Summer Hello
2019 -2020
I hope this email finds you enjoying the summer with a few more adventures on the horizon. This time of year always brings mixed feelings of an eagerness to begin a new school year as well as the wish for more time to make the summer a little bit longer.
This summer, I committed myself to read each morning when I arrived at school and found two books to be especially interesting for our SEL work. I am excited to share these titles with you during Faculty Meetings this school year. I also spent the summer going back and forth to the beach and the town pool. Michael is definitely that water child that John was hoping for with no fear of the ocean, slides or diving boards.
There are still lots of loose ends to tie up as we head into New Teacher Orientation next week. We are still finalizing the Monday Meeting Schedule as well as the August 27 and 28 schedule. So stay tuned for this information as we get closer to the 23rd of August.
I am looking forward to seeing everyone again as well as welcoming in our new staff. See you soon.
Cheryl
Building Reopens - August 19th
The building will reopen for staff on August 19th. This will allow our custodians to finish their work without interruption. Remember that before moving any furniture you must ask for assistance. The rooms still need some detailing before the school year begins. Thank you for your patience.
Ken, Marco and I cleaned out some closets this summer. I am letting you know this because some of you might be coming back to boxes of old materials that were found in the closets. Please either store these materials in your room or get rid of the materials. The closet space is at a minimum throughout the building.
Staff Updates
Jen Fernandez, Liz Lafferty, Dina Mazzacano, and Jess Taylor will all receive tenure on 8/27 (Congratulations!!!).
Melissa Curcio celebrated her wedding this summer. Her new name is Melissa Tom.
Grace Conti will be filling in for Kelly Rooney-Campbell as she spends time with her son, Grayson.
Melissa Giordano will be filling in for Tina Russell and Justin Perinotti as they spend time with their new additions Ryan and Kelly.
Welcome to:
- Dennis Argula: Orchestra, Band Teacher
- Marisol Casais: World Language Teacher
- Brian Cevellos: School Psychologist
- Katie Jackameit: English Language Arts, Social Studies Teacher
- Liam Keller: Orchestra, Band Teacher
Itzel Popova: World Language Teacher
- Jen Racine: Math, Science, Social Studies Teacher
- Lauren Sabawa: Special Education Teacher
Class Placement, Schedules, Committee Sheets
The class placements will be available to families on August 16th. Please wait until August 23rd to send any letters or emails in the event there are changes to be made.
The schedules may need adjustments during the first 6-day cycle. Please bring any oversights to my attention as soon as possible. We will make every effort possible to not pull para support however, emergencies do occur. We will alert you ASAP when paras have to be pulled.
Please sign up for Picture Day after taking a look at your schedule.
The LAF Committee Sheets are online and posted in the _LAF [Schools & Sites]. Please click here to view and sign up to serve on a committee or volunteer to chaperone the concerts. Thank you in advance for your assistance.
Social Emotional Learning & Calm Cougars
- An all-school assembly has been scheduled for September 6th at 1:15 p.m.
Remember that when you are mindful during Calm Cougars it sets a tone and “buy-in” right from the beginning and throughout the year. Lesson prep, paper passing should not occur during this time.
Consider having students take turns ringing the chime or reading a mindful moment to begin Calm Cougars when there is only music.
Students should not be leaving and entering the room during Calm Cougars. Set this standard right away.
SEL Lessons for 4th Grade are in the process of being updated based on the feedback gathered at our last meeting. The September 5th Grade Lessons are almost ready for implementation.
All materials will be provided to you or will be available in the office at the beginning of each month.
Line Up Procedures
Please click on each link to review where your students will be located for morning lineup and where they should be dismissed.
Outdoor Line Up Procedures There is not a Clap In. The procedure for the first day is the same each day thereafter.
Indoor Line Up On days of inclement weather, we will line up in the cafeteria and gym, signs will be posted but your review of the document is appreciated.
Dismissal Procedures Please be mindful of where everyone should exit to help with hallway congestion. Homeroom teachers must establish clear expectations for walkers and bussers at the end of the day. Too many times last year walkers left with the bussers in an effort to be first out the door. This is a safety issue when students leave the building before the 3:15 bell.
_LAF [Schools & Sites] folder
The _LAF [Schools & Sites] folder shared with you in Google Drive houses all of the Policies and Procedures for LAF Staff.
This should be your go to place when questions arise about procedures (i.e., Lunch, Line up, Entering and exiting the building, Emergency Management, Code of Conduct Think Sheets, etc.)
TIP: Bookmark or Star this folder for easy access
Emergency Management
Emergency Management Kits can be signed out in the front office
Check your Emergency Management Kit for a dowel and a blue strap.
Familiarize yourself with hallway protocols. All classrooms should have a Hallway Protocol sheet hanging in their rooms. Extras will be available at the Faculty Meeting.
You will be provided with 15 copies of the LAF Bathroom Sign Out Sheet. We are requiring everyone to use the same sign out sheet. The template is in Google Drive when you need more copies
You will also receive a neon Shelter In Place sign in your emergency management kits. This is to be stored near or on the bottom of your sign out sheet. It is to be placed on top of the sign out sheet when a Shelter In Place is called.
Code of Conduct
Review The Code of Conduct with the students as you setup your procedures.
The Code of Conduct will be sent home to parents and students via email by Cheryl on 9/7
Please send home the Reflection Homework by Friday, 9/7.
We are requiring families to return the reflection to their homeroom teacher.
Copies of the reflection sheet will be in your mailbox before the first day of school.
You may send this home as a Google Classroom assignment. Please just ask that parents and students ‘electronically’ sign the document.
Google Drive Lesson Plan Folders
Your Google Drive Lesson Plan Folder will need to be organized to accommodate the lesson plans for this school year
Please create a 2018-2019 folder within your Google Folder and transfer all of your lesson plans and other 18 - 19 materials into this folder.
Create a new folder for 2019 - 2020.
The schedule for lesson plan review will be forthcoming.
Remember: If your plans are placed into the Google Lesson Plan Folder there is no need to share them with Marco or me via email.
If you would like to add a co-teacher to your lesson plan folder please let me know.
Back to School Night
Thursday, September 12th
The night is about your program not an activity/project the students create.
A letter from the students with their beginning of the year goals is enough and connects to our work with growth mindset.
Marco and I are available to preview your presentations.
Intervention and Referral Services (I&RS)
Please request I&RS paperwork from Marco via email with the student's name. Marco will send appropriate documents to teachers and committee members.
Parents should be aware of your concerns before you reach out to Marco/I&RS Committee.
Meetings occur once a month. Please complete paperwork in a timely manner to ensure that committee members have time to review.
Updates to I&RS paperwork is the responsibility of the teachers.
Dates can be found on the LAF Internal calendar at the start of the school year.
Food Events
All parents and students will be informed of any classroom parties or events where food is being served. Our policy for bringing food into the classroom is as follows:
The homeroom teachers will reach out to the Class Parents at least one week before the classroom party and inform them of any classroom allergies and date of the party.
Forty-eight hours before the party, room parents will share the party menu with the parents and teacher via email.
All items for the party should be bought from a store. Homemade treats are not allowed.
When sharing the item and ingredient information via email, a picture or link to the company website should be provided.
Students are welcome to bring in their own snack as long as the snack is permitted into the classroom environment (i.e., peanut free classroom, etc.)