🎄🍽️ December Lunch Menu 🍽️🎄
It’s the most wonderful (and shortest!) school month of the year! 🌟 Check out the delicious meals planned to keep our Panthers fueled for learning and holiday fun. 🐾✨
📅 Reminder: Winter break starts soon, so let’s make the most of the days we have!
🌿 Introducing the Brand New Hammock Garden at EES! 🌿
We’re so excited to share our new Hammock Garden, a unique outdoor space for students to engage with their learning in a fresh and fun way! 📚✨
Being outside during the school day is so beneficial, and this garden offers a wonderful opportunity for students to enjoy the fresh air, whether they’re attending class outdoors or reading a book of their choice in a hammock. 🏕️📖
A huge thank you to the Ellsworth Community Foundation EXCELLS Grant for funding the hammocks and to the OST Grant for supporting the framework. Thanks to these grants, we were able to purchase supplies and get everything built over the summer. 🌞
A special shout out to our incredible custodial team who worked hard to make this space so inviting for our students! 💪
This is just the beginning of outdoor learning at EES, and we can’t wait to see how students enjoy this new space! 🌳
🎉 A Big Thank You! 🎉
A huge shout out to the Ellsworth Community School District Foundation and the EMS Parents Club for helping our 8th graders experience a live production of The Grinch Who Stole Christmas! 🎭🎄
Thanks to your generous support, our students had the chance to enjoy this festive and fun performance!
🎁 Help Make the Season Bright for ECSD Families! 🎁
We still need sponsors for our ECSD Gift Box Program, with 12 families waiting to be matched. This is a wonderful opportunity to spread holiday cheer and support local families in need.
Becoming a sponsor is easy! Just fill out the application on our website:
👉 https://www.ellsworth.k12.wi.us/page/gift-box-program
Thank you for helping us make this holiday season special for everyone in our community. Together, we can make a difference!
💜 November is Homeless Awareness Month & National Youth Homeless Awareness Month 💜
This month, we shine a light on the challenges faced by students and families experiencing housing instability. 🏠💔
Under the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act, students are considered homeless if they:
🏘️ Are staying in shelters, motels, or campgrounds
🚗 Are living in cars, parks, or abandoned buildings
👨👩👧👦 Are doubled up with other families due to economic hardship
Though these situations might not always be visible, here are some signs to look out for in students:
Chronic absenteeism or tardiness
Frequent hunger or hoarding of food
Repeatedly wearing the same clothes or having poor hygiene
Fatigue, falling asleep in class, or difficulty concentrating
Social or behavioral concerns
Mentioning frequent moves, staying with relatives, or not having a home
Difficulty keeping track of assignments or materials
If you have concerns about a student or suspect they may qualify for McKinney-Vento services, please fill out the Google form linked below or contact me directly. Your observations can make a huge difference in connecting students with vital resources and support.
🖱️ Google Form: https://forms.gle/EoPGBx6ftitCC8pXA
Let’s work together to ensure every student has the stability they need to succeed. 💜
🔬✨ Exploring Science in Action! ✨🔬
Our 7th graders had an amazing day at the Minnesota Science Museum on their recent field trip! From hands-on exhibits to exciting discoveries, it was a day full of learning and fun. 🧪🦖
A HUGE thank you to the EMS Parents Club for providing a grant that made this trip possible. Your support helps create unforgettable experiences for our students! 💜
🎉 A Huge Thank You to The Funsters! 🎉
We are beyond grateful to The Funsters for their incredibly generous donation of $5,000 to our lunch program, helping support students in need. 🥪💜
This act of kindness will make a big difference in ensuring no child goes without a meal. Thank you for being such an amazing part of our community! 💕
Nomination Window Closing Soon!
We are looking for nominations for the new Ellsworth Community School District Hall of Fame. If you know someone you think would be an awesome addition, please nominate them! Nominations are due on December 31st, 2024 at midnight! We want to honor alumni, community members and staff, but need your help to do it!
https://www.ellsworth.k12.wi.us/page/hall-of-fame
Mr. Smith held a meaningful mentor meeting for our EHS freshmen, focusing on the importance of daily hygiene and mental health. 🛁🧠
Each student received a bag filled with basic hygiene products and fidgets, thoughtfully chosen to support these essential principles. 🧴✨
A huge thank you to our generous local sponsors for making this possible:
❤️ State Farm
🍎 Ruby's Pantry
🦷 Knutson Dental
Your support helps us nurture happy, healthy students who are ready to thrive! 💜
🎉 Our School Supplies Have Made It to Ukraine! 🎉
We are thrilled to share that the school supplies sent by Ellsworth Hearts and Minds have safely arrived in Ukraine!
A huge thank you to Melinda Casper and Anne Pechachek, along with the incredible students at Ellsworth High School, for their dedication and leadership in this project. Founded in 2008, Ellsworth Hearts and Minds has made a lasting impact by helping children worldwide, including in Iraq, Afghanistan, and now Ukraine, with much-needed school supplies.
Through their efforts, students and staff have joined together to support education and make a difference. These supplies are helping Ukrainian kindergarten teachers and pupils organize their learning spaces and continue their educational journey during challenging times.
Thank you, Melinda and the entire team, for your compassion, hard work, and faith in creating a brighter future. 💙💛
❄️ Winter Recess Reminder from EES! ❄️
As temperatures drop, students need to dress appropriately for outdoor recess! 🧥🧤👢
Check out this helpful guide to ensure your child has the right gear for the "feels like" temperature. Don't forget to pack labeled winter gear in their backpack, including jackets, snow pants, hats, gloves, and boots.
Let's keep everyone warm, safe, and ready for some fun in the snow! ⛄
🌟 Ellsworth Middle School Student Council Shines at Fall Leadership Tour! 🌟
Our Ellsworth Middle School Student Council recently attended the 2024 Fall Leadership Tour, where they had the privilege of hearing from Duncan Kirkwood, a globally recognized expert on resilience and author of Rerouting: Resilience Tools and Tactics. His inspiring keynote address focused on resilience, tying directly to goal setting—one of Wisconsin's key Leadership Standards.
The day was packed with opportunities for growth and connection, including:
🎤 A dynamic welcome session
📚 Breakout sessions led by professionals and students
📋 Regional business meetings (potentially featuring elections!)
With its perfect blend of motivation, practical instruction, and innovative ideas, the event provided a fantastic opportunity for students to develop leadership skills they can use in their school and community.
We’re so proud of our student leaders for representing EMS and embracing this chance to grow!
🎁 Help Make the Season Bright for ECSD Families! 🎁
We still need sponsors for our ECSD Gift Box Program, with 25 families waiting to be matched. This is a wonderful opportunity to spread holiday cheer and support local families in need.
Becoming a sponsor is easy! Just fill out the application on our website:
👉 https://www.ellsworth.k12.wi.us/page/gift-box-program
Thank you for helping us make this holiday season special for everyone in our community. Together, we can make a difference!
💜An Extraordinary Act of Kindness💜
Zachary, a 7th-grade student at EMS, has shown us all the true meaning of generosity this holiday season. He donated an incredible $240 of his own chore money to our food drive and even used part of it to purchase a turkey for a family in need.
When asked why he chose to give so much, Zachary simply said, "I have everything I need, and I want to help those who don’t."
Zachary's selfless act of kindness truly moved us beyond words. It’s a powerful reminder of the compassion and generosity young people are capable of.
Zachary, we are so proud of you—you inspire us all. 💜💜
🩺 A Message from the School Nurse 🩺
We want to remind families about important guidelines to help keep everyone healthy this season:
🌡️ Fever: If your child has a fever of 100.0°F or higher, they should remain at home until they are fever-free for 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medication.
🤢 Vomiting or Diarrhea: If your child experiences vomiting or excessive diarrhea (three or more episodes within 24 hours), they can return to school once they have been free of symptoms for 24 hours.
We’ve been seeing cases of mono, gastroenteritis (stomach flu), Influenza A, strep throat, and respiratory illnesses such as croup and bronchitis.
🔍 Please monitor your student’s health closely before sending them to school. If they are feeling unwell with symptoms like fever, vomiting, or diarrhea, allow them to recover at home to help reduce the spread of illness within our buildings.
Your efforts make a big difference in keeping everyone well. Thank you for your cooperation and care!
🎉 50 Days Smarter! 🎉
Ms. Heitman’s kindergartners are celebrating 50 days of school and showing off their creativity with these fun hats! 🖍️🎩 They’ve been working hard, learning so much, and are officially 50 days smarter!
Keep shining, Panthers! 🌟 Panther Pride
🍕 Homemade Pizza, Anyone? 🍕
Mrs. Kinneman's 7th & 8th Grade FACS classes recently rolled up their sleeves and got creative in the kitchen by learning how to make homemade pizza—starting with making their own dough from scratch! 🙌✨
From measuring and mixing ingredients to rolling out their dough and choosing their favorite toppings, students got hands-on experience with this delicious life skill. 🍅🧀🍄
Who else is ready to try making their own pizza at home? 👩🍳👨🍳
📣 Ellsworth Community School District Child Development Screening 📣
Mark your calendars for Wednesday, December 11, 2024!
Our screening is designed for children ages 3, 4, and 5 and covers essential development areas like speech/language, motor skills, play skills, and social and communication abilities. 🌟 It's a great opportunity to learn more about your child’s growth!
📝 To register or for questions, contact Tina Hallock at
📞 715-273-3912
📧 hallockt@ellsworth.k12.wi.us
Don’t miss out on this valuable chance to support your child’s development! 🌈
Last week, our EMS 6th-grade students participated in the annual Courage Retreat hosted by Youth Frontiers, and it was an unforgettable experience! 🙌
The day kicked off at Zion Covenant Church, where our students were warmly welcomed by enthusiastic high school mentors. 💜 Students were divided into small groups to discuss how they can treat each other better, stay engaged, and stand up for one another.
The retreat was filled with:
🎶 Large group activities featuring music and singing that carried powerful messages.
🤝 Interactive games designed to break down barriers, build trust, and foster teamwork.
💡 Thought-provoking discussions and moments of self-reflection.
By the end of the day, students were challenged to focus on one act of courage they will strive to accomplish moving forward. 💪
A special THANK YOU to the Ellsworth Community School District Foundation for their generous donation, making this impactful day possible. 💖
https://www.ellsworthcommunityschoolfoundation.org/
🍕📦 EMS Food Drive Alert! 📦🍕
We're thrilled to kick off our upcoming Food Drive from November 18th to 25th, 2024! Let’s come together to support our community by donating non-perishable items for the Pierce County Food Shelf. 💙 Every donation counts!
🏆 Here’s the exciting part: Points will be awarded to advisory classes for each item donated, and the class with the most points will WIN a Pizza Party during Panther Time! 🍕
📄 Don’t forget to check the point sheet for details on the points system, and remember to check expiration dates on all items.
Thank you for making a difference, EMS! Let’s make this Food Drive a success! 🙌
