Back to School Rally

Not to get you nervous, or rush your summer vacation, but this looks like a lot of fun with free giveaways.

Old Navy Uniform Sale

Old Navy currently has kids' uniform components for $5 and $10, a good sale:

http://esumsgrade6.edublogs.org

Old Navy does, however, use unfair labor practices in its Bangladesh garment factories (sweatshops):

http://www.globallabourrights.org/reports/gap-and-old-navy-in-bangladesh-cheating-the-poorest-workers-in-the-world

ESUMS maintains a terrific second-hand uniform swap; just inquire in the office.  Re-using school uniforms is also good for the environment.

Some Important Dates

Here are a few dates to put on your calendar.  Everything is still tentative, so write in pencil!

August 22 -- ESUMS Back-to-School Orientation (please consult your orientation letter for times)

August 28 -- first day of school

September 9 -- first PTO meeting of the year, 3:15 pm

September 24 -- Open House 6-8 pm

October 3 -- the Walkathon

October 6-10 -- the Book Fair

October 7 -- Town Hall & PTO meeting, 4:30 pm

October 10 -- Coffee And, 8:30 am

November 7 -- Middle School Dance

November 13 -- Report Card Conferences and PTO meeting, 4:30 pm

November 21 -- Coffee And, 8:30 am

December 9 -- Town Hall, Band Concert and PTO meeting, 4:30 pm

December 12 -- Coffee And, 8:30 am

January 5 -- Non-Violent Communication Parent Workshop and PTO meeting, 5 pm
January 9 -- Coffee And
February 10 -- Town Hall, Black History STEAM Event, and PTO meeting, 5 pm
February 13 -- Coffee And
March 11 -- Coffee And
March 13 -- Pi Day, High School Expo, and PTO meeting, 3:30 pm
April 2 -- Town Hall and PTO meeting, 4:30 pm
April 10 -- Coffee And
May 1 -- Middle School Dance
May 7 -- AP Meeting, 3:30 and PTO meeting, 4:30

May 21 -- New Student Orientation at UNH (PTO volunteers), 6-8 pm
June 3 -- Field Day
June 8 -- Celebration of Learning and PTO meeting, 4:30 pm

Bittersweet News: Some Favorite ESUMS Teachers are Leaving for Promotions

Mr. Pilliner and Ms. Jenkins will be leaving ESUMS to take new positions as assistant principals elsewhere in town (New Haven Independent article).  Ms. Warner will also not return in the fall.

We wish them -- and Mr. Meador who left late in the Spring -- the very best, though we are sad to lose their talent and dedication.

Thankfully, Ms. Jenkins can remain PTO treasurer because she is still an ESUMS parent!

Learn to Code for Free

Google is offering learn-to-code vouchers for people traditionally under-represented in computer fields (women, African-Americans, Latinos).  Even if you don't qualify, or if they run out of vouchers, they offer many free online courses that anyone can use.

article
application
list of free courses

ps -- there seems to be no age restriction on the awards, so both students and parents should be able to apply.