Meadow Pond Elementary School
185 Smith Ridge Road, South Salem, NY 10590
Principal:
Ms. Carolann Castellano
T.O.S.A.: Dawn Pomeroy
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Phone:
914-763-7900
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Fax:
914-763-7986
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Announcements
Principal's Letter
April 30, 2013
Dear Meadow Pond Families,
Although we are at the beginning of the final months of the school year, there is still much for our students to learn and explore as we continue to adjust our curriculum to reflect the Common Core Learning Standards. Across the district, we are piloting units from a number of new math programs that are aligned to the Common Core.
Students in our third, fourth and fifth grades have just completed the revised NYS ELA and Math Assessments and are moving on to some exciting learning activities that have been planned by their teachers. Within the past few days, our third graders represented our school in an Arbor Day planting of two Paw Paw trees near our outdoor classroom and garden. During the student centered presentation, our third graders spoke of the origins of Arbor Day and the history of the Paw Paw tree. They also shared an original poem which helped us to focus on enjoying the world through our senses. The Katonah-Lewisboro Lions Club and the District Sustainability Committee were instrumental in supporting this event. Our fourth graders are finalizing their preparations for a day long Encampment on May 15th which is the culmination of their study of the American Revolution. Our fifth graders will soon be visiting the JJMS and will be participating in a number of special activities, including a trip on the Hudson River and the district wide picnic, as they approach the end of their MP experiences.
Independently and in small groups, our kindergarten students have been reading and counting with a great deal of confidence. Their excitement is contagious as they recognize their own progress and learn to support one another as part of the school community. Our first graders have just completed an amazing week long interactive project in which they created their own town. They shared their thoughts, came to consensus and collaborated in order to complete their town. Come to Caterpillar Court and you will see their beautiful, detailed display. Our second grade students will be enjoying a Butterfly Boogie program along with their LES buddies this week. The students will work and play together for part of the day as they collaborate and learn about butterflies and complete a related art project.
Simplicity Parenting
As a follow-up to an evening presentation by Kim John Payne, Family University sponsored a morning conversation at Meadow Pond. A discussion of practical ideas and strategies for supporting our young children as we try to “dial it back” for them and for ourselves was enjoyed by a number of parents. We look forward to seeing our families progressing together as they learn to feel less stressed in a stress filled world.
Safety Update
The Meadow Pond Crisis Team will be training with the specialists from Altaris, the consultants who are working with the District on safety. Our Building Crisis Team continues to meet at least twice each month to problem solve at the building level. As always, we will continue to share any pertinent information we receive regarding safety or dangers in our vicinity. As usual, we will be conducting additional drills as we move through the final months of the school year.
Response to Intervention (RtI)
As per our Response to Intervention District Plan, as mandated by New York State, we will benchmark students in the areas of reading and mathematics for K-5 during the month of May. The benchmarks, or screenings, are administered as a whole group and individually depending on the grade and subject area. As a reminder, the benchmarks for reading and mathematics, which may take up to five minutes individually or ten minutes as a whole class administration, provide us with an overview of your child’s progress as it compares to his her own growth and his or her peers. We will conduct our data meetings in June to review student progress and determine the next steps for individual students. Revisions to your child’s plan will be implemented in September. If your child qualifies for services based on the criteria outlined across the district, we will contact you to identify intervention services available. If your child is currently receiving services and shows growth in a particular area, he or she may exit services and you will receive a parent communication.
Compact
Our Compact Team has arranged for Mr. David A. Adler to share his writing process with our students. Mr. Adler is the author of the Cam Jansen series and many non-fiction texts, including a number about famous historical figures such as Abraham Lincoln, Amelia Earhart and Jackie Robinson. We are anxiously looking forward to his visit this coming week.
Parent Portal
On Friday, May 3, the Infinite Campus Parent Portal may be accessed to review interim reports completed by classroom teachers in Grades 1 through 5 only. If you have any questions about your child’s progress, please contact the classroom teacher. A Connect Ed message will go out to remind you that the reports have been posted. Progress reports for students in K-5 will be available on the parent portal on the last day of school in June.
For your convenience, I have included some of our upcoming scheduled events. Please continue to check the website and your child’s backpack for any updates.
Upcoming Scheduled Events
Monday, April 29th Turn Off TV Week begins
Friday, May 3rd Parent Portal opens at 3:45 p.m. for review of interim reports
Tuesday, May 7th Third Grade Recorder Concert at 7:00 p.m.
May 8th, 9th , and 10th Kindergarten Visitation
Wednesday, May 15th Grade 4 Encampment
Thursday and Friday, May 16th & 17th Spring PTA Book Fair
Friday, May 17th 9:45 a.m. PTA Meeting and Adopted Budget Presentation
Grade 5 students visit JJMS from 10:40-1:40
Friday, May 31st MP Garden Party
Monday, June 10th IM/MP String concert at JJMS 7:00 PM
June 17th -June 20th dismissal at 12:15 p.m.; June 21st dismissal at 10:45 a.m.
Monday, June 17th Field Day (district wide) KAM & KPM attend
Thursday, June 20th Moving Up Ceremony
Friday, June 21st final day of school Parent Portal open at end of day for Third Trimester and Special Area Progress Reports
NYS Science Assessment Grade 4
Performance Session: May 22nd -24th
Written Session: June 3rd
Holidays
Monday, May 27th
No school for students/Memorial Day
I hope you find this information useful and if you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact us.
Sincerely,
Carolann Castellano
Principal
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/
Character Education Parent Letter
Click Here
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).
Typing Pal Online
http://school.typingpal.com/?KLUFMEAD
Log in with your regular school username and six digit password.