Holiday Cheer!

As you walk through the halls you may hear a holiday song and notice the wonderful bulletin boards. Don’t forget to mark your calendar for the Christmas Program. On Tuesday, Dec. 15th at 9:30 parents with the last names beginning with A-H are assigned to attend. In the afternoon on Dec. 15th at 1:30 parents with the last names beginning with I-P are to attend, and on Wednesday, December 16th at 9:30, parents with the last names beginning with Q-Z are scheduled. This schedule helps us to equalize the audience so that we are not over in our allowed auditorium capacity. We are excited to have the Student Council announcing the program this year!

I would like to thank all of you who contributed to our fundraiser. The PTA is in the final stages of ordering a play structure for the upper grades. This will provide students with additional physical activities for them to do during outside time contributing to healthy bodies!

We are looking at our goals and checking them twice as we continue to monitor our academic progress this year. The students scores appear to be progressing very well and we will have feedback through one measurement for the Fifth Grade from the State’s Direct Write Assessment administered on Dec. 1st. The Fourth Grade will take the Direct Math Assessment on Dec. 2nd. I anticipate a positive outcome for all!

The Student Council has organized a food drive this month to benefit the Food Bank. They are also conducting a “penny war” to provide additional funds. This was very popular with the students last year and they raised one of the highest amounts the Food Bank has received from a school.

We hope you all have a wonderful break during which you find time to spend time with your family and read many books! I know I have the books I want to read all ready to go!

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!

The Learning Leap

I hope you have notice growth in your child’s achievement. It has been gratifying to note all the accomplishments of our students over the past six weeks. We carefully monitor students’ growth to ensure that we are addressing the needs of each Ellis student and we are seeing significant gains. We want to thank those of you who are helping at home. You make a strong difference in the academic growth your child experiences.

We want to thank all of you who attended the McTeacher night at McDonalds. It is an evening we always enjoy. It allows teachers and students to see each other in a different setting. The teachers appreciate your participation as the proceeds go to support the teacher’s printing for their classroom and we are being very conscious to spend conservatively this year.

The Third Grade students experienced a wonderful field trip to the museum to expand their learning about Native Americans and they had the opportunity to create clay pots. The First Grade students have an upcoming event you will want to make sure to ask about if you have a first grader. The First Grade Thanksgiving Feast is coming up on November 20th, and we have a 2 hour early out on the 25th followed by two days out for Thanksgiving.

We are thankful for the terrific students and parents at Ellis and wish you a wonderful Thanksgiving Holiday.