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Elysian Charter School
Weekly Newsletter
A Positively Different Public School
November 6, 2017 Vol. 13 Issue 9
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 November 6, 2017
This article first appeared in the Huffington Post on May 2, 2011. It is printed as it was written.
Appreciating Teachers: A Letter to Mrs. Hamilton
Dear Mrs. Hamilton,
I write to you nearly 30 three years after sitting in your eighth grade English class at Emerson School. You likely have long since retired, and may not even remember me, but I remember you. In fact, right now I am looking at a book that you gave me in 1978. I keep this book on my desk and use it frequently because it reminds me of another even more important gift you gave me.
In the spring of 1978 you encouraged me to submit an essay in a school writing contest. The topic was “Libraries: For the People, by the People.” At the time I wasn’t very confident with the pen and a bit insecure about entering the competition. For some unknown reason you had faith in me and urged me to give it a go. I remember you telling me that writing was a skill which requires patience and practice, just like sports. But, while a basketball game ends and fades from memory, writing remains forever.
So I put down the basketball and picked up a pen and wrote the best essay I could, re-writing it several times. By some miracle I actually won that contest. I can’t even remember what the prize was, but I do remember your beaming face when you came to share the news. To celebrate my success you gave me my first ever thesaurus. Honestly, I didn’t even know what a thesaurus was at the time... which is why your inscription on the inside cover makes me smile to this day.
You wrote, “This thesaurus is not a prehistoric animal, but I hope it is a faithful companion during the next four years (in high school).”
I want you to know that this book, now worn with pages falling out, has remained my faithful companion for over three decades. I wouldn’t dream of using any other thesaurus, online of offline, because yours is so special — even magical. When I open it up I see you standing over my shoulder, pointing out how words fit together and how powerful they can become when infused with passion and purpose. I feel a renewed sense of wonder and curiosity just by turning the pages of that old book.
Well, despite your best efforts, I have to let you know that I never became a professional writer. As glorious as it was my essay victory did not propel me to a spot on the New York Times bestseller list. (I did meet Stephen King, himself a former English teacher, a couple of times however!).
But I still love to write, mostly just for writing’s sake. I love the interplay of words and meaning, in fact, much more than I will ever love basketball.
I want to also let you know that I will do my best to teach an appreciation for writing to my own children, and I will be sure to encourage them the way that you encouraged me. I am not a teacher but thanks to you I know what good teaching is.
Thank you for the book and for making me feel so special. Thank you for caring enough to teach me why to write and not just how to write.
As much as I treasure it, even my thesaurus doesn’t have enough words to describe my gratitude.
Sincerely,
Paul Lamb (the gangly blue-eyed kid with wild hair in the front row to your right)
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Important Reminder
Any family at Elysian who has a child who will attend Kindergarten next year must turn in an application now to the Elysian Office. This will guarantee your child a spot in the 2018-2019 Kindergarten class. Please do not fill out the application online. You will get mixed in with the general public and make it difficult to find your application. Please fill out an application, which you can find in the office or online at ecsnj.org (click on it and then you can print it out) and turn it into the office as soon as possible.
We are trying to determine how many seats we will have available for the public when we hold the lottery in January.
Thank you !
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Elysian 3rd Grader, Keira, Collects for Homeless Shelter
The Shelter are in great need of the following items; socks
hats
scarves
gloves
hand warmers Let's show them that we are part of a caring Community. Please leave your donations at the bottom of the stairs (entrance lobby) week commencing 13th November.Thanks in advance for you generous support!
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Elysian's Superstore Closes This Wednesday at Midnight
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Friends of Elysian
Thank you to the parents who came to learn more about the Friends of Elysian at our annual meeting on October 25. As you may be aware, Friends of Elysian is the school’s fundraising arm, which helps to bridge the gap in state funding for facilities and academics.
New Engagement: We are delighted to announce that we were able to continue to expand involvement in Friends. We welcome new board member, Lisa Spear, and new voting member, Anna Stanin.
Our officers for 2017/2018 are:
Chair, Jenifer Semenza
Vice Chair, Lindsay Loyd
Vice Chair, Amy Whelton
Treasurer, Jonathan Katell
Secretary, Lisa Spear
(Our board also includes at-large members: Colin Cook, Ann Murphy, Cynthia Ng-Villaluz, and Joan Spiegel.)
If You Were Unable To Attend: If you’d like to be involved with Friends or would like to receive any details of our work, please reach out to us at friends@ecsnj.org. Detailed charts of the Friends finances, including the Campaign for Elysian, our 990s and other legal and tax documents are available at any time for members of our community.
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Coin Challenge Starts Next Week - The 2nd Annual Elysian Coin Challenge begins next Monday, November 13! So, start saving your pennies (and nickels, dimes and quarters too!). Containers will be available in every classroom to collect for the challenge!
Chili Cook-Off - Save the date and get your recipes ready for Saturday, January 6, at the Elks Club!
Tiny Prints and Shutterfly Discount Codes Available - For all of your holiday needs, the PTSO has available 40% off and FREE shipping for Tiny Prints and $10 off an order of $50 or more and FREE shipping from Shutterfly! Send an email to elysianptso@gmail.com to get your code(s)! Elysian will also get 13% of your purchase as a donation from both Tiny Prints and Shutterfly when you shop through our exclusive storefront: ElysianCharter.ShutterflyStorefront.com. Codes expire December 31, 2017.
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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. NOVEMBER CALENDAR Tuesday, November 7- Play Practice, 3:00 PM - 4:15 PM
Wednesday, November 8- 3rd Grade Trip
- 4th Grade Presentation in Classroom 12:30 PM
Thursday, November 9- 6th Grade Trip
- 7th Grade Trip
- 8th Grade Trip
- Rugby Practice, 3:00 PM - 3:45 PM
Friday, November 10- Veterans Day, Elysian Closed
Sunday, November 12- Track Meet, 10:00 AM, Lincoln Park (Blue Track)
Monday, November 13- Track Practice, 3:00 PM to 3:45 PM, 1600 Park
Monday, November 13 - Friday, November 17
Tuesday, November 14- Monuments Seminar trip, 8:30 AM - 2:30 PM
- Play Practice, 3:00 PM - 4:15 PM
- Parent Conferences
Wednesday, November 15- 1/2 Day of School
- Parent Conferences
Thursday, November 16- 4th Grade Trip
- Parent Conferences
Friday, November 17 - 5th Grade Trip
- Parent Conferences
Saturday, November 18 - Track Meet, 10:00 AM, Lincoln Park (Blue Track)
Tuesday, November 21- Lynne's Seminar - Trip
- Play Practice, 3:00 PM - 4:15 PM
Thursday, November 23 - Friday, November 24- Thanksgiving Break, Elysian Closed
Monday, November 27- Open House For Prospective Parents, 6:00 PM
- Board Meeting, 7:00 PM
Tuesday, November 28- Play Practice, 3:00 PM - 4:15 PM
Wednesday, November 29 - Friday, December 1 DECEMBER CALENDAR Friday, December 1- Community Meeting, 8:30 AM - Gym
- 6th Grade Return from Trip
Tuesday, December 5- Play Practice, 3:00 PM - 4:15 PM
Tuesday, December 12- Play Practice, 3:00 PM - 4:15 PM
Wednesday, December 13- 1/2 Day of School - Staff Developement
Tuesday, December 19- Play Practice, 3:00 PM - 4:15 PM
Monday, December 25 - Monday, January 1, 2018- Winter Break, Elysian Closed
Mark Your Calendars
Saturday, December 16 is KUUMBA Day! More Info to Follow
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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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