WELCOME BACK!

WYNGATE WEDNESDAY MONTHLY August 29, 2011

http://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/schools/wyngatees

WELCOME

Welcome back to school!!! Whether you are new to our community or are a returning family,

we welcome you to our school. The Wyngate Wednesday Monthly is a publication which will

keep you up to date on what’s happening at Wyngate Elementary School. We publish this

newsletter the first Wednesday of each month during the school year and send a copy home

with the youngest child in each family. Because this issue has important forms attached to it,

we are sending a copy home today with every child in the school. The PTA publishes an

“online” newsletter on the third Wednesday of each month at

http://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/schools/wyngatees/pta

Please make it a routine practice to take time as a family to read and discuss information in

each issue of the Wyngate Wednesday Monthly and the PTA online newsletter. We hope you

find the monthly newsletter for parents entitled Firm, Fair & Consistent: Guiding Students for

School Success helpful as you teach and guide your child to be successful in school. If you have

any questions about any items in this newsletter, do not hesitate to contact me, the principal.

MARK YOUR CALENDAR

Thursday, September 1 PTA Welcome Back Picnic: 6:00 p.m. Playground Area

Monday, September 5 Labor Day (No school for students)

Tuesday, September 6 7:00 p.m. Back-To-School Night

Wednesday, September 28 EARLY RELEASE DAY: Students released at 12:30 p.m.

after lunch

Thursday, September 29 Rosh Hashanah (No school for students)

Tuesday, October 4 PTA Meeting: 7:00 p.m. Media Center

Wednesday, October 5 Walk to School Day: Sponsored by PTA

Friday, October 7 Fun Run: Sponsored by PTA

Monday, October 10 Columbus Day – School is in session for students

OPEN HOUSE for parents in the morning – details to

follow in the next issue of the Wednesday Monthly

Monday, October 17 & Donuts for Dads – before school in AP Room

Tuesday, October 18 Watch for details.

Thursday, October 20 WJ PTA Cluster Coordinators Meeting: 7:00 p.m. in

the Media Center

Friday, October 21 State Teachers Convention – No school for students

Friday, October 28 Halloween Parade and parties – Watch for details

First marking period ends

Monday, October 31 Professional Day: No school for students

Spotlight on Success

How Funds are Used:

We are pleased to share that as a result of monies from Giant Bucks, Target , Harris Teeter, Box

tops for Education, and Safeway funding programs supported by our parents and our generous

PTA, we were able to purchase the following items identified by the school’s technology

committee for use with students in these grade levels for $8270.39:

Kindergarten: Canon Photo Printer, Canal Digital Camera, 4GB SD Card

First grade: 1 Elmo/LCD Projector with cord

Third grade: 1 Elmo/LCD Projector with cord

Fourth grade: 1 Elmo/LCD Projector and cord, N computing system

Music: LCD Projector with cord

Total School Use: 4 bulbs for LCD projectors: “Brain Pop and Brain Pop Jr.

We thank all our parents, friends and community for supporting us throughout the year by

joining these programs and naming Wyngate Elementary School as a recipient . Without

such support and these programs, we would not be able to integrate technology into the

learning program. We encourage all of our parents to join these programs as you shop at the

stores and name our school as a recipient. We need and appreciate the support!

In addition to the above items, we are pleased to share that we were able to purchase an

interactive board for the computer lab with funds donated by a former Wyngate parent.

Pennies for Patients

We received this letter from the Pennies for Patients Campaign Manager this summer.

Our student council sponsors this worthy fund raiser each year:

As you may know, Wyngate Elementary School was one of the 425 DC Metro schools

that participated in the 2010-2011 Pennies for Patients program benefitting The

Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. Wyngate Elementary School generously donated

$371.70! We would like to share our deepest appreciation for your generosity and

thoughtfulness to the local blood cancer patients and their families.

We cannot thank you, your coordinator and your entire school community enough for

your participation with Pennies for Patients.

