September 2025, Vol 2

Hello Ellicott Families,

We are thrilled to share that the school year is off to a wonderful start! Students are settling in, forming new friendships, and building strong classroom communities. It’s so encouraging to see our students learning, following our Ellicott rules, and showing respect for one another.

We also want to thank everyone for their patience during dismissal. Moving so many vehicles safely in a short amount of time is always a challenge, and your understanding has made the process much smoother. We are finally getting into a good routine, and things are running more efficiently each day. Many families arrive right when the parking lot opens, and while this works, a friendly suggestion is to plan your arrival closer to 3:20. Doing so will likely allow you to pull right up and pick up your child without waiting in line (or waiting nearly as long).

Thank you again for your support and for helping us make the start of this school year such a positive experience. We are excited to continue learning, growing, and thriving together!

Diana Nigro, Principal
Alecia Brown, Assistant Principal

Thursday, September 25th - PTO Fall Welcome Back FUNdraiser (4:30pm - 6:30pm)

Saturday, September 27th - Homecoming Parade, Carnival, and Football Game

Friday, October 3rd - 15-Minute Early Dismissal (Times for Ellicott: UPK @ 2:45, K-5 @ 2:50)

Friday, September 26th - Wear Ellicott t-shirt or Maroon & White

Friday, October 3rd & Friday, October 10th - Bills Days! 🏈💙

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

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

The PTO FUNdraiser is tonight from 4:30 - 6:30 at Ellicott. We hope you'll join us for fun activities, music, photobooth opportunities, fall snacks, and more!

Can't wait to see you there!!

We are so grateful to our PTO for providing every staff member and student with an Ellicott t-shirt. This thoughtful gift does more than just add to our wardrobes, it brings our entire school community together. By wearing our Ellicott shirts, we can show our pride in this amazing school and celebrate the spirit that makes it such a special place to learn and grow. ✨

Thank you to our PTO for taking on this project and for always finding ways to help us come together. Your generosity and dedication help make Ellicott a place where everyone feels connected and proud to belong. 🧩

We invite all interested Ellicott families to join us for Orchard Park’s Homecoming festivities this Saturday, September 27. This year’s theme is Masquerade! We will meet at 9:30 a.m. in the front loop of Orchard Park Middle School to march in the parade together with the Ellicott float. Please remember that children must be accompanied by an adult, as supervision cannot be provided. Following the parade, you're welcome to enjoy the FREE Homecoming carnival at 11:00 a.m. in the Baker Road lot at the HS and then stay for the evening football game.

We're excited to welcome four new team members to our third grade family this year! Our students are settling in well and diving into exciting new learning adventures.

In math, we've just begun exploring the world of multiplication, and it's amazing to see the "aha" moments as students discover these new mathematical concepts. The enthusiasm in our classrooms is contagious as they work with arrays, skip counting, and building their multiplication understanding.

This year we're implementing the new Fishtank program for our literacy instruction. Currently, our classes are reading Dyamonde Daniel and engaging in thoughtful written responses to their reading. Students are developing stronger comprehension skills while connecting with this wonderful character and her story.

We're looking forward to a fantastic year of growth and learning together!

- The Third Grade Team

Mr. Campana, Mrs. Collins, Mrs. Connolly, Mrs. Kennell, Mrs. Salmon, Mr. Tepas, & Mrs. Zgaljardic

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!

Please click the image below to read an article on Supporting Your Child's Mental Health, from the Erie County SMART Collaborative.

The SMART Collaborative is an Erie County professional learning community dedicated to improving mental health for students and families. By fostering interagency collaboration, it unites schools, community agencies, and county leaders to share resources, promote best practices, and build capacity for a healthier, more supportive educational environment.

The PTO has refreshed their website, making it the go-to spot for the latest news and information. Bookmark it so you can check in anytime!

This is also where you can join the PTO. Membership helps support students through events, initiatives, and even some field trips. You don’t have to attend every meeting to be part of the fun, but you’re always welcome! Meetings are always held in person, but with an option to join via Google Meet! Links will be sent out the night before.

Please consider signing up today by clicking below. ✨🔽

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

A new school year is a great time to refresh safety habits at home and in the community. Use the checklist below to help your family feel prepared and confident:

✅ Pick-Up and Drop-Off Plans

For Car Riders 🚗

Review your child’s morning drop-off and afternoon pick-up schedule together. Make sure they know who is allowed to pick them up and remind them to wait safely until the car is fully stopped before approaching to get in or when getting out.

For Bus Riders 🚌
Go over what to expect when getting on and off the bus. Encourage your child to wait calmly at the stop, use the handrail when boarding or exiting, and look for the adult who is there to meet them at drop-off.

✅ Review Emergency Contacts
Ensure your child knows your phone number, address, and how to reach another trusted adult if needed. Keep a list of emergency numbers posted in a visible spot at home.

✅ Practice Home Safety
Revisit simple routines like locking doors, not answering the door without an adult present, and using technology responsibly.

✅ Build Routine Check-ins
Create a regular plan for after-school check-ins so your child always knows when and how to reach you.

✅ Model Safe Habits
Children learn by example. Show them how you follow safety rules, buckle up, and use devices wisely.

Small, consistent reminders at home make it easier for children to make safe choices every day.