Elysian Charter School Newsletter

October 22, 2007     Issue 7, Vol 3

              www.ecsnj.org

           www.friendsofelysian.org

 Last week was National Anti-Violence week in all public schools. Elysian participated through a variety of activities. Classroom teachers were provided with ideas to incorporate into their classroom. Diane Sasso, our school social worker,  also visited many classrooms.

 The Kindergarten, 1st and 2^nd grades read "The Recess Queen" with Diane,  a book about how one small girl tames the schoolyard bully by becoming friends with her.

 Fourth graders watched "Invisible Weapons", a video about bullying, featuring real 8th graders talking about their experiences in 4th grade when one girl was singled out for teasing. A discussion about the video followed.

 When Diane visited the 5th grade, they played a decision making game- Take a Stand, designed to help children think for themselves. Both sixth grade classes participated in a problem solving activities to strengthen group decision making.

 The 7th and 8th grade girls came together to watch a video, "In Their Own Words" by the Ophelia Project. This video featured high school girls speaking about their personal experiences with teasing and bullying in Middle School. The 7th and 8th grade boys watched a
video on Guns, Drugs and Violence. Both of these videos were followed by lengthy discussions.

 Of course we will continue to focus on these issues throughout the year. In January we will celebrate Elysian's 2nd Annual No-Name Calling week.
 

Diane Sasso & Melissa Landera

 Dear Parents,

 Building on my last letter, which described why we have music at ECS and why I teach using the approach of Dalcroze Eurhythmy, I would like to tell you more about Emile Jacques-Dalcroze and Dalcroze Eurhythmy.  I will quote from master teacher Dr. Robert Abramson of the Dacroze Summer Institute at the Juilliard School of Music in NYC.

 “Emile Jaques-Dalcroze was (1865-1950) was a Swiss musician and educator who evolved a unique approach for awakening innate musicality and developing musicianship through rhythmic movement, ear training, and improvisation.  The processes of eurhythmics, in addition to their value for musical learning, can aid general development in such areas as attention, concentration, memory, coordination, self-control and sensitivity.  The total involvement required from the participant makes this education compatible with contemporary educational theory that advocates integration of cognitive, psycho-motor, and affective behavior.

 The Goals of Eurhythmy are:

 Mental and Emotional

1)  Development of attention and

     awareness

2)  Conversion of attention to   

     concentration

3)  Social integration (awareness to

     similarities and differences and

     appropriate responses between oneself

     and others)—ensemble training.

4)      Responses to and expression of all  

nuances of sound and feeling.

 Physical

1)  Ease of performance

2)      Accuracy of performance

3)      Personal expressiveness through performance

4)      Development of inner hearing and kinesthesia.

Musical

“Quick, accurate, comfortable, expressive personal response to hearing, leading to performance, analysis, reading, writing and improvising.”

 The above-mentioned skills are all developed through specially designed rhythm games.

 Best wishes,

 Mary Guthrie

Wednesday, October 24

·         7^th & 8^th grades to Bryn Mawr

·         6^th grades to Museum Village

Thursday, October 25

·         4:30 performance, After School, Mayhem Poets, at the New Victory Theater, 42^nd Street, NYC.  Tickets are available.  Call or e-mail Lynne Shapiro for ticket info. (grades 3 and up)

Friday, October 26

·         Chess classes.

·         No Arts to Grow Theater Residency today (due to Middle School trip).

·         African Dance Residency, 3^rd gr.

·         7^th & 8^th grades return from Bryn Mawr

Saturday, October 27

·         Halloween Party at Rue, 3-5 PM

Tuesday, October 30

·         Half day of school, 12:30 PM dismissal

Wednesday, October 31

·         Carol Stock Walks in the Rag-a-Muffin Parade.  Care to join her?  Everyone welcome, meet at the South Side of 11^th and Washington, 3:30 PM

Thursday, November 1

·         Square One Art

Friday, November 2

·         African Dance Residency, 3^rd gr.

·         3:45, 4:45 Chess clubs at Rue

·         Arts to Grow Residency, gr. 6-8, 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM

Wednesday, November 7

·         Grades 4 & 5 to Fairview YMCA Camp.

