The End is Near!

As we near the end of the year, please keep in mind that we still have valuable learning going on here at Ellendale School! Make efforts to have your child present and on time each and every day until June 9. Here are some upcoming events and points of interest as we begin our official count down to the last day of school!

Friday, May 28 Reading Counts Reward Day K-2 in am/ 3-5 in pm
Monday, May 31 No School
Tuesday, June 1 - June 4 Tile sale will continue due to overwealming response! $20 each
Tuesday, June 2 - EOG reading retest; Retirement Celebration 2 - 4pm Media Center
Wednesday, June 2 - EOG math retest w/calculator; Tiger Tokens Assembly
Thursday, June 3 - Volunteer Appreciation Luncheon; Student of the Month Ice Cream Party 1:30
Friday, June 4 - 5th grade Sceince EOG math retest; 5th grade day
Monday, June 7 - 3-5 2nd semester honor roll trip - Crawdad's Game
Tuesday, June 8 - Relay for Life Fun Day
Wednesday, June 9 - Last student day - early release 12:45; Parent reception 7:30; Awards Day 8:15

And the race is on...

Wow! I haven't posted much this Spring, that tells you a bit about my schedule! Things are getting pretty crazy around here as we wind down the school year. As we prepare for final end of the year assessments and EOG testing, please be sure to have your student here at school EVERY day! We appreciate your support!

We will be posting end of the year dates on our website soon for all of our special events. Please check the calendar and plan ahead so you can be involved in as much as possible.

Enjoy the beautiful weather!

Spring Fever........

.......is definitely upon us! Sunshine and warm temperatures are upon us. As we near the finish line this year we need your help. Please encourage your child by ensuring daily homework activities are complete, have him or her here on time every day, and encourage your child to do his or her daily best! We are working hard to see to it that your child learns as much as possible as we buckle down this last nine weeks in preparation for EOGs and final assessments. Thanks for your help!

Enjoy your Spring Break! Remember, Thursday, April 8 & Friday, April 9 are now regular student days due to inclement weather.

Save the date

Get Hooked on Math in Pirate Land

Family Math Night

Monday, March 8

5:00 pm - Free Meal for families

6:00 pm - Interactive Math sessions in Classrooms

Each child who participates will receive a FREE treasure box filled with homework supplies! Don't miss the fun and don't forget to wear your pirate gear!

Get Hooked on Math in Pirate Land - Family Math Night

We will host a family night math on Monday, March 8. This event will be different than any other event we've had here at Ellendale. Our school will be transformed into Pirate Land! We will begin with a FREE family supper in our cafeteria at 5pm. Both students and parents will report to classrooms together for an interactive math session at 6pm. After the session, student who participate will receive a FREE treasure box, full of homework supplies for use at home. Don't miss this fun and exciting night! Also, students, you can dress up in your favorite pirate gear! Black beard himself may also be here! Be sure to save the date!

Thanks for the feedback!

Our first parent pancake breakfast was held Monday. Our attendance was a little lower than we hoped for but we were experiencing bad weather. Even though we had a small group we received great feedback from the parents in attendance. Please know that your comments and feedback are always welcome! Thank you for your continued support!

Pancakes with the Principal

Monday, Feb. 15 is our first Pancakes with the Principal breakfast. A homemade pancake breakfast will be served at 8am in the school multipurpose room. Please sign in the lobby and receive a visitor's pass when you arrive. This is not a time for parents and students to eat together, but a time for parents to come together over a meal, fellowship, and share ideas on ways we can improve our school. There is no 'program' start time so you can come at any time around 8am until all pancakes are gone! I hope to see you all on Monday! By working together we can ensure Ellendale is the best school we can possibly be!

Haiti Relief

Our school has several projects going on to raise money for Haiti disaster relief. 5th grade students have initiated a lanyard sale. They have handmade lanyards and will be selling those for .25 - .50 once per week for the next few weeks. Also, classes are also having a coin drive to raise money. Each Friday throughout February, students can pay .25 to wear a hat on Hats for Haiti day! All monies raised through these projects will be sent through Samaritin's Purse to help with disaster relief.

Parent Update February 3

Wow. I don't know about you but I am ready for some Spring weather! We have been trying to salvage this week's calendar and make the most out of our short time at school due to our recent bout with bad weather! I know as parents you are also probably ready for your kids to be back in school too! :) This week we will have our school spelling bee on Thursday at 10:30. This event will take place even if we are on a delayed schedule. We have rescheduled winter parent conferences for Thursday, Feb. 11. I hope you are all staying warm and I look forward to seeing you at the Pancakes with the Principal Parent Breakfast on Friday, Feb. 5. The breakfast will begin at 8 am in the multipurpose room. Please sign in and receive a badge in the lobby. If we are on a delay or if there is no school, the breakfast will be rescheduled for sometime in March. I hope you will attend to provide your feedback concerning our school!

Congratulations Mrs. Brandy Pennell, EES Teacher of the Year

I am pleased to inform you that Mrs. Brandy Pennell was recently voted Ellendale's 2010-2011 Teacher of the Year. Mrs. Pennell is an excellent teacher and always works very hard for her students. I hope you will join me in offering her our sincere congratulations on this prestigious and well deserved honor!

Parent Update

Warm winter wishes to you all! I am excited to share with you all the winter events going on over the next few weeks.
Monday, Feb. 1 is school-wide conference night. Teachers will be contacting you directly if a conference is needed. If you wish to set up a conference, contact your child's teacher.
Friday, Feb. 5 is Pancakes with the Principal day! All parents are invited to attend this informal and friendly breakfast. Pancakes will be served at 8am in the multipurpose room. I am eager to hear your feedback regarding ideas you have for Ellendale School.
Thursday, Feb. 11 our students will participate in the Catawba Science Festival. It will take place in our school gym. The programs are always extra special and our kids really enjoy this every year.

Coming soon on Feb. 26 is our school talent show. We hope you will come out and support our students. It is always a fantastic night with excellent performances. I already can't wait!

Weekly Parent Update Friday, Jan. 8

Happy 2010! I hope you all had a wonderful and blessed Christmas holiday! We are working hard here at school to get back into the groove of things. We have many exciting things coming soon.

Monday, Jan. 11 is our first PTE meeting of 2010. From 5:30 to 6:30 there will be two things in which you can participate. First, we will have a hot dog supper in the cafeteria. Hot dog plates are $4.00 each including a hot dog, chips, drink, and a dessert. To go plates are also available. Also at 5:30, you can visit our school science fair display in the gym. At 6:30, we will have a short PTE business meeting in the gym and will follow with a special Kindergarten student performance. Don't miss it!

Next week we will also be administering mid-year benchmark assessments in all grade levels. These assessments are very important for your child and they provide us with important information regarding how much information your child has mastered at this point in the year. They greatly help us in planning instruction, remediation, and intervention for the 2nd half of the year.

Stay warm this weekend. Thank you for your continued support!