From The White House

Dear Friends

I am so pleased to congratulate Wyngate Elementary School on achieving the Bronze Award in

the Healthier US School Challenge. This Challenge is a cornerstone of the Let’s Move! Campaign,

an ambitious initiative to solve the childhood obesity epidemic within a generation. Our schools

are on the frontlines in this effort, and your participation in the Healthier USSchool Challenge is

fundamental to helping solve the problem of childhood obesity.

As winner of the Bronze Award, Wyngate Elementary School is among the very best of the best,

going above and beyond the minimum requirements to help ensure your students live full and

active lives. The environment you and your team have created through education, nutritious

food and beverage choices, and opportunities for physical activity will help your students learn

how to make healthy choices now and for years to come. This is an extraordinary accomplishment,

and you should all be incredibly proud of what you have achieved. As leaders in this effort, I hope

you will reach out to other schools and offer your expertise and advice-and be sure to keep

reaching for the gold!

Our strength as a Nation and our ability to responsibly shape our future depends on tackling

childhood obesity, and I am inspired by the work you are all doing to help realize the promise of a

brighter, healthier tomorrow for our children.

Sincerely,

Michelle Obama

PTA PICNIC

The PTA Welcome Picnic will be held this Thursday, September 1, starting at 6:00 PM, weather

permitting. Bring your blanket, food and drinks to the playground and meet old friends and

make new friends. The PTA will provide popsicles and hold a raffle.

HEALTH ROOM SUPPORT

We are pleased to share that the Montgomery County Department of Health and Human

Services, School Health Services is returning the same school community health nurse and

health room aide to our school this year.

Anne Denicoff, SCHN

Eileen Hubbard, SHRA

They reported to our school last week to prepare for the students’ return and to participate in

training in our health room. We encourage parents of students with health concerns to discuss

them with our nurse or health room aide when they come to school or call them during school

hours.

The State of Maryland Education Law 7-403 requires school children to have their hearing and

vision screened. The law requires students new to Montgomery County Public Schools and

students in kindergarten, Grade 1 and Grade 8, who do not have evidence of hearing and vision

testing within the past year, to have their hearing and vision screened. The screening dates for

our school are May 1 and 2, 2012.

SCHOOL FEES, SUPPLIES

Students will not be asked to pay for or provide textbooks, supplementary readers, most

materials of instruction, audio-visual aids, stationery items not commonly found in the home

and required for the student to demonstrate mastery of course objectives, or building or office

materials needed to operate schools.

Students may be asked to pay for materials of instruction that primarily fit into three categories

as follows:

Items eaten by students as part of the course ( example: bread baking ingredients

Component parts of a product that will become student property

Materials of instruction or items of personal use that become the property of the student

(example: recorder)

Students are still expected to bring individual organizational tools and personal supplies from

home. In addition, there are student fees which are not course–related but local school

decisions made by the principal in collaboration with the school and parent leadership. These

may include fees for class snacks, special grade-level assemblies, etc. There also may be fees

related to field trips, but these will be shared each time there is a trip and not in advance as a

school fee.

We are committed to providing all students, regardless of their economic circumstances, with

full access to the instructional program. If you need assistance for any requested expense, or

with providing the organizational tools and personal supplies, please contact your child’s

teacher, our counselor, our assistant principal or me.

Parent donations of items that enhance the classroom experience are still welcomed, either as

donations from individual parents or organized by class parents or by the PTA. A list of these

items is attached to the school supply letter and clearly titled, Voluntary Parent Donations. They

are not required donations and no student will be expected to provide these items, but if you

care to contribute, it will be appreciated.

DISCIPLINE POLICY

A copy of Wyngate’s Discipline Policy is attached to this newsletter. Please go over the policy

with your child and send the completed form attached to the policy to your child’s homeroom

teacher.

SCHOOL IMPROVEMENT PLAN

Last April, Wyngate staff and parents worked diligently one afternoon to develop our plan for

school improvement and student achievement for the 2011-2012 school year. Additionally,

information from the student and parent questionnaires was studied and used as a basis for the

development of tasks designed to improve our practices in the school. The selected objectives

(“draft”) are as follows. The first quarter review meeting to assess progress will be held on

Monday, November 14 at 3:15 PM. Parents who would like to join the staff at this meeting are

asked to contact Ms. Lamb.

Although we will continue to strive to achieve annually and will collect and review the data

on the following goal, we believe our school practices are such in reading and math that we

can focus on one academic goal as a school, namely to improve student writing this school

year.

•All students will be on or above grade level in reading and mathematics. All grade three, four and five

students will meet the target set by the state on the Maryland State Assessments and grade two students

will meet the MCPS target for TN/2. All special education and ESOL students will meet the annual

yearly progress targets assigned by the state of Maryland.

OPEN HOUSE

We want to thank all of our PTA volunteers for their help in making last Friday morning and

afternoon Open Houses fun and informative events. Students and parents had an opportunity

to visit the classrooms, meet the teachers, and learn line-up procedures for the school year.

Parents were also able to sign up for the SNAP program in the cafeteria. All of the open house

activities resulted in a more orderly first day for students and teachers, and no doubt less

student anxiety on the first day!

PARKING LOT PROCEDURES

Several years ago, in response to our concerns about safety and congestion in the parking lot,

the school system sent a representative from the safety office to observe the traffic in the

morning and afternoon. It was determined that the congestion and problems were caused by

drivers not following the designated procedures. As the school year begins, we would like to

outline those procedures for any parents who may not be familiar with them. It is important

for parents to share these guidelines with grandparents or others who may pick their

children up after school.

Because our parking lot is so small, parents are encouraged to use the bus service for their

children where it is available to alleviate congestion in the parking lot and on Wadsworth Ave.

Additionally, parents are encouraged to have their children walk to

school if they believe that it is safe to do so and the child or children are sufficiently responsible.

Students may also ride their bicycle to school; however, it is wise to use a lock.

Private cars are permitted in the parking lot at all hours. Parents may use the parking lot “Kiss

and Drop” area to drop off and pick up their children before and after school.

Parents who drive into the parking lot to drop off their children in the morning should follow

the line of vehicles and allow their children to exit the curb side of the vehicle at the “Kiss and

Drop” area. The children should get out promptly, and the parents should proceed out of the

parking lot. At dismissal, students who are being picked up by parents will be dismissed to

wait at the “Kiss and Drop” point.

Drivers must remain in their vehicles in the “Kiss and Drop” area. Parents who wish to walk

their children to the line-up areas or meet their children at the school doors in the afternoon

must park their cars in parking spaces either in the parking lot or on the street. Under no

circumstances should a parent or driver park and leave their vehicle in the “Kiss and Drop”

area. (The license number of cars parked illegally at the curb will be given to our school police

officer.)

Students arriving by car each day should plan to arrive at school no later than 8:45 a.m. If the

line of cars into the parking lot is long, parents should let their children out on Wadsworth

Drive or park their vehicles and walk their children to school on the sidewalk.

If parents come to school for a conference with a teacher or on other business, they should park

in a parking space in the lot or on Wadsworth Drive.

BY ORDER OF THE FIRE MARSHALL, PRIVATE VEHICLES ARE NOT PERMITTED AT

ANY TIME IN THE CIRCULAR DRIVE DESIGNATED FOR BUSES IN FRONT OF THE

SCHOOL.

While all of us have busy lives and have many demands on our time, it is important that we

model appropriate behavior for all children by displaying courtesy and adhering to the

standards of safety in the parking lot.

We anticipate that all parking spaces in the front of the school will be needed for Wyngate staff

beginning in late December or early January, as the back parking lot will be used for

construction vehicles. Therefore, parents and visitors will need to park on the street.

STUDENT SAFETY

Each morning and afternoon, staff members will monitor students in getting on and off the

buses, ensuring that students enter the building and line up in appropriate areas and conduct

themselves in an orderly fashion. Wyngate Safety Patrols will also be assigned to specific areas

to help and remind students of good safety practices.

