October 2025, Vol 1

Dear Families,

As we move into another exciting week at Ellicott, we are looking forward to some fun and important activities. We will be hosting fire safety presentations, practicing bus evacuation drills, and continuing with the incredible learning experiences that happen in our classrooms every day.

As the weather turns colder and we settle into a true Western New York fall, we want to remind families that students will continue to go outside for recess daily, as weather permits. Please make sure your children are dressed appropriately so they can enjoy outdoor play comfortably and safely. This is also a great time to label all sweatshirts, jackets, and other clothing items. Cold mornings often turn into warmer afternoons, which means layers are taken off and our lost and found fills up quickly. Labeling items helps ensure that everything makes its way back to its rightful owner.

We are grateful for your continued support and partnership in making our school a welcoming, safe, and inspiring place for all students. We look forward to another week filled with learning, exploration, and fun!

Thank you!

Mrs. Nigro and Mrs. Brown

Monday, October 13th - Indigenous Peoples' Day - No School

Monday, October 20th - Superintendent's Conference Day - No School

Thursday, October 16th & Wednesday, October 29th - Wear your Ellicott t-shirt! 👕

Friday, October 24th - Bills Days! 🏈💙

Tuesday, November 11th - Veterans Day - No School

Friday, November 14th - Elementary Half Day - Dismissal Starts at 11:15

Wednesday, November 26th - Friday November 28th - Thanksgiving Break - No School

Yes, already!

Our lost and found is bursting with nice unlabeled items just waiting to be reunited with their owners. Remind your child to check for anything missing, and if it’s still not there, reach out to their teacher. Don’t forget—labeling jackets, sweatshirts, and other belongings helps make sure everything finds its way home!

In Kindergarten and 1st grade, our youngest musicians are building the foundations of their musical journey. Kindergarteners are learning how to use their voices for singing and chanting, practicing the difference between speaking and making music with a steady beat. First graders are being introduced to solfege — the “do-re-mi’s” — and learning to recognize which notes belong together in groups like Major Tonic and Major Dominant chords. These early skills are helping them develop both strong ears and confident voices.

Our 2nd, 3rd, and 4th grade musicians have been hard at work learning how to read and write rhythm patterns in duple meter! Over the past few weeks, students have been strengthening their ability to recognize music notation and symbols, accurately read rhythm patterns, and even notate their own. It has been exciting to see their confidence grow as they put these skills into practice through games, practice exercises, and performance activities. By building this strong rhythmic foundation, students are developing important tools that will support them in all areas of music-making — from playing instruments to singing and creating their own compositions.

Our 5th graders are taking on even more advanced challenges. They are learning to perform several complementary percussion parts for an ensemble that accompanies the West African welcome song, Funga Alafia. At the same time, they are beginning to dive into their big project for the year — preparing for our 5th grade musical, Willy Wonka Kids! Students are already getting familiar with the story and songs, and we are looking forward to watching their talents shine on stage.

Mrs. Holden and Mrs. Glasgow

The Orchard Park Central School District will host Emerging Trends in Youth Gambling, presented by Shanley Olszowy, Program Manager with the Problem Gambling Resource Center.

This event is part of the Orchard Park Central School District’s Community Engagement Series and marks the first event of the 2025–2026 school year. It will take place on Wednesday, October 15, 2025, at 6:00 p.m. at Orchard Park Middle School. The event is free and open to the public.

The presentation will explore the latest developments in youth gambling, with a focus on the growing accessibility of online gambling through apps and social media. It will also examine the increasingly blurred lines between gambling and gaming, an overlap that has contributed to greater exposure to gambling advertisements, the normalization of gambling as entertainment, and a surge in esports betting. Research shows esports betting is closely linked to higher rates of gambling-related problems among young people.

Participants will gain valuable insights, including:

• An understanding of the connection between their interests and youth gambling prevention
• A clear definition of problem gambling
• Insight into how technology is shaping new gambling behaviors
• Awareness of online gambling opportunities targeting youth
• Knowledge of youth as a vulnerable population
• Recognition of common warning signs of gambling problems
• Tools and strategies to support prevention efforts

The session will be led by Shanley Olszowy, who has been a Program Manager with the Problem Gambling Resource Center for 2 years. She holds a B.A. in History from Canisius University and a Master’s degree in Library and Information Sciences from the University at Buffalo.

Community members, parents, and educators are encouraged to attend this important event to learn more about how gambling trends are impacting youth and what can be done to prevent problem gambling.

The 2025 New York State Assessment Parent Reports are now ready to view in the Parent Portal. These reports show how your child did on last spring’s ELA and Math assessments and give helpful information about their progress and areas for growth.

Students in grades 3–8 last year will have a report available to view.

To access your child’s report:

1. Log in to the Parent Portal

2. Click “Student Portfolio” on the left side

3. Choose “NYS Assessment Reports” at the top left

4. Use the drop-down menu to select ELA or Math, then pick the year you want to see

The Orchard Park Family Solutions Center is excited to offer Fall Parenting Enrichment classes at no cost to families! These sessions provide a welcoming space for parents to connect, share, and gain strategies for navigating the joys and challenges of raising children.

Classes are tailored to fit different stages of parenting:

• Universal Pre-K

• Kindergarten through Fifth Grade

• Pre-Teens and Teenagers

In addition, a yearlong Co-Parenting Cohort is available for families navigating separation or divorce. This supportive group focuses on building healthy communication and providing practical tools, and on-site child care is included.

👉 Click the PDF below for full details and registration information!

We love seeing our students each day and watching them learn and grow. Arriving on time and staying for the full day make a big difference in helping them feel connected and confident in class!

Thursday, October 16 at 6:30pm (Ellicott Small Cafeteria & via Google Meet)

Each month, our Occupational and Physical Therapists in Orchard Park create a fantastic collection of resources that can be used both in the classroom and at home. These activities and strategies support skill development that can benefit all children in many ways. Click the picture below to explore the resources and see if there’s anything you’d like to try with your child at home!

As the weather cools 🍂 and the days get shorter, it’s the perfect time to curl up with a good book and enjoy special moments with your child. Family reading time is more than just reading; it’s a chance to connect, have fun, and support your child’s growing love of books. Here are some ideas to make reading together engaging and enjoyable:

• 📖 Read Aloud Together – Take turns reading pages or chapters. Bring the story to life with different voices for characters, or add sound effects to make it extra fun.

• 🛋️ Create a Cozy Reading Nook – Gather blankets, pillows, or stuffed animals and find a comfy spot at home. A special reading space makes storytime feel magical.

• 💬 Discuss the Story – Ask questions like “What do you think will happen next?” or “How does this character feel?” Talking about the story builds comprehension and critical thinking.

• ✨ Get Creative – Draw a picture of a scene, act out a favorite part, or write a new ending together. Interactive activities make reading memorable and hands-on.

• 🌟 Connect Stories to Life – Relate the story to your child’s own experiences. This helps them understand characters and events more deeply and makes reading meaningful.

• ⏰ Set a Daily Reading Routine – Even 15–20 minutes a day can make a big difference. Read before bed, after school, or during a cozy weekend morning to make reading a fun habit.

No matter how you read, the most important part is enjoying the time together. Sharing stories not only strengthens reading skills, but also creates lasting memories and encourages a lifelong love of books.