T.H. Rogers School New Vanguard Elementary Orientation 3 rd -5 th Grades August 15, 2015

T.H. Rogers SchoolNew Vanguard Elementary Orientation

3rd-5th GradesAugust 15, 2015

Welcome to T.H. Rogers!

Building on Our CultureThis Year’s Theme: “Growing Beyond!”

Growing Beyond...with new students and families!

Growing Beyond...our previous success!

Growing Beyond...all limitations!

Building on Our CultureThis Year’s Theme: “Growing Beyond!”

Culture of Communication

Teacher websites Grade Speed weekly communication folders

Culture of Thinking

Cross-curricular learning Writing emphasized in all contents

visible thinking

Culture of Respect

Character education program bullying awareness

Peer Mediation Program


Administration, Mid-Management, Office Staff Dave Muzyka, Principal Christian Winn, Assistant Principal/Elementary Donald Lam, Assistant Principal/Secondary Jessica Willie, Dean of Instruction Kristen Trey Chen, Vanguard Coordinator Ashley Pringle, Elementary Counselor

Mari Valdez, School Secretary

Ileana Cortez, Ms. Winn’s Asst.

Bertha Roodi, Attendance Clerk

Yaneth Montes, Main Office Clerk

Libby Calkins, Receptionist

Maria Hernandez, Finance Clerk

Sheila Foster, Student Information

Janice Jackson, VG Office Clerk

Linda Turpin, VG Office Clerk


Vanguard Faculty

Core Enrichment Team

Jennifer Thelander (Art) Desmond Combs (PE)

Daniel Fernandez (Computer) Norman Thomas (Music)

Staci Situ (Chinese) Stephanie Hatley (Library)

Dulce Slack (Spanish) Paula Godinich (ASL)

Paula Friedman (French) WITS (TBD)


3rd-5th Grade Teams

Barbra Hearne3rd Grade Team LeaderEnglish, LA& Reading

Courtney ConnorsEnglish, LA& Reading

Christina DoyleEnglish, LA& Reading

Colleen EfstratiouMath

Suparna VashishtMath

Katie ParrishMath

Karana BowenScience/Social Studies

Claire SparksScience/Social Studies

Breanna MasonScience/Social Studies

SchoolPolicies

andProcedures


Arrival to the Campus

Arrival: 7:00 a.m. to 7:35 a.m.

All students report to the

Cafeteria upon arrival.

Arrival and Dismissal

Parents may eat breakfast with students on the first day of school.

Beginning August 25th, parents must drop student off in the L-

shape carpool lane or park nearby and walk them to the front

entrance. Parents are asked to refrain from walking students to the classroom

after the first day of school.

Arrival and Dismissal

Carpool Drop-Off/Pick-Up for Students

Use the L-shape loading zone located in

front of the school.

Turn in traveling south on Bering Drive.

Parents are asked to refrain from “conferencing” with teacher while they are on duty as they are

trying to supervise all their students.***Refer to Parent Drop-Off/Pick-Up Map***

AttendancePolicy and Procedures

Students are encouraged to attend school daily!

Students must attend at least

72 days of school the first semester and

77 days the second semester according to the Texas Education Code 25.092.


Call the school and e-mail your child’s homeroom teacher by 8:00 a.m. on the day of an absence.

Phone: 713-917-3595

Within 3 days of an absence, a written excuse must be submitted to Ms. Roodi in the main office. Excuses may be submitted via e-mail to [email protected]


Tardy Students

Promptness to school is an expectation.

If a student is not in class by 7:45 a.m., he or she will be considered tardy. Students will receive a lunch detention after the 3rd tardy.

The official daily attendance time is 9:30.


Excused Absences Illness of student Death in the family Quarantine Weather or road conditions making

travel dangerous Participation in school activities,

approved by the Principal Religious holidays (24 hours prior to day) Emergencies or unusual circumstances,

approved by the Principal

Leaving Campus During the School Day

Parents must report to the main office to check out their child.

An appropriate form of identification must be presented.

A note from the parent(s) of a student must be sent to Ms. Roodi stating the time and reason for the early departure along with a phone number.

The latest a student may be released early is 2:15 p.m.

Dress Code Students should be neat and clean in

appearance. Clothing must not be too tight, too loose, or

torn. A belt must be worn with loose-fit shorts or

pants. Skirts and dresses are to be no shorter than

two inches, front and back, from the top of the knee in a standing position.

Label jackets/coats. Bring an extra layer! See the Parent-Student Handbook for the full

dress code policy.

Birthdays

• Students will be given the opportunity to celebrate birthdays during the school year by parents sending store-bought cookies (no cupcakes, please) for the homeroom class. The teacher will pass out to the students during their snack time. Please, no treat bags.

