Welcome Parents and Guardians! Please initial next to your child’s name.

Teachers Lisa Burns, Special Education Joe Kelly, Science Kathleen Kuvalanka, Social Studies Catherine Stebinger, Language Arts Laura Stroebel, Math Elizabeth Daly, Instructional Assistant Kathy 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.

Mathematics Grade 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 Studies American History I European Exploration, American Colonies, American Revolution, geography, current events, U. S. government & elections Skills Main Idea/Important information Summarizing Note-taking Writing Forming and evaluating an opinion Perspective

Science Skills Development of science skills Inquiry based Scientific process Problem Solving/cooperative learning Note taking Hands-on learning (FUN!)

Science 6 Properties of Matter (Chemistry intro.) Ecosystems/Biomes/Food webs Sun’s Energy: Water Cycle Weather Water: Across/through ground Human 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 Trips Look for permission slips/forms Send in money promptly, please! No refunds, sorry! School policy as stated in Student Handbook Tied to curricula objectives: CT Science Museum (01/14) and CT Historical Society (5/14) Behavior reflects on East Lyme community

Field Trip Reminders Call Homework Hotline for updates Pick up on time 15 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 team Opportunity for teachers to monitor and assess how well the students are applying the strategies Allows for flexible grouping for student interventions Addresses the mandates of Scientific Research Based Intervention (SRBI) for the State of Connecticut Allow opportunities for teachers to challenge students who are ready

Connections ~Connections is a new advisory program here at the middle school. ~Groups of 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 Themes September- 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 All staff will be involved including teachers, custodians, secretaries, instructional assistants, cafeteria staff, and bus drivers. This school-wide program emphasis is to: Respect Self Respect Others Respect 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 Expectations Respect 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 s, team paperwork, & your child’s agenda regularly. (Handbook)

Organization Planner with student at all times Pick day to organize your child’s binder NO 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 school Student collects work from each teacher School day starts at 8: 30 – 7 tardies results in office detention. Subsequent tardy = detention. Band/orchestra lessons: Each child has a schedule Involves homework and “tests” Missing team academics Cannot miss team tests for lessons

s During School Day If 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 desks Have meetings when kids leave Kiva DO NOT expect that we can relay info to your child.

Student Calls Home Not allowed to call during classes May call during non-instructional time or lunch

Homework Hotline Students should be recording assignments in their agenda during class. Homework Hotlines Sea Hawks Spanish French

Homework Requests Vacations during school time cause students to miss valuable instruction & can cause a dip in performance Teachers are not required to reinstruct, provide work, or catch students up Extra credit or alternative assignment opportunities will not be offered 24 hours notice required, even for sick days Call Homework Hotline

Getting Your Report Card Online through Edline  Register and/or update your current Reports are not mailed Paper copies can be requested for families without computers No 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 to activate your codewww.edline.net Follow steps to create a screen name and password

Verify your or add a secondary address Verify your address or add a secondary address

Edline Confirmation Sample from edline:

Why Confirm ? 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 or

Understanding Report Cards First half of comments speaks to performance/work habits Second half of comment refers to mastery of grade level curricula Dips in grades are common as the year and difficulty in content progress

Report Card Comments ACHIEVEMENT/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 Standards 11) Fair Progress/Difficulty in Grade Level Standards 12) Unsatisfactory Progress/Difficulty in Grade Level Standards 13) Commendable Progress/Working towards Grade Level Standards 14) Good Progress/Working towards Grade Level Standards 15) Fair Progress/Working towards Grade Level Standards 16) Unsatisfactory Progress/Working towards Grade Level Standards

Communication Tools for ELMS Parents and Guardians Check Website – for general information, events, special notices, team and/or class informationwww.eastlymeschools.org Sign up for Friday Newsletter for school information & local information Activate Edline & Confirm – for progress reports, report cards Team webpage: /seahawks

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

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

Student-Led Conferences November and April Portfolio presentation and reflection by student Goal 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 6 th 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 Development SMART goals (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Timely) Kiva Activities Student Led Conferences Connections Groups 2. Career Development Interest Inventories and Career Exploration Life Skills Classes 3. Social, Emotional and Physical Development Lessons and Activities Connections Groups

Student Safety Goal: Balance student safety concerns with a welcoming and responsive school and community partnership

Procedures for Safety Use 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 Hygiene Growing up Please monitor daily washing and wearing clean clothes Deodorant????

Celebration Sign-up Snacks and supplies Set-up and clean-up help During party help

Strong relationship between school, students, and families