Stewart School Curriculum Summary - November 22, 2011

 School Website

 The Stewart school website has been hard at work on increasing teacher content on teacher pages. Many teachers have exciting and interesting websites for children to explore and learn.  In an effort to provide continuity throughout the Stewart website we discussed the advantages to having the major and common websites on the home page of the Stewart website.

In addition to common websites, we discussed having a direct link to the online videos that have been created by the new Instrumental teacher that help children learn how to play and practice along with their instrument.

(Itinerant teachers can post on one site and still have a link on our Stewart’s website.)

The discussion also entertained the thought of sharing free, education apps that may be available and useful to children.

The result of this discussion left us at confirming the websites on the teacher pages and possibly adding links onto the home page, confirming that any apps that are suggested to parents are free, adding a direct link to the online instrumental videos and sharing with parents at a PTA meeting how to access these sites (Pearson, Keyboarding etc.).

On a similar note, Stewart has an informative and helpful power point presentation that highlights the happenings in each school department. Go to http://stewart.gardencity.k12.ny.us/

Afterschool Educational Programs

Mathletes:

Mathletes is a fun and exciting extracurricular 10 week program offered to fourth and fifth graders at Stewart.  The goal of the program is to introduce, develop and teach challenging mathematical concepts in an educationally competitive environment.

Enrollment for this 10 week program takes place twice a year; October and January.  The co-coordinators for the program this year are Mr. Corso and Mr. Cronin. 

In addition to Mathletes, Math Olympiads is a program (reintroduced from 2009-2010) that provides children with another opportunity to engage in a challenging activity to sharpen their math skills.  Children are selected by teachers to participate in the Olympiads.  Participation in this program takes place during school hours.

Information in regards to Mathletes, Math Olympiad and Discovery Science Program will be added to the website shortly.

Teacher Access/Conferences

Teachers are available to parents at all times.  Should a parent need to communicate with a teacher, please contact the teacher by email, telephone or a note sent in via backpack. Teachers usually respond to parents within a 24 hour window.

Academic Pace/Homework

Recently parents have been commenting on the pace of the classroom, and tests with too much content and low scores.  We discussed the goal for Stewart to maintain and celebrate different teaching methodologies within the school. Stewart aims for individuality in teaching strategies while maintaining same concepts in the curriculum.  Teachers teach to their population, some classrooms may carry a quicker pace than others but all teachers maintain the same concepts as they apply to their grade level.  For the most part most content is taught over a 2-3 week period with testing the following week.  The GC guidelines have been generally 10 minutes of homework for every grade (ex. 2 grade = 20 minute written homework plus reading; 5 grade = 50 minutes written homework plus studying and reading each evening).  If your child is struggling with assignments or homework please be sure to discuss this with your child’s teacher.

Core Curriculum

With the Core Curriculum initiative set to take place next year, what can parents do to partner with teachers to help students succeed? Will there be a list of materials parents can access for their children? Extra help at recess? Or after school?

While a challenging change in the curriculum is fast approaching, the new Core Curriculum will help students develop critical thinking, it will help students to go deeper into their studies.  To prepare for the Core Curriculum initiative, teachers are attending workshops, collaborating with their peers across town and working at grade levels with each other.  New materials have been sourced in order to help teachers begin to map out the changes.  Plans have been made to analyze any curriculum gaps that may exist and will be addressed in the May-June time period.

FLES

As an update to the last email received from the FLES department, parents will receive a class progress report.  Parents can expect to receive a total of 3 progress reports this year.

Additional agenda items were discussed:

We discussed the possible need to develop a school year goal for the curriculum committee.  This will be a topic that will be revisited.

Summer Assignments

Summer assignments are designed to help children maintain their level of achievement.  They are also critical in helping children in transitioning into the next grade level. We plan to discuss how these packets can be more comprehensive by reviewing summer reading book titles and exploring more online learning opportunities.

Common Core Standards

We discussed the common core standards and the challenges and opportunities that may be presented.  Parents can go onto http://engageny.org to see the changes, additions and refocusing of the core standards that are to come.

Items we would like to see on Stewart School Website:

Information on the new Instrumental teacher, the online videos that help children learn how to play instruments.  Stratford has the link on their website (while it links from Stewart onto Stratford we would like to see it directly linked to Stewart as well) –

Castle learning added to home page with a link, some teachers have the link and others do not.  Castle learning is used at Middle school and we feel children will benefit if they can access it at Elementary level.

