Elm City Montessori

Dear ECMS Families, 

 
We are excited to start school in a few weeks. At ECMS, we have spent the summer planning for safety, for social emotional wellbeing, for academics, and for your children! 
  
Important Documents: As you prepare to return to school, please review (and save!) these documents: 

  Key Policies from the Family Handbook: You will find information about common clothing, arrival/dismissal, food, and items from home. 

  21-22 ECMS School Calendar, complete with school holidays, Family Teacher Organization “Family Nights Out,” and school events! 

  Return to School Planning Document for more details about safety/health procedures. 

  Supply Lists for the start of school: Primary (PreK-K), Lower Elementary (G1-3), Upper Elementary (G4-6), Erdkinder (G7). 

  You will soon be receiving several forms to complete from Transparent Classroom - we ask all families to complete these every year. If you’re unable to login to Transparent Classroom, email david.weinreb@elmcitymontessori.org 

  ECMS Dismissal Plan for Busers (2021-2022): For all students Kindergarten-7th Grade, please complete the ECMS Dismissal Plan Google Form so we know your child’s permanent dismissal plan for every day. Please complete this by Friday, August 27th. 

  Application for our Extended Day Program (The Program is currently full, please submit your application to be added to our waiting list) 

We know that the transition back to school can bring up emotions for children and families. We have made space this August and September for relationships and for information sharing. Please review the events below and mark your calendars for ways to connect to the ECMS community. 
  
ECMS Community Events.  To support strong family partnership, we will be hosting REQUIRED ECMS orientations for ALL families, both new and returning. During the orientations, we will share our vision for Anti Bias Anti Racist (ABAR) Montessori, review school policies and procedures, and share ways to partner in learning this year. Families must attend one of the following orientations: 

  Wednesday, August 25th, 4PM at school 

  Thursday August 26th, 12PM via zoom 

  Friday, August 27th, 11AM via zoom 

 I Heart New Haven Day: Join us this Saturday to help us build picnic tables and garden beds for ECMS!  

  Who: 10 Volunteers from I Heart New Haven. Additionally ECMS families, students, and staff are very welcome!! Please contact volunteer steward/contact Dave Weinreb (david.weinreb@elmcitymontessori.org, 914-393-7671) if you plan to attend. Susan Clark will be project lead. 

  When: Saturday, August 21st, 10AM-1PM 

  Where: Elm City Montessori School, 495 Blake Street (Blacktop). 

  Purpose: Build large picnic tables, begin building garden beds, complete other outdoor tasks 

  What to Bring: (If you have it, if you’re able, it’ll make our work faster/more efficient) Work gloves, measuring tapes, cordless drills (3), T-squares (3), scissors, name tags, sharpies, masking tape, water, a bag lunch 

Welcome Back Outdoor Gathering: Bring a blanket and dinner for your family and join us at our back to school gathering! We will come together in our beautiful outdoor environment and meet new and returning families and connect with our classroom teams.  

  Primary Families (PreK-K): Tuesday, August 24th, 5:30-6:30pm 

  Lower Elementary Families (G1-3): Wednesday, August 25th 5:30-6:30pm 

  Upper Elementary & Erdkinder Families (G4-7): Thursday, August 26th 5:30-6:30pm 

During these gatherings, please bring old uniforms you’d like to donate and swap for uniforms for the upcoming school year (organized by the FTO). 
 
Classroom Visits for all students who are new to a classroom: Friday, August 27th. For all families new to a classroom, Guides will reach out to schedule a 15 minute visit to our school for your child and caregiver. During this time, your child will meet the classroom team outside, get a quick tour of the classroom (under 10 minutes) and have time to connect. Please come to the entrance based on your child’s grade level: 

  PreK – K (Primary): Amy at Primary Entrance (Entrance closest to garden of remembrance, near Valley Street) 

  Grades 1-3 (Lower Elementary): Dave at LE Entrance (Stairs) 

  Grades 4-7 (Upper Elementary): Liz at Main Entrance (Flagpole) 

For inclement weather, we will have abbreviated visits (less than 15 minutes) in classrooms. 

First Days: PreK3 families, if you’re not sure of your group, check with your Guide or dig up your last email from julia.webb@elmcitymontessori.org 

  ELEMENTARY + K: The first day of school for Kindergarten – Grade 7 is Monday, August 30th. It is a full day. 

  PREK: To support a healthy transition to school, we have a phase in schedule.  

o   The first day of school for PreK4 is Wednesday, September 1; it is a half day. The first full day of school will be on Wednesday, September 8th. 

o   The first day of school for PreK3, Group 1 is Wednesday, September 8th; it is a half day. The first full day of school will be on Wednesday, September 15th. 

o   The first day of school for PreK3, Group 2  is Thursday, September 9th; it is a half day. The first full day of school will be on Wednesday, September 15th. 

o   The first day of school for PreK3 Group 3  is Wednesday, September 10th; it is a half day. The first full day of school will be on Wednesday, September 15th. 

Montessori Open House in September: Join your classroom team for a look inside the learning and social experience in the classroom. For health reasons, child care will not be available at school. This is an adult only event. 

  Primary (PreK-K): Tuesday, September 21st 5:30-6:30pm 

  Elementary (G1-7): Wednesday September 22nd 5:30-6:30pm 

A Note from Nurse LeShawna: Surgical masks are safer than many cloth masks. Please contact the school nurse for guidance for any signs of illness. Children who have not updated their required physicals by the end of the first day of school will not be allowed back until an appointment is made or the physical has been received. Those who have had exemptions from previous years will be accepted but new ones are not allowed.  Contact LeShawna.Murrell@nhboe.net with other questions. 
 
Classroom teams will be reaching out to families before school begins. We are so excited to see you in a few weeks!