T.I.S. Digital Backpack December 14, 2015

FROM THE PRINCIPAL’S OFFICE:

We are experiencing technical difficulties with the Power School Parent Portal. The Tolland Public Schools Information Technology Department is working with Power School to correct the issue. At this point we are unable to print report cards or to open the Power School Portal. We will send out notification as soon as the issue is resolved. We are truly sorry for any inconvenience caused as a result of this issue.

Report Card Changes This year’s report card will contain changes in the definition of academic performance level

indicators. Students will no longer be assessed on a 1 through 4 scale. Our new academic

performance indicators are as follows:

E - Exceeds End of Year Grade Level Standard

M - Meets End of Year Grade level Standard

A - Approaches End of Year Grade Level Standard

B - Below Grade Level Standard.

Our new descriptors will allow us to communicate your child’s progress toward meeting end of

year standards. The expectation is that the majority of students will be approaching grade level

standard during the first and second trimester and meeting grade level standard at the completion

of the school year.

Please see the page below for a more comprehensive description of each indicator.

Definition of Academic Performance Levels for Standards

Indicators

This page contains the scores and definitions used for students who are taught and

evaluated on standards that are On Grade Level, Above Grade Level, and Below Grade

Level

Academic Performance Indicators: Report card shows student progress toward the end of year

goals in the major categories in each subject. Each of the major categories in each subject on the

SBRC will be reported using this scale.

Level Description

E

Exceeds

The student who receives this grade is demonstrating performance that is above the end of

year grade level expectation. Students who are exceeding are able to apply learning to new

situations and independently use strategies and skills. They are able to do work that is

expected of a student in a higher grade. Some foundational skills may not have an

“Exceeds.” For example, once a student knows all the letters of the alphabet, there are no

ways to demonstrate “exceeding” this standard.

M

Meets

This grade indicates that the student has met the end-of-year target for the skill or

concept. The goal is for all students to receive this grade (or above) by the end of the

year. If the teacher has taught to end of year content standards and the student has met the

standard by the time of the reporting period, your child may receive an “M” (there may be

some foundational standards and math standards that are completed by December).

A

Approaches

The student receiving this grade is progressing and demonstrates basic or inconsistent

application of end of year concepts and skills. This grade would be appropriate for an

“on-level” student in the Fall and Winter for many of the standards. The student is making

expected progress but is not yet at end-of-year standards. It is important to communicate

to your child that an “A” indicates that he or she is “on track” to achieving a “Meets”

by the end of the school year. This is not a “bad” grade!

B

Below

The student receiving this grade shows limited understanding of end of year concepts

and skills. Student is performing “below” grade level and may need more support at school

to catch up. Your child’s teacher may share ideas for helping him or her grow closer to

grade –level work.

N

N/A

Teachers will use the N grade, meaning “Not Addressed” when there is a standard on the

report card that has not been taught yet. Some subjects and standards are taught only during

certain times of the school year. For example, some math standards are taught only in

lessons that will be used in the Spring

P

IEP Plan

Used with E, M, A, B and indicates level is based on IEP Plan

The major difference between the 2015-16 K-5 report cards is the indicators the teachers are

using to assess your child. In the past we used a 1-4 rating scale and felt it was not adequately

meeting our needs, so we implemented the system described above.

The major difference in grading is the fact that the students are being assessed on end of

the year standards.

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

December

7 PTO at TIS

11 Decades Day - Our Decades Day will be replaced by a

district-wide pajama day. All proceeds will go to The Connecticut

Childrens Hospital. Please see the flyer below for information on

donating

16 Coffee with the Principal, 9:15

23 Half Day

Dec. 24-January 3 NO SCHOOL

January 4, 2016 – Return to school after Winter Break

Did you know these vendors support our schools? All you need to do is

sign up and a percentage of your purchase will be donated to Tolland

Middle School. Thanks for your support!

Vendor: Program Runs: % donates

Smile Amazon

All year

http://smile.amazon.com/

.5% of purchase is

donated to school

Stop and Shop

October 3, 2015 - March 19, 2015. Schools may register any time during the program through January 31, 2015, at which point enrollment and/or registration for schools ends. http://stopandshop.com/savings-and-

rewards/rewards-program/aplus/

Price Chopper (52292)

July 27, 2015 – March 28th, 2016 http://www.pricechopper.com/savings/tools-for-

schools

Target –

Take Charge of Education®

All year https://www-

secure.target.com/redcard/tcoe/home

The program lets guests designate 1 percent of their REDcard purchases to a K-12 school of their choice.