Teacher recommendations for fun learning websites or Apps.  By adding these sites/apps to the Stewart homepage we can drum up more online traffic and also build a sense of consistency between classrooms at each grade level.

Update on Mathletes:
An overview of the purpose of the program? How does it work this year.  How often do children meet.  When does enrollment take place? What grade levels can participate?  Who is in coordinates Mathletes? Are there any changes from last year?  There appears to be no information on the Stewart website for Mathletes (or for the very awesome afterschool program that is offered) Can online information be added to the school site regarding these questions?

Concern with the fast pace of curriculum in Math, Social Studies and Science especially in upper grades:
Concern from parents about tests with too much content and low scores. Growing concern that children are not learning the information because it is moving to fast.  What can be done to help children who are struggling and need extra time to understand material. Homework overload?

FLES
Parent comments/complaints have been received that one of the FLES teachers (Mrs. Cornachio) was not available to meet with at parent teacher conferences.  Will she be available at another time? Will she be sending home correspondence about her classroom?

Looking into next year:  With the Core Curriculum initiative set to take place next year, what can parents do to partner with teachers to help students succeed? Will there be a list of materials parents can access for their children?Extra help at recess? Or after school?

Stewart School Curriculum Summary October 4, 2011

Library

How will each grade be able to access the Library now that it is not a Special?

Information provided by Ms. Norton prior to meeting:

Second Grade will attend Library 1 time per cycle. The teacher is responsible to bring them to Library.  (This is similar to last year when the teachers stayed with the FLES teacher once per c cycle.)Mr. Mac will continue to teach how to use Destiny and how to research in the library.

3rd,4^th,and 5^th grades will go to Library as an extension, this will give students the opportunity to use the library up to 3 times per cycle.

Mr. Mac will be in the Library to assist students during these times.  They anticipate 12-25 students per class period.

Ms. Norton has compared this scheduling similar to the primary schools;half

the class will stay in the classroom to work with teacher and the other half of the class will go to the library.  The hope is to have students utilize the library more productively.  Mr. Mac will continue to work with the children showing them how to use Destiny and complete research projects.  In addition, he will meet with teachers from each grade to see how the children can use the library more effectively in regards to research.  A request from teachers for more non-fiction books is already in the works.

What is the status of Grammar books/workbooks for Stewart School?  Have they been purchased?

Grammar books (Grammar Workshop by Sadlier-Oxford) were purchased for both Stewart and Stratford for grades 3, 4 and 5.   The feedback from the teachers and students is very positive.  Teachers have also incorporated grammar into spelling tests.

Two thirds grade teachers are piloting word-work strategies which focus on learning to decode and spell by understanding letter-sound relations rather than by rote memory.  This is said to make learning more active and reflective.  Fifth grade teachers are also integrating grammar and spelling by utilizing grammar exams to test for spelling and visa versa.  The results thus far have proven productive.

 F.O.C.U.S Parents would like more detailed information, and explanation for the cost.  A letter was sent home to send in $100.00 check for F.O.C.U.S.  with very little explanation.

 The cost of F.O.C.U.S is a shared cost among the parents, school and district.  The district and school fully support F.O.C.U.S.  Ms. Norton will be putting together a pamphlet explaining in greater details the field trips associated with F.O.C.U.S.  She will also have a link on Stewart website for F.O.C.U.S, it will include pictures of the trips and events.  The feedback from students and parents has been positive this year. 

Spanish – FLES is listed on the report card, but no grade is given.  Could you please explain why?  Please explain how FLES works at Stewart School.  Has it helped children once they reach the Middle school?

The FLES program at Stewart is offered as a special.  It is offered 2 times per cycle to each class.  The philosophy of FLES is more cultural than academic. However the students are given quizzes and do have oral presentations.  The program has had a positive effect on the world languages in grades 6-12.  The exposure to FLES has helped children not only continuing in Spanish but also children taking other languages at the Middle School and High School. 

Quest-   Parents are inquiring about Quest.  Please explain what Quest is, what the criteria for Quest is how you are admitted in to Quest (COGATS, grades).  When it takes place.  Is anything on Website to explain Quest?

The Quest program at Stewart is run by Ms. Volpe.

Children enter the program in the second half of 3^rdgrade.  Students must receive 130 or higher on the COGATS test.  It is an abilities test, and there is no studying or prep for this test.  Each grade has about 10 students in the program.