CROSSING GUARDS

We will continue to have a crossing guard in front of the school on a regular basis. From time to

time there may not be a crossing guard at Wilmett and Wadsworth. The county has too few

crossing guards, and when a guard is absent from a high traffic crossing, the police department

must “pull” a crossing guard from another location, such as Wilmett and Wadsworth. This

should be only an occasional occurrence.

ATTENDANCE POLICY – PLEASE NOTE

According to information provided to us by the MCPS Department of Reporting and

Regulatory Accountability, the following procedures are now in effect regarding absence and

tardy reporting:

•Students who arrive at school more than two hours late will be recorded

as absent for a half day.

•Students who leave more than two hours early will be recorded as absent

for a half day.

•Students who are absent from school for more than two hours during the

school day will be recorded as absent for a half day.

This change reflects the importance of instructional time.

NON-CUSTODIAL PARENT REQUEST FOR SCHOOL-RELATED INFORMATION

As you know, parents who do not have custody of their children are entitled to receive copies of

report cards, school newsletters, interim reports and other information that pertains to the

child’s education and is routinely sent to or is available to the parent who has custody.

Requests for this information must be made in writing to the principal each year by the non-

custodial parent and should include the non-custodial parent’s name, address, and type of

information desired. When the principal receives such a request, the custodial parent will be

notified by the principal. At that time it is important that the custodial parent provide the

principal with a copy of the legally binding document which says that the non-custodial parent

may not have access to school-related information, if such a document exists.

Even if you were on our mailing last year, you will need to make a new request for the

current school year. We ask that you provide the school with a check in the amount of $10.00 to

cover the cost of postage.

TEASING, BULLYING, HARASSMENT, INTIMIDATION

As a school staff, we teach students to be kind, courteous and respectful of other students and

adults in the school, on the playground and on the school bus. On a regular basis, when a

student reports teasing to his or her teacher, the teacher acts promptly by meeting with the

students involved and if appropriate involve the school counselor. On the playground, the

aides, when they observe teasing, send the students to the office to meet with a principal to

resolve any issues and terminate any future teasing. However, we need to hear from parents

and get their assistance to curb teasing. Parents are asked to contact their child’s teacher if the

teasing occurs in the classroom and to contact the principal if the teasing is happening

during recess.

Bullying and intimidation are less typical actions in an elementary school, because of the closely

supervised students at play and because of the age of our students. But, if such a situation

occurs, parents should notify the principal. Parents may also complete MCPS Form 230.5

Bullying, Harassment, or Intimidation Reporting Form.

BACK- TO- SCHOOL NIGHT

Once again this year, we have scheduled Back-to-School Night early in the school year. It will

take place on Tuesday evening, September 6 for parents of all Wyngate students. (Please note:

We do not have the room for students to attend.) Please do mark your calendars noting this

important event. We are looking forward to meeting you and the teachers have planned an

informative agenda.

7:00-7:10 Join PTA, refreshments

7:10 – 7:50 Presentation by grade one ,grade two and grade three teams

Grade one teachers will present in their classrooms

Grade two team will present in the all purpose room

Grade three team will present in the gym

GT/LD teacher will present in her classroom

Parents of kindergarten, grade four, and grade five students may tour the building and

classrooms as well as meet the Physical Education teachers (Ms. Moran and our new part time

physical education teacher for kindergarten and a first grade class) in the staff lounge; the art

teachers (Ms. Neubold’s substitute and Ms. Crandall) in the art room; the music teachers (Ms.

Wasserstrom and Ms. Johnson) in the music room; the instrumental music teacher (Ms.

Borsum) in the computer lab, the resource teacher (Ms. Rouse) in the resource room; the speech

and language pathologist (Ms. Goldberg) in the speech room; the media specialist (Ms.

Bowman) and media assistants (Ms. Marshall and Ms. Marsden) in the media center; the ESOL

teacher (Ms. Jefferson) in the ESOL room; and the reading specialist (Ms. Pottker) in the

reading room.

8:00- 8:40 Presentation by kindergarten, grade four and grade five

Kindergarten teachers will present in their classrooms.

