Mrs. Osman –classroom teacherMrs. Osman –classroom teacher

Mr. Sleiman–teaching assistant child specificMr. Sleiman–teaching assistant child specific

? –student teacher from Muhlenberg College.? –student teacher from Muhlenberg College.

Science and Health:• Health…The Body Systems (Respiratory, Circulatory, Health…The Body Systems (Respiratory, Circulatory,

and Excretory System)and Excretory System)• Ecosystems…Environment and EcologyEcosystems…Environment and Ecology• Light, Sound, and EnergyLight, Sound, and Energy• MagnetismMagnetism

Social Studies:• Map SkillsMap Skills

• United States RegionsUnited States Regions

• PennsylvaniaPennsylvania

Mathematics:COMMON CORE focus this yearCOMMON CORE focus this year•Addition and SubtractionAddition and Subtraction•Place Value and MoneyPlace Value and Money•Multiplication and DivisionMultiplication and Division•Money, Time, and MeasurementMoney, Time, and Measurement•FractionsFractions•GeometryGeometry•DecimalsDecimals•GraphingGraphing•CalculatorsCalculators•*Xtra math for daily practice of math facts. Access via my *Xtra math for daily practice of math facts. Access via my website website www.parklandsd.org/kv or or http://www.parklandsd.org/web/osman/

Dear Parents, Pennsylvania Schools are embarking on a period of transition from the PA Academic Standards to the PA Core State Standards. The goal is to provide a clear, consistent “core” of standards so all children have access to an excellent education. Keystone exams at the secondary school level are aligned to the PA Core State Standards. PSSA will be aligned to the PA Core State Standards in the 2014-2015 school year. Parkland School District has a steadfast commitment to improving the education of all students to prepare them for college and career readiness. This parent letter was developed to assist parents with understanding the new Common Core curriculum movement and the need to work together to ensure our students success as they move towards their college and/or career goals.

The PA Core State Standards: • Prepare students with the knowledge and skills they need to succeed in college and work • Provide educators, parents and students with clear focused standards • Set consistent expectations • Include both knowledge and application of subject area • Build upon strengths and lessons of current state standards • Are based on real-world application • Are evidence and research-based

Key math shifts include:

• FOCUS: Learn more about fewer, key topics

• COHERENCE: Build skills within and across grades

• RIGOR: Develop a deep, authentic command of mathematical concepts through o Conceptual understanding – deep understanding of content

-Procedural skill and fluency – the standards require speed and accuracy in calculation

-Application – we learn math so we can use it in situations that require mathematical knowledge

Reading: Lead 21Lead 21 Lead 21

Which includes differentiated readers. Which includes differentiated readers. - SSR (Sustained Silent Reading)

- Book Adventure program for Pizza Hut Book-it Program starting October through March.

Reading: • All Parkland students in grades K-5 will be taking a STAR assessment at three

different times during this school year; September, January, and May.

• All STAR assessments are computer-adaptive tests. Computer-adaptive tests continually adjust the difficulty of each child’s test by choosing each test question based on the child’s previous response.

• Students take STAR Enterprise tests at individual computers.

• The software delivers multiple-choice items one by one, and the student selects answers with a mouse or the keyboard.

Reading: (continued)(continued)

• After a test is completed, the software calculates a score, and teachers and administrators view and analyze reports that show results for an individual, class, grade, or school.

• STAR assessments measure specific skills as well as overall early literacy and reading ability.

– They compare students’ achievement to that of students across the nation;

– estimate mastery of state standards and Common Core State Standards; and

– report growth over time.

• Results from this assessment will help us to:

– provide students with appropriate materials;

– identify areas where students need more instruction;

– set learning goals;

– make plans for meeting those goals; and

– determine whether the instruction and intervention are effective.

Writing:• Writing StrategiesWriting Strategies• Grammar…Prefixes and SuffixesGrammar…Prefixes and Suffixes• Narrative Procedural…Realistic Narrative Procedural…Realistic

Fiction…Personal Narrative…Poetry…Fiction…Personal Narrative…Poetry…Writing Across the Curriculum…Writing Across the Curriculum…Persuasive…Descriptive Essay…Letter Persuasive…Descriptive Essay…Letter Writing…Biography…Science Writing…Biography…Science Reports…Science FictionReports…Science Fiction

• HandwritingHandwriting

How can parents help prepare their child for learning? • Read a combination of fiction and non-fiction aloud or with your child. Select more difficult passages over time.

• Read more informational texts including newspapers, magazines, technical manuals, science and social studies articles and books.

• Talk with your child and have him or her explain things.

• Encourage writing at home.

• Help your child know basic math facts.

• Discuss and “do” real life math with your children.

• Look for problems based in real life.

• Encourage a good work ethic.

• Discuss with your children their performance in school and what they are learning.

• Talk with your children about the importance of graduating from high school ready for college and career success.

