Essex Elementary School...EES APRIL NEWS Essex Elementary School MONTHLY NEWSLETTER 2014 S PRING C T 4/2 Art Show 6:30-8:004/9 Invention Convention4/11 1/2 day Professional Development

EES APRIL NEWSEssex Elementary School

M O N T H L Y N E W S L E T T E R

2014

SPRING CONCERT

4/2 Art Show 6:30-8:00

4/9 Invention Convention

4/11 1/2 day Professional Development for Teachers

4/14-4/18 Vacation

4/23 Green Team

4/24 Cultural Arts - Dennis Waring Trash to Tunes

4/25 Family Movie Night

4/30 Spring Concert 7pm VRHS

EES FAMILY MOVIE NIGHT!

Coming Events

We would like to extend a warm invitation to parents, family members and friends to join us in celebrating all the hard work the Chorus and Band members have done this Spring by attending our Spring Concert on Wednesday, April 30th at 7pm. The concert will be held in the auditorium at Valley Regional High School. We hope to see you there!

The Essex Elementary School Social Development team invites you to bring the family to a night of movies, popcorn and fun at the EES Family Movie Night. On April 25th at 7:00pm we are proud to present the feature movie WALL-E. This heartwarming story highlights the theme of protecting our planet for future generations and ties in with Earth Day! Popcorn will be provided. Please bring a blanket or cushion to sit on the gym floor. Cost is 15.00 per family or 5.00 per person. Hope to see you there!

The second in our series of movies is on May 30th at 7:00 pm with our feature movie Ratatouille. This movie embraces diversity, acceptance and following your dreams. The second movie will be presented outside on the green. Popcorn will be provided. Ice cream from Scoops will be available for purchase. The cost will be 15.00 per family or 5.00 per person.

Proceeds collected from both evenings will go to support the on-going efforts of Sister Cities Essex Haiti. As this is a family event we ask that there be parental supervision- no drop-offs. We hope you will be able to join us on one or both of these evenings to enjoy each other's company as well as help others in need.

Principal’s LetterFirst a howling blizzard woke us,

Then the rain came down to soak us,And now before the eye can focus —

Crocus.  ~Lilja Rogers

April showers bring May flowers....

As I entered Essex Elementary School last week to the sounds of birds chirping, I was reminded of the power of Spring and it's enduring cycle of change and renewal.  Although the cold weather has been reluctant to surrender to warm temperatures, the energy of Spring is in the air. This energy is abundant in all of our classrooms from kindergarten thru 6th grade. Students have hit their stride as they enter into the final trimester of the 2013-14 school year. I have read well written authentic persuasive writing from our fifth graders, creative integrated 6th grade courtyard projects and Saint Patrick’s Day writing in kindergarten to name a few. I have heard the sound of the band and the chorus preparing to dazzle all of us at the spring concert on April 30th and I have seen students tracking the growth of the young salmon hatching before their eyes. Spring is a remarkable time at Essex Elementary School.

The month of April is once again full of rich learning opportunities for our students. Mr. Stevens, Mrs. Lenz and Mrs. Carfi are hard at work hanging student art in preparation for the spring art show on April 2nd at 6:30pm. A new team of rising kindergarten parents/guardians will be attending kindergarten orientation on April 1st at 7:30pm and kindergarten registration later in the month. The long anticipated April break is almost here with many hoping for a restful week of vacation before the final push to the end of the school year. When students in grades 3 – 6 return from break they will begin the SBAC Field Test. At the end of the month, I am hopeful that you will join us at the first of two Family Movie Nights on Friday, April 25th. The feature presentation is WALL-e. Proceeds will go to Sister Cities Essex Haiti.

I would like to thank all of our parents and guardians who attended the March parent/teacher conferences. It is exciting to see parents and teachers working together to help our students grow and celebrate the success of each of our students. Thank you for your continued partnership and commitment to the educational journey of your child.

My best to you and your family,

Scott T. Jeffrey, Principal

Breakfast Program

The Essex Elementary School Breakfast Program started this past week with great success. Breakfast is served each morning from 8:10 – 8:30am for a cost of $1.25. There is no charge for students whose families have qualified for free or reduced lunch. The “bag breakfast” includes individually wrapped bagel, muffin or cereal, fruit and milk. Breakfast is the most important meal of the day and research shows that students who eat breakfast are better prepared for learning each day. Please see the breakfast menu included in the newsletter for the healthy selections available each day.