• If you plan to send cookies, please notify the teacher for planning purposes. Deliver the treats to the school by 8:00 a.m.

Field TripsField trips are planned throughout the year to enhance the

curriculum, and dedicated parent volunteers help make it possible. Here are a few important reminders:

· Students and chaperones are to wear the school tie-dye field trip shirt.

· All school rules apply on the field trip.

· Actively supervise students.

· Notify the teacher(s) immediately of any medical emergency, lost child, or serious breach of school rule.

· Follow the directions of docent/guide.

· Siblings and family members may not participate in a school-sponsored field trip.

· Have fun!

Communication System

Communication Folders“Ram News” is available on our website and will be sent home every Thursday .

Parent-Staff CommunicationsContact the teacher via e-mail or phone. Check the calendar of events each week .

WE NEED YOUR E-MAIL ADDRESS! Parent-Teacher Conferences

Contact your child’s teacher to schedule a conference.

First Day of SchoolMonday, August 24, 2015

Please complete and return ALL forms included in the First Day Packet to your child’s teacher.

Follow all procedures for arrival. Please say “goodbye” to your child and wish them well on their first day.

Traffic will be heavy. Be patient! Join other THR parents for coffee

sponsored by PTO in the orchestra room.

A Few Important Dates...

• Open House September 8th, 6:30PM

• Parents Are Partners September 15th, 7:45AM

• Early Dismissal September 22nd, 12:45PM

• Donuts with Dad September 25th, 7:15AM

• Fall Conferences week of October 11th, times TBA

You will receive a school calendar in the 2015-2016 Parent-Student Handbook!

The 3rd GradeLearning Journey

The 3rd Grade Learning Journey

Your child will grow exponentially this year! You may notice...

•3rd grade is a jump up from 2nd with more emphasis being placed on the student taking on more responsibility.•3rd grade is the first year students take the STAAR Reading and Math Assessments.


English/Lang Arts/Reading–Ms. Hearne

•We cover Expository Text Features, Realistic Fiction, Memoirs, and all the different reading genres. •Students will participate in different forms of daily reading (read alouds, read to self, and read to someone).•Daily home reading is expected for at least 30 minutes per day (leisure reading). •We cover weekly Vocabulary Units.•Various modes of writing opportunities throughout the school year embedded in all subjects.

The 3rd Grade Learning JourneyMath–Ms. Efstratiou

•Emphasis on speed and accuracy with math facts.•Ability to analyze and dissect multiple step-problem solving.•Articulate answers using justification and explanations (both verbally and in writing).•Learn to self monitor personal progress.•Apply concepts within real world context.


Science & Social Studies–Ms. Bowen

•Begin to take notes from reading, instruction and research. Use research to create original products.•Articulate answers using justification and explanation.•Perform experimental and observational investigations.•Use MLA-style citation and other research strategies.•Compose detailed, complete responses in writing.•Emphasis on expository writing. •The students will have several projects throughout the year in both subjects (more information forth coming).

STAAR Assessments

Overview of first time taking STAARStrategies used in class to align

3rd Grade is the first year students take the Reading and Math STAAR tests! Each day

students will be introduced to skills and concepts that will naturally lead towards your student’s

success on the STAAR. We use different forms of materials, manipulatives and strategies to cover all areas (more information is forthcoming as we

get into specific skills/strategies that relate to each student).

Communications• Weekly Communication Packets per

subject area• Thursday Communication Folders• Student Agenda Books/Planners• Teacher Websites, E-mail

Home LearningHome learning is generally

Monday - Thursday

•Each week students begin a new Vocabulary Unit with sentences due on Tuesday! •30 minutes of reading is required per day. •Math home learning is generally given daily.

The 4th GradeLearning Journey

The 4th Grade Learning Journey

Some things you may notice about your growing 4th grader...

•Fourth grade is a transitional year.

•Your child will sharpen and refine the many concepts introduced in the primary grades.

•Students are expected to assume more independence and responsibility for their own learning.


English/Lang Arts/Reading–Ms. Connors

•4th Grade will be taking a deeper learning adventure into investigation, inquiry, and project-based learning throughout the year.•Your child will participate in Accelerated Reader (AR). •Writing and reading benchmarks-(BOY, MOY, EOY) in addition to in class monitoring


English/Lang Arts/Reading–Ms. Connors

•IStation, as well as STAR, are used as progress monitors for reading instruction •Literature Circles & Book Clubs•Students will write in a variety of modes and for various purposes •Daily home reading expectation: at least 30 minutes a night, Monday-Thursday

The 4th Grade Learning JourneyMath–Ms. Vashisht

•With a focus on 4th grade TEKS, depth, complexity and rigor will be central to meeting the needs of each student•Emphasis will be on developing:• computational strategies• mental math• problem solving• building speed

•Study Island and Moby Max programs will be used throughout the year•Our 4th graders will also be introduced to Singapore Math•Students will maintain interactive notebooks


Science & Social Studies–Ms. Sparks

•Science will cover three main units: Physical Science, Earth Science and Life Science through hands-on experiments and research•Social Studies will focus on Texas history. We will cover the economics, society, politics and environment of Texas over time.


