PTO Meeting Tuesday May 3 at 5

Special Guest: Ms. Migliore will speak about Restorative Justice at ESUMS.

Other business includes: Field Day, Middle School Dance, Orientation for New Students at UNH, and end-of-year activities.

A Reminder from Ms.Paris-Cooper

Today is a Report Card Conference Day and high school students will have an opportunity to purchase slices of pizza for a $1.00. Regular lunch is not available for high school students only.

Also note that the high school seniors are having a raffle of two baskets with over $300.00 in gift cards. The cost is $1.00. Please support.

Middle School Dance: Friday May 6

The Middle School Dance is ON!  Students can buy tickets from Ms. Nap.  Parents, please sign up to let us know what kind of snacks you can bring.  If you'd like to chaperone, set up, or clean up, just show up -- we will be very grateful for your efforts!

Sign Up Sheet.

High School Students: Document Your PLTW Work with College Board

Register here.

In 2015, College Board introduced a new program, a combined effort between the College Board and Project Lead The Way (PLTW) to increase participation in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) courses. This program provides an opportunity for students to earn a recognition that shows colleges and employers that they're ready for advanced course work and interested in STEM careers.

To ensure that qualifying students in your school earn the recognition this summer, please encourage students to submit their application on the AP + PLTW student recognition site by June 30. Students will only need to complete three easy steps to get started:

May 15: Free Math Festival at Yale

The Julia Robinson Mathematics Festival, sponsored by Yale University, is being held in New Haven on Sunday, May 15, from 9AM through 12PM. 

This festival gives students a chance to work collaboratively on fun, inspiring puzzles designed to spark their curiosity in mathematics. These non-competitive activities are at different levels and accessible to students in grades 6 through 12. Attached is a flyer with more information on this event.

There is a $10 registration fee for student participants to cover logistics. The registration fee can be waived for students who cannot afford it by simply clicking on the appropriate checkbox on the registration form.

Details here.

Free -- Girls For Technology Saturday Math/Science Academy, 4 Saturdays in Hartford

Sign up here.  April 2 & 23, May 7, June 14

Girls For Technology's Saturday Math & Science Academy is an enrichment program that educates and motivates youth via pre-highschool/college out of school, hands on math and science experiential learning activites.  Girls ages 10-14 yrs old will participate in workshops that include STEM activities that inspire and encourage young girls' interest in STEM disciplines.
Join us at Capital Community College 2nd Floor. Lunch will be provided. Chance to win Prizes!

Milton Fisher Scholarship

The Milton Fisher Scholarship for Innovation and Creativity is accepting applications for this unusual college scholarship, until April 30, 2016.
A $20,000 college scholarship (up to $5000 per year for four years ), is open to high school juniors, seniors, and freshmen in college, who have created “outside the box “ projects, often not related to school. One does not have to be an A student to submit an application. Originality is a key factor, and multiple scholarships are awarded each year, based on the quality of the projects submitted.

Apply for this scholarship if you are . . .
-- a student who has solved an artistic, scientific, or technical problem in a new or unusual way
-- a student who has come up with a distinctive solution to problems faced by your school, community or family
-- a student who has created a new group, organization, or institution that serves an important need.

Several New Haven area students have been awarded this scholarship for a range of projects. One student led the team that developed the Mobile Food Market, and partnered with City Seed to implement it.  Another developed a micro-pottery class at Eli Whitney Museum. A full list of awardees is on our site.  While we often receive applications that are scientific, we are very interested in projects with a personal, artistic, or community focus.
The application deadline is April 30, 2016.
Please visit our website www.rbffoundation.org,  for further details,  and read it closely, including the FAQ.  For questions and additional information, please contact Denise Canning (dcanning@cfgnh.org) at the Community Foundation for Greater New Haven, which administers this scholarship. (203-777-2386). (NHI)

Spring Break Skating Party

We Need Some Parent Activism.