Preschool Grandparents and Good Friends Day: Students are sharing class books and sharing a snack of Golden Granola, dancing and singing "Grandma Moses", playing a guessing game and interviewing the invited adults.  

Preschool 3 year old class with their 4th Grade Book Buddies Students from the 3 yr. old class and their 4th grade buddies retelling the story they have been working on for the past 4 weeks. Students are wearing their grass hats singing "The Ants Go Marching" back down the fourth grade wing.

Family Math Night Students and their parents in grades 2, 3, and 4 enjoyed an evening filled with math games and activities this past Wednesday. Family Math Night and the Mathematician in Residence program is sponsored by the Essex Elementary School Foundation. Cathie Osiecki, the Mathematician in Residence has been working with EES students in grades 2, 3, and 4 since November to encourage the use of mathematical practices as they solve challenging math problems. Mrs. Osiecki visited each classroom four different times to provide model hands-on lessons related to the grade level mathematical focus. Mrs. Osiecki is also the K – 3 Math Consultant for the Region 4 School District. The teachers have reported significant progress by all students as a result of the classroom visits by the Mathematician in Residence.

“G” Week"G" week in the Mr. Boccalatte’s class looks like a lot of fun with students playing with homemade Goop.

Student Information and Placement

The Student Information Form for the 2014-15 school year was sent home last week. Please take a few minutes to complete the form and send it back to school no later than April 4th. The child placement process is comprehensive and takes our staff approximately 6-8 weeks before a final list is developed. Classroom teachers, special education staff, specials staff, school counselor and school psychologist all have input before administration finalizes the list. Each step along the way, parent input is considered as we work to build the best possible learning environments for our students. Please be sure to complete the forms by April 4th so that your input is considered in the placement process.

Afternoon Pick-up, Walkers and Bicyclists

Dismissal is an important part of the day and student safety is our number one concern. Students who are walking or riding their bikes are supervised as they are escorted to the bike racks and to the crossing guard. Students should NOT be crossing the parking lot to meet a parent or guardian waiting in their vehicles. If you plan to pick your child up at school, please make arrangements to pick them up from the cafeteria. In addition, there is NO parking in the “Bus Loop” parking lot between the hours of 7:45am to 3:15pm. Your help is needed as we work hard to ensure the safety of all members of our school community.

Pick-UpMathematics and the Common Core - Parent Math Workshop Series

The Region 4 School District is proud to present Mathematics…..and the Common Core Parent Workshops. The workshops are sponsored by each of the Region 4 Elementary School Parent Teacher Organizations and the John Winthrop Middle School Parent Council. Our District Math Consultants, Cathie Osiecki and Marge Doolittle will be presenting important information about mathematics and the common core and how you can help your child at home. Please go to www.reg4.k12.ct.us for more information and to register for one of the sessions. Pre-registration is required so that we have materials ready for participants.

K – 1 April 22, 2014 at Chester Elementary School2 -3 April 28, 2014 at Essex Elementary School4 – 5 May 12, 2014 at Deep River Elementary School6 – 8 May 8, 2014 at John Winthrop Middle School

Stakeholder Goal – Spring Climate Survey

The 2014 Spring Climate Survey will be coming out this week for members of our school community to complete. Please take a few moments to complete the secure online survey. The information gathered will be helpful in making important decisions related to the overall climate of Essex Elementary School. Data collected from the 2013 Spring Climate Survey was used this year as our school Stakeholder goal. The data was collected from the question; Are you satisfied with the level of communication between school and home regarding your child’s/children’s academic progress each trimester?” Seventy Six Percent of the parents or guardians completing the survey responded that they are satisfied, however, our goal this year was to improve this number. The staff at Essex Elementary School has worked diligently this year to develop and implement action steps designed to increase the level of communication related to academic performance. Telephone calls, emails, newsletters, new webpages, progress updates, conferences and trimester report cards are among the many strategies used by teachers to report on academic progress. We would appreciate your support by completing the survey. Thank you for your assistance.

State Testing starts in AprilStudents  in  grades  3  through  6  will  be  taking  the  “SBAC”  tests  in  Math  and  Language  Arts,  beginning  later  this  month  and  into  May.    We  no  longer  take  the  “CMTs”  but  are,  instead,  transitioning  to  a  new  kind  of  test  -­‐  -­‐  which  is  all  on  computers.    This  year’s  tests  are  a  practice  for  the  ones  that  “count”  next  year.    The  SBAC  tests  are  untimed  and  since  they  are  on  the  computer,  students  work  at  their  own  pace  and  are  able  to  jump  back  into  the  spot  they  left  off  at,  after  taking  a  break.    This  spring’s  testing  will  look  different  than  typical  testing  and  we  will  all  be  adjusting  to  this  new  format.    We  anticipate  that  students  will  Iind  testing  more  interesting  and  engaging  since  the  test  items  will  reIlect  new  technology.    Parents  are  able  to  view  the  type  of  items  that  will  appear  on  the  SBAC  tests  by  visiting  the  website:    1)  www.sbac.airast.org  ,  2)  clicking  on  “Practice  Test”,  3)  scrolling  down  to  the  bottom  of  the  Practice  Test  page,  and  4)  choosing  the  green  icon,  titled,  “Student  Interface  Practice  and  Training  Tests”  and  then  5)  sign  in  (multiple  times)  as  a  “Guest.”      This  is  the  same  site  that  teachers  have  been  using  to  practice  with  the  students.    We  look  forward  to  trying  out  this  new  kind  of  test  in  April  and  May!

Invention Convention on April 9The EES gym will be the site of our school Invention Convention on Wednesday evening, April 9 from 6:00-7:30. Nearly fifty students have been working on their creative ideas for original inventions during March. Mrs. MacDonald, Mrs. Plumley, Mrs. Harvey, Mrs. Schultz and volunteer parents have been meeting on Tuesday afternoons with motivated students in grades 4-6. Display boards went home on March 25 with students nearing the end of the process. We have, once again, registered for the (state) Connecticut Invention Convention to which approximately 5 Essex inventors will be selected to attend. We are fortunate that a collection of judges, representing a range of backgrounds and professions has been assembled to determine which students will be sent on to the state competition at UConn on Saturday, May 3. I encourage all students and families interested in inventing to visit the CIC website to learn more about student invention at www.ctinventionconvention.org. Our thanks goes our to our parent volunteers for lending their time and expertise to organize this event and support students in their work, and for the support of the EES PTO. Thanks go, as well, to all of the families who have been assisting our young inventors at home with the logistics to complete the finished product. All EES students from any grade level, with their families, are invited to attend this special evening of student creativity.

At  Essex  Elementary  School,  a  great  amount  of  6me  is  reserved  for  mo6va6ng  kids  to  read  and  providing  6me  for  them  to  do  so.  From  discovering  favorite  authors  or  favorite  series,  kids  build  their  stamina  and  enjoy  a  book  or  magazine  on  a  daily  basis.    If  your  child  is  having  difficulty  geCng  hooked  into  reading  a  good  book,  consider  these  reasons  children  frequently  give  for  not  reading:

• It’s  boring.    Kids  may  need    help  in  finding  interes6ng  reading  material.• I  don’t  have  the  2me.    Kids  are  busy  with  extracurricular  ac6vi6es  and  may  need  help  rearranging  their  

schedules  to  make  6me  for  reading.• It’s  too  hard.    Kids  may  need  help  in  finding  books  that  are  just  right.• It’s  not  important.    Kids  may  not  see  the  purpose  or  relevance  of  reading.• It’s  no  fun.    Kids  may  feel  anxious  or  under  pressure  and  view  reading  as  a  chore  or  painful  experience.

