special point of interest - bridgeport public schools · dunbar -alyshia perrin k-8 576-7194 445...
TRANSCRIPT
Inside this issue:
Superintendent’s Welcome 1
Be Cool Pack The School
Attendance Tips
BRIDGEPORT WE HAVE AN APP!
2
Dates To Remember
Parent Engagement Planning
3
Principals Matter! 4
Presidential Award 5
School Contact List 6
School Bell Times 7
Construction Updates
NNPS Promising Practices
Elementary & HS Menus
8
9-12
13-14
August/September 2016 Volume 4 Issue 1
Special Point of Interest
Dates to Remember
Parent Engagement TIPS
Principals Matter!
Construction Updates
Aug-September School Menus!
Frances Rabinowitz Interim Superintendent
Page 2
“Be Cool Pack The School”
Top 3 Elementary Schools With The Highest 15-16 Attendance
Top 2 High Schools With The Highest 15-16 Attendance
Elementary Schools 2015-2016 School
Year
Multicultural Magnet 97.22 %
Geraldine W. Johnson 96.53 %
Park City Magnet 96.42 %
High Schools 2015-2016 School
Year
Central 91.42 %
Bridgeport Military Academy 91.00 %
Help Your Child Succeed in School: Build the Habit of Good Attendance Early
School success goes hand in hand with good attendance!
WHAT YOU CAN DO
Set a regular bed time and morning routine.
Lay out clothes and pack backpacks the night before.
Find out what day school starts and make sure your child has the required shots.
Introduce your child to her teachers and classmates before school starts to help her transition.
Don’t let your child stay home unless she is truly sick. Keep in mind complaints of a stomach ache or headache can be a
sign of anxiety and not a reason to stay home.
If your child seems anxious about going to school, talk to teachers, school counselors, or other parents for advice on
how to make him/her feel comfortable and excited about learning.
Develop back-up plans for getting to school if something comes up. Call on a family member, a neighbor, or another par-ent.
Avoid medical appointments and extended trips when school is in session.
Visit www.attendanceworks.org for additional information and tips!
Superintendent for the Day June 10, 2016
Jasiah - Hall School / Grade 3
Attention ANDROID USERS….THERE’S AN APP FOR THAT! Go to your google play store and download the Bridgeport Public Schools APP! The APP was developed by FCW students, Redejak Morgan and Paolo Reyes under the leadership of Jack Nilan. Downloading the APP to your device will give you full access to the district site and more! An iPhone compatible version is being developed! Thanks for your patience!
August 29 - Teachers First Day
August 29-31 - Teachers Professional Development
September 1 - Students (K-12) First Day - ONE SESSION
September 2 - First FULL Day of K-12 Classes
September 5 - Labor Day Schools Closed
September 12 - Nutrition Committee Meeting/11:30 @ the Nutrition Center
September 12 - BOE Meeting/Johnson School - 6:30 pm
September 21 - City-Wide Parent Meeting/5:30-7:30 @ Cesar Batalla
September 26 - BOE Meeting/Johnson School - 6:30 pm
Plan events that will bring more parents into your school building
Use different types of tools to communicate better with your parents and families
Exciting Posters
Student made invitations
A well planned out and current webpage on your school’s website
Consider a Twitter Account
A personal phone call or email
Create a welcoming environment
Be flexible
Provide a variety of resources for families
Include your community partners in decision making along with your families
Support parents by assisting them with learning activities at home
Contact EVERYONE who volunteer Build PERSONAL Relationships
Ask more than once…..ASK MORE THAN
ONCE Don’t ABANDON Them MATCH Volunteers’ Talents To A Project, Event, Position ENCOURAGE New Ideas or Creativity ENCOURAGE A Diverse Nominating Committee PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE….Show APPRECIATION!!
Page 3
Brown Bag It Thursdays! Your School’s Action Plan for Parent Engagement
must be completed when submitting your 16-17 Parent Involvement Budget!
http://www.csos.jhu.edu/p2000/ppp/2010/index.htm (login code: NNPSmem13)
Contact Dolores Mason 203.275.1758 for details or assistance!
Check your school calendar for
BACK TO SCHOOL NIGHT!
Facts and information can be found in display stands in the school office at Roosevelt! Stop by and take one!
Page 4
Bryant School students were challenged to read 20,000 myON books by June 1st to “Soak a Teacher.” Students exceeded the challenge by reading 22,055 books which resulted in 12 teachers and staff mem-bers getting soaked! Congratulations to Alyssa in grade 3, our top myON reader with 344 books read this year. Bryant students and staff look forward to our next myON reading challenge! Victoria Egri, Principal
EVERY FAMILY at Roosevelt School will receive a “refrigerator magnet” with every hope that they feel more informed, connected and most importantly welcome and valued in our school community. Jacqueline Simmons, Principal
Six Bassick High School students participated in a two-week trip to Haiti this August to help “break ground” and build a much needed impoverished neighborhood. The BuildON program allows students to work side-by-side with other volunteers as part of its international service learning projects. Tomas Ramirez, Principal
Hallen School ranked #7 out of 34 schools in Bridgeport in the 2014-15 State Accountability Report – the top six schools were five magnet schools, one TAG School. This report is based on the following indicators: Academic Achievement, Academic Growth, Participation Rate, Chronic Absenteeism, and Physical Fitness. Deborah Santacapita, Ed. D, Principal
Park City Magnet students are thrilled to have individual IPADS as a classroom learning tool. Students in the upper grades amazed staff members, parents, community members, and their peers by creating IMovies and Keynote presentations focused on the RULER tools of the Mood Meter and the Meta- Moment. Additionally, seventh grades students created Keynote presentations to demonstrate their own
individual understandings of various systems of the body. During this new school year, all students will begin to explore “their self-genius” in greater depth using the digital resources available on the IPAD. Terese Maguire, Principal
AMAZING RESULTS!
