EMS PARENT NEWSLETTER
Ellington Middle School – 46 Middle Butcher Road – Ellington, Ct 06029 – (860) 896-2339 - EMS Website
October 1, 2015
Dates to Remember:
School Counseling Corner
OCTOBER 2015
01
Nutmeg Book Lunch
02
Student Council Elections
09
Advisor/Advisee
12
NO SCHOOL – Columbus Day
14
Rockville Vo-Ag Visit – X Block
15
Cookie Dough Fundraiser Pick Up
16
Student Fun/Activity Night
7:00pm – 9:30pm
19-23 Book Fair – Library Media Center
22
School Picture Retakes
28
8th Grade Butter Braid Fundraiser Begins
30
Nutmeg Book Lunch
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Health Office News
Rockville Vo-Ag Visits EMS
A representative from Rockville Vo-Ag will be
visiting Ellington Middle School on Wednesday,
October 14th during X Block. Any seventh or
eighth grader who is interested in attending this
informational session about Rockville Agricultural
Science and Technology Program must sign up in
the guidance office. Please see Mrs. Shaw or Mrs.
Agnew if you have any questions.
Cheney Technical High School Open House
All seventh and eighth grade students and parents
who would like to find out more about Cheney
Technical High School are invited to attend their
Open House (at Cheney Tech) on Wednesday,
October 28th from 6:00pm to 8:00pm.
The Putting on AIRS Program
The North Central District Health Department
(NCDHD) has been working with the Region Three
Asthma Coalition for several years to provide the
Putting on AIRS program to our local residents at
no charge. The Putting on AIRS program provides
at no cost to families:
 An in-home environmental assessment of
triggers for asthma.
 Educational resources (including spacers,
pillow covers, mattress covers, and print
materials).
 Itemized suggestions regarding remedies to
environmental conditions that could be
linked to asthma episodes in their children.
 An opportunity to improve the management
of asthma and symptoms to reduce the
incidence of asthma episodes and the use of
rescue medications and emergency (or
urgent) visits to health care providers.
Please call the North Central District Health
Department directly at (860) 745-0383 to schedule a
free Putting on AIRS home assessment visit.
Applications are available in the guidance office
and information can also be found by clicking here.
Please see Mrs. Shaw or Mrs. Agnew in guidance if
you have any questions.
2015 Prudential Spirit of Community Award
This is a reminder for all seventh and eighth grade
students who participate in volunteer activities. The
deadline for applying for the Prudential Spirit of
Community Award is Monday, November 2, 2015.
Students who complete the application may not
only qualify for recognition on a school and
statewide level, but may also qualify for an award
of up to $1000, an engraved medallion and an all
expenses paid trip, with a parent, to Washington,
D. C.
We are proud of the volunteer work that our EMS
students do and we want to recognize them for a job
well done. Students must have their completed
applications in to the guidance office by Monday,
November 2, 2015. If you have any questions,
please see Mrs. Shaw or Mrs. Agnew.
Meet the New Staff
Hi, my name is Mary Louise Temple (I go
by Mary). I grew up in Hartford, CT and went to
school in the Hartford school system. I am one of
four siblings. I have a twin sister (fraternal) who is
a retired art teacher from the West Hartford school
system. I use her for my resource whenever
something comes up which she can help with.
Being a paraprofessional is my third major
occupation. I was a medical assistant for 16 years
for an ear, nose and throat doctor. I retired from
this position to become a mother (I worked until
one week before having my oldest son, John). I
have two sons. John (30) is a systems engineer and
works and lives in Massachusetts with his wife
Aimee. Andrew (29), an ASE certified auto
mechanic specializing in restoration and custom
fabrication on classic cars, lives in Stafford with his
wife Catie and their two children, Wyatt (five) and
Lacey-Jean (three). They both went through the
Ellington School system. They had wonderful
teachers who helped them to grow into young men.
