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Elysian Charter School
Weekly Newsletter
A Positively Different Public School
June 5, 2017 Vol. 12 Issue 37
The school newsletter is sent out on Mondays. When there is a holiday, the newsletter is sent the following day.
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| Harry's Corner
Anxiety About School
Last week Taylor, a 4th grader who was Principal for the Day, and I visited a third grade classroom. The younger children knew that we were coming and had some time to think about questions. The topic was, “What is it like to be in fourth grade?” The children were ready! - What is it like to be in fourth grade?
- Is fourth grade hard?
- Do the teachers help you?
- Is math really hard?
- How do the teachers reward you?
- Were you scared when you first started fourth grade?
I must say that Taylor handled herself well! She answered all the questions, and presented a calmness that helped these younger children understand that it all works out.
Anxiety about school is something that often arises at the end of a school year and then again just before school starts. "Our society is expecting more and more from our kids at younger ages," says Sucheta Connolly, M.D., a child psychiatrist and director of the Pediatric Stress and Anxiety Disorders Clinic at the University of Illinois in Chicago (in “School Anxiety,” Parents, in an article by Pamela Kruger). In Psychiatric Times he states,” Transient and developmentally appropriate worries and fears need to be distinguished from anxiety disorders. Somatic symptoms, such as headache or stomachache, often accompany anxiety. A child’s anxiety may manifest as crying, irritability, or other behaviors that may be misunderstood by adults as disobedience.”
It is normal for children to be anxious about school. Indeed, some anxiety may keep them sharp and focused. It is important, however, to address your child’s concerns. Here are some strategies: - Talk to your child about his/her concerns. Help him/her to have a strategy on what to do if he/she get nervous (e.g. go to the bathroom, get a drink of water).
- Be positive about school, about your child’s new teacher and the new school year.
- Point out the teachers will help a student learn new concepts and ideas. Let them know that you will be available to help them as well.
- During the summer arrange for playdates and other interactions with children that your child knows from school.
- For new students, or just if it seems like a good idea, bring your child into the building for a tour of the school. Our office is open from 9:00 to 2:00 Monday-Thursday (except for July 3rd and 4th).
- Talk about school routines—Students have “meeting time” or “sit on the rug” for discussions and lessons. They work on projects with peers at their tables. They sometimes work on writing or other projects alone as the teachers (and sometimes paraprofessionals) circulate from child to child to provide support.
Q: How should parents handle it when their child says he's sick and wants to stay home?
A: Always have recurrent physical symptoms checked out by a pediatrician to rule out medical problems. But assuming kids are physically healthy, parents need to be firm about not allowing them to miss school. Just as it's our job to work and raise our family, it's part of a child's job to go to school. So tell your child that it's normal to feel a little scared in new situations. But nervousness doesn't mean he should stay home or that he won't enjoy himself. Remind him of new situations he's dealt with, such as sleeping at Grandma's house for the first time without you. Stress that although it was difficult at first, later he was glad he did it. Finally, rule out problems at school or at home. Ask your child and his teacher if something upsetting happened, such as bullying or teasing -- both are very common causes of school anxiety. Or has there been a change at home -- a move, a divorce, or even the death of a family pet -- that is distressing him? He may need to talk through his concerns with you (from “School Anxiety,” Parents, by Pamela Kruger).
What resources are available at Elysian to help you if your child shows more extreme school anxiety? The starting point at school is always your child’s teacher. They have broad experience in dealing with concerns and are excellent in helping ease a child into becoming more comfortable. Our school nurse, who often deals with the stomachaches and other anxiety symptoms, is also a wonderful resource. We have a social worker who will also provide support and give great advice. If you feel that the anxiety is too intense you may wish to speak with your child’s pediatrician to see if he/she recommends any further medical or psychological follow-up.
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PTSO Corner
ELYSIAN'S YEAR-END PICNIC
Volunteers and donations still needed! In desperate need of folding tables! This year’s school picnic is set for Wednesday, June 7, from 6:00 – 8:00 PM at Columbus Park. Bring your blankets and your appetites!! It is a potluck, so we ask that you bring food according to the grade(s) of your kid(s).
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Entrees – pasta, pizza, sandwiches, chicken, etc.
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Dessert, Water, Juice Boxes
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BOX TOPS Thank You Thank you, Pedro Reyes, for all your work as the school coordinator for Box Tops. Elysian made more t han $400 this year from clipping Box Tops. Let's keep it up!
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| Good News Second grader, Keira McDermott, inspired by Elysian bake sales, came up with the idea of holding a bake sale for the Hoboken Shelter in her apartment building. Neighbors volunteered to bake. Friends pitched in to sell the goods. Keira made posters to advertise the event and encourage residents to support the cause. Proceeds went to Hoboken Shelter. Keira set a target of $250, but a whopping $400.25 was raised. The building management company then donated $250, making a total of $650.25! Keira then met with Millie & Moss at The Shelter. As a result of her visit, Keira decided to order 4 tables and 12 chairs from the Shelter's wishlist and purchased trash bags, printer paper, and printer cartridges. Everyone involved in the bake sale learned exactly what the money would be spent on.