Significant Improvement!
Student Attendance: 2014-15 2015-16 94.02% 95.52%
Suspension: 2014-15 2015-16
10% 1%
Page 5
Elizabeth Capasso has been teaching for the past eight years at Jettie S. Tisdale School. She currently teaches Algebra I and eighth grade mathematics. Elizabeth strives to have her students develop a deep conceptual understanding of the mathematics through discourse and writing assignments. Students learn to make connections to prior learning and discover how mathematics penetrates all subject areas as the class completes cross-curricula projects in language arts, science, social studies, and art. Elizabeth is co-chair of Tisdale’s School Governance Council, a member of the school-wide data team and advisor to the National Junior Honor Society. She is coach of the middle school Math Team. As a mentor, she has worked with student teachers, new teachers, and interns. Elizabeth is a member of the District Curriculum Writing Team and has assisted with presenting professional development for the district’s middle school math teachers. She is a founding member of the Fairfield County Math Teachers’ Circle which provides professional development for middle school math teachers. In 2014, Elizabeth received the Theodore and Margaret Beard Excellence in Teaching Award. Elizabeth earned a B.S., cum laude in electrical engineering from the University of Vermont and a M.S. in electrical engineering from Yale University. She earned her teaching certification in 7-12 mathematics through the Alternate Route to Certification Program. Charmaine Worthy, Principal - J. Tisdale School
"The Presidential Award celebrates all the incredible educators who have supported, taught, and inspired me on my journey as a teacher. It acknowledges the hard work and dedication of all teachers. The award honors the effort and determination of students who work to overcome challenges in their lives. It strengthens my enthusiasm for the teaching profession and it reinforces the honor, the privilege, and the responsibility of making a difference in the lives of my students."
Page 6
School Name & Principal Gr Tel Address Zip
Aquaculture - Lea Catherman HS 275-2926 60 St. Stephens Road 06605
Barnum - Ralph Paladino PK-8 275-2301 495 Waterview Avenue 06608
Bassick High School - Tomas Ramirez HS 275-3083 1181 Fairfield Avenue 06605
Beardsley - Sharon Pivorotto Pk-6 576-7184 500 Huntington Road 06610
Black Rock - Herminio Planas K-8 576-7500 545 Brewster Street 06605
Blackham - Marci Julian PK-8 576-7951 425 Thorme Street 06606
Bridgeport Learning Center (BLC) @ Sheridan Alt. 275-1136 280 Tesiny Avenue 06606
Bridgeport Military Academy - Diana Soares HS 275-3961 160 Iranistan Avenue 06604
Bryant - Vicki Egri PK-6 576-7303 230 Poplar Street 06605
Central High School - Eric Graff HS 275-1502 1 Lincoln Blvd. 06606
Central Magnet - Patricia Anekwe HS 576-7763 1 Lincoln Blvd. 06606
Cesar Batalla - Hector Sanchez PK-8 579-8500 606 Howard Avenue 06605
Classical Studies Magnet Academy - Helen Giles K-7 576-7188 240 Linwood Avenue 06604
Classical Studies Magnet Academy Annex - Lindsay Davis K-2 337-2342 659 Beechwood Avenue 06605
Columbus - John Scalice PK-8 275-1901 275 George Street 06604
Columbus Annex - Mary Beth Williamson PK-2 275-3268 612 Grand Street 06604
Wilbur Cross - Deborah R. Tisdale PK-8 275-2600 1775 Reservoir Avenue 06606
James J. Curiale - Brett Gustafson K-8 576-8437 300 Laurel Avenue 06605
Discovery Magnet - Sangeeta Bella PK-8 275-1801 4510 Park Avenue 06606
Dunbar - Alyshia Perrin K-8 576-7194 445 Union Avenue 06607
Edison - Gladys Walker-Jones K-6 275-2253 115 Boston Terrace 06610
FCW Information Technology and Software Engineering - Victor Black HS 275-3372 840 Old Town Road 06606
FCW Physical Sciences, Engineering and Aerospace - Jay Lipp HS 275-3343 840 Old Town Road 06606
FCW Zoological Science, and Biotechnology - Michael Watson HS 275-3413 840 Old Town Road 06606
Geraldine Claytor Magnet Academy - Steven Douglas (opening in Jan/2017) PK-8
Geraldine Johnson - Luisa Wolf, Interim PK-8 275-2501 475 Lexington Avenue 06604
Hall - Cynthia Fernandes K-6 275-3222 290 Clermont Avenue 06610
Hallen - Deborah Santacapita PK-6 576-8216 68 Omega Avenue 06606
Harding High School - Dane Brown, Interim HS 275-2751 1734 Central Avenue 06610
High Horizons Magnet - Francine Carbone K-8 576-7806 700 Palisade Avenue 06610
Thomas Hooker - Michael Mulford K-8 576-7185 138 Roger Williams Road 06610
Jettie Tisdale - Charmaine Worthy PK-8 275-2010 250 Hollister Avenue 06607
Madison - Rebecca Cabrera K-6 576-7186 376 Wayne Street 06606
Luis Muñoz Marín - Michele Cerino PK-8 576-8202 479 Helen Street 06608
Multicultural Magnet - