1. Lancaster Elementary School “Unlock the Mystery of Learning”
Welcome to Open House
Lancaster Elementary School
“Unlock the Mystery of Learning”

2. Mrs. Muller (Math, Science)
This is my 11th year teaching.
LSU: Undergraduate degree in Business
SELU: Master of Art in Teaching Degree
2 children
I teach science and math to both classes and social studies to my homeroom

3. Ms. Simms (ELA)
This is my 3rd year teaching. I was a stay at home mom & sub before coming to Lancaster to teach.
Education: SELU Master of Arts in Teaching
Certification: Grades 1-5, Art Ed K-12, ESL
2 Children, 2nd & 8th graders 
I teach ELA to both classes and social studies to my homeroom.

4. This year, our new counselor is Deanna Desmond.
New Faculty
This year, our new counselor is Deanna Desmond.
We are also fortunate to have a full-time MHP, Ashley Tamboli, along with our School Resource Officer, Deputy Troy White.
Feel free to reach out to our counselor and MHP if you have any counseling needs for your child.

5. Internet Resources
Parents have access to JPAMS to check grades and attendance in the student progress center. You will receive a letter from the school board with log in information specific to your child.
Please visit lancasterelementary.stpsb.org for updates on events, student handbook, teacher website links, cafeteria menus, etc…
We also have a link to My Payments Plus to pay for cafeteria fees and student fees.
You can also access Moodle which has a lot of our textbooks online, as well as Typing Agent.
**Pass out Moodle Directions from Erin.

6. Cell Phone Policy
STPSB has changed the policy on cell phones. Students are allowed to store cell phones in the off position at school.
At Lancaster we prefer for them to be in the book bag.
Consequences will be given for use of cell phone, and parents will be required to pick the cell phone up at their convenience.

7. Car Line Reminders
Make sure you have your tag displayed where it can be easily read.
Use the stacking lanes in the morning and afternoon. Please be courteous to other drivers, buses, and staff members.
Refrain from using cell phone.
If your child is serving a detention or is attending morning intervention, please arrive early, as kids will be dropped off in the carline.
For safety reasons, please do not check your child out after 2:45 pm.

8. Math Curriculum Updates
In review of data over the past few years, math has been identified as an area to be strengthened as a whole school.
We are following the STPSB Guaranteed Curriculum which addresses the Louisiana State Standards for math.
This year we are incorporating the use of Eureka strategies, along with traditional algorithms and procedures for teaching new math concepts.
Parents can visit the Louisiana Believes website to review the state standards, along with access to parent resources.
Visit stpsb.org to see sample units and the curriculum we follow.
Parents can also view resources on our individual teacher webpages. For example, the parent’s guide to Eureka with videos.
If you have questions during homework, please let us know by indicating on the homework assignment.

9. Math Assessment Breakdown
We will have between 9-12 grades each nine weeks.
Everything counts as a test grade in 5th grade.
Mid-module and End-module assessments are graded. (Cummulative)

10. Math Assessment Breakdown
We have been trying a new strategy this 9 weeks of students doing test corrections after seeing their grade.
Grades may change in the grade book if their corrections were all complete for ½ of the credit back.

11. ELA Curriculum Updates
State standards and curriculum resources can be accessed through stpsb.org and Louisiana Believes websites.
This year we are doing 3 Guidebook units which are based off of a novel study and supporting resources.
Achieve 3000 is a literacy-based program that we are also using. This strengthens our reading of non-fiction articles and written response to text.
** Discuss the main novels for your grade level at this point. Third grade: adjust with your curriculum.

12. ELA Grade Breakdown 9-10 Grades every 9 weeks 2 Achieve 3000 grades
2 Chapter comprehension tests (novel)
1 “Cold Read” comprehension test (GB)
3 Writing Prompts- 1 narrative, 1 research sim, 1 literary analysis
2 Language Grades (Mentor/Spiral Review
*** 4th-6th grade teachers: Please place the breakdown of the ELA grade here to include spelling, grammar, writing, comprehension, Achieve.

13. Social Studies Curriculum Updates
In review of data in recent years, this is an area that we need to strengthen.
We are teaching literacy skills in social studies with the use of primary and secondary sources.
DBQ’s (Document Based Questions) will be used to analyze social studies content.
We integrate our units with art and hands-on learning.
*** Explain what this means: DBQ’s

14. Social Studies Grade Breakdown
DBQ’s (data based questions)-8 averaged together for 2 grades.
Tests
In-class projects
At home projects
Art incorporation
Achieve Articles

15. Science Curriculum Updates
We are moving towards investigative STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) based science lessons.
Our lessons are following the Louisiana State Standards and are incorporating literacy skills, anchor phenomenon, science experiments, and technology.

16. Science Grade Breakdown
Current events
Tests
In class labs
Science Fair Project required to have a project – not required to compete
New NGSS (Next Generation Science Standards) assessments

17. Curriculum Resources
As you can see, education today is pulling from a variety of resources to address state standards for each subject.
Textbooks are used to reinforce standards, but they are not used as a sole program.
At any time if you struggle with the content or resources, please let us know so we can help you.

18. 5th-6th Grade Online Testing: April 1-May 3
State-Wide Testing
LEAP 2025 Testing Dates:
5th-6th Grade Online Testing: April 1-May 3
3rd-4th Grade Paper-Pencil Testing: April 29-May 3
Please be mindful with student attendance during these dates.

19. Class Reminders
Newsletters are on our website and given out every Monday.
Graded paper folders every Friday or every other Friday depending on the schedule. Return signed by the following Tuesday.
Please sign the behavior log every Friday.
Ms. Simms offers Writer’s Workshop (tutoring) offered Tuesdays during recess.
Homework & test dates are written on the board daily for students to record in agenda.
**VIP folder reminder here. What day does it go home? Procedures for that to be returned.

20. Thank you for coming!
**VIP folder reminder here. What day does it go home? Procedures for that to be returned.