Central Park East II
Week of February 1 , 2016
Family Conferences this week - February 3rd and 4th
By now all families should be signed up for their Family Conference. This is our mid-year conference. You will receive your child's mid-year report. If you have not signed up for a conference yet, please let the classroom teacher know. There are no walk-ins.
PLEASE NOTE THAT STUDENTS MUST ATTEND THEIR CONFERENCE. PLEASE MAKE ARRANGEMENTS FOR YOUR CHILD TO BE PRESENT.
February 4th Early Dismissal for Family Conferences
On Thursday, February 4th there will be an early dismissal day for Family Conferences. As we indicated in previous CPE II notes, we were compelled to change our original date due to the inclusion of February 8th as a non-attendance day for the Lunar New Year. On this day, Thursday, February 4th, there is NO CPE II Taller Latino after school because conferences are being held. Most other after school programs will not be picking up at this early time. School buses operate on an early dismissal schedule and leave school at about 12 noon. All other students need to be picked up at 11:30 AM.
Upcoming early dismissal dates: Thursday, March 3rd and Friday, May 13th. Please feel free to email with any questions or concerns. Nsmith3@schools.nyc.gov.
CPE II Cell Phone Policy Update
The CPE II Cell Phone Policy has been revised and is included below. Any cell phone being used without authorization and supervision in the school building or during any school activity will be confiscated. Starting February 1, 2016, cell phones will be collected and secured by the homeroom teachers in the Middle School. See full policy below.
Math Homework….we mean Home Practice
At CPE II we expect children to use some time each evening to practice things that they are working on in school. Typically this includes reading a book of choice, perhaps some writing, and some mathematics problems. Children should spend no more than 15 minutes on math home practice - they should grapple with the problems to the best of their ability, to allow insights into the structures of mathematics they are working on in class. Making sense of problems and persevering in solving them and Looking for and making use of structure, are two of the mathematical practices we encourage students when we assign home practice.
Home practice is not an additional assignment, to be graded and used for assessment by the teacher. It is not an assignment that parents should take any responsibility for the student “getting the right answer.” The teacher checks to see that students are putting in the practice time. S/he does not use the practice to draw conclusions about the student’s understanding. S/he does that with the work students do in class.
That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t spend time solving math problems yourself. You should!!
Book on Inclusive Teaching Strategies for Diverse Learners by CPE II Teacher
We are so proud that one of our teachers, Jessica Martell, along with one of our parents, Mariana Souto-Manning have co-authored a new book, Reading, Writing, and Talk: Inclusive Teaching Strategies for Diverse Learners, K-2 to be released: April 8, 2016
This book introduces a variety of inclusive strategies for teaching language and literacy in kindergarten through 2nd grade. Readers are invited into classrooms where racially, culturally, and linguistically diverse children's experiences, unique strengths, and expertise are supported and valued.
Don't Forget - 4th Grade Chorus Performance - Friday, February 12th at 1:45 PM
Needed for the Art Room
Vida has requested the following materials. Please send them in if you can.
- metal cans of all sizes (cleaned out - no sharp edges please)
- random small metal hardware from around the house (nuts, washers, etc.)
- egg cartons (all kinds ok)
- cardboard (or styrofoam) "mixing" trays, like the ones that are under veggies (see picture below) Not from meat, please.
Klezmer Concert, Kindergarten through 3rd grade
This week, as part of their Musical Introduction class, all students in grades K - 3 will attend a concert by Metropolitan Klezmer at the 92nd Street Y. Students have been working with Lynn Wilson and their classroom teacher(s) to prepare for this concert. Kindergartners will attend on Tuesday morning, 1st, 2nd, and 3rd graders will attend on Wednesday morning.
CPE II Cell Phone Policy:
Use of cell phones is not allowed at CPE II during school hours. We encourage families to keep cell phones, and all electronics, at home. School phones are available to contact parents as needed. Should a parent need to reach a child, they can do so through the school office.
We do understand that some families feel it is necessary to give their children cell phones to be in contact and check in before and after school. If a cell phone is brought to school, it must be turned off upon arrival at school and remain turned off for the entire school day. Middle School homeroom teachers will collect cell phones and return them at the end of the day. In the elementary school phones will be stored out of sight. If the phone needs to be used at dismissal, it must be with approval and supervision by a CPE II staff member. Any phone being used on school premises without the permission and supervision of school personnel will be confiscated.
Cell phones should not be used on the school bus, except to contact parents about arrival plans. They should not be used to call friends, take photos or access the Internet during the school bus ride. Cell phones should not be used on school trips, unless approved by and supervised by a staff member. CPE II is not responsible for loss or theft of cell phones that are brought to school.
Dates to Keep in Mind
Wednesday, February 3rd AND Thursday, February 4th Evening Family Conferences
Thursday, February 4th Afternoon Family Conferences - Early Dismissal - 11:30 AM
Monday, February 8th, Luna New Year - No School
Monday, Feb. 15 - Friday, Feb. 19 - Mid Winter Break - No School
Friday, February 26th at 3:30 - Diller Quale Quartet
Thursday, March 3 - Early Dismissal for Staff Professional Development
Friday, March 4 - Deadline to apply for Pre-K
Friday, March 11 - CPE II Talent Show
Friday, March 25 – Good Friday - No School
Tuesday, April 5 – Thursday, April 7 – Grade 3 – 6 NYS ELA
Wednesday, April 13 – Friday April 15 - Grade 3 – 6 NYS Math
Saturday, April 16 – Spring Fair
Monday, April 25 – Friday, April 29 Spring Recess (including Passover) No School
Monday, May 30 – Memorial Day Observed No School