I started working in the Ellington School system in
1992 as a cafeteria/playground aide at Center
School. I transferred over to Windermere in 1997
when the grade 5/6 addition was finished and
worked as a compensatory aide for ten years. I
have worked as a special education paraprofessional
with Kim Sztaba for the past eight years. I truly
enjoy working with my students. They teach me, as
I teach them.
Meet the New Staff continued…..
My name is Wanda O'Coin. My husband Jim and I
grew up in Spencer, MA. We moved to Windsor
Locks, CT thirty years ago, where my husband has
worked for UTC, Hamilton Sundstrand. We then
moved to Somers, CT where we have lived for the
past twenty one years.
We have three children. My oldest is my daughter
Miranda who is twenty six. She had lived in
Florida for three years, but recently has moved to
Puerto Rico for work. My daughter Paige is twenty
four and is an Interior Designer. My son Jordan is
twenty and studying Graphic Design at CCSU.
My husband and I enjoy touring on our motorcycle.
Every summer we take a trip. Our most exciting
trip was to Nova Scotia, Canada. This summer we
hope to ride through the Blue Ridge Mountains and
Tennessee.
I began my paraprofessional experience fourteen
years ago in Somers, where I substituted. This led
me to Ellington, and a one year position at Center
School. I was then transferred to Windermere
School, where I remained for eleven years.
The staff at EMS has been very welcoming and
helpful. After getting turned around and lost a few
times, I finally know my way around. I'm awful at
remembering names, so I apologize in advance if I
forget yours. Eventually it does sink in. I'm
looking forward to my time at EMS.
I have been involved in various activities over the
years: PTO at Center School, PTO at Windermere,
Parents’ Advisory Council at EMS and EHS. I have
also been involved with Immigration Day at
Windermere for 13 years and Career Day for 17
years.
As you can see, I am a person who enjoys working
with other people, both children and adults. I know
that my years at EMS will be ones of growth and
new beginnings.
Mrs. Mary Temple
Mrs. Wanda O’Coin
EMS Student Council News
EMS Student Council News continued…..
EMS Activity Night
On Friday, October 16th, the EMS Student Council
will be sponsoring an Activity Night for all EMS
students. The activities will run from 6:00pm to
8:30 pm in the lower level of EMS. Tickets are $10
each and include:
Pizza Dinner
Laser Tag
Open Gym
Movie and Popcorn
Board Games
Music
Upcoming Events
For your planning purposes, the EMS Student
Council will be offering four sponsored events this
school year:
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Tickets will go on sale during all lunch waves on
Monday, October 5th. This event is for EMS
students only, and students are expected to attend
the entire event from start to end (6:00pm to
8:30pm). Tickets will not be sold at the door, so
students should plan ahead to buy their ticket during
their lunch wave. Eighth grade students can show
their Student Society bracelet for $1 off their ticket
price ($9 total). As with all school events the
following guidelines apply:
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Please remember that the dress code for the
event is the same as the dress code during the
school day.
Students need to be dropped off and picked up
on time. The evening runs from 6:00pm to
8:30pm. Prompt pick up of your child is greatly
appreciated. Any student picked up more than a
half hour after the end of the event will forfeit
the opportunity to attend the next Student
Council sponsored activity.
Cell phones may be brought to the event.
However, cell phone use is not allowed during
the night. If a cell phone is being used during
the evening, it will be taken from the student
and returned at the end of the event.
Elections
Student Council elections will be held this Friday,
October 2nd. All speeches were due yesterday
(September 30th) to Mrs. Reynolds. If a copy of the
speech was not submitted by the deadline, the
student has forfeited their ability to run for office.
To prepare for Friday, please encourage your
student to practice their speech so that they are able
to speak in a loud, slow, clear voice. Students are
also encouraged to dress nicely for the elections. If
you have any questions, please contact the school.
Activity Night with laser tag, open gym, movie
and pizza party on Friday, October 16th from
6:00pm to 8:30pm.
Afternoon Dance on Friday, December 4th,
after school until 5:00pm.