There is also a chance in 5^th grade to join if a student scores 130 on the 5^th grade COGAT Test and high achievement in both the 4^th grade ELA and Math NYS assessments.  The Quest committee determines the achievement cut-off scores.  The scores fluctuate due to scale scores changing each year.

Ms. Volpe also assists with a writing extension for grade 3.  She supports students in organization and writing strategies.  She is working on areas that students who took the ERB tests scored low on last year.   This is only available during her open periods and does fluctuate fall/spring.

New items discussed:

 There has been more shared planning time with Stratford. Both schools are more cohesive to bring curriculum in line   Teachers are also being supported by the district and encouraged to attend workshops that address the common core standards.  The new initiative promotes a deeper learning of texts rather than wider with a higher focus on non-fiction materials. 

To support this new initiative Stewart School has been preparing a book room that will provides  teachers with the resources to meet district and state standards and goals.

The testing in 2013 will represent the expectations that are part of the new common core standards.  As of now 43 states adopted the Common Core Learning Standards.

Anti Bullying

Stewart School celebrated Anti Bullying Day on Monday, October 3^rd where children were asked to wear a blue shirt.  Children participated in classroom activities’ that involved books on the subject and open discussions.

Stewart is also preparing to “celebrate” unity day in the third week in October.  In addition Stewart is working on a “peace corner” where there will a designated spot for children to be able to resolve conflicts.  The children will also attend a bully prevention assembly on Oct 21^st.

 March 22^nd, 2011 Curriculum Meeting Summary

In attendance:  Miss Norton, Mr. Pappa , Mrs. Bliss, Mrs. Leake, Mrs. Dratch, Christine Tiedemann, Cynthia George

GUIDED READING:  A description of the Balanced Literacy Program has been listed on the Stewart School’s website.   The teachers have discussed the student’s progress in regard to the Balanced Literacy Program during the recent conferences. 

STAFF DEVELOPMENT:  Staff development remains consistently ongoing in regard to keeping with the district goals. 

SCHOOL BUDGET:  At present time it is premature to anticipate with any certainty what will result in terms of the school budget.  It seems as though supplies and books will stay fairly stable.  Field trips have already been decreased by lack of funds, and may possibly be cut some more depending on budget.  Class size looks as though it will be affected in some grades, but again there has been no definitive decision on class size.

GRAMMAR:  There are no specific grammar books used at Stewart School.  Grammar is taught in some fashion throughout all the grades in the Balanced Literacy portion of instruction.  Teachers incorporate the grammar lessons in spelling, Writer’s Workshop, etc.

FOLLOW UP WITH MATHLETES:  To date there is not anything posted on the Stewart School website in regard to Mathletes.  It is being worked on.  At present all teachers are giving the same instruction .  The teachers announce the top two students with the highest scores every week.  At present there has not been a Math Olympiad competition this year.  There is a third session of Mathletes being offered in the Spring.

CLASSROOM HOME COMMUNICATION:  There has been an improvement in communication between home and school  since the last meeting.  Curriculum Maps are being worked on will hopefully be on the school website next year.

Stewart School Curriculum Meeting Summary

February 3, 2011

GUIDED READING – The Guided Reading Program has now been implemented in the 4^th and 5^th grades.  Staff development for this program continues, with both Stewart and Stratford teachers training together.

At the Joint PTA Meeting on January 26, 2011 at Stratford School, Erica Pecorale distributed a handout titled “Processing a Written Text”, which is published by Fontiss and Pinell.  This model is what is used by teachers in assessing the children’s reading level. 

Stewart School Administration is going to be working on posting a description of the Balanced Literacy Program, which the Guided Reading Program is a component of, on the school website.

CLASSROOM – HOME COMMUNICATION – Upon hearing that there is a discrepancy regarding information regarding grade/class curriculum from teachers to parents, Miss Norton surveyed the teachers and reported that 90% of the teachers send some sort of communication home on a regular basis (i.e. monthly newsletters, weekly newsletter, student generated letter home on a regular basis, or regular classroom website updating).  Teachers are not contractually obligated to send information home on any regular basis.

The district is hoping to develop Curriculum Guides for each grade by next year, barring any budgetary constraints.  These Curriculum Guides would be posted on the District Website.

GRAMMAR – Grammar is taught throughout the school year in a variety of ways.  While many teachers do not use identical textbooks or workbooks as part of their curriculum, supplemental materials are used on a weekly basis.  Some examples of books that the teachers use are:

McDougal, Little – ENGLISH

Scholastic – Literacy Place

Evan-Moor – Grammar & Punctuation.

