December 3, 2024

We hope all of you had a wonderful Thanksgiving break. And, although it is less than 3 weeks until Winter Break, we are making sure we focus our students on learning. But, that does not mean we can’t have fun too! Check out the calendar below for some big EPE events coming up. Hope to see many of you there! 

Here are the winners of our November SEL awards for those showing how they understand how their emotions impact their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. They are also good at helping themselves calm in difficult situations. Congratulations! 

Feelings and Coping Skills: Understanding how our emotions impact our thoughts, feelings, and behaviors and how we can help ourselves stay calm in difficult situations
105	Alex W.	Alex has made enormous growth over the past 3 months. He is becoming aware of his emotions & is using appropriate coping skills to help him excel academically, socially & emotionally!
107	Eleanor P	Eleanor is acutely aware of her feelings. She has made tremendous growth at facing them and learning how she can manage them independently.
111	Niamh D.	Niamh is aware of how her emotions and actions impact others. She is a great friend to others.
106	Victoria A.	Victoria has improved on applying good coping skills to help herself stay calm in difficult situations. She is aware of her emotions and how they impact her whole self.
102	Dylan C.	Dylan does such a great job understanding and managing his emotions and feelings. He is always willing to share his strategies and help his friends. Way to go Dylan!
220	Vera D	Vera is very mindful of her actions and makes sure to be inclusive and helpful to others. She can tell you what she is feeling and will step back and take a breath when necessary.
205	Lilly A.	Lilly is able to take control of her emotions, no matter the challenge she is faced with. She also is always welcoming and has a smiling face in 205!
206	Lilah F.	Lilah knows how to take a step back and a breath when she needs to for herself. Her calming effect is contagious to her classmates!
209	Dzija H.	Dzija is a calming presence in 209. She is a great friend to everyone and helps her classmates remain positive and on task. Dzija is a great WOLF!
211	Fred M.	Fred is a responsible fifth grader who knows when he needs to be mindful and calm. His presence is felt in the classroom positively and he is a wonderful WOLF with a great attitude!
204	Nick H.	Nick does a great job of regulating his emotions and is able to stay calm in difficult situations
6th	Jane K.	Jane is always mindful of her actions and words. She maintains a calm and positive attitude everyday.
7th (227)	Sara F.	Sara consistently demonstrates emotional awareness and maturity, using effective coping skills to stay calm and support her peers in challenging situations.
8th	Jack B	Jack is a very empathetic and kind friend. He listens to his peers, and always has thoughtful and sensitive words to show his Wolf support!

	Upcoming Events: *Here is a link to all key dates/events this school yearWednesday, December 4th: Wellness Meeting (12:40 pm)Friday, December 6th: Mom’s Club Ornament Exchange Party (see below) Future Dates: Friday, December 6th: Snowflake Shoppe (see below)Wednesday, December 11th: Cocoa & Carols (6 pm at Taft HS; 5 pm arrival for students performing)Friday, December 13th: Dad’s Club Holiday Party (see below)Friday, December 15th: Deadline (EXTENDED) to apply for school programs for the 2025-26 school year in GoCPSWednesday, December 18th: Winter AssembliesKindergarten – 2nd grade: 9 am3rd – 5th grade: 10 am
	The EPE PTA will be holding its Annual Snowflake Shoppe on Friday, December 6th! The Snowflake Shoppe is a store that will be set up at school where students can do their own gift shopping for family and friends from 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.  The store will be open during school hours and your child’s class will have its own special time to shop.Envelopes will be going home with students on December 2nd.Parents and grandparents, this event is the best because of its volunteers.  The kids and volunteers absolutely love this event! Please help us with this special day! Come when works best for you even if it’s not the exact time slot – the more the merrier!Sign Up To VOLUNTEER here  Contact Kerri Reuter if you have any questions at [email protected]
	Cocoa and Carols Hello Middle School Families,The annual holiday concert Cocoa and Carols will be on Wednesday, December 11th, at 6:00pm at Taft High School (varsity campus).  All students in grades 6, 7, and 8 will be performing and are required to attend as part of their music grade.  Please see the below information:Date: Wednesday, December 11th.  Students must arrive at 5:00pm (the show begins at 6:00pm and will conclude at approximately 7:00).  There will be a brief reception afterward in the cafeteria with complimentary hot cocoa.Address: The performance is in the auditorium at Taft High School: 6530 W Bryn Mawr Ave.  (Enter on the NW corner of the building on Natoma Ave).Attire: Students should do their best to dress up (dark pants, jeans, skirt, dress, button-up shirt, sweater…etc).  Students may also wear festive winter accessories (hats, scarves, or anything that is school appropriate and holiday-themed).Book: Students should bring a book to read when offstage and not performing. Cell phone use will not be allowed during the performance, and middle schoolers will be expected to exhibit exemplary behavior while we are visitors at Taft High School.Pictures:  Please email a family picture to Mr. Arvan, which will be included in the show briefly during a song.Admission: Free!  All EPE community members are welcome to attend.  Doors will open at 5:30pm (Enter on the NW corner of the building on Natoma Ave).If you have any questions, please contact Mr. Arvan ([email protected]).Thank you, Mr. Arvan
	K-2 Winter AssemblyWednesday, December 18th at 9:00am @ EPEDoors will open at 8:30am, so please plan accordingly, as we will not be able to let anyone into the building before then. 3-5 Winter AssemblyWednesday, December 18th at 10:00am@ EPEDoors will open at 9:45am, so please plan accordingly, as we will not be able to let anyone into the building before then.  Our K-2 assembly will be finished beforehand and you may enter at 9:45am.Please reach out to Mr. Arvan if you have any questions.Thank you, Mr. Arvan
	1. Entrance Exam, December 7th – Registration Graphic*This would be for 8th graders only to sign up for the test at www.nddons.org/register*We have an outstanding group coming together for the ND Class of 2029! 2. Don Madness, November 23rd*This event is for all elementary school students to come watch our basketball teams scrimmage and there will be a shooting contest for students in attendance. If you can share with your ADs or coaches, that would be awesome. Will be a fun day at Notre Dame College Prep!
	REPOST: EPE Moms Club Ornament Exchange Holiday Party on Friday, December 6th at 7PM! Thank you Adriana Sherry for creating this amazing flyer! See it below for details and to RSVP! Ugly Sweaters are required! OK fine, it’s optional, BUT we will have prizes for 1st, 2nd and 3rd place! Hope you can all join the fun!
	Dad’s Club Holiday Party : Use this Evite link to RSVP to the Dad’s Club Annual Holiday Party on Friday, December 13th.
	Chess Wizards Classes at EPE!Check out the flier below to learn how you can sign up for chess classes starting after Winter Break.
	WEEKLY POST: Purchase EPE Spirit Wear: Don’t forget to order your new EPE Spirit Wear. The easy-to-use website can be found here.  WEEKLY POST: General LSC Information: If you are a parent, staff member, teacher, or community member, and you have a question/concern you would like the LSC to address, please contact those people using their emails found here. We are asking those who wish to make a comment or present a question during public participation at the next LSC meeting to complete this form. You have the option to have the Chair read the statements and questions aloud or to say them yourself. You can also sign up in person before the meeting begins