(1) High School Boys' Bathroom

The ESUMS high school boys' bathroom is locked and unusable because it is damaged to the point of being hazardous.  The repair is major, and a work order has been submitted to the school district.  While we wait for the repair, the high school boys have to waste class time to use the middle school bathroom across the building, which overuses that bathroom and degrades its condition.  Since we are moving in a year and a work order can be ignored for a year, it's unlikely we will see a repair unless we take some action.

Please help us instigate some action on this work order by sending a polite but urgent email requesting a prompt repair to the the Director of Facilities and the Chief Operating Officer.

(2)  School-wide Wifi

The new wifi installed by the district is still badly unreliable.  The school's laptops can rarely connect to it with frequent drops and outages, an unreasonable situation in a school whose mission is STEM!  This is especially important as we approach testing season; the SBACs will be given in May, and those are all online.

Please consider sending a polite but urgent email to the Manager of IT and our Director of Instruction requesting immediate attention to this problem.

(3)  Board of Education Meeting Monday

The PTO has been paying close attention to the issue of New Haven charging (new) magnet tuition to the sending suburban districts.  In particular, this discussion at the Finance Committee raises some alarms:

In the worst-case scenario, districts would refuse to pay the tuition, De La Paz said Monday at the finance committee meeting. “The only recourse for us is to dis-enroll the student.”

During the school year? Goldson asked. Harries shook his head no.

“That would be your choice,” De La Paz said. He advised sending districts the number of students accepted into New Haven magnet schools in the lottery process this spring and talking with them further. (NHI)

If this worries you or if you want to learn more about it, magnet tuition should be discussed at Monday's Board if Education meeting, Monday, April 11th, at 5:30 at Beecher School, 100 Jewel Street.  There will be opportunity for public comment.

Thank you so much for your active work on behalf of our students!

Thank You Spring Cleaning Team!

The Spring Cleaning event was a great success.  5 parents and about 50 students worked for two hours making small repairs and cleaning everything in sight.  We didn't get to everything, but we significantly improved things and had a lot of fun!  

Slides from Ms. Johnson's AP Presentation

Slides.  Please contact Ms. Johnson with questions or for more information.

Sabor Latino Culinary Festival, Saturday May 21,1- 5 pm, Roberto Clemente 360 Columbus Ave.

Sabor Latino Culinary Fest es un evento familiar que da comienzo al verano 2016, presentado por Telemundo Hartford -Springfield. Reunirá distintos servicios para interactuar con las marcas, aprender sobre sus productos y servicios y disfrutar de las diferentes especialidades culinarias y culturales de todo el mundo.

Independent Study and College-Before-College Programs

Here is a brochure from the ISSP office with some of the details about how to participate in these programs.  Our temporary ISSP coordinator is Ms. Aromatici, and she has office hours at ESUMS on Thursdays in room 317.

PTO Tonight 5:30

NHPS (Free) Summer Program -- Aspirations for Higher Learning

The Aspirations for Higher Learning Pre-Collegiate Institute, a 6-week intensive academic initiative of the New Haven Public Schools’ will begin its 21^st consecutive year on July 1, 2016.  The program will operate on the campuses of Yale University and Southern Connecticut State University.  All New Haven area high school students may apply.  We seek students who want a challenge for the summer of 2016.  

The primary goal of the ‘Aspirations’ program is to strengthen academic skills and to prepare students to succeed in college.

Folder of Application Materials

Contact Ms. Aromatici for more details.  She is at ESUMS every Thursday in room 317.

April 8th ESUMS Spring Cleaning Task List -- Choose a Task, Plan Ahead, and Bring Supplies Please!

(You may add task requests in the comments.)

Replace broken ceiling tiles in classrooms and halls (look to be about 2' x 3'-4').

Shampoo office carpet (will require renting machine).

Clean garbage out of unlocked lockers.

Straighten up the supply and PTO closet.

Put something nice on the bulletin board in the Cafeteria.

Clean out the microwave.

