Elysian Charter School of Hoboken
Elysian Charter School of Hoboken
www.ecsnj.org friendsofelysian.org
Harry Laub, Ph.D., Director
Elysian Charter School
Weekly Newsletter

A Positively Different Public School

December 14, 2015         Vol. 11  Issue 14
Please note that 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.

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.
Harry's Corner
Community Meetings
At lunchtime Friday I walked into a group of our early childhood teachers who were discussing the Community Meeting.
When parents attend the meetings they see a snapshot in time, with the children performing and celebrating success.
The teachers have the opportunity to see the incredible growth of the group of children through the years.  When I walked into the room Joanna was discussing how during the meeting she would explain, to any adult who would listen, the development of the children that each of the activities represented. 
The Community Meeting on Friday started off with a presentation of music by Mary.  For much of that presentation children were playing the Orff.  This is a tool that is used to teach the children basic elements of music, including note reading and playing an instrument.  Did you notice that the last section of this was two girls playing music they had composed?  Two sixth graders!  The ability to put music together to take known elements and create something new reaches to the highest levels of thinking (called synthesis in Bloom’s Taxonomy).
Then we had the kindergartner’s sing.  These are the same children who hid behind mommy or daddy on the first day of school, too shy to come out.  They stood up in front of an audience of close to 400 people to perform…and to sing in unison, know the lyrics and to develop their confidence.
Melissa’s second graders then shared poems about their social studies project—The New York City skyline.  What a wonderful way to integrate learning in a way that has the children making connections between language and their extended neighborhood.  One father wrote:
 Melissa has done something that reinforces what we love about Elysian. Noticing that the kids        were enjoying architecture she created a unit on skyscrapers and architecture. In addition to all the studies and scientific and factual programs they are going through most recently we enjoyed the poems created on the same subject. Real holistic experiential learning.
It's really fantastic.
Jon Pinn
An outgrowth of a fifth grade in-class project is a social action holiday activity where the children will be supporting a local animal shelter.  Again the teachers took their cues from student interest (very possibly motivated because one of the families just adopted a dog from a rescue shelter), turning a classroom lesson into an activity that helps the children develop a social consciousness.
We then had the middle school dance seminar perform.  Now, just think back to your own teenage days, would you have gotten up in front of the entire school to dance?  Most teenagers are too self-conscious!  When I was 13 I remember my cousin Fern trying to teach me to slow dance just so I could get through the night of the school dance.
Our Community Meetings provide a snapshot of children’s performance (by the way something we are expected to be teaching) and a celebration of their work.  But these meetings also highlight the students’ growth as they integrate ideas from all areas of the curriculum.
A big thank you goes to our entire staff, especially Mary, Aram and Derek who contribute so much to the success of these meetings and the children’s performance in general.
Reminder: Sibling Applications Are Due
If you have a child at Elysian already, and you are planning to enroll a sibling in the 2016-17 school year, please complete an application form and return it to Susan Gilbertson in the office.  You can find the form on Elysian's website or stop by the office to pick it up.  We must have an application on file before the January 13th Lottery in order for you to receive sibling preference.
Animal Shelter

5th graders have been working on persuasive writing for the past month.  As part of their work, they penned convincing letters to their parents, debated both sides of controversial statements, wrote public service announcements and created persuasive posters on a variety of topics.  To help bring this study to life, fifth graders have decided to assist a worthy cause during the holiday season.  

Fifth graders will be collecting supplies to donate to a local charity, the Liberty Humane Society (LHS) in Jersey City for its annual Holiday Fund Drive. We are collecting pet supplies (goods can be dropped off in John’s class) and also asking people to shop the Humane Society’s Amazon wish list where they can purchase items and have them sent directly to the shelter.  Fifth graders have also been promoting the idea of pet adoptions through advertisements and public service announcements.  They are really excited to ask for your help in making the holidays special for the dogs and cats at the shelter. For a complete list of items needed, a link to their Amazon wish list and a place to make donations, please visit Liberty Humane's website at www.libertyhumane.org/shelter_wishlist.

Thanks,
John & Cristina
5th Grade Teachers
HELPING HANDS

Elysian Charter School has a long standing tradition of helping families in need. During this holiday season the ECS staff requests that you consider making a donation towards the purchase of gift cards to help families who could use a helping hand to purchase gifts for their children.

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 can be anonymous and  are confidential.

Please give your contribution to your child’s classroom teacher by 3:00 PM Friday, December 18th.

Thank you in advance for your generosity . It is very much appreciated.

Diane F. Sasso, LCSW
Basketball Practice

Hello Elysian,

Here is the basketball practice schedule for the rest of December. January's schedule might be different due to gym space availability. All practices will be held in our gymnasium. The first day of practice starts on Monday, December 14th.  