Evening Dance on Friday, March 11th from
7:00pm to 9:30 pm.
Evening Dance on Friday, May 6th from
7:00pm to 9:30pm.
Here at EMS we value student choice. These
activity and time changes were made as a result of
talking with the student body. More information on
all events will be communicated via the weekly
school newsletter for parents, and to students via
morning announcements. If you have any
questions, please contact the school.
EMSPTSO Craft and Vendor Fair
We need you! The craft and vendor fair is
one of only two fundraisers the PTO holds each
year (the other is the student snack sale). But we
need your help!! Please consider donating to the
concession stand, the bake sale, or volunteering
your time:
Concession Donations
Baked Goods Donations
Adult Volunteer Sign-Up
Student Volunteer Sign-up
Do you know someone who would like a booth?
More information here:
Craft and Vendor Fair Sign-Up
Craft and Vendor Guidelines
Hallway Booth Pictures
Craft and Vendor Map
Craft and Vendor Flier
Contact us at: EMSfair@gmail.com
Book Fair
The EMS library will be hosting a book fair,
through the company Best Book Fairs, from
October 19th through 23rd. We’re excited to try a
different company, and can’t wait to see what they
bring to our school!
Volunteers Needed: We would love to have some
student and/or parent volunteers help during the
fair. If you are interested in helping out, please visit
our Volunteer Spot Page or contact Lisa Polack.
Thank you for supporting our amazing culture of
reading here at EMS.
Sweet Crumbs Cookie Dough
Fundraiser
Our fundraiser has been extended to October
2nd, and there are just a couple days left for students
to take cookie dough orders. This fundraiser is a
great opportunity for your student to earn credit
that will reduce the cost of his/her Washington,
D.C. field trip. Credits for seventh grade students
will be added to their credits earned in eighth
grade. Remember - sell 20 or more items to get an
extra $25 credit, and every 5 items sold after 20
gets your student an extra $10 credit. Please stop
in the main office if you need another order form.
Thank you for your support!
Box Tops for Education
EMS Summer Reading
EMS is celebrating the start of the school
year with spectacular summer reading numbers.
This year, students across the seventh and eighth
grades read over 2,100 books. On average, that is
five books per student over the course of the
summer months! Students received a raffle ticket
for every book read. We had some amazing prizes
to give away including a chromebook, purple Beats
headphones, and two large teddy bears (see photo).
The EMS summer reading program has been
recognized for numerous years as a top school in
the Governor’s Summer Reading Challenge. Great
job EMS students & keep reading!
This is a reminder that Ellington
Middle School participates in the Box Tops for
Education program. Send your box tops in with
your child, so that EMS can collect the money.
This money funds programs that may be affected by
budget cuts but are important to our school. The
program runs all year long and accepts box tops
from the partial list of products below. If you have
any questions, please contact the school.
Betty Crocker Desserts
Nestle Juicy Juice
Pillsbury Refrigerated Products
Nature Valley Bars
Total Cereals
Ziploc Bags and Containers
AND MANY OTHER PRODUCTS
Cash for Trash
Summer Reading Prize Winners
The computer room is now collecting
and recycling old cell phones, in addition to empty
ink jet and laser cartridges. For each ink or laser
toner cartridge collected, Hartford Toner will
donate up to $14 to our school and Pace Butler
will donate up to $100 for your unwanted cell
phone! To view a list of eligible cartridges, please
visit Hartford Toner's website. And to check to for
more information regarding your old cell phone,
visit Pace Butler's site . The money earned will be
used to purchase new technology equipment.
Please send your empty cartridges to Mrs. Nigro in
the computer lab.
World Language News
¡Bienvenidos a las clases de español!
In seventh grade, we’re learning some basic
“getting to know you” vocabulary: greetings, “How
are you?”, “What’s your name?”, “Where are you
from?”, as well as our numbers and days of the
week. Try asking your student how they’re feeling,
“¿Cómo estás?” Coming up soon will be the topic
of weather.