Students are taught grammar through their ELA instructional part of the day.  The 2^nd and 3^rd Graders also complete a “Daily Edit”, which is a series of questions where they need to either correct Grammar or solve math problems.

MATHLETES – Miss Norton will be following up with Mr. Cronin, who runs the Mathletes Program at Stewart School regarding the issues on the Curriculum Agenda.  The results will be available shortly and posted with the next Curriculum Meeting Summary.

In brief, The Winter 2011 Mathletes currently have 34 4^th grade students and 40 5^th grade students participating respectively. 

A description of Mathletes will be posted on the School Website at a future date. 

       

   Stewart School Curriculum Summary November 4^th, 2010

            Mathletes –

            How is Mathletes being run this year? Is it more of a workshop or a contest? Do the children     work in groups or individually?  How does it compare to the way Stratford runs it?

Mr. Cronin is running Mathletes this year at Stewart.  It is open to all 4^th and 5^th graders.  There are seven sections, offered both morning and afternoon.  Students are able to sign-up twice a year.  Stewart's Mathletes teachers review a new concept every week, with 6 questions at all challenge levels.  They meet 8 times.  It is a point based contest. Two children from each section with the highest points are able to compete in Math Olympiads at the end of each session.  The only other way to get into Math Olympiads is to be recommended by a classroom teacher.

 The Mathletes teachers teach the concepts after the students have tried the questions on their own. ** Startford program is similar and designed as an enrichment program for students who enjoy math.  It promotes higher level thinking skills.  It is not intended as a remediation program.  A fun competition with awards given to students that finish with the highest points.

          Science Club-

            Why are grades 4 and 5 being combined this year for Science club?

            How is Stewart running it ? Why is Stratford doing it differently?

Grades 4 and 5 are combined in one session due to a lower number of children who signed up.    If more children join they may be separated.  The children in each grade meet one time per month, a total of 8 times a year.  The day each grade meets rotates so children who have other activities after school maybe able to participate at some point.  Mrs. Maguire heads up the Stewart program and Mrs. Nicolini heads it up at Stratford.  If any student is signed up for the program and will not be able to attend on their scheduled day,   they must send in a note in to school.  Children without a note will not be permitted to leave school at the normal dismissal time.  Stewart and Stratford  are running their programs the same way this year.

Science lab presentation will be done again at next PTA meeting.

 Very informative.  November 9^th at 9:00 am at Stewart School

            Writing Lab

            Parents are looking for extra help in writing.  Is there a way to implement extra help or support   for children who would like it.  This would be separate from the reading and math support           already in place for those children who have been identified.

Can not do extra help like Middle School because of teacher contracts, and budget.  Possibility of forming a writing club of some kind.  Teachers can always help children with writing during school hours.  Children are writing and rewriting during school this includes book summaries, journal writing, and essays with teachers.

We discussed the possibility of looking into some kind of reference guides that can be added to students planners to help answer questions dealing with grammar and writing styles.

            Guided reading at Stewart.

            Are all grades following the program.  Have all teachers received training? Do teachers give       scores to parents at parent/teacher conferences.

            How do classroom teachers evaluate each child.  Is there a cap in each grade level?

            How can parents benefit from this information?

            Will summer reading lists correlate to guided reading?

Guided reading program is currently used in grades 2 and 3.  Grades 4 and 5 are currently receiving training from Erica Pecorale.

Second and Third grade teachers discuss with parents at conferences their child’s level.  It is a guideline. They want children reading and not to be limited by a child’s level. The teachers also explain the five finger rule for parents.

1. Does my child understand the book?
2. Is the content of the book appropriate for my child's age?
3. Is my child enjoying the book?
4. What genre are they reading?
5. Can they talk about and discuss what is happening in this book?

Stewart and Stratford will be having a joint PTA meeting/ presentation  the morning of January 26^th to discuss in detail what “Guided Reading” is. How teachers have been trained and how this will benefit the children. 

Mr. Mac will review Summer reading lists.

            ELA and Math scores summary.      Higher percentage of 4's on ELA. Students scored higher than in the previous year. 

            Opera : Fifth grade saw Don Pasquale at the MET and will be performing this opera at Stewart school this spring.   No decisions have been made on how decide who will perform in opera. Site based committee will handle how children will be chosen to perform in opera.  Survey maybe used to get parents input.

