Elysian Charter School Newsletter

May 12, 2008

Vol. 3, Issue 33

              www.ecsnj.org

           www.friendsofelysian.org

After very careful consideration and a very tough decision, Jessica Zebrak has decided to take a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to travel around the world with her new husband, and resign from the teaching position and school that she adores.  

This is a rare chance that she and Lee could not turn away.  Jessica plans to study art in all of the countries she visits.  In fact, she will be studying in Australia for at least three months.  Foreign language study is also in their future.  

I have told Jessica that we will always consider her part of the Elysian family and to be in touch with us when she returns.  Jessica has worked here for more than 3 years.  She has also agreed to be part of the Search Committee to hire a new full-time art teacher for September 2008. 

Please join me in wishing her much joy as they travel.  We’ll miss you and wish you an exciting and life-changing journey.

Sincerely,

Carol

Next week volunteers are needed on Monday, May 19 and Tuesday, May 20,

to help sort  books.

Volunteers will be needed, as well, on the day of the book swap, Wednesday, May 21 to help set up and help the children make their selections.

Please note, this year the Swap will be held in the Elysian Library (Rue) and in the hallway outside the library, so there won’t be much schlepping.

To volunteer, contact me, 201 420-0692.
The more the merrier!

It is not too late to donate books! Books may be left at the school library or the OLG office anytime between now and  May 19.

Thanks,

Kathy Prussack

 

The PTSO would like to thank Ken Nilsen for his wonderful presentation at Tuesday's meeting. The results of the Parent Survey was very informative and sometimes surprising.

A big THANK YOU to everyone who volunteered at the Rummage Sale. It turned into a beautiful day and everyone who came out had a good time.

PTSO DATES TO REMEMBER 

Ø      The Last PTSO meeting is June 10

Ø      Annual End-of-Year Picnic June 12.

Last week, our vegetable of the week was beets.  It was our most challenging new food to-date, and many of the kids rose to the occasion and tried it. How many of you remember the pickled version that was a mainstay of salad bars?  Our children were served beets that were plain and diced. Many kids were encouraged to eat more when we topped the beets with a little Italian dressing. I personally like them cold or room temperature with Dijon vinaigrette.  It was interesting that many of the adults had strong memories of beets, and just as many pre-conceived ideas about why they did or didn’t like them.  I find them to be sweet tasting, not too strong.  One good thing is that, like beans, if you are not into cooking them, try the canned version instead.  

Beets are nutritional powerhouses. They are high in folate, potassium and Vitamin C, as well as fiber and protein.  Foods high in Vitamin C are known to be anti-inflammatory and therefore good for people with asthma. 

How to prepare beets – If using fresh beets scrub and remove leaves, leaving at least 1 inch to prevent the beets from bleeding while cooking.  The leaves can be steamed or sautéed like spinach.  If roasting, wrap beets in foil and bake 45 minutes to 1 ½ hours at 400 until tender when pierced with a fork.  Remove from oven, cool, then peel.  Cut into slices or dice.    To Steam – Leave 1 inch of beet tops, steam for 30 to 45 minutes.  Cool and peel. Dijon vinaigrette – ½ cup olive oil or salad oil, ¼ cup wine vinegar, 1 tbsp. mustard, salt & pepper.  Shake well.

This week – Brown rice is on the menu this week.  We will be ordering it from Hoboken Farm Boy.  Because of the bran, brown rice is not as fluffy as white rice and it takes about 45 minutes to cook while white rice takes only about 20 minutes. However, leaving the bran gives brown rice a nutritional boost.  Brown rice provides more calcium, potassium and fiber than white rice.  The amount of carbs are about the same but the carbs in brown rice are used by the body more slowly and more efficiently while the carbs in white rice break down quickly into sugar which causes an immediate surge of blood glucose.  Soon after blood sugars drop, fatigue begins. 

How to prepare brown rice – Use a heavy sauce pan and rinse the brown rice.  Add 1 cup rice to 2 cups water, ½ teaspoon. Salt and 1 tablespoon oil or butter.  Bring to a boil, then cover with a tight fitting lid and turn the fire down to low.  Cook about 45 minutes.  Fluff and let rest 5 minutes. 

Susan Gilbertson

Monday, May 12

·         Arts to Grow Performance of Alice in Wonderland, a.m.  performance for

families, friends and grades K – 6. 

Tuesday, May 13

·         3^rd and 4^th grades to  PEEC, Pocono Environmental Education Center

Wednesday, May 14

·         7^th grade to New Victory to see Past Half Remembered, a play that spans a Soviet Century, from WWI to the present day

·         3^rd and 4^th grades return from PEEC

·         Half day, 12:30 dismissal.  Afterschool program availalee

Monday, May 19

·          Charter School Rally in Trenton.  See attached flyer.

·         Board of Trustees Meeting, 7PM, Rue

Wednesday, May 21

·         Book Swap for students today.

·         6^th and 7^th grades to ILJK at the New Victory Theater

Thursday, May 22

·         5^th and 6^th grades to Newark Bears!

Friday, May 23

·         9 AM performance of Elysian’s 3^rd – 6^th grade chorus, OLG. 

·         4:30 performance of Past Half

Remembered at the New Victory

Theater, open to 6^th and 8^th graders only.

Monday, May 26

·         School Closed for Memorial Day.

Thursday, May 29

·         5:30 PM performance of the school play, The Secret Lives of Toads, Directed by Diane Murray

Friday, May 30

·         9:30 AM performance of the school play, The Secret Lives of Toads

·         Last day of Clubs

Saturday, May 31

·         9:30 AM Orientation for incoming kindergarten students and their families.

Current kindergarten students and their

Families are invited to help host the event.

Monday, June 2

·         6th and 7^th grade overnight trip to Camp Mason.

Wednesday, June 4

·         6^th and 7^th grades return from Camp Mason..

·         5^th grade overnight trip to Mystic, Conn.

·         8^th grade overnight trip to Sandy Hook, NJ

.Friday, June 6

·         5^th graders return from Mystic, Conn.

·         8^th graders return from Sandy Hook.

Tuesday, June 10

·         6:30 PM PTSO Meeting, Rue Building, Pizza  & childcare available.

Thursday, June 12

·         8:30 AM Community Meeting.  All students should be dropped off at OLG in the morning.

·         5:30 PM  Elysian’s Annual Picnic at Columbus Park

Friday, June 13

·         Half –day for 8^th graders only.

·         7PM Graduation at Steven’ De Baun Auditorium.

Monday, June 16

·         Half day of school, 12:30 PM dismissal.  After School Program available.

Tuesday, June 17

·         Half day of school, 12:30 PM dismissal.  After School Program available.

Wednesday, June 18

·         Half day of school, 12:30 PM dismissal. 

·         Last day of school.