Cheetah Pride Press!

Families,

Week two at Memorial School was a huge success! Our Cheetah Pride could be seen and felt in every corner of our campus. Students and staff were energized and engaged in teaching and learning; and the heavy rains on Tuesday left us with absolutely perfect weather to round out the week. Andrea and I were also thrilled to receive SIX positive office referrals this week. Positive Office Referrals are presented to students who are “caught” going above and beyond in their efforts to take care others, to care of themselves, and to take care of things. We are so very proud of them!

We’re sure that many of your young learners have been coming home tired after working so hard at school. Next week is our first five day week of the school year; so make sure your cheetahs get plenty of rest and come back ready to rock another week.

As always, we appreciate your partnership. Have a wonderful weekend!

Joey & Andrea

Here are a few pictures of Ms. James' class kicking off their first science unit. They took their jobs as paleontologists very seriously!

A PAWsitive office referral is when a staff member recognizes a student that is going above and beyond to exemplify one of our three school rules.

The year is off to a great start in the Memorial School Library Media Center! This year we will continue to integrate technology and 21st century information literacy skills into your student’s library experience. We will be using our library time to explore, create, and develop critical thinking and research skills, in addition to fostering a love of reading, in a fun and welcoming environment.

Classroom Expectations:

During the month of September students will be establishing library routines and norms. Students in grades preK, K and 1 are busy learning about proper book care, the parts of a book and the roles of the author and illustrator. They have also participated in read a-louds with the theme of school and library. Students in grades 2 and 3 are reviewing library expectations and basic library skills. They will be discussing how to choose a “just right book” and will review using the Chromebooks.

You may search our library collection, online at http://easthamptonpsct.booksys.net/opac/memorial/ . Students will be learning how to use/reviewing the catalog in the coming weeks.

Book Check out:

Students will begin book checkout during their library period next week. Students are permitted to have one book checked out at a time and books are due back the following week on library day. Students may renew a book as long as no one is waiting for it. We recommend that students keep a plastic shopping bag in their backpack to keep their book in, to protect from spills and damage.

This year we will be running our “Star Reading Program”, as in years past. “Star Reader Week” happens every six weeks or so and rewards students who have returned their library books, by allowing them to check out two books that week.

Students are encouraged to mindfully select books that are appropriate for their reading level. However your student may bring home a book that needs to be read with an adult. This is also encouraged and an important part of their reading development.

You can find more information on our library web page located on the school website (http://easthamptonps.org).

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us.

Sincerely,

Mrs. Flannery and Mrs. Hill

rflannery@easthamptonct.org

In the 2022-2023 school year our K-5 classrooms are implementing a new math program after a year-long pilot and inquiry process completed during last year. The Bridges in Mathematics program was adopted last May after teams of teachers piloted various program and research was conducted on the effectiveness of these programs. Throughout the summer our teachers engaged in advance planning for the programming and professional learning to ensure a successful transition to Bridges. The Bridges in Mathematics program was created to align with the Connecticut State Standards for Mathematics in a manner that is rigorous, coherent, engaging, and accessible to all learners. The curriculum focuses on developing students' deep understanding of mathematical concepts, proficiency with key skills, and ability to solve complex and authentic problems. Bridges blends direct instruction, structured investigation, and open exploration. It taps into the intelligence and strengths of all students by presenting material that is as linguistically, visually, and kinesthetically rich as it is mathematically powerful. In addition to their math instructional block, students will participate in Number Corner which is a daily classroom meeting dedicated to developing math discourse, shared problem solving, and classroom community.

Here are some Frequently Asked Questions regarding Bridges in Mathematics:

