Dear Elsmere Families,
We leave for the summer next Wednesday with a 12:10 dismissal, but before we go, we will have a busy half week! With end of the year parties, class plays and our fifth graders moving up ceremony, it should be a great end to the year.
A wonderful group of our students in Girl Scouts made this informative video about ableism. Kudos to Ellie, Sophie and Abby for creating this great video to help everyone better understand ableism and how to change it. Thank you!
Congratulations to Elsmere teacher and Hartwick College Athletic Hall of Fame member Greg Balcavage. Mr. B.’s covid-postponed induction ceremony was held this weekend and we couldn’t be prouder!
Next week, we will say good-bye to two of our long-term staff who have helped make Elsmere a great place for students, families and colleagues. Best of luck to our wonderful reading teacher, Mrs. Anne Marie Lasky and indispensable aide Mrs. Mary Ellen Baker on their retirements.
What an interesting and enjoyable year it has been! Our weekly photos here are just the tip of the iceberg. Many thanks to all staff and families for your partnership in creating a fun, supportive and exciting school.
A HUGE thank you to our PTA for the work they have done this year to bring great things to Elsmere and for maintaining this strong relationship. Special thanks to the officers and others who have gone above and beyond this year: Sarah Patterson, Nicole LaFountain, Amy Krawiecki, Erin Reilly, Ted Martin, Sadrina Burney, Susan Dietzel, Noel Kieb-SanLorenzo, Kate Konefal, our outgoing yearbook creator Anne Plummer and “graduating” secretary Melissa Gold. We need you too! If there is anything here you would like to help with, or have other ideas, please reach out to elsmere.pta.president@gmail.com
In addition to relaxing and playing this summer, everyone should KEEP READING! This is the best way to avoid the “summer slide”, to prepare for the grade ahead and it is a great way to get into the hearts and minds of others. All students are invited to stop by school this summer to share what you are reading or just to chat. Mrs. Lawrence, Mr. Lis and I are here almost all summer! Keeping a journal is also a wonderful option to help preserve fun memories and improve writing skills.
As excited as we are about the long, warm days ahead, the end of the year is bittersweet as we say goodbye to many friends, including all of our fifth graders. After many years, some of our families have their last day at Elsmere next week and we wish them the very best in middle school or wherever their journeys take them. To the following families, many thanks for all you have brought to the Elsmere community: The Allison Family, The Brownes (the last of 4), The Corts, The Cromling Family, The Cronlunds, The Cubello Family (the last of 5), The Golds, The Hamiltons, The Hernes, The Horn Family, The Ida-Smiths, The Kajano Family, The Ko-Knights, The Koennecke Family (the last of 4), The Lees, The Lewis Family, The Millers, The Peters Family, The Pillitteres, The Plummer Family, The Rosens, The Siegel Family, The Thorpes, The Volmers, The Whelan Family, The Willeys, and the Moak Family. Thank you!!
Once again, thank you for your partnership and for sharing your amazing children with us. We often hear praise for the friendly and exciting climate of Elsmere Elementary. While this reputation is well-deserved, it is truly due to the commitment and trust of the families we work with.
While this is the last weekly newsletter of the 2021-22 school year, Mrs. Lawrence and I are putting together a summer calendar of free, local activities for families, so please be on the lookout for it!
Wishing you everything wonderful for a most lovely summer.
Sincerely,
Kate Kloss