Chocolate Man Mike was at the CELA Friday to help PTO deliver chocolate. Questions about chocolate pick up or purchasing additional boxes? Email one of our awesome PTO members at ptocela@gmail.com.
Calhoun Early Learning Academy
Tell Me Something Good....
The World's Finest Chocolate Fundraiser Begins
CELA Hero Spotlight...
School Nurse-Ashlee Murphy
We are so excited to introduce Nurse Ashlee. Ashlee joined the CELA at the end of August and has been the perfect fit. She has done an incredible job getting to know our students and staff and Ashlee and her husband David have an 8 year old son named Kalen and a 2 year old mini goldendoodle named Dixie. They are members of Rockbridge Community Church where she works with Pre-K aged children. Ashlee has been an LPN for 11 years and in the medical field since 2006. She started her medical career in dermatology, then moved to urgent care and worked in orthopedics for the last 11+ years. Nurse Ashlee says she is very excited to transition into her new role as school nurse for the CELA and she looks forward to getting to know all of our youngest Jackets!
Please refer to the Remind message sent out this past Friday regarding Title I Night and parent feedback on the Parent/School Compact and Family Engagement Policy.
IMPORTANT DATES IN SEPTEMBER:
Sept 11-Sept 22: World's Finest Chocolate Fundraiser
Sept 11-15: Book Fair/Visitor Lunch Week (see info below and from teachers)
Sept 12: Family Book Fair/Title I Night
Sept 15: Extreme Spirit Dress Up Day (Homecoming)
Sept 19: Picture Day
Sept 20: Virtual Learning Day for Students
Sept 21: Grandparent's Sock Hop
Sept 22: Hat Day and Chocolate Sales End
The Calhoun Yellow Jackets will celebrate Homecoming this Friday night against Sonoraville Phoenix and we want to once again show our support by having EXTREME spirit day. Wear your best and the most black and gold! The CHS cheerleaders will be at CELA on Friday selling tattoos for $1.00 each.
If your child would like to purchase a tattoo, please send the money in a labeled envelope (see photos below).
Even our youngest learners benefit from early exposure to various careers and learning pathways using developmentally appropriate activities. A child with early, diverse career exposure will have a better understanding of career paths, will become more confident with their career choice by high school, and parents will be able to accurately navigate their child's career path after graduation from high school. It's never too early to start thinking about what you want to be when you grow up!
Calhoun Early Learning Academy students will be learning more about careers this year. Students will also explore the different career pathway opportunities offered at Calhoun High School. During the month of September, CELA students will learn about the Architecture and Construction Pathway. Cole Pelfrey, a CHS graduate, will be here this week to speak to kindergarten students about the many career opportunities in the area of construction.
It's Book Fair Week!
Your child's teacher will communicate the day that their class will be visiting the Book Fair so that you can send money if you would like for your child to purchase books.
Ready to Volunteer?
If you are interested in volunteering at Calhoun Early Learning Academy this school year and have not already received a Volunteer Interest Form in your child's folder, please use the form linked to enter your contact information. (Parents who signed up to be a volunteer at the PTO table during Open House do not need to fill out the form linked below.)
Volunteer Interest Forms with more information will be sent home in your child's folder soon. Please return the completed forms to school. Thank you for your interest!
**Junior Jacket Academy will be in session on the Virtual Learning Day. Pre-K and Kindergarten students will participate in at-home learning on this day.
Our first student Virtual Learning Day will be September 20th.
Our youngest learners will participate in our virtual learning day by completing a list or menu of age appropriate learning activities that will be sent home by their teacher. Please look for this to come home in folders, along with directions for completion, the week of September 18th. We will link the activities in next week's newsletter also.
Teachers will also be participating in their own professional development and learning on this day. We can't wait to use what we learn to further enhance instruction and learning for our boys and girls!
Grandparents' Sock Hop Dance
Mark your calendars now and get ready to twist the night away at our Grandparent's Sock Hop! Join us September 21st from 5:00-6:30! Admission will be $10 each for adult guests and students (cash or check only at the door). There will be photo opportunities, concessions for purchase, and a cake walk for some added fun! More information will be coming home soon! We can't wait to see you there!
What's for Breakfast and Lunch?
We are excited to offer lunch visitor opportunities throughout the year!
