T.I.S. Digital Backpack

September 4, 2013

Communication Digital Backpack – In an effort to conserve paper, we will again be emailing a weekly digital newsletter. Our Digital Backpack contains school and community announcements. To have the TMS Digital Backpack sent directly to your email, please send an email to:

tisnews+subscribe@tolland.k12.ct.us . Put the word "Subscribe" in the subject line of your message. To unsubscribe, send an email to tisnews+unsubscribe@tolland.k12.ct.us. Put the word "Unsubscribe" in

the subject line of your message.

TIS Website – Our school website provides an events calendar, contact information for all staff as well as general information about our school. We encourage you to visit our website often.

Twitter – Keep up with some of the fun we have at T.I.S. by following us on Twitter @TISNews

Coffee and Conversation with the Principals Have you ever wanted to chat with the principals? Have a great idea for the school? Would you like to just visit and talk about your child’s education? We would love to hear from you. Coffee with the Principals at T.I.S., is designed to offer parents an opportunity to meet with the school principals and discuss information regarding school policies, procedures, academics, and general happenings.

Emergency Cards It is extremely important that we have the most up to date contact information for our students. Please provide us with up-to-date telephone and emergency contact information immediately following the start of school.

Student Drop off and Pickup The student drop off area is located in the upper parking lot, in front of the former Parker School. Drop off begins at 8:30 and ends at 8:50. Please do not drop your child off before 8:30. To access the drop of area please use Recreation Drive, located next to the town garage. The student pickup area is located in the upstairs wing of the building. Parents picking up their child must enter through the upper rear door to TIS. The door is located adjacent to the white modular classroom building in between TIS and Parker. A TIS staff member will open the door for pick up beginning at 3:20. Upon entering the building, all visitors must report to the lecture hall to sign out their child.

Security Maintaining a safe and secure environment is of the utmost importance to our staff. Please help us keep TIS as safe as possible by parking in the appropriate visitor parking area, (located in front of the Parker School building) signing in at the office to obtain a visitor identification badge.

Connecticut Mastery Test Data 2013 Connecticut Mastery test scoring information with be sent home as soon as we receive Connecticut State Department of Education issued scoring pamphlets.

We are thrilled to welcome five new staff members to TIS. Mrs. Nicole Coleman – Mrs. Coleman joins our fifth grade team as a special education teacher. Mrs. Coleman is well known to us at TIS as a result of her long term substitute assignments at both TIS and Birch Grove. Nicole brings to TIS a wealth of knowledge in the field of special education. Ms. Siobhan Barton – Ms. Barton joins our fourth grade team following her fall 2012 student teaching assignment at TIS. Ms. Barton’s warm infectious personality and her outstanding academic credentials make her a perfect fit for our fourth grade team. Mrs. Ashly Bishopric – Mrs. Bishopric comes to us from Tyrell Middle School in Wolcott, CT. Mrs. Bishopric will be teaching guidance classes to students in all grades at TIS, providing individual and group counseling services to our students and coordinating Section 504 programming at TIS. Mr. André Foote – Mr. Foote will be acting as assistant band director in addition to directing our third and fourth grade choral programs. Mr. Foote joins our staff as a long term substitute as Ms. Battersby works toward earning a degree in early childhood education. Ms. Battersby will be returning to TIS later this fall. Mr. Foote is a well accomplished musician and he recently completed a rigorous student teaching/practicum assignment through Western Connecticut State University. Mrs. Kim Cyr - After spending the last two years as a reading intervention teacher at TIS, Mrs. Cyr has moved over to become a third grade classroom teacher. Mrs. Cyr brings with her a high degree of expertise in the field of reading instruction. She is a wonderful addition to our third grade team.

Unified Arts Scheduling In order to maximize our ability to provide your child with a comprehensive unified arts or specials curriculum experience, we will operate on two separate UA schedules. Our third and fourth specials classes will operate on a rotating five day UA calendar, while our fifth grader specials classes will operate on a rotating six day UA schedule. All schedules are posted on the school website.

