Welcome Parents and Guardians!

1. Welcome Parents and Guardians! Please SIGN IN by initializing next to your child’s name on roster in hallway.

2. Teachers • Claire Artibee, Math • Karen Burnham, Language Arts • Neeley Overmoyer, Social Studies • Glenn PenkoffLidbeck, Science • Ron Alaimo, Special Education • Paula Taylor, Teaching Assistant • Kelly O’Connor, Instructional Assistant • L. Conti, Instructional Assistant

3. Language Arts • Reading, writing, grammar, spelling, listening, viewing, presenting, and speaking skills. • Genre study, Book talks accompany some. • Writing process: narrative, expository, persuasive • Some literature selections integrated with social studies curriculum • Spelling, grammar and mechanics • Independent reading is extremely important, reading logs due every week

4. Mathematics • Problem Solving • Number Sense • Spatial relationships • Data Analysis • Operations • Practice & studying improve skills math homework assigned to reinforce skills being taught

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

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

7. Science 5 • Measurement (focus on Metric System) • Sound • Light & Color • Earth, Moon, and the Seasons • The Five Senses • Human Growth & Development

8. Academy • Reinforces literacy and math strategies/skills taught in class • Allows us to monitor and assess how well the students are applying the strategies • Allows for flexible grouping for student interventions • Independent reading with the “just right book” • Addresses mandates of Scientific Research Based Intervention (SRBI) for State of Connecticut • Gives opportunities to challenge students who are ready to move forward

9. ~Connections is an advisory program here at the middle school. ~Groups of 11-13 students are assigned to one adult advisor. ~ Groups meet twice a month for 30 minutes for lessons and activities related to a monthly school-wide theme Connections

10. Connections Themes September –Team Building October -- Responsibility November -- Acceptance December – Community January – Goal Setting February -- Wellness March -- Cooperation April -- Leadership May -- Citizenship June -- Friendship/ Closure

11. Connections Goals ~ 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

12. Positive Behavior Interventions and Support • All staff 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

13. More 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 are raffles to check if agendas are being filled out.

14. Organization • Planner with student at all times • “You Owe Me” stamp in binder for missing work • Pick day to organize your child’s binder • “Box at Home” (suggestion) • Check Homework Hotline and website • www.eastlymeschools.org/seadogs

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

16. Go to About Us, Weekly Newsletter to View or Subscribe to Email

17. Edline is the online portal we use to distribute report cards and mid semester progress reports Provides teachers with an easy communication tool What is Edline?

18. Go to www.edline.net to activate your code • Follow steps to create a screen name and password

19. Verify your email address or add a secondary email address Verify your email or add a secondary email address

20. Edline Email Confirmation Sample email from edline:

21. 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 860-691-5520 or email jennifer.berchielli@eastlymeschools.org Why Confirm Email?

22. Getting Your Report Card • Online through Edlinewww.edline.net • Register and/or update your current email • Reports are not mailed • Paper copies can be requested for families without computers • Report card schedule is online and in weekly newsletter

23. Understanding Report Cards • The first comments reflects achievement/ understanding of grade level standards • Second comment reflects performance/work habits • Progress Reports are issued through Edline mid-trimester

24. 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

25. ELMS Attendance/Missing Class • Parent notifies school on day of absence. No parent call, school calls. • Student is responsible for collecting missed assignments • School day starts at 8:30 AM; arrival by 8:25 AM. • Band/orchestra lessons: • Each child has a schedule • Involves homework and “tests” • Missing team academics • Cannot miss team tests for lessons

26. Contacting Teachers/Students • Please include first and last name of child and “Seadogs” on all notes • Notify the office of important messages as we will not always be available during the school day to reply

27. Stay Informed • ELMS Newsletter – can sign up • Media Center – webpage has lots of info • Class projects page/Computer Lab • www.eastlymeschools.org • www.eastlymeschools.org/seadogs • Homework Hotlines (860-691-5435) • Monthly Newsletter • Check Student Planner

28. Conferences • November and April • Portfolio presentation and reflection by student • Goal sharing with parents through Student Success Plan (SSP)

29. Field Trips • Look for permission slips/forms • We apologize, but there will be no refunds for missed trips. This is school policy as stated in Student Handbook. • Tied to curricula objectives: Plimoth Plantation (May/June 2014) • Science Field Trip – (CT Science Center, date TBD) • Call Homework Hotline for return time updates

30. Thank you for coming Strong relationship between school, students, and families