Girls' Bathroom #1 (off cafeteria):

This Saturday is a Science Saturday

Karen Wynn (Psychology)  “What Babies Can Tell Us About Good & Evil”

10 am, Sterling Chemistry Laboratory, 225 Prospect Street

It's Not Too Late to Sign Up for "Code Boola"

Code Boola is a one day “learnathon” for high school students held at Yale. Students participate in workshops taught by current Yale students, focusing on web design, programming, and entrepreneurship. Through these workshops, students are introduced to computer science concepts, build upon their teamwork skills, and gain fundamentals towards a STEM based education.

Click for Registration.

This Saturday, April 9, all day, Yale School of Management, 165 Whitney Ave.

Upcoming NHPS Board of Education Meeting Dates

April 4 & April 18, 4 pm, 54 Meadow St. Room 5B -- Finance & Operations Committee (will be discussing expensive additions to ESUMS new building budget)

April 11 & April 25, 5:30 pm, Beecher School Auditorium -- Board of Education (may discuss next year's school budgets and the possibility of charging magnet tuition to the suburbs)

Film on the Future of Nuclear Waste

Containment, free and open to the public.

Monday, April 25, 2016 - 3:30pm

Whitney Humanities Center, 53 Wall Street

 

Can we contain some of the deadliest, most long-lasting substances ever produced?  Left over from the Cold War are a hundred million gallons of radioactive sludge, covering vast radioactive lands.  Governments around the world, desperate to protect future generations, have begun imagining society 10,000 years from now in order to create monuments that will speak across the time.  Part observational essay filmed in weapons plants, Fukushima and deep underground—and part graphic novel—Containment weaves between an uneasy present and an imaginative, troubled far future, exploring the idea that over millennia, nothing stays put.

Film screening will be followed by a discussion with the directors of this documentary.  For more information about this remarkable film, please visit the official site.

Useful Website: NHPS's College-Before-College and Independent Study Programs

https://isspinfo.wordpress.com/about/

Amazon Smile

The PTO now participates in Amazon Smile.  If you find it hard to remember to use the link in the right-hand margin of this page, just sign up once for Smile, and we will receive a very small percentage of your payments forever more at no cost to you.

https://smile.amazon.com/ch/01-0932039

April 8 -- ESUMS Community Spring Cleaning

Let's get together after school on April 8th to spring-clean our school building and improve our students' learning environment!

Meet at the school at 2:00.  Please bring some cleaning supplies.

We will be able to attempt some small repairs (e.g., put hook locks on bathroom stall doors), so if you are handy, bring your tools.

Students will get volunteer hours for helping out.    Teachers can send requests for cleaning priorities to the PTO -- esumspto@gmail.com.

We can work together to care for our students, teachers, and the place where they spend so much time!

April 6th -- PTO Meeting 5:30

Our next PTO meeting will be an important one.  Ms. Shawna Johnson will present a short information session about the high school AP program, and we will continue to solicit officer volunteers for the 2016-17 school year.

Heads Up: Should New Haven Charge Tuition to Suburban Districts for Magnet Students?

http://wtnh.com/2016/03/28/new-haven-eyes-tuition-from-out-of-city-students/

http://www.newhavenindependent.org/index.php/archives/entry/magnet_school_tuition/

EXPO 2016

ESUMS will be participating in the annual year end competition known as ExpoFest.  

The 2016 theme is “Empathy by Design”. ESUMS will have six teams competing against other CT schools.  Teams will set up their interactive exhibitions at the Oakdale Theatre in Wallingford, CT to display and pitch their work to the public. Each project will be assessed by a panel of judges comprised of business professionals, higher-education faculty, and experts in the realm of science, technology and business.

Over 40 Connecticut high schools participating in Skills21 programs will be celebrating a year’s work of innovation, creativity, and imagination on Saturday, May 14, 2016, at the Oakdale Theatre in Wallingford, CT. The Student Innovation ExpoFest is the culminating event for more than 2,000 middle and high school students engaged in cutting edge science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) and digital arts and media education programs.  This is the students’ chance to shine!  Participation in Expo looks favorable on a college application and could help to distinguish your child from other applicants.

