Elm Drive News
Elm Drive News
Embedded Files
April is shaping up to be an exciting month filled with meaningful events for our students and families. Pre-K and Kindergarten registration is now open. We look forward to Grandparents and Special Friends Day, Earth Day activities, the Mobile Ed Earth Dome experience (sponsored by our PTO), and our first-grade Arbor Day tree planting tradition.
Looking ahead to May, we will conduct a reunification drill, with more information to be shared soon.
Thank you for your continued support. Please see below for additional important dates
Regards,
Samantha Lynch
845-677-4225 ext. 5102
Elm Drive Elementary Principal
Upcoming Dates
Upcoming Dates
April 7: Earth Dome Assembly
April 17: MP3 Ends
April 22: Earth Day
April 23: Grandparents/Special Friends Day
April 24: Arbor Day (Grade 1 Tree Planting)
April 27-May 1: Pre-K/K Screenings
April 30: Blue Ribbon Blazer Assembly
Order Your Yearbook Now!
Order Your Yearbook Now!
Read Across America
Read Across America
March was Read Across America Month, and I enjoyed visiting classrooms and bringing excitement to our students as a mystery reader!
CPCA
CPCA
The Child Abuse Prevention Center visited Elm Drive to deliver important digital safety and child abuse prevention lessons to our PK–2 students. Students received age-appropriate guidance on how to stay safe and identify trusted adults they can go to for help.
St. Patrick's Day
St. Patrick's Day
More Learning at Elm!
More Learning at Elm!
Our Core Values
Our Core Values
Our Core Values
Core values
This year, you may hear more about our Core Values. Schools promote academic success in reading, writing, and math, but we also have a responsibility to help students feel a strong sense of belonging and develop the soft skills that will serve them well in the future. We build these skills through RULER, our social-emotional learning curriculum, and reinforce them by promoting and celebrating our Core Values. Together, these values give our diverse community a shared vision of what it means to learn and grow side by side.
Purpose: I stay focused and strive to achieve my goals.
Ethics: I act with integrity and make responsible choices.
Acceptance: I respect differences and value diverse perspectives.
Community: I help create a supportive and inclusive environment.
Evolution: I reflect on my growth and work to become a better version of myself.
Congratulations to our Blue Ribbon Blazers!
Congratulations to our Blue Ribbon Blazers!
Each month, we recognize one student from each grade who demonstrates one of our Core Values, with their certificates proudly awarded to them. In addition to honoring a student, we also recognize a staff member. This month, one of our Pre-K aides, was nominated! Miss Jenna exemplifies a strong sense of community within our classroom and throughout the school. She actively fosters an environment that is nurturing, respectful, supportive, and caring for both students and staff. Always willing to lend a hand, she steps in wherever she is needed with enthusiasm. It is truly a pleasure to work alongside her this year!
April Is Stress Awareness Month
Read Aloud QR Codes-Dr. Seuss FUN!
An Important Medication Alert From The Nurse
This is a friendly reminder to all parents and families that before any prescribed medication can be administered to any student during school hours, the school requires one, a written request from the parent(s) or (guardians) giving permission for such administration, two, a written note from the prescribing medical provider which will include the student's name, the date and name of the medication, the purpose of the medication, the dosage and time to be administered, and a list of all the possible side effects and three, a medication request form which includes the health care provider and parent signatures.
All prescribed medications to be administered during school hours should be delivered by a parent, guardian, or other designated adult to the staff at the front door for delivery to the School Nurse. (Students are not to deliver medications to the School Nurse or carry and/or self-administer medications during school hours.) All medications delivered to the school should be in their original dispensed boxes or containers with the attached pharmacy prescription labels on them. The medications should be placed and sealed in a clear plastic bag and labeled with the student's full name for delivery to the School Nurse. We appreciate your compliance with this policy in order to maintain the continued saftey of our students.
Safety Reminders
Safety Reminders
For the safety of our students, parents and visitors are NOT PERMITTED to enter the building during the school day.
If your child is arriving late, leaving early, or you need to drop something off, please use the buzzer at the front door. A member of our main office staff will meet you at the entrance to assist.
All student sign-in and sign-out procedures will take place OUTSIDE the building.
Families will receive one week’s notice prior to any scheduled safety drills.
For everyone’s safety, please do not hold the door for others—even if you know them. All visitors must be buzzed in by the main office.
Please be mindful of students in the parking lot during parent pick-up and drop-off. We understand that the parking lot can be busy at these times, and your patience and caution help keep all of our students safe. Thank you for slowing down, following staff directions, and staying alert. Your cooperation makes a big difference in ensuring a safe and smooth dismissal for everyone.
Student Drop Off/Pick Up
Student Drop Off/Pick Up
Student drop-off begins at 8:40 a.m. at the main entrance, which serves as the single point of entry each morning. Parents/guardians must park their car and walk their child to the main entrance; no parents enter the building.
Dismissal begins at 3:15 p.m. for all other students. If you are picking up your child, please park in the side parking lot and proceed to the side All-Purpose Room door, where staff will assist with sign-out. We kindly ask that once you have signed your child out, you exit in a timely manner so that dismissal can run smoothly.
Please note: Parents/guardians may not pick up students directly from the main office. All student sign-in and sign-out procedures will take place OUTSIDE the building. For safety, identification is required each time a child is signed out.
If you are picking up your child early, you must do so before 3 p.m. to avoid disrupting dismissal procedures.
REMINDERS:
Always send an email or note if you are picking up your child from school if they're not normally Parent Pick Up.
**The email address for these requests is elm.parentpickup@millbrookcsd.org**
*Please be mindful of students in the parking lot during parent pick-up and drop-off. We understand that the parking lot can be busy at these times, and your patience and caution help keep all of our students safe. Thank you for slowing down, following staff directions, and staying alert. Your cooperation makes a big difference in ensuring a safe and smooth dismissal for everyone.