Grade four team will present in the all purpose room

Grade five team will present in the gym.

Parents of grade one, grade two, and grade three students may tour the building and

classrooms as well as meet the Physical Education teachers (Ms. Moran and our new part time

physical education teacher for kindergarten and a first grade class) in the staff lounge; the art

teachers (Ms. Neubold’s substitute and Ms. Crandall) in the art room; the music teachers (Ms.

Wasserstrom and Ms. Johnson) in the music room; the instrumental music teacher (Ms. Borsum)

in the computer lab, the resource teacher (Ms. Rouse) in the resource room; the speech and

language pathologist (Ms. Goldberg) in the speech room; the media specialist (Ms. Bowman)

and media assistants (Ms. Marshall and Ms. Marsden) in the media center; the ESOL teacher

(Ms. Jefferson) in the ESOL room; and the reading specialist (Ms. Pottker) in the reading room.

LUNCH

The recess and lunch schedule for this year is as follows:

11:00 - 12:00 Grade 1

11:30 - 12:30 Kindergarten

12:00 - 1:00 Grades 3 and 4

12:30 - 1:30 Grades 2 and 5

Students order their lunch each morning by 9:00 a.m. Students have three choices for lunch

each day. We normally send home the monthly menu with the newsletter. Lunch for students

is $2.50. Milk may be purchased for $.60. It is possible to purchase milk or juice separately.

Parents have the option of sending a lunch to school with their

children, sending money (correct change, please) with their children, or putting money in each

child’s SNAP account.

The SNAP program was implemented a number of years ago. Each student has a PIN number,

which the student must learn. This PIN number does not change, and the account can be

moved with the student if the student moves within the school system, and naturally, this

money carries over from year to year.

We encourage parents to put money in their children’s SNAP account even if the child normally

brings lunch to school. This eliminates the problems that occur when a child forgets his or her

lunch or forgets to bring money to school. Students normally eat only one lunch. If you want

your child to purchase two lunches, please send a note stating the same to the cafeteria

manager and ensure that there is sufficient money in the account.

Each week, the cafeteria manager sends home a letter with students who need additional funds

in their lunch account. If a student orders lunch, but does not have sufficient funds in his or her

account, they receive a lunch, but we have the student place a call to inform their parents that

they received a lunch , but had no funds. In an effort to avoid having the cafeteria working

without funds, each week the cafeteria manager this year will provide the office with the names

of students who have insufficient funds in their lunch account for follow-up.

Starting this evening, parents are encouraged to develop daily evening routines with their

children that result in each child being prepared for school, which includes decisions about

lunch for the next day.

The lunch menu for the balance of the week is:

Tuesday, August 30, 2011

Personal pizza: cheese or pepperoni

Or

Turkey and mashed potatoes, gravy and dinner roll

Or

Peanut butter and jelly Snackable, Cheese pocket, or Yogurt

Wednesday, August 31, 2011

Soft or Crunchy Taco, with corn and shredded cheese

Or

Baked Chicken Patty Sandwich with Seasoned potatoes

Or

Peanut butter and jelly Snackable, Cheese pocket, or Yogurt

Thursday, September 1, 2011

Chicken Nuggets with green beans and dinner roll

Or

BBQ Pork Sandwich on Bun with Tater Tots

Or

Peanut butter and jelly Snackable, Cheese pocket, or Yogurt

Friday, September 2, 2011

Pizza Wedge: Pepperoni or Cheese

Or

Morningstar Chik’n Nuggets with Baked Beans and dinner roll

Or

Peanut butter and jelly Snackable, Cheese pocket, or Yogurt

The August-September menu will be available on the following web page:

www.mcps.k12. us/departments/foodserv/

WHAT HAPPENS IF MY CHILD FORGETS TO BRING A LUNCH?

Each morning, we have morning announcements at 9:00 a.m. Once the announcements have

been made, we do not use the public address system to call into classrooms, as its use is very

disruptive to instruction. Therefore, if your child forgets his or her lunchbox and you want to

bring it to school, it is best if you do so right before his or her lunchtime. Another suggestion is

to maintain sufficient money is his or her SNAP account, which will allow your child to buy

lunch on the day he or she forgets to bring lunch.

