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Issue IV October 23, 2014
Dear Charter Oak Families:
By linking thoughts and determined actions with others,
we co-create an environment of balance. Hmmm… I
guess this quote holds true.
“Great hearts send forth steadily the secret forces that
incessantly draw great events.” – Emerson
I want to begin by sending a huge thank you to our
talented PTO for our room parent breakfast. What a great
way to connect classroom teachers and parents. It was
our second annual event and an awesome way to start the
day. As the principal of Charter Oak, I am in awe of the
wonderfully dedicated group of professionals I work
with each day. We are in the midst of planning for the IB
re-authorization visit. I would like you to know that my
leadership team, staff, students and I are redefining and
setting our aim very high to ensure that we exceed their
expectations. The last year and a half has been spent
working on “the work” in preparation for this visit. You
have demonstrated your commitment, along with the
staff. We have further accentuated what we are doing by
expanding technology and adding an increased focus on
inquiry-based learning in all areas of the curriculum.
We have also had the opportunity, through
our Wednesday afternoon staff professional development
(CSI), to add additional teaching strategies to our toolkit
of instructional practices. At last Wednesday's session,
we were introduced to Universal Design for Learning
(UDL). Mrs. Goldberg, our Speech and Language
Pathologist, described UDL as “a way to look at teaching
from the bottom up rather than the top down. It is a way
to unleash your creativity and the children's creativity."
This is a practice that we continue to develop and reflect
on at COIA. Our goal is to unleash the genius in each
student. We are not adding anything new. We are,
however, continuing to build our instructional capacity to
best meet the needs of all students.
Masquerade Ball
Friday, October 24, 2014
6:30 - 8:00 p.m.
Star Assembly
Monday, October 27, 2014
2:00-2:30 PreK-2
2:45-3:15 Grades 3-5
Red Ribbon Day
Wednesday, October 29, 2014
Wear Red To School!
Literary Characters
Living the Learner Profile
Friday, October 31, 2014
The Globe Charter Oak International Academy
425 Oakwood Avenue, West Hartford, CT 06110 • Telephone: 860-233-8506 • Fax: 860-231-9654
“Together we can and
do make a difference!”
Mary Thompson, Principal
In This Issue…
Dear Charter Oak Families…..…..…………...1& 2
Curriculum Matters................................................2
Curriculum Matters (continued)…………….……3
Masquerade Ball/Mark Your Calendars………….3
What’s Cooking At The FRC?…….……………..4
Welcome To The Literacy Center………………..4
News From The Music Room/Prezi……...………5
Veterans Day/Red Ribbon Week…………………6
News From The Gym…………………………….6
The Fabulous First Grade………………………...7
Town-Wide Cross Country Run………...………..7
Tag Sale………………………………………......7
Student Activities…………………………………8
PreK Applications 2015-2016…………………….8
Gummy Vitamin Collection………………………8
Attachment:
Kids In Divorce and Separation
Election Day - NO SCHOOL
Tuesday, November 4, 2014
Veterans Day Ceremony
Tuesday, November 11, 2014
8:30 am - Flagpole
2 THE GLOBE
One of the most valuable times we have for planning and
investigation is our Wednesday CSI time. It is a time where
administrators and teachers across all grade levels and
disciplines come together to engage in discourse, share
practices and further refine our teaching. As lifelong learners,
we consistently seek ways to bring “value-added possibilities”
to our already thriving community. The IB philosophy for
teaching and learning provides a myriad of ways that students
can meet performance standards. UDL reinforces these
beliefs. It supports what we do best! An aha moment!
We are in the business of developing well-rounded,
socially adept students who are internationally-minded. Our
students understand and accept their role in making the world
a better place, one student at a time. Wow… it is awesome to
continue our journey in the International Baccalaureate
Primary Years Programme.
Summer Writers… So many students wrote letters this
summer; and they are still sharing their experiences with me. I
have read them all and "oh" what exciting summers our
students had! Now, we provide an opportunity for them to
share with other students. I leave each group feeling as though
I have personally peered through the lens of their summer.
Lots and lots of sharing and growing for all of us! Thank you
for making their summers so very rewarding!
