1. Westchester Updates and Communication In effort to keep all Westchester Stakeholders informed and up to date, the following slides have been created by your Administration Team and STAT Teacher.

2. BCPS Digital Transition A 5 year transformation that began in 2013 and involves a shift in teaching and learning. Digital Conversion for Students One-to-One Devices at Westchester Elementary School Grades 1-3 will receive devices in December of 2015 K and Grades 4-5 will receive devices in the 2016- 2017 school year All students currently have access with their username and password (username and password will be reissued at the beginning of the school year).

3. BCPSOne If you have any questions or concerns accessing BCPSOne please contact Amanda Crabb at acrabb@bcps.org.acrabb@bcps.org BCPSOne has been restructured based on all BCPS stakeholder input. Students can access all digital resources and individual grades through BCPSOne using their username and passwords. Parent logins only allow for the viewing of grades.

4. Boundary Change Process Westchester Elementary School’s population will increase in the 2016-2017 school year as a result of redistricting. To determine new boundaries a committee has been formed to develop and evaluate a variety of scenarios to present to the entire community for selection. School Committee Members include the following individuals: Mr. Byers, Principal Mrs. Merashoff, Assistant Principal Mrs. Noppenberger, 2 nd grade Teacher Community Committee Members include the following individuals: Mr. Tadd Russo Mrs. Allison White Please refer to your handout for additional information and a calendar of meetings.

5. Westchester Construction Update This school year we will be under construction for an addition that includes the following: 10 classrooms Rooftop garden Additional playground Monthly construction progress updates will be available on the website http://www.westchesteres.bcps.org Please refer to your handout for additional information

6. Westcheste r Constructio n

7. Snacks Limited snack breaks are being provided to students who are in school for 4 hours or more prior to having lunch. This includes the following grades: First Grade – Lunch 1:00-1:35 Third Grade – Lunch 1:10-1:45 **Please provide students with a healthy snack option that does not contain nuts or peanut oil. A healthy, safe snack option list was provided to students in grades 1 and 3 on the first day of school.

8. Birthday Cupcakes Must be store bought Please drop off to nurse, in the office by 9:00am on the day of the celebration The nurse will check the ingredients, to ensure the safety of all students, and deliver the cupcakes to the classroom teacher Your child’s teacher will determine the best time to provide a small celebration If you would like to be present please contact your child’s teacher, in advance, to determine the best time

9. Gifted and TalentedAdvanced Academics Elementary Advanced Academics in BCPS is a continuum of opportunities that allows all students access equitably. Elementary School All students have access to enriched and accelerated learning experiences through a responsive model. Daily small-group instructional time is provided with their academic /intellectual peer group. Students are not identified or coded as “GT” until the end of 5 th grade. Please refer to your handout for additional information.

10. We Need You!!! Westchester needs volunteers who are willing to come during the school day and work with children on academic skills and/or assist in the cafeteria. Come get more information! When: Wednesday, September 9, 2015 Time: 9:30-10:00 AM Where: Westchester Elementary – Library Classroom What: A brief meeting to explain Westchester’s need and expectations for volunteers in the classroom and cafeteria. ***A copy of the invitation was included in the Back to School newsletter!

12. Visual Arts: Gina Santos and Ellen Cook Physical Education: Bob Barbagallo and Jeff Walen Vocal/Instrumental Music: Liane Ruppert and Kristen Trumpler Library/Media Specialist: Colleen Adam

13. Guidance Counselor: Stephanie Walsh School Psychologist: Pam Herzberger Reading Specialist: Betty Mondesir STAT: Amanda Crabb Special Education: Mary Lynn Forte, Jennifer Garancheski and Patty Hixenbaugh Speech/Language Pathologist: Chris Klein Physical/Occupational Therapists: Jeanette Curry

