Register for Nov. 9 Yale Splash

https://yale.learningu.org/learn/splash.html

(bonus: Splash's web page has a rather stretched-out photo of student council president Lauren Low.)

A Spooky & Scientific Way to Spend Halloween

http://news.yale.edu/2013/10/28/bones-uprooted-last-halloween-eve-give-flesh-bygone-era-new-haven

Remember when the winds from Hurricane Sandy revealed bones under a tree on the New Haven Green last year?  The anthropologists studying the bones will present their findings to the public at the New Haven Museum, 114 Whitney Ave., at 5:30 pm on Halloween.


image: http://www.persblog.be/?page_id=18106

Getting Ideas: West Haven AP Bio Students Do Environmental Study

http://www.nhregister.com/science/20131025/west-haven-high-ap-biology-students-assist-city-in-environmental-study

Great (free!) Science & Engineering Event in Washington DC April 2014

http://www.usasciencefestival.org/

(thanks to Maureen Lucas for the tip)

Marking Period Closes Friday Nov. 1

Remember to check powerschool to make sure your child is not missing any work from the first term.

Parent University is Saturday, Nov. 2

http://punh.org/

Parent University includes workshops on choosing a college, paying for college, Common Core, and other teen/pre-teen issues.  Free workshops, meals, transportation, parking, child care, but you must register now.

ESUMS Teacher Contact Info (up-to-date)

Faculty Email Addresses 2013-14

Editorial by Mayor DeStefano on School Construction Costs & Benefits

New Haven Register

Some Blog Housekeeping and Gentle Nags

If you are enjoying the posts at ESUMS PTO Announcements, consider subscribing to receive them in your email.  Scroll all . . . the . . . way . . .  down to the bottom of this page and click on Subscribe to: Posts (Atom).  

If you'd like to support the school without it costing you anything but a few clicks:

(1)  Do all of your Amazon shopping by clicking through the link (search box) in the right-hand margin.  ----look ------- over there --------somewhere --------------->

(2) During October, if you decide to sign up for this free 30-day Amazon Prime trial thing, do so by clicking this link.  Amazon will donate $6 per sign-up to the school.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/prime/signup/videos?tag=esptan-20

(3)  Keep sending in your boxtops to the school office.  

(4)  Use the link www.btfe.com.  It will connect you to stores like Macy's, Walmart, Walgreen's, Apple, Oriental Trading, and many others.  The school will get boxtop money just because you clicked through that site.    

Blue News Oct. 25

The Blue News

Mr. Pinsker doesn't have his own song . . .

Maybe we can get this song played at the Middle School Dance?

"Mr. Lee" by the Bobbettes

Middle School Dance

The Middle School Dance will be held next Friday, Nov. 1 from 6:30-8:30 in the school cafeteria.  Tickets are $5 and can be purchased from Mrs. Napoletano before school all next week.  Wearing a costume is optional.

This is the time for volunteers to sign up to bring food or supplies, and to make plans to set up, chaperone, and/or clean up.  We hope parents can lend some fall decorations for the evening.

A sign-up sheet is posted here:  dance sign up sheet.  If you don't see your email, just add it at the bottom.



image: http://www.fanpop.com/clubs/calvin-and-hobbes/images/318448/title/dancing-photo

Change of PTO Officers

We are sorry to report that our PTO president, Sandra McNair-Boyd has had to resign for personal reasons.  We sincerely thank Sandra for her efforts so far this year, and we hope she can stay involved in PTO activities.  Vice-president Cathy Berni will become president.  Anyone who would like to step in as vice-president would be most welcome!

Hooray!

Unanimous YES from the Board of Aldermen!

new haven independent

Oh rats.  That was only the Finance & Education Committees.  The entire board votes November 18.

new haven register

Day of the Dead Parade & Drop-in Art Workshops

Are you ready for the third annual Day of the Dead Parade?? Join Unidad Latina en Accion to make giant puppets & art.

Puppet & Art Workshops at Bregamos Theater, 491 Blatchley Ave.

Come make giant paper mache puppets and more for the Day of the Dead Parade. On Sundays, all ages are welcome, but those under 18 should be accompanied by a parent. Wednesdays & Thursdays older kids only.

