Happy Holidays! Break is almost here, but we have several exciting events before vacation starts after school on December 17th. Next week we have our Christmas Program. We have two presentations on Tuesday and one on Wednesday. Please check in Infinite Campus to view the notice about scheduled times if you lost your notice. It is very helpful if you adhere to the assigned time for your family as we find we are completely full in the auditorium and we have tried to equalize the attendance so everyone will enjoy their time.
The students have been working very hard as was evident in the awards assemblies held last week. Many students received awards for their entries in Reflections and some will be going on to competition at the District level. I am also very impressed with the number of students who have perfect attendance to date. Research indicates that attendance is a strong indicator of student achievement.
At this time of the year I would like to thank all of the volunteers who make our school a better place. They help us to achieve the high levels of academic achievement our students are able to attain. The students have also demonstrated their generosity by bringing in food for the Food Bank. Many hungry families will be appreciative.
Your generosity is noted by the support for the Math-a-thon. The proceeds are purchasing an electronic messenger board. We hope to have it up early in the new year to provide you with additional information on upcoming events.
I hope you all have a fantastic break and look forward to seeing the students back on Monday, January 3rd.
Friday, December 10, 2010
Monday, November 8, 2010
Reading and Reading and Math! Oh My!
Winter is here- snowflakes and all. We have had such an action packed October and we are looking forward to the exciting events ahead in November. I was so impressed by all of the grandparents who showed up for our Grandparents and Granola event. The numbers were amazing and we will be planning another event due to the positive feedback about the day. Grandparents are certainly very important people! HEART Day provided us with a wonderful opportunity as well to show students how important reading is in their life and by showing up, you demonstrated the importance to the children. We hope that you will use the information that was distributed about how to support reading at home to encourage a love for reading as well as develop skill and reading fluency. As we recognize all of the activities focused on reading we would also like to thank the PTA for taking their time to organize and run the Book Fair. I know I found many wonderful books for my family.
The events do not stop there. On November 10th we will have our McTeacher Night. This is always a very popular evening with the students. They love to see their teachers in different settings and some of them may even be serving up the dinner. Please make sure you carefully note the time your child’s teacher is going to be there as students are very disappointed if they miss them.
Our math night has also been a big draw in the past and we are looking forward to seeing all of the families on the evening of November 17th at 6:00.
The last day before the holiday is November 23rd. Teachers will be working on the 24th to get student records in order. I hope you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving and enjoy time with family.
The events do not stop there. On November 10th we will have our McTeacher Night. This is always a very popular evening with the students. They love to see their teachers in different settings and some of them may even be serving up the dinner. Please make sure you carefully note the time your child’s teacher is going to be there as students are very disappointed if they miss them.
Our math night has also been a big draw in the past and we are looking forward to seeing all of the families on the evening of November 17th at 6:00.
The last day before the holiday is November 23rd. Teachers will be working on the 24th to get student records in order. I hope you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving and enjoy time with family.
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
Getting Comfortable!
The students have settled in and are working hard! They are becoming familiar with new lunch numbers, and teachers and staff are climbing the learning curve on using the new student information system, Infinite Campus. To help you learn more about the system we are having a parent night when we will demonstrate logging in and using the program features. Watch for more information coming home on this event.
During September, we kicked the year off with our first assembly, held our first fire drill and upper grades attended a “strings” demonstration. We have administered benchmark assessments to all students in the school. From these assessments we gather information which allows us to customize learning and meet the needs of our students. Using this information the staff and students set challenging goals for the year and measure our progress as we move through the year.
I would like to thank all of you who attended our Back to School Night. It gave us an opportunity to discuss our mission and vision and address expectations for the year. It is important that we work together as a team as that produces the greatest gains for students. Thank you for joining us in this process.
As you walk through the halls you notice the smiling faces and peering into the rooms, students demonstrate their enthusiasm to learn. Come and visit, or better yet, volunteer. To keep you abreast of the upcoming events in October focused on reading, don’t forget to read the newsletter and mark you calendars!