If  any  of  these  statements  ring  true  then  here  are  some  ways  to  encourage  reading  at  home:1.    Scout  for  things  your  children  might  like  to  read.    Use  their  interests  and  hobbies  as  star6ng  points.2.    Leave  all  sorts  of  reading  materials  around  your  home.3.    No6ce  what  aOracts  your  children’s  aOen6on,  even  if  they  only  look  at  the  pictures.4.    Let  your  children  see  you  reading  for  pleasure.5.    Take  your  child  to  the  local  library.6.    Play  games  that  are  reading  related.7.    Set  aside  a  regular  6me  for  reading  as  a  family.8.    Present  reading  as  an  ac6vity  with  a  purpose  –  such  as  reading  and  following  a  recipe  or  building  a  model  airplane.9.    Set  aside  a  special  place  for  children  to  keep  their  own  books.10.    Connect  your  child’s  reading  with  an  extended  ac6vity,  such  as  visi6ng  the  dinosaur  museum  a\er  reading  a  book  about  dinosaurs.

                                                                   The  Reading  Team        Mrs.  Doxsee,  Mrs.  Roussel,  Mrs.  Uzzo

From The EES Health Office

Parents  and  guardians  of  5th  grade  students  should  have  received  a  letter  at  parent-­‐teacher  conferences  with  information  about  the  puberty  movie.    The  parent  preview  is  scheduled  for  Wednesday,  April  23  @  6:30  PM  for  parents/guardians  of  boys  and  at  7:15  PM  for  parents/guardians  of  girls.    Students  will  view  the  movie  on  Friday,  May  9th  at  the  end  of  the  school  day.

Parents  and  guardians  of  6th  grade  students  should  have  received  a  letter  at  parent-­‐teacher  conferences  with  information  about  the  health  assessment  and  immunization  requirements  for  entrance  to  7th  grade.    Physicals  done  since  September  1,  2013  are  acceptable  and  can  be  turned  in  to  the  Essex  Elementary  School  Health  OfRice  before  the  end  of  the  school  year.    Just  a  reminder  to  schedule  summer  physicals  as  soon  as  possible  so  the  health  forms  can  be  submitted  to  John  Winthrop  Middle  School  in  a  timely  fashion.

Hopefully  the  warm  weather  will  be  upon  us  soon.    I  am  aware  that  Rlip-­‐Rlops  are  in  fashion,  but  I  would  suggest,  especially  for  the  younger  children,  that  they  wear  sneakers  or  closed  shoes.    The  playground  terrain  is  uneven  and  the  younger  children  love  to  run  at  recess,  but  wearing  Rlip-­‐Rlops  can  be  a  tripping  hazard.    The  goal  is  to  keep  the  children  safe  while  allowing  them  to  have  fun  and  expend  some  energy  at  recess.    

REMINDER:    If  your  child  has  an  injury  requiring  medical  care,  please  obtain  a  note  from  the  physician  stating  the  child’s  limitations.    This  is  required  to  help  keep  the  child  safe  and  to  prevent  further  injury.

According  to  State  and  Region  #4  Board  of  Education  policy,  children  are  not  allowed  to  carry  medication  to  and  from  school.    Doctor’s  orders  are  required  for  school  personnel  (including  the  nurse)  to  administer  medications  to  students.    

I  hope  you  all  have  a  fabulous  spring  break.    Hopefully  the  weather  will  be  nice  and  we  can  spend  some  time  outside!

As  always,  please  feel  free  to  call  me  at  (860)767-­‐1524  Or  send  me  an  e-­‐mail  at  [email protected]  with  any  questions  or  concerns.

