Elysian         

Charter

School

Newsletter

May 19, 2008

Vol. 3, Issue 34

              www.ecsnj.org

           www.friendsofelysian.org

Next week volunteers are needed on Tuesday, May 27 to help sort books.

Volunteers will be needed, as well, on the day of the book swap, Wednesday, May 28 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 27.

Thanks,

Kathy Prussack

 

A contingent of Elysian 8^th graders, accompanied by Carol Stock and Pat Kelly, went  to Trenton today to lend their voices to the fight for fair Charter School funding:

Clementine deVallance

Sam Clark

Lauren Cortina

Peter Imus

Nicholas Sexton

Sam Rozano

Christopher Vasquez

Marching behind Elysian’s school banner, they will take our message to the legislators and let them know that charter schools are a priority in the lives of thousands of NJ families, including ours!

The following student’s participated in this weekend’s track meets, the last of this track season.

Romy Amin                Sammy Amin

Sarah Battaglia            Marqus Colon

Ana Diez                     Asha Duerdan

Aaron Kurland            Matthew Leong

Sarah Leong                Julia Murray

Michelle Murray          Simran Orion

Joseph Sexton

Last Monday, many of Elyian’s K- 6 grade classes were treated to a performance of Alice in Wonderland by students who participated in the Arts to Grow residency with Patricia Runcie.

Several of the students who participated in past Arts to Grow residencies had the opportunity this time to become Assistant Directors.  Patricia said they did a terrific job and the residency was a tremendous success because of them.

Today is the final session of the residency and a cast party.  Patricia will give each student a letter describing their participation in Alice in Wonderland.

Alice in Wonderland

Cast of Characters

Alice.....Aja Baldwin

White Rabbitt.....Raechel Mercado

Caterpillar.....Jalisa Musumici

March Hare.....Cara Rpsmer

Mad Hatter.....Yasmine Yarosh *

Dormouse.....Jamilet Leonardo

TweedleDee.....Max Liscimachio

TweedleDum.....Darianna Mullen

Queen of Hearts.....Emma Goldman

White Queen.....Leila Bittern

King of Hearts.....Abbas Salem

Knave.....Tatiana Franco

Assistant Directors

Caroline Mercado, Stage Manager

Alicia Kirby , Set Mechanics

Samantha Franco, Prompter

Yasmine Yarosh, Costume Manager

This week, for our vegetable challenge, we will try mung bean sprouts and alfalfa sprouts.  Both are crunchy and mild in flavor and pack a wallop of nutritional goodness. Mung beans contain pure forms of Vitamins A, B, C & E as well as calcium, iron potassium & protein.  They are also low in carbs.   You have probably eaten mung beans in Asian dishes.  They can be added to casseroles, stir fry dishes and eaten raw as a snack, tossed with salads or used instead of lettuce with tacos.

Alfalfa sprouts are high in Vitamins A, C, E & K, foliate, riboflavin, zinc, copper, manganese, protein, thiamin, pantothenic acid, and more dietary fiber than is found in whole wheat bread! Micronutrients include calcium, iron, phosphorus, & potassium. Not shabby for 1 cup of a crunchy, delicious snack.  You can use alfalfa sprouts in salads or on top of sandwiches.  They are usually eaten raw since they are a little more fragile than  mung beans. You can add them at the last minute to hot dishes as a garnish.   I like to toast whole wheat bread & top with sliced tomato, sprouts, jack cheese, green onion and yogurt (or mayonnaise if you are living large.)

You can easily grow your own and save money.   This is a fun project for little ones.  You can find alfalfa seeds at the Hoboken Farm Boy or on the internet. One pound of seeds makes 6 pounds of sprouts.  Inspect the seeds and remove tiny sticks and debris.  Canning jars or old spaghetti jars are good to use.  Cover the bottom of the jar with a layer of seeds.  Pour just enough water to cover.  Place a screen or cloth (a square of old pantyhose works great) over the top and secure with a rubber band.  Let rest undisturbed for 12 hours.  Drain the soak water out of the jar, rinse the seeds and continue to drain the seeds well, otherwise you will grow mold.  Do not set in direct sunlight.  The beans will sprout in a couple of days.  Keep rinsing several times a day, pouring off well each time.  Once sprouted, refrigerate until you eat them. Eat within a few days.  This method works with all kinds of sprouts – mung bean, alfalfa, radish etc.

Susan Gilbertson

Monday, May 19

·         Charter School Rally in Trenton. 

·         Board of Trustees Meeting, 7PM, Rue

Wednesday, May 21

·         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 choral performances by Elysian’s

students in 3^rd through 6^th grade, 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.

Wednesday, May 28

·         Book Swap is today.  Note new date!

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 & their families.

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, 5^th and Hudson.

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, 12:30 PM dismissal.  There is no After School Program today.

·         Last day of school.