difficult for families right now, trying to manage our “new normal” of having to work from home, homeschool children, and cope with all of the uncertainties happening around us. I wanted to let families know that if your child is struggling behaviorally at home and you would like some tips or strategies, please feel free to reach out to me via email at clafountain@ewsd.org.
CHILD NUTRITION
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