Welcome to Foothills Elementary School The Base for a Mountain of Learning

1. Welcome to Foothills Elementary School The Base for a Mountain of Learning Student Motto: Personal Best, Nothing Less

2. Welcome! • Amy Vagnier, Principal • Rob Hensley, Assistant Principal We are so glad you are here!

3. Important Sources of Information • Student/Family Handbook • Foothills Elementary School Website • Meet new people – ask questions

4. Basic Information • Enrollment - 477 • Nine weeks schedule – report card assessment • Self contained; heterogeneous grouping of students • Specials provided for all grade levels • Art, Music, PE, Guidance, Library, & STEM • Family Friendly Environment

5. Navigating the First Day of Regular Kindergarten Schedule • Option to walk in or drop off • Arrival begins at 7:00 a.m. • Breakfast is optional at 7:00 a.m. • Tardy bell rings at 7:40 a.m. • Classrooms open at 7:30 • Talk with your child about dismissal and mode of transportation for the end of the day.

6. Bus Procedures • Follow protocol • Confirm routes • Sign contract before bus service

7. Arriving by Car • Supervision begins at 7:20 a.m. at the back of the school. • All cars roll into the curbside, single lane of the unloading zone along the awning. Children exit the car on the sidewalk. The car exits. • Siblings at MRIS can be dropped off as well. • Prepare the students to exit the cars quickly. • Anyone arriving before 7:20 a.m. or those parents who are entering the school must use the front door entrance. • If a child will be going home with a friend, a note is required from both families.

8. Dismissing by Car: Tips for Success • Car dismissal at the front of the school for K students and their siblings. • Do not arrive before 2:20 p.m. for front door dismissal. Students will be loaded into cars at 2:35 p.m. • Talk with your K student about dismissal • Dismissal supervision from 2:30 – 2:50 p.m. All students will be moved to the office at 2:50 p.m. • Walkers dismissed at 2:40 p.m. to the neighborhoods. Any walker with a MRIS sibling will be dismissed at the back of the school with bus and car riders. • If a child will be going home with a friend, a note is required from both families.

9. Start the Day Right Don’t Be Tardy! • School begins at 7:40 a.m. • All students entering the building after 7:40 a.m. will be counted tardy • An accumulation of tardies can affect the student’s attendance record and school truancy • We are lenient and don’t count tardies until the 2nd week of school

10. Lunchroom System • Checks or cash for all meal purchases • Soon to be updated: On-line payment • Soon to be updated: On-line ability to track the lunch purchases • Student choice regarding purchases • Parental locks available • Supervision and Classroom Policy

11. Curriculum Focus Common Core Alignment • Reading/Language Arts: complex text, non-fiction inclusion, differentiated learning, writing composition, accelerated reading • Math: balance of problem solving with calculation, math reasoning and explanations

12. iReach, 2014-15 • Each classroom will utilize 5 iPads for instruction and assessment • Each grade level will share a 1:1 grade level iPad set; Kindergarten 1:2 grade level set • Promethean Boards, document cameras, school computer labs, and classroom work stations will continue to be utilized. • Professional Development in the Digital Conversion Model & integrated technology will be provided.

13. iReach, 2015-16 • Each classroom will be equipped with 1:1 devices for grades 2-3. • Grades K-1 will be equipped with a 1:1 or 1:2 device ratio. • Devices will remain at school, to be used at school. • Teachers will continue to receive professional development for technology integration.

14. Our School’s State Assessment Data • TCAP – 3rd Grade Only • SAT 10 for K-2 grades • TCAP averages in for the final grade on report card • Visit the state department website to view the report cards

15. Foothills Assessment Data • STAR Reading and Math for grades K-3 • Aimsweb for RTI • Kindergarten Entry Assessment and Camp • Formative Assessments

16. Learning Links • Designed for students who are not quite ready for Kindergarten • Pro-active and positive alternative to retention and repetition • Developmentally appropriate regarding pacing and academic content • Backward design model for placement recommendations • Opportunity to request programming

17. Partnership: FTO Family Teacher Organization Julie Whitehead, president Kim Mizysak, vice president Amy Hobbs, secretary Kathy Schrock, treasurer Join Today!

18. How can I get involved? • Visit the school’s NEW website. www.maryville-schools.org. Check out updates on the front page. FTO Facebook page. Always check for calendar changes. Volunteer for special events! • Join FTO. Volunteer to serve on a committee. • Attend FTO meetings: • Initial Evening Informational Meeting: September 4th, 6:00 p.m. • Brown Bag Lunch Meetings, 11:30 a.m. : Nov. 6, Jan. 8, Mar. 5, April 30 • Evening Informational Meeting: April 9th, 6:00 p.m. • Attend the special events • Volunteer with your child’s teacher

19. Watch DOGS Mark Owens, Top DOG Calling all men to participate Kick-Off Event - Pizza Party August 19th at 5:30 p.m. Annual Sign up Event Enjoy pizza with your special kid(s)!

20. Raccoon Romp: September 19 • IS….The one and only school fund raiser • DOES….Provide resources over and beyond …. for the students’ benefit • DOES….Need your help and volunteer spirit • IS…. A LOT OF FUN!! • Thanks to our coordinator, Summer Webb • Contact her if you would like your business donation advertised.

21. Friends of Foothills • Annual Campaign for Business Partnerships • Monetary Donations for Raccoon Romp • Business advertised on the school’s banner, website, & newsletters • Classroom Partnerships

22. Special Programming • Take a Book, Open a Mind, Touch a Heart • Individualized Instruction • Varied Materials • Raccoon Tracks and Leadership Lunches

23. Special Programming • Wired for Nonfiction: Integrated Technology • One Book Blitz • Raccoon Tracks • Leadership Lunches

24. Special Events • Check website often; updated on Friday. • Check out the student handbook • Watch DOGS – August 19th 5:30 p.m. • Book Fair – August 25 – 29 • GRAND Event - August 29 • FTO Parent Information Meeting – September 4 • School Portraits – • August 21, January 29, March 26 • Raccoon Romp on September 19 • Pep Rally • Spirit Week • Romp Day

25. Special Events • Muffins for Moms – October 24 • WatchDOGS breakfast – January 16 • Winter Blast – February 13 • Field Trips • Field Days – May ?

26. Practice Dismissal • Today, please drive around the block and re-enter our driveway to allow the students to practice the loading and dismissal procedures. • Thanks for coming today!