Lewisboro Elementary School
79 Bouton Rd., South Salem, NY 10590
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 |
Principal:
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Ms. Cristy Harris
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| T.O.S.A. |
Marie Calo |
| Phone: |
914-763-7800
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| Fax: |
914-763-7871
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Announcements
Cristy’s Corner:
Don’t be fooled into thinking that school is winding down for the year just because it’s May! We still have so many more learning experiences in store for our students before school lets out for the summer vacation.
Response to Intervention (RtI)
As per our RtI District Plan, we will benchmark K-5 students in the areas of reading and mathematics during the month of May. These benchmarks, or screenings, are administered to the whole class as well as individually. The results will provide an overview of your child’s progress as it compares to his/her own growth as well as his/her peers. The LES RtI team (classroom teacher, service provider, interventionist and administration) is scheduled to meet at the beginning of June to review the data and determine the appropriate level of intervention for individual students based on District guidelines. If your child qualifies, would benefit from a change of tier, or will be exiting intervention services, you will be notified.
Infinite Campus Parent Portal
On Friday, May 3rd, the Infinite Campus Parent Portal may be accessed to review interim reports completed by classroom teachers in grades 1- 5. A Connect Ed message will be sent as a reminder. Progress reports for students in grades K-5 will be available on the Parent Portal on June 21st.
Safety Update
During the next two months, we will be conducting drills as per our District Safety Plan. Practicing safety protocols and procedures with staff and students helps to improve our response in emergency situations. The LES Crisis Team continues to meet two times a month to review and revise plans, as necessary.
Character Ed
This month’s Character Ed theme is “Courtesy.” Parents who signed up to join their child for lunch here in the LES cafeteria will have the opportunity to see courteous behavior first hand. We are also trying “Mix It Up May” for first through fourth grade lunch periods. Students will be seated with a variety of grade mates throughout the month to expand their social networking. We hope to see you at lunch!
Letter to Parents Regarding the Newtown Tragedy
December 17, 2012
Dear Lewisboro Elementary Families,
The tragic news of Friday, December 14, 2012 has left us all deeply distressed. Our hearts go out to all the families in the Newtown community, and to everyone involved and affected by this devastating loss of precious life.
To prepare for the students today, the LES staff met this morning prior to student arrival. Staff members were asked not to introduce or facilitate discussion regarding the tragedy. However, staff were told to respond to students, at all grade levels, if students made comments or asked questions. Prepared responses were scripted and shared with the staff in the event that the topic was brought up in the classroom. The staff understood that their primary role was to provide students with reassurance that school is a good, safe place to be, and that the adults in their lives work very hard to make sure that they have a happy and safe place to learn in school.
The school social worker and psychologist were both available throughout the day to meet with students requiring additional support in dealing with specific or detailed questions and concerns. The District has posted resources on our website if you need assistance speaking to your children, but please know that we are also here to assist you, and your family. You are welcome to contact the school and speak to either me, our TOSA, Marie Calo, School Social Worker, Wendy Bucaj and School Psychologist, Rebecca Hirschl.
During this time, we know the importance of maintaining a sense of normalcy. When we were notified by the District Office this morning to go into lockout mode (a single point of entry) as a precautionary measure to a potential risk in a neighboring district, we did so with great subtlety. With the exception of having indoor recess, the students were unaware of the lockout situation. The staff was asked to continue with established routines and instruction so that the children felt secure and safe in their school environment.
In looking ahead, the LES Crisis Team in collaboration with the District Crisis Team will carefully review our current emergency plans and procedures. The Lewisboro Police Chief and Town Supervisors, who visited our school this morning, told me that they will continue to periodically monitor our campus to instill a sense of safety.
Please know that I am committed to the safety of the students and staff at LES. I greatly appreciate your support during this difficult time.
Wishing you all peace during this holiday season,
Cristy Harris
Speaking With Your Children About the Newtown Tragedy
UPDATED: Dec. 17, 2012
Dear Parents / Guardians -
We are all deeply saddened by the tragic events that took place today in
the school shootings at Sandy Hook Elementary School, in Newtown Ct.
