2017-2018 School Year Welcome Letter and Supply List

Summer, 2017

Dear Ellis Bobcat family,

I look forward to seeing familiar and new faces in our 4^th, 5^th, and 6^th grade upper elementary classroom. The 2017-2018 school year will be one of growth, excitement, and adventures for your child. 

This will be my eleventh year in the Ellis family and my fifteenth in the education field.  I graduated from Indiana University of Pennsylvania with a Bachelor’s degree in elementary education.  I spent 4 years teaching in the Shenandoah Valley while pursuing my Master of Education Degree in reading education at the University of Virginia.  After my move to Savannah, I earned my Specialist Degree in instructional leadership from NOVA Southeastern University.  This summer, I am finishing my Lower and Upper Elementary American Montessori Society Certification.  I am so excited for this upcoming school year to put into practice all the wonderful methodology I’ve learned over the years!

I love to travel in my free time.  This summer I am going to Tikal and Antigua, Guatemala.  When I’m not traveling, I enjoy spending time with my friends and walking my Shaba Inu, Loki.  I like reading historical fiction books and watching spooky (but not too scary) movies.  

I believe that communication between school and home is very important.  I have a blog found at www.mrtrent.com that is updated weekly with news and information about what’s happening in the classroom.  It also includes a classroom Google calendar you can sync to your own, if you wish.  In addition, I will be using the Remind App to send messages to families in the class.  It is a free app that works similar to texting.  Once downloaded, you can join the class list with the code:@tkissi.  You can also join by visiting this website: 

https://www.remind.com/join/tkissi

I’ve included copy of the upper elementary supply list to the bottom of this letter.  Please purchase the items on the list prior to the first day of school. 

As you are aware as a Montessori parent, the environment sets the stage for your child’s development.  In our 9 to 12 year old group, we want each classroom to be a peaceful, accepting place for each child to reach their greatest potential.  In order to have a peaceful environment, please review the SCCPSS Handbook (found at www.sccpss.com) with your child at home.  More information about procedures specific to our classroom will be shared the first week of school.

If you have any questions or concerns before the school year begins, please feel free to contact me via email.  I will try my best to return your message as soon as possible. 

I look forward to seeing you at open house on August 1st at 5:30-6:30!

Mr. Trent       

                                                     

trent.kissinger@sccpss.com                                  

912-395-5470 

Upper Elementary Supply List

Lined Composition books (3 per student)

Graph composition book (1 per student)

½ inch binder (not a “Trapper Keeper”)

3 inch binder (not a “Trapper Keeper”)

Pencils (2 packs)

Colored Pencils (1 pack)

Pencil Pouch

A pair of headphones

Clear or mesh book bag

1 Pack of Dry Erase Markers

1 Pair of child scissors

Handheld enclosed pencil sharpener

1 package of line index cards (3x5)

2 packages of lined notebook paper (wide-ruled)

hand-held eraser

Classroom supply wish list:  glues sticks, construction paper, tissues, Method wipes, copy paper, paper towels, sharpies, waterless hand sanitizer, Ziplock bags, pencils, clear tape