I would like to take this opportunity to welcome you back to school. I hope that you are having an enjoyable and restful summer vacation. I will be teaching Reading to Grades 5-8 and Social Studies to Grades 7 and 8. Reminders, some general information /school rules and regulations, and school supplies are listed below. If you have any questions concerning any of these, I will be happy to address them at the Parent /Teacher Meeting on Tuesday, September 8, 2015.
This year we will be following the ELA Modules from Engage New York Common Core Curriculum, and the Reading/ELA curriculum requires that every student reads both fiction and nonfiction texts. The children will be responsible for buying the books that the state is requiring them to read in order to satisfy these new standards. I will list the names, authors, and prices of the books that we will be reading for Module 1 Unit 1. I can order these books for you or you can purchase them yourself. If your child has a nook, tablet, kindle, or iPad, he/she can download the books as long as it is the right edition. They should check with me before downloading the book. There are rules that go along with downloading. The iPad or tablet must be brought to my classroom before 8:15 and left there until Reading class. The children are not allowed to carry them around with them unless they have permission from another teacher. If that rule is not abided by, your child will not be allowed to download books for the rest of the school year. If you would like me to order books for your child, please send the money in an envelope with your child’s name and grade on the first day of class, Wednesday, September 9th or you can give it to me at the Parents’ Meeting on Tuesday, September 8th. I will be ordering the books on Friday, 9/11. It is important that your child has a copy of the book since we will be using it in class and at home. The same procedures will be followed for the rest of the Modules throughout the year.
Please check the blog frequently, so you can keep yourself updated on what your child is doing in each class in terms of homework assignments, tests, and projects. The school blog site address is http://olqmnyc.blogspot.com/. You must check all four teachers' blogs to keep updated about tests, assignments, and projects in each of the six subject areas. Your child is responsible for all work, tests, or projects, even when they are absent. So make sure that they check the blog each evening to make sure they have completed all work for the next day. Remember, the blog is updated by each teacher every day, so it needs to be checked every day.
Enjoy the remaining weeks of vacation and I look forward to seeing you on September 8th.
Sincerely,
Donna Toscano Larios
Reminders:
September 8th- Parent-Teacher Meeting at 7:00 PM in your child’s homeroom. (You will be given a folder containing forms that need to be filled out, signed, and returned to the Homeroom teacher before Monday,9/14- please send all forms back in the folder that you receive them in).
September 9th- First Day of Classes (line up in the backyard before 7:55 AM). All students should have their school supplies, bookbag, and money if you would like me to order the book needed for Module 1, and must be in full uniform.
September 10th- Money due if you wish to order books for Module 1 (in an envelope with your child’s name and grade).
General Information/School Rules and Regulations:
1. Please sign all papers distributed in the parent packet. You will receive two emergency cards to fill out. Fill out all parts including the mother and father’s name even if you are not living together. Include the following information: phone numbers- including cell #’s, whom to contact in case of an emergency, and remember to fill out the back of each card and sign the bottom. Also in the parent’s packet are an academic contract, parent’s handbook, Internet usage form, Sept. calendar, photo release form, textbook loan form, technology usage form, a general field trip consent form, and a parent signature sheet for the Handbook. Please complete all forms and return them to me no later than Monday, Sept.14 in the folder you received them in. Please do not return the September calendar or Parent Handbook. They are for your own information.
2. All school supplies should be in by Thursday, 9/10. (If your child does not have the necessary materials, he/she cannot be expected to do the necessary work)
3. Please cover all soft covered books, and maybe add some cardboard, so the books do not rip. If they are broken and you can fix them, please feel free to do so. Please make sure your child’s name is on each book. It is very important to cover the books because the soft-covered books break very easily and pages start to fall out.
4. Check your child’s notebooks, folder, and book bag every day to see what is going on in class, or if there are any notes from teachers concerning homework or classwork, and make sure that he/she has all the necessary supplies every day.
