June 20, 2013

Dear Webster Hill Families, If you watch the first five minutes of a child’s school day, you would understand why we are so adamant about having everyone here on time. A tremendous amount of teaching and learning takes place. It ac-tually starts at lineup. The socializing that takes place as children gather is an important part of child de-velopment. Children who come to school late miss out on this. As we enter the building, an incredible amount of learning takes place. We work to help build executive functioning skills. Simply put, execu-tive functioning are the skills everyone uses to organize and act on information. Teachers set up their morning routine to help students develop their executive functioning skills as early as Pre-K. Children have a set of tasks to accomplish before morning announcements at 8:40. Along with preparing for the day ahead, many of the children’s “class jobs” take place in the morning. Chil-dren have to plan, organize, think flexibly, and self-monitor in order to complete their morning tasks. As adults, we do this every day. As elementary school teachers, we create the conditions for students to build and practice these critical skills. When I see the line of tardy students in the office each day, I smile at them and welcome them to school, but I am also saddened to think that they are missing out on key learning. Please work to have your children here on time. The morning routine is a powerful and important time of the day. For a parent friendly overview on executive functioning, feel free to visit https://www.understood.org/en/learning-attention-issues/child-learning-disabilities/executive-functioning-issues/key-executive-functioning-skills-explained.

Question/Answer of the Month: How does Webster Hill establish a culture that ensures all students achieve at high levels?

We’ve implemented many strategies to focus on the achievement of all students. I’d like to highlight a few. SRBI is the system of screening all children three times a year to identify children who may not be meeting grade level benchmarks. We then dig a little deeper and if necessary, provide the supports to close the gap. The town recommends using a benchmark score on those universal screenings in order to determine which students qualify for extra support (tier one support). As a staff, we decided to move that score up by ten percentage points. This means more children qualify for support and more children who might be considered “average” have the opportunity to advance their skills. It means our teachers are servicing more students, it means more meetings, and more paperwork. We don’t mind. We feel that this model has helped us close the achievement gap and has helped us proactively prevent students who require more intensive intervention as they move forward each year.

October 8, 2015

We have also pushed the envelope and aggressively intervened at the PK, K and grade one levels. We don’t wait and hope children will eventually catch up. We place additional staff and resources in the early grades to address concerns. This may mean additional push in and pull out support early on but over time, we’ve seen less of a need to intervene as stu-dents move into the upper elementary grades. These systems and many others would not be possible without the culture we’ve estab-lished at Webster Hill. Our classroom teachers, specials teachers, resource teachers, ESL teachers, interventionists, and support staff all work together without a “my kid, your kid” mentality. We view every child as “our kids” and we collaborate in order to meet their

needs. Jeff

School webpage link of the month: Volunteer Opportunities/PTO Just go to our school page, click “Families” and then click “Volunteer Opportunities” Looking for more information from the state on Smarter Balanced or the CT Standards? Try this link: http://www.sde.ct.gov/sde/cwp/view.asp?a=2748&q=335764

Students who have earned a STRIVE Award for August

Sean M. Liam J. Sadie P. Piper P. Holden P. Emma M.

Students who have earned a STRIVE Award for September

Tong T. Thomas G. Aaron M. Max R. Henry E. Hannah L.

Marleigh B. Jaylen B. Aubrey L. MacKenzie H. Yusuf A. Midori T.

Yatdiel N-Gr3 Jeremiah R. Lucas O.

InView Test of Cognitive Skills

During the third week of October, all third graders will take the InView Test of Cognitive

Skills. It is part of our townwide testing program and the purpose of the test is to provide in-

formation on students' ability to think rather than on their achievement. The test takes approx-

imately two hours and is completed in multiple sessions. Your assistance in assuring your

child is well rested and resent in school during this week will be helpful.

ELC Lottery Applications

The Early Learning Center at Whiting Lane School and Aiken Elementary School is now accepting applications for the 2016-2017 school year. The program is family centered and has half day sessions that meet four days a week. A lottery will be conducted in January. To be considered for the program, children must be three years old by September 1, 2016, toilet-trained by the start of the school year and exhibit age-appropriate language, social and play skills. All applicants must par-ticipate in a play-based screening prior to being considered for the lottery selection. If you are interested, please contact Pam Macca at (860) 233-1455. The application process will close on November 30, 2015.

Dates to Remember Oct 9 Author In Residence Oct 12 Columbus Day School/Office Closed Oct 13 Grade 4 Field Trip 9-1:45 Westmoor Park Oct 14 PreK & K– Fire Dept Visit 9:30-10am Front of School Mad Science 2-3:00pm Room 3 Oct 15 Dads’ Breakfast 7:30-8:30 Cafeteria EGG Group 3:30-4:15 Room 9 Oct 16 EGG Group 7:45am Room 20 Oct 19 PTO Meeting Library 6:30-7:15pm PTO Board Meeting 7:15-9:00pm Library Oct 20-23 Gr 5 to Natures Classroom Oct 21 Mad Science 2-3:00pm Room 3 Oct 22 Farmers Market 3:30pm Front of School

Save the Date! Picture Re-Take Day November 16 @ 9:00 am

Like healthy food?

Want to help your kids eat yummy vegetables?