Stay tuned…
Please mark your calendar and plan to attend our Fall
Student-Led Report Card Conferences that will take
place on Tuesday, November 11; Wednesday,
November 12; Thursday, November 13; and Friday,
November 14. As an International Baccalaureate World
School, COIA is involved in teaching all students to become
internationally-minded. Student-led-conference week provides
an opportunity for families and teachers to meet and engage in
discourse about the progress of the whole child. It is essential
that you and your child attend. Teachers and students have
worked very hard to prepare to meet with you to discuss
current progress in all areas of the curriculum, and set goals
that will enable continued growth for the year.
Being "reflective" is an important Learner Profile that each
of us makes a priority. We, along with our students, continue
our individual growth by reflecting daily on what we are
doing well and where we must meet challenges. We have
implemented some of the suggestions made in last year’s
school survey. This reflective process, and our consistent
communication and dedication, will result in continued
growth and improvement for our children. That is our
collective goal!!!
The Student-Led Conference will provide you with
important information from your child. You will be very
surprised at how well students know themselves. Students
in Grades PK through 5 will have an opportunity to share their
accomplishments to come. Your interaction and insight
is always helpful in this process. My, how the students
grow between fall and spring. I am in awe as I watch
their individual growth each year! The students have
said that they are happy to be “in charge” of
themselves and their learning. In the end, that is what we
are preparing them for in the world. What an
exciting time for our children! Being an active
participant will only increase your child’s success in
school. I look forward to seeing you; and thank you in
advance for your dedication and commitment to our goal
of 100% parent participation at our conferences!
We consider the school-home partnership a key factor
in helping our students meet with success. This
collaboration reinforces our commitment to doing what
is best for our most prized possessions - our students. It
is awesome to be an educator!
Together we can and do make a difference!
Ms. Thompson
Principal
Curriculum Matters
“Math is about concepts, connections,
patterns. It can be a game, a language, an art form.
Everything is connected, often in surprising and
beautiful ways.” http://mathmamawrites.blogspot.com/
On October 9th, more than 75 families joined the
Charter Oak staff for Family Math Night. Our goal this
year was slightly different, in response to feedback from
previous years. One goal for this year’s Family Math
Night, was to engage a greater number of fourth and fifth
grade students and their families in experiencing math
together. We structured the evening differently for these
students, offering a number of commercial games that
use mathematical concepts and strategies in play.
Younger students continued to engage in “make
and take” games based more directly on math skills, and
were able to take home copies of the games they
THE GLOBE 3
MASQUERADE BALL Friday, October 24, 2014
6:30 - 8:00
Gymnasium / Cafeteria
Join us for a fun-filled night of dancing and
yummy treats!
All children must be accompanied by an adult
Entry fee is $1 per person ( $5 per family)
Desserts and beverages for sale
Gift baskets drawings
Photo booth
NO full face masks or toy weapons allowed
Face paint is allowed
NO costume contest
MARK YOUR CALENDARS:
Parent Conferences
Tuesday, November 11 1:30 Dismissal
Wednesday, November 12 2:00 Dismissal
Thursday, November 13 1:30 Dismissal
Friday, November 14 1:30 Dismissal
learned throughout the evening. The turnout for Family
Math Night substantiates the interest Charter Oak families
take in math, and the importance they give this subject in
the lives of their children. We hope that this evening is
just one of many our families will have enjoying math
together. As always, your feedback is invaluable, and we
continually reflect on and respond to information that will
help us improve.
Research tells us that when families spend time
together, getting to know their children’s level of
mathematical thinking, they can play with math and start
to use daily experiences as math problem solving
opportunities. These opportunities offer parents insight
into what their children are learning in school, and at the
same time support this learning through real life
applications (measurement and fractions in cooking,
estimating how much several items at the grocery store
will cost, or determining how many cups are in a package
without counting all of the cups or all of the stacks). As
children practice important math concepts, they deepen
their understanding and improve their fluency with
mathematical strategies and the use of mental
mathematics. They are also encouraged to persevere and
take risks in a safe and supportive environment, and to
engage in conversations about their thinking. Their
“thinking aloud” solidifies their reasoning, their
communication skills, and when the people they love join
in, their shared love of mathematics.
