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Elysian Charter School
Weekly Newsletter
A Positively Different Public School
April 18, 2017 Vol. 12 Issue 30
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
PARCC Testing
We are now approaching the time for standardized testing. The schedules have been given out (and they are also posted at www.ecsnj.org). All children in grades 3 to 8 are required to take the PARCC Test in English Language Arts and Mathematics. In addition, children in grades 4 and 8 must take the NJ ASK Science Test (this is administered at the end of May). This year Elysian has been chosen to pilot a section for future ELA tests. This adds an additional unit to our testing, but we will not know which unit it is. As a result, each child will have testing over a period of six days, with timeframes ranging from 75 to 160 minutes on each day. The tests are administered on computers—we have Chromebooks. Students read the passages on the computers, answer questions by clicking on the correct answers and write essays in special text boxes. For math, students respond similarly, with the ability to use scratch paper to help figure out the problems. There are a variety of online tools that the children can use as well.
Our curriculum is designed to ensure that all topics and skills have been taught prior to the administration of the test. In addition to the Afterschool Homework Help and Test Prep Program, the teachers have been preparing the children for the tests. Also available are practice tests online at http://parcconline.org/assessments/practice-tests that may be used at home.
It should be noted that, because of the timeframes required for the testing our daily schedule is often affected. Specials, Literacy Center, ESL and Special Education may be moved around to accommodate the testing schedule.
I am often asked how we use the test results. The results help to provide a complete picture of each student. They are a screening tool that helps to determine if a child should be attending Literacy Center (our version of Basic Skills). They are a part of the tools we use when determining special education placement. Some high schools look at PARCC test results when selecting students. They are not, however, a factor in determining report card grades, promotion or graduation. A child’s success in the classroom is determined by the work that is completed in that classroom.
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| After School Enrichment Club Info
The Spring Session of the after school enrichment clubs will begin next Monday, April 24th.
Club welcome letters will be sent home this week advising you of which clubs your child(ren) are enrolled in.
The Chess Club will meet this Wednesday at 3 as this is a 14 week club and is a continuation of the winter session.
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| Elysian’s Awesome Superstore opening soon!
Be on the look out for The Elysian Awesome Superstore opening next week, right in time for the warmer spring weather! All orders will ship (for free!) to school for distribution. Browse around and shop for a variety of newly designed Elysian clothing items for the entire family as well as Elysian towels, hats, bags, lunch boxes and much more! Proceeds from the school store will go towards reducing the cost of school trips and other school related activities. Please contact John Rutledge at john.rutledge@ecsnj.org with any questions.
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| ARE YOU RETURNING IN THE FALL?
Today forms went out in classrooms regarding which families are returning to Elysian next fall. The forms will be in backpacks and also here in the newsletter. If you are unsure if you will be returning, please let us know. We assure you that your spot will be held until you make a decision, but it will help us with planning to encourage wait - listed families to "hang on" since there is a chance a space might open.
Families with more than one child may return only one form but must include information about all children.
Please return them to your child's teacher or the office as soon as possible.
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April 18, 2017
Dear Elysian Families, We are in the midst of planning for the next school year and need to know your plans.
All Elysian students are guaranteed a spot next year, as are siblings (space permitting).
If you tell us there’s a chance you might not return, we’ll hold your child’s place until you make a final decision. This information enables us to encourage wait-listed families to “hang on” since there's a chance a space might open up. In this way, you help us achieve full enrollment for the next school year. We appreciate your answering in an honest and timely fashion.
- If you have more than one child, please fill out one form only but include information about both children..
- Please include any in-coming siblings on the form as well. It is helpful to let us know now if you will have an incoming kindergartner for the 2018-2019 school year.
ARE YOU RETURNING TO ELYSIAN IN THE FALL?
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My child/children (please print name/names clearly):
________________________________________
name current teacher
________________________________________
name current teacher
________________________________________
name current teacher
_____ Will be attending Elysian for the 2017 - 18 school year. _____ Will not be returning to Elysian for the 2017 - 18 school year.
_____ I am not sure of my plans for the 2017 - 18 school year. Save my
place… I'll be sure to let you know as soon as we decide!
Parent Signature _____________________________________Date_____________________
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PTSO Corner
And don't forget about Box Tops (box on Deb's desk in the office!) and our AmazonSmile and Shutterfly no-brainer money-makers!
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Next at Mile SquareTheater! Mile Square Theatre, Hudson County’s leading professional theatre, presents Harold Pinter’s Betrayal. Betrayal is directed by Elysian parent Chris O’Connor. Performance run through-April 23
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| ELYSIAN SUMMER CAMP 2017--Update We have received positive response so far to our inaugural Elysian Charter Summer Camp taking place from July 31 - August 11; however, we still have a fair amount of spots open. In order to ensure we have enough campers, we have decided to open enrollment beyond the Elysian community. - Daily activities include science, arts & crafts, sports, woodworking, field trips and much more.
- The camp staff will be primarily Elysian teachers, coordinated and run by John Rutledge (5th grade teacher/rugby coach) and Pam Gorode (Business Office and Club Coordinator).
- There will be 2 one week sessions - the weeks of July 31st and August 7th - you can sign up for one or both weeks.
- Hours of fun, air conditioned classrooms, familiar counselors....and no one hour bus rides there and back!
- You can find registration forms and more information about the camp at www.ecsnj.org/elysian-summer-camp/camp-registration-form/
- Questions can be directed to John and Pam at summercamp@ecsnj.org.
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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. APRIL CALENDAR Monday, April 24- Spring Session of After School Clubs begin this week
- Board meeting, 7:00 PM
- Monday, April 24 through Monday May 1--5th and 7th grade PARCC Testing
Friday, April 28- 6th grade trip, 7:30 AM - 8:30 PM
- 8th grade trip
MAY CALENDAR
Monday, May 1- Monday, May 1 through Monday May 8--4th and 8th grade PARCC Testing
Monday, May 8
- Monday, May 8 through Monday May 15--3rd and 6th grade PARCC Testing
Wednesday, May 17- Field Day
- Half Day of School for Staff Development. 12:30 dismissal. After School Program available as usual.
Friday, May 19- 9:00 AM Community Meeting, 6th Grade Concert
- Spring Fling
Monday, May 22- Board of Trustees Meeting, 7:00 PM
Thursday, May 25- Orientation for in-coming Kindergarteners
Friday, May 26 to Monday, May 29- Elysian closed for memorial Day Weekend
Tuesday, May 30- 6th and 7th grade all day trip.
- Exhibition of 3rd grade illuminated manuscripts, Morgan Library Book Project, gym
Wedesday, May 31- Grades 4 and 8 NJ ASK Science test
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| Please make note of the following calendar changes:
1. May 19—the Community Meeting will be the 6th grade concert and will begin at 9:00 AM
2. The June 9th Community Meeting is changed to June 16th
3. On June 9th there will be the 3rd, 4th and 5th grade concert which will begin at 9:00 AM
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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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