5. Please send a note when your child is absent or when you need to pick he/she up early from school. If I do not receive an absence note, your child will be marked illegally absent. If your child is sick for few days try to send someone to pick books needed to make up the work your child has missed. All students are responsible for turning in any assignments missed while they are absent from school. They will be given one or two days to complete the assignments once they return to school.
6. Please read the monthly calendar, the school blog, and the Parent Handbook carefully. Also check your child’s grades on SIS, so you know right away if your child is having any problems in school. You will need to get a password in order to have access to your child’s grades.
7. Your child should line up in the backyard in the morning before 7:55 AM. The class will be dismissed each day at 3:00 PM Monday-Friday. Please read the school calendar for any early dismissals.
8. Please make sure that your child is on time for school each day. If your child is late more than two times per quarter, he/she will not be able to receive Honors. In addition, he/she will not be allowed into class without getting a late pass.
9. All students should be in full uniform each day, unless otherwise specified on the blog, IRIS alert, or in the homework assignment book. That means shoes, socks, sweaters, vests (for girls), having the proper haircut (boys), etc. This is all stated in the Parent's Handbook. Good conduct, effort, keeping belongings neat and organized, completing homework and classwork assignments, arriving to school on time, and being respectful to classmates and school staff are other criteria which are evaluated when determining your child’s character development grade.
10. Detention is given to any student that breaks school or class rules such as misbehaving in class, not completing homework or classwork, or not signing notes or test papers.
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Supply List for Grade 8
Reading and Social Studies:
4 Marble Notebooks (should have 100 or more sheets). Spiral Notebooks are not allowed!
4 bottom pocket folders- plastic is more durable (pockets should be on the bottom, not on the side). Three will stay in school for tests, and the other will be used for HW (Reading and Social Studies), tests, or notes.
1 large box of Kleenex tissues
1 bottle of hand sanitizer
1 container of disinfecting wipes
*Girls should bring in sanitary napkins to keep at school.
2 packs of 3x5 lined white index cards
1 package of plastic zip-lock bags (quart size)
2 packages of post-it sticky notes
The following items can be shared with the other classes, but should be available everyday:
Lots of looseleaf- Keep inside of the folder, and refill the folder when you are running out!
1 USB drive (can be shared with other classes)
Blue or Black pens
Red pens
Yellow highlighters
Package of colored pencils
Pencil Sharpener
Scotch Tape
Sharpened pencils with erasers
Scissors-remember the scissors for Math is being collected, so you need a separate one
Ruler- remember the ruler for Math is being collected, so you need a separate one
Glue
Some type of pencil case to keep pencils, pens, glue, colored pencils, scissors etc. in.
Book covers (transparent if possible)
Please label all supplies with your name, grade, and subject
$10 for a subscription to Scholastic News (please put in an envelope with your child’s name and grade on it.
Book to purchase for Module 1:
Inside Out and Back Again by Thanhha Lai, HarperCollins Publishers, 2013 $8.50 (If you would like me to order it for you, the money is due before Thursday, 9/10 in an envelope with your child’s name and grade on it. You can also download the book on a tablet (no phones) or purchase it yourself).
All supplies must be in by Thursday, September 10!
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Supply List for Grade 7
Reading and Social Studies:
4 Marble Notebooks (should have 100 or more sheets). Spiral Notebooks are not allowed!
4 bottom pocket folders- plastic is more durable (pockets should be on the bottom, not on the side).
1 large box of Kleenex tissues
1 bottle of hand sanitizer
1 container of disinfecting wipes
*Girls should bring in sanitary napkins to keep at school.
2 packages of 3x5 lined white index cards
1 package of plastic zip-lock bags (quart size)
1 package of post-it sticky notes
The following items can be shared with the other classes, but should be available everyday:
Lots of looseleaf- Keep inside of the folder, and refill the folder when you are running out!
