Welcome Parents and Guardians!

Please initial next

to your child’s name.

TeachersLisa Burns, Special EducationJoe Kelly, ScienceKathleen Kuvalanka, Social StudiesCatherine Stebinger, Language ArtsLaura Stroebel, MathElizabeth Daly, Instructional AssistantKathy Hewes, Teaching Assistant

Language Arts Reading, reading, reading…………………….

Books they want to read on their own Shared Inquiry Book Clubs

Writing Expository/Argument Research Note-taking Text-based evidence

Presentations Multi-media

20 minutes reading homework 5 nights a week.

MathematicsGrade 5• Understanding the Place Value System

• Computing with Whole Numbers and Decimals• Algebraic Connections• Addition and Subtraction of Fractions• Making Sense of Multiplication of Fractions• Understanding Division of a Unit Fractions and a

Whole Number• Classifying 2-Dimentional Figures• Exploring Volumes of Solid Figures(Also CMT prep)

Math Continued

•Homework is regularly given Monday through Thursday.

•Grades are a combination of homework, classwork, quizzes, tests and occasionally projects.

•Quiz-corrections are allowed for 5th grade.

•Enrichment/Differentiation – students work at their own abilities (academy, small group, enrichment activities)

•“20 minutes a night should be right”

Social StudiesAmerican History I

European Exploration, American Colonies, American Revolution, geography, current events, U. S. government & elections

SkillsMain Idea/Important informationSummarizingNote-takingWritingForming and evaluating an opinionPerspective

Science SkillsDevelopment of science skillsInquiry basedScientific processProblem Solving/cooperative learningNote takingHands-on learning (FUN!)

Science 6Properties of Matter (Chemistry intro.)Ecosystems/Biomes/Food websSun’s Energy:

Water CycleWeather

Water: Across/through groundHuman Impact (Long Island Sound)

Special Education

Integrated into all academic classes

Allows for two teachers in the classroom

Special Educator is the fifth team member.

All teachers on team are responsible for all students.

Field TripsLook for permission slips/formsSend in money promptly, please!No refunds, sorry! School policy as stated in Student HandbookTied to curricula objectives: CT Science Museum (01/14) and CT Historical Society (5/14)Behavior reflects on East Lyme community

Field Trip RemindersCall Homework Hotline for updatesPick up on time15 minutes and we will send to After Care – must pay a fee.Already beyond school day—happy to do it, but must respect our schedule

Academy

Independent reading with the “just right book”Opportunity for students to practice reading strategies that are being taught on the teamOpportunity for teachers to monitor and assess how well the students are applying the strategiesAllows for flexible grouping for student interventionsAddresses the mandates of Scientific Research Based Intervention (SRBI) for the State of ConnecticutAllow opportunities for teachers to challenge students who are ready

Connections

~Connections is a new advisory program here at the middle school.~Groups of 11-13 students are assigned to one adult advisor.~Groups meet twice a month for 30 minutes where they complete lessons and activities related to a monthly school-wide theme.

Advisory programs have been known to:

~ Help students grow emotionally and socially~ Contribute to a positive school climate~ Enhance student-teacher relationships~ Promote mutually respectful relationships

with peers~ Improve students’ decision-making and

communication skills~ Create a sense of belonging to school~ Improve student learning

Monthly ThemesSeptember- Team Building

October- Responsibility

November- Community

December- Wellness

January- Goal-Setting

February- Acceptance

March- Cooperation

April- Leadership/Citizenship

May- Friendship/Closure

Positive Behavior Interventions and Support

Positive Behavior Interventions and SupportAll staff will be involved including teachers, custodians, secretaries, instructional assistants, cafeteria staff, and bus drivers.This school-wide program emphasis is to:

Respect SelfRespect OthersRespect Environment

Positive Behavior Interventions & Supports(PBIS)

Research shows that preventing violence in schools involves:– Positive, predictable school-wide climate– High rates of academic & social success– Formal social skills instruction– Positive active supervision & reinforcement– Positive adult role models– Multi-component, multi-year school-family- community

effort

These are the same elements for a positive school climate

More on PBIS

PBIS encourages staff and parents to share 4 positive comments with children for every 1 negative comment.

Students will sometimes be rewarded for positive behavior by receiving a Viking Voucher. These tickets may be used for raffle drawings.

There will also be an agenda raffle to check if agendas are being filled out.

Feel free to talk to your children about PBIS.

Classroom ExpectationsRespect the learning process by:• Raising hand & avoiding blurting

out• Being prepared by having

materials• Doing homework• Self-starting• Stay engaged and take personal

responsibility for your own learning

Parent Support for Expectations

Do not allow sports or extracurricular activities to trump homework.Understand that students will receive general and individual reminders Stay informed: register and read Edline emails, team paperwork, & your child’s agenda regularly. (Handbook)

OrganizationPlanner with student at all timesPick day to organize your child’s binderNO pencils given out by teacher“Box at Home” (suggestion)

ELMS Attendance/Missing Class

Parent notifies school on day of absence. No parent call, school calls.Send in a note upon return to schoolStudent collects work from each teacherSchool day starts at 8: 30 – 7 tardies results in office detention. Subsequent tardy = detention.Band/orchestra lessons:

Each child has a scheduleInvolves homework and “tests”Missing team academicsCannot miss team tests for lessons

Emails During School DayIf emergency or you feel important enough to interrupt class, need to call the office.Between 8:00 – 3:30, our first responsibility is to teach.We do not sit at desksHave meetings when kids leave KivaDO NOT expect that we can relay info to your child.