During September, we kicked the year off with our first assembly, held our first fire drill and upper grades attended a “strings” demonstration. We have administered benchmark assessments to all students in the school. From these assessments we gather information which allows us to customize learning and meet the needs of our students. Using this information the staff and students set challenging goals for the year and measure our progress as we move through the year.
I would like to thank all of you who attended our Back to School Night. It gave us an opportunity to discuss our mission and vision and address expectations for the year. It is important that we work together as a team as that produces the greatest gains for students. Thank you for joining us in this process.
As you walk through the halls you notice the smiling faces and peering into the rooms, students demonstrate their enthusiasm to learn. Come and visit, or better yet, volunteer. To keep you abreast of the upcoming events in October focused on reading, don’t forget to read the newsletter and mark you calendars!
Saturday, August 14, 2010
Welcome to the 2010-2011 School Year!
I hope you have all had a fruitful, enjoyable and relaxing summer and that the students are ready for another learning packed school year. The staff has been hard at work getting ready for the new year and we are looking forward to welcoming all of our previous students as well as our new ones on the first day of school.
Last year was an outstanding year for Ellis students. We again met adequate yearly progress as determined by the state. In doing so we exceeded both the State and District averages in all areas of reading and math. I want to congratulate students, parents and teachers for this accomplishment as you all played a part in making it happen.
Our wonderful staff works tirelessly to provide the best possible education while students strive to adhere to our motto stating, “I am responsible and always learning.” We are excited about the new staff at Ellis this year. Margo Lamont has joined the second grade team as we add another class at that level. She is not a newcomer to the school as she did her student teaching here and served as a long-term substitute for third grade last year. She is familiar with students, procedures and curriculum and will be an outstanding addition to that group. As many of you know, Debbie Reid-Oleson retired last year and Bonnie Conteraras will be taking her position. She is not a newcomer to the area and has strong family ties to Pocatello. Last year she spent time getting to know our program and our school and will feel right at home as the new year starts. One temporary change is the addition of Celeste Lundt who has taught at Chubbuck before but took time off for family. She will be taking Ashley Thurman’s spot in Title I this year as Ms. Thurman takes a year off for her own family. We are fortunate to have such a highly qualified replacement for the year and look forward to working with her.
As you know from news releases, registration is fast approaching. It is scheduled for August 18th starting at 11:00. It is necessary for everyone to complete the paperwork. If you’re student is returning, then you should have received the paperwork in the mail. If you did not get it, don’t despair as you just need to come in and we can help on registration day. All new students must come to registration with the required paperwork. The District website (www.d25.k12.id.us) has information posted for the upcoming year and will update you on the requirements.
First day of school for students in grades 1-5 is Thursday, September 2. Kindergarten students attending Tuesday and Thursday will attend orientation on September 2, and those in the Wednesday and Friday class will receive orientation on Friday. On September 7, Tuesday/Thursday Kindergarteners (A-L) will attend their first day while Wednesday/Friday Kindergarteners (A-L) will come for their first day on September 8. Kindergarteners with the last name starting with M-Z and attending Tuesday/Thursday will come for the first day on September 9 and those with last names starting with M-Z on Wednesday and Friday will come for their first day on September 10. We will be happy to clarify any questions about these dates on registration day.
We know how important you are to the educational process and are looking forward to seeing you soon!
Last year was an outstanding year for Ellis students. We again met adequate yearly progress as determined by the state. In doing so we exceeded both the State and District averages in all areas of reading and math. I want to congratulate students, parents and teachers for this accomplishment as you all played a part in making it happen.