Curriculum Summary for the September 23^rd, 2010

 Stewart Curriculum Meeting with Ms. Linda Norton

In attendance:  Ms. Norton, Mrs. Bliss, Mrs. Dratch, Mrs. Leake, Christine Tiedemann and Cynthia George

 Curriculum Issues Discussed:

Stewart Curriculum Committee Summary

Curriculum issues discussed:
1.            3^rd Grade Multiplication and Division

             The 3^rd grade teachers use various means and methods to both teach and reinforce multiplication and division.  Some examples are mad minutes, flash cards, take home worksheets, skip counting exercises, etc. The teachers also send various types of reinforcement exercises home and ask that parents take a few minutes to review multiplication and division tables with their children at home.

                Every teacher approaches it in his or her own way.  Ultimately, each child must study and learn the tables until it becomes rote.

                If a parent is having a specific problem, please speak to the child’s teacher and then if still not resolved, please contact Ms. Norton.

2.            AIS pull-outs

                There are typically 3 total group/class time slots during the teaching day and 2 or 3 pull out periods.

                Traditionally, during pull out times, a teacher will do independent type tasks, such as note taking, work records, conferencing for writing process and reading groups which don’t have children pulled out.  Most teachers use the pull out time slots as a time to teach independent work.

                Math lessons and introductory lessons in Social Studies and Science are generally taught in full group sessions.  Note taking can be done during pull outs because it is independent work and can be made up.  Sometimes it doesn’t work out as planned and pull outs are necessary.  In those cases, the teacher and student make every attempt to make up the missed work.

3.            ELA and Math State Assessments

                Ms. Norton would be happy to give a presentation at a Fall PTA meeting addressing how the ELA and Math state assessments are graded.  For example, it would be very informative and beneficial for parents to understand that there is “roundtable grading” and discussion among teachers grading the state exams.  Important information is learned at these roundtables and taken by the teachers back to the buildings and shared amongst the staff.

4.            Bullying

                Stewart School treats incidents of bullying very seriously.  Typically, the children involved (both the aggressor and the victim) are interviewed and parents are notified. If necessary, there is a follow up by teachers and the social worker.  If it becomes a pattern, parents are again notified. Always, children are made aware of the consequences.

                Sometimes, it is hard to get the victim to talk to the teachers or Ms. Norton about an incident.  Very often, a child goes home, tells the parents about an incident and the parents call Ms. Norton.

                If there is a history of children not getting along, the teacher is told to make a note of it and separate those children the next year.  If a parent would like a child separated from another, they must write a letter regarding the class placement each and every year.

                Every child needs to feel safe, emotionally and physically.  Stewart School stresses character education throughout the year.

Summary of the Stewart Curriculum Meeting held on March 22, 2010

  Curriculum issues discussed:

 1.         Musical Instruments

 Mr. Stanganelli contacts all parents of the children who wish to stop playing an instrument in the band. A child cannot “drop” an instrument without parental discussion.  In the future, a written follow up letter will be sent to the parents as well.

 Some parents have complained that band rehearsals take place during lunch/recess.  It has been determined that is the best time for the band to meet and will remain so.

 2.         The effects of the proposed Budget on Stewart School

             The proposed budget is created by the Superintendent.  Ms. Norton does not make any suggestions for personnel cuts.  She is able to decide what areas to cut in terms of supplies from Stewart School’s budget.

 3.         QUEST

             The proposed budget calls for one Quest teacher to go back and forth between Stratford and Stewart schools (there are currently 2 teachers, one at each school).  The second Quest teacher will likely return to the classroom.  The Quest teacher will continue to be utilized where needed, i.e., to deliver instruction and support where needed.  The Quest program where identified students work with Mrs. Volpe will not be affected.

 4.         Art

             Ms. White can select up to 3 students to exhibit artwork from her art class at the Art Supervisors Association Exhibit.  Parents of those children selected are notified in advance of the exhibit.

 5.         Early Morning Gym

       2^nd graders will begin early morning gym after Spring Recess.

  6.         FOCUS

             The FOCUS trip to the Cold Spring Harbor DNA Lab was quite successful.  In May, there will be a Science themed day at Stewart School for both Stewart and Stratford students.  There will be several stations and science filled activities.        There is a trip to Jones Beach in June. 

Finally, there will be a survey given to the 5th graders and staff members regarding their opinions and evaluation of the FOCUS program.

