Updates from the Principal's Desk
November 30, 2022
Parent Teacher Report Card Conferences
December Conference time is quickly approaching. Monday, December 5 and Tuesday, December 6 are Early Release Days for conferences and Wednesday, December 7 is for evening conferences. Please be sure you have signed up for a conference.
In order for our parents to be partners in learning and get the most out of the conference, you should think about a few things prior to the conference.
The purpose of the report card conference is to help parents understand their child's performance during the first marking period as it relates to the district curricula and the CT State Standards. The teacher will share the grades and evidence of how those grades were determined. They will share areas of great success as well as what some next steps may be for continued growth. As a reminder, the teachers are always available to schedule an additional call, conversation, meeting etc to answer any specific questions you may have. Please don't hesitate to reach out at any time.
Please note your child's teacher will share the first marking period report card with you at the conference.
We look forward to seeing you next week!
MATH INFORMATION FOR PARENTS!
New! Helpful Tutorials for K-8 Math!
K-8 Math Coordinator Mike Reid is excited to announce the addition of aligned video and IXL support for you to utilize at home with your child on the K-8 curriculum web page for mathematics! The videos provide examples of what and how concepts are taught in each lesson. The IXL practice is a wonderful way to reinforce skills. These resources can be found in the "K-8 Curriculum, By Grade Level" tab under "Teaching & Learning."
Fostering a Love of Learning
GPS Presents- Fostering a Love of Learning, hosted by Old Greenwich School and our district coordinators. Please join our administrative team from the elementary schools and our very talented curriculum coordinators as they share hands on strategies for fostering a Love of Learning and Sense of Self at home. Each session will include best practices for supporting your children through day to day homework and more extensive opportunities to enrich their love of learning. All sessions will be offered both in person in the Old Greenwich School media center and virtually through Google Meets.
Some highlights will include:
- How do I make the most of reading aloud to my children?
- What are the best ways to establish a reading routine at home?
- How do I support this 'new math' during homework?
- What else can I do to foster a love of math for my son or daughter?
- How do I change the refrain from I'm bored to This is Fantastic! ?
- How much screen time is too much and what is a good use of screens?
- How do I foster improved self esteem and self advocacy in my child?
And so much more!
If you have specific questions you hope we will address in these workshops, please use this link to share them with our team.
Here is some information specific to the first session on December 5th.
Fostering a Love of Literacy Parent Series with Ms. Bencivengo, Mrs. Bertram and Mrs. Paladino, District Language Arts Coordinator.
Monday, December 5, 2022 · 9:15 – 11:00am
Google Meet joining info
Video call link: https://meet.google.com/oia-xhzd-fox
Or dial: (US) +1 502-947-4158 PIN: 128 488 409#
More phone numbers: https://tel.meet/oia-xhzd-fox?pin=2494857480033
Links for the Virtual Meeting if you are unable to attend in person.
Fostering a love of Literacy December 5th - 9:15 AM
Fostering a love of Math January 24th - 9:15 AM
Fostering a love of Arts & Innovation February 27th - 9:15 AM
Fostering a sense of Self March 20th - 9:15 AM
Some Great Resources for December
The December Action for Happiness calendar is all about doing good for others. I've also shared the December reading challenge from Read Brightly - Walking in a Bookish Wonderland. Finally we have the Greg Tang Math New Year's Challenge. Click the link to download the math challenge for every grade level.
Safety Drills
Dear Parents and Guardians ,
We held our first lockdown drill for the 2022-2023 school year today with representatives from the Greenwich Police Department and the drill ran smoothly! A second one will be scheduled later in the school. year with representatives from the Greenwich Police Department, Greenwich Fire Department, and Greenwich Public Schools Safety & Security Department present to continue to help us evaluate the effectiveness of the drill.
We have been practicing these drills for many years now and they have run very smoothly. During the drill staff members or members of the Police and Fire Departments check in with each classroom to reassure students of their safety, and let them know if they have followed directions well.
To be extra prepared we have been practicing the procedures on the playground with the students and the teachers. These procedures would take place if a class was outside and a lockdown was taking place in the building. The goal would be to get away from the building and not return. Our reunification site in an emergency situation is Second Congregational Church at 139 E. Putnam Avenue. Staff are trained and informed to walk the students to this site.
Students are informed that lockdown drills are held at school to help us practice being safe in case of an emergency. Should you want to discuss the purpose of a lockdown, or if your child asks questions, below are some helpful suggestions.
Of course, if you have any questions about school or district procedures regarding crisis and emergency drills, please feel free to contact me.
Sincerely,
Trish McGuire, Principal
How to Talk to Your Kids about School Lockdown Drills without Scaring Them
As unfortunate as it might be, lockdown drills have become a normal occurrence at most public schools across the country, in some places as commonplace now as fire drills. And though they can be scary for young children, they’re necessary. They help to prepare and educate children about the proper and safe way to act in case of an emergency.
The first time our local elementary school did a lockdown drill when my son was in kindergarten, he came home a little shaken up. It’s not easy to explain to your child why lockdown drills are necessary or what exactly they’re protecting them against without inciting fear. But there are some strategies available for speaking to your children about the importance and purpose of lockdown drills. Here are just a few.
