Digital Backpack #28, February 24, 2023
MARCH MENUS
Breakfast
Lunch
READ ACROSS CES 2023 MARCH 1, 2, and 3rd
CES has some very special dates coming up soon for students to celebrate reading. See the schedule and information from our Reading Specialist. Storyteller Len Cabrel will be coming on April 18, 2023, for all of us to enjoy! He was all booked for Read Across America week.
GERTRUDE HAWK REMINDERS
Gertrude Hawk paper order forms are due March 1, the last day for online orders to qualify for free shipping to the school. Estimated delivery: the week of March 27, 2023.
Orders placed after March 1 through March 26, 20223 will be shipped to your home (shipping fees apply). Fundraising.gertrudehawkchocolates.com, Organization #710293. Lost your form? Not sure how to create an online account? Contact Tiffany Moroch at [email protected].
CES PTO BOOK SWAP!
CES is accepting donated books from March 6 - 10th. The Book Swap is coming March 15 - 17th! Children Pre-K through 2nd Grade will be able to take home at least one gently used book. Books will be distributed evenly whether or not you donate.
LETTER FROM THE NEW CPS SUPERINTENDENT
Read our letter from the new Superintendent, Dan Sullivan, and more!
NEW MUSIC PAGE @ WWW
See our new music page @ www.colchesterct.org to learn about our Music Department.
MATH LAB NEWS
Welcome to the CES Math Lab team! Our team includes Math Specialist Deanna Murray ([email protected]), Math Intervention Teacher Tamsen Rogers ([email protected]), along with Math Lab Paraprofessionals Lori Dander, Jenn Galante, Lynn Jascenia, and Erin Mancuso. Please feel free to reach out to us if you have any questions.
The CES Math Lab provides all students with opportunities to further their math practice at their level. Daily support is provided in every classroom. During this time, students work in small groups or one-to-one with their teachers and Math Lab staff members. Students work on math tasks that are differentiated to meet their needs. Math Lab supports teachers in their instruction with enriching lessons, games, and instructional best practices.
Additionally, some students work with Math Lab staff on specific goals designed by the classroom teacher, the Math Specialist, and Intervention Teacher. Together we monitor progress, analyze results, and adjust the instruction and support for each individual student. We communicate with families and hope to include them in our students’ mathematical journey.
READING LAB NEWS
Welcome to the CES Literacy Lab! Our team includes Literacy Specialist Erin Hermann ([email protected]), Reading Specialists/Developmental Teachers Kathy Sheehan ([email protected]) and Susan Tuohy ([email protected]), along with Literacy Paraprofessionals Kristen Collins, Karen Guinness, Nancy O’Neil, Lura Rafala, and Doreen Santafianos. Please feel free to reach out ot us with any questions.
We are enthusiastic about guiding our young learners on their journey to become the best readers they can be! As a team, we support our kindergarten, first, and second-grade students in their classrooms during their small group reading time. We offer teachers support as they group students, plan instruction and monitor student progress.
In addition to helping implement reading instruction in classrooms, we also deliver instruction to students who need extra reading support. In the lab, we pull small groups of students to explicitly teach foundational skills. We monitor progress and analyze data to create individualized instruction to target student needs. Our goal is to build reading skills, boost confidence and encourage a love for reading.
CLASS COMPOSITE PHOTOS/LEGACY
Please use the Legacy Photos ordering link that was sent to CES families via email to purchase a class composite photo if you wish.
MEET UP AT CRAGIN - MOMMY MIXER AND MORE
Here's your opportunity to meet with other parents at Cragin library on the secon Saturday of each month through May of 2023!
KINDERGARTEN REGISTRATION
Our CPS Kindergarten Program is open to all children that turn 5 before January 1st of the year they are to attend school. There are no fees, as we are a public school. Registration will open sometime in February or March. Please check the local newspaper or see www.colchesterct.org, select the For Families tab, and the Digital Backpack page. For information on registration, select the Registration and Residency tab. Also found under the For Families tab is the school year calendar for your convenience.
