Welcome to

Windermere School5th Grade Parent Orientation

Agenda 1. Welcome and Introductions2. School Hours3. Drop-Offs, Pick-Ups, and Dismissals4. Classroom Teachers and Coursework5. Homework6. Support, Interventions, and Guidance7. Special Events8. Band and Chorus9. Questions and Answers

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.

OfficersMartha Allegue (President)

Rhonda Villanova (Vice President 5/6)Tracy Elsass (Vice President K-4)

Amber Borst (Secretary)Karl Stocker (Treasurer)

What are the school hours?Full day Half day8:00 am – 2:40 pm 8:00 am – 12:30 pmBusses drop off starting at 7:50 am.

Students must be signed in when arriving after 8:00 am.

Drop-offThe Yellow arrow dictates the parent

drop-off. Please drive into this area and drop-off at the

Red X.

Staff are stationed along the bus lane

and by the crosswalk to

ensure it is safe for students to walk across.

Pick-upThe Yellow letter “X” shows where parents can park.

Please do not enter the Bus Lane

area during dismissal.

The Red arrow indicates where the crosswalk is located and staff will be stationed while busses are

picking up students.

Pick-up ProceduresPark 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 office.

Same process for dismissals during the day.

LunchGrade 5 students eat lunch from 11:45

– 12:15Recess is immediately after from 12:15

– 12:45.Lunch menus are posted on the

website and will be sent home monthly. Teachers do provide working snack

times which may vary depending on the schedule of the day.

What if my child is ill?

Please call the school nurses office at:860-896-2337

School Nurses Donna SmithTeri Looke

What is the school’s website?www.ellingtonschools.org

Click on “Our Schools” link and then choose Windermere School

Information: School curriculum, calendars,

lunches, PTO, and current eventsLibrary page has reliable research

information and educational games

Classroom Teachers Team 1 – Mrs. Lewis and Mrs.

McKeegan

Team 2 – Ms. Dhandapani and Mr. Rogers

Team 3 – Ms. Palasek/Mrs. Rancourt and Ms. Horvath/Mr. Schumacher

Team 4 – Ms. Bostiga, Ms. Harding, and Mrs. Satagaj

What is the team approach?Each homeroom teacher is

responsible for teaching language arts and one other subject area.

Students switch classrooms for 1 subject

(either science or social studies).Team #4 switches classrooms for 2

subjects(math, science, and/or social studies)

What supplies do the children need to be prepared?

PTO has offered to pre-purchase all supplies that would normally sent home on the grade level supplies list. If purchased, a package will be awaiting the child on the first day of school.

If PTO program is not purchased, supply lists will be posted on the school website as of July 1st.

Welcome back letters will be mailed from the office on August 1st and contain additional information.

Each student receives his/her own combination locker outside of their classroom

Core Curriculum – GradingLanguage Arts

Reading WorkshopWriting Workshop

Spelling/VocabularyGrammar

MathematicsFractions

Mixed Numbers and Decimals

2- and 3-digit multiplication/division

Geometry1-step Algebraic equations

Integrated math tasksScienceSoundLight

Earth in the solar systemInquiry-based learning

Social StudiesExplorationColonization

American RevolutionStructure of the U.S.

Government

Support – Intervention BlockEach 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.

Intervention Block StaffLiz Conlin – Language Arts

ConsultantCourtney Harris –Language Arts

ConsultantWanda Parent – ½ time Math

InterventionMarcia Zweissler – ½ time Math

InterventionEllen Snyder – ½ time Writing

InterventionLisa Stephan – ½ time Writing

Intervention

Differentiated Instruction

Contacts if your child needs guidance from an adult

School Counselor: Jessica Marshall(Last Name A-J)

School Counselor: Marilyn Toback-Reveley(Last Name K-Z)

School Psychologist: Carin FaraciSchool Psychologist: TBDSpecial Education Case Managers: Gabrielle

Betancourt, Adam Schumacher, or Allison Smith

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.

Intermediate School Activities and Special Events

Grade 5Revolutionary War DayField TripHealth ProgramConflict ResolutionRachel’s Challenge and Chain Links Clubs

Grade 6DARE ProgramImmigration DayField Trip Career Exploration and Career DayPresidential AwardsRachel’s Challenge and Chain Links ClubsStudent Success Plans

Electives that students can choose to participate in?

Band (meets 2 days a week during recess and group lessons during the day) – students are responsible for all make-up work due to lessons

Chorus (meets 1 day a week during 5th grade recess)

Cross-Age Teaching (designated recess times through Guidance)

Student Advisors (monthly during recess through the Lead Teacher)

Rachel’s Chain-Links Club

Homework / Structured ReviewAverages 50 minutes per nightIndependent Reading increases to

another 20-30 minutes per night.If not completed, students are

required to complete their homework in a designated room during recess.

Repeated missed homework assignments will result in additional structured reviews and possibly after school detention.

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.

Individual teachers will utilize the Final Site Website student portal to record assignments.

How do detentions work?Students may receive detentions for an

accumulation of missed assignments and 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 at 2:40 and must be picked up and signed out of the main office at 3:40.

Dress Code and Cell PhonesShirts/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.

What is PBIS?

Academic Systems Behavioral Systems

1-5%

Primary Interventions

Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS)

Primary Interventions

Secondary Interventions

Tertiary Interventions

Secondary Interventions

Tertiary Interventions 1-5%

5-10%

80-90% 80-90%

5-10%

PBIS cont’dStands for Positive Behavioral

Interventions and SupportsIt is a behavioral framework that

includes proactive strategies for defining, teaching, and supporting appropriate student behaviors to create a positive school environment.

Reward based system where students work toward individual, homeroom, and school-wide goals.

Questions and Answers

Please take a walk around the building.

Thank you for coming!

Welcome to Windermere Intermediate School!

See you at Open House on September 4th.