During Family Math Night, we offered take home
games as well as a variety of commercial games for older
students. The games were selected for their promotion of
mathematical skills, as well as their “fun factor.” A
variety of skills are built through game playing:
perceptual skills, spatial reasoning and fine motor skills,
logical reasoning and verbal communication, planning,
sequencing and cause and effect; number identification,
patterns and counting skills. The list goes on, but just as
important was the chance to interact with others in an
engaging, fun, social setting. These games will continue
to be played and enjoyed in the classrooms during indoor
recess, and can also be found in stores for families to
play. Some questions to ask when selecting games for
home:
Is there a combination of chance and strategy in the
game?
Do players engage in problem solving and reasoning?
Does the game encourage competition, collaboration
and communication?
If you play this game once, will your child want to
play it again?
Thank you for making our Family Math Night such a
success. We hope you continue to find ways to play with
math every day!
Some games to choose from:
*Yahtzee PayDay
*Clumsy Thief *Othello
*Chinese Checkers Checkers
*Blokus Racko
Dino Math tracks Uno
Master Mind Jr. Clue Jr.
Backgammon *Battleship
*Candyland Chutes and Ladders
Cariboo Sorry
*Dominos *Tangrams
*Favorites from Family Math Night
Kate Jerram
Curriculum Specialist
THE GLOBE 4
Welcome to the Literacy Center!
This month we would like to share some information on
one of the five pillars of reading: phonemic awareness.
Phonemic awareness can be described as the ability to
notice, think about, and work with the individual sounds
or “phonemes” in words.
Before children learn to read print, they need to become
aware of how the sounds in words work. By offering
children ample opportunities to hear and learn the sound
structure of their language, we are laying the
groundwork for transferring letter-sound knowledge to
text.
Here are some ways to help develop phonemic
awareness skills at home:
Focus on one sound: Exaggerate the beginning sound
of a word. Ask your child to notice the way his or her
mouth, lips and throat form that sound. Alliterative
read-aloud books and tongue twisters that string words
with the same beginning sounds are entertaining and
facilitate sound recognition.
Associate sounds with a gesture. Add gestures to help
your child remember a sound by associating it with an
arm movement. Mimic the action of a “s-s-s-slithering s
-s-s-snake” or a “b-b-b bouncing b-b-b-ball.”
Listen for sounds. Try comparing two words to help
your child distinguish between sounds: “Do we hear
‘mmmm’ in moon?” “Do we hear ‘mmmm’ in cake?”
Apply letter-sound skills to reading: When reading
together, point out letters in words that make the sounds
you have practiced to help your child make a symbol
(letter) and sound connection.
Adapted from: Reading Rockets.
Some resources:
http://www.familylearning.org.uk/preschool-
games.htmlk
http://www.earobics.com/gamegoo/gooey.html
http://www.rif.org/kids/leadingtoreading/en/
leadingtoreading.htm
http://www.sadlier-oxford.com/phonics/student.cfm
whttps://www.goodreads.com/shelf/show/alliteration
http://teacher.scholastic.com/clifford1/flash/phonics/
index.htm
What’s Cooking
at the FRC?
Did you know that there’s a place at COIA
where you can have a cup of coffee, sign up for a
parent leadership program, register to vote, attend
an Early Learning Playgroup or join an English
Language class? That and more will be happening
downstairs at Charter Oak’s Family Resource
Center. Would you like some information about
your child’s (age birth through five) development
or behavior? Give us a call at (860)233-4701
and set up a time to meet with Robin or Kim, the
FRC parent educators. Personal visits are available
either at home or here at school. We also have a
parent friendly questionnaire called “Ages &
Stages” which can help you determine how your
little one is doing. Come on down!
On Monday, Oct. 27 from 12:30 to 1:30
PM the FRC is offering a “pizza & parenting”
workshop on Mindful Parenting. Our presenter,
Joanna Curry-Sartori, a COIA parent and a
community therapist for the Bridge Family Center,
will be discussing how we can keep our kids calm
and focused and help them to make good choices
by giving them our full attention. Call us at
(860-233-4701) and sign up please. Children ages
birth through 4 are welcome. $3 per family
includes lunch.
Save the date: Saturday, December 6 from
9:00 AM to 11:30 AM it’s time for Family
Academy, a morning program for the whole
family. There will be breakfast, hands on IB
workshops and goodies to take home. Details will
follow soon.
REMINDER
When dismissed, students should leave
school grounds immediately unless
accompanied by an adult, as schools are
not responsible for supervision of children
after 3:35 p.m. / 2:15 p.m. Parents are
responsible for prompt pick-up of their
child if the child is not taking the bus or
walking home.
THE GLOBE 5
Learning a musical instrument is like learning a new
language- it takes some time and work to become fluent. If
you want to become fluent in Spanish, you need to speak it
every day with others who are fluent. The same goes for
music. If you want to become fluent in the language of music,
you need to practice your instrument every day! Students are
encouraged to practice 20 minutes per day and should work
on scales, Essential Elements, Suzuki songs, Yamaha
Advantage and for fifth graders, their orchestra and band
music.
Please contact us with any questions and/or concerns. We are
happy to help!
Mr. Zannoni
Orchestra Director
Mrs. DiDomenico
Band Director
Many Charter Oak students and teachers have been
clicking, zooming, ooooohing and aaahhhhhing. Prezi is
a cloud-based presentation software in which users can
create, organize, and present ideas with highly
interactive and visually appealing visuals. Prezi’s
zoomable canvas helps students to explore ideas and
make connections in fun and engaging ways. Instead of
creating slides like in PowerPoint, users have a large
canvas to add text, images, videos, and hyperlinks with
zooming tools. With Prezi’s infinite canvas, a user can
go deeper and deeper into a topic without being
constrained by the size of a traditional slide. Since Prezi
is a web-based tool, it can be accessed anywhere that an
internet connection can be found. It even auto-saves
projects. Multiple users can edit simultaneously on
projects, making many new collaboration options
possible. There is even a Prezi app for SmartPhones and
iPads. Charter Oak students who are using Prezi are
demonstrating their knowledge creatively and with
enthusiasm!
Craig Diamond
Information and Communications Technology Teacher
News From The Music Room
Our instrumental music program is off to a great start
here at Charter Oak! The fourth and fifth grade string
students have lessons twice a week on Mondays and
Thursdays. The fourth and fifth grade band students have a
lesson once a week on Tuesday or Wednesday. Fifth grade
string students arrive at Charter Oak at 7:35 am every
Monday for our weekly orchestra rehearsal in preparation
for our first concert this winter. The fifth grade band
rehearses on Wednesdays at 7:45. All of our hard work is
paying off as students continue to advance through their
repertoire.
The fourth grade strings have learned how to hold and
care for their instruments, and are learning their first 3, 4,
and 5 note songs. Soon we will be learning “Twinkle,
Twinkle, Little Star,” and then we will begin to read music
for the first time. The fourth graders that were in the Pre-K
through third grade Suzuki program have learned some
new Suzuki songs and have been reading music for the first
time, while playing their instruments.
The fourth grade band students have learned to play
“Hot Cross Buns, Cold Cross Buns, Mary Had a Little
Lamb and Mary Lost Her Lamb.” All lesson groups have
started to read music in the Yamaha Advantage Book.
The fifth grade strings have just finished a month of
review, and are now learning new Suzuki songs and
playing techniques. We have also learned how to read new
notes on new strings, understand different musical
markings, make new sounds, and count new rhythms. We
will formally assess progress at the end of October.
In orchestra, students have been learning how to listen
to the group so we can play together to make beautiful
music. Orchestra students have also learned how to watch
and react to the conductor’s baton. This makes our
orchestra play better as a unit, and also helps us direct our
musical phrases. The fifth grade band students have been
working on new songs and exercises in the Yamaha
Advantage Book. All band students are working on scales,
arpeggios, and becoming fluent at reading music. We are
using the CWLP (Count, Write, Letter, Play!) method to
assist with fluency. Learning of all of these new songs and
techniques takes a lot of hard work, and we would like to
thank all of the students and parents who help to make
every day practicing a possibility and a reality.
THE GLOBE 6
News From The Gym
Please remind your child to bring in
sneakers for
Physical Education class!
Veterans Day Ceremony
Please join us on Tuesday, November 11, 2014
at 8:30 am, as we gather around the flagpole to
honor local veterans and military personnel.
Students will read their writing and poetry and will
perform musical tributes. As a school community,
we will be making cards to send to our troops who
are deployed. Veterans will also be visiting
classrooms to share their experiences with students.
All Veterans Invited:
We would be honored to include any Charter Oak
parents who are currently serving or who have
served in the armed forces to be recognized at our
ceremony.
Bakers Needed:
After the flagpole ceremony on Veterans Day
we will be hosting a breakfast for our veterans. I
am looking for volunteers to bake or send in
breakfast items (Danish, muffins, fruit, bagels,
cream cheese, doughnuts, breads, juice, etc.) After
breakfast, our guests will visit classrooms to talk to
the students. Donations for the breakfast can be
dropped off in the auditorium before school
on November 11th.
If you have any questions, please feel free to call
me at (860) 233-8506. Thank you for your support. Janet Fournier
RED RIBBON WEEK
October 23-31, 2014
Red Ribbon Week is the oldest and largest drug
prevention campaign in the country. Red Ribbon Week
generally takes place the last full week in October. This
year, Red Ribbon Week will be celebrated October 23-
31.
Red Ribbon Week serves as a vehicle for
communities and individuals to take a stand for the
hopes and dreams of our children through a
commitment to drug prevention and education and a
personal commitment to live drug free lives with the
ultimate goal being the creation of a drug free America.
Perhaps more importantly, Red Ribbon Week
commemorates the ultimate sacrifice made by DEA
Special Agent Enrique "Kiki" Camarena, who died at
the hands of drug traffickers in Mexico while fighting
the battle against illegal drugs to keep our country and
children safe.
Charter Oak will celebrate Red Ribbon Day on
Wednesday October 29th and students and staff are
encouraged to wear red.
Our theme for Red Ribbon Week
will be, “Try not to get lost in
comparing yourself to others.
Discover your gifts and let them
shine.”
- Jennie Finch
If you have any questions, please
call Janet Fournier at
860-233-8506.
THE GLOBE 7
First grade is off to a great start! Our first unit of
inquiry is called “Who Are We?” In this unit students are
discussing how our actions impact our lives and the lives of
others. Each classroom created essential agreements to help
create and foster a positive learning community. In each
classroom, jobs were discussed and put into action.
Students have enjoyed the responsibility of having a
classroom job! Here is what they had to say:
Jaydinh: "I like my job as office messenger
because I walk to the office."
Mikey: "I like my job taking down the chairs
because I don't need reminders and I help my friends."
Madison: "My job as door holder is challenging
because the doors are heavy."
Julian: "My job as computer expert is challenging
because everyone forgets the password to Brainpop Jr."
Isaiah: “I like being the librarian because I like
returning the books to the library.”
Cooper: “I liked being the line leader because it is
fun and you get to be first to different places like lunch.”
Nate: “I liked being the caboose because I got to
close the door when everyone was out of the classroom.”
Elias: “I liked replacing the clothespins because I
got to put the clothespins back where they belonged.”
Salene: “I liked being the mail person because it
felt like I had a real job.”
Amya: “I like my job because I get to open the
doors and help people walk through the doorway.”
Yandel: “I liked being the librarian because I got to
carry the books with another student and put the books
back where they belong.”
Faye: “I like my job because I get to pass out
papers.”
Jade: “I like my job because I got to hold the water
fountain to help everyone drink healthy water.”
Pace: “I like my job because the teacher gives me
papers that I can take down to the office and meet other
teachers.”
Students are in the process of reflecting on how
their jobs impact the classroom community.
Mrs. Campbell - Mrs. Griffin & Mrs. Hyland
First Grade Teachers
This past Saturday, October 18th, our school hosted
a community tag sale to benefit the Drown Family.
The event, which was a perfect example of what our
caring community is about, was a huge success and we
collected over $1,200. This could not have been
possible without the help of all the people who
donated and/or purchased items; those who helped set
up and run the tag sale; and those who helped advertise
or promote it. A special thanks goes to these
volunteers: Nanette Paridy, Nicole and Bob Segar,
Priya and Chandri Krishnaprasad, Tracy
Krasinski, Kathryn Litwin, Connie Cyr, Chris
Corrigan, Richard and Katie Fournier. Also, we
want to give a big shout out to our teachers, Dawn
Hyland and Becca Behlman, and to our former or
current students, Brianna S., Michael S., Andrew P.
and Preethy K. for donating their time on Saturday.
Last but not least, a big “thank you” to all of you who
made cash donations to the family. Your generosity is
greatly appreciated.
Janet Fournier and Montse Rich
The Fabulous First Grade
Charter Oak
International Academy
Community Tag Sale
TOWN-WIDE
CROSS COUNTRY RUN
The town-wide cross country run
for grades 3 through 5
will be held on the rain date of
Wednesday, October 29
2:45 p.m.
Sterling Field
8 THE GLOBE
Gummy Vitamin Collection
to help children in Haiti
September 23-October 25, 2014
Donation Box Located in Lobby
Help children in Haiti stay healthy!
Help bring Peace to the World!
Date/Event Time Location
Friday, 10/24
SAIL 3:20 Various Rooms
Masquerade Ball 6:30 p.m. Gym/Cafe
Monday, 10/27
Orchestra - Gr. 5 7:45 Auditorium
STAR Assembly 2:00 Auditorium
Explorations 3:20 Various Rooms
SAIL 3:20 Various Rooms
Tuesday, 10/28
PK Field Trip 8:50 Auer Farm
Achieve 3:20 Various Rooms
SAIL 3:20 Various Rooms
Wednesday, 10/29
Red Ribbon Day All Day
Band - Gr. 5 7:50 Auditorium
Cross Country Run 2:30 Outside
Thursday, 10/30
Chorus Gr. 4 & 5 8:00 Music Room
Achieve 3:20 Various Rooms
SAIL 3:20 Various Rooms
Friday, 10/31
Literary Character Late Afternoon Classrooms
Dress-Up
SAIL 3:20 Various Rooms
Monday, 11/3
Orchestra 7:45 Auditorium
Explorations 3:20 Various Rooms
Tuesday, 11/4
NO SCHOOL Election Day
Wednesday, 11/5
Band - Gr. 4 & 5 7:50 Auditorium
Picture Retake 9:00 Auditorium
Thursday, 11/6
Chorus - Gr. 4 & 5 8:00 Music Room
Achieve 3:20 Various Rooms
SAIL 3:20 Various Rooms
Friday, 11/7
SAIL 3:20 Various Rooms
STUDENT ACTIVITIES
Applications for 2015-2016
Pre-Kindergarten Programs
Applications for the 2015-2016 Charter Oak International
Academy Pre-Kindergarten program will be available in the
Residency Office at the Town Hall, in the Charter Oak main
office and on the West Hartford Public Schools website
(www.whps.org) beginning October 24. Applicants must be
four years old on or before January 1, 2016 and reside in
West Hartford to apply to the Smith or Charter Oak
PreKindergarten programs. Families residing in the Charter
Oak neighborhood may also apply to the Braeburn program.
Please note that you may apply to only one program. Please
plan to attend one of the following open house informational
meetings at:
Braeburn School: Wednesday, December 3 6:00 pm
Smith School: Thursday, December 4 6:30 p.m.
Charter Oak I.A.: Thursday, December 11 6:30 p.m.
Enrollment will be granted based on a lottery system.
Tuition will be assessed on a sliding scale based on gross
yearly income. Proof of West Hartford residency will be
required in order to apply. For more information about the
open houses, please call the Charter Oak main office at (860)
233-8506.
“KIDS” GROUP
KIDS in DIVORCE AND SEPARATION is a support group for
children whose families are experiencing family adjustments because of separation, divorce, or loss of a loved one. Children experiencing separation are often in need of extra caring at a time when parents are also struggling with difficult issues. KIDS join together in a safe and positive club-like setting at school with other children experiencing changes and transitions in their family systems. -For children in grades Kindergarten through Fifth -Weekly group meetings on Tuesdays after school from 3:20 to 4:15 p.m.
-Meeting Place: The FRC at Charter Oak International Academy -No charge -Parent/Guardian permission required The Group is facilitated by Mrs. Colleen Murphy, Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist from The Bridge Family Center. For information and registration, please contact Mr. Chuck Hummel, School Social Worker at Charter Oak International Academy at 860-233-8506 x121.
A program of The Bridge Family Center, Inc.
1022 Farmington Ave., West Hartford, CT 06107