Keira presented her fundraising project to her class, and initiated a lively debate about how to get involved. A handout about The Shelter was sent home to stimulate further conversation with families.
Keira will visit the shelter next week to donate toiletries and pens and to discuss a project for the Fall. Over the summer, when volunteer levels often drop off, Keira will help serve meals with friends.
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| You can Help Too! Donate a New Book, Blanket or Stuffed Animal for a Kid's Tote Bag Students in third and fourth grade English Language Services classes decided to collect books, stuffed animals and blankets to fill tote bags that homeless kids can take wherever they may be living. Boxes are located at Elysian's entryway for donations. P lease donate a new book, blanket or stuffed animal.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me.
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Track News A great season was had by all. Here are photos of our last meets. All our kids came in first or second.
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Campaign For Elysian, Update #4
Thank you to everyone who donated this past week! Here’s our status update:
ANNUAL APPEAL AMOUNT: $50,950
GRAND TOTAL so far: $99,095!
(Includes auction, previous donations and fundraisers)
Our goal is $125,000 by June 15.
ELYSIAN NEEDS YOUR HELP! 10 days left to raise $25,905.
Funds raised this year are designated for ongoing utility and maintenance costs; support for reserve fund for emergency situations; AND a public address system, which is a vital security measure if a lockdown is ever needed.
We are “All In” this together! Every little bit makes a difference. We are at 38% participation right now, and our goal is at least 75% by June 15.
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| PAYMENT
ONLINE: You may make a secure on-line donation by going to:
MATCHING GIFT PROGRAMS!
A number of companies match employee gifts, so be sure to check whether your company will match your donation. We will provide any information needed to complete your request form. (Any questions, please email friends@ecsnj.org.) Company matching has been a huge part of the Campaign’s success, so please keep it in mind! Our thanks to the following donors for their generosity (as of 6/4/17): Diane Bowerman and Nicola Hoelzl
The Campbell Family
Vera and Michael Casazza
Benat and Brian Facquet
Lisa and Brian Gale
Malin Kallberg-Shroff and Niku Shroff
Cecilia and Juan Carlos Lombera
Vicki and Ted Mauseth
Annie McAdams and Chris O'Connor
Maureen Melnick and Brian Neville
Jen and Pat O'Callaghan
Karen Siegel and Charles Natt
Francoise Vielot and Eduardo Gonzalez
Brittany and Bryan Vogel
Company Matches Colgate-Palmolive (via Juan Carlos Lombera)
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR SUPPORT!
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Please Help Elysian Raise Funds By Joining the "Swing Fore The Schools Fundraising Golf Tournament” For the seventh year in a row, Elysian Charter School will be participating in the "Swing Fore The Schools Golf Outing". This year's tournament will be held on Thursday (beginning with lunch at 11AM) at the Crystal Springs Golf Resort in Northwest New Jersey. Tee off is 1PM. Bus transportation to and from Hoboken will be provided.
Please consider being one of the 300 golfers who will play 36 holes, participate in fun contests, win prizes and enjoy a delicious lunch and dinner while raising money for our schools! We are hoping for at least 20 golfers from Elysian so we can do our part with this fundraising event.
We also need sponsors and have several sponsorship packages available that provide for great visibility for companies interested in reaching families in Hudson County. Please contact Jeff Joss (jeff.joss@gmail.com) or Malin Kallberg-Shroff (malinkallberg@yahoo.com), chairpersons for the tournament, for more details.
Thank you for your support!
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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 regularly. JUNE CALENDAR Tuesday, June 6- 2nd Grade Trip (Melissa's class)
Wednesday, June 7- Garden Club Meets, 3:00 - 4:00 PM
- Annual Picnic
Thursday, June 8- 2nd Grade Trip (Abra's class)
- Garden Club Meets, 3:00 - 4:00 PM
- Swing Fore The Schools
- Raindate for Annual Picnic (if Picnic was rained out day before)
Friday, June 9- 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade concert, 9:00 - 10:15 AM
Tuesday, June 13- 3rd Grade Trip
- 5th Grade Overnight trip
Wednesday, June 14- 5th Grade on overnigh trip
Thursday, June 15- 1st Grade Trip
- 5th Grade returns from overnight trip
Friday, June 16- Community Meeting. Everyone invited to attend!
- 5th Grade Spanish lunch.
Monday, June 19- 8th Grade Trip
- Board of Trustees meeting, 7:00 PM
Wednesday, June 21- Half Day of School, 12:30 dismissal. Afterschool Program as usual.
- 8th Grade Graduation, 7:00 PM, DeBaun Auditorium, Stevens Institute of Technology
Thursday, June 22- Half Day of School. 12:30 dismissal. Afterschool Program ends at 3:00 PM (tentative time, more info to follow),.
Friday, June 23- Half Day of School. 12:30 dismissal. No Afterschool Program today.
- Last day of school
- Report Card distribution
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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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