WEEKLY WONDERS
Charles Ellis Montessori Academy, Week of December 6, 2021
"There is a great sense of community within the Montessori classroom, where children of differing ages work together in an atmosphere of cooperation rather than competitiveness. There is a respect for the environment and the individuals within it which comes through experience of freedom within the community." Maria Montessori
In our Montessori learning communities, children give each other the gift of their "BEING" each and everyday. This is given freely without judgement or measurement. The children build skills, both academic and social, that contribute to productive and compassionate classrooms. For me, to observe this on a daily basis, is a gift that keeps on giving. In this season of giving, my greatest hope is that someday very soon you too will be given the gift to be present in our classrooms and to witness the wonder of how community is created in the heart-work of Charles Ellis Montessori Academy.
Peace,
Ms. Tanya
Important Dates
December 3-9- Scholastic Book Fair
December 9- Festival of Lights (Primary and Lower Elementary)
December 14- High School Info Session for Erdkinder
December 17- Donation Dress Down Day
December 20-31- Winter Break
January 3- Staff Planning Day
January 4- Start of 3rd Nine Weeks
January 4- Students Return to School
Make-Up Fall Picture Packets
Musical Explorers Family Concert
Free, family-friendly concert in Forsyth Park on Sunday!
Musical Explorers provides free curricula and learning resources that Ms. Jennifer uses in her Lower Elementary (1st-3rd grades) music classes, and is designed for students to learn basic music skills while discovering different cultures and reflecting on their own communities.
After exploring soul, country, and salsa music over the course of the semester, this free concert allows students, their families, and friends to meet the artists that have guided them on their musical journeys!
When: Sunday, December 5th, 2pm.
Where: Forsyth Park Bandshell
Find more information at this website.
Festival of Lights
Due to social distancing guidelines, the Festival of Lights will be limited to Primary (Pre-K/K) and Lower Elementary (1st, 2nd, and 3rd Grade) families (limit of two adults per family).
When: Thursday, December 9th (Food Truck- Bow Tie BBQ- starting at 5pm, performance starting at 5:30pm)
Where: Backyard- Entrance/Sign-in will be at the back gate on 48th St.
Who: Primary (Pre-K/K) and Lower El (1st-3rd Grades) students and their families
- Sign up to attend at this link.
- Students should arrive no later than 5:15pm.
- Students are encouraged to dress festively and appropriately for the weather.
- Bring your own chair/blanket.
- Enter/sign in at the back gate on 48th St.
- The playground will be off limits to children during the event.
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).
Book Fair
If you have any questions, contact Ms. Lisa (lisa.odonnell@sccpss.com).
Thank you for your support!
Counselor's Corner
This week in School Counseling Instruction, Primary and Lower Elementary students read the book “Finding Your Spot in the World: A Story About Diversity.” We discussed how we can make a positive impact and about how we are all unique to make up our big, beautiful world.
Erdkinder Families are invited to a high school info session on Zoom Tuesday, December 14 at 5:30pm. Learn more about high school options and preparation. The School Counseling Department looks forward to hosting this informational virtual event. Should you be unable to attend live, this session will be recorded, and presentation will be available.
Meeting ID: 936 1743 5552
Passcode: highschool
Rebecca Burkhart, School Counselor & Wes Cooper, School Counseling Intern
912-395-5470 x2
rebecca.burkhart@sccpss.comTHANK YOU!
We had 13 students raise $100 or more...they each received a $10 gift certificate to the book fair. Happy reading (and shopping)!
School-Wide Grace & Courtesy Focus
The language for identifying/naming TRUST/HONESTY in "The Self-Awakened Child" series by Jonathan Wolff:
- When I say to myself, "I know I can learn to do this" -- even if it's something that is very hard for me to do-- I am Trusting myself.
- When someone promises me something and I feel sure they will keep their promise, I am Trusting them.
- When I do what I promise I will do, I am acting with Trust.
- When I tell myself the truth about what I think, how I feel or what I did, I am being Honest.
- When I tell someone the truth about what I think, how I feel or what I did, I am being Honest.
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.
From the Clinic
You can find important information on the Nurse's page of the Ellis website.
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
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.
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 PTA Committee Chairs open:
Arts Enrichment
Fundraising
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.