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Off we go! September is here, our learners have settled in, and we’ll have our first five-day week next week! Our learners have become increasingly comfortable with their classroom settings and routines, and it has been a joy to watch our students reconnect with familiar faces, and begin to build new relationships. Next week, we will begin our universal assessment cycle, so it will be important to maintain regular routines, eat a healthful breakfast, and provide outdoor exercise. We are also looking forward to our first Cheetah Pride Assembly of the year on Friday, September 12th!

We appreciate your partnership. Have a wonderful weekend,

Joey and Andrea

9/12- Cheetah Pride Assembly

9/12- Spirit Day- Wear your Cheetah Gear or Blue and Yellow

9/17-9/20- Start With Hello Week

9/17- Spirit Day- Wear Green as a symbol of unity and solidarity for Sandy Hook Promise

9/17- Open House for Kindergarten and First Grade from 6:30-7:30pm

9/18- Open House for Second and Third Grade from 6:30-7:30pm

9/22- Board of Education Meeting 6:30pm

9/23- Summer Fitness Celebration

9/26- PTO Sponsored Jog-A- Thon

9/30, 10/1, 10/2- Picture Days

10/3- Summer Reading and Math Celebration

Each classroom collaboratively created contracts for behavior expectations in the classroom. Students and teachers worked together to design an agreement for classroom norms.

In compliance with Connecticut’s Right to Read legislation, Memorial School has adopted and implemented a literacy compendium that includes a knowledge-based program called Wit & Wisdom. This week, our K-3 teachers began to implement the launch unit, and our learners enthusiastically engaged in the appealing lessons. It was wonderful to move from room to room and witness such a high level of interest and dialogue – even among our youngest students. We can’t wait to see all that our new literacy curriculum brings this year. We’re ready for an amazing year of reading and writing!

A PAWsitive office referral is submitted when a staff member recognizes a student who is going above and beyond to exemplify one of our three school rules - taking care of others, taking care of self, & taking care of things.

Congratulations to Mrs. Ellis, Math Specialist, as being recognized as this week's Order Of the Cheetah! Mrs. Ellis went above and beyond helping the Kindergarten team by putting bus tags on every student's back pack. We appreciate all that you do for our students and staff.

Welcome Back from the Memorial School Library Media Center!

The year is off to a great start in the Memorial School Library Media Center! This year we will continue to integrate technology and 21st century information literacy skills into your student’s library experience. We will be using our library time to explore, create, and develop critical thinking and research skills, in addition to fostering a love of reading, in a fun and welcoming environment.

Classroom Expectations:

During the month of September students will be establishing library routines and norms. Students in grades preK, K are busy learning about proper book care, the parts of a book and the roles of the author and illustrator. Grade 1 is learning how to navigate the library and choose books off the shelves. Students in grades 2 and 3 are reviewing library expectations and basic library skills. They will be discussing how to choose a “just right book” and will learn how to use our library catalog. All grades have also been participating in read alouds with the theme of school and library.

If you would like to help your child pre-select a book, you may search our library collection, online at http://easthamptonpsct.booksys.net/opac/memorial/ .

Book Check out:

Students will begin book checkout during their library period during their second library class. Students are permitted to have one book checked out at a time and books are due back the following week on library day. Students may renew a book as long as no one is waiting for it. We recommend that students keep a plastic shopping bag in their backpack to keep their book in, to protect from spills and damage.

Students are encouraged to mindfully select books that are appropriate for their reading level. However your student may bring home a book that needs to be read with an adult. This is also encouraged and an important part of their reading development.

You can find more information on our library web page located on the school website (http://easthamptonps.org).

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us.

Sincerely,

Mrs. Flannery

Library Media Specialist

rflannery@easthamptonct.org

Ms. Andrea Winiarski is the district K-5 Math/Science Coordinator and 3-5 Math Specialist. This is her seventh year in East Hampton after previously working as a classroom teacher and instructional coach in East Hartford. She is very excited about our K-5 math program, Bridges in Mathematics, and can’t wait for students to explore new concepts and hear the amazing mathematical discourse that will soon echo in the halls. Ms. Winiarski works at both Memorial and Center and enjoys working with students across the district. Her favorite thing about math is encouraging all mathematicians to find multiple ways to solve problems and show different ways of thinking.

Mrs. Elisabeth Ellis is the K-2 Math Specialist. This is her eighth year in East Hampton after previously working as a classroom teacher in Middletown. Prior to becoming a math specialist, she taught kindergarten, grade 1 and grade 5. Mrs. Ellis has always had a passion for math. She loves being able to go into different classrooms to talk with Memorial Mathematicians. Her favorite thing about math is using manipulatives to show her thinking. Keep an eye out around town for Mrs. Ellis and her three children who are always busy with sports!

Mrs. Abby Skarvelas is the 2-3 Literacy Specialist, and ELA Team Leader at Memorial School. This is her eleventh year in East Hampton where she also spent her time as a second grade teacher. Before joining the Memorial team, she was a literacy coach and first grade teacher in New Haven. Her favorite thing about Memorial is the sense of community and the smiles she sees on students’ faces every day. Reading is her passion and she enjoys working to find ways to meet the needs of all learners. This year, she is looking forward to supporting teachers with the new literacy program, Wit and Wisdom. When she is not at school, her daughters Alexandra (age 6) and Ellie (age 4) keep her very busy!

Mrs. Kerry Liebler is the K-1 Literacy Specialist at Memorial. This is her fifth year in East Hampton. Prior to that, she was a classroom teacher and instructional coach in East Hartford. Mrs. Liebler enjoys getting into the classrooms and engaging with students during their literacy activities. She especially enjoys an interactive read aloud. Mrs. Liebler is looking forward to supporting the Wit and Wisdom reading program this year. In her free time, you can find Mrs. Liebler curled up with a good book!

Mrs. Wendy Sturmer has been working as a paraeducator at Memorial for eighteen years. She loves teaching literacy and math to students in grades K-3. Her favorite thing about Memorial is the relationships she makes with students in her groups and watching them utilize what they are learning, making progress, and becoming self-assured and confident young learners each and every day. When she is not at Memorial, she can be found enjoying time with family and friends, traveling, and cuddling with one of her two kitty cats.

Mrs. Alexis Tammaro joined the Memorial Cheetahs in 2021 as a Math and Literacy Paraeducator. She’s really excited to kick off the new school year with our young learners, and is especially excited to engage students in the Bridges into Mathematics and S.P.I.R.E programs. Mrs. Tammaro really enjoys her time with the students, helping them grow, encouraging them to learn something new every day, and to not give up on themselves! She has two children who attend Memorial and Center, and is always excited to be a part of the community more. You can usually catch Mrs. Tammaro enjoying the outdoors with her family either on their boat, or exploring our beautiful state parks. She has a passion for always learning new things, be it with trying new recipes or helping her husband build something for the house.

Mrs. Linda Glaude is a Literacy and Math Paraeducator. This is her twenty-eighth year at Memorial. Her favorite thing about Memorial is how the staff collaborates and builds the confidence of all our young learners. She especially enjoys the occasions when a student has an “aha” moment when they discover that they can solve a problem that once was difficult. She is looking forward to welcoming new friends to the Reading Center and Math Lab this year. In her free time she can often be found walking with her dog on the airline trail or enjoying some kayaking adventures. She also loves reading books and spending time with her granddaughter.

Mrs. Sarah Moore-Riddell has worked for Memorial as a literacy paraeducator for 8 years. She really enjoys working with kids in smaller groups, helping them persevere with new concepts. More recently she has been involved with math groups and supporting the Bridges program with enthusiasm and eagerness. Mrs. Moore-Riddell especially feels rewarded after a student smiles when an idea clicks. In addition to loving Memorial school, she loves her daughter who is currently in 9th grade as well as hiking, reading, and playing/watching all kinds of sports. She is looking forward to a great year with many milestones to achieve, especially with her new puppy Kevin.

MATH AND LITERACY INTERVENTION SERVICES

The East Hampton Public Schools uses assessment data to measure student growth and skill development in both math and literacy. Through universal assessments, the reading and math department identifies students who may need additional tiers of support to demonstrate grade level skill attainment. Our reading and math department started meeting with students for additional support based on spring data the week of September 9th. Once our fall assessments are completed, we will review student needs to determine changes to services or groupings of students. The reading and math department communicates directly with families regarding any additional services.

Please allow me to share a little bit about myself with you. I know that outside of the home, the school is one of the most influential environments for our children. As a mom who has two young children, I know how this time of year can be overwhelming. You want everything to go right and smoothly for your little one(s), but most of all you wish you could attend the first days with them. We, at Memorial, all agree that it’s supposed to be a happy and exciting time as the new school year is upon us. As the nurse, I hope to offer you and your child(ren) some comfort and reassurance while they are with us for our 2024-2025 school year!

On behalf of the Memorial School staff I want to extend a warm welcome to every parent and student! Feel free to contact me by phone or, better yet, email with your questions and concerns. My goal is to collaborate with you and help make this school year a healthy and enjoyable one. I would like to offer a little guidance from the health office. Below you will find some answers to frequently asked questions.

Communications:

If a student is seen by the nurse or nursing assistant, they will receive a “Nurse’s Pass” ( or Pink Slip) with a brief review of their visit. However, Parents/Guardians will receive a phone call in the following circumstances:

• The student needs to be picked up from school

• Follow-up at home is required or recommended (ie doctor visit, continued observation at home, or the such)

• Any significant injury to the head, new marks on face

• Further communication is needed regarding student Health Office visit

Please note that the above criteria are made with Registered Nurse assessment, observation, and judgment. If a parent would like calls for any nurse visit or in specific situations, please communicate that to the Health Office specifically and your child’s chart will be updated.

We are Pro-Communication!!! ☺ If you have any concern please don’t hesitate to call or e-mail us, but email or Parent Square is best, and please include both Ms. Michelle and I on your outreaches. We want the best for your child(ren) and we want you to feel secure in their health and safety at school.

Medications:

Every medication that is brought into school requires a “Medication Authorization” form to be signed by the student’s doctor and parent/guardian and the medication in original packaging with prescription label is to be brought in by a parent/guardian, not in the child’s backpack. No child may carry their own medications at the Elementary level. Please use a large ziplock bag for the medication plus the medication order, and label the bag with your child’s name before dropping off. Any controlled medications will need to be counted and signed off with the RN and parent so please allow for a few extra minutes at drop off.

Please note: COUGH DROPS count as medications and are not allowed in school. All over-the-counter medications also need a medication order from your provider.

Food:

We have several students with severe food allergies, therefore we highly recommend non food items to share for birthday celebrations. We ask for at least 48 hours advance notice. A great resource for allergy free snacks is the Safe Snack guide at https://snacksafely.com/safe-snack-guide/. We appreciate your assistance in keeping our school safe.

Health Concerns:

• If your child has a new health concern which you would like to speak to the nurse about e-mail kwilliams@easthamptonct.org and mlemire@easthamptonct.org at any time. Please let us know if your child is diagnosed with any illness or injury (such as strep, flu, pneumonia, covid, pink eye, lice, fracture/broken bone, etc.) as the nurse office tracks illnesses and sends notification letters home if there are 2 or more cases in a specific classroom.

• If you have any specific concerns that arise during the school year (such as stitches, concussions, broken bones/fractures, etc) it is best that you send in a doctor’s note with dates, guidelines and restrictions, so we can all be on the same page and keep your child safe.

Respectfully,

Katie Williams, RN

and Ms. Michelle Lemire

kwilliams@easthamptonct.org, mlemire@easthamptonct.org

Your Health Office Team

Memorial Elementary

Phone 860-365-4020

Fax 860-365-4024

Click the picture below to order your Cheetah Gear. There is a Sale going on now for 20% off, use the word DEDICATED20!

When considering the number of absences your student has accrued, keep in mind that a student must be present for 195 minutes in order for the day to count! When bringing your student in late, or signing them out early if they have not been in school for a 195 minutes the day will be recorded as an absence.

Memorial School Attendance email:

memorial_attendance@easthamptonct.org * there is an _ between memorial and attendance!

Please Review This Important Information Below.

Students, parents, and community members have access to an anonymous tip line on the front page of the school district website to report self-concerns, mental health concerns of a friend, or concerns of violence. Simply click here or view on the website: https://www.easthamptonps.org/.

Email: jbauer@easthamptonct.org
Website: https://www.easthamptonps.org/o/memorial-school
Location: 20 Smith Street, East Hampton, CT, USA
Phone: 860-365-4020
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ehmemorialschool