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

Should Parents Show Their Report Cards to the Children?

At our weekly staff meeting on Wednesday, this question came up.  I would like to share with you some of thinking of our staff on this question.

Report cards are designed to be a very personal communication between the teacher and parent about a child’s progress.  Our narratives are an in-depth assessment that our teachers write to communicate both the characteristics of the classroom, the expectations for success and, very specifically, how a child is functioning in that environment.  At Elysian the teachers spend many, many hours outside of school writing each child’s report.  Each is highly individualized and represents a great deal of thought on the part of the teacher about each child.  Teachers consider homework, classwork, test scores, project performance, interaction with peers and teacher when working on projects, class participation and a myriad of other factors that truly give a vision of how each child performs.  Our narratives give both specific performance data vis-à-vis the Common Core Standards, provide specific examples of projects and other work and more general comments that demonstrate how the child is growing socially and emotionally. 

When providing information to parents it is sometimes necessary for teachers to point out scores that may not have been good, or behaviors that could be problematic.  This is both purposeful and necessary.  At our meeting we had a lengthy discussion on how to give this type of news without devastating a child.  While it is important to be honest, one purpose of this information is to create a partnership between the teacher and parent to resolve issues.  It should not be used to punish children, or to make them think less of their self-worth.  Rather it is an opportunity to create a plan to address the issues cited. 

The website www.teachervision.com provides three steps to take when discussing the report card with your child:

1. Focus on the positive.  Start the conversation focusing on those positive things that report card indicates, whether it be grades in a particular subject, attendance, behavior or general helpfulness around the classroom.
2. Ask the right questions.  Is the work too hard?  Do you have enough time to finish?  Do you ask for help if you do not understand something?  Are your assignments being handed in on time?  Also look at your child’s study habits and environment when doing work at home.  Is there time set aside for school work when the child is not too tired to work?  Are there too many activities that interfere with the work?  Is there a quiet location, free of distractions where the homework can be done?
3. The next step.  Create a plan to address the issues that were raised.  A daily time schedule often works; for example you can have a play date for an hour, come home and have a snack and rest for a half hour and then you start your homework.   This schedule can be posted in the kitchen or your child’s room.   Set goals that are achievable and something where your child can see the growth.

One important note for students in special education—it will never be written on the report card that the child is a special education student.  Each special education student will get a second, confidential, report cart describing his/her progress towards goals.  The narratives on the report card will also reflect progress towards goals. 

Do you have a question about something on the report card?  Be sure to make an appointment to see the teacher.

So, should you show your child the report card?  This is a deeply individual choice that is dependent upon the age of the child and how the child may react to the comments.  Report card time is certainly an important moment to discuss how school is progressing; it is a time to highlight successes and to address areas of concern.  In some way the information on the report card should be shared—whether through discussion or through actual reading of it.  Always start positively, and limit any problem areas to those that can be addressed.

One final note:  The teachers spend a tremendous amount of their personal time writing the report cards.  Please let the teachers know what you think.  Each report card is sent out with a feedback sheet---use that or just write a note to the teacher.  It would be tremendously appreciated.

The 7th/8th Grade Boy's Team will practice 2:00 - 3:00 PM

That game will take place the day before, Monday, February 1st.   Elysian Charter 6 vs. Stevens 6 will start at a new time: 6:00 PM.   Practice will take place between 4:00 and 5:00 PM, as usual, that Monday.

Winter Session of After School Enrichment Clubs

Tinkercad, Knitting, Mad Science Presents NASA, 

AUCTION UPDATE

It’s February! And that means the auction is just under FOUR WEEKS AWAY (on February 26)! Don’t wait until the last minute to get your ticket! Click below (or drop off a check) and secure your spot! And thank you to everyone who has responded so generously so far! 

AUCTION ITEM OF THE WEEK: “Three Month Crunch Gym Membership”!

What better incentive to get fit than being able to simultaneously help out Elysian while you’re doing it? 

Tickets: $125 each ($135 at the door, the day of the event).

* Paying Online: Click here: https://friendsofelysian.org/fundraising.html.

* Paying By Check: Please write the check out to “Friends of Elysian Charter School.” IMPORTANT: Put the check in an envelope labeled “Friends Auction.” 

Inside, include a note with the name of each guest and your email address.

Drop off this envelope to Deb or Susan in the office. Thanks!

EVENT INFO

WHAT: Annual Friends of Elysian Fundraising Party & Auction to benefit The Campaign For Elysian

WHEN: Friday, February 26, 2016, 7 pm – 10 pm

WHERE: Cadillac Cantina, 80 River Street, Hoboken, NJ 07030

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

 

**AUCTION ITEMS NEEDED!**

Thank you to those who have donated auction items. But we still need a few more lots. If you work somewhere cool or might have a connection for something your fellow parents might enjoy, please consider a donation.

 

We are ideally seeking new items or unique experiences, valued at $200 or more. Our goal is to have a variety of items that can help raise significant funds for the school. While we hope to be able to include all donations, please understand that we may not be able to accommodate all items, or may have to group items together. We want to make sure to avoid duplicate items, so before securing a possible auction lot, please first email us at friends@ecsnj.org. 

 

Also, if you are thinking of approaching a Hoboken business, please email us as well since committee members have already reached out to several places. Thank you very much for your consideration of this request and for your support!

 

MYSTERY BAGS

If anyone works with a business that has 20-50 of the same item—for example, sample products or fun promotion merchandise—to donate for the mystery bags, please reach at to Harriet Fitzpatrick at msfitz1126@gmail.com or Shana Lee at shanalee@gmail.com.

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50/50 CASH RAFFLE

Thank you very much to all students and families for your help with this fundraiser. We appreciate it!

 

AND IT’S NOW TIME TO START GETTING THOSE RAFFLE TICKETS IN TO YOUR CLASS PARENT! All students should have received a book of 10 tickets in their backpacks. If not (or if you have any questions), please contact your class parent, or Cynthia Ng-Villaluz at cynthia.ng.villaluz@gmail.com. Also contact Cynthia for more raffle tickets as well if you’ve already sold your book. (And if you need another info sheet regarding the raffle, there are more in the office.)

 

PRIZES: Remember, 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.

 

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

CALENDAR

FEBRUARY 2016 

Monday, February 29

• 5th Grade Basketball Game, Connors/Calabro 5 vs. Elysian Charter 5, 8:00 PM, Wallace School