Scott M. Ellis Elementary School

As a reminder, students in grades K-5 will dismiss at 11:30 on Thursday, March 3 and Friday, March 11. (UPK students will dismiss at 12:00, students in grades 6-12 will have a full instructional day.) Please check with your child’s teacher regarding the schedule for (virtual) Parent-Teacher Conferences.

Scott M. Ellis Elementary School Greenville CSD - where everyone Learns, Teaches, Belongs! Spartan STRONG! March 1, 2022 Dear Families, This past weekend NYS schools were notified by the CDC and Governor’s office of two changes regarding mask use: Mask use in public schools is now an option. The (federal) requirement to wear a mask on school buses has been removed. Again, use of masks is now allowed to be a personal decision. As we transition from masking as a requirement to masking as a choice, we ask that parents talk to their children about their preferences and to make a plan; this will increase children’s comfort as they maintain or adjust their masking routines. Each classroom teacher was given information about how to discuss this transition with students. The discussions included the following: We were given permission to allow each person to make their own CHOICE. We will show RESPECT for each other by not judging others' decisions. We will show ACCEPTANCE by recognizing that people can have differing perspectives and still be friends. We know that some children may feel concerned about removing their masks. If your child feels anxious about these changes please contact your child’s teacher or Mrs. Payne, our school counselor, for support. At this time, other covid-related safety protocols remain in effect (social distancing, DOH quarantine processes), and we will share information with parents as we learn about further adjustments to these practices. As a reminder, students in grades K-5 will dismiss at 11:30 on Thursday, March 3 and Friday, March 11. (UPK students will dismiss at 12:00, students in grades 6-12 will have a full instructional day.) Please check with your child’s teacher regarding the schedule for (virtual) Parent-Teacher Conferences. Sincerely, Peter Mahan, Elementary Principal

Heads up, GREENVILLE JUNIOR/SENIOR HIGH fan! Get ready to fall hard for our Valentine's Day FLASH SALE! Right now, take 20% OFF when you use code VDAY to score all your favorite shirts, hoodies and accessories through our Sideline Store. Hurry--sale ends 2/9. http://sideline.bsnsports.com/schools/new_york/greenville/greenville-high-school Remember to use VDAY code to receive discount!

Greenville CSD will be closed on Friday, February 4th.

Due to the pending storm, all after school activities have been canceled on Thursday, February 3rd.

Elementary Lost and Found -all items will be donated on February 18th. Please have your student look if they are missing items. Small items lost and found located in the main office. Please contact the Elementary office if you have any questions. Thank you!

The 2022 Career Day will again be virtual for Greenville MS/HS. Last year we conducted over 50 interviews to create a database of professional videos. We would like to grow our library and are looking for individuals in a variety of professions who would be willing to participate in a virtual 10 minute one on one interview with a GCS faculty member. Our goal is to expose students to the wide variety of careers and opportunities out there! The more diverse our list of interviews the better. Based on feedback from students, we are specifically looking for professionals in the following fields (but will interview anyone who is interested!): - Author - Art and design - Athlete - Florist - Hunting/fishing - Interior Designer - Musician If you're interested in participating please fill out this quick form. https://forms.gle/6RA3kbKYp8SGiRer5

Join Jennifer Bashant tonite, January 19th from 7 - 8pm for Parents as Partners 2021-2022 Webinar Series next webinar "When Stars and Sticks Don't work - Motivate your Child from Within". Refer to our Website for details in a News article.

Greenville CSD will be closed on Friday, January 7, 2022 due to the road conditions.

Grade 4 musicians performing for their classmates!

Scott M. Ellis Elementary School Greenville CSD - where everyone Learns, Teaches, Belongs! Spartan STRONG! December 22, 2021 Dear Families, We enjoyed a series of fantastic experiences during the past week, and I am grateful for the parents,teachers,and staff who made these events possible. Thank you! On Monday morning, Kindergarten students wore their PJs to school and pretended to journey to the North Pole on the Polar Express. After their “train ride,” students listened to the children’s book by Chris Van Allsburg and enjoyed yummy treats. The children then received a silver bell, to remind them of the magic of the season. On Tuesday, student musicians filled our school with music (this was our first winter concert since 2019). The Fourth Grade Band, Fifth Grade Band, and the Fifth Grade Chorus prepared and performed under remarkable circumstances, and we are grateful! We are so pleased to see the positive impact that these programs have on students, and we thank parents for their ongoing support. Throughout the week students in Kindergarten through grade 5 spent time with Mrs. Hawkins learning how to develop computer codes. The children had fun discovering how to write and manipulate computer codes to make computerized toys follow directions, make patterns, and move along a specific path. These activities encourage critical thinking and sequential thinking; they happen to be a lot of fun too! Greene County continues to be an area where many people are testing positive for the covid virus. Based on cautions from Public Health officials, we encourage families to continue the use of preventative practices during the vacation week. Parents who are eager to better understand how vaccination can reduce quarantine and infection rates in children can visit CDC - Ten Things to Know: Children/Vaccine We hope you enjoy your winter holiday with family and friends, and we look forward to the return of students on Monday, January 3. Sincerely, Peter Mahan Elementary Principal

