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Elysian Charter School
Weekly Newsletter
A Positively Different Public School
December 19, 2016 Vol. 12 Issue 16
The school newsletter is sent out on Mondays. When there is a holiday, the newsletter is sent the following day. Please send news to lynne.shapiro@ecsnj.org by 1:00 PM on Mondays.
Please note: From January 3 to February 10 send news to deb.rosner@ecsnj.org by 10:00 AM on Mondays.
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.
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| Published in Education Week, October 22, 2016
Pediatricians Set New Guidelines on Electronic Media Use by Young Children
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In a marked shift from recommendations first adopted in 1999, the American Academy of Pediatrics has lifted its recommendation discouraging all electronic media use in children under the age of 2.
The new recommendations for children's media use acknowledge that some media exposure can have educational value for children as young as 18 months, but it should be high-quality programming—the AAP specifically referenced Sesame Street, and children's programming provided by PBS. But parents should watch those programs with their children, not use the television as a parking spot for infants and toddlers. And families should still prioritize "unplugged" playtime for young children, the AAP said.
For children under the age of 18 months, media use is still discouraged other than video-chatting.
The academy also has recommendations for e-book use. Many of those books come with interactive elements that distract a child and make the book harder for a child to comprehend. Therefore, parents should read e-books along with their children, just as they would with a regular book.
For school-aged children, the AAP says that families should balance media use with other healthy behaviors. Media use in older children and adolescents can provide access to social networks, but it also runs the risk of interrupting sleep and leaving children at risk of cyberbullying. Because every family's needs may be different, the AAP is directing families to a Family Media Plan web tool that can help encourage a "healthy media diet."
A summary of the recommendations:
- For children younger than 18 months, avoid use of screen media other than video-chatting.
- Parents of children 18 to 24 months of age who want to introduce digital media should choose high-quality programming, and watch it with their children to help them understand what they're seeing.
- For children ages 2 to 5 years, limit screen use to 1 hour per day of high-quality programs. Parents should co-view media with children to help them understand what they are seeing and apply it to the world around them.
- For children ages 6 and older, place consistent limits on the time spent using media, and the types of media, and make sure media does not take the place of adequate sleep, physical activity and other behaviors essential to health.
- Designate media-free times together, such as dinner or driving, as well as media-free locations at home, such as bedrooms.
- Have ongoing communication about online citizenship and safety, including treating others with respect online and offline.
AAP Screen Time Recommendations Evolved With Technology
The American Academy of Pediatrics indicated last year that it planned to update its recommendations on media use, which were first put out in 1999 and revised in 2011. In 1999, the focus was primarily on television and stated that there were significantly more negative than positive effects on children from television watching.
By 2011, the group expanded the conversation to DVDs and "web-based" programming, but maintained its language discouraging media use in children under age 2.
But last year, the organization released a document called "Beyond Turn it Off: How to Advise Families on Media Use" that acknowledged the technological shifts that have taken place since the recommendations were made.
"In a world where 'screen time' is becoming simply 'time,' our policies must evolve or become obsolete. The public needs to know that the Academy's advice is science-driven, not based merely on the precautionary principle," the 2015 paper said.
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Notice To All Families With A Kindergarten Sibling For Next Year
Earlier this week, confirming emails were sent out to verify receipt of Elysian sibling applications. You do not have to respond to this email. It is to verify to you that Elysian has your application and you are guaranteed a spot. If there is any family who has NOT sent in your application for Kindergarten for the 2017-2018 school year, we ask that you do so now.
The deadline for all applications is Jan. 9, at 5:00 pm. If your sibling application is not in by this time, we cannot guarantee placement for the following year.
We need to know how many spots are available to families who are participating in the lottery. Knowing ahead of the cutoff date will allow us to plan for spots available to the public.
Please turn in all applications to Susan Gilbertson. You can hand applications into the office or email Susan at: susan.gilbertson@escnj.org.
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HELPING HANDS
Elysian Charter School has a long standing tradition of helping families in need. During this holiday season the ECS PTSO has raised money through the Coin Challenge.
If you know of a family in need, or are one yourself this year, please call me (201 876-0102), email diane.sasso@ecsnj.org or leave a note in my mailbox in the main office. All referrals are anonymous and are confidential.
Thank you for your generosity . It is very much appreciated.
Diane F. Sasso, LCSW
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Elysian's Awesome Superstore orders are due to arrive this Thursday and will be dispersed to students at that time.
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Thinking of Elysian During the Holiday Season…
In the final newsletter of 2016, we just wanted to again thank everyone who has contributed to the Campaign For Elysian this whole year. We are all pulled in so many directions—at this time of the year and throughout—and so we truly appreciate your consistent support for Elysian.