Student attendance for ExpoFest is mandatory for all “winning” student groups from Mini EXPO.  We will have teams representing Chemistry, Biology, Physics, 3D Modeling, eCommerce and Mobile App Design.  The level of the students’ participation and verbally displayed project knowledge will represent a significant portion of their 4th quarter grade. Students are expected to be present in the ESUMS parking lot on May 14th at 7:00 am to setup their booths, and they will return to the school between 4 & 4:30 pm after disassembling their booths and cleaning up their exhibition space.

Students must wear an EXPO polo shirt with an embroidered custom logo representing their group in conjunction with the dress casual bottoms that will be determined by the individual groups and their teachers. The order form for the shirts is attached and the cost is $30. The shirts will be dress code compliant and have been approved by administration for school use. The order forms and the $30 cash is due to Melissa Manzione by the April 5th. No late orders will be accepted.

** Attention Biology Students

If your child is participating in EXPO, on May 14th, they must bring in $30.00 by April 5th for their shirt. To participate, students must be able to stay after school one day a week (Tuesday,Wednesday, or Thursday), every week, until May 14, 2016.  

Thank you, Ms. Meetze  

Update to Early Dismissal Schedule

IMPORTANT UPDATE:

Wednesday, APRIL 27 ALL STUDENTS WILL BE DISMISSED AT 11:30 A.M.

REPORT CARD CONFERENCES WILL BE HELD ON 4/27 FROM 12-2 P.M. BY APPOINTMENT ONLY

FULL DAY IS SCHEDULED FOR Thursday, APRIL 28 – REPORT CARD CONFERENCES WILL BE HELD FROM 5-7 P.M.

Summer Camp, Music, Sleep-Away in Winsted

http://www.laurelmusiccamp.com/registration.html

Band, Orchestra and Chorus
$385, one week, financial aid available

Summer Camp: Debate and Model UN, West Hartford

http://www.westfieldacademy.net/summer-camp-details-2016

Cost is $576 per week with financial aid available.

ESUMS' Awards from CT State Science Fair

 Congratulations to all! (click images to enlarge)

Donate Your Gently Used Fancy Clothes to LEAP's Prom Drive

Details here.

Another Important Date

Sunday, March 20th, is the first day of Spring -- enjoy the vernal equinox everyone!

Mark Your Calendars: The Early Dismissal Schedule Has Changes!

New half days are April 4th and May 9th.  Exam half days are June 9, 10, 13, 14.  The last day of school is June 20.

Further changes: End of the Marking Period is now April 8.

Report card conference is April 28 from 5-7pm.  It will be an early dismissal day.  5-7pm open conferences.

April 27 will be an early dismissal with afternoon conferences by appointment.

High School Students: View the Course Catalog

Go to esumsnh.net, click on the High School tab, and then choose HS Curriculum.  Or just click this link.

Extra! Extra! The Blue News is Back!

Blue News March 2016

Permission Slip, Middle School Field Trip to the Movies, $10 -- Due Friday!

Closer to Free

Click here to support (ESUMS parent) Darcey Cobbs-Lomax's anti-cancer bike ride.

Parent Volunteers Needed for UNH/Vista Advisory Board

We need 5 parents to attend the:

Vista Community Advisory Board Meeting

Friday May 13th

3:00pm-4:30pm

UNH Moulton Lounge

This is a formal meeting with UNH to discuss the AmeriCorps Vista who will be in charge of the partnership. UNH needs ESUMS parents' input on what the Vista should be doing and recommendations.  This is a one day commitment.

Please email eyoung@newhaven.edu with your name and email if interested or any questions.

Sign Up For UNH Girls' STEAM Day

(click image for larger view)

http://www.newhaven.edu/engineering/ESUMS/women/

Please Help Send Hizami and Aiman to MathCon.