This week is our Ellis book fair and we know many students are missing it. This year you can shop our fair virtually online, until 12/26. Shoppers will receive FREE standard shipping on book-only purchases over $25* and all orders ship direct to home. Plus, all purchases benefit our school, earning 25% in Scholastic Dollars™ rewards during your Fair. Please, consider placing an order online and supporting Ellis PTA. Use the link below to visit our webpage and simply scroll down to the shop online section! We appreciate your continued support. Stay safe and healthy this holiday season! https://bookfairs.scholastic.com/bookfairs/cptoolkit/homepage.do?method=homepage&url=scottmellis

**Reminder Tomorrow Tuesday, December 14 ** Parent-Teacher Conference 🕦 ½ day for students-11:30 dismissal K-5 at Ellis, Grade 6 dismissal at 11:45

Scott M. Ellis Elementary School Greenville CSD - where everyone Learns, Teaches, Belongs! Spartan STRONG! December 10, 2021 Dear Families, Thank you to all of the families who attended our (remote) Parent/Teacher Conferences! Although we prefer to visit with parents face-to-face, many parents shared that they appreciated the ability to connect from home or work. We will consider this feedback as we plan future conference days. Teachers were deeply appreciative that so many parents were able to attend. The second day of Parent/Teacher conferences is scheduled for the coming Tuesday, and students in grades K-6 will dismiss at 11:30. This week children in second grade are writing about their learning as readers. It is great to see students share their ideas about the importance of sounding out their words (phonics) when reading and learning new books! Our fifth grade students have been applying previously learned math skills to decimal numbers. As older students learn to add, subtract, and round numbers with decimals, they are developing skills that are critical for measurement, comparing values, and of course… using money. As a reminder, the PTA is holding the Scholastic Book Fair this coming week (your child’s teacher will share what day their class will be visiting the book fair). Parents are invited to shop on Thursday Evening 5:30-7:00pm. Please take advantage of the Scholastic e-wallet so you don’t have to send cash to school with your child. Also, Caring Kids has started their annual hat and mitten drive. Donations can be made until December 17th. Students are enjoying putting their gifted items on the trees in the main hallway. We are looking forward to our Winter Concerts on December 21st. We are excited to open our building (for a limited number of guests) for these special events, and we ask families to review all Covid related directions so we can maintain a safe environment for all. Sincerely, Peter Mahan Elementary Principal

FFA will be hosting their annual Open House on Saturday, December 4th from 9:00am to 3:00pm under the white tent located next to the high school. The students have many items available: wreaths, swags, centerpieces, kissing balls and mini gnomes. You may also pick up your pre-orders on Saturday. Thank you for your support! Greenville FFA

The GCSD Board of Education has begun a search for the new Superintendent of Schools. They invite parents, guardians, students, employees, and the community to complete the survey below. Your input will assist the Board in developing a profile of desirable qualities of this individual. The survey questions ask you to rate how important various attributes or characteristics of the next Superintendent are to you. Once the survey period closes on October 22nd, a summary of all responses will be completed and the Board will use it to help evaluate the various individuals that have applied. This survey is anonymous and your input is greatly appreciated! https://qfreeaccountssjc1.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_6R2gddbCPqjzmpo

Farewell and many thanks to Eileen Kiefer, Chris Lochner, Anne Marie Conroy-Robinson, Leslie Kudlack and Nancy Lockwood (missing from photo) for their many years of dedication to the district. Enjoy retirement!!

Camp Invention is almost here! There is still time to register. There are a few scholarships available. If you have questions please contact Casey Gannon (Camp Invention Director) gannonc@greenvillecsd.org Register for Camp Invention https://bit.ly/2ST4EVW

Mental Health Virtual Parent Forum - June 1 at 6:30 Where does your child fall on this wellbeing continuum? Identifying where your child is at is the first step in helping him/her to feel better.

Mental Health Virtual Parent Forum - June 1 at 6:30 Encouraging your child to connect with others, as well as find meaningful activities in which to engage, can help improve their wellbeing.