Our thanks to the following recent donors for their generosity:
The Auld Family
Amy Farris and Daniel Bruk
Amanda and Sean Gordon
Jennifer and Brian Marsh
Karen Seemen Pinn and Jonathan Pinn
Company Matches
Deutsche Bank (via Zoran Kanlic)
We wish everyone an enjoyable and safe (and not-too-slushy) winter break…
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| ELYSIAN CHARTER SCHOOL
2017 PARCC TESTING SCHEDULE
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| KUUMBA Thank You
Congratulations to the 3rd grade children, their teachers—Ashley and Amanda T.—for the wonderful KUUMBA performance. They were magnificent. Also, a huge thank you goes to all of the parents, Lynne Shapiro and to the PTSO for managing and carrying out of the wonderful events surrounding the dance.
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KIds Ride The Ferry For Free During the Holidays
Now thru Jan. 2. (Valid to for kids under 12 NYC from Port Imperial & Lincoln Harbor in Weehawken, Edgewater, Hoboken 14th St & Belford in Middletown.)
What a great way for kids to experience the holidays in New York City. Ride the ferry and view the city skyline, take our FREE connecting midtown shuttles to the different attractions and enjoy the city! Enjoy the fun of the holiday season without the hassle of traffic and parking.
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| Student Dress
Parents, please be sure to dress your children appropriately for winter weather. When we have our monthly fire drills, students do not have time to get their coats.
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Upcoming Parent Forum
Save the Date: January 30th at 6:30 p.m. There will be a parent forum where Dr. Paula Rust (from Spectrum Diversity) will report on the results of the 2016 School Climate and Bullying Prevention Student Survey.
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Homework Help/Test Preparation
The Homework Help/Test Preparation Program for Grades 3 to 8 will begin on Monday, January 9th. Applications will be sent out on January 3rd.
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| Elysian Selected to Pilot Section of PARCC
The New Jersey Department of Education has selected Elysian as one of the schools to pilot an additional section of the PARCC Language Arts Test. As a result we will need to make adjustments to our test schedule.
The new schedule is posted above.
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I am taking up a collection for the crossing guards at 14th/15th & Garden. They have a tough, extremely important job and they are fantastic! If you would like to contribute please drop your donation off at the office, to my attention, or you can hand your contributions to me at pick-up. I am outside of school most days. Your child's teacher can point me out if need be. I'll be hand-delivering our gift to them on the morning of 12/23, so please have your donations in by 12/22.
Any amount is greatly appreciated!! Thanks all and Happy Holidays! Jen O'Callaghan
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Fall Session After School Enrichment Clubs
Please note that Chess is a 14 week club and will run through Jan. 18th. A second session of Chess will begin late January along with the Winter Session of after school clubs.....
And, speaking of the Winter Session, we are looking for parents to share their talents, hobbies and interests with our students. If you are thinking you might like to volunteer to lead an after school club, or just want to hear more about it, please email Pam at pam.clubs@ecsnj.org for further information.
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| Elysian Collects Box Tops and LABELS for Education: Look for the container near Deb's desk in the office! Thank you!
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As per state law, we no longer publish the exact location of trips for security reasons.
Please read the calendar weekly, as changes are updated regularl
DECEMBER CALENDAR
Monday, December 19- Board of Trustees meeting, 7:00 PM
Tuesday, December 20- Middle School Play Dress Rehearsal
- Girls' Basketball Practice at 4:00 PM
Wednesday, December 21- Middle School Musical, "You're A Good Man, Charlie Brown", 11:00 AM and 1:30 PM.
- Grade 4 Basketball Practice at 3:00 PM
- Grade 6 Basketball Practice at 4:00 PM
Thursday, December 22- 8th grade trip
- 5th grade trip
- Grades 7 & 8 Basketball Practice at 3:00 PM
Friday, December 23- Half Day of school, 12:30 dismisal . After School Program available until 3:00 PM
Monday, December 26 - Monday, January 2- Winter Break. No School. Happy Holidays, Happy New Year.
JANUARY CALENDAR Tuesday, January 3- Elysian back in session
- Basketball: 5th Grade White team at Wallace, 6:45 PM
Wednesday, January 4- Basketball: 7 & 8 Grade team at Wallace, 6:45 PM
Saturday, January 7- Open House for prospective parents, 10:00 AM
- Basketball: 3rd Grade Green team at Wallace, 5:00 PM
- Basketball: 4th Grade at Wallace, 5:50 PM
- Basketball: 3rd Grade White at Wallace, 6:40 PM
- Girls Basketball at Multi, 1:00 PM
Monday, January 9- All Lottery Applications due by 5:00 PM for the 2017-18 school year.
