1. 5 th Grade Parent Orientation

2. Agenda 1. Welcome and Introductions 2. School Hours 3. Drop-Offs, Pick-Ups, and Dismissals 4. Classroom Teachers and Coursework 5. Homework 6. Support, Interventions, and Guidance 7. Special Events 8. Band and Chorus 9. Questions and Answers

3. School Mascot and Colors The whale is the school mascot. The school colors are GREEN and BLUE.

4. What are the school hours? Full dayHalf day 8:00 am – 2:40 pm8:00 am – 12:30 pm Buses drop off starting at 7:50 am. Students must sign in if it is past 8:00 am. Students need not be accompanied by a parent for sign in – just for SIGN OUT.

5. Lunch Grade 5 students eat lunch from 11:45 – 12:15 and then immediately go out to recess from 12:15 – 12:45. Lunch menus will be sent home monthly. They are also posted on the school website. Teachers do provide working snack times which may vary depending on the schedule of the day.

6. Pick-up Procedures Park in the parking lot on Abbott Road and please use the crosswalk in the middle of the parking lot. Students must bring in a note, show it to the teacher, and bring it to the office. Parents must sign out the student in the cafeteria. Please report to the main office in the case of early dismissal or illness.

7. Pick-Up: Abbott Road Please Park Here Staff Parking Lot The Yellow arrow dictates the bus drop- off. Please do not enter this area during drop- off/pick-up. The Red arrow shows how to enter the building when picking up students either during or at the end of the school day.

8. What is the team approach? Each homeroom teacher is responsible for teaching language arts and math and one other subject area. Students switch classrooms for 1 subject (either science or social studies). One team switches classrooms for 2 subjects (math, science, and/or social studies)

9. Classroom Teachers Team 1 –Ms. Horvath, Mrs. Crowley, and Mrs. Rancourt Team 2 –Mr. Rogers and Ms. Bostiga Team 3 –Mrs. Lewis and Mrs. McKeegan Team 4 –Mrs. Stroly, Mrs. Satagaj, and Ms. Korona

10. Core Curriculum Language Arts Reading Workshop Writing Workshop Grammar Mathematics Fractions Decimals 2- and 3-digit multiplication/division Geometry/Measurement Algebraic equations Integrated math tasks Science Sound Light Moon and Earth Relationships Inquiry-based learning Social Studies Exploration Colonization American Revolution Structure of the U.S. Government

11. Homework / Structured Review Averages 50 minutes per night Independent Reading increases to another 20-30 minutes per night. Students who have not completed their homework go to a designated room during recess to complete their homework. Repeated missed homework assignments will result in additional structured reviews and the student serving detention after school.

12. How to keep track of homework assignments? Agenda books are provided to each student. Teachers designate time at the end of the day for students to write down assignments.

13. What supplies do the children need to be prepared? Teachers will be providing a list of all the supplies necessary for the first day of school. The lists will be posted on the school website as of July 1 st. During the month of April, Windermere PTO offered parents the chance to purchase supply kits for students entering grade 5. A limited number of additional kits will be available to purchase for those families who are new to Windermere or who missed the sale in April. Teachers will mail W elcome B ack letters on or about August 1 st.

14. What specials will the students have during the week? Students will participate in one art class, one music class, and one PE class every week. Media (Library) meets every other week. Students must bring a change of clothes for PE in order to participate.

15. Support – Intervention Block Each team of teachers has a designated time during the day when “intervention” is provided. No “Whole-class Instruction” is given during this time. Teachers work in small groups with students to provide assistance, support, and enrichment. Intervention staff may work with students in/out of the classroom.

16. Intervention Block Staff Liz Loubier – Language Arts Consultant Jessica Warner - Language Arts Consultant Ellen Snyder – Writing Intervention Marcia Zweissler –Math Intervention TBA – Math Intervention Lisa Stephan – Writing Intervention

17. Contacts if your child needs guidance from an adult School Counselor: Marilyn Toback-Reveley (L- Z) School Counselor: Jessica Marshall (A-K) School Psychologist: Carin Faraci School Psychologist: Megan Glunt Special Education Case Managers: TBA, Allison Frankel, or Rebecca Derby

18. Electives that students can choose to participate in? Beginning Band (meets 1 day a week during recess and group lessons during the day) Intermediate Band (meets 2 days a week during recess) Chorus (meets 1 day a week during 5 th grade recess) Cross-Age Teaching (designated recess times through Guidance) Student Advisors (monthly during recess through the Lead Teacher) Friends of Rachel’s Club Gaming Club …and More

19. Intermediate School Activities and Special Events Grade 5 Civil War Day Field Trip Health Program Conflict Resolution Rachel’s Challenge Friends of Rachel Clubs Grade 6 DARE Program International Day Field Trip Career Exploration and Career Day Rachel’s Challenge and Friends of Rachel Clubs Conflict Resolution Student Success Plans

20. What is PBIS? Stands for Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports Staff was trained during the 2011-2012 school year. It is a school-wide system of support that includes proactive strategies for defining, teaching, and supporting appropriate student behaviors to create a positive school environment.

21. New PBIS Initiatives Town Meetings – once a month CTC – Critical Thinking Center in every classroom Whale Wonder Award – students are recognized for going above and beyond expectations

22. How do detentions work? Students may receive detentions for an accumulation of missed assignments and/or inappropriate behavior. A staff member will call you and paperwork will be sent home. Detentions take place on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Students go directly to detention from 2:40 and must be picked up and signed out of the main office at 3:40.

23. Dress Code and Cell Phones What is not allowed: Shirts/blouses/dresses which reveal the abdomen, chest or undergarments Shorts, miniskirts, or pants that reveal an excessive amount of upper thigh. No head covering of any kind. Apparel encouraging the use of drugs, tobacco products, or alcohol. Cell phones must be off and in lockers during the day or will be confiscated and parent pick up will be required.

24. What if my child is ill? Please call the school nurses office at: 860-896-2337 School Nurses Donna Smith TBA

25. How can parents get involved? Parents can join the Windermere School PTO and are encouraged to help plan and run some of the school fundraisers and activities. Officers Martha Allegue (President) Christine Montanari & Lori Holden (Vice Presidents) Maureen Crocker (Secretary) Amber Borst (Treasurer)

26. What is the school’s website? www.ellingtonschools.org Click on “Schools” link and then choose Windermere School Information: School curriculum, calendars, lunches, PTO, and current events Library page has reliable research information and educational games

27. Questions and Answers Please take a walk around the building. Thank you for coming and welcome to Windermere Intermediate School! See you at Open House on September 3rd at 6:30 p.m.