Dear Ellis Families:

The year is passing so quickly and we are trying to make sure you stay informed and have the information you need to help your student at home. I am very excited that some parents had the time to come and learn more about the Idaho Core Standards and our new standards based reporting. For those of you who missed them, there is more information available on the website. I am anxious that these opportunities provide you with the information you want so don’t hesitate to give me feedback. The office is always happy to take any suggestions you may have.

As a matter of fact, the upcoming Math Night was changed to address the areas of concern that parents expressed. We hope you will be able to attend as we have insights into what and how math is being taught and fun for the families as well.

Teachers are constantly gaining in their expertise this year. They have been attending math and writing training and collaborating across schools to identify the best possible teaching strategies. As you walk down the halls make sure to read some of the outstanding examples of writing displayed on the walls.

The holiday season is starting to creep into our hallways and events will be coming up so make sure to check Infinite Campus notices regularly. Our music teacher is spread over more schools this year and will not be able to help with the holiday program, but we believe it is a part of the Ellis culture and do not want to lose it. Therefore, the teachers and I will be organizing the program for your pleasure this year. Check the newsletter and Infinite Campus notices for dates and times.

Our student population recognizes the importance of helping others and the Student Council is organizing a food drive to benefit the local Food Bank. You will see information as we get closer to the date (Dec. 2-13).

We hope that you all have a wonderful holiday and enjoy your time with family and friends.

Sincerely,

Dr. Goeltz

Dear Parents and Guardians:

The changing leaves and crisp morning provide evidence that October is upon us. You will also note that students are settling in and getting used to the routine. As we start the year off, we have been making an effort to keep you aware and informed of changes at school. I appreciate the feedback from parents who attended the “Lunch Meetings” that addressed the Idaho Core Standards and the School District’s new reporting system. I hope the sessions were informative, but for those who were unable to attend, we continue to send notices about the Idaho Core Standards through email and on the website, and if you would like more information about the new reporting system we have posted a presentation to our website and you may request a pamphlet in the office. On October 18^th look for a copy of the “Learner Profile” to be sent home with your child. This provides information regarding behavior reported in three different categories: skilled learner, responsible learner, and engaged learner. Grades will be posted online in Infinite Campus.

We have had some exciting learning events this fall. The fourth grade was able to go to Swore Farms due to a grant, and the PTA used some of the funds raised at the carnival to support an assembly (Alice in Wonderland) for the students.

The Book Fair is coming up the week of October 21^st. This is always a popular event as parents and relatives start to think about gifts for the upcoming holidays. This week will also hold other fun activities such as Grandparents and Granola (Oct. 17^th/18^th) and the PTA Family Reading Night (Oct.22^nd). More information will be forthcoming on these activities so be sure to keep an eye on Infinite Campus.

If you have any questions I can answer regarding changes this year, do not hesitate to give me a call as we appreciate feedback. We are always looking for ways to improve.

 

Welcome to the 2013-2014 School Year

Welcome to a new school year at Ellis Elementary! There are many changes and challenges as we start this year, but the staff is ready and looking forward to a great year. The District boundary changes have brought our numbers down slightly as intended giving us an overall enrollment of approximately 500 students.

Results from last year’s ISAT testing were outstanding. Students went up in all academic areas monitored, scoring 93.6% proficient or advanced in reading, 91.9% in math and 88.8% in language. This represents an increase in numbers proficient or advanced in all areas! We also ranked third in reading and math and second in language within the District and well above the State benchmark in all areas. Despite the strong results, we are aware that there is always a need to improve! The State is moving to the Idaho Core Standards and we are moving right along with them. Students will be working on skills that will help them to be successful in a constantly changing environment. Students need to know how to think critically, problem solve and read informational text at a higher level. These areas represent just a few of the changes teachers, students and parents will be experiencing this year. Yes, parents too. We will be providing information to all families regarding the Idaho Core Standards and hope that you will become involved in the transition to these new standards. Our website will provide resources and teachers will be keeping you informed about our students work and progress and deliver resources through a variety of means to help you join in the process.

We are thrilled to welcome some new staff members to Ellis. As Mrs. Holt transitions to first grade, Stacy Woodbury will be taking her place in Kindergarten. In second grade, Mrs. McNabb will be joining their ranks as one third grade was eliminated. In addition, we want are happy to have Mrs. Holverson taking one of our second grades as Mrs. VanEvery moves up to fifth grade. Mrs. Morris will be replacing Mrs. Paulson due to retirement and coming onboard to help her is Ms. Merinda Watson. In our Title I program, Mrs. Shaleen Watson will be helping out and we are happy that Mrs. Naumu did not move and will be returning in Kindergarten. I would be remiss if I did not mention our terrific new custodian, Ron Currier, who has worked hard this summer getting the building ready.

Please remember that our doors are always open and we are looking forward to seeing you frequently this year. Our fabulous PTA has many volunteer opportunities and teachers love help in the classrooms!

We are off to a great year!

Betsy Goeltz, Ed.D.
Principal

Springing into the Future

As the staff at Ellis is looking to the future, we are reflecting on what it means to be literate in the 21^st century. Literacy does address our ability to organize, analyze and synthesize multiple sources of information as well as design projects and share products with global communities for a wide variety of purposes. This presents challenges as students have more access to information and content knowledge using a wide variety of resources: many of them digital.

Engagement in the learning process is key, and we need to support self-directed learners who are engaged and pursuing topics of interest to them. Learning will always be first and at Ellis it is all about the students. We are thinking about what it means to teach, learn and be educated and how we can implement the Common Core State Standards with rigor to ensure that our students are well prepared.

As we move forward we are looking at the potential of creating learning-rich, technology enhanced environments. Simply adding expensive technology on top of what we have been doing in the classroom does not meet the needs of learners. Our teachers are the most important piece of the education puzzle and they are being trained on how to use technology to transform the traditional classroom while developing the skills and knowledge students will need for the future. They will need to think critically, solve problems, create and communicate information while using a wide variety of mediums (video, graphics, and text). The child’s brain is the most important and smartest element, but it can be enhanced by the use of technology when used appropriately.

Technology is changing the context of the future and we are working to integrate it to help us address the needs of modern learners. Ask you children how they are using technology in the classroom. Watch the newsletters for signs of the integration of technology tools and uses our website to draw on technology resources which may be accessed at home.

We are springing into the future and value any thoughts and input you may wish to contribute.

We hope you all have a wonderful Spring Break and look forward to the return of students on April 1^st.

A New Beginning

As we start the New Year, the students have certainly been showing us how hard they have been working. Over the holidays, so many of the students kept reading with our online resource, MyOn. This resource has provided a great incentive for students to read and we are seeing positive results from their reading. The results of our Idaho Reading Indicator showed how much our students in Grades K-3 have progressed! We will continue to provide all students with instructional strategies that promote success for all students.

Some of the strategies we use were demonstrated during our Technology Night. Technology supports learning and teaching in all of our classrooms and helps to provide both an individualized and engaging learning environment. The iPads promote individualization, creativity and engagement and our interactive whiteboards support immediate feedback, engagement and the delivery of instruction using a variety of modes. Of course, the teachers are the most important element and they need to be well trained to use the technology appropriately.

We do have a Professional Development day On March 1^st and a record day, the day before on Feb. 28^th. Please be aware that there will be no school on those days. The students will also have President’s Day off on Feb. 18^th perhaps some of us will be able to take advantage of those days and spend it outside in the snow. I know our fourth and fifth grades have enjoyed their days snowshoeing and skiing.

We are off to a great start to the New Year and wish you all a healthy and happy one!