Here is the Go Fund Me to donate to send our math superstars Hizami and Aiman Anuar to MathCon in Chicago.  (link repaired)

Science Talk in Milford Monday Night, Guilford Wednesday Night

Milford Public Library at 7 pm, March 14, Science in the News - The Quantum Factory: Creating Solar Storms, Particles, and Uncertainty, http://onhsa.yale.edu/event/science-news-quantum-factory-creating-solar-storms-particles-and-uncertainty-1

Talk will be repeated Wednesday at the Guilford Public Library at 7.

Volunteer to Judge the New Haven Science Fair on May 16

Science Fair Volunteers Needed

Get involved with the 2016 New Haven Science Fair! Sign up to be a JUDGE or MENTOR:
Judges speak one-on-one with the students to hear about their projects before evaluation. Judging is a two-day commitment occurring on Monday, May 16 (4-8pm; first-time judges need to arrive at 4pm for an orientation) and Tuesday, May 17 (9am-1pm). Contact: melanie.s.bauer@gmail.com.

Mentors typically volunteer once a week for 1-1.5 hours. They work in the classroom with teachers to help students understand the scientific method and assist in the early stages of researching and defining their projects. Start volunteering in a class today! Contact: nhsciencefair@gnhcc.com  For more information: www.nhsciencefair.org

STEM Challenge for High School Girls, due March 26

Fill out an application form and make a video about your innovative STEM project that will change the world.  Win $500 and trip to California.  Details here.

New Haven Schools Budget Discussion for 2016-17

Budget proposals have been made to the Board of Education and will be discussed at the meeting on Monday, March 14, at 5:30 p.m. at Beecher School (100 Jewel St.).

You can read the entire proposal at this link (link fixed).  ESUMS information begins on page 108.  

Pies for Pi Day

Please send in a pie for Pi Day!

The high school student government is having a Pi Day fundraiser the entire week of March 14.  They request parents to send in pies which they will slice and sell at lunchtime.  If you would like to send in a pie (or many) please sign up at the link below.  Refrigeration will be available, and your student can drop the pie off in the morning,  Thank you!

[ Sign Up Here ]

(ps -- This fundraiser is in addition to any Pi Day activities scheduled for the middle school.)

Students: See The Color Purple on Broadway for Only $33, April 6

A Message from our Boxtops Chair (Updated)

The ESUMS PTO is having a contest!

It is time to submit your Box Tops for Education.
Each Box Top earns TEN CENTS for our school.

Please submit your Box Tops, along with the student's name, grade and homeroom number. The top three submissions of valid Box Tops will win a Subway Gift Card. 

Deadline for this contest is Wednesday, May 25, 2016. The winners will be announced in May.   The list of boxtops products is below (click on the image to view the fine print):

Become an Officer of the PTO for 2016-17

At our March 9th meeting, the PTO will collect nominations for officers for next year according to our bylaws.  You can nominate yourself or someone else.  Voting will be done at the following meeting in late April.

Please consider taking on one of these roles to get more involved and help our school.  The time commitment is not heavy, and you'll have a lot of help.

Become a Frog Watch Citizen Scientist!

Wednesday Feb. 24, 7 - 9 pm.  Yale Environmental Science Center (behind the Peabody), Room 110

Details here.

Student Volunteers Needed for Robotics Competition on Saturday

The VEX Robotics competition at UNH on Saturday is looking for ESUMS students volunteers. 

http://www.newhaven.edu/news-events/news-releases/2015-2016/983134/​

Below is a flyer for the event. Here is information for volunteers.

Interested ESUMS students can contact Alec Andrulat at robotics@newhaven.edu for details.  Students will check in with Alec when they arrive at UNH.

They can arrive at The David Beckerman Recreation Center (marked on the attached map) on the main campus on Friday, 2/12 from 3:00pm-8pm to help with setup. They do not need to be there the whole time. 

Staff will be there from 3:00pm to 8:00 PM to work on setup. 

In addition we need help 7:30 AM to 5 PM on  Saturday, 2/13/16. They can take shifts or come for all or part of the time. Friday is most important time for helping us and will allow the team to compete and volunteer. 

