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Back to School Night 2013. The Best Year Ever!. Welcome to Back to School Night…and the Best Year Ever! Agenda & Schedule. PTA Board Introductions & Meeting Staff Introductions The “Really Important” Things Video from School Board Representative, Jill Turgeon Classroom Sessions. 6:30 PTA
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Back to School Night 2013 The Best Year Ever!
Welcome to Back to School Night…and the Best Year Ever! Agenda & Schedule • PTA Board Introductions & Meeting • Staff Introductions • The “Really Important” Things • Video from School Board Representative, Jill Turgeon • Classroom Sessions • 6:30 PTA • 7:00 Mr. Lyons • 7:30 Teachers in rooms
Our wonderful staff! • Secretary, Karen Wilt • Clinic, Wanda Payne • Technology, Jocelyn Kanner & Tonya Murray • Library, Suzi Blissert & Dorri Bryan • PE, Jason Lutman • Music, Kiersten Dickenson • Art, Cheryl Suitor • ELL, Susan Walker • KG, Diana Cierski & Susan Carter • 1st, Julie Burgin • 2nd, Kim Wright • 3rd, Doug Margarucci • 4th, Jean Wilson & Susan Dennison • 5th, Bridget Votta
Driving Question: What do you want school to provide your child?
And? • Love of learning • Curiosity • Critical thinking • Appreciation for life & its beauties • Independence • Opportunities • Endless possibilities
Who would you be if you couldn’t read? • Different job • May not have be able to cope with/rise above family situation • Talk and act differently • Different spouse…children; relationships, in general • Different home “I wouldn’t be me.”
We’re all in this together! And it’s all about the children.
The summer vacation period corresponds to roughly 1/3 of the academic year. • -Allington and McGill-Franzen, 2013
Volume of reading matters! • Yet, struggling readers are least motivated to read voluntarily. Solution? • Give children lots of books to take home. • Children need to read at home every day, even on weekends. If not, they will fall behind.
School attendance is critical to student learning & development Chronically absent… • preschoolers are less prepared for Kindergarten & up to 5X more likely to have attendance issues in Grade 2. • K & 1st Graders are much less likely to be reading on grade level by Grade 3. • 6th Graders show increased likelihood of dropping out of HS. Aldie Absence Policy • After 5 unexcused absences, Principal holds an attendance meeting with parents and student, if appropriate. • After 6 unexcused absences, hold “6th Day” meeting with parents and attendance officer. (LCPS) • After 10 total absences, including excused, hold an attendance meeting. • Continued absences, including excused, beyond 10 may result in referral to Attendance Officer.
How was our attendance last year? • 28% were absent 10 or more days • 9% missed 15+ • 4% were absent 20+ Goals for 2013-2014: • 10% absent 10+ • 3% absent 15+ • 1% absent 20+
Excused vs. Unexcused Excused – A written note is required every time. • Illness, especially when contagious • Death in family • Medical appointments • Significant family illness* • Emergencies* • Family trip that enhances child’s education** *Require Principal approval **Must be pre-approved by Principal (send me an e-mail) Unexcused – Undocumented, unapproved • Absences without documentation (no notes) • Daycare issues • Adult/parent challenges • Car trouble • Working on homework • Stayed up late • Long weekends/trips, not pre-approved • Mental health days
Student discipline 90% is handled by the classroom teachers. I will be thorough and listen to the child’s story, and I will model respect throughout the process. I will call home. My goal is for students to learn from their mistakes and not repeat them. I always ask for parent support/action in delivering that message.
Parent Portal: Your view into the online teacher grade book CLARITY Grade Book Schedule • By Tuesday evening - Teachers enter scores. Parents enter Parent Portal on Wednesday to view current data • By Friday evening – Teachers enter weekly homework score (2/4, 3/4, 4/4 and possibly comments). Parents check for missing assignments on Friday night/Saturday and have student complete and submit. • Be flexible and understanding. Goal is to promote home and school communication that results in increased student learning. • Help teachers focus on instruction; be prudent with e-mail. When in doubt, call. • Questions regarding scores go to teacher. • Technical questions go to Parent Portal Contacts: Wanda Payne, Clinic Specialist Joyce Shanholtzer, Counselor • Parent Portal support page: http://www.lcps.org/domain/12169
School Board Representative, Jill Turgeon, Video(To be followed by slide on potential Aldie ES boundary impact)
Potential Impact to Aldie ES Boundary • Cardinal Ridge ES, off Braddock Road in South Riding (beside Lunsford MS), opening scheduled for fall 2014. • May impact boundaries for Aldie, Arcola, Buffalo Trail, Hutchinson Farm, Liberty, Little River, and Pinebrook • Letter from Superintendent is posted on Aldie website. Includes schedule on public hearings and work sessions. • If you want to influence the conversation, which may impact Aldie’s boundary, you must attend.
People! • Reach out to us by phone or e-mail. • Always work it out. • Talking helps! • We all share a common goal—high levels of student learning. • We’re all in this together
Minority Student Achievement Advisory Council (MSAAC) • Ensure advocacy on behalf of minority issues within the LCPS Community • Promote parental involvement • Advise the Loudoun County School Board regarding systemic issues affecting minority achievement • Theme for this year is Preparing Parents to be Proactive, Persistent, and Patient to Promote Positive and Purposeful Character. • Aldie ES needs a parent representative. Please volunteer! Sign up in lobby.