- Basketball: 5th Grade Green at Wallace, 6:45
- Basketball: 6th Grade at Wallace, 7:45
Tuesday, January 10- Basketball: 7th and 8th Grade at Multi, 6:15 PM
Wednesday, January 11- Half Day of School for staff development. 12:30 dismissal. After School program available as usual.
- Elysian Lottery for Admission, 1:30 PM
- Basketball: 7th and 8th Grade at Wallace, 6:45 PM
Thursday, January 12- Basketball: 5th Grade Green team at Wallace, 6:45 PM
Friday, January 13- Basketball: 5th Grade White team at Wallace, 6:45 PM
Monday, January 16- Elysian closed for Martin Luther King Jr. Day
Tuesday, January 17- Basketball: 6th Grade at Wallace, 6:45 PM
Thursday, January 19- Basketball: 7th and 8th Grade at Multi, 6:15 PM
Saturday, January 21- Basketball: 3rd Grade White and Green teams at Wallace, 1:50 PM
- Basketball: 4th Grade at Wallace, 2:40 PM
- Girls Basketball at Multi, 1:00 and 3:00 PM
Monday, January 23- Board of Trustees meeting, 7:00 PM.
- Basketball: 6th Grade at Wallace, 7:45 PM
Tuesday, January 24- Basketball: 5th Grade Green team at Wallace, 7:45 PM
Wednesday, January 25- Basketball: 7th and 8th Grade at Wallace, 6:45 PM
Thursday, January 26- Basketball: 7th and 8th Grade at Multi, 6:15 PM
Friday, January 27- Basketball: 5th Grade Green team at Wallace, 8:45 PM
Saturday, January 28- Basketball: 3rd Grade White Team at Wallace, 1:00 PM
- Basketball: 3rd Grade Green Team at Wallace, 6:40 PM
- Basketball: 4th Grade at Wallace, 7:30 PM
- Girl's Basketball at Multi, 3:00 PM
Monday, January 30- Parent Forum: School Climate/Bullying Prevention, 6:30 PM
Tuesday, January 31- Basketball: 6th Grade at Wallace, 7:45 PM
FEBRUARY CALENDAR
Wednesday, February 1- Half day of school for report card writing, 12:30 dismissal. After School Program available as usual.
- Basketball: 7th and 8th Grades at Wallace, 6:45 PM
Friday, February 3- Community Meeting
- Basketball: 5th Grade White Team at Wallace, 7:45 PM
- Basketball: 6th Grade at Wallace, 8:45 PM
Saturday, February 4- Basketball: 3rd Grade White Team at Wallace, 12:10 PM
- Basketball: 3rd Grade Green Team at Wallace, 1:50 PM
- Basketball: 4th Grade at Wallace, 2:40 PM
- Girls Basketball at Multi, 2;00 pm
Monday, February 6- Basketball: 5th Grade Green Team at Wallace, 6:45 PM
- Basketball: 7th and 8th Grade at Multi, 7:15 PM
Friday, February 10- Basketball: 5th Grade Green Team at Wallace, 6:45 PM
- Basketball: 5th Grade White Team at Wallace, 7:45 PM
Saturday, February 11- Chili Dinner, The Elks Club
- Basketball: 3rd Grade Green Team at Wallace, 5:00 PM
- Basketball: 4th Grade at Wallace, 5:50 PM
- Basketball: 3rd Grade White Team at Wallace, 6:40 PM
- Girls Basketball at Multi, 1;00 PM
Tuesday, February 14- Basketball: 6th Grade at Wallace, 6:45 PM
Thursday, February 16 - Tuesday, February 21
- Elysian closed for February Break
Thursday, February 23- Basketball: 5th Grade Green Team at Wallace, 6:45 PM
Friday, February 24- Basketball: 5th Grade White Team at Wallace, 6:45 PM
- Basketball: 6th Grade at Wallace, 7:45 PM
Saturday, February 25- Basketball: 3rd Grade White Team at Wallace, 3:20 PM
- Basketball: 3rd Grade Green Team at Wallace, 5:00 PM
- Basketball: 4th Grade at Wallace, 7:30 PM
Monday, February 27- Board of Trustees Meeting, 7:00 PM
Tuesday, February 28- Basketball: 5th Grade White Team at Wallace, 6:45 PM
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1460 Garden Street, Hoboken, NJ 07030
Harry Laub, Ph.D., Director
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harry.laub@ecsnj.org
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Phone:201.876.0102
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Fax:201.876.9576
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