A Message from Dr. Kerison: Help Needed to Host Open House Events

A Brief Advertisement

A member of the ESUMS community, Sang Ah Jee, has just begun work as a realtor in Old Saybrook.  Please consider using her services if you have any business in that area.

PTO Meeting Feb. 2, 6:30 pm

It's been too long!  Let's get together and work on some thrilling PTO business!

(in the art room, following the black history event)

A Math Team Update from Mr. Smith

Hello ESUMS community,

Here are a few math related announcements

Congratulations to the following AMC 8 participants

3^rd place: Matthew Ryan; 2^nd place: Aimin Anuar; 1^st place: Gwendolyn Towne

  There was a lot of competition and several students were within points of our 3^rd and 2^nd place finishers. Ms. Towne stood alone and earned an Honor Roll distinction for finishing in the top 5% of test takers nationwide.

Feb. 6th is a Science Saturday

http://onhsa.yale.edu/event/science-saturdays-professor-mark-reed

Middle School Girls -- Want to Build a Robot?

Girls' Science Investigations
Saturday, Feb. 6, 9 am - 2 pm
Sloane Physics Lab, 217 Prospect St.

You must pre-register.

High School Students -- Want a Science Mentor?

Many Mentors
Sunday Jan 31, 2-4 pm
Bass Center Room 405, 266 Whitney Ave.

ManyMentors is looking for new students to join the online mentoring program this spring.  Come get to know the mentors and maybe find one with your interests.  RSVP to yale@manymentors.org.

ManyMentors is looking for new students to join the online mentoring program this spring! We’d like to invite you to meet our mentors and participate in fun activities to get to know all of the STEM-loving mentors we have in our program, as well as your fellow students! At the end of the activity, we will give students a chance to recommend a specific mentor that they woud like to be paired with for the rest of the year. All high school students are welcome. Please join us if you are interested in getting to know awesome people or learning more about our program! - See more at: http://onhsa.yale.edu/event/manymentors-speed-matching#sthash.pZRbbBSz.dpuf

Middle School Summer Program

Ulysses S. Grant Summer Program Applications Open

The U.S. Grant Program is a high-quality academic enrichment summer program for rising 6th-9th grade students in New Haven public schools. This summer U.S. Grant will welcome dozens of creative, motivated students from across New Haven to Yale University’s campus for a low-cost, high-impact academic experience. The application postmark deadline is February 5th! Your child still has time to complete an application, but the due date is approaching quickly. For further information and an application please go here. 

 (only $75 for 5 weeks)

More School Rankings . . .

ESUMS has just been ranked 20th best school in CT on Niche with a grade of A.  Click on "View full profile" -- the comments are pretty accurate!

High School Exam Schedule

January 19-22 ESUMS will dismiss all students at 11:30 each day due to mid term exam scheduling.

The exam schedule for high school is: 

Tuesday, Jan. 19 exams for classes A-1 and A-2

Wednesday, Jan. 20 exams A-3 and A-4  

Thursday, Jan. 21 exams B-5 and B-6 

Friday, Jan. 22 exams B-7 and B-8

ACLU Summer Program, Juniors & Seniors, $2100, Scholarships Available

"At the ACLU,  the fight for freedom requires people who are in it for the long haul. That’s why they’ve created the ACLU Summer Advocacy Institute – to invest now in the next generation of social justice advocates." "We’re looking for rising high school seniors to join us at Georgetown University this summer, June 19-25. If you know anyone who fits the bill, please encourage them to apply!"

PTO Meeting Canceled!

Because the non-violence workshop has been canceled, we have decided to cancel the PTO meeting as well.  There isn't really any pressing business that cannot wait until February 2nd, our next scheduled meeting.  Neither will there be a Coffee And, since those are usually a recap of the PTO meeting.  Hope to see you in February!

PTO Meeting Tuesday, Jan. 5, 6:30

In the art room, following the excellent non-violent communication workshop, which you really should attend as well.

Hope to see you there!