1. Stay Calm
Children often react first to an adult’s reaction, then to whatever situation is causing the reaction. For example, if your child falls and scrapes their knee. Their initial reaction might be to cry when they see the blood or because it hurts. But the severity of their reaction will have a lot to do with how you, as the parent, react. If you start panicking, your child will panic too because they’ll think there’s reason to: “If mommy is getting upset there must be something really wrong!”
This theory holds true for discussing lockdown drills. If you approach the subject with a calm and even tone, your child will not be initially alarmed. They’re more apt to calmly sit and listen to what you have to say. Acting in a paranoid or fearful way will only instill unnecessary fear in your child.
2. Be Open to Questions
You want your child to feel comfortable asking you questions, about anything in life, but especially about something they’re concerned or curious about. Try not to meet their questions with resistance or negativity. Be open to whatever is going on in their minds. The more knowledge and understanding of the situation they have, the more comfortable they may become with the practice.
3. Use Comparisons
It’s sometimes easier for children to understand a new concept when they have a familiar reference to compare it too. The most common and logical comparison to a lockdown drill is a fire drill. Most children are familiar with fire drills before they even enter public school. Many daycare and childcare centers are required to perform routine fire drills. You might even have a fire plan in place for your home.
Explain to your child that a lockdown drill is very similar to a fire drill. It’s something the schools use just in case of an emergency and for practice because practice makes perfect! You can even compare practicing drills to wearing a helmet or seat belt. You do these things to be safe, just in case there’s an accident or your child falls off their bike. These things may never happen, but if they do, you’re protected.
The more relaxed and less serious you remain while discussing lockdown drills, the more relaxed your child will be. Emphasize that lockdown drills aren’t just for the students but for teachers as well and that they’re designed to keep everyone safe.
4. Helping Them Understand the Threat
But as we know, lockdown drills are in place for a very serious reason. It’s perfectly fine to ease your young child’s mind by making “light” of the situation and explaining that it’s simply for practice. But your inquisitive child will likely ask what a lockdown drill is keeping them safe from.
They already view teachers and other adults as authority figures. Explain to your child that sometimes, adults and teachers see a potential threat or something unsafe that children don’t see. This threat may be nothing, but until the adults can determine that a lockdown drill is a good way to keep them safe.
Your child’s next question might be, “Well, what kind of unsafe stuff?” My son is 7 and I try to be as honest with him as possible, without striking fear. He knows that people make poor choices at times—from his friends in class to adults. When discussing what threats lockdown drills are addressing, explain that it’s the school’s job to keep the children safe from any adults around that might be making poor choices. There’s really no need to explain further what those choices are.
I often tell my son, “Sometimes people just do things that we don’t understand. Things that we would never do.” If your child is a little bit older you can go as far as to say, “Sometimes people get angry and confused and end up hurting people.” You know your child best, so offer as much or as little explanation as you think is appropriate or necessary.
5. Encourage Your Child to Be a Helper
Most kids love nothing more than being a helper, especially to adults! Making children part of what’s going on is a great way to involve them in their own safety practices, such as lockdown drills.
The teachers at my son’s school wear whistles on their school lanyards. During a lockdown drill, the teacher is supposed to pop their head out the classroom door into the hallway and blow their whistle three times. This alerts anyone in the hallway or neighboring classrooms that a lockdown is in place, in case they aren’t already aware. The teacher then locks the classroom door and the children take their positions. It’s my son’s job to remind his teacher to blow the whistle. Other students have other “jobs” like reminding her to pull down the shades, or helping their friends find their special hiding spots.
By involving children in the lockdown process, you’re empowering them with a sense of responsibility and involvement. This can help to ease their worries. It also gives them something to focus on, distracting them from any fear they might be experiencing.
Try asking your child about the lockdown drill process. “So, what do you do first?” or “What happens next?” Become excited and involved in what’s happening. Your child will feel important and may view the drill as a necessary “job” they have, not as a scary experience.
Always be Available
It’s important to always be available for your child to ask questions, voice their concerns and simply listen to what they have to say. The first few lockdown drills your child experiences might be scary for them, but over time, they should become more comfortable with the process. If you need further information or help explaining lockdown drills with your child, speaking to your school’s principal or the district superintendent can offer additional help and resources about your specific school district’s procedures.
http://redtri.com/5-tips-for-talking-to-your-child-about-lockdown-drills/
Upcoming Dates:
December
5, 6 - Early Release Days - Elementary Conferences
7- Elementary Conference Evening - 6:00 -8:00
12- JC Winter Concert
23- Early Release Day
26-30 Holiday Recess- Schools Closed
January
2 - New Year's Day observed - Schools Closed
3 - School resumes
16 - Martin Luther King Day - Schools Closed
Principal Trish McGuire and Assistant Principal Matthew Hartigan
Email: Trish_McGuire@greenwich.k12.ct.us
Website: https://jcs.greenwichschools.org/
Location: 180 East Elm Street, Greenwich, CT, USA
Phone: 203-869-1896