In eighth grade, we’ve been reviewing many topics
from seventh grade Spanish. We’ve practiced how
to describe people, say what activities and food we
like or dislike, name classroom objects and places at
school, talk about what school supplies we have,
and even tell how we’re feeling. In the coming
weeks, we are going to be reviewing clothing and
shopping words as well as words related to families.
Try asking your student what they like to eat! ¿Qué
te gusta comer?
Bienvenue à la classe de français!
In seventh grade, students are learning the
alphabet and how to count from zero to
thirty. This is the first time they experience
learning through all four standards - can they hear,
say, read, and write those numbers? They are also
expanding their ability to greet people and carry on
an introductory conversation (How are you?
What’s your name? How old are you?) and say
goodbye. Surprise your student by asking… Ça va?
[sah-vah] and watch them tell you how they feel in
French!
The eighth graders have spent the first few weeks
reviewing and refreshing the major topics from last
year. Meanwhile, they have also been brushing up
on various skill areas (listening, speaking, reading
and writing) through partner activities and online
exploration. They have just begun to learn about
describing sports and leisure time activities. This
will include a new foundational verb FAIRE,
months and seasons, and ways to ask and tell about
what they like and dislike. Ask your student to tell
you the months of the year (or to sing them to
you!!).
For those who purchased them, Language Perfect
subscriptions will be coming soon!
EMS Performing Arts News
Performance Dates
Winter Band Concert:
Monday, December 14, 2015
7:00pm - 8:30pm in the EMS gymatorium
Winter Chorus Concert:
Thursday, January 14, 2016
7:00pm - 8:30pm in the EMS gymatorium
 Dress rehearsal (tentative):
Wednesday, January 13, 2016
after school until approximately 3:30pm
Chamber Concert:
featuring the EMS Vocal Ensemble with small
instrumental and vocal ensembles
Thursday, April 21, 2016
7:00pm - 8:30pm in the EMS gymatorium
 Dress rehearsal (tentative):
Wednesday, April 20, 2016
after school until approximately 3:30pm
Piano Festival:
open to all EMS pianists
prior screening and coaching by appointment TBA
Friday, April 22, 2016
2:15pm - 4:00pm
EMS Drama Troupe Spring Production (TBA):
Thursday, May 19, 2016 and Friday May 20, 2016
in the EMS gymatorium
EMS Chorus Spring Concert:
Tuesday, May 24, 2016
7:00pm - 8:30pm in the EMS gymatorium
 Dress rehearsal (tentative):
Monday, May 23, 2016
after school until approximately 3:30pm
EMS Drama Troupe
The EMS Drama Troupe has begun!
Students interested in committing to this
organization should see Mrs. Walsh in the music
room for more information.
Session 1
Nine rehearsals on Thursdays: 2:15pm - 3:15pm
September 24
October 1, 8, 15, 22, 29
November 5, 12, 19
As this session progresses, a performance will be
scheduled for family and friends on December 3rd,
and/or a travel experience for the troupe in
December TBD by the troupe.
Session 2
Nine rehearsals on Thursdays: 2:15pm - 3:15pm
January 21, 28
February 4, 11, 18, 25
March 3, 10, 17
As this session progresses, either a variety show
will be produced by the troupe involving EMS
students, teachers, staff, and families in spring OR a
musical will be produced in May, TBD by the
troupe.
The EMS Drama Troupe will grow in skill as the
year progresses, and we look forward to a great year
full of rich performing experiences.
Ellington Middle School Lunch Menu
OCTOBER 2015
www.ellingtonschools.org
Daily Lunch Price: $2.75
Monthly Price: $57.75
Milk Price: $ 0.60
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Alternate Lunch Choices (Yogurt & Cheese Stick with
Cereal or Salad Boat (Wednesdays) or:
Oct 01 to Oct 02:
Chicken Nuggets, Warm Pretzel Rod
Oct 05 to Oct 09:
Cheese Pizza
Oct 13 to Oct 16:
Ham & Cheese Grinder
Oct 19 to Oct 23:
Chicken Nuggets, Warm Pretzel Rod
Oct 26 to Oct 30:
Cheese Pizza
Thursday
1
Please contact
Chris Powers at
Milk
Offered Everyday
1% , Skim, and
Fat Free Flavored
cpowers@elingtonschools.net
With questions and
comments concerning school
lunch.
