Stewart School Curriculum Reps are:
Barbara Jean Kaczynski and Christine Tiedemann
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May 2010 Stewart Curriculum Committee Summary
Curriculum issues discussed:
1. 3rd Grade Multiplication and Division
The 3rd 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
2nd 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, 1st, 2nd and 3rd 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 21st Century Classroom
Stewart School is well on its way to preparing “21st 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 2nd 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 3rd 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 4th 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 5th 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 5th 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 5th grade
Constitution works has been rescheduled to the end of May due to the change in the scheduling of NYS testing. The 5th graders will begin working on the program at the end of February and will visit the Courthouse sometime in May.
Blurb of Stewart Curriculum Meeting (11/18/09)
1. SCHOOL LIBRARY INVOLVEMENT WITH REGARD TO RESEARCH PAPERS:
Mr. McAleese, along with teachers and media specialists, will be working across all grade levels to introduce additional research based writing skills. All grades at Stewart produce some form of a research paper. There will not be any constraints or cutbacks on materials available to students due to budgetary cutbacks. We have supported our classroom teachers by purchasing classroom libraries (300 books). In addition, we are allocating funds to our balanced literacy program (2-5) by purchasing supplemental material such as books and reader's notebooks.
2. SMARTBOARDS:
Currently there are not Smartboards in every classroom. Ms. Norton is anticipating that approximately 70% of the classrooms will have them by school year end. In addition, the district is providing training for any interested teacher.
3. ABSENTEEISM WITH REGARD TO FLU SEASON:
There will not be a notice sent home with students when a child in their class is reported to have the flu. Extra cleaning measures and precautions are being taken by the school to protect the children as much as possible.
4. SOCIAL LEARNING INITIATIVES AND THE SECOND STEP PROGRAM:
Currently only utilized in the second grade classrooms. The school is waiting to assess its success before it trains other grade level teachers to use it. It was chosen based on favorable feedback from other districts as well as meta analytic studies. The Second Step program is a researched program which has a parent component.
5. STEWART SCHOOL IS GOING GREEN:
Stewart School is offering students the opportunity to purchase stainless steel canteens for drinking. For more info you can visit www.kleenkanteen.com.