Ms. Sarmiento’s Third Grade Class Welcome, Parents!

1. Ms. Sarmiento’s Third Grade Class Welcome, Parents!

2. Somerset Academy Miramar is a TITLE I School! • Title I is the largest federal assistance program for our nation’s schools. • The goal of Title I is a higher quality of education for every child. • The program serves millions of children in elementary and secondary schools each year. • “What every parent should know about Title I” brochures are available in our front office. • For a detailed description of Title I, please attend our first School Advisory Council (SAC) meeting in the beginning of September.

3. How Title I Works • The federal government provides funding to states each year for Title I. • The Florida Department of Education sends the money to the district. • The school district identifies eligible schools based on the number of students receiving free/reduced lunches, and allocates Title I funds. • Somerset Miramar implements a school wide Title I program. This means that all students receive the benefits of our Title I funding.

4. School Status and Testing • As part of our Title I compliance, we are expected to reach certain achievement levels dictated by our School Improvement Plan. • We utilize FCAT (grades 3-8), Primary Reading and Math assessments (grades 1-2), and FAIR (grade K) to determine our achievement levels. • Somerset Miramar Elementary and Middle School are both “A” rated schools!

5. Working Together • Title I law requires meaningful involvement of parents in the decisions made at our school. • How we work together is listed in our: • School Level Parent Involvement Plan • District level Parent Involvement Plan • Parent-School Compact • Title I Plan (School Improvement Plan) All information is available on our school website. The best way you can be involved is by participating in our School Advisory Council (SAC). If you have any questions, please contact administration or our Title I liaison, Ms.Calvacca.

6. School Advisory Council • A group intended to represent the school community and those persons closest to the students who will share responsibility for guiding the school toward continuous improvement. • Referred to as SAC • Required by all schools, including charter schools • Have the goal of increasing student achievement for all students in a safe learning environment SAC Role • Assists in preparation and evaluation of The School Improvement Plan (SIP) • Decides how school improvement funds are spent and assists principal with the school budget • Make suggestions relating to the improvement of the school in all areas

7. SAC Meetings • SAC meetings are held quarterly • Students are notified of SAC meetings by distribution of flyers, parent link notifications, teacher emails and the Somerset School website. • Meetings are usually held at 6:00 p.m. in the Media Center • 2 volunteer hours are given for attending these meetings If you have any questions, please contact Ms. Castillo Working hand in hand for the success of the students and the school!

8. If you have any questions during my presentation, please write them down and drop an index card in the question basket. I will answer your questions via email. Thank you!

9. All About Me • My background • Cuban-American born and raised in Miami, FL. • I graduated FIU with a Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education and ESOL. • My experience • This is my third year teaching at Somerset Miramar. • I have previous experience in kindergarten, first, and fourth grade. • I love to… • Work out, dance, go boating, relax on the beach, travel,and spend time with family and friends.

10. MY LIFE… Family LOVE

11. Communication • Please feel free to contact me with questions or concerns at any point during the year • Class Directory (please fill out today) • Homework/notes home Folders • Class Website:www.teacherweb.com/fl/somersetacademy/sarmiento/ • Announcements – new and/or exciting information • Homework – information for entire school year • Calendar – special activities, meetings, etc. • Making Words – have fun, print out your work, and/or email it to me • Links – educational and informational websites provided • Wish List – classroom needs • Teacher – more detailed information about me • Documents – important papers and useful forms to download at home • Photo Gallery – pictures of your children in action

12. Homework Home Learning is assigned Monday through Friday. Every student must also read for thirty minutes each day and complete the Reading Log daily. Failure to turn in or complete a home learning assignment will result in a “Missing homework” stamp in the planner. Please ensure your child’s assignments are kept in their home learning folder at all times. Vocabulary homework should be kept in the folder until your child has been assessed on their knowledge of the words. Reading logs should be kept in the prongs of the green homework folder until they are collected at the end of each month.

13. Discipline • Whole class: Brownie Points • Teamwork: Candy Bar Points • Individually: Where’s Your Clip? • Continuous modeling and reinforcement of positive behavior

14. How parents can help… As a parent you can help your child by assisting him/her with home learning. It is also very important that you make sure that your child is reading daily. Please initial your child’s planner on a daily basis to confirm that home learning and reading are being done at home. Please provide your child with an appropriate and quiet place to study. There will be an FCAT parent university later in the school year. This workshop will provide parents with techniques needed to help their children prepare for the FCAT, including how to use the FCAT Task Cards you are taking with you today. As soon as the date has been set, you will be notified.

15. Absences If a child is absent, he or she will need to bring a note the following day to excuse the absence. Excused absences are due to: Student illness Medical appointment Death in family Observance of a religious holiday Pre-approved school related activities Please make sure that your child attends school every day and that he/she arrives to school on time. Excessive absences and tardiness can negatively affect your child’s academic progress. Students will be required to make up assignments missed on the day that they return to class.

16. Volunteers • Volunteer Tasks • Friday Volunteer • Room parent – special activities, etc. • Copies • Donations (wish list, gift cards, classroom needs) • Special school events • 30 hours required for elementary

17. Our daily schedule 8:30-8:45 Arrival/Bell Ringer 8:45-11:00 Reading and Language Arts 11:03-11:33 Lunch 11:35-12:03 Social Studies 12:03-12:33 Music ( everyday except Tuesdays**) 12:30-12:45 Homework Check 12:45-1:05 recess 1:05-2:20 Math 2:20-2:55 Science 2:55-3:15 Dismissal *We have library every Tuesday from 10:20-10:50. Students are allowed to check out 2 books within their reading range. **We have P.E. on Tuesdays. Students must wear their P.E. shirt, shorts (without pockets) and sneakers for P.E.

18. Our academic standards… Our state has joined the many others in the adoption of the Common Core Standards. These standards are used to guide our daily lesson plans and instruction in Reading and Math. Visit www.corestandards.org for specific standard information. We use the previously adopted New Generation Sunshine State Standards for Math, Science and Social Studies. For specific standard information please visit www.cpalms.org.

19. 3rd Grade Reading: What happens? Most parents think of reading as something that percolates in kindergarten and first grade. But in third grade, it takes on added significance. That's because students move from learning to read, to using reading in every aspect of learning. Reading suddenly becomes integral to every subject in school, and will continue to be so through college and beyond. Teachers expect third graders to read lessons and chapters on their own and to be ready to discuss them in class. Fluency also continues to be important as your child needs to read most words without having to sound them out in order to understand or comprehend the text.

20. Common Core Mission Statement The Common Core State Standards provide a consistent, clear understanding of what students are expected to learn, so teachers and parents know what they need to do to help them. The standards are designed to be robust and relevant to the real world, reflecting the knowledge and skills that our young people need for success in college and careers. With American students fully prepared for the future, our communities will be best positioned to compete successfully in the global economy. *A high-quality education… should be clear to every student, parent, and teacher what the standards of success are. For more detailed information please visit http://www.corestandards.org Forty-five states, the District of Columbia, four territories, and the Department of Defense Education Activity have adopted the Common Core State Standards.

21. Reading & Language Arts • Guided reading • Whole Group • Centers (differentiated) • Poetry • Individual • Shared / Buddy Reading • Assessments (i.e. weekly story test, quizzes, fresh reads, Accelerated Reader/STAR tests) • *Practice spelling and grammar with your child at home daily. Use home learning as a guide.

22. Writing • Four Square Writing • Six Traits • Ideas • Organization • Word Choice • Sentence Fluency • Voice • Conventions • Integrated (themed units)

23. Math New Math skills are introduced and practiced throughout the year. We do not revisit mastered skills until “FCAT crunch time” so please help your child by checking home learning on a daily basis. In class, small group work will help struggling students and excelling students alike by providing each with the appropriate level of difficulty. Our Go Math series is available online through Think Central.com. Your child’s Think Central.com login information will be forwarded to you. Students will be assigned IXL Math for homework. At least 30 minutes should be completed EACH WEEK. They may choose to explore or practice the skills we are working on in class. I will run weekly reports to check on their progress. Your child has already been given his/her login information.

24. Science This year we will learn about the scientific method as we cover life, earth, physical and space sciences. This will be the first year your child will be responsible for their own Science Fair project. Science fair projects will be monitored and checked as stated on the timeline you will receive. Please ensure that your child has all required assignments and/or materials available to review and correct in class. Please choose a science fair experiment that is appropriate for your child. They will be expected to explain the project in full upon its completion .

25. Accelerated Reader (AR) Accelerated Reader is an incentive based reading program in which students are recognized and rewarded for reading books. Your child should read a book from the selected AR list, available at www.arbookfind.com, and take a multiple choice test on a computer in school. Students should check out books within their reading range. This reading range can be found on the STAR test report will be sent home next week. I have set up a tracking system in class, where students will be able to see how they are doing in comparison to other students in our class. This way they can monitor their own progress. I recognize students who succeed in my class and the school rewards winning classes as well.

26. Reading Plus! Our school has purchased Reading Plus for our students. This program has achieved extensive, documented success in increasing scores on high-stakes standardized tests and in producing substantial gains in fluency and silent reading, comprehension, vocabulary, and overall reading proficiency for students in Grade 3 through college. Your child has taken a placement test for which you will receive a full report. These results will be used by the program to “prescribe” a track for your child to follow. Students will use Reading Plus in school and at home.

27. Scholastic Book Orders • One book order per month • First order due September 13th • Checks only please • Optional online ordering with classroom code • Bonus points for classroom library and supplies

28. More Third Grade Info • Birthdays–please feel free to bring in fun “individual” snacks for your child’s special day, during our lunch time at 11:03 A.M. • Water Bottle – sip top please • Jacket - our classroom can get cold

29. Important Reminders • Be on time 8:45 A.M. – students may enter at 8:30am. • Spirit / PE shirts – order forms • Free/reduced lunch – apply • Dismissal 3:00-3:15 P.M. – East side carpool • Aftercare/Sibling Care • Rainy day procedures

30. Thank you for coming! Please take a moment towrite your child a note that he/she can enjoy reading tomorrow morning. Don’t forget to sign in and check out my Wish List. Have a great night!

31. Let’s have the SWEETEST year!