Make Haven, the Maker Movement in New Haven

http://www.makehaven.org/

They have open houses on Tuesdays; this evening (10/21 at 6:30) is "Microprocessor Monday."

18 & under needs parent or guardian present.

No STEM Saturday Tomorrow

The STEM Saturday that had been planned for tomorrow has been canceled.  The next one is Nov. 16.

This is an event for students interested in coming to ESUMS next year.  Please RSVP to the school office, so they can plan for the right number of students.

STEM/STEAM Saturday Flyer

It's Time for Parent University: November 2

All New Haven Public School parents are invited to participate in this year’s Parent University New Haven.  You can go to www.punh.org to register or call 203.497.7051.

This year they will be offering over 25 workshops in the areas of Early Childhood, Grades K-12, College Prep and Family & Community.  The event will be held at Gateway Community College in downtown New Haven.  

Wow! Data Haven!

Data Haven is a great resource for all kinds of data about New Haven.  Students can find data for science projects, and parents and teachers can get real data to support "local reporting, grant writing, evaluation and grassroots action."

Here is the link to all of the education data.

Public Meeting of the Board of Aldermen Tuesday

"The Joint Education-Finance Committee will hold a public hearing on Tuesday, October 22, 2013, at 6:00 P.M, in the Aldermanic Chambers, 165 Church St., New Haven, to act upon the following item;
ORDER OF THE NEW HAVEN BOARD OF ALDERMEN AUTHORIZING THE PURCHASE OF PROPERTIES FOR THE ENGINEERING AND SCIENCE UNIVERSITY MAGNET SCHOOL (ESUMS) CONSTRUCTION PROJECT"

The PTO has not yet organized any formal presence at this meeting, but it is open to the public, if you want to attend to see how it goes.     

Oh, Those Early Mornings! (Get to Bed Early)

"Yale sleep expert Meir Kryger, MD, talks about school start times, and the impact of sleep or lack of sleep on the academic performance of children and teenagers."

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Aje7Q2_Pr-k

Two NHPS Events

Two important parent engagement events are coming up. First up this Thursday, Oct. 17, from 5-7 p.m. at Wilbur Cross High School is the Resource Fair for parents and teachers of children with disabilities. The fair is put on by the NHPS Student Services Department and Parent Partnership Council. The following links will provide you with a PDF flyer for the Resource Fair in English and Spanish. 

Bad News for the 9th Grade

Friday's field trip to the National Oceanic & Atmospheric lab in Milford has been canceled because of the Government Shutdown.

Book Fair

Don't forget the Scholastic Book Fair at the school this week!

Yale Robotics Lab Taking High School Interns

The Yale Social Robotics Lab is taking applications from high school students interested in becoming interns.  Social Robotics explores the applications of robotics in more human areas: psychology, sociology, anthropology and neuroscience, along with all the computation and engineering found in other robotics labs.

Application forms can be found here: scazlab

News: Toni Harp in Favor of Funding ESUMS Building

State Senator Toni Harp, who is running for Mayor, said today that she is unambiguously in favor of funding the planned ESUMS building.  She has arranged for the state to cover the cost of some related improvements (such as the roads) in addition to the 95% the state has already promised to pay.  

Parent Activism

School Bus Issues:

There will be a conference call on sunday oct 13 at 6 pm.  If you are interested, please call in
dial: 2134930700
access code: 838775#

School Nurse Issues:

There will be a public forum held by the CT Dept. of Public Health this evening, 10/10, 6-7 at Career High School.  

Student Activity Announcements

Student Council Elections will be held tomorrow.  The first Student Council meeting will be Thursday, Oct. 17, 2:15-3:15, location TBD.

Science Club meets Tuesdays, 2:15-3:15, in Ms. Toothaker's room.

Spoken Word Poetry Club meets Thursdays, 2:15-3:15, in Ms. Robinson's room.

Engineering Tutoring is Tuesdays, 2:15-3:15, in Mr. Lee's room.  Students can come to receive or offer tutoring in engineering and math.  Contact Ms. Jenkins for more information.

The ESUMS Robotics Team is selling snacks at the end of the school day as a fundraiser for their activities.

ESUMS CMT/CAPT Report

[link to Slides for CMT/CAPT Presentation]

October 9 Blue News

[link to October 9 Blue News]

Note: Coffee And . . . will be Friday morning 8-9 a.m.  Please RSVP to the school office if you can attend.