Band and Chorus This year, students participating in any one of our ensemble groups (band or chorus) will have the option of attending before, during or after school sessions. For example: fourth grade band students may choose to attend band lessons before school or during one of our morning pull-out sessions. Students participating in fourth or fifth grade chorus have the option of attending a weekly 8:15 AM choral practice or a practice held during a weekly recess period. Students participating in our morning (8:50 AM -10:30 AM) lesson pull-out sectionals will attend lessons in lieu of a unified arts class. This schedule will be rotating; students will not miss the same specials class each week.

TIS Instrument Night

Sep 06 2013 at 07:00 PM

TEPTO meeting at BGP

Sep 09 2013 at 07:00 PM

TIS Grade 3 Curriculum Night

Sep 16 2013 at 07:00 PM

TIS Half Day - 1:20 Dismissal

Sep 18 2013 at 08:50 AM

TEPTO Meadow Farms Orders Due

Sep 20 2013

TIS/BGP Ice Cream Social

Sep 20 2013 at 06:00 PM

TIS - Picture Day

Sep 27 2013

TIS - Grade 4 Curriculum Night

Oct 02 2013 at 07:00 PM

Cider Mill Road Race

Oct 05 2013

TEPTO meeting at TIS

Oct 07 2013 at 07:00 PM

THE UNIVERSITY AQUATIC CLUB UAC at UConn is kicking off the 2013-2014 Recreational and USA

Swimming Short Course swim seasons with an Informational and

Registration meeting for the parents of new and returning swimmers at the

Wolff-Zackin Natatorium on the campus of the University of Connecticut.

Monday, September 16th at 6:30 pm

OR

Tuesday, September 17th at 6:30 pm

New Swimmer Tryouts will be held Monday, Sept. 16th OR Tuesday, Sept.

17th at the pool at 6:30. You only need to attend one of these nights.

Swimmers must bring suit and goggles. Swimmers may still register after

the meeting date, see contact info below.

The UAC Huskies are a USA-Swimming sanctioned swim club that aims to

develop well-rounded athletes in an up-beat and exciting environment.

UAC practices in a beautiful 50-meter pool that is shared exclusively with

the UConn Swimming and Diving teams.

Swimmers must have completed Level 3 Red Cross swimming lessons

and be able to swim 25 yards of freestyle and backstroke without

any assistance.

For more information, contact Julie Kirk at (860) 872-8652 or

email julie@uac-ct.org.

Visit the UAC website at www.uac-ct.org

TOLLAND HIGH SCHOOL

FIELD DEDICATION CEREMONY

All residents are cordially invited to attend the field dedication ceremony on Friday,

September 20th at Tolland High School. The Town of Tolland in conjunction with the Board of

Education and local non-profit youth sports groups is building an all-weather turf field with

lights at Tolland High School. To celebrate its completion we are planning a dedication

ceremony at the first home football game on Friday, September 20th.

The schedule for the event is as follows:

5:00 p.m. Pre-game entertainment and food

6:00 p.m. Ribbon cutting ceremony led by Lt. Governor Nancy Wyman

6:30 p.m. Football game – Rocky Hill v. Tolland

We sincerely hope that you are able to attend and participate in this celebratory event.

Grade 5 Chorus Invitation 2013-2014

You are invited to participate in the grade 5 chorus. Fifth graders participating in chorus will sing and perform traditional, multicultural and contemporary music as well as round 2-part

and small group pieces.

Just a few things to think about when making your decision; I would like to remind

everyone that chorus is a full year commitment and students are expected to complete the

entire year once they join. Chorus is graded on the report card and attending class and

concerts are a large part of that grade. There will be a winter and a spring concert which we

expect the students to participate in.

