to Irwin Academic Center’s Beginners Day Program

1. to Irwin Academic Center’s Beginners Day Program Please sign in and take a packet and name tag!

2. Our Agenda • Welcome & Intros- Ms. Toyia Matthews, Assistant Principal • What to expect, Summer Tips- Mrs. Lee, Mrs. Daniels & Ms. Norton Rising kindergarteners go to classrooms. Parent Meeting continues … • PTA Information & Nominating Committee- Leah Zanville, PTA Vice President • Health Services- Shelly Smith, School Nurse • An Irwin Overview- Dionna Bailey, K-2 Facilitator • - Emily Foley, Magnet Coordinator • Transportation - Toyia Matthews, Assistant Principal • Before and After School Programs - (6:45-8:45 AM and 4:15-6:00 PM)- Montangi Blount • Questions/Closing- Jo Shirley, Principal

3. We’re glad you’re here! • Principal: Jo Shirley • Assistant Principal: Toyia Matthews • Our wonderful Kindergarten Team: Mrs. Lee, Mrs. Daniels & Ms. Norton • Secretaries: Mr. Alexander, Ms. Anthony, Ms. McClinton • Dean of Students: Frank Zaremba • Facilitators: Dionna Bailey (K-2) & Lisa Pagano (3-5) • Magnet Coordinator: Emily Foley

4. School Mission Statement Irwin strives to foster high academic achievement and the growth of creative and critical thinkers, lifelong learners, involved citizens, and 21st century problem solvers by providing a nurturing, challenging, and innovative program that engages gifted and talented students, their families, and the community.

5. What Should I Expect? • School Hours: 8:45 - 4:15 • A warm and inviting family environment • A well rounded academic program emphasizing challenge, enrichment and depth of thought that integrates higher-level critical thinking skills. • Math begins with the Investigations Series supplemented with higher level resources. • Literacy uses the balanced literacy framework . • Science and social studies are taught weekly. • Full time music, physical education, art, technology, media, Spanish, and guidance counselor who work with all grade levels

6. What to expect on the first day … • CMS has staggered kindergarten entry. • During the first week of school, kindergarten classes are divided into small groups. • Students only come one day: Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday. Parents will receive notification mid-August regarding your assigned day for staggered entry. • The small number of children makes it easier for teachers to assess their abilities, guide them around the building, and give them individual attention so each child is comfortable. • Classroom assignments will be finalized Thursday, August 28 • On Friday, August 29, all kindergarteners will be report to their assigned classroom.

7. What to expect on the first day… • A warm and energy-filled school with 600 students • A highly qualified and caring staff • High expectations for character, social behavior and academics • A use of technology, innovation and media to engage students via SMART boards in each classroom, iPads and Laptops for checkout

8. Tips for Summer Instruction • Use bathroom independently (fasten own clothes) • Name writing with one capital and the rest lowercase • Build their confidence by helping them to feel comfortable expressing their needs • Practice cutting and holding scissors (thumbs up) • Build independence with zipping coat, opening food containers, cleaning up after themselves • Review transportation for how they are getting home each day • Learn phone number and parents’ full name • Practice tying shoe laces • Practice letter names and letter sounds as wellas basic sight words. Read with your child daily! • Practice counting and writing numbers to 100

9. Let’s move! When called, rising kindergarteners will go with a kindergarten teacher to a kindergarten classroom. Parent Meeting continues … Students will be walked back to the gym at the conclusion of the meeting.

10. PTA Information:Have input – gain awareness – be informed – make a difference • How can I become more involved? • Plan on being an active parent! • Join the PTA • Attend Meet the Teacher Night and Curriculum Night • Volunteer as a room parent, a tutor, an office or Media Center helper • Be a part of SLT (school leadership team) • Select your area of interest to volunteer • Participate in school events, activities and fundraisers • Make yourself aware of current legislation • Stay in touch through muliple communication outlets • Contact us: • Website: www.Irwinpta.org • Email: ideas@irwinpta.org PTA Board 2013-2014 • PresidentDonna Tillman • Vice PresidentLeah Zanville Alan Hendrix • Secretary Beth Himes • Treasurer Perrin Morris

11. Parent Expectations • Being a respectful, constructive member of the Irwin community. • Learning about your school and your child • Being directly and actively involved in your child’s education • Staying up to date with the school • Following school protocols • Providing financial support as you are able • Selecting Irwin for the right reasons:Not for test scores but for the best fit for your child. Is your child … • Able to work in groups • Able to work on complex projects • Generally ahead of peers in some area

12. Welcome from your School Nurse School Health MCHD

13. Role of the School Nurse • Screen for health problems that may interfere with learning. • Consult with school regarding health and safety issues. • Help manage children with chronic medical conditions. • Provide referrals to community resources.

14. Immunizations • All children attending school in North Carolina must complete a series of immunizations. • North Carolina Law requires all Principals to exclude children from school who have not completed this series within 30 days of enrollment. • Immunization record must be brought to school when child is enrolled.

15. Need Immunizations/Shots? • Available at your Dr.’s office or clinic and at both Health Department Locations. • Call 704-336-6500 for Health Department appointment. • Bring Immunization Record • Immunizations are FREE at the Health Department!!

16. Kindergarten Health Assessment • NC law requires all 1st time kindergarten students have a physical exam. • Must be conducted no more than12 months prior to date of school entry. • Schedule NOW if not already complete • No Doctor?? Ask your School Nurse.

17. Call your Dr. or Clinic now!

18. Kindergarten Vision Screening • NC law requires that every child entering kindergarten receive a visionscreening. • Your child’s doctor or the office nurse should screen your child’s vision when he or she goes for the kindergarten physical exam.

19. Kindergarten Vision Screening • Those who fail the vision screening should be referred to an eye care provider for a comprehensive eye exam and glasses if needed.

20. Medications • The school does NOT provide medications to students. • It is best for the student to take medications at home. This eliminates class disruption and loss of learning time.

21. Medications (Continued) • If medications are needed at school… • Must have a signed authorization form filled out by the doctor and parent. This includes all over the counter medications such as Tylenol, cough syrups, and ointments. • Parent to provide medications and refills. All medications must be in their original containers.

22. Illness at School • Schools are not able to care for your sick child. • Child will need to go home if sick at school (vomiting, fever, injuries and infections.) • Provide emergency phonenumbers to school. • PLEASE update as numbers change.

23. Chronic Illnesses • If your child requires medications or procedures at school, please notify the school nurse or staff now, so planning can begin. • Examples: Diabetes, Asthma, Severe Allergies, Seizures, or has dietary restrictions.

24. Healthy Kids Learn Better • Begin every day with BREAKFAST!!!!! • Promote good sleeping habits. • Provide an opportunity for play and exercise.

25. Have a healthy and safe school year.

26. Irwin’s Magnet Paths & Entry Points* K-2: Irwin Learning Immersion*(pending available seats) Other CMS 3-5 All CMS 2nd graders are screened for TD MUST BE TD CERTIFIED (pending available seats) 3-5: Learning Immersion 3-5: Talent Development* Irwin students who do not TD certify continue at Irwin in the LI program, which uses the same resources and strategies as the 3-5 TD program. Irwin students who are TD certified move to the TD track for grades 3-5. Additional spaces are added for other CMS TD-certified students who wish to enter Irwin.

27. What is Giftedness? ~ National Association for Gifted Children (NAGC) Gifted individuals are those who demonstrate … • Outstanding levels of aptitude or competence • An exceptional ability to reason and learn • Documented performance or achievement in one or more domains. (e.g., mathematics, music, language) • Top 10% or rarer

28. Common Characteristics of Gifted Children • The ability to learn rapidly • Advanced ability in a specific field • Highly creative • Long/short attention span • Verbal proficiency or frustration

29. What does this mean for our newest owls … • Today we’ll get a snapshot! • Family’s Role • Commitment to active involvement in child’s work and school life • We are in this together!

30. Sample: Math

31. Sample: Literacy

32. Sample: Writing

33. Support at Irwin • Intervention and extension programs through small group classroom differentiation (workshop) • Lessons geared toward nurturing the Learning Immersion & Talent Development focus • Clubs, Teams & Enrichment Clusters • Tutors, Interventionist, Lead TD teacher • Professional Development & Resources

34. How do we communicate? • School website • Facebook • Twitter • Phone calls & ConnectEds • Agendas/notes • Staff web pages • Progress reports & report cards • Conferences • Class newsletters • Irwin Inquirer

35. Transportation • Can my child be left at the bus stop without an adult present to meet them? • Unless the child is 4 years old and in a pre-k program, they will be dropped off at their assigned stop with or without an adult being present. Please allow 5-10 minutes on each side of the scheduled bus pick up and drop off times, especially at the beginning of the year.

36. Transportation • Changing stops / Requesting a new one • CMS website www.cms.k12.nc.us has a transportation link which contains a request form. • This could take days – two weeks to be approved • Contact the school to verify approval • Please talk to your child about proper behavior in school and on the bus.

37. Transportation • Daycare Service & Transportation • If you registered your child at a daycare service that CMS provides transportation, request that stop in Alternate Stop. This does not apply to daycare vans. Sooner this is completed the better!! • Bus stops • Your child is assigned a stop based on your home address. These stops are consolidated stops and will not be at your home address. • Changes • Written note must be sent to the child’s teacher explaining the change in transportation. Please try to do this in advance!

38. Before and After School Programs Play Spanish & Play Languages • Hours6:45-8:45 AM and 4:15-6:00 PM • DirectorMontangi Blount • Day / HoursThursdays 8:00 – 9:00 a.m. • Learn more or Sign up @ www.playspanish.com

39. You’re Invited …Join us for learning, fun and fellowship! • Multicultural Night Thursday, June 5 from 6:00 – 8:00 PM • PTA Staff & Family Cook OutMay 8, 2014 from 6:00 – 8:00 PM

40. Irwin Academic Center is a great place to start your child’s educational journey!We look forward to starting this journey with your family. What questions can we answer for you?Thank you for joining us!