Our wonderful staff works tirelessly to provide the best possible education while students strive to adhere to our motto stating, “I am responsible and always learning.” We are excited about the new staff at Ellis this year. Margo Lamont has joined the second grade team as we add another class at that level. She is not a newcomer to the school as she did her student teaching here and served as a long-term substitute for third grade last year. She is familiar with students, procedures and curriculum and will be an outstanding addition to that group. As many of you know, Debbie Reid-Oleson retired last year and Bonnie Conteraras will be taking her position. She is not a newcomer to the area and has strong family ties to Pocatello. Last year she spent time getting to know our program and our school and will feel right at home as the new year starts. One temporary change is the addition of Celeste Lundt who has taught at Chubbuck before but took time off for family. She will be taking Ashley Thurman’s spot in Title I this year as Ms. Thurman takes a year off for her own family. We are fortunate to have such a highly qualified replacement for the year and look forward to working with her.
As you know from news releases, registration is fast approaching. It is scheduled for August 18th starting at 11:00. It is necessary for everyone to complete the paperwork. If you’re student is returning, then you should have received the paperwork in the mail. If you did not get it, don’t despair as you just need to come in and we can help on registration day. All new students must come to registration with the required paperwork. The District website (www.d25.k12.id.us) has information posted for the upcoming year and will update you on the requirements.
First day of school for students in grades 1-5 is Thursday, September 2. Kindergarten students attending Tuesday and Thursday will attend orientation on September 2, and those in the Wednesday and Friday class will receive orientation on Friday. On September 7, Tuesday/Thursday Kindergarteners (A-L) will attend their first day while Wednesday/Friday Kindergarteners (A-L) will come for their first day on September 8. Kindergarteners with the last name starting with M-Z and attending Tuesday/Thursday will come for the first day on September 9 and those with last names starting with M-Z on Wednesday and Friday will come for their first day on September 10. We will be happy to clarify any questions about these dates on registration day.
We know how important you are to the educational process and are looking forward to seeing you soon!
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
A Fantastic Year!
First of all, I would like to thank you for a wonderful year! The students have accomplished a great deal this year which is evident by the end of year testing scores. On the Idaho Reading Indicator, grades 1-3 were all proficient with one grade level making a 42% increase in proficiency! ISAT scores show how hard the students in grades 3-5 have worked. In math the school achieved a 95% proficiency score with some classes having more than half of the students advanced. In the area of reading the overall score was 96% proficient with 30% of the classrooms having 100% of the students either proficient or advanced. Finally, in language we reached 90% proficiency.
I would like to recognize the hard work all of the students have done and the support families have given them. We are so fortunate to have a caring and supportive team here at Ellis and it is with great sadness that we send off our fifth grade students, but we know they are well prepared for middle school. We are looking forward to seeing our returning students in the fall and I would like to take this opportunity to challenge them to read this summer and track their reading. Forms were sent home in the report cards which will allow them to record their reading and in the fall, the class with the most read in each grade level will receive a surprise!
We are particularly proud of the accomplishments all of your children have made and I thank you for your continued support of our teachers and the programs we have worked hard to put in place to promote strong student learning.
I would like to wish you and your family a very safe and relaxing summer and I look forward to seeing many of you again in the fall!
I would like to recognize the hard work all of the students have done and the support families have given them. We are so fortunate to have a caring and supportive team here at Ellis and it is with great sadness that we send off our fifth grade students, but we know they are well prepared for middle school. We are looking forward to seeing our returning students in the fall and I would like to take this opportunity to challenge them to read this summer and track their reading. Forms were sent home in the report cards which will allow them to record their reading and in the fall, the class with the most read in each grade level will receive a surprise!
We are particularly proud of the accomplishments all of your children have made and I thank you for your continued support of our teachers and the programs we have worked hard to put in place to promote strong student learning.
I would like to wish you and your family a very safe and relaxing summer and I look forward to seeing many of you again in the fall!
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Spring Anyone?
Spring has not quite sprung yet, but we are moving along and working hard every day. The students have many interesting events at the end of the year so make sure to read the calendar on the website or one stuffed into the bottom of a book bag somewhere.
We are anxious to see the results of upcoming testing. The ISAT testing starts on April 12th for students in grades 3-5 while the IRI testing will begin on May 3rd. Please encourage your children to do their best as your're support means a great deal to them. This is an opportunity for them to shine and let us know how much they have gained during the year. It will also identify areas we need to address and what particular support we may need to give to an individual student.
It is hard to imagine that we are nearly at the end of the school year. Kindergarten registration for next year is on April 8th. We have a new format next year with students attending either Monday and Wednesday or Tuesday and Thursday and every other Friday for all students. Please tell anyone who may have kindergarten students coming to Ellis to come in on the 8th between 8:30 and 3:30 pm. We are excited to see all of the new faces.
I am looking forward to seeing all of you in the upcoming weeks at the many school events we have scheduled.
We are anxious to see the results of upcoming testing. The ISAT testing starts on April 12th for students in grades 3-5 while the IRI testing will begin on May 3rd. Please encourage your children to do their best as your're support means a great deal to them. This is an opportunity for them to shine and let us know how much they have gained during the year. It will also identify areas we need to address and what particular support we may need to give to an individual student.
It is hard to imagine that we are nearly at the end of the school year. Kindergarten registration for next year is on April 8th. We have a new format next year with students attending either Monday and Wednesday or Tuesday and Thursday and every other Friday for all students. Please tell anyone who may have kindergarten students coming to Ellis to come in on the 8th between 8:30 and 3:30 pm. We are excited to see all of the new faces.
I am looking forward to seeing all of you in the upcoming weeks at the many school events we have scheduled.
Saturday, March 6, 2010
Conferences – Join Us!
Wednesday, March 10th, and Thursday March 11th have been set aside as conference days. You should already have a conference time, but if you are unsure of the schedule, feel free to call the office as this is an important time to discuss your child’s progress and work together to maximize achievement.
The purpose of this conference is to review your student’s progress, to celebrate your child’s growth, to share any new observations or concerns, and to devise a “next steps” plan for those areas in need of attention.
I look forward to the opportunity to talk to you and welcome and questions you might have.
The purpose of this conference is to review your student’s progress, to celebrate your child’s growth, to share any new observations or concerns, and to devise a “next steps” plan for those areas in need of attention.
I look forward to the opportunity to talk to you and welcome and questions you might have.
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
Happy Valentine's Day
As the snow falls, I am glad we are not getting the same amount they have in Washington, D.C. this week. I am glad to be here in Idaho, at Ellis for more than just weather reasons. We have students who are working hard and the recent data indicates they are making significant gains academically. This may be attributed to some of your efforts as there are many ways that parents can support academic growth.
Some of the ways that families can help support learning is to:
Some of the ways that families can help support learning is to:
- Spend time looking over papers that are brought home and discussing them with your student. This shows interest and concern.
- Give the teacher a call if you have any concerns or notice problems.
- Attend conferences, parent meetings and school events. We have a math night coming up on February 23rd and conferences are scheduled for March 10th and 11th.
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
Wintery Days and Sunny Smiles
Our Idaho winters are cold so be sure to have your children bundled up as they head to the bus stop. They certainly enjoy their time outside during recess as it is a great time to run off energy and interact with their friends. They are all working hard as we enter the second part of the year. Assessments have given us direction as to areas we need to teach to support and enhance the education of all the students. The Idaho Reading Indicator was administered to students in grades K-3. The test revealed strong gains and we know you are a part of achieving those gains. Please be sure to encourage reading at home.
In the area of math, we have a wonderful evening coming up on February 23rd. It will give you an opportunity to interact with your child in a fun way while learning more about our new math program and how you can help your child at home. We look forward to seeing you all there!
Make sure to watch for the report cards. They are coming home on January 20th. If you have any questions be sure to give us a call.
In the area of math, we have a wonderful evening coming up on February 23rd. It will give you an opportunity to interact with your child in a fun way while learning more about our new math program and how you can help your child at home. We look forward to seeing you all there!
Make sure to watch for the report cards. They are coming home on January 20th. If you have any questions be sure to give us a call.
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