Principal Madden’s Weekly Update—Week of May 26, 2020

Dear Families/Caregivers,

• I hope everyone enjoyed the long Memorial Day weekend—I know the days sort of run together. We had a lot of talent show up for the Talent Show on Saturday (via Zoom). Thank you so much to all who participated and to parent, Lauren Fleit for getting it organized. Also, I very much missed our Memorial Day Program at school, which we would have had on Friday. I had spoken to Ella Sasser (third grader) months ago about singing the Star Bangled Banner this year. So, I asked her to send me a video, and here it is! Wonderful job, Ella!

• Garden Update

Here is a GARDEN UPDATE. The Garden Committee is planning some family work days, and we hope to get some interest, involvement and workers. We are lucky to have our little garden, and it takes a community to keep it going, Thank you! 

• From Food Service Director, Mistelle Hannah: 

Attached are the links to the free/reduced application for the 2019-2020 school year. This application is good for the first 30 days of the upcoming school year. A new application will be required after that time.  The new applications are typically released in early July and made available to families at the beginning of the school year. Since we anticipate some families have had a change of circumstances since this has begun it benefits them to get the application in for this school year. One less thing to worry about.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1XwQxiVggetw1Zl3J56dy75G-RkP6gPMm/view

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1C9cChZkOR7j8J6OQBHzEpdkKGN1IinOM/view

• Support for Families–

This is a great resource on our district website. Please share with families. 

•  Teachers have been coming in to pack up student belongings and work from the year. I’ve included a schedule for grade level student and family pick- ups in the parking lot. On the day/time listed, you can drive through the parking lot, and your child’s masked and gloved teachers will give your child a cheery hello (and good-bye) and give you the bag of belongings.  Let me know if you have questions or concerns about this. This is certainly not ideal, but it will bring some closure. A flyer is also attached.

Read Alouds

• I am continuing to share a read aloud in my Weekly Update that you can share with your children if you think they would like it. This week’s book is Listen Buddy, by Helen Lester. It’s a funny story.

• Friday Fun Challenge Videos!

We post the photos from the Friday Fun Challenge on the following Friday when we announce the birthdays and the next Fun Friday Challenge. Any photos for this project should be sent to your child’s teacher any time before the next Wednesday at 9:00. This week: send a photo of your craziest hair or hat!

I loved all the photos of your silly faces last week! Keep the fun coming! Here’s that video in case you missed it on Friday! You can find all of the Friday Fun on our website. 

• And…MORE FUN…Ms. Minton has included a fun walking idea for the month of May. Check it out! One week left!

• The photos this week show some of fabulous EPS refreshing our shed painting. It is not quite finished, but it already looks so much better. Also, I have included two photos of clothing that was left in the cafeteria. Do any of these items belong to you? If so, please let me know (call the school or email me), so that I can make sure to get that item into your child’s bag of belongings for the Family Pick Up.

• Distance Learning Plans continue to get updated as the school closure gets extended.  I hope the communication from teachers has been helpful. Everyone is trying to figure out this new way of teaching and learning, and nobody thinks it is perfect, but our teachers have been working hard to engage students and keep them learning, thinking, and creating. These are challenging times, indeed, and I am so sorry for the huge stress this situation is bringing to families.

• Remote Learning will continue until the “last day of school” on June 15. However, all of the online resources that teachers have created during this closure will be available to students over the summer. I hope your children will take advantage of these resources over the summer. And, of course, I’ll continue to communicate with you regarding any re-opening school plans.

I hope that all families feel welcome, comfortable, and valued at our school. Please don’t hesitate to contact me if you need anything. I am often in the building, and can talk through the window or over the phone.

Sincerely,

Sarah Madden, Principal