In order to avoid having the students miss recess for chorus, I am having chorus at

8:00-8:45 on Thursdays. Students who cannot attend the Thursday morning chorus can attend

chorus 11:10-11:30 Recess chorus. Occasionally, students will be asked to attend both

sections of chorus in order to be fully prepared for the concert. Below is a form for you to

fill out to help us find the best option for your child and our choral program.

All students who are interested in grade five chorus are asked to attend an

introductory meeting on Wednesday, September 11, during recess in Ms. Baker’s music

room 136. Thursday morning chorus will begin Thursday, September 12 in room 136.

Recess chorus will begin Tuesday, Sept. 17 Thank you

Ms. Baker

---------------------------------------------------------------------

Please fill out and return by: September 10, 2013

My child _________________________________ would like to be in grade 5 chorus.

Parent’s signature__________________________ Classroom teacher: _____________

Email Address:_______________________________

______ Thurs. mornings 8:00-8:45 in Ms. Baker’s room (136)

______ During recess 11:10-11:30 once per week

4th GRADE BAND WELCOME PACKET OVERVIEW

Part 1: Welcome letter

Part 2: SIGN-UP Sheet (*to be returned to Mr. Golder-Novick by

Monday, September 9th)

Part 3: Lesson Schedule Form (*to be returned to Mr. Golder-Novick

by Monday, September 9th )

Part 4: Information for “Gerry’s Music” and “Music &

Arts” (*bring to Instrument Night)

4th

Grade Band Welcome Letter (Sign-Up/Instrument Night) Dear Grade 4 Students and Parents, Welcome back to TIS! My name is Mr. Golder-Novick and I will be teaching 4th grade band this year. I encourage any 4th grader who is interested in playing a band instrument to join in the fun! The instruments offered are: TRUMPET, TROMBONE, FRENCH HORN, BARITONE HORN, ALTO SAX, TENOR SAX, FLUTE, CLARINET, OBOE and PERCUSSION (bells and practice pad). In an effort to help students and parents better understand the program a 4th Grade Instrument Night has been scheduled for:

Date/Time: FRIDAY September 6 at 7:00 p.m. Place : T.I.S. Cafeteria (upstairs “APR”)

This meeting is designed to provide parents and students with information about the lesson program, student expectations, and renting band instruments. We will have two different instrument companies at the meeting. Information for these companies is attached. PLEASE BRING BOTH PACKETS WITH YOU TO THE INSTRUMENT NIGHT MEETING. By all means, if you want to get ahead of the game and get an instrument NOW, please go ahead and do so. The packets for the two instrument companies are our recommendations for purchasing an instrument. However, you may purchase an instrument wherever you want. Along with purchasing an instrument, it is also REQUIRED for students to purchase the “Standard of Excellence Book One” (AKA “the red book”). It is also highly encouraged that you purchase a music stand. These items are both included in the two information packets for the instrument companies. *RIGHT NOW IT IS URGENT FOR STUDENTS TO CHOOSE AN INSTRUMENT. The students have seen demonstrations on all of the instruments and they need to make a decision. The sign-up form is on the next page and needs to be turned in NO LATER THAN MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 9th. The students should know what instrument they want to play BEFORE instrument night. This way, instrument night can be used to decide which music store to purchase the instrument. The instrument rental packets (attached) are to be filled out either before, during, or immediately following instrument night.

If you are unable to attend the instrument night, you may fill out the packets on your own. There are also websites for both companies: www.gerrys-music.com and www.musicarts.com. Feel free also to send me an email with any questions. Thanks so much and I can’t wait to get the band started! Sincerely, Mr. Golder-Novick Bgolder-novick@tolland.k12.ct.us

Band Sign-Ups 2013-2014 Joining the TIS Band is a refreshing, creative opportunity for all. The exquisite journey of learning an instrument is a truly unique, incomparable experience. It is important to understand that being an instrumentalist will require daily, disciplined practice. Students are required to practice for a minimum of 50 minutes per week (approximately 10 minutes per day) as well to bring their instruments to and from school twice each week. This tremendous opportunity should be looked at as a focused commitment not only for the school year, but hopefully as a life-long pursuit. Dropping out of band is highly discouraged, and will require the completion of a one-page questionnaire. Therefore, we request that you are thoughtful about your decision, and strongly encourage you to commit to staying in band as an aspiring instrumentalist. Please return the bottom portion of this page on or before MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 9th. Thank you very much!