Help with the Webster Hill Salad Bar.

Parent volunteers are needed to help lunchroom staff with the salad bar Wednesdays from 11:00-1:30. Parents re-stock the bar, help serve the little kids, and keep bigger kids from taking too much! Two volunteers per shift, and depending on the number of volunteers, you would help every 4 weeks or so.

Contact Ann Colloton at collotonlaney@gmail.com or 860-709-1684 with questions or to volunteer.

Vacant Seat Program

Application Start date is

Monday, October 5, 2015

The West Hartford Public Schools vacant seat

program utilizes available space on school buses.

This program allows students to ride buses, where

space is available, who under the West Hartford

Public Schools Transportation policy are not eligi-

ble for transportation. No additional bus stops are

added to the routes for this program.

Interested parents should contact the West Hart-

ford Public Schools Transportation Office at (860)

561-6647 for additional information on or after

October 5th. Requests are taken in this office by

telephone on a first come, first served basis

starting at 8:00 am.

WEST HARTFORD SEPTO CALENDAR 2015-2016

All presentations will be at Sedgwick Middle School, 128 Sedgwick Road, West Hartford (Enter through Wardwell Rd entrance)

October 21, Wednesday: Where Do You Start? Addressing the Mental Health Needs of Children Join our Director of Psychological Services and social work staff to hear about West Hartford's new initiatives to iden-tify and support children with mental health needs. Other community services will also be discussed.

November 18, Wednesday: Behavior Acronyms: What are an FBA (Functional Behavior Assessment) and a BIP (Behavior Intervention Plan)? Join our schools psychologist and ABA consultant ?) as they introduce a new way of thinking about our children’s challenging behaviors and provide an overview of the concepts of functional behavioral assessment and positive be-havior interventions.

Wednesday, January 20: Transition Meeting for Parents of Children Transitioning to a New School (Kindergarten, Middle School, High School, Post-Secondary Programs) Glenn McGrath, Director of Pupil Services and school personnel will discuss the transition process and programs available to students receiving special education services.

Wednesday, February 24: Talking About Speech and Language Ever wondered what the difference is between speech and language? Are you confused by receptive language, ex-pressive language or pragmatic skills? What exactly IS speech therapy and what skills are required to have functional communication?

Wednesday, March 23: Preparing for the Planning and Placement Team Meeting This training focuses on preparing for the PPT: the roles and responsibilities of both parents and professionals; fu-tures planning, the importance of recordkeeping, and strategies for creating team relationships to foster successful meetings.

Wednesday, April 20th: Assistive Technology What is assistive technology? How do we incorporate it? The latest technology and applications in use will be show-

cased today. Get some tips and tricks to enhance communication skills.

Wednesday, May 18: TBA

Coffee & Conversation at Panera Bread, Bishops Corner

The first Friday of the month, parents of children receiving special educations services meet for coffee and some enlightening conversation. Come join us! All times are 9:00 – 10:00am

October 2 February 5 November 6 March 4 December 4 April 1 January 8 May 6

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The Nuts and Bolts of Special Education Parents of children with disabilities will learn how to become more active participants in their chil-dren’s education. This session will include information on evaluations, record keeping, Planning and Placement Team (PPT) meetings, Individualized Education Programs (IEPs), Section 504 and dispute resolution.

Developing the Individualized Education Program This training focuses on how parents can be actively and effectively involved in the development of the IEP. Participants will learn the key components of an IEP and will become familiar with current Con-necticut IEP forms. The workshop will offer guidance about developing measurable goals and tips for monitoring a student’s progress.

Becoming Your Child’s Best Advocate: Tips and Tools for Advocating for Your Child with Special Needs Learn how to effectively communicate with your child’s school and advocate for your child’s appropriate educa-

tion. Participants will learn tips on preparing for meetings with teachers, clearly communicating questions and

goals, and how to foster positive relationships with your child’s teacher.

Webster Hill PTO

News and Updates

A huge thank you to Heather Patrissi and Jenna Santangelo for

co-chairing the Fall Festival and to all the room parents who re-

cruited volunteers and everyone who manned the games, sold the

food and cleaned up. These events can’t happen without you! If

you want to see more events like this one, please consider volun-

JUST

ONE

Webster Hill Go Cards Buy a Webster Hill Go-Card for $20 and receive discounts to

TWELVE area restaurants. Use it over and over all year long.

Sell ten to friends and family and get yours for half price.

Get your Weekly Happenings and more at:

www.websterhillpto.org

Calling all Bakers and volunteers!!

The Dad’s / Special Person breakfast is next Thursday, October 15. We need help

with set-up, baking, serving food and clean up. If you can help, please click on the

SignUpGenius link on the Webster Hill PTO website. Thank you to Scott Backer,

John Joyce and Mike Kirkutis for co-chairing this annual special event.

You're invited by the PTO to our Open Invitation meeting Monday October 19 at

6:30 in the school library. Mr. Wallowitz will share the "State of the School" and

we will have representatives from the Board of Education in attendance to answer

questions from our Webster Hill families. No need to RSVP! We hope to see a

number of families there to represent Webster Hill!

It’s that time again.

Please start clipping your Box Tops

and Labels for Education!