SCHOOL HOURS

8:00 School Office opens (Secretary normally available to answer phone)

8:20 Teachers arrive in building

8:50 Students enter building (first bell)

8:55 Classes begin (last bell). Students arriving after this bell are tardy. They

must report to the school office and sign in before proceeding to class.

3:05 Students dismissed

3:55 End of day for teachers

4:25 School office closes

SIGN IN AND OUT AT THE OFFICE

To ensure safety and security for the children, all parent and visitors to the school must sign in

at the office. Children who arrive late must stop in the office, sign in, and obtain a tardy slip

before going on to their class. Parents who need to take a child out of school for an

appointment are asked to sign him or her out in the office. All students must enter school

through the front door of the school to access classrooms.

STUDENT ABSENCE

If your child will be absent or late for school, please call and notify the school office at 301-571-

6979 by 9:00 a.m. If the office is not open when you call, you may leave a message on the

answering machine.

Students who are absent from school are expected upon their return to bring a note from a

parent explaining the reason for absence, as teachers must record this reason in the register of

attendance. Absence from school, including absence for any portion of the day, by State

regulation is considered lawful (excused) only under the following conditions: death in the

immediate family, illness of the child, quarantine, court summons, violent storms, observance of

religious holiday or for a state emergency.

If your child is to go home for lunch and will not be returning for the afternoon session, please

notify the office.

IMPORTANT FORMS

Attached to this newsletter are a number of important forms. Please take time to fill them out

and return them as soon as possible:

Yellow Emergency Sheet and Yellow Emergency Half-Sheet. The yellow full-page form is

needed for the school master file and our Health Room. Please check all preprinted items for

accuracy and add the additional information requested on both the front and back of the sheet.

The yellow half-sheet form will be used by our office staff to contact parents. These forms

should be returned to the school as early as possible. Please do not delay—we must have this

information in case we need to reach you concerning your child.

Green Emergency Questionnaire. This information is needed in the event of an unannounced

emergency closing of school due to heavy snow, boiler failure, excessive heat, etc. No child

will be dismissed unless we are sure that he or she knows where to go in the event that you are

not at home. Please make arrangements for your child that do not require the office staff to

contact you by phone. Please make sure the information on this form is complete and kept up

to date.

Directory Withholding Form. This information must be returned to the school by September 9,

2011. Please read this form carefully.

This evening, please discuss with your child what he or she should do if there is an emergency

school closing. Although you will complete the attached Emergency School Closing form with

this information, we will not have the information from all parents compiled for several days.

Therefore, it is essential that your child knows what to do in the event that an early closing

occurs in the first few weeks of school. We believe it is important to be prepared, just in case.

PEDICULOSIS PREVENTION

As the school year begins, we want to ask for your cooperation in identifying and preventing

the spread of head lice this school year. Head lice exist where there are children and can readily

spread in a group situation unless proper measures are taken. The following steps will help us

work together to address this problem.

INSPECT: Please inspect your child for head lice and their eggs (nits) regularly throughout the

year. Nits are most often found on hairs at the nape of the neck and behind the ears. Nits are

yellowish, gray or white in color, 0.8mm long, and are attached to hairs close to the scalp.

TREAT: If you identify head lice or nits on your child at any time, consult your private source

of health care for advice about using a special over-the-counter medicated cream rinse or

shampoo. Pets are not human head lice carriers and therefore, do not need to be treated. The

school nurse is available to answer questions or provide referrals for health care.

ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROLS: Articles such as combs, towels or hats should not be

shared. Wash lice-exposed clothes, towels and bed linens in hot water and dry at a high

temperature for twenty minutes. Clothing and toys which cannot be washed should be sealed

in a plastic bag for at least ten days. Disinfect combs and brushes by soaking them in medicated

shampoo, or very hot soapy water. Vacuum carpets, upholstery, pillows and mattresses. Damp

wipe all surfaces to remove loose hair that may have attached nits and dispose of the cleaning

cloth. Fumigation is not more effective than vacuuming. It is not only costly, but also needless

exposure to insecticide.