Date______________ Student Name________________________

Teacher___________________________________________

*Please indicate what instrument you want to play by checking off that instrument. ___Flute ___Oboe (private lessons encouraged) ___Clarinet ___Alto Saxophone ___Tenor Saxophone ___Trumpet ___French Horn (private lessons encouraged) ___Trombone ___Percussion (bells and practice pad) __________________ __________________________________________ Parent Phone # Parent E-mail

LESSON SCHEDULE FORM Please make sure to fill out this form and to return it by September 9th. Being a part of the band

means that each week, you will have a SMALL GROUP lesson time as well as a FULL BAND

lesson time.

*Full Band Info This year we will have full band every TUESDAY. There will be a recess

section of full band as well as an AFTER-SCHOOL full band (which will be on Tuesdays at 3:15

until 4:00). Please indicate your preference at the bottom of the form.

*Small Group Lesson InfoSmall group lessons will occur during the following four times:

Before School (8-8:30, 8:30-9), Recess, Afternoon Pull-Out Time (during specials), and After

School (3:15-3:45, 3:45-4:15).

If you request to have before or after school lesson times, please understand that you will need

to arrange for your own transportation. This goes for the after-school full band time as well. For

students who are not planning on continuing band, please make sure to indicate that on this

form. Please make sure to sign and return this form by MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 9th. Thanks so

much!

-Mr. Golder-Novick Name____________________________________________ Instrument_____________________________________ Classroom Teacher_____________________________ Full Band Time Preference (circle one): Recess/After School Small Group Lesson Time Preference (circle one): Before School/ Recess / Afternoon pull-out/ After-School Parent Email__________________________________________________ Parent Signature______________________________________________ Additional Info_________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________

******************************************************************************

MUSIC STORE INFORMATION

Gerry’s Music

Phone Number: 413-534-7402 or 1-800-724-7402

Website: www.gerrys-music.com

Music & Arts

Phone Number: 860-648-9178 or 888-731-5396

Website: www.musicarts.com

Dear Fifth Grade Band Students and Parents,

Welcome back to TIS! We really look forward to working with you again this year in band! To help get the scheduling process started as early as possible, please make sure to return this form with the appropriate information by Friday, September 6th. *Full Band Info This year we will have full band every WEDNESDAY. There will be a recess section of full band as well as an AFTER-SCHOOL full band (which will be on Wednesdays at 3:15 until 4:00). Please indicate your preference at the bottom of the form. *Small Group Lesson InfoSmall group lessons will occur during the following four times: Before School (8-8:30, 8:30-9), Recess, Afternoon Pull-Out Time (during specials), and After School (3:15-3:45, 3:45-4:15). If you request to have before or after school lesson times, please understand that you will need to arrange for your own transportation. This goes for the after-school full band time as well. For students who are not planning on continuing band, please make sure to indicate that on this form. Please make sure to sign and return this form by FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 6TH. Thanks so much! -Mr. Golder-Novick ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Name___________________________________________________ Will you be returning to band? (circle one) Yes / No Instrument_____________________________ Classroom Teacher______________________ Full Band Time Preference (circle one): Recess/After School Small Group Lesson Time Preference (circle one): Before School/ Recess / Afternoon pull-out/ After-School Parent Email__________________________________________________ Parent Signature______________________________________________ Additional Info______________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________

Tolland Elementary Schools Parent Teacher Organization

Welcome to TEPTO! Have a child at Birch Grove or Tolland Intermediate?

You are an automatic member of TEPTO – no dues required!