Box Tops

http://www.boxtops4education.com/

Send in Box tops with your child, Homeroom teacher collect and Box Top Coordinators make monthly submissions for reimbursement

10 cents per Box Top

Updated: October 30, 2015 - jk

WINDHAM-TOLLAND 4-H CAMP 326 Taft Pond Rd Pomfret, CT 06259

www.4hcampct.org PUT SOME FUN IN YOUR 2016 SUMMER!

June 26st to August 19th, 2016

Windham-Tolland 4-H Camp, located in Pomfret Center, Connecticut, has provided summer camp experiences for thousands of youngsters for 60 years. The camp has both overnight and day camp programs for boys and girls 6-15 years of age. The camp is located on 270 acres containing woodlands, cabins, recreation areas and scenic lakes. The Windham-Tolland 4-H Camp maintains a state license and ACA accreditation. Campers need not be 4-H members.

All campers have the opportunity to participate in a variety of programs each week including:

Arts & crafts

Ropes course & Horizontal Climbing wall

Swimming

Self-defense

Fishing

Sports

Drama

Dance

Archery

Outdoor Education

Zip-line

Canoeing & Kayaking

History Reenactment

Knitting 4-H Camp offers a variety of specialty programs are also available on a weekly basis for an additional cost. Horseback riding, wood fiber crafts, goat camp, cow camp and introduction to draft horses.

EARLY BIRD DISCOUNTS

CAMP PRICING 2016 Day Camp (ages 6-15) ……………………..……………………..$240 per week (Lunch & Snacks Included)

Resident Camp (ages 9-15) …………………………………….$460 per week

Teen Leadership Program (ages 15-17) ……….…………$460 for the 1stweek (add’l wks: 1st Yr TL- $200 or 2nd Yr TL $175)

Overnight Clover Camp (ages 7-8) ………………………… $180-$245 per session (2 or 3 day Sessions)

THEME WEEKS FOR 2016 Week 1- Star Wars Week

Week 2- Time Travel Week

Week 3- Carnival Week

Week 4- Medieval Week

Week 5 – Outer Space Week

Week 6- International Week

Week 7- Under the Sea Week

Week 8- Capture the Flag Week

A stayover weekend (July 15th-July 17th) will include a FUN TRIP to Mystic Aquarium

for campers who attend both weeks 3 & 4.

Visit our website at www.4hcampct.org for Online Registration E-mail us at windham4h@earthlink.net for a camp brochure or additional information or Call the Camp Registrar at (860) 974-3379

OPEN HOUSES Saturday, April 23, 2016 & Sunday, April 24, 2016 Saturday, June 4, 2015 & Sunday, June 5, 2015 From 2:00 to 4:00 PM Each Day OPEN HOUSE EXTRA – SATURDAYS ONLY! Please join us from 1:30 PM-2 PM for an informational parent panel on the benefits of Windham-Tolland 4-H Camp for you and your child. Hosted by Heather Logee, Camp Director and Daryn Tenenbaum, LCSW/camper parent.

WHAT’S NEW IN FOURTH GRADE

Fourth graders are currently deep in the land of gods and goddesses; heroes,

heroines and mythical beasts. In our Greek Mythology unit, students learn the

meaning of such literary references as “herculean strength,” “Achilles’ heel,” and

“Pandora’s box.” They are reading myths that tell of great quests and epic

conflicts as well as myths that explain the origin of various natural phenomena,

such as why there are seasons or where spiders originated. But mostly they are

identifying themes that usually carry some sort of message or lesson that can still

be applied to modern day life, such as “NEVER taunt a monster!”

Students in 4th grade are finishing up their units on the Northeast Region and Soil

and will be starting their inquiry into Soggy Paper. They will develop hypotheses,

design experiments and perform fair tests to find out which brand of paper towel

is, in fact, the quicker picker upper!

In Math, 4th graders are finishing up a chapter on Multiplication and Division and

will have their first math benchmark, which is a cumulative assessment of all that

they have learned so far this year. Students are working very hard to solve

complex, real world problems, by drawing bar models. This is a strategy that can

help students visualize the problem, and solve very complex problems that would

otherwise require algebra to solve. This is very difficult for many of them, but also

very rewarding once they see that they can do it.

This is the season for food drives and collections to benefit our less fortunate

neighbors during the holidays, so keep your eyes out for information about these

very worthy causes.

WHAT’S NEW IN FIFTH GRADE

Fifth grade teachers appreciated the opportunity to meet with parents during the

last few weeks for conferences.