Due to limited seating in our cafeteria, we ask for one adult lunch guest per child per visit. Limited seating also prevents us from being able to accommodate siblings as lunch guests. We will host lunch guests during the week of September 11th-15th. Your child's teacher will communicate their particular guest lunch day for that week and the class will have lunch at their regularly scheduled time. We are making a few changes to lunch visitor days to better serve our students, staff, and welcomed guests. Teachers will send a Remind message requesting an RSVP prior to the lunch date. It is very important that adult guests utilize the RSVP so that we can plan ahead for the number of lunch guests each day. A yellow visitor sticker will be sent home in your child’s folder that MUST be worn on your lunch day by the guest. Lunch guests will utilize the back parking lot for entry (off Meadow Ln) and be greeted by staff for a speedy check in with your yellow sticker.
Can’t make it to lunch? No problem-students without a guest will have a special opportunity to eat with a neighboring teacher and class.
A few cafeteria reminders/guidelines:
*Adult lunches from the cafeteria are $4.00 (exact cash or check only)
*Food purchased from outside “fast food” restaurants, and remaining in original packaging (i.e bags and wrappers) is not permitted in the school cafeteria (must be in a plastic grocery bag or lunchbox)
*Students other than the lunch visitor’s designee will not be permitted to join a lunch party.
*Adult guests must be listed as a verified contact for the student in our student information system.
CELA Lunch Guests
*Students are encouraged to remain in their seats and follow normal cafeteria procedures.
*Lunch will begin and end on time to keep our other students and staff on schedule.
*Please arrive 5-10 minutes prior to lunch start time. Late arrivals may not be permitted.
KINDERGARTEN NEWS
Kindergarten students from the Emerald Otter class enjoyed an edible craft while continuing their unit on Fairy Tales and the story Jack and the Beanstalk. Students retold the story using veggie straws, popcorn, jelly beans, and a sour patch "Jack."
ESOL Teacher Ms. LeBoeuf used colored sand to help students practice letter writing. This creative and engaging practice also helps support fine motor skills and the students absolutely loved it!
Practice From Home
You and your child can practice school at home!
Try some of the following:
Writing first name (first letter uppercase and the others lowercase)
Recite the alphabet without singing
Naming days of the week
Recognizing numbers 0-10
We also encourage you to assist you child with properly hold scissors and a pencil and stay seated at table while working or during meals.
What's Happening In Pre-K
We are excited about Preschool POPS!
On September 27th, Pre-K classes will attend their first Preschool POPS session for the school year at the Harris Arts Center. Preschool Pops is a program designed to introduce the arts to all preschool age children in Gordon County. Mohawk has generously funded this program since 2002. POPS is often a child's first exposure to puppeteers, singers, musicians, actors, and storytellers. Our students love these experiences and we are so grateful to Mohawk and The Harris Arts Center for making these opportunities possible for our Pre-K students. Our Pre-K students will attend six Preschool POPS sessions throughout this school year. Be sure to check your child's monthly calendar for dates.
Preschool POPS is a local field trip event attended by Pre-K students, Pre-K teachers and assistants, and other necessary school personnel. Due to limited seating, parents do not attend these events. The events last 30-45 minutes and students travel to the Harris Arts Center by bus.
Students are asked to wear their class t-shirt on Preschool POPS days.
If you have any questions regarding Preschool POPS, please contact your child's teacher.
PRE-K PRACTICE AT HOME
Want to continue the learning from home? Here are some of the tasks we work on at school that you can continue practicing and reinforcing from home with your child. Please reach out to your child's teacher with any questions.
identify emotions and feelings.
engage in activities for 15 minutes or more.
hold pencils, crayons, and scissors properly.
take care of bathroom needs
open food packages independently
We're thrilled to announce the new app for Calhoun City Schools! It's everything CCS, in your pocket.
Download for Android https://bit.ly/3AksnRa
Download for iPhone https://apple.co/3AkIWMO
CELA Attendance Policy Reminder
Click here for information about CELA attendance.
All medical and parent notes should be emailed to celaattendance@calhounschools.org
Stay Informed with Remind!
All parents are encouraged to join the Remind for the district and school threads by entering the codes below either in the Remind app or by texting 81010.
Calhoun City Schools Remind: @ccs1902
Calhoun Early Learning Academy Remind: @celahive
Contact Us
Calhoun Early Learning Academy
380 Barrett Rd
Calhoun, GA 30701
706-629-6563
Principal: Susan Bennett
Asst. Principal: Mandy Robertson
