Transcript Harrington Elementary - Chelmsford Public Schools

Harrington Elementary
Curriculum Night 2013
FACULTY/STAFF
• New Faculty/Staff at Harrington
– Grade 4: Mrs. Sullivan
– Grade 3: Mrs. Cote
– Grade 2: Mrs. Kanef (for Ms. Martin)
– Computer: Mrs. Buckley
– Reading: Mrs. Dobski
– PSP: Mrs. Green
– IPSP: Mr. Cole, Ms. Armagost, Mrs.
Boudreau
Great News
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New Kiln for the Art Program!
New Ventilation System!
Security Cameras—outside/playground
Courtyard
More projectors mounted in classrooms—
wireless keyboards added in all rooms
• Additional interactive boards
• Brand new 2nd computer lab!
• IPad Pilot in Library!
More Great News!
• Continued strong MCAS scores
– Parent reports will be send in October
• Enrollment approximately 470, K-4
• Many new and continuing initiatives….
Curriculum Initiatives
• Universal Screening-All students are given an
assessment to determine where they are in
terms of their Reading competency. This is
given 3 times a year. Those who are struggling
are receiving support and their progress is
monitored for a six week period.
• UDL (Universal Design for Learning)—This
initiative is based on designing lesson plans
which can break any “barriers” that students
may face including regular and special education
students.
• Math Intervention— Ms. Anala Guertin worked
with students last year individually and in small
groups throughout the year to support
students in math-this will continue this year.
Curriculum Initiatives..
• Math Benchmarks were piloted last year—
these will continue again this year both online
and paper/pencil
• “Word of the Week”. Each week there is a
new word announced and students are asked
to use the word in a sentence. Each week a
“winner” is selected from each grade level.
The words are displayed in the Cafeteria and
in the Main Lobby.
• Summer Curriculum work was done to improve
our Writing Rubrics and Program throughout
the district.
Curriculum Initiatives
• Revised Pacing Guide in Math to align
with the Common Core Standards.
• Continuation of Study Island Math
Program in Grades 3-4
• Continued implementation of the
Common Core Standards
What is the Common Core?
• The Common Core Standards set goals for
student mastery in English Language Arts (ELA)
and Mathematics. The study of ELA includes
reading, writing, speaking and listening.
Expectations are established for each grade
across all subjects including science, history, and
technology. The math standards emphasize that
every student can be good in math. They set good
math habits and strategies for students in each
grade which include problem solving, persistence,
precision, use of solid procedures and checking to
see if the answer makes sense.
– www.achievethecore.org
– www.corestandards.org
Schedule
• We piloted and now have implemented a
new schedule. Some of the highlights are:
– Professional Development/Data Meeting time
for teachers during the school day without
interruptions to instruction
– Longer blocks of instruction
– Extended Specialist Programs
– Recess before lunch
– Streamlines Specialist Supports—Instructional
Blocks
SST/SPED Referral
Process
• What if I am concerned about my
child’s academic process—what
should I do?
• What is SST?
• What is a SPED “Evaluation”?
• IEP and 504???
• Communication is key!
Specialists
• As a school we believe in educating the
whole child. Our Specialists are an
important part of the education your child
receives.
• Please make sure to pick up a brochure
which describes the content/curriculum of
our programs which include
– Art
– Music
– Library
– Computers
– Physical Education
Volunteers Needed
 Library and Computer Volunteers
 Any parent or guardian interested in helping as a Parent
Volunteer - information will be available …
 In your child’s classroom
 Email a form request to
 [email protected] -Computer
 [email protected] -Library
School
Initiatives/Bullying
• Second Step Program. This is a district wide
program designed to address a variety of social
and behavior topics with students. This year we
have an updated program which will be used in the
classroom.
• Grade Level Meetings. We have Grade Level
Meetings once a month. This month we talked
about a variety of school issues and expectations.
School
Initiatives/Bullying……
• “Think About It” Sheets. We are continuing
the use of these sheets which allows students
who may have been misbehaving to write down
what happened in their own words. This sheet
is sent home to parents to sign and return. If
a student develops a pattern with these
sheets, more discussions will take place.
• We continue to use the Bullying Rubric as a
guide which was developed a few years ago.
This Rubric allows us to have concrete
consequences and expectations. Our rubric is
available on the Chelmsford Website.
School
Initiatives/Bullying….
• “The Peaceful Bus”
• Collaborative Problem Solving Program
based on the work of Dr. Ross Greene
• “Meaningful Mentors” Program
• Guidance Lessons for Teachers
• “Superflex” program
• “Positive Postcards”
• PRIDE Initiative-PRIDE Paws, Harry
PTO!
• Help is always needed.
• First meeting is next Monday, September 16th at
7:00 p.m. in the Library.
• Funds used for Playground Maintenance,
Enrichment Programs, Upgrades in Technology,
and many other worthwhile programs!
• THANK YOU to everyone who has been involved
and helped out!
• [email protected] You can send an email to be put on this important list
Nuts and Bolts!
• Students should not be dropped off before 8:45 a.m.
If you are walking your child to the doors, please do
not cross in front of the buses.
• A reminder that you cannot drive to the front of the
school in the morning—it is also a traffic violation to
pass a bus with it’s flashing lights on.
• Attendance—please call in an absence to our Clerk.
You also need to send in a note when your child
returns.
• Reminder: Students must be fever free for 24
hours without medication in order to return to school
• SECURITY is key! Anytime you enter the building
during school hours you need to check into the office
and sign in. Parents/Adults should not bring
students directly to classrooms. All adults who are
visiting should wear a nametag.
More Nuts and Bolts!
• Communication with teachers—best via e-mail,
especially during the day (last name, first initial
@chelmsford.k12.ma.us)
• If you dismiss your child before the regular
dismissal time you need to do so before 3:00 p.m.
After 3:00 please wait at the regular dismissal
area
• Do you need to update your contact information?
Please contact the office with any new
information and update X2 via the Family Portal
• Harrington Happenings now goes out each Friday
to all primary e-mail addresses in X2. You do not
need to subscribe to it.
Whew!!
• If you have any questions or concerns, please feel
free to contact me. E-mail is the best way to reach
me at: [email protected]
• Quick Questions?
Have a Great Evening!
• Reminder that tonight there will be
presentations and not individual
conferences.
• We will conclude at 6:15 p.m.
• Looking forward to an AMAZING
year at Harrington!!!!
• At this time, please move to your
child’s classroom.