Transportation & Attendance
Transportation & Attendance
Please CLICK HERE or visit the transportation page on our District website. Feel free to call the First Student Bus Company at 845-677-6666 if you need assistance or Transportation Secretary, Jessica McRoberts at 845-677-4200 ext. 1104.
To communicate about absences, please email:
elm.attendance@millbrookcsd.org.
If you need to make a change to your child's pick up for the day, please use the following email address to do so, as we need changes in writing. The email address is: elm.parentpickup@millbrookcsd.org
“Chronic absence” is defined as missing at least 10% of the school days for which a student is enrolled over the course of an academic year for any reason. It serves as an early warning sign that children may be falling behind academically and are at risk of academic failure.
As a friendly reminder, our Board of Education policy emphasizes that consistent, daily attendance is essential for student success. The Board is committed to reducing unexcused absences, tardiness, and early departures, and we need your partnership to make this possible for your child. We will continue to monitor attendance closely and be in communication when we see these trends and work collaboratively with families to find solutions that ensure we provide interventions aimed at our students maximizing their potential. Our team led by, Principal, Samantha Lynch, and School Psychologist, Michelle Quattrone, will be working with students and their families who are regularly missing school to create personalized plans of support to ensure we get the most of our time at Elm Drive!
A.C.Es (Adverse Childhood Experiences)
Supporting our children mentally, emotionally, and socially is of the utmost importance to the faculty and staff at Elm Drive Elementary. Many children may have difficulty expressing how they feel or adjusting to the social and academic rigors of school. Our staff are learning how exactly these circumstances are impacting the overall well-being of our children, students, and families and want to help navigate these challenging times together.
Adverse Childhood Experiences, or ACEs, are stressful or traumatic events that can lead to social, emotional, and cognitive impairment that impact the overall functioning of a student. Exposure to ACEs produces chronic stress that often leads to children struggling in school because of their inability to focus, process information, and or cope emotionally.
The importance of continuing to support our children and putting in place protective factors are essential. Understanding how our children experience various circumstances is pertinent for their overall growth and success. Therefore, the mental health staff at the middle school are committed to sharing information about ACEs with school personnel to help guide social-emotional support throughout the building. Thank you for supporting your children at home and partnering with school staff.
If you are interested in learning more about ACEs please visit the following websites:
Please contact Samantha Lynch (Building Principal) for any questions or concerns related to ACES.
samantha.lynch@millbrookcsd.org
845 - 677 - 4225 ext. 5102
Handle with Care
If your family is experiencing difficulties at home, we would like to provide additional support at school. We understand that you are not always able to share details and that's okay. If your child is coming to school after a difficult night, morning or weekend, please let us know. A simple email to our team with the subject line "Handle with Care." Nothing else will be said or asked. This will let us know that your child may need extra time, patience, or help during the day.
Click Here To Access the Google Form or Click on the QR Code above
Interested in Joining PTO?
Interested in Joining PTO?
Get Your Gear!
Get Your Gear!
We encourage students & staff to show their Millbrook Pride by wearing our school colors.
Get your Blazer Friday Fresh Gear Now!
Click here to visit the Millbrook School Store
20% off on Blazer Gear!!!
Lost and Found
If you notice your child’s belongings in the lost and found, please contact the main office at 677-4225 ext. 5108 or ext. 5100.
Millbrook Listens Vote is Open!
Millbrook Listens Vote is Open!
The voting period for Millbrook Listens is now officially OPEN! They have listened to what our neighbors care about most and after analyzing the results have identified 14 distinct ideas and 10 new community groups to be formed. All are welcome to vote and participate in what matters most to you! For details visit the Millbrook Listens landing page here. Hard copies will be mailed this week.
"Sound off, sound off, it's time to be heard!" - Dr. Harold Hoovey
To vote click here! Vote will be open until May 15th.
Student Services Website
Student Services Website
Student Services Website
The Student Services website is a great resource for students and families. Please check out the details by clicking here.
Millbrook Wellness Fair
Join us for one of the most exciting community events of the year!
• Date: Monday, April 27
• Time: 5:30 PM
• Location: Millbrook High School
We encourage all families to attend this incredible Wellness Fair featuring 50+ vendors from across Dutchess County, all right here in your backyard.
• Explore local fitness and wellness opportunities including Pilates, martial arts, pickleball, golf, and more
• Connect with community organizations like Raiders Football and other youth programs
• Discover promotions, programs, and ways for your family to get involved and stay active
We know life is busy, but this is a can’t-miss event. If you are looking for ways to support your family’s health, stay active, and build stronger community connections, this is it.
Click here for the Millbrook Wellness Fair Website!
Internet Safety
Updates from Pupil Personnel Services
Annual Reviews
Annual Reviews
Elm Drive Elementary Annual Review Meetings will be occurring this month! We are excited for the opportunity to come together and begin planning for your child's 26/27 school year. If you have any questions regarding the date of your child's Annual Review Meeting or have any questions leading up to the meeting, please do not hesitate to contact your child's Special Education Case Manager or the PPS Office.
Ana Nyarady - Supervisor of Pupil Personnel Services
845-677-4200 ext. 1116
ananyarady@millbrookcsd.org
Danielle Leonardi - Administrative Assistant
845-677-4200 ext. 1107
danielleleonardi@millbrookcsd.org
Alexandra Ellis- ENL Coordinator
845-677-4200 ext. 1109
alexandra.ellis@millbrookcsd.org
Joann Hobson- Special Education Coordinator
845-677-4200 ext. 1107
joann.hobson@millbrookcsd.org
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