Scott M. Ellis Elementary School

 Greenville CSD - where everyone Learns, Teaches, Belongs!  Spartan STRONG!

January 28, 2022

Dear Families,

Today is the official end of the second marking period (report cards will be sent home with students on Feb. 9). As we enter February, the calendar will soon read 2-2-22, which is a really fun number!  In honor of this (subtle) event, our teachers have decided to have a little mid-winter fun and create a school-wide Math Day!

Math Day will be an opportunity to expand some of the great work our students do each day. For example, during handwriting time, younger students may refine how they write digits, older students may delve deeply into what is “really happening” when we use long division algorithms, and everyone may play familiar math games. We will also teach some new math games that expand students' problem-solving skills.  Students can add to the fun by wearing shirts with numbers or shapes. We will even have a special lunch (mac and cheese with cylinders, round vegetables, and cubed fruit).

Since Martin Luther King Jr. Day, we have been discussing the value of every person and what makes each of us unique. Students have been posting work about equality and character. Students have displayed their thoughts as they completed an activity titled: “Never judge me by my appearance, but examine my character.”

The 100th day of school is approaching (pending future snow days); we expect to celebrate the 100th day on Monday, February 14. Please remember that any treats used for classroom celebrations should be in the original, sealed, store packaging.

A number of teachers have reported that young students have been discussing (and drawing) video games, characters, and scenes that have scary and aggressive content.  Although the video game characters have gentle names, some students are uncomfortable with these conversations. Since we are continually learning about media, parents may want to visit their children's favorite video games to evaluate your family’s comfort with these games.

We hope you have a great weekend.

Sincerely,

Peter Mahan

Elementary Principal