  7.         K-3 Balanced Literacy

             There is a new Assessment that some teachers used in various Kindergarten, 1^st, 2^nd and 3^rd grade classrooms regarding balanced literacy.  Those teachers who piloted it were very pleased with the assessment, which is essentially an internal assessment to assist teachers in placing children in the right literacy groups.  Starting next year, all K-3 classes will be assessed using this benchmark.  The benchmark evaluates reading and comprehension, writing, etc.   All of the teachers will become familiar with it so that it can be fully implemented next year

Summary of the Stewart Curriculum Meeting held on January 21, 2010

 1.         The 21^st Century Classroom

            Stewart School is well on its way to preparing “21^st Century” technology classrooms.  At the next PTA meeting (scheduled for February 4, 2010), PTA members will be asked to vote on a grant proposal for PTA funds to be presented to Stewart.  The school would like to purchase a “Document Image Camera (a/k/a “ELMO”) which is essentially “clickers” for Smartboards.  A clicker system in conjunction with the Smartboard enables students to interact with the Smartboard and press clickers in response to directives, questions, etc.   In addition to responding to a prompt with a, b or c answer, a student can also write on a tablet (similar to a hands free dry erase board). There is also a Bluetooth component which makes it wireless.

Stewart is also purchasing a “green screen” for use with students making videos and podcasts.

 2.         Ms. Conforti is the Garden City School District Spotlight Employee of the Month

            Judith Conforti, computer specialist at Stewart School is the Garden City School District’s employee of the month.

Ms. Boyd has been selected as the Nassau County Physical Elementary Teacher of the year

            Crystal Boyd, a physical education teacher at Stewart, has been chosen as the Nassau County Physical Elementary Teacher of the year. 

The entire Stewart community is very proud of both Ms. Conforti and Ms. Boyd for their well deserved recognition.

 3.         Guided Reading Groups

            Guided reading groups are well-defined and present in grades 2 and 3. These are the elementary grades which the District has determined best suit guided reading groups and where the District has focused its training and resources.

            Grades 4 and 5 have some type of reading groups, such as book clubs or literacy circles but they are not as clearly defined as in the lower grades.  However, although the titles of the groups are not as formal, literacy discussion is taking place in every classroom in every grade.

  4.         Differentiated math groups

             There are not formal math groups in every classroom in every grade.  Math instruction varies by classroom and teacher.  Simply put there just is not enough time in the instructional day to have formalized math and guided reading groups in addition to other subject matter.  In some classrooms there are math groups.  Teachers often vary their style of math instruction to include learning tools, manipulatives, visuals, smartboard lessons, etc.  Style of teaching is also dependent on the topic being taught, the make up of the class, how the lessons are received by the students, etc.  Children who need additional help receive it.

 5.         Spelling Curriculum

             In 2^nd grade, there are no spelling workbooks.  There is “word work”.  The teachers generate a list of spelling words and plan out the principals for each class lesson.  Although there are different phases of the spelling program, for the most part, each of the teachers are teaching the same thing.  There are spelling activities to reinforce the principals being taught.

                        In 3^rd grade, there are spelling workbooks.  The editions of the workbooks may vary but the words are the same.  Each classroom does the exact same spelling words but the extension activities may differ.  Students may work on the spelling workbook in school or at home depending on the teacher.

                        In 4^th grade, the students have the same workbooks.  Most extension activities are done at home and usually completed by the Friday of every week.  Some work may be done in class depending on the individual teacher.

                        In 5^th grade, there are 2 different workbooks.  Some teachers use one, other teachers use the other. The workbooks contain different words but the activities involving the words are the same.  The 5^th grade is moving towards using one uniform workbook.

             6.         Differentiation of assignments for those students who excel

                         Additional assignments, if any, depend upon the student and the teacher and should be addressed by the parent with the classroom teacher. As a whole, additional homework is not usually given as it is often looked upon by the student as punishment.  Additional resources are available to those parents looking for more activities, such as the Pearson Success website for additional math.  There are additional external links to other subject areas listed on the Stewart website.

                        The most important activity that teachers encourage the student looking for additional challenges, is reading.

             7.         COGAT scores and QUEST

                         Numerous questions have arisen in connection with the recently received COGAT scores.  Due to the overwhelming number of questions posed to the PTA Director, the curriculum representatives and the grade representatives, Ms. Norton will provide a presentation about COGAT and Quest at the next PTA meeting on February 4, 2010.

             8.         Constitution Works for the 5^th grade

                         Constitution works has been rescheduled to the end of May due to the change in the scheduling of NYS testing.  The 5^th graders will begin working on the program at the end of February and will visit the Courthouse sometime in May.