1. Welcome to Back to School Night!
Mrs. Flanagan September 1, 2016

2. Agenda About Mrs. Flanagan Goals Curriculum Field Trips Daily Schedule
Specials
Communication
Dismissal Changes
Homework
Grading
Cabinet/IST process
Management
Extras
Conferences
Questions

3. About Mrs. Flanagan
Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education and Early Childhood, Kutztown University
Master’s Degree in Elementary Education, Wilkes University
17th year at Gayman, 2nd, 4th ,and 3rd grades
Cold Spring Elementary, 3rd grade
School District of Philadelphia, K-5
2 daughters

4. Goals Safe, happy, respectful people
Confident, reflective, life-long learners
Responsible and organized
Build classroom community
Work together to achieve these

5. Curriculum Reading Language Arts Mathematics Social Studies Science
Whole Group Reading, Guided Reading, Independent Reading, Inquiry Project
Language Arts
Writing, Grammar, Spelling, Cursive Handwriting
Mathematics
Everyday Mathematics, cyclical
Social Studies
Communities, Geography, Economics,
Science
Life Cycles, Solar System, Motion (CB Third Grade Assessment)

6. Field Trips Honey Hollow Nature Center, October 7, 9-12
Learn about insect life cycles and adaptations
Chaperones, with appropriate clearances, will be needed. More information to come!
Spring Field Trip: TBA
In school Activities
Embryology Unit: chicks due to hatch on October 10
Star Lab: on-site inflatable planetarium, January 17-18

7. Daily Schedule Morning Routine/Meeting Math Snack Language Arts
Reading
Recess (11:50 – 12:20)
Lunch (12:20 to 12:50)
Read Aloud
Specials
Science/Social Studies
Writing
Pack Up/Dismissal

8. Specials Computer Lab Monday Quest, Mr. Shaw Tuesday Art, Mr. West
Wednesday Library, Mrs. Thomas
Thursday Phys. Ed., Mr. Foster
Computer Lab
Friday Music, Mrs. Volpe

9. Communication Thursday Folders Tell Me sheets Email Updates
Contact me:
Call Gayman
(267) 893 – 4350, x 1430
Write a note
me:

10. Dismissal Changes Send a note in the morning with your child
Call the office, , before 2:30
Early pick up by 2:45 with ID, or wait for car riders
If going with another friend, please be sure a note is sent by both families

11. Homework Assignment books Homework folders
Signed and checked each day, also check website
Homework folders
30 minutes per night, reading and Xtra math
Establish a routine
Missing Assignments Slips
Must be signed and returned
4 is the magic number
Absences

12. Homework Gayman's Five Beliefs
1. Purpose: Promote student growth and reinforce what is learned in the classroom. Students independently practice what they learned as well as their time management skills.
2. Assessment: Homework is not graded. However, students will be held responsible for completing all assigned homework.
3. Time Allotment: Homework is assigned Monday through Thursday. No routine weekend or holiday assignments will be made. As a rule of thumb 10 minutes per grade level will be assigned. For example: at 6th grade, 10 x 6 = 60 minutes.

13. Homework Gayman's Five Beliefs
4. Differentiation: Homework can vary depending upon the specific needs of students. This may include time, amount and purpose of homework.
5. Long-term Projects: Long-term projects are directly related to the curriculum. Such projects require children to use secure skills only. Expectations are clearly defined and timelines are established and published.

15. Grading Online Standards-based reporting system
Success Standards: 3 (consistently), 2 (often), 1 (rarely)
Learning Standards: Reading, Writing, Math: E (exceeding), M (meeting), A (approaching), LP (limited progress)
Assessments
math unit packets, LEAD 21 unit assessments, oral reading, reading responses, weekly spelling tests, graded writing pieces, science/social studies unit tests
Study guides provided, in-class reviews
All major assessments to be signed
Portfolios of student work

16. Administrative Cabinet
What do they discuss?
Any issues that your child may be having in the classroom.
Examples: Behavioral, Emotional or Social Concerns, Enrichment Opportunities, Academic Concerns, Fine Motor Skills concerns, Developmental concerns
How will you know?
Your child’s teacher will communicate to you that they are going to bring these concerns up at a cabinet meeting to get some ideas for the classroom or next steps. The teacher will follow up with you after meeting with the team.
If further action is recommended, such as an IST meeting, you will be contacted by Ms. Vass
What?
A team that meets weekly to discuss student issues and concerns, and brainstorm ideas of how to meet a child’s needs in the classroom.
Who?
Your child’s teacher
Principal (Mr. Testani)
Student Support Counselor (Ms. Vass)
School Psychologist (Mrs. Moran)
Reading Specialists (Mrs. Kehoe or Mrs. Sauers)
Other school personnel (as needed)

17. IST Process (Instructional Support Team)
What?
A team that meets twice a month to review data, create goals and brainstorm interventions to meet a child’s needs in the classroom.
Who?
Parents
Your child’s teacher
Principal (Mr. Testani)
Student Support Counselor (Ms. Vass)
School Psychologist (Mrs. Moran)
Reading Specialists (Mrs. Kehoe or Mrs. Sauers)
Other school personnel, as deemed necessary
What will happen?
Once the team has determined goals and interventions, an Action Plan will be developed and implemented. A follow-up meeting will be scheduled to review the effectiveness of the plan and determine a further course of action. Outcomes could include:
Interventions are effective; continue those strategies in the classroom.
Some modifications to the interventions are necessary. Revise the Action Plan and schedule a second follow-up meeting.
Interventions have resulted in limited improvement. An educational evaluation may be recommended (requires parent approval).

18. Management Class Rules What will your beautiful hands do today?
Punch cards, Mustang Motivators
Class Marble Jar, Table Points
Note or phone call home
Behavior Communication Form, logical consequences
Conference with parents

19. Extras Menus – check online Birthdays – non-treat items, 17 children
Bugtastic student – check the schedule
Book Orders – monthly or so, checks or online
Physicals/Dentals - 3rd grade dental forms due by Oct. 15!!!!!
Concert: November 17 at 9:00 AM vocal only
Start saving recyclables for Junk Bugs, week of October 10

20. Conferences
Goal setting: November 21st and 22nd (early dismissal days)
Portfolio: April 13th and 17th
(no school for students)
Students are invited to attend both conferences

21. Questions?
Feel free to leave questions for me in the basket on the way out.
Thank you for joining me at Back to School Night!