Key English Language Arts shifts include: • Read as much non-fiction as fiction

• Learn about the world by reading

• Read more challenging material closely

• Discuss reading using evidence

• Write non-fiction using evidence

• Increase academic vocabulary

Spelling:• Work on patterns and strategiesWork on patterns and strategies

• Spelling tests will occur on different Spelling tests will occur on different days of the weekdays of the week

• Will NOT run Monday through FridayWill NOT run Monday through Friday

• Same list for all students as Same list for all students as requested by the school districtrequested by the school district

Technology:• Computer labComputer lab in the school with scannerin the school with scanner• 5 classroom computers5 classroom computers• 24 netbooks on a cart24 netbooks on a cart• Class Set of I-PodsClass Set of I-Pods• Digital CamerasDigital Cameras• Portable TV Studio/ video camerasPortable TV Studio/ video cameras• Interactive White Board with Ben Q penInteractive White Board with Ben Q pen• Use of the InternetUse of the Internet

Grading System:• A = 90%-100%A = 90%-100%• B = 80%-89%B = 80%-89%• C = 70%-79%C = 70%-79%• D = 60%-69%D = 60%-69%• F = 59% and belowF = 59% and below

Items to discuss:• Book orders – checks please to Book orders – checks please to

book co. Also, an on-line option book co. Also, an on-line option availableavailable

• School calendarSchool calendar• Reporting your child absent by Reporting your child absent by

calling 610-351-5900 EXT 27711calling 610-351-5900 EXT 27711 (www.parklandsd.org/kv) (www.parklandsd.org/kv) • Getting homework when out sick or Getting homework when out sick or

on vacation (Call by 9:30 am)on vacation (Call by 9:30 am)

Contact Information• osmana@parklandsd.orgosmana@parklandsd.org• 610-351-5900 extension 27420610-351-5900 extension 27420• Check notes, e-mails, voicemail Check notes, e-mails, voicemail • Class website on Class website on

www.parklandsd.org/kvwww.parklandsd.org/kv -Staff List-Staff List -Fourth Grade-Fourth Grade -Andrea Osman-Andrea Osman

SCHOOL-TO-PARENT RAPID SCHOOL-TO-PARENT RAPID COMMUNICATION SYSTEMCOMMUNICATION SYSTEM

Rapid communication service – sends 1,000’s of messages in minutesRapid communication service – sends 1,000’s of messages in minutes

Expect 3-4 voice messages/month from Principal regarding upcoming Expect 3-4 voice messages/month from Principal regarding upcoming events/important reminders.events/important reminders.

Will be used to communicate instructions in case of emergency. Will be used to communicate instructions in case of emergency.

Will call you around 5:30 AM to announce inclement weather delay or closure Will call you around 5:30 AM to announce inclement weather delay or closure to the primary number on file onlyto the primary number on file only

A test call in October will ensure accuracy of the system. A test call in October will ensure accuracy of the system.

If school dismisses early for any unscheduled reason, will call all emergency If school dismisses early for any unscheduled reason, will call all emergency numbers, send a text message and an email to all contacts on file.numbers, send a text message and an email to all contacts on file.

We strongly encourage all parents to participate in this new notification system We strongly encourage all parents to participate in this new notification system as opting out will not allow families to receive messages that will be as opting out will not allow families to receive messages that will be

communicated via the system in the event of a true emergency. communicated via the system in the event of a true emergency.

Changes to the information we have on file can be made any time by contacting Changes to the information we have on file can be made any time by contacting the school building secretary.the school building secretary.

Parent Pick Up:

• Forms available on www.parklandsd.org/kv Forms available on www.parklandsd.org/kv under “Parents” then click on “Elementary under “Parents” then click on “Elementary Forms”.Forms”.

• http://www.parklandsd.org/kv/http://www.parklandsd.org/kv/kernsville-elementary/elementary-formskernsville-elementary/elementary-forms

Caftrac:

• New system may have to add blocks for snacks New system may have to add blocks for snacks again. May add money online for a small few again. May add money online for a small few using credit card. using credit card.

• Otherwise check or cash with child’s name, Otherwise check or cash with child’s name, teacher, room number, and amount in an teacher, room number, and amount in an envelope. envelope.

• School lunch is $2.50School lunch is $2.50

Caftrac From “Miss Amy”:• 1.  Caftrac is now called eTrition.

•  

• 2.  By accessing your child's account with birthdate or ID#, you can check balances, purchases and make payment online for a small fee.  Need to go to www.myschoolbucks.com

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• 3.  When sending in cash/check, PLEASE put in a envelope with FULL name, teacher's name and amount of deposit.

• Checks are made out to PSD Cafe acct.  Envelopes can be a PPL envelope, etc, just make sure it is sealed.

•  

• 4.  All blocks on your child's account must be requested again. (new system did not carry them over) You can send in a note.

•  

• 5.  Negative balance letters are sent out before lunch on Tuesday and Thursday.

CAF-TRAC Procedure:

• Please write the following on the outside of Please write the following on the outside of envelope (no plastic bags):envelope (no plastic bags):– Student’s Name (no nicknames)Student’s Name (no nicknames)– Teacher’s NameTeacher’s Name– Amount of Money being deposited*Amount of Money being deposited*(for more than one child, write all names on (for more than one child, write all names on

envelope and designate the amount for each)envelope and designate the amount for each)

• Checks made payable to Checks made payable to PSD Cafe AccountPSD Cafe Account

Parkland Bullying Pledge

•We will not bully othersWe will not bully others

•We will try to help students who We will try to help students who are bulliedare bullied

•We will include students who are We will include students who are easily left outeasily left out

•When we know someone is being When we know someone is being bullied, we will tell an adult at bullied, we will tell an adult at school and an adult at homeschool and an adult at home