Friday, November 9

·         African Dance Residency, 3^rd gr.

·         Grades 4 & 5 return from YMCA Camp.

·         Arts to Grow Residency, gr. 6-8, 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM

·         3:45, 4:45 Chess clubs at Rue

Monday, November 12

·         Parent-Teacher Conferences

Tuesday, November 13

·         Parent-Teacher Conferences

·         6:30 PM PTSO Meeting

Wednesday, November 14

·         Half Day of school, 12:30 dismissal

·         Parent-Teacher Conferences

Thursday, November 15

·         Parent-Teacher Conferences

·         New Victory After School Performance, 4:30, Tapiere!  More info next week.

Friday, November 16

·         Parent-Teacher Conferences

·         African Dance Residency, 3^rd gr.

·         Arts to Grow Residency, grades. 6-8, 2-4PM

·         3:45, 4:45 Chess clubs at Rue

Monday, November 19

·         7:00 PM Elysian Board Meeting

Wednesday, November 21

·         8:30 AM Community Meeting at Rue Building.  All students should be dropped off at Rue in the AM.

·         Half-day of school; 12:30 dismissal.

·         After School Program ends 4:00 PM.

Thursday, November 22 – Friday, November 23

·         School closed for Thanksgiving.

Friday, November 30

·         African Dance Residency, 3^rd grade

·         Arts to Grow Residency, grades 6-8,

      2-4 PM

·         3:45, 4:45 Chess clubs at Rue

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month.  Early detection saves lives!  Remember to schedule your yearly mammograms and do self breast exams.  Although medicine has made significant strides in treating breast cancer, it is still a leading cause of mortality in women.  It is important to be proactive in preserving breast health.  The American Cancer Society is a wonderful resource for information on breast self-exams and the latest medical news.

The news media has widely publicized reports on an infection termed MRSA (methicillin resistant Staphylococcus Aureus).  Staphlococcus Aureus, or simply staph are bacteria commonly occurring on the skin or in the nose of healthy people.  Sometimes staph bacteria can cause an infection.  Staph bacteria are one of the most common causes of skin infections in the United States.  The majority of these skin infections is minor, such as pimples and boils, and can be treated without the use of antibiotics.  However, staph can also cause serious infections.  Some staph infections are resistant to antibiotics. MRSA is a type of staph that is resistant to antibiotics like methicillin, oxacillin, penicillin and amoxicillin. 

Staph infections, including MRSA, occur most frequently among persons in hospitals, nursing homes and dialysis centers.  Staph bacteria including MRSA, can cause skin infections that look like pimples or boils and can be red, swollen, painful or have pus or other drainage.  More serious complications can include pneumonia, bloodstream infections, or surgical wound infections.  Research by the CDC (Center for Disease Control) suggests that only 12% of MRSA infections are community associated.

Factors that have been associated with the spread of MRSA include:  close skin to skin contact, openings in the skin such as cuts or abrasions, contaminated items and surfaces, crowded living conditions and poor hygiene.  Most, if not all of the recent reported cases of MRSA have been among members of athletic teams who commonly share sports equipment, shower facilities and uniforms.

The best prevention in spreading staph or MRSA skin infections is to practice good hygiene.  WASHING YOUR HANDS THOROUGHLY WITH SOAP AND WATER IS IMPERATIVE!  Remember to sing a chorus of “Happy Birthday” or recite the “ABCs”.  Keeps cuts and scrapes clean and covered with a bandage until healed.  Avoid contact with other people’s wounds or bandages.  Avoid sharing personal items such as towels and razors. In out breaks of MRSA, the environment has not played a significant role in transmission.

Most staph and MRSA infections are treatable with antibiotics.  If you are given an antibiotic, take all the doses, even if the infection is getting better, unless otherwise instructed by your healthcare provider.  DO NOT SHARE ANTIBIOTICS WITH OTHERS OR USE SAVED, UNFINISHED MEDICATIONS.  If you do contact a staph infection and you find it is not getting better after a few days of treatment contact your physician and be re-checked.