Please join us and bring a friend for our first meeting of the

new school year!

Monday, September 9th, 2013

7:00pm Birch Grove Primary School Library

All attendees will be entered to win door prizes!

Meet the New TEPTO Board Members

Hear from the principals and teachers from both schools about what your children will be learning at the beginning of the school year

Discover the many opportunities there are to make a difference in our schools

Bring along a friend and/or neighbor – or meet someone new! - who share your interests

Learn about NEW and FUN events your PTO Board has planned for this year and how you can help!

Available for sale at the meeting: Calendars, Excuse Pads, Magnets

“LIKE” Tolland Elementary PTO on Facebook for news and updates! Don’t forget to visit us at www.tepto.com!

TOLLAND ELEMENTARY PTO

ICE CREAM SOCIAL

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 2013

TOLLAND INTERMEDIATE SCHOOL

6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.

Are you ready for some old-fashioned fun? Come enjoy a night of getting

acquainted with the Elementary School staff and your child’s new school friends.

You will also have a chance to make the BEST sundae in Tolland County for a very

reasonable price of $3.00 per sundae! This year we will be offering a sundae made

from a non-dairy alternative for those individuals with allergies. ALL NON-DAIRY

SUNDAES NEED TO BE PRE-ORDERED!

This PTO sponsored event is just a way to invite your family to meet all the other

school families for a night of fun and socialization. So mark your calendars and

bring your sweet tooth!

If you can help us out at the event, please fill out the Volunteer form below and

send it into the school with your child in an envelope labeled: Ice Cream Social

2013

We will contact you prior to the event to let you know if we need your help.

Thank you in advance for all your help.

Kim Hollenbach Erin Macaluso

(860) 462-3176 (860) 205-4125

(see form on next page)

Student(s) Name (s):

Teacher’s name / grade:

____ Yes, I would like to take advantage of prepaying for my sundaes. Please send in a check for

$3.00 per sundae made out to TEPTO in an envelope marked Ice Cream Social and the

tickets will be sent home with your child.

____ I would like to preorder nondairy sundaes. Please indicate how many and include prepayment

as indicated above.

____ I am available to help the night of the Ice Cream Social.

Volunteer(s) name:

Phone/E-Mail:

PLEASE CIRCLE JOB PREFERENCE:

5:15 p.m. – 7:15 p.m.: scooping ice cream

6:15 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.: cleaning tables

First Annual Autumn Golf Tournament

Dear Friend, Adam’s Adventure, Inc. is pleased to announce our first annual golf tournament to help raise funds to build our playground!

Adam’s Adventure’s Annual Golf Tournament Thursday, September 26, 2013

Top Stone Golf Course, South Windsor, CT Registration & Continental Breakfast: 10:00 a.m.

Shotgun Start: 11:00 a.m.

An entry fee of $125 per person or $500 per foursome includes:

Golf Cart and Green Fees Continental Breakfast Lunch - Hot Dogs and Hamburgers with all the fixings, chips and beverage picked up at the turn! Ice-cold bottled water Complementary Beverage Ticket Awards Ceremony Dinner A gift for each golfer…and much, much more!

Adam’s Adventure is a 501(c)(3) organization comprised of a group of individuals committed to raising the funds needed to build a state of the art, all inclusive playground at Cross Farms Recreation Complex in Tolland, CT. We dream of building a playground where children of all abilities can play freely. A place where there are no limitations and where there is something for everyone. Adam’s Adventure will be designed to accommodate not only Mobility Impairments, but also Auditory Disabilities, Autism Spectrum Disorders, Cognitive Impairments, Visual Disabilities and more. Whether they wish to swing, to climb, to play music, or just need a quiet place to rest, the children will find it there. We dream of a place that will be….A Playground for EVERYONE!

Consider your involvement in this memorable event:

Register your team today at www.adamsadventure.org Become a sponsorship partner! There are several packages available! Donate a raffle item!