 

Mondays in December:
  • 5th Grade: 4:00-5:00 PM (there will be coverage for the 5th grade from 3:00 - 4 by a staff member)
  • 6th grade: 5:00 -6:00 PM
Tuesdays in December: 

  • 3rd grade: 3:00 -4:00 PM
  • 4th grade: 4:00 -5:00 PM (there will be coverage for the 4th grade from 3:00 - 4:00 by a staff member)
Wednesdays in December 

  • Please note that because Wednesday, December 16 it is a half day of school for staff development, the 6,7, & 8th grade girls team practice will be from 1:00 -2:00 PM and the 7 & 8 grade boys team practice from 2;00 -3:00 PM. 
  • Wednesday, December 23 is a half day of school for Winter Break so practice is canceled. 
Adam 
PTSO Corner
FREE MONEY FOR ELYSIAN!! It is too easy! For all of you shopping for the holidays, please remember to sign up for Target, AmazonSmile and iGive as an easy way to help earn money for your school while you shop.  It only takes a few moments to sign up!  And if shopping at TinyPrints, use TPPHX3Z437 for 40% off through 12/31/15.  Please email elysianptso@gmail.com for a 40% code for use on Shutterfly products.  Just be sure to go through our storefront!  Please refer to No Brainer Moneymaker section of this newsletter for all the details and links.  Happy shopping!
 
CLUB NEWS -  END OF YEAR SCHEDULE

MONDAY
Chess - last class on 2/8/16
Dance w/ Derrick-last class on 12/21  - performance on Friday, Dec. 11 at Community Meeting.
Piano - last class on 12/14

TUESDAY

Mad Science - last class on 12/15
Tinkercad - last class on 12/15

WEDNESDAY
Tinkercad - last class on 12/16
Magic 
Cass #1 continues on  12/16 & 12/18 (last class  - to make up for 1/2 day on the 23rd        Magic Class #2 continues on 12/16 & 12/18 - make up class on Tuesday, 12/22 to make up for instructor's absence last week.

THURSDAY
GAPS - last class 12/17
Fashion Lab - last class 12/17 - 2 hour class the last day from 3:00 - 5:00 to make up for Thanksgiving
Basketball - last class on 12/17 - 2 hour class from 3:00 - 5:00 to make up for Thanksgiving.
Tickets to Pedal Punk at The New Victory Theater, Wednesday, December 16, 4:30 PM
Contact Lynne Shapiro, lynne.shapiro@ecsnj.org if you wish to aquire seats for you and your child/ren.
The After School Program students will be given permission slips tomorrow. 
Slips are required for children going with the After School Program. 
Students going to the theater with their parents do not need permission slips; the only need is to contact Lynne Shapiro to reserve seats.
Here is a program description:
In this steampunk-styled circus, the quirky cast of characters amaze with heart-pounding pole drop, awesome aerial acts, trapeze tricks (on a trampoline!) and more in this adrenaline-fueled circus from Cirque Mechanics from Las Vegas, nevada.  60 minutes.
No Brainer Moneymakers
Easy Ways To Raise Money for Our School At No Extra Cost To You. 
Shop through our storefront for Shutterfly and sign up for Amazon Smile, iGive and Target and just shop as usual!! It just takes two minutes!!  Pass along to your friends and family too!
  •  Shutterfly, TinyPrints and more -  Go to http://elysiancharter.shutterflystorefront.com.  Shop as usual.  No need to sign up, just use this link.  

  • Amazon Smile - http://smile.amazon.com/  Click on ‘change your charity’.  Select Elysian Charter.  Bookmark this address.   Shop as usual. 

  •  iGive -Go to www.iGive.com/ElysianCharter .  Fill out name, Password and email.  Click ‘Register Now’ button, install iGive button.  Shop!  You might have to click on a pop-up screen to verify at certain online stores.

  •  Target -  Go to www.target.com , click on REDcard and then ‘Learn about REDcard’.  Page down to ‘Take Charge of Education’ and click on ‘Learn More’.  Enter information under ‘Sign me up’ and click ‘Enroll’.  
Hoboken Homeless Shelter Paper Drive
Daniel Henson and Henry Plotka from the eighth grade are conducting a paper goods drive for the local homeless shelter. We are asking for paper goods such as paper cups, towels, plates, bowls, plastic forks, knives and spoons. In the downstairs lobby/entrance of the school, there is a box with a sign that says “middle school food drive". The shelter is in need of these items so we encourage you all to donate. Thanks!
Elysian Collects Box Tops and LABELS for Education:  Look for the container near Deb's desk in the office!  Thank you!
December Calendar

Tuesday, December 15
  • Arts to Grow After School Theater Program, 3:00 - 4:30 (for Middle School students who are registered)
  • See above for Basketball practice today.
Wednesday, December 16
  • Half day of school for staff development; students will be dismissed at 12:30 PM.  The Afterschool Program is available as usual
  • See above for Basketball practice today.
  • After School Trip to New Victory (see above).
Friday, December 18
  • 6th grade trip
Monday, December 21
  • 7:00 PM Board of Trustees Meeting
  • See above for Basketball practice today.
Tuesday, December 22
  • 5th grade trip
  • 8th grade trip
  • See above for Basketball practice today.
  • Arts to Grow After School Theater Program, 3:00 - 4:30 (for Middle School students who are registered)
Wednesday, December 23
  • Half Day of School for Winter Break.  Afterschool Program is available until 4:00 PM
  • NO Basketball practice today.
Thursday, December 24 - Friday, January 1 
  • Winter Break
January 2016 Calendar
Monday, January 4
  • Return to school 


KUUMBA Day is Saturday, January 9 - mark your calendars - 12:30 - 4:00 PM! A Y...... is Saturday, January 9!



1460 Garden Street, Hoboken, NJ 07030
Harry Laub, Ph.D., Director | harry.laub@ecsnj.org | Phone:201.876.0102 | Fax:201.876.9576
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