Shelton Elementary PTSA

We are so excited to welcome back our Shelton Coyotes! Mark your calendars with these important events:

8/16 - First day of school!
*Kinder and new families - please join us in the garden for breakfast after drop off

8/19 - Kindergarteners bring school supplies to school

8/24 - Back to School Night & Info Fair 6-7:30PM
*Pizza will be provided but feel free to bring a dish to share, Kona Ice will be available for $5/cup

8/26 & 8/29 - Flex Testing (students by appointment only)

9/5 - Labor Day NO SCHOOL

Stand with the National Parent Teacher Association to demand sensible gun safety laws. There is a form to help you contact your senators and representatives. All of our children deserve a safe place to learn to help them reach their full potential. https://www.pta.org/home/advocacy/take-action?vvsrc=/campaigns/89033/respond&fbclid=IwAR1d9jPCXqaVAvSExHzRnCfPLVcwzfUhiiE_bhrJLi4rZRUZqenzQEhsqtk

Take Action - Advocacy | National PTA Urge your members of congress to take action on issues that are most important to our children and our schools. Use these easy tools to sign up for action alerts, find and view legislation, find officials, and contact congressional members to enact change.

Have a great break, Coyotes! Our last Coyote Column hit your inbox this morning and has a PTSA impact summary from the year and a calendar of playdates at the park to stay connected to families and meet new ones this summer. http://www.sheltonptsa.org/coyote-column

Congratulations to our 5th graders continuing to middle school! We wanted to share the beautiful words shared by Ms. Adducci to the 5th grade class:

"To the wonderful, courageous, wildly unique 5th graders. As one of your teachers for the past 5 years, I can say I beam with pride standing before you. In these 5 years I have witnessed so much growth. We not only “just sing fun songs” and play circle games. You ask me hard questions, you challenge me, you keep me on my toes. And that my friends is why you’re ready to move on whether you know it or not.

Oh, middle school. What an exciting time for you all. I also know for many of you this change brings you maybe anxiety, maybe nervous energy. I think that’s okay. I think change IS good for all of us. You’ve proven that you’re ready to move. You’ve proven your resilience in this crazy pandemic. You’ve continued on with hard work, joy, humor… despite many obstacles.

I have few memories of middle school. But what I do remember is this need to feel accepted. Here’s what I’ve learned in my time on this earth.

Your need for acceptance can make you invisible in this world. Don’t let anything stand in the way of the light that shines through this form. Risk being seen in all of your glory.

Your job is not to figure out how it’s going to happen for you, but to open the door in your head. And when the door opens in real life, just walk through it. And don’t worry if you miss your cue because there’s always doors opening. They keep opening. And when I say, “Life doesn’t happen to you, it happens for you.” I really don’t know if that’s true. I’m just making a conscious choice to perceive challenges as something beneficial so that I can deal with them in the most productive way. You’ll come up with your own style. That’s part of the fun.
I recently came across a wonderful quote by Tom Robbins that seemed fitting for the occasion. “No, you have no responsibility except to be yourself to the fullest limit of yourself. And to find out who you are. Or perhaps I should say to remember who you are. Because deep down in the secret velvet of your heart, far beyond your name and address, each of you knows who you really are. And that being who is true cannot help but behave graciously to all other beings - because it is all other beings.”

I believe in you all so much. It has been an honor to watch you grow. But like I always say, you always have a home here at Shelton.

I end with some insightful words from a unlikely character, Jim Carrey. “You are ready and able to do beautiful things in this world. And after you walk through those doors today, you will only ever have two choices, love or fear. Choose love, and don’t ever let fear turn you against your playful heart.”"

Our last PTSA meeting of the school year is tonight! Find the details and end-of-the-year Coyote news at http://www.sheltonptsa.org/coyote-column/coyote-column5195607

The list of needs a volunteer can fill is endless and the special talents of volunteers cannot be purchased. The PTSA rests heavily on the support and dedication of our parent and community volunteers. It is so inspiring to see moms and dads, extended family and community members reading with children, helping them solve math problems, creating meaningful events and experiences for our school community, and sharing a plethora of other talents that enrich student lives. Adults who volunteer their time accompanying kids on field trips, attending PTA events, and supporting teachers, staff, students and each other send a clear message to our children that they do indeed have an extended school family that cares greatly for them.

To all those who give so freely and abundantly of their time and energy, the PTSA would like to offer our sincere appreciation and thanks. Whether you help out at school or at home, your support is heavily felt and is producing great dividends.

Thank you to those who could make it this morning in the garden and to CharBeauterie and Launch Espresso Food Spirits - Cafe for their help in pulling together treats for our volunteers!

Time to register for summer reading! By registering and completing challenges this summer, it also makes Shelton eligible for a $700 library grant.

Congratulations to the following Shelton teachers who received a nomination for the Golden Schools Foundation 2022 Teacher Recognition Award. Though none from Shelton won this year (it was a VERY tough competition) this says so much about how our teachers touch student’s lives and how invaluable they are! Shelton Staff continually go above and beyond for our students!
Mrs Oppenlander - Preschool
Mrs Skanderbeg - 2nd Grade
Mr Miller - Kindergarten
Mrs Bierzychudek - 4th Grade

The AMP open house was so much fun! Beautiful weather, great activities and a Kona ice truck made for a great afternoon.

Thanks to the Health & Wellness Committee for a great bike to school day!

Wednesday is sure to be a fun day -- rescheduled Bike to School activities before school + the AMP open house and Kona Ice after school! Find tthe event details here: https://www.facebook.com/SheltonPTSA/events/

Shelton Elementary PTSA The mission of the Shelton PTSA is to ​positively impact the lives of all students, families and e

Almost there -- two weeks to go! Join us a week from Tuesday for our last PTSA meeting of the school year. May 17th at 6pm, zoom or in person at the Shelton library.