CPS SCHOOL MESSENGER NOTIFICATIONS
The District utilizes the text feature in School Messenger but will begin utilizing the email feature as well in regard to school delays, early dismissals, and closings. If you are currently not receiving text messages from School Messenger. Please text Y or Yes to 67587. It will take 24 hours for your information to be updated.
CES: A COMMUNITY OF MUSICIANS
We will be having another Music Challenge soon! Children will come home with song sheets to sing/teach you these songs! Learn more and join us.
YOUNG YOGI PROGRAMS FOR GRADES K - 2 AVAILABLE THROUGH PARKS & RECREATION
1. Themed Yoga for Kids: Wed. March 1, 8, 15, 22
Each themed yoga class will combine yoga and mindful practices in age-appropriate, playful, and engaging ways that will help them stretch and strengthen their bodies, build social/emotional skills as well as learn strategies for self-regulation and relaxation…while having fun. The themes for this 4 week's class series are Bee Calm: the Buzz on Yoga, Dinosaur Yoga, Lucky Leprechaun Yoga, and Partner Yoga Adventures. This class is for children enrolled in CES grades K-2. The instructor will meet students after school and walk them to the class location at CES. Parents/Guardians will sign out their child at 4:30. Please have your child wear comfortable clothes. Yoga mats will be provided. Max 8- Instructor: Susie Hawkins $45. Register now online: www.colchesterct.gov/recreation-department or call 860 537-7297.
2. Mindful Yoga Tools and More: Tues. March 28, April 4, 18, 25
This class will have children making, using, and taking home tools to help support yoga and mindful practices. The tools will be a Kind Wishes Kit, Yoga Pose Cards, Toga Time, and Calm Coloring Book with w/colored pencils. This class is for children enrolled in CES grades K-2. The instructor will meet students after school and walk them to the class location at CES. Parents/Guardians will sign out their child at 4:30. Please have your child wear comfortable clothes. Yoga mats will be provided. Max 8- Instructor: Susie Hawkins $45. Register now online: www.colchesterct.gov/recreation-department or call 860 537-7297.
A MESSAGE FROM THE OFFICE TEAM
When your child is absent or will be late please call the absence line at 860 537 0717 with:
To follow up, we require written communications to excuse tardiness and absences within (10) days.
If you need to change your child's after-school transportation or wish to pick them up early, please send A Note to the CES Office. A note is always needed and children must always be signed out through the office. In the case of an emergency change, please call the office.
CES INCOMING KINDERGARTEN STORY TIME
Colchester Elementary School will host the “Kindergarten Story Time” program for 4 and 5-year-old Colchester children who will be entering kindergarten during the 2023-2024 school year. During each of the three sessions, children will listen to books read by kindergarten teachers, while parents learn about the registration process, the kindergarten curriculum, readiness expectations, the school day, school policies, and transportation. A question and answer period will be available at each session. The children’s program will be held monthly from 11:10-11:40 a.m. in the CES Media Center. Parents and children are invited to attend multiple story times. Topics for parent information change each month. No pre-registration is required. The “Kindergarten Story Time” schedule is as follows: March 14th, April 4th, and May 9th. We look forward to meeting each of you and having your children join us at CES.
CAFETERIA NEWS
HOW TO MAKE A PAYMENT TO YOUR STUDENT’S ACCOUNT:
Cash - please send in the amount to be placed on the account in an envelope with your child’s full name.
Check - please make the check out to Colchester Public Schools Food Service and include your student’s full name in the memo section of the check.
Online payment - credit card payments are accepted through MyPaymentsPlus.com. Please note, there is a transaction-fee charge, which is explained on their website.
YEARBOOK
If you wish to order your 2022 - 23 Yearbook, you may at this time through March 17, 2022! They are $20.50 each. School Yearbook ID: 13227023. The order form is available as well. If you’d like to send pictures in for our Yearbook Advisor, feel free at [email protected]
VOLUNTEER INFORMATION
Please visit the Volunteers page @ www.colchesterct.org for more information about the application process for Colchester Public Schools.
BOX TOPS FOR EDUCATION
The CES PTO wants your Box Tops! Scan using the Box Top App. See the Box Tops information.