Issue 2 Date: September 12, 2014

ELLIS EXTRA
September 15 Caroline out
at Level meeting, TIPPA
and Title I Meeting
-PALS TRAINING

September 16 5
th
Grade CLT
Parent Forum 4-5PM
Advisory Team 5-6PM
PTO Meetings 6:30-7:30pm

September 17 4
th
Grade CLT
-Constitution Day
-Data Meetings K-2

September 18 3
rd
Grade CLT
-Fire Drill 1:45ish

September 19 2
nd
Grade CLT

September 22 1
st
Grade CLT

September 23 Kinder CLT

September 24 Staff Meeting
with Brenda Bailey on
Gifted Screenings
Bus Evacuation

September 25 Leadership
Team Meeting
-KICK Off Assembly
with PM assembly
schedule
-Fire Drill 2:00ish

September 26 5
th
Grade CLT
-Mrs. Hart in the
Building
-Chuck-E-Cheese Night
4-8pm



















Dates to Remember
1. Education Symposium Approved as Flex Day for
PWEA Members - Saturday, December 6, Prince
William Education Association will sponsor its
Education Symposium conference at no cost for VEA
members. Visit www.pweaveanea.org for information
and registration. This conference has been approved as
a flex day for PWCS employees who are PWEA
members.
2. September 17
th
is Constitution Day. There are resources
on the VDOE website for teachers as they plan lessons
for their students. As you know, it is expected that we
talk to our students about the constitution.
http://www2.ed.gov/policy/fund/guid/constit
utionday.html
Instructional Updates
The more we work with ELL
the more we realize that what
ELLs need is not a bag of
tricks or a repertoire or
techniques. But they do need
certain elements; Learning
Environments where they feel
safe.
Becoming One Community, by
Kathleen Fay and Suzanne Whaley

2
Issue 2 Date: September 12, 2014
2

From the Leader
Snacks from Home Permitted
The School Boards directive to the
Superintendent in June 2009 clarified to school
administrators and staff that the School Divisions
Wellness policy does not prohibit parents from bringing
in snacks or treats to their childrens classroom as long as
the parent coordinates with the teacher and
administration in advance. This should be communicated
to parents at back-to-school events so that there is no
misunderstanding of the policy.



Adult Education Classes
As you know, I am thrilled that Ellis will be the
location for Adult Education Classes. This will support
our parents and by supporting our parents we are
supporting our students. The classes will start on
Tuesday and be daily until December. They will be using
Operational Updates
classrooms upstairs (5
th
grade rooms mostly) and the
computer lab and possibly the story room and library.
This means that we need to ensure that our doors are
locked when you leave and no personal items are left out.
All staff need to be aware that there will be increased
traffic in the building starting next week. The classes will
be held from 6:30PM to 9:00PM.


Fire Drill
Once again there were many classrooms with doors
locked and lights left on. Please remember to unlock your
door when the alarm goes off. This will allow emergency
responders to get in the door without breaking it down. It
is a step we need to be practicing as well.




3. I have only had two grade levels say they are interested in this assembly. Please let me know by
Wednesday if your team is interested, otherwise we will schedule it for only those two teams. WJLA stopped by to
see us this week. They have offered us a weather assembly. I have seen these in the past and the local weather man will come and speak to your
students. If you are interested, please let me know and we will arrange this! It is free for us, so those grade levels that have weather SOLs please
consider this option. I also have WJLA pencils if anyone needs pencils for their room!

4. Thank you for your attention at the staff meeting to the PGP process. These meetings have to happen by
November the 1
st
. Heather and I would like to have the emailed version of your PGP to us by the 17
th
of
October. We will be meeting with staff the following week.

5. Only two people have signed up for these three hours. This is telling me that I dont need to offer the
15hours of ESOL training here at Ellis. Please keep informed with your plans, as I wont be able to approve
ESOL PD leave. We will be offering 15 hours of ESOL training to staff this year here at Ellis. 12 hours will be offered during contract hours. Three hours will
be offered after school on October 7
th
from 4 -7pm. The other hours will be offered during PD days already on the Division Calendar. These classes will focus on
Sheltered Instruction and co-teaching. You do not have to attend the October class on co-teaching with ESOL students, but all staff will attend the other 12 hours of
ESOL training. Please do email me, for planning purposes, if you would like to attend the October day.

6. We are also planning on offering a CPR and First Aid class here at Ellis. We need 10 people minimum to
have the class. Please email the nurse if you would like to attend. $15 for the licensure credit and $45 for the
full endorsement.

7. All staff that plans to administer the PALS assessment must attend the training on Monday. This includes
ESOL teachers and Special Education teachers.







Instructional Updates Cont