Science & Social Studies–Ms. Sparks

•Students will work on 2 project based learning units each nine weeks—one for each subject.•Students will maintain interactive student notebooks for each course and will track their progress with a data binder.

STAAR Assessments

• Students in 4th Grade take 3 STAAR tests this year. These include Math, Reading, and Writing.

Writing:

The writing portion of the STAAR test is completed over a two day period. Students are given a four hour window to complete the exam. Each test will begin with approximately 15 revise and edit questions and end with one writing prompt.

Math:

The math portion of the STAAR test is completed over the course of one day. Students are given a four hour window to complete the exam. The test contains approximately 50 questions.

Reading:

The reading portion of the STAAR test is also completed over the course of one day. Students are given a four hour window to complete the exam. The test contains approximately 45 questions with several reading passages.

Communications

• Check the agenda dailyo Objectives will be recorded in the agenda

daily for each classo Home learning and important dates will also

be recorded• Purple Home Learning folder will be sent home

daily with assignments• Weekly communication folders will be sent

home on Thursdays with graded work and announcements

• School Wire accounts will be updated weekly with classroom information

Home Learning

• Approximately 60 to 90 minutes of home learning daily on Monday-Thursday

• Math daily• Reading daily

• Science 1 night a week• Social Studies 1 night a week

Long-term projects and study skills practice will take place throughout the year, and sometimes on weekends.

3rd-5th GradeCommunity Norms

• Respect yourself, others, and property.• Cooperate and help each other.• Everyone belongs to our community.• Treat others as you would like to be

treated.• Respect people for who they are.• Be mindful of other people’s feelings,

thoughts and beliefs.• Be willing to try new things.• Help each other learn.• Have fun!

The 5th GradeLearning Journey


5th grade is a capstone year...

•Encouraging more social and academic independence

•Responsibility and organization

•Preparing for transition to Middle School


English/Lang Arts/Reading–Ms. Doyle

•In-depth study of various works of literature•Grammar and Vocabulary•Writing Opportunities•Istation Benchmarks•Literature Circles (Book Club!)•Daily Reading – *30 minutes

STAAR & Iowa Assessments

STAAR

5th grade IowaThe 5th grade student will take the Iowa

Assessment as one of the District’s norm-referenced tests. Iowa will be administered in

December.

Reading Math ScienceThe reading STAAR test is to be completed in a four hour window. The test contains approximately 46 questions with several reading passages.

The STAAR math assessment is completed within a four hour window. The test contains approximately 50 multiple choice questions.

The science section of the STAAR test is administered over a four hour window. The assessment includes 47 questions.


Science & Social Studies–Ms. Mason

•Exploration & Inquiry through labs & dramatizations•Experimental Design•Historical Journey from Colonization to Civil War•Study Island, Think Central

The 5th Grade Learning JourneyMath–Ms. Parrish

•Focus on problem solving and critical thinking•Mastery of TEKS•Real-world application of skills•Moby Max, Think Through Math & Study Island

Communications• Teacher Websites

• Communication Folder – Thursdays

• Behavior Chart & Graded Work – Fridays

Home Learning• Daily ELA – 20-30 minutes

• Daily Math – 30-45 minutes

• Daily Sci/SS – 30-45 minutes

*Time spent on home learning varies with each child

Parents-to-Parents

Tips for Success...•The most frequently asked question is about homework – How much? How long? The answer is, “It depends on the child!”•Balancing your child’s extra-curricular activities with school. •5th grade is a good time to start holding your child accountable for keeping up with their own homework and project due dates. •It is inevitable that as a parent, you will hear stories about school. Keep everything in perspective. •In 5th grade, help your child enjoy their last year as an elementary student.

Parents-to-Parents

More Tips for Success...•Ample sleep leads to academic success and happiness•Downtime...playtime...unscheduled time •When there is a problem or concern, discuss it with your child to get a good understanding of the problem, think about the issue from all sides, then talk to teacher directly. Teachers are great problem solvers and talking to them directly often resolves everything!•Think of parents and teachers as a team. Talking to other parents or calling a Principal immediately can often create a mountain out of a molehill. •Keep problem solving positive and constructive. Collaboration with the school staff is key.

WELCOME

to the

T.H. Rogers

Family!

Documents

T.H. Rogers School New Vanguard Elementary Orientation 3 rd -5 th Grades August 15, 2015