Class Dojo
If you haven’t signed up for CLASS DOJO, it’s not too late! Contact your child’s teacher or go to Class Dojo Website to get more detailed information.
School information
Please be sure to use all of the parking spaces on the campus lot. We also ask that you not block the entrance to get onto the parking lot, and do not block the parking spaces. We want to maintain a safe, positive and welcoming atmosphere here at Essex Elementary.
School begins promptly at 9:00 a.m. It’s important to have your child on time, as they miss the morning announcements and breakfast is also served. Many teachers have morning work as well.
We dismiss at 3:30 p.m. If you are getting a child out of school early, please try to pick them up by 3:00. Be sure to send a note to your child’s teacher that your child will be leaving early so they can get any work they may be missing.
It’s important to bring a change of clothes for your child. Accidents happen and having extra clothing in their locker keeps them from missing time in class.
Bedtime routines are very important for elementary age children. Please make sure your child is getting the required 9-11 hours of sleep.
Clothing and shoe donations are needed. If you are cleaning out your child’s closet and have pants/sweatpants/socks and shoes that are in good condition, please contact Nurse Gorman by phone or email to see what items she needs.
Counselor’s Corner News
A message from Ms. Simpson
“All About Chores”
What a great time to begin (if you have not already…) giving your child chores to do! Remember teaching our children to be responsible pays off in the long run and it is a school virtue for second quarter!
Children of all ages are able to help with household chores. Having specific chores increases a child’s ability to be more responsible, independent, caring and helpful. Children need to be a part of the family by lending a helping hand. It takes a lot of work to keep a household running and children thrive on the idea of being part of a plan to do the job.
Some examples are:
Feeding pets, setting and clearing the table, preparing simple foods, washing dishes, sorting and putting away laundry and clothes, taking out trash, yard work, cleaning up toys, cleaning the bedroom, sweeping the floor, and making the bed.
For a complete list of age appropriate chores for your child please see or call me at (410) 887-0117.
A Message from the School Nurse
The Flu versus the Common Cold: What’s the difference?
As fall and winter approach, everyone’s least favorite season has arrived: Flu Season. October marked the beginning of flu season and the staff at Essex Elementary wanted to share some facts about how to tell if your child has the flu virus or the common cold.
The flu is caused by the influenza virus that effects the nose, throat, and lungs. The Center for Disease Control (CDC) recommends the flu vaccine as the best way to prevent spread of influenza infection. People infected with the flu can spread the disease beginning 1 day before symptoms start and up to 7 days after contact. Because of the easily spread nature of the flu virus, it is recommended that you keep your child home at least 24 hours after the fever is gone.
The common cold can also be caused by a virus (but not the influenza virus) and can be easily mistaken for the flu. There is no vaccine for the common cold, however the common cold is easily avoided by proper hand washing. A cold is spread by coming into contact with bodily fluids from someone infected. The cold lasts about 7-10 days and is treated with plenty of fluids and rest.
For more information about the differences between the common cold and the influenza virus please visit NIH News and Health Website.
PTA Corner News
What an exciting and successful first quarter of school for PTA! We would like to send our Thanks out to all that have supported all the PTA Events & Fundraisers this quarter. Our annual Bingo held in November was a huge success, so many attendees, prizes, winners and oh so much fun! Thanks to all that attended and many Thanks to all that donated to help support one of our BIGGEST Fundraisers. See our Panda Post for more teacher, staff, family & community support for our Annual Bingo. With the success of all the 2019 fundraisers the PTA is excited to announce additional areas these funds have/will go this year. In November the PTA was able purchase each classroom Pre-K thru 5th grade with new indoor and outdoor recess equipment including playground & soccer balls, jump ropes, card and board games. Working along with the school the PTA is proud to support 8 in school fun, interactive, educational Assemblies for our students this 2019-2020 school year. Even though there are still many plans for after school PTA activities, these in school Assemblies will allow ALL of our students to participate. Help make a difference in your students education and VOLUNTEER! Contact us at essexpta@gmail.com Looking forward to an awesome 2020 school year with all our students, teachers, staff and families! Have the Happiest of Holidays and we’ll see you next year!
Save the dates:
12/2 PTA Meeting
12/9—12 HOLIDAY SHOP IN SCHOOL
12/10 Boulevard Diner Spirit Night—Dundalk
12/13 MOVIE NIGHT & GIFT WRAPPING—Nightmare Before Christmas Movie 1/17 Winter Glow Dance
PTA HOLIDAY GIFT SHOP IS COMING!
We’re excited to offer a fun shopping experience for the students of Essex Elementary School this month. Students will have the opportunity to do their own holiday shopping. With help from volunteers, students learn valuable lessons on how to budget, select appropriate gifts, make purchases and handle money in the warm and comfortable atmosphere of their school. Students are able to choose gifts for their parents, family, friends, pets, or themselves, at bargain prices...and with their gifts, their purchases are handled SECRETLY, as a surprise for their family and friends! Best of all, it's so much fun they don't realize they are learning!
Student viewing days will be Monday and Tuesday December 9th and 10th. Student shopping days will be December 11th—December 12th. We are in need of small bags for students to take their gifts home. Send in your extra grocery bags to the office marked PTA. We are also looking for parent volunteers to help in the shop. You must be volunteer trained to volunteer. If you have any questions, please contact the PTA at essexpta@gmail.com.
You can go to Jenny's Penguin Patch Holiday Shop Website and see the shop we have chosen for this year.
Message from Mrs. Scott the Vocal Music Teacher
The 5th Grade Chorus is performing in a winter musical called Kookaburra’s Christmas Down Under. Please join us for the 2:00 p.m. or 6:00 p.m. show. All chorus members should wear their Holiday Best. Please have all 5th Grade students arrive at 5:30 p.m. Doors will open at 5:45. We hope to see you all there!