Suzanne  Deens,  R.N.Rosemary  Vitali

CBADCBAD

CBADCBADC

4/1Chicken  Fajitas

Sautéed  Peppers  &  OnionsBrown  Rice  &  Beans

Roasted  BuOernut  Squash  Fruit  Cup

4/2Pasta  Bar

Tomato,  Meat  or  Alfredo  Sauce

Garden  SaladWhole  Wheat  Garlic  

BreadChilled  Fruit  Cup

4/3Chicken  Ranch  Wrap

Backed  ChipsVeggie  S6cks  w/dip

Fruit  Cup

4/4Toasted  Cheese  Sandwich  

orToasted  Ham  &  Cheese  

SandwichTomato  SoupBaby  Carrots

Chilled  Fruit  Cup4/7

Stuffed  Crust  PizzaTossed  Salad  w/  Croutons

Juice  BarFresh  Fruit

4/8Oven  Baked  Chicken  

Mashed  Sweet  PotatoesMixed  Fresh  Vegetables

Chilled  Fruit  Cup

4/9Pasta  Bar

Tomato,  Meat  or  Alfredo  Sauce

Fresh  Green  BeansWhole  Wheat  Garlic  

BreadChilled  Fruit  Cup

4/10Hamburger  or  Cheeseburger  

Roasted  Potato  WedgesLeOuce  &  TomatoChilled  Fruit  Cup

4/11Fluffy  Pancakes

Strawberry  toppingBaked  BuBernut  Squash

Sausage  LinksFresh  Fruit  Cup

4/14Spring  RecessSchool  Closed

4/15Spring  RecessSchool  Closed

4/16Spring  RecessSchool  Closed

4/17Spring  RecessSchool  Closed

4/18Spring  RecessSchool  Closed

4/21Stuffed  Crust  Pizza

Tossed  Salad  w/  CroutonsJuice  Bar

Fresh  Fruit  Cup

4/22All  Beef  Hot  Dogs

 on  a  BunBaked  Beans

Veggie  SEcks  w/  dipFresh  Watermelon  Slices

4/23Pasta  Bar

Tomato,  Meat  or  Alfredo  Sauce

Fresh  Green  BeansWhole  Wheat  Garlic  

BreadChilled  Fruit  Cup

4/24Ham  Grinder

 or  Cheese  GrinderBaked  Chips

Veggie  SEcks  w/dipChilled  Fruit  Cup

4/25Beef  &  Bean  Nachos

Cheese  SauceSalsa  &  Sour  CreamRoasted  ZucchiniChilled  Fruit  Cup

4/28French  Bread  Pizza

Tossed  Salad  w/  CroutonsJuice  BarFresh  Fruit

4/29Shepherd’s  Pie              

with  Gravy  &  Mashed  Potatoes

Roasted  Corn  Chilled  Fruit  Cup

4/30Pasta  Bar

Tomato,  Meat  or  Alfredo  Sauce

Fresh  Green  BeansWhole  Wheat  Garlic  

BreadChilled  Fruit  Cup

April  2014  Lunch  Menu                        

Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday

Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday

Breakfast  Menu 4/1Grab  &  Go  CerealGraham  Crackers

Fresh  Fruit  Choice  of  Milk

4/2Blueberry  MuffinFresh  Apple  SlicesChoice  of  Milk

4/3Yogurt  

Graham  CrackersFresh  Fruit

Choice  of  Milk

4/4Grab  &  Go  CerealGraham  CrackersFresh  BananaChoice  of  Milk

4/7Bagel  

with  Lite  Cream  CheeseFresh  Fruit  

Choice  of  Milk

4/8Grab  &  Go  CerealGraham  Crackers

Fresh  Fruit  Choice  of  Milk

4/9Apple  Cinnamon  Muffin

Fresh  Apple  SlicesChoice  of  Milk

4/10Yogurt  

Graham  CrackersFresh  Fruit

Choice  of  Milk

4/11                                              Early  Dismissal

Grab  &  Go  CerealGraham  CrackersFresh  BananaChoice  of  Milk

4/14Spring  RecessSchool  Closed

4/15Spring  RecessSchool  Closed

4/16Spring  RecessSchool  Closed

4/17Spring  RecessSchool  Closed

4/18Spring  RecessSchool  Closed

4/21Bagel  

with  Lite  Cream  CheeseFresh  Fruit  

Choice  of  Milk

4/22Grab  &  Go  CerealGraham  Crackers

Fresh  Fruit  Choice  of  Milk

4/23Orange  Cranberry  Muffin

Fresh  Apple  SlicesChoice  of  Milk

4/24Yogurt  

Graham  CrackersFresh  Fruit

Choice  of  Milk

4/25Grab  &  Go  CerealGraham  CrackersFresh  BananaChoice  of  Milk

4/28  Bagel  

with  Lite  Cream  CheeseFresh  Fruit  

Choice  of  Milk

4/29Grab  &  Go  CerealGraham  Crackers

Fresh  Fruit  Choice  of  Milk

4/30Blueberry  MuffinFresh  Apple  SlicesChoice  of  Milk

BREAKFAST MENU