• Does each student get a textbook?
  No. Each student uses a Bridges Student Book and Number Corner Student Book in class to solve problems and record their work. Each student also gets their own Home Connections book for homework assignments. In kindergarten, the homework does not begin until later in the year.
• How often should we expect homework?
  Homework is a chance for students to practice what they have learned and for families to see what students are doing in math class. It is assigned with increasing frequency as students’ progress from kindergarten through fifth grade. In the lower grades, assignments are sent home about once a week; by fifth grade, you can expect to see assignments two or three times a week. In addition, teachers may send home supplemental practice pages if students need more practice with a particular skill or if there is a desire for more frequent homework.
• What do I do if I want my child to have extra practice?
  Talk to your child’s teacher. Bridges includes additional practice pages, and there are many high-quality games and apps available for practice. Talking with your child’s teacher ensures you are on the same page regarding your child’s needs.
• Why is it a good idea to learn multiple strategies?
  As students develop their ability to recall basic facts, it makes good sense to address both mastery of the skill (quick recall of facts) and understanding of the concept (the properties of the operation and the relationships between facts). Bridges teaches basic facts by first having students explore the operation (addition, subtraction, multiplication, or division) in the context of story problems or situations, which ensures students understand what it means to add, subtract, multiply, or divide. Students then learn strategies for solving basic problems. These strategies illustrate properties of the operation. They can also be used for mental math with larger numbers and help recall facts when needed. Finally, students practice the facts until they can recall them from memory.
• Why not have students memorize algorithms?
  Bridges teaches students to compute with larger numbers by first establishing conceptual understanding of the operation, then using visual models to learn different ways of calculating, and finally helping them become proficient with efficient algorithms. When computing with larger numbers, students are frequently encouraged to make an estimate first. Estimation promotes number sense, helps students evaluate whether their final answers are reasonable, and encourages them to develop mental math skills that are useful in so many real-world situations. Transition to the use of algorithms occurs primarily at the middle school. The strategies and methods applied in the elementary classroom prepares students for this work at the middle school level.
• Why is it important for students to show their work and explain their thinking?
  Asking students to show their work provides more information for teachers and improves student learning. When students explain how they solved a problem, they come to understand the mathematical concepts more deeply. Showing their work also provides detailed evidence that teachers can use to see what students know and where their misconceptions lie. This evidence is essential. It allows teachers to adjust the way they teach to meet students’ needs, and to document student learning over time, which helps them communicate with families about students’ progress.

Helpful Resource:

• Bridges in Mathematics Program Orientation

We look forward to sharing more information with you about Bridges in Mathematics at our upcoming Open House events. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact the appropriate Math Specialist:

Grade Level

Math Specialist

Contact Information

K-2

Lis Ellis

eellis@easthamptonct.org

860-365-4020

3-5

Andrea Winiarski

awiniarski@easthamptonct.org

860-365-4050

Name Our Garden Contest! Calling on all Memorial Cheetahs to help us name our school garden! Students should submit their ideas for a creative name for our garden to the Memorial Front Office. We are also looking for a picture to use as a logo – so get those drawing pencils or crayons or paints out and submit a picture for our garden too! All entries are due by September 15th and the most popular ideas will be used on our Memorial Garden sign. The winners will have the honor of cutting the ribbon at our Memorial Garden Ice Cream Social in the fall!

• 9/12- BOE Meeting 6:30pm
• 9/16- Popsicles With PTO
• 9/19- START with Hello Week- Wear GREEN to school!
• 9/21- Open house: Preschool, Kindergarten and Grade 1
• 9/22- Open house: Grades 2 and 3
• 9/26- BOE Meeting 6:30pm
• 9/30- PBIS Assembly and Spirit Day and Jog-A -Thon

When considering the number of absences your student has accrued, keep in mind that a student must be present for 195 minutes in order for the day to count! When bringing your student in late, or signing them out early if they have not been in school for a 195 minutes the day will be recorded as an absence.

The East Hampton Board of Education, in compliance with federal and state law, affirms its policy of equal educational opportunity for all students and equal employment opportunity for all persons. It is the policy of the District to promote nondiscrimination and an environment free of harassment regardless of an individual’s race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, national origin, ancestry, disability (including but not limited to, intellectual disability, past or present history of mental disorder, physical disability, or learning disability), genetic information, marital status, or age or because of the race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, national origin, ancestry, disability, genetic information, marital status, or age of any persons with whom the individual associates. The District shall provide to all students without discrimination, course offerings, counseling, assistance, employment, athletics, and extracurricular activities. The District shall provide equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups. The District shall make reasonable accommodations for identified physical and mental impairments that constitute disabilities, consistent with federal and state statutes and regulations.

Email: jbauer@easthamptonct.org
Website: https://www.easthamptonps.org/o/memorial-school
Location: 20 Smith Street, East Hampton, CT, USA
Phone: 860-365-4020
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ehmemorialschool