Sweatshirts Fundraiser

Buy a dress code compliant sweatshirt to support the 6 ESUMS teams going to the CT Student Innovation Expo this year!!

ESUMS has been the recipient of 8 Connecticut Student Innovation EXPO awards in the past three years. We plan to continue that tradition, but we need funding to maintain the program and fund the individual student both expenditures. Please help us with your spirit wear purchase as we continue to develop the technology and science programs at ESUMS to provide more courses and advanced rigor to the high school curriculum. 
https://www.booster.com/esumsexpo

ESUMS Samsung Team Needs Your Help

Complete 4 online tasks, no donation required:  https://www.pearup.com/mt4d/rally

ESUMS' Destiny Robinson Performs at Kwanzaa Event

ESUMS high school student Destiny Robinson - aka "Fiction" - raps at #NHV Community Kwanzaa Association celebration http://www.tout.com/m/wjfd0q.

Canned Food Drive Ends Tomorrow

Reminder: Get Those PLTW Forms in by the End of December

Dear Parents and Students in Project Lead The Way Courses:

Since your child attends a PLTW-certified school, she/he can get a head start on engineering-related career and add prestige to their college admissions applications by receiving college credit from University of New Haven (UNH).

The process is simple:

The Peabody Museum is Holding an Art Contest for Martin Luther King Day

High school students should submit artwork by January 8.  $150 top prize.  Details here.

Fall Principal's Report to the PTO

Please read this Report from Mrs. Blue-Ellis.  It has some great information about college placement, teacher news, student awards, test scores, and grants.

New Haven Board of Education Meeting Monday, Dec. 14, at 5:30, Martinez School, 100 James St.

UPDATE: The agenda confirms the superintendent's contract extension will be considered at this meeting.

Meetings of the Board of Education are an opportunity for teachers, students, families, and community members to witness and participate in the decision-making about our schools.  Monday will be the final New Haven Board of Education meeting of 2015.  Though the agenda is not usually published until Sunday night, it seems likely two key issues will be discussed:

1. The vote to extend the current superintendent's contract is being considered before the end of 2015.  As next Monday's meeting is the final one of the year, the decision may be announced then.  Some object that such a significant decision should not be made with a Board of Education that is currently in transition.  If this concern resonates with you, you can read and sign this petition to postpone that vote until next month.

2. The Board of Education is currently in transition and is dealing with an issue that was made public last month: our BoE has 8 voting members, while the charter only allows for 7.  This was discussed at the previous Board of Education meeting where a proposal to keep all 8 voting members was announced.  One of the newly-elected BoE members, Darnell Goldson, wrote this op-ed raising concerns about the proposal to allow 8 voting members and disregarding the charter's referendum that legally only allows for 7 members.  The vote on this decision will happen at next Monday's BoE meeting.

Both of these issues will have an impact on the leadership of the school district and Board of Education.  You can attend the Board of Education meeting on Monday, December 14, 2015 @ 5:30PM at John S. Martinez School (100 James Street).  

ESUMS Wins Samsung Solve-for-Tomorrow Competition and Sikorsky Helicopter 2050 Challenge

http://www.cbs8.com/story/30706753/samsung-awards-20000-in-technology-to-51-public-schools-across-the-us-to-support-stem-learning-through-projects-that-address-community-issues

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XQzVD5uz5Rg&app=desktop

Please Send in Toys for Holiday Toy Drive

Coffee And . . . Friday, December 4 at 8 am

Coffee And. . .  is back!  If you missed this week's PTO meeting or if you would like to join PTO officers and school administrators for a friendly conversation over coffee and bagels, please come to the conference room just behind the school office at 8 am on Friday morning.

This Looks Worthwhile

You are invited to attend:  Citywide Parents Present: Conversations with the Board of Education! Thursday, December 3, 2015 from 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM You are cordially invited to our upcoming meeting, Conversations with the Board of Education!  Ever wonder how policy is created in our district?  Curious about different practices that take place in our schools?  Wondering how you make your voice be heard?  Join us this Thursday, December 3rd, when parents/caregivers will have the opportunity to ask questions to the leaders of our district, our Board of Education members, and learn more about how our district operates.