NOTIFICATION: If you discover your child has head lice, please call the health technician,

Eileen Hubbard, so that necessary precautions may be taken to prevent the

spread of the infestation. Every effort will be made to protect the confidentiality of your call. If

head lice become a problem at school, we may need to consider classroom inspection. This will

be done by the school nurse and the health technician.

If you have questions, please call Mrs. Eileen Hubbard, our Health Technician, at

301-571-6979. Let us have a head lice free year!

SUPERVISION OF LUNCH AND RECESS

Ms. Gayle Donovan, Ms. Jan Truitt, Mr. Christopher Bull, Ms. Adeleh Dadpay,

Ms. Laurie Hochheimer, Ms. Penny Hess and Ms. Surat Pierce will supervise and assist our

Wyngate students during their lunch and at recess on the playground.

Kindergarten and first grade students will use the blacktop and field adjacent to the

building on a regular basis for play at recess. Grades two, three, four and five will rotate the

use of the blacktop and field beyond the portables each week to provide the opportunity for all

students to use the blacktop for a variety of games. Student

service club members are responsible for taking the recess wagons and equipment to and from

the playground areas. However all students are responsible for returning the equipment to the

containers at the end of recess, as well as expected to use the equipment appropriately.

GRADING AND REPORTING

In accordance with the grading and reporting policy in the Montgomery County Public Schools

(MCPS), at Back-To-School Night, teachers will give you specific information about grading in

their classrooms. During the year, we will continue to communicate with you about student

performance in many ways. Teachers will use report cards, conferences, progress reports,

phone calls, e-mail, and/or send notes home to keep you up to date on your child’s performance

in school.

As we continue with the implementation of standards-based grading and continue to

implement the revised policy, we encourage you to continue to talk to your children’s teachers

about any specific questions you have about their grades. We know, however, there will be

general questions about the grading policy and procedures. If you have any general questions

about the grading policy or the procedures, please contact the principal.

We look forward to a productive school year as we continue to implement procedures to ensure

consistent, accurate and fair grading that will have a positive effect on learning.

ROUTINES AND SCHEDULES START THE YEAR RIGHT

The start of a new school year is exciting, but it means that families need to make some

adjustments from summer. Here are some suggestions from The Parent Institute to get your

family back into a school routine.

Set the rules. Make sure your children know what you expect now that they are back in school.

Set a specific time to do homework. Enforce rules for TV watching. Set aside some time each

day for reading. This time can be increased on days that your child does not have homework.

Create a chart for the first few weeks of school--until your routines become habits. Give your

child a star on days he or she does everything without being asked.

Manage Correspondence. The start of the school year means a lot of paper going between

home and school. Set up a place where your child puts all the paperwork from school. Sign it

and put it back in his or her book bag by the next day.

Keep track of schedules. Post a calendar where everyone will see it. Have everyone write

down their activities as they are scheduled. This will help you plan ahead. If a book report is

due the day after a soccer game, your child will see that he or she needs to finish it early.

Help Your Child Get into the Homework Habit

If your child hasn’t kept regular homework routines in the past, now is the time start. Here’s

how:

•Find a place for your child to do homework. Have him or her put the book bag there and

work there every day.

• Provide a toolkit. A child who has to get up every five minutes to look for a pencil or a piece

of paper can’t properly focus on homework. Have her or him put together a box with

homework supplies. Include pens, pencils, erasers, a ruler and glue. Add other supplies as

your child needs them. Have your child get it out when it is time to start homework and put

everything away at the end of study time.

• Set a regular homework time. Kids thrive on routines. If your child does homework at the

same time every day, she or he will probably argue less. There is no best time. Some children

need to let off energy after school. Others want to get right to work. Find the time that works

for you.

• Set homework goals. At the start of each study period, ask your child to make a list of what

needs to be done. He or she can check them off as each task is finished.