We expect this tournament to sell out quickly so sign up today to secure your team’s position in this year’s tournament. If you have any questions please contact Alison Knybel at knybel@sbcglobal.net or 860-614-8796 or Don Cyr at or 860-573-0766 or dkcyr03@comcast.net. We recognize there are many golf tournaments and organizations you can support and we sincerely appreciate your consideration to participate in this event.

Sincerely, Alison Knybel Donald Cyr Tournament Directors

Tolland Girl’s Lacrosse If you are in interested in joining Girl’s Lacrosse please contact Kate Teller’s at 860-268-4554. We will be hosting a free clinic for girls grades 2-6 on Wednesday/Thursday evenings at Parker School fields starting September 4th at 5:45pm. $25.00 USA Lacrosse Fee is required for insurance purposes. Please visit the website to register www.uslacrosse.org

Connecticut Northern Lights

Girls Hockey Where Strong Girls Become Strong Women

Foundation Program Free Learn-to-Skate – Ice Hockey Program Just for Girls for girls born between 2004 and 2009 The Connecticut Northern Lights Girls Hockey program is a girls-only hockey program serving Northern

Connecticut. In the Foundation Program, our goal is to teach girls the fundamentals of ice hockey –

skating, stick-handling, passing, and shooting – while emphasizing skill development, cooperation, fair

play, fitness, safety and, most importantly, fun.

Age: For girls age 4 thru 9 (born during 2004 – 2009) No experience required!

Session I: Saturday, October 12 at 12:50 p.m. Sunday, October 13 at 9:10 a.m. Saturday, October 26 at 12:50 p.m. Sunday, October 27 at 9:10 a.m. Saturday, November 2 at 12:50 p.m. Sunday, November 3 at 9:10 a.m.

Session II: Saturday, January 4 at 12:50 p.m. Sunday, January 5 at 9:10 a.m. Saturday, January 11 at 12:50 p.m. Sunday, January 12 at 9:10 a.m. Saturday, January 18 at 12:50 Sunday, January 19 at 9:10 a.m.

Following completion of the FREE Foundation program, girls can enroll in the Northern Lights developmental program for a nominal fee.

Where: International Skating Center of CT (ISCC) - Simsbury, CT.

Cost: FREE! Includes a Northern Lights hockey jersey.

Equipment: JAM Pro Shop (located at ISCC) is offering a starter equipment package that includes skates, helmet and hockey gloves (youth sizes only) for $125. Players should visit the Pro Shop 2 weeks prior to their first session to be sized.

How do I register? Online registration forms and instructions are available at www.nlgh.com under the Learn to Play/Foundation section. For more information, please contact: NLGHFoundation@gmail.com

www.nlgh.com

Community School of the Arts

OPEN HOUSE

Tuesday, September 10, 4:00-7:00pm

Join us for our Open House where you can experience classes, ensembles and

meet private lesson students and families. This is a great opportunity to find out

more about what CSA has to offer in music and arts for your family.

SCHEDULE:

4:30-6:30p.m Pottery Wheel demonstrations and studio tour

Vernon Building Pottery Studio

5:00 p.m Suzuki program demonstration

Windham Building

5:30 p.m Reception and Meet and Greet

with CSA’s Director, Topher Logan

Vernon Building Gallery

6:00 p.m Art Program presentation and activity

Hebron Building Art Room

6:30 p.m Private Lesson tours of facilities and meet instructors

Willington Building

ALSO: Now Enrolling for adults and children of all ages and levels:

Private Instrument and Voice Lessons

Suzuki Violin, Cello and Guitar

Early Childhood Music

Treblemakers Children’s Choral Program

Ensembles

Music Theory

Pottery for Adults and Teens

Pottery for Children

Family Clay

Drawing and Painting Samplers for Adults and Teens

Drawing, Painting and Crafts for Children

Ask about participating in our Royal Conservatory Music Development program!

Enroll Today!

860-486-1073

www.csa.uconn.edu

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