5
6
Chicken Tenders
Spicy or Not
Whole Wheat Dinner Roll
Sweet Potato Fries
Steamed Mixed Vegetables
Baked Beans
Assorted Fruit Tray
Menu Subject
to Change
without Notice
7
Nacho Chip Lunch
Egg, Sausage & Cheese
On a Bagel
Chili/Cheese/Salsa/Sour Cream
Whole Grain Cornbread
Warm Pretzel Rod
Steamed Green Beans
Baked Beans
Assorted Vegetable Tray
Assorted Fruit Tray
8
Corn Dog Nuggets
Steamed Mixed Vegetable
Chilled Vegetable Juice
Oven Baked Cookie
Assorted Fruit Tray
9
Wild Mike’s Cheese Pizza
Pepperoni or Not
Steamed Green Beans
Baked Beans
Assorted Vegetable Tray
Assorted Fruit Tray
Steamed Broccoli
Chilled Vegetable Juice
Sherbet Cup
Assorted Fruit Tray
13
14
15
16
Pasta w/ Meat Sauce
Cheesy Garlic Bread Stick
Soft Turkey Tacos
Salsa/Cheese/Sour Cream
Round Cheese Pizza
Pepperoni or Not
Oven Baked French Fries
Steamed Green Beans
Pickles
Assorted Fruit Tray
Steamed Broccoli
Assorted Vegetable Tray
Assorted Fruit Tray
Steamed Corn
Assorted Vegetable Tray
Assorted Fruit Tray
Steamed Mixed Vegetables
Chilled Vegetable Juice
Donut Hole
Assorted Fruit Tray
20
21
22
23
Baked Potato Bar
Chili/Cheese/Sour Cream
Hash Brown Sticks
Warm Strawberry Sauce
Chilled Vegetable Juice
Assorted Fruit Tray
Steamed Broccoli
WG Donut Hole
Assorted Fruit Tray
26
27
Oven Baked Potato Puffs
Steamed Green Beans
Baked Beans
Assorted Fruit Tray
“HOT” Buffalo
Mozzarella Crunchers
Hash Brown Sticks
Chilled Vegetable Juice
Assorted Fruit Tray
French Toast Sticks
Sausage Links & Syrup
Chicken Patty Sandwich
2
Zesty Orange
Popcorn Chicken
Steamed Corn
Assorted Vegetable Tray
Assorted Fruit Tray
Cheeseburger
Whole Wheat Roll
19
Friday
Mozzarella Sticks
Marinara Sauce
Steamed Carrots
Baked Beans
Assorted Vegetable Tray
Assorted Fruit Tray
Meatball Grinder
Sauce & Cheese
Steak & Cheese
On a Crown Roll
Cheese Pizza Sticks
Buffalo Style or Plain
Marinara or Ranch Dip
Steamed Green Beans
Baked Beans
Assorted Vegetable Tray
Assorted Fruit Tray
28
Homemade Mac & Cheese
Whole Grain Biscuit
Steamed Corn
Baked Beans
Assorted Vegetable Tray
Assorted Fruit Tray
29
Toasted Cheese Sandwich
Steamed Mixed Vegetables
Chilled Vegetable Juice
Assorted Fruit Tray
Steamed Broccoli
Assorted Vegetable Tray
Assorted Fruit Tray
Tomato Soup
Steamed Mixed Vegetables
Assorted Fruit Tray
Steamed Corn
Manager’s Dessert
Chilled Vegetable Juice
Assorted Fruit Tray
30
Garlic
French Bread Pizza
Pepperoni or Not