Remember, good hygiene is still the best defense in spreading bacteria or viruses.  Remind children to wash their hands after playing outside, before eating and after using the bathroom.

AFTERSCHOOL ENRICHMENT CLUBS

AT ELYSIAN CHARTER SCHOOL

 WHAT ARE ENRICHMENT CLUBS?

      The Clubs are fun/educational groups run by Elysian staff, parents or friends of the children at Elysian.  Their purpose is to provide experiences outside of school which will further enrich the lives of our children.  Clubs in the past have provided opportunities in many areas, such as the arts, sports, sciences, foreign language, literacy and civic/cultural awareness.  The philosophy of the clubs mirrors that of the school, in that children will be encouraged to explore their potential and experience the joy of learning in a safe, nurturing environment.  All club activities should be inclusive of all children involved, particularly public performances and/or shows.  

WHAT DOES A CLUB LEADER DO?

     The Club Leader is someone with a hobby, talent or interest that he or she would like to share with children.  Leaders volunteer their services, but can expect to be reimbursed for materials purchased (please keep receipts).  He or she need not be trained in childcare, but should be comfortable working with a small group of children (usually no more than 10). 

     Clubs meet once a week, for 4 or 5 weeks, after school, for about an hour (please see attached schedules).  Commitment goes beyond these times:  in making sure that the children are collected and dismissed safely, planning each Club session, collecting materials needed beforehand, and cleaning up afterwards.  If a Club meeting is cancelled for whatever reason, it is up to the Club leader to notify parents and students that the Club will not meet.

WE NEED CLUB LEADERS NOW!

     We have more children interested in clubs than clubs available.  The more people who volunteer, the fewer children we have to turn away.  Please join us.  Bring your enthusiasm.  For more information, please contact Carol Stock at 201-876-0102.

CLUB IDEA SUGGESTIONS

Contributed by the Kids of Elysian

     Ever thought about doing a club, but just weren’t sure of what to do?  Let us help!  Our club coordinators got together with the kids.  Here are a few ideas that the kids thought would be good for clubs.

     Feel unsure about doing a club alone?  Consider asking another adult to co-lead with you.  Read through these suggestions or come up with ideas of your own.  Any and all club ideas will be appreciated.

FAVORITES OF THE PAST

African Heritage Club, Animal Club, Art Club, Book Club, Book-Making Club, Chess Club, Cookie Baking, Crochet, Cross Stitch, Dance Club, Dancercise, Doo Wop Shop, Dragon Gym, Drama, ECS Chorus, Eric Carle Club, Explorations in Science and/or Technology, Fencing, French, Future Teachers of America (Babysitting Club), Green Team, Harry Potter Read-Aloud, Homework Club, Jazz, Jewelry Making, Karate, Kite Making, Knitting, Making Potholders, Money Club, Mural Club, Newark Museum Club, Rocket Club, Sewing, Soccer, Songbirds, Spanish, Still-Life Drawing, Super Hero Comic Book Club, Test-Taking Readiness, Textile Club, Theater Games, Webmasters, Work Crew (service to Elysian) Club, and now, YOUR club!

SUGGESTIONS FROM KIDS

Ice Skating, Cooking, Woodworking, Drawing, Art, Paper Airplanes, Magic, Dancing, Sports, Soccer, Language, French, Book Making, Making a Motor, Traveling, Costumes, Rockets, Space Club, Jewelry, Poetry, Science (Bugs), Spy Club, Jump Rope, Study Animals,

Animal Puppets, Building Things, Math, Block City, Transportation, Careers, Magazines, Collage, Play- Doh, Board Games, Jigsaw

Puzzles, Cars

Need more information?  

Call Carol at (201) 876-0102

Please note the hard-copy of this newsletter contains:

- Club Application Forms 

- Cub Scout Information

- Info about The Ragamuffin

  Halloween Parade

- Info about Jump Rope for the

   Heart 

-  2007-8 Track Schedule & Info 

- Halloween Party Volunteer Sign-

   ups, donation requests, and

   what each class should bring 

-  The November calendar to post on your refrigerator.