Help Wanted, Small Job -- Certified Electrician

I need to have a circuit breaker replaced, and I'd prefer to hire an ESUMS parent or alumni.  If anyone is (or knows) an electrician, please post contact info in the comments below.  Thanks!

What to Bring to Tonight's PTO Meeting - A Checklist

[ ]  Stop & Shop and ShopRite cards

[ ]  art supplies for the middle school  (art soap erasers, card stock hyper 8 1/2x11, bright colored card stock, marbled construction paper, colored pencils, Elmer's glue)

[ ]  working, used CD players for the 7th grade language arts classes

[ ]  BoxTops

[ ]  yourself, your creative energy . . . and maybe some cookies.  :)

ESUMS Student-Teacher Basketball Game 2015

Teachers win!

photo credit: Ms. Wassely

PTO Meeting Tuesday December 1 at 6:30 Following the Band Concert

Urgent Request: Egg Donations Needed TOMORROW!

The 7th grade will be holding an Egg Drop Contest tomorrow (Wednesday Nov. 25) and they need eggs!  If you can, please consider sending in a dozen to make this activity fun.  They also need construction materials, if you have anything that might be useful -- styrofoam, cardboard, other padding, etc.

Another TV News Story on ESUMS Tech Paris Project

Students Make Video To Support Paris

Volunteer Opportunity -- Youth Court

http://www.projectyouthcourt.org/get-involved/

There are many ways to get involved, which range from acting as a juror, bailiff, or clerk to arguing the side of the defendant or prosecutor as a youth attorney. Each role plays a different but key role in the courthouse. All high school volunteers will be trained by a professional attorney and will have access to older mentors who have gone through our program. The Project Youth Court team will email you with more information about volunteer training after you have submitted the form.

ESUMS Tech Students on TV News

Students Express Solidarity with Paris after Attacks

First REAL Homecoming Poetry Slam, Nov. 24

New Haven Board of Education Meeting Tonight

at 5:30, Martinez School, 100 James St.  No agenda has yet been published online.

Petition to Defer Vote on Superintendent's Contract Extension

If you have an opinion on whether it's better for the current Board of Education to push for a quick vote now or to wait until the newly elected members take their seats in January, please click for the link to petition.

June Levy Wins Parental Involvement Award for her Work at ESUMS

The State Education Resource Center (SERC) and the CT Parent Information and Resource Center (CT PIRC), are pleased to announce that June Levy has been selected to receive the 2015 Parental Involvement Recognition Award.  This award is being given in recognition of her impact and contributions to her local schools and/or community organizations through her involvement/engagement.

Congratulations, June!

Senior Vanessa Kuhlor Wins NHPS "I Rise" Award

http://www.nhps.net/node/3635

Sign Up to Bring Middle School Dance Refreshments

At this link.

This Morning is a Math Morning!

Sun, November 1, Davies Auditorium, 10 Hillhouse Avenue: 
Kelly Delp (Cornell): What can you make using cellular automata?
Suppose we have a line of boxes, each with two possible states, black or white. A 1-dimensional cellular automaton is a simple set of rules for determining how the states of these boxes change over time.  Slight changes in the rules can lead to vastly different patterns. In this talk we will look at examples of these 1-dimensional (and possibly 2-dimensional) automata and see how mathematical artists use them in beadwork, knitting, and image processing.

(Sorry for the late notice; this looks like a good one!)

Middle School Dance is Friday -- Get Tickets & Return Permission Slip

Click for a copy of the Permission Slip.

New Haven Board of Ed Operations & Finance Committee Meeting Monday 11/2 at 4pm

Monday 11/2 at 4:00 p.m. Operations and Finance meeting, Conference Room 5B Gateway Center, 54 Meadow Street, New Haven.

An opportunity to bear witness to several controversial items being presented for funding: