The Summer
BUZZ ...

July 2017

Dear Earth School Students and Families,

I begin by sending out a warm welcome to our new students and families! I know everyone is excited to hear about the class placements. The teachers and I worked long and hard to create the class groupings for the 2017 - 2018 school year. We aimed to place each child in a class with some old and some new friends and to make groups that will best support children’s social and academic development. Whether you are just starting your Earth School journey or you have been around for a while, the teachers, staff, and I are here to help you to get settled and to begin finding friendships in your new classes.

Most Earth School teachers will be back in the fall, but we do have a few changes:

As many of you have already heard, we have made the decision to separate our Pre-K and K classes due to budgetary and regulatory constraints. We are pleased with our creative solution to “loop” teachers with their students from Pre-K to K. This means that, after next year, Pre-K children will “move up” to K with their same teachers and classmates. After K, teachers will return to Pre-K to begin the cycle again.

I am happy to announce that we will now have a full-time physical education program that we call “Creative Movement.” We are working to hire Coach Vince as our certified coach and hope that Coach Frankie will continue as a guest coach.

This year, Tim will be teaching Kindergarten with Jennifer Townsend. Did you know that Tim taught Pre-K and K for many years before starting the cooking program??!! Shonelle Cooper-Caplan is returning and is expecting a new baby! Shonelle will get our Cooking program up and running later in the year.

Rebecca and Suzanne are co-teaching Grade 1/2 in Room 138. Kimberly and Vanessa will be co-teaching Grade 1/2 in Room 141. Thuan continues in Room 136; Gikeno in Room 137. I am happy to welcome Shannon Gershow back from her maternity leave. Shannon and Emily will be co-teaching Grade 3 in Room 143. Donna and Linda will co-teach Grade 3 in Room 142.

We are pleased to welcome Shavanne Williams-Robinson as our new speech therapist as we say farewell Kaaren Elliot who is joining the staff at another District 1 school.

We are saying a sad goodbye to Daniel Fields, a paraprofessional who worked in Kimberly’s class. We wish him well in his new position.

There is plenty more to be excited about, but I will let you get back to your summer vacation. Be safe. Have fun. See you soon.

Love,

Abbe

Opportunities

School Foods offers Free Meals for Kids throughout the summer. Click here (or see attached) to find out District 1 locations.

Important Dates

Tues, Sept 5, 3:00 - 3:30 p.m. Lemonade Social.

All invited to this optional event. Stop by for a sneak peak of your classroom and a sip of lemonade. Drop off school supplies if you want. Lose some of those back-to-school jitters!! Students must be accompanied by an adult.

 Thurs, Sept 7. First day of school!

Pre-K Group A: 9:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.
Pre-K Group B: 11:00 a.m. – 12:30 a.m.
Kindergarten Half Day: 8:30 a.m. – 11:55 a.m.
Grades 1 – 5 Full Day: 8:30 a.m. – 2:50 p.m.

Fri, Sept 8

Pre-K Half Day: 8:30 a.m. – 11:55 a.m.
Kindergarten – Grade 5 Full Day: 8:30 a.m. – 2:50 p.m.

 Fri, Sept 8, 8:40 - 10:00 a.m. New Family Orientation. Library, 2nd floor.

Earth School basics for new families. Hosted by Abbe, Jocelyn, Shirley (Guidance), and members of the Parents Association.

 Mon, Sept 11. Full day for all: 8:30 a.m. – 2:50 p.m.

Mon, Sept 11, 8:40 - 9:30 a.m. Have a Great Day: Smooth Transitions and Relaxed Routines. Library, 2nd Floor. Guidance Counselor Shirley Suares will lead this collaborative workshop for parents. All grades welcome!!

Useful Information

Please check this website for after school information, the calendar, copies of class supply lists, events, the school handbook, forms, etc. As always, Jocelyn, our Parent Coordinator, is available to help you with this and more. She is reachable by phone (212 477-1735 x1041) and email jocelyn@theearthschool.org. She is available during the summer by appointment.

The School Day School begins promptly at 8:30 a.m. Breakfast is available in the cafeteria from 7:45 - 8:15 a.m. Before 8:00 a.m., parents should accompany children to the cafeteria to find Carmen. After 8:00 a.m., children can go down on their own, if preferred. The school day ends promptly at 2:50 p.m. Please make sure your pick-up arrangements are made for 2:50 p.m. (not 3!) Half days end at 11:55 a.m.

After School Programs We have several fantastic after school programs on-site. Please sign up early as space is limited!! Financial aid is available for all of the programs.

Lunch Forms: Important!
Whether or not your child eats school lunch, we need to collect lunch forms from every family. The Department of Education uses these forms to determine our eligibility for funding and services. The lunch forms can be easily completed online at https://www.applyforlunch.com. Please take a moment to get this done before you forget!

Our Parents Association
Lastly, and importantly, the Parents Association supports our school in so, so many ways. Please get to know the PA Leadership, attend monthly meetings, and contribute by paying PA dues, volunteering, and participating in our wonderful fundraisers! PA Dues letter is attached. Thanks.


Make Your Family Contribution!
Click the button below. Thank you!
welcome-new-families
Class Pages

Promoting Diversity & Social Justice
Sixth Street Community Center’s Community Supported Agriculture (CSA)

Statement on Accessibility: We are working to make this website easier to access for people with disabilities, and will follow the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines 2.0. If you need assistance with a particular page or document on our current site, please contact Abbe Futterman to request assistance.