1 USB drive (can be shared with other classes)
Blue or Black pens
Red pens
Yellow highlighters
Package of colored pencils
Pencil Sharpener
Scotch Tape
Sharpened pencils with erasers
Scissors- remember the scissors for Math is being collected, so you need a separate one
Ruler- remember the ruler for Math is being collected, so you need a separate one
Glue
Some type of pencil case to keep pencils, pens, glue, colored pencils, scissors etc. in.
Book covers (transparent if possible)
Please label all supplies with your name, grade, and subject
$10 for a subscription to Scholastic News (please put in an envelope with your child’s name and grade on it.
Book to purchase for Module 1:
A Long Walk to Water by Linda Sue Park, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2011 $ 8.50
(If you would like me to order it for you, the money is due before Thursday, 9/10 in an envelope with your child’s name and grade on it. You can also download the book on a tablet (no phones) or purchase it yourself).
All supplies must be in by Thursday, September 10!
________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Supply List for Grade 6 Reading
2 Marble Notebooks (should have 100 or more sheets). Spiral Notebooks are not allowed!
3 bottom pocket folders- plastic is more durable (pockets should be on the bottom, not on the side).
1 large box of Kleenex tissues
1 bottle of hand sanitizer
1 container of disinfecting wipes
*Girls should bring in sanitary napkins to keep at school.
2 packs of 3x5 lined white index cards
1 package of plastic zip-lock bags (quart size)
2 packages of post-it sticky notes
The following items can be shared with the other classes, but should be available everyday:
Lots of looseleaf- Keep inside of the folder, and refill the folder when you are running out!
1 USB drive (can be shared with other classes)
Blue or Black pens
Red pens
Yellow highlighters
Package of colored pencils
Pencil Sharpener
Scotch Tape
Sharpened pencils with erasers
Scissors- remember the scissors for Math is being collected, so you need a separate one
Ruler- remember the ruler for Math is being collected, so you need a separate one
Glue
Some type of pencil case to keep pencils, pens, glue, colored pencils, scissors etc. in.
Book covers (transparent if possible)
Please label all supplies with your name, grade, and subject
$6 for a subscription to Scholastic News (please money put in an envelope with your child’s name and grade on it)
Book to purchase for Module 1:
The Lightning Thief (Percy Jackson and the Olympians #1) by Rick Riordan, Disney-Hyperion, 2006 $ 8.50. (If you would like me to order it for you, the money is due before Thursday, 9/10 in an envelope with your child’s name and grade on it. You can also download the book on a tablet (no phones) or purchase it yourself).
All supplies must be in by Thursday, September 10!
________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Supply List for Grade 5 Reading and Homeroom
2 Marble Notebooks (should have 100 or more sheets). Spiral Notebooks are not allowed!
3 bottom pocket folders- plastic is more durable (pockets should be on the bottom, not on the side).
2 large boxes of Kleenex tissues
1 bottle of hand sanitizer
1 container of disinfecting wipes
1 roll of paper towels
*Girls should bring in sanitary napkins to keep at school.
2 reams of copy paper (8 ½ x 11)
2 packs of 3x5 lined white index cards
1 package of plastic zip-lock bags (quart size)
2 packages of post-it sticky notes
The following items can be shared with the other classes, but should be available everyday:
Lots of looseleaf- Keep inside of the folder, and refill the folder when you are running out!
1 USB drive (can be shared with other classes)
Blue or Black pens
Red pens
Yellow highlighters
Package of colored pencils
Pencil Sharpener
Scotch Tape
Sharpened pencils with erasers
Scissors
Ruler
Glue
Some type of pencil case to keep pencils, pens, glue, colored pencils, scissors etc. in.
Book covers (transparent if possible)
Please label all supplies with your name, grade, and subject
$6 for a subscription to Scholastic News (please money put in an envelope with your child’s name and grade on it)
Book to purchase for Module 1:
Esperanza Rising by Pam Munoz, Scholastic Inc, 2002 $7.50. (If you would like me to order it for you, the money is due before Thursday, 9/10 in an envelope with your child’s name and grade on it. You can also download the book on a tablet (no phones) or purchase it yourself).
All supplies must be in by Thursday, September 10!