We also recognize that your child may be confused and frightened by the
information they see through the media and may look for guidance from
the adults in his/her life. Attached, please find tips and suggestions
on how to help your child to deal with these difficult events.
As always, our counseling and mental health staff is available to provide support for your child if needed.
Patricia K. Bragdon PhD., LCSW-R
District Mental Health Coordinator –KLSD
Resources:
Tips for parents and teachers
http://www.extension.umn.edu/distribution/youthdevelopment/DA7413.html
“While there are no easy answers about these kinds of events, children
will want an explanation from parents and teachers. A complete
explanation will not be easy, it may not even be possible, but we must
try. We must strive for a balance between helping a child feel safe and
acknowledging the existence of violence, evil and danger in the world.”
Article explaining the role of teams in schools for threat assessment (of students) from Parent Magazine:
http://www.parents.com/parenting/better-parenting/teaching-tolerance/school-shootings-the-conversation-you-need-to-have-with-your-kids/
“Many children will wonder “can this happen at my school” How to
respond: “Even if you’re worried about this yourself, there’s no reason
to let your kids know that…. Keep your voice very calm and explain that
you’re sure his teacher and principal have taken every measure to make
sure school is the safest place possible.”
http://www.parents.com/kids/safety/school/helping-children-feel-safe-at-school/
“Older children can handle more information than younger children, and
they may need more details in order to satisfy them. But at all ages it
is appropriate to inform children what is being done to protect them in
their particular school.”
Additional Resources : Updated 12-17-12
How to Talk with Children about the Connecticut School Shootings
http://www.aft.org/yourwork/tools4teachers/together/schonfeld.cfm
Talking with Children about Violence (MHA of Westchester)
http://www.mhawestchester.org/html/school_violence.html
A National Tragedy: Helping Children Cope
http://www.nasponline.org/resources/crisis_safety/terror_general.aspx
Taking the Terror Out of School Shootings
http://www.extension.umn.edu/family/families-with-teens/resources-professionals/violence-in-our-schools/taking-the-terror-out-of-school-shootings/
“While there are no easy answers about these kinds of events, children
will want an explanation from parents and teachers. A complete
explanation will not be easy, it may not even be possible, but we must
try. We must strive for a balance between helping a child feel safe and
acknowledging the existence of violence, evil and danger in the world.”
How Children Cope with Trauma and Ongoing Threat
http://www.nasponline.org/resources/crisis_safety/ongoingthreat.aspx
Coping with Crisis—Helping Children With Special Needs
http://www.nasponline.org/resources/crisis_safety/specpop_general.aspx
Death: Dealing with Crisis at School Practical Suggestions for Educators
http://www.nasponline.org/resources/crisis_safety/neat_poland.aspx
UCLA Mental Health Project
http://smhp.psych.ucla.edu/violence prevention and safe schools.pdf
SAMHSA's Coping with Violence & Traumatic Events Website
http://www.samhsa.gov/trauma/?from=carousel&position=1&date=11012012
From Parent Magazine:
http://www.parents.com/parenting/better-parenting/teaching-tolerance/school-shootings-the-conversation-you-need-to-have-with-your-kids/
“Many children will wonder “can this happen at my school” How to
respond: “Even if you’re worried about this yourself, there’s no reason
to let your kids know that…. Keep your voice very calm and explain
http://www.parents.com/kids/safety/school/helping-children-feel-safe-at-school/
Parent Teacher Conferences
Click here for Step-by-Step Directions
Please note that making a reservation is a two-step process.
- First, you must choose your child's teacher and fill out the required information including your email address.
- Second, you must check your email Inbox for an email from @ptcfast.com. When you click on the link inside that email, you will be taken directly to the teacher's conference schedule to choose a conference date and time. If you do not receive this email within 5 minutes, check your Spam folder.
Only one parent in each household should make a parent teacher conference reservation (except for separated/divorced families where each parent wishes to meet with the teacher separately).
In an effort to become more efficient and sustainable Parent Teacher Conference sign-up will only be available online. Additional information regarding this process will be available in September.
Typing Pal Online
http://school.typingpal.com/?KLUFLWSB
Log in with your regular school username and six digit password.