welcome drum point families

Welcome Drum Point Welcome Drum Point FamiliesFamilies

Welcome Drum Point Welcome Drum Point FamiliesFamilies

Kindergarten and First Grade Orientation

Housekeeping Information

• Please make sure to have received from your child’s teacher:– Parent/Student Handbook– Back to School Night Information – Bus Safety Packet is found online

Housekeeping InformationContinued…

• Please make sure if you did not complete the Emergency Verification Form tonight to return it as soon as possible.

• The tag with your child’s name on it you received – please have your child wear that on the first day of school! Please fill in their bus number.

• Please return the paperwork you received as soon as possible, many of the papers are time sensitive. Thank you!

Kindergarten Staff• Mrs. McGlynn• Mrs. Farrell• Mrs. Wascho• Mrs. Krebs• Mrs. Koehler

First Grade Staff• Mrs. Keough• Miss Goubeaud• Mrs. Popp• Mrs. McGrath (Mrs. Rossi)• Mrs. Krebs• Mrs. Koehler• Mrs. Grace

Other Friendly Faces

• Principal – Ms. McConnell• Assistant Principal – Mrs. Gibbs• School Nurse – Mrs. Knittel • Secretaries – Mrs. Bench & Mrs.

Cole• Social Worker – Mrs. Walsh• Custodial Staff – Ms. Kocses Head

Custodian

Daily Specials

• Art – Ms. Wollek• Music – Ms. Sanford• Physical Education – Ms. Lukosius

and Mr. MacCarrick• Media Center – Mrs. Cappetta

Important Reminders

• Students must report to the Main Office if you arrive late to school

• Call in absent students – send a note upon return• Bring all medications to the nurse’s office• Send in a note for a change in dismissal• Report to the main office upon arrival. Bring a license for

picture i.d.• Please notify the Main Office if there is a change in

address, phone number, or emergency contact information

• Refer to the Parent/Student Handbook for other important procedures

• Please don’t send your children to school with toys!

Academics

• Kindergarten and First grade will focus on Language Arts Literacy and Mathematics

• Students will have daily instruction in Science and/or Social Studies as well

Language Arts - A Path to Balanced Literacy

• Whole Group, Small Group, and Independent Literacy work• Variety of genres – Literature, Informational Text, Poetry…• Leveled Readers – Students are taught at the appropriate

instructional level.• Six Traits Writing – Opportunities for modeled, shared, and

independent writing activities.• Focus Wall –Target Skills & Strategies clearly posted each

week.• Common Core Standards integrated into daily instruction.• Technology- Interactive Whiteboard Lessons• Think Central provides access to student editions.

Mathematics Instruction

• Combines elements of standards-based instruction with the best traditional approaches.

• Through objects, drawings, conceptual language, and real-world examples, it helps students make sense of mathematics while offering new ways to

teach and learn mathematics through exploration, modeling and discussion.  

• Math Expressions supports the CCSS by covering select concepts for deeper mastery.

What can I do at home? • Read, Read, Read• Reading is the foundation skill for all learning.

Teach your child to love books and you will build a lifelong reader.– Read to your child, with your child, allow them to

read quietly and read to you. – Allow your child to make predictions about the story.– After you finish a story, ask your child how the story

relates to a personal experience he/she may have had.

– Ask your child how he/she might have changed the story.

– Using daily opportunities and situations (such as recipes, restaurant menus, grocery store, driving in the car) to integrate reading.

What can I do at home?

• Provide opportunities for your child to write and practice different context for writing.

• Practice math skills within context of real world situations• Create fun math games for your child to help you solve

problems• Practice basic facts to develop a clearer understanding of

number sense • Help your child develop critical thinking skills by embracing

the “why” questions. Asking what happens next or making predictions also encourages this skill.

Transportation

• Students are encouraged to use the buses!• Send in a note for any changes in dismissal. We need

this is writing!• Review bus rules with your child.• Should you need to drop your child off, please do not

arrive before 8:10.• At 8:10 students can be dropped off at the front of the

school. • Your child will be considered late after 8:25. Please see

that your child arrives on time to begin the school day!• If you are picking up your child, please arrive by 2:45

for dismissal. We will start to load the buses by 2:50.

Breakfast• Research shows that having breakfast can impact the

academic achievement of students.• Breakfast will be available daily for purchase and will

be delivered to the classrooms. • Breakfast will be organized like snack time. On most

days students will continue to work while enjoying breakfast items.– Students who receive free lunch will be offered a

breakfast for freePlease consider pre-paying for the meals by using the pre-

pay system!

Lunch

• Lunch is at 10:45 a.m.Please consider pre-paying for the meals

by using the pre-pay system https://www.parentonline.net/Public/Login.aspx

BEST Program

• Before care and after care offered at Drum Point School through the BEST program– Before school care starts at 6:30 AM– After school care ends at 6:00 PM– Children have an opportunity to participate in

physical activities, arts and crafts, special events and projects, etc.

– Staff helps the children with their homework for 45 minutes to an hour during after care everyday

• Please contact the BEST office, which is located at the BCPLC (732-262-2590)

Drum Point PTA• The PTA is part of the national Parent/Teacher Association

that strives to enhance children’s educational experiences.• The primary objectives of the PTA is to provide our schools

with funds, programs, resources and services that will enrich and maximize the education of every child.

• The PTA provides our children with the homework agendas, music and dance events, family fun activities, grade and curriculum based assemblies and other hands-on interactive experiences and presentations. Last year the PTA graciously purchased new white boards for every classroom. All of this directly benefits the students of Drum Point.

• Please get involved in our school by joining the PTA!

Safety Drills• One Fire Drill and

One School Security Drill a Month

• Notification of these drills will not come home prior to the drill.

Home/School Connection

• Website ~ www.brickschools.org• Friday folders• Phone calls/conferences• Newsletters• Intervention and Referral Service • School Social Worker• Parent Teacher Association (PTA)

Kelso’s Choice Conflict

Management For Children

“Intelligence plus character-that is the goal of true education.”

- Martin Luther King, Jr.

Drum Point Elementary School’s Character Education Program

Integrate six pillars of character into curriculum and school day

Highlight monthly traitsStudents will be rewarded for demonstrating positive changes and good character by being invited to have

lunch with the principal.

A few words from our Assistant Principal –

Mrs. Gibbs

A few words from our School Social Worker…

Mrs. Walsh

A few words from our Intervention Specialist…

Mrs. Krebs

A few words from our School Nurse…

Mrs. Knittel

A few parting words…

• Thank You, I Know We Will Have a Great Year!

• I look forward to a fantastic year at Drum Point! Please feel free to contact me with any further questions!

Together Everyone Achieves More