14. MTWTHF 9:00 – 9:20 Arrival/ Announcement 9:00 – 9:20 Arrival/ Announcement 9:00 – 9:20 Arrival/ Announcement 9:00 – 9:20 Arrival/ Announcement 9:00 – 9:20 Arrival/ Announcement 9:20 – 10:20 AM Academics 9:20 – 10:20 AM Academics 9:20 – 10:20 AM Academics 9:20 – 10:20 AM Academics 9:20 – 10:20 AM Academics 10:20 – 11:10 Special 10:20 – 11:10 Special 10:20 – 11:10 Special 10:20 – 11:10 Special 10:20 – 11:10 Special 11:10 – 12:30 AM Academics 11:10 – 12:30 AM Academics 11:10 – 12:30 AM Academics 11:10 – 12:30 AM Academics 11:10 – 12:30 AM Academics 12:30 – 1:05 Lunch 12:30 – 1:05 Lunch 12:30 – 1:05 Lunch 12:30 – 1:05 Lunch 12:30 – 1:05 Lunch 1:05 – 1:20 Recess 1:05 – 1:20 Recess 1:05 – 1:20 Recess 1:05 – 1:20 Recess 1:05 – 1:20 Recess 1:20 -3:45 PM Academics 1:20 -3:45 PM Academics 1:20 -3:45 PM Academics 1:20 -3:45 PM Academics 1:20 -3:45 PM Academics 3:45-4:00 Dismissal 3:45-4:00 Dismissal 3:45-4:00 Dismissal 3:45-4:00 Dismissal 3:45-4:00 Dismissal

16. Grades 4-5Time:An average of 60 minutes per day for all subjects combined with the possibility of long-term assignments which may occasionally require additional time. Frequency:Four to five times a week would be anticipated. No specific assignments will be given which must be completed over holidays.

17. Used between reporting periods to communicate student progress. Generally sent home in the middle of the term, but may be sent at anytime and as often as necessary to communicate effectively. Interims

18. Self-Development –SOAR  Safe, Organized, Accountable, Respectful –Goals –Behavior –Responsibility Classwork Policy –Completion of tasks –Participation Homework Policy –Extension of classwork –Independence –Complete to the best of ability –Recess : individual help time

19. Agenda: Parent signatures, notes Westchester Folder/Plastic Folder – check and clean out daily  Decide the best organizational method for you and your child  Email us with absences, dismissal changes, etc.

20. Grade 5 will attend: Marshy Point/Miami Beach –9/30 BSO - TBD End of the Year Field Trip End of Year Picnic – Patapsco State Park

21. Instrumental Music -Optional Pull Out Program during the school day, from September until MAY (I really try to encourage the students to stick it out ALL year. We’re a Team!) -All students MUST turn in the permission form, even if they are opting out of the program (Due September 17 th ) -There are (2) 25 minute lessons per week, which will rotate every other week (For example your student will miss an Academic for 25 minutes every other week. IF there is a test/ test review then they should stay in class.) -IF the schedule is NOT working, Ms. Trumpler is VERY flexible with trying to make an adjustment and working with the 5 th grade team. -Students will have a BUDDY in each class they are leaving for Band/ Orchestra. This buddy is a reference and will be someone to help fill them in on work they missed, and someone they can call for help at home. Buddies will be assigned the first week of lessons.

22. -There are THREE concerts: Winter Concert Tuesday January 11 th at 6:30pm (Snow Date Tuesday January 26) Please have your student wear Black pants/ skirt and white tops Side by Side Concert At Catonsville Middle School (with other elementary schools) Thursday April Report at 6:10pm and the concert begins at 7pm Please have your student wear Black pants/ skirt and white tops Spring Concert Tuesday May 24 th at 6:30pm Students will wear the 5 th grade T-Shirts Concerts

23. 1.It teaches them a skill. You don’t have to be good at first. TRUST Ms. T 2.It teaches them to be a part of a team. 3.They learn Time Management. There’s only 10 minutes of home practice required each day… but WHEN should they do that? 4.They get to MAKE MISTAKES! (Then learn from them, but with no fear of failure!) 5.Friendships/ Working together. They form them. They develop the social skills to do this. 6.It teaches them determination and perseverance. 7.It helps with Spatial-Temporal Brain Skills (it can help them visualize, which helps in problem solving which is a HUGE skill in MATH!) 8.It helps with fine motor skills/ coordination. There’s nothing like trying to press down 3-8 fingers at one time, while trying to sit up tall, move your arm or use your air. WOW. Lots going on. 9.Fun Field Trips. More to come on that later… but Ms. T is trying to plan a Hershey Park trip for the Band/ Orchestra in the Spring… WHY should they do Music?

24. Ms. Bogusz: jbogusz@bcps.orgjbogusz@bcps.org Mr. Maguire: bmaguire@bcps.orgbmaguire@bcps.org Ms. Miller: bmiller9@bcps.orgbmiller9@bcps.org Mr. Pendleton: jpendleton@bcps.org Ms. Weber: kweber4@bcps.orgkweber4@bcps.org Ms. Baldwin: jbaldwin@bcps.orgjbaldwin@bcps.org Ms. Foster: lfoster3@bcps.orglfoster3@bcps.org

25. Let’s Make It a Great Year!!!!! The Grade 5 Team