Student Calls HomeNot allowed to call during classesMay call during non-instructional time or lunch

Homework Hotline

Students should be recording assignments in their agenda during

class.

Homework HotlinesSea Hawks 691-5465Spanish 691-5420French 691-5421

Homework RequestsVacations during school time cause students to miss valuable instruction & can cause a dip in performanceTeachers are not required to reinstruct, provide work, or catch students upExtra credit or alternative assignment opportunities will not be offered24 hours notice required, even for sick daysCall Homework Hotline

Getting Your Report CardOnline through Edline www.edline.com

Register and/or update your current emailReports are not mailedPaper copies can be requested for families without computersNo parent signatures – we are assuming you are checking. It is your responsibility.Report card schedule is online and in weekly newsletter

What is Edline?Edline is the online portal we use to distribute

report cards and progress reports

Provides teachers with an easy communication tool

• Go to www.edline.net to activate your code

• Follow steps to create a screen name and password

Verify your email or add a secondary email address

• Verify your email address or add a secondary email address

Edline Email Confirmation

Sample email from edline:

Why Confirm Email?• Teachers can send out information to the

team/kiva, a class, or an individual• You get reminders when reports are posted• If you forget your password or need to change it

you can reset on your own

If you have any further questions or need assistance with your Edline account,

call Jennifer Berchielli, computer consultant, at 860-691-5520 or

email jennifer.berchielli@eastlymeschools.org

Understanding Report Cards

First half of comments speaks to performance/work habitsSecond half of comment refers to mastery of grade level curriculaDips in grades are common as the year and difficulty in content progress

Report Card CommentsACHIEVEMENT/UNDERSTANDING 1) Commendable Progress/Advanced Understanding of Grade Level Standards 2) Good Progress/Advanced Understanding of Grade Level Standards 3) Fair Progress/Advanced Understanding of

Grade Level Standards 4) Unsatisfactory Progress/Advanced Understanding of Grade Level Standards

  5) Commendable Progress/Satisfactory Understanding of Grade Level Standards 6) Good Progress/Satisfactory Understanding of Grade Level Standards 7) Fair Progress/Satisfactory Understanding of Grade Level Standards 8) Unsatisfactory Progress/Satisfactory Understanding of Grade Level Standards

9) Commendable Progress/Difficulty in Grade Level Standards 10) Good Progress/Difficulty in Grade Level Standards11) Fair Progress/Difficulty in Grade Level Standards12) Unsatisfactory Progress/Difficulty in Grade Level Standards

 13) Commendable Progress/Working towards

Grade Level Standards14) Good Progress/Working towards Grade

Level Standards15) Fair Progress/Working towards Grade

Level Standards16) Unsatisfactory Progress/Working towards

Grade Level Standards

Communication Tools for ELMS Parents and Guardians

• Check Website – www.eastlymeschools.org for general information, events, special notices, team and/or class information

• Sign up for Friday Newsletter for school information & local information

• Activate Edline & Confirm Email – for progress reports, report cards

• Team webpage: www.eastlymeschools.org /seahawks

Go to About Us, Weekly Newsletter to View or Subscribe to Email

Computer AccessStudents must have access to Microsoft Word outside of schoolMust have a flash drive. 1 or 2G is sufficient.Can use computers at Youth Center and Library after school

Student-Led ConferencesNovember and AprilPortfolio presentation and reflection by studentGoal sharing with parents

Student Success Plan Overview (SSP)

The Student Success Plan (SSP) is an individualized, student driven plan that will be developed to address every student’s needs and interests to help every student stay connected in school and to achieve postsecondary educational and career goals.

Connecticut State Department of Education Student Success Plan Overview

What is required from school systems in Connecticut?

The SSP will begin in the 6th grade and continue through high school to provide support and assistance in setting goals for:

• Social, emotional, physical and academic growth.• Meeting rigorous high school expectations. • Exploring postsecondary education and career interests.

Connecticut State Department of Education, 2012

Student Success Plan Overview

1. Academic DevelopmentSMART goals(Specific, Measurable, Achievable,

Relevant, Timely)

Kiva Activities

Student Led Conferences

Connections Groups

2. Career DevelopmentInterest Inventories and Career

Exploration

Life Skills Classes

3. Social, Emotional and Physical DevelopmentLessons and Activities

Connections Groups

Student Safety Goal:

Balance student safety concerns with a welcoming and responsive school

and community partnership

Procedures for SafetyUse the front, main entrance when visiting ELMS

A buzzer/camera system will assist us to confirm your identity and purpose for visit

Please make appointments whenever possible with teams or teachers

ELMS conducts mandatory safety drills throughout the year

Personal HygieneGrowing upPlease monitor daily washing and wearing clean clothesDeodorant????

Celebration Sign-up

Snacks and suppliesSet-up and clean-up helpDuring party help

Strong relationship between school, students, and families