The weekly newsletter is archived on Elysian's website, www.ecsnj.org, so that you can always access both the most recent newsletter as well as all previous ones.

Please note: Tuesday is the final day for candidates to submit an application to become a Trustee of the Elysian Charter School.

Harry's Corner

One of the pleasures of my job is to spend time in classrooms on a daily basis.  Each teacher at Elysian has his/her own style.  Each classroom has its own dynamic.  Yet throughout the building I see children happily engaged in all sorts of activities that extend their knowledge and ability to think. 

I was just in John’s fifth grade class, where the children read an article about Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.  One of the goals of the lesson was the “close” reading of non-fiction text.  Close reading is a concept that has become more important recently.  The goal of close reading is to read text analytically—it is viewed as a way of teaching comprehension.  In the beginning of the article, for example, the year of Dr. King’s birth was indicated.  This led to a discussion of how old he would be now along with changes in the world between then and now.  A little later in the article was a quote from Dr. King about the use of non-violence as a tool for social change.  It was a complex quote, one that was difficult for children to analyze.  John had two students role play the situation to provide a deeper understanding and the basis of the ongoing discussion. 

Throughout the grades the teachers try to encourage the children to attempt to think through and solve a problem on their own before asking for help.  In Angela’s kindergarten the children were recently working on a reading activity in familiar books which are difficult for them to read in which they had to identify the words from the title of the book in the text of the book.  As most of the class worked, Angela carried out guided reading with a small group of children.  For thirteen minutes the rest of the children worked on their tasks.  As I watched I saw several children lean over and help a tablemate find a word.  No child needed the teacher.

In a seventh grade science lesson, the children were moving through a series of stations to complete activities as they learned about tectonic plate shifting in the Earth’s crust.  Each station had an instruction sheet that guided the children through the activity and a reflection sheet so that the children would process and analyze what they observed.

These activities share certain common characteristics.  They

• Require students to think beyond the literal level of what they are reading or doing.
• Raise the level of thinking to the levels of evaluation, analysis and synthesis (these are the highest levels of thought).
• Foster independent problem-solving.
• Often require students to go beyond the text in front of them and to research additional information and ideas.
• Are highly engaging, with students focused on the activity and learning that comes with it.
• Develop a sense of confidence because they are able to complete the activity successfully.

You may have gleaned a sense of this from the many authors’ days, museums and fairs that you are invited to.  These are wonderful activities that not only allow the children to showcase their work, they learn presentation skills as well.

Safety Reminders 

1.       The curb in the front of the school is for drop off only.  Please do not stand there for any length of time, since this prevents others from dropping off.

2.       Do NOT let children out of the car when double parked.  It is dangerous for children to walk through cars that may start up at any moment.

3.       Use the turnaround area at the end of Garden Street, do NOT make U or K turns in the middle of Garden.  Do NOT stand in the turnaround area.

4.       It is cold and windy in front of our building.  Please be sure that children are dressed warmly enough.  Remember, whenever possible we go outside for recess.  Please be sure that children are dressed warmly enough for outdoor recess. (It's a good idea to have long shirts on -  just in case there is a fire drill.)

AUCTION TICKETS ON SALE ON THURS, 1/21!

SPECIAL ONE-DAY PRICE! 

Annual Friends of Elysian Fundraising Party & Auction

(Benefiting The Campaign For Elysian)

Friday, February 26, 2016, 7 pm – 10 pm (Save The Date!)

80 River Street

Hoboken, NJ 07030

 

Please join us for an evening of fun, food and fundraising! 

Open bar and heavy appetizers! • 50-50 cash raffle! • Adults only

 A small sampling of the auction lots already include tickets for: Rihanna, Justin Bieber, Kenny Chesney, Duran Duran, WWE, Yankees, Giants, Jets, Nets and Devils!  

*** TICKETS! FOR THE FIRST DAY ONLY—THURSDAY, JANUARY 21—TICKETS WILL BE $110 PER PERSON!

After that they will be $125 per person ($135 at the door, the day of the event). When you pay online on January 21 only, the tickets will be $110 each! And if you’re paying by check, this special price applies to any envelopes left in the office from 8:20 am until 6 pm on January 21! Seriously, one day only and then they go up to the regular price.  

> Paying Online: On January 21 (and thereafter), go to www.friendsofelysian.org and then click on “2016 Auction Fundraiser” on the side menu.

> Paying By Check: Please drop off your check to Deb or Susan in the office. IMPORTANT: Put the check in an envelope labeled “Friends Auction.” Inside, include a note that has the name of each guest and your email address. Thanks! 

(FYI, faculty and staff will be receiving an email regarding their specific ticket sales.) 

Thank you for your support! This is our biggest fundraiser of the year and we hope you can make it!

 

50/50 CASH RAFFLE

All students should have received a book of 10 tickets in their backpacks last week. If not (or if you have any questions), please contact your class parent or Cynthia Ng-Villaluz at cynthia.ng.villaluz@gmail.com. Thank you very much to all students and families for your help with this fundraiser. We appreciate it! 

Last year the total pot was $21,660, with half of that benefiting Elysian! The remaining $10,830 went to three lucky individuals, with the first place winner collecting $5,415 (25% of the pot). And again there will be second and third place winners who will receive 15% and 10%, respectively, of the total. 

We are asking each student to try his or her best, with their family’s assistance, to sell at least one book. This is a great opportunity to consider asking extended family members, friends, co-workers and neighbors if they’d like to support Elysian (and maybe win a cash prize as well!).  

CLASS PRIZES: As in past years, there are prizes for the top three classes that sell the most tickets. First prize is a pizza party, second prize is an ice cream party and third prize is a collection of games for the classroom.  

Most important, though, the 50/50 will also raise valuable dollars to help support Elysian’s new building. We certainly hope that all families will participate, but for anyone unable to sell or purchase all of their raffle tickets, we simply ask that you return any unused tickets to your class parent. 

TICKET PROCESS: When tickets are sold, please have the buyer fill out the stub with their info, and then turn in those stubs and any cash to your class parent. If you receive checks, please have it written out to “Friends of Elysian Charter School.” If you need more booklets, please email Cynthia Ng-Villaluz at cynthia.ng.villaluz@gmail.com.  

DEADLINE: The final deadline for all advance 50/50 raffle ticket sales is Wednesday, February 24, 2016, but you can of course submit stubs to your class parents as you sell them. Tickets will also be sold at the event on February 26 and the drawing will take place at 9:30 pm at the Cadillac Cantina in Hoboken. (You do not have to be present to win.)

Good News Comes in Threes!  

Congratulations to: 

• Derrick Ladson on his engagement!
• Jason Morales on his engagement!
• Cristina Francisco on her marriage!

Elysian Collects Box Tops and LABELS for Education:  Look for the container near Deb's desk in the office!  Thank you!

Saturday, January 30

• Girls Basketball Game, Elysian vs. Stevens, 2:00 PM, Multi
• Small Fry Game, Elysian Charter 3 vs. All Saints 3, 6:40 PM, Wallace
• Small Fry Game, Elysian Charter 4 vs. All Saints 4, 7:30 PM, Wallace