Fifth graders participated in the “Spaghetti-Marshmallow” grade-level PBIS

assembly. Their challenge was to work together with 4-5 other students to create

a tower made from 20 pieces of uncooked spaghetti, one marshmallow, one yard

of tape, and one yard of twine. The students had 18 minutes to design and

construct their tower. Fifth grade teachers were impressed with the results. In

fact, the tallest tower was able to support the marshmallow well over two feet in

the air! Great job to all groups.

Fifth grade math students are well into computing with fractions. The students

have been using manipulatives and diagrams to add and subtract fractions with

unlike denominators. They are really improving quickly at this skill.

In science, the Earth Moon and Sun unit has concluded with many classes doing

the Crater Lab investigation. Students measured the depth and diameter of

craters caused by spheres being dropped by different heights. Next up for the 5th

graders in science is a unit on sound. We’ll explore what causes a sound to happen

and how that sound travels. The fifth graders are looking forward to

experimenting with topics. There are quite a few hands on activities in this unit.

Students in fifth grade have finished their first informational writing piece. Students read fiction and non-fiction novels to gather facts about the Titanic. Facts were organized by sequence of events, main ideas and details, and cause and effect. Students are celebrating their final writing piece with their class. Our next unit is an opinion piece where students research the benefits and drawbacks of chocolate milk versus white milk. Students will gather data and write a research based argument. In social studies, we are learning about the early explorers from the Vikings to Christopher Columbus. We will conclude the unit with an exploration simulation.

ENDING SOON!!

HAT AND MITTEN DRIVE

Tolland Community Woman will once again partner with Laura Ann Weeks with "From the Heart" to run a Hat and Mitten Drive. New or GENTLY used Hats, Mittens and Scarves will be collected from November 2nd thru December 18th at Birch Grove and Tolland Intermediate. Socks and slippers may be donated, but must be new. Collection boxes, by grade, will be in the lobby of Birch Grove and the office at TIS. The grade that collects the most items at each school will be rewarded with a pajama day. Donations are given to DCF for children in our area.

Please contact Jennifer Shaw at 860-202-9056 with any questions.

Girls Lacrosse Registration Open

Girls Lacrosse Registration is Open for grades

1-8 for new and returning players!

Please visit the TLC website to register and

renew your US Lacrosse Membership at

tollandlacrosse.org

Registration is open until January 1, 2016;

rosters need to be complete by the end of

January so please register promptly!

Tolland Fire Department Explorer Post 40

Christmas Tree & Wreath Sale

Located at the Fire Department’s Training Center

191 Merrow Road (across from Cardio Express)

Wreathes $25 Trees $45

Our Hours are:

Saturdays – Nov. 28, 10-3pm (We are closing early for the Festival of Lights Parade)

Saturdays – Dec. 5, 12 & 19

10am – 5pm

Sundays – Nov. 29, Dec. 6, 13 & 20

11am to 5pm

Cash Only Please!!!

These are fresh-cut trees and wreaths locally

Grown by Scott’s Tree Farm in Andover, CT

The Tolland Fire Department

Explorers are a group of young

men and women ages 14 to 18

who have an interest in fire

and medical services. Our

non-profits main goal is to

give the young adults a hands-

on program and to provide

them with a sense of

responsibility to their

neighborhood. All funds and

donations go directly back to

the post. This helps us to

provide uniforms, equipment,

fire-gear and to pay for class

with no charge to our enrolled

Explorers.

Thank you for your support.

Snack with Santa

at Crandall’s Lodge Saturday, Dec. 12, 2015

10 a.m. to 1 p.m. * Visit Santa

* Story Time with Mrs. Claus * Cocoa/Cookies

* Crafts $10 per child,

includes free 4x6” photo ornaments for sale - free personalization

Questions: Kathy Aldrich- 860.870.0306 Tolland Community Women

50 Years of Service ... new members always welcome.

All Star Bowling 2016 All Star Bowling is a bowling program for special needs

bowlers and their peer buddies. Our 2016 season begins

Thursday, January 7, 2016. It will be held weekly on

Thursdays from 5:00 – 6:00 PM at Spare Time Bowling

in Vernon.

The cost for bowlers is $5.00 per week. This includes

bowling for an hour and shoe rental. Bowlers age 5 and

up are welcome. The lanes are handicap accessible and

bowling ramps are available.

We need lots of peer buddies to assist and cheer on our

bowlers! Call or email Laurel Leibowitz with questions or

to register.

(860)870-6750 ext. 215 or lleibowitz@tolland.k12.ct.us

The End