School Bus Issues

A PTO parent has suggested that a letter-writing campaign about the bus problems -- especially the infamous Bus K route -- might be an effective strategy for change.

Letters can be directed to the Coordinator of Transportation, teddi.barra@new-haven.k12.ct.us, with a CC to the Superintendent's Office, care of Parent Advocate Daniel Diaz, daniel.diaz@new-haven.k12.ct.us.

Volunteers for Upcoming Events

If you have not already signed up to volunteer for the Book Fair (10/11-10/19) or the Middle School Dance (11/1), please contact:

Bookfair: Darlene Pacelli or Damiana Runbox

Dance:  Darcy Cobbs-Lomax

Boxtops and Amazon Online Fundraisers

ESUMS is participating in the online version of Boxtops for Education.  Of course, you can still send in your usual paper boxtops, but you can also use any of the businesses listed here (stores) by clicking through boxtops4education.com, and the school will receive a contribution.

Or, you can shop on Amazon by clicking through the box in the right margin of this page, and the school will receive a percentage of your purchase price.

October Town Hall Agenda

[link to Town Hall Agenda]

Please note: There was some discussion at the Town Hall of reaching out to the Board of Aldermen about the budget for the ESUMS building.  The PTO will organize this activism soon; please wait for more information, so that we can present coherent arguments informed by up-to-date facts.  Send feedback, questions, discussion, and suggestions to pto.blog.esums@gmail.com.

Department of Public Health To Hold Community Health Forums

[[note: This would be an opportunity to raise the issue of the school nursing shortage.]]

(from the Hartford Courant)

September 09, 2013 -- William Gerrish, Connecticut Department of Public Health, Statewide

NEW HAVEN COUNTY: Oct. 10, 5:30 pm
Hill Regional Career High School, Auditorium, 140 Legion Ave., New Haven 

Rate Our School

If three parents post reviews this month, ESUMS will be entered in a drawing to win $5000.  Good reviews will also confirm the school's excellent reputation and attract more students into the lottery.

http://www.greatschools.org/connecticut/new-haven/3154-Engineering---Science-University-Magnet-School/?tab=reviews

Link to Oct.2 Blue News

https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B-Ql-zpEgmcZeVE0dWVfWDNuN0k/edit?usp=sharing

Half-day on Monday, Town Hall / PTO on Tuesday

School will be dismissed Monday at 11:30 a.m. [edit: error corrected]

Tuesday evening will be a Town Hall and PTO meeting.  Representatives from the Board of Ed will answer questions about the building plans and the curriculum.  A more complete agenda is in this week's  Blue News.  The meeting will begin at 5 pm.

CPLT Meeting Summary

Here is a summary of tonight's Citywide Parent Leadership Team meeting.

The evening began with an appearance by the two candidates for Mayor of New Haven: Toni Harp and Justin Elicker.  Garth Harries introduced them, and announced that four new magnet elementary schools have been approved.  He also announced the completion of a new "School Wellness Manual."

Elicker spoke first.  He praised many of the district's existing plans and policies for school reform.  He endorsed evidence-based policy, early childhood education, and character education, such as conflict management.  He acknowledged the financial straits of the district and implied that teamwork, such as parent-teacher teamwork, could make up for some funding deficits.  He spoke of the need to balance stability and change: he approves of the turn-around school model, and as Mayor, he would vote on the School Board to re-appoint Harries as permanent, long-term superintendent.  When asked how he would address the $3 million deficit in the education budget without cutting educational quality, he replied that we could cut down on the use of outside contractors, dismiss ineffective administrators, and make "tough choices."

Harp spoke next.  She also praised early childhood education and parent involvement.  She said that the purpose of education is to allow people to succeed in the economy.  She said we must stop making excuses for urban education.  She would extend early childhood education to even younger children and offer universal pre-K.  She said that students who fail to get certain enrichment before age 5 almost never catch up.  Harp said students must be able to read by third grade.  She then skipped to adult education, and spoke of the low reading level of many adult students who, in her words, "are never going to be able to compete."  She then addressed the need to reform high school education.  She believes that high schools should offer certificate programs (nurse's aide, e.g.) to students who are not college-bound, while other students should be taking college courses in high school.  She is not sure whether she would vote to allow Garth Harries to continue on as superintendent.  Harp stated that an important part of her education plan is budget transparency in individual schools.  She believes access to the school's budget details would allow parents to better understand the quality of their child's education.  When asked for clarification, she said that she would never trust a principal who couldn't manage a budget, but she didn't really explain how those budget numbers would reveal academic quality.  

The candidates' speeches were followed by a review of the CPLT taskforces and committees formed last month, and a call for volunteers.

Susan Weisselberg gave updates on ongoing topics: implementation of the Recess Policy, Parent University (Nov. 2), and the City Guidance Department's College Prep workshops (mostly on financial aid -- schedule is on this blog; just scroll down).  A workshop on the Title One program (which serves low-income families) will be held Oct. 16 at 6 pm in the East Rock School cafeteria.  A dedication ceremony for the new East Rock school will be held Sunday, Oct. 6 at 2 pm.  Columbus Academy will be holding an all-day event on Saturday for parents and children.  

A presentation on the Common Core Standards followed.  Anyone who is interested in the details should attend the workshop at Parent University.  Specific standards can be viewed at http://www.corestandards.org/Math.  The presentation at CPLT was oriented toward parents of elementary school students, though the representatives offered to return to future meetings to answer more specific questions.

The Walkathon is Tomorrow

Parent volunteers are still needed, welcome, and encouraged to attend.  Students should turn in their envelopes tomorrow, and they are allowed to dress down for the day.

The weather is supposed to be good.  See you there!  
image: http://blog.fidmdigitalarts.com/daily-inspiration-new-orleans-arist-creates-mosaics-using-recycled-mardi-gras-beads

Citywide Parent Leadership Team Meeting

-  Reminder -

The next Citywide Parent Leadership Team (CLPT) Meeting

will be held on:

Thursday, October 3rd, 2013

5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.

Wilbur Cross High School

(meeting held in the school foyer)

Dinner & childcare provided.

Free College Application Workshops for Juniors

New Haven Public School's Department of Guidance
in partnership with Parent University Present
College Prep Workshops!

Families and Parents Join us for these FREE workshops for 11th and 12th grade families!

Workshop 1 - Understanding the College Application Process from Beginning to End
In this 90 minute workshop, parents of juniors and seniors in high school will develop a deeper understanding of the college application process from start to finish. We will cover:
(1) how students can create a list of "best fit" colleges,
(2) what admissions officials look for in an applicant, and
(3) what the actual college application looks like and the information it requires.
An admissions official will be present to share their thoughts and "words of wisdom" about the application process. Parents will receive a list of critical dates in the college application and financial aid process, including information on our follow-up workshop entitled "Understanding the Financial Aid Process from Beginning to End."

Wed, Oct 2 (6pm)
Kanicka Ingram, Quinnipiac
Ross-Woodward School, Cafeteria (185 Barnes Ave.)

Tues, Oct 8 (8am)
Liz Vega, Gateway
John Martinez Magnet School, Library (100 James St.)

Thurs, Oct 10 (4pm)
Tony Carberry, CCSU
Wexler Grant School, Art Room/Rotunda (55 Foote St.)


Workshop 2 - Understanding the Financial Aid Process from Beginning to End
This 90 minute session is a follow up to "Understanding the College Application Process,"
with a focus on providing parents with critical information regarding the financial aid process from start to finish. We will cover:
(1) how families can create a college financial plan,
(2) what information is required for the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and CSS Profile, and
(3) where to look for scholarships and other resources to pay for college.
A financial aid counselor will be present to offer their expertise and answer questions. Parents will receive a list of important deadlines in the financial aid process, in addition to information on getting free help filling out the FAFSA at College Goal Sunday.

Sat, Nov 9 (11am)
Gloria Lee, SCSU
John Daniels Magnet School, (569 Congress Ave.)

Wed, Nov 13 (6pm)
Michelle Cochran, Albertus
Wexler Grant School, Art Room/Rotunda (55 Foote St.)

Tues, Nov 19 (8am)
TBD
Barnard Magnet School, Cafeteria (170 Derby Ave.)

Thurs, Nov 21 (4pm)
Ciara Negron, Albertus
John Martinez Magnet School, LIbrary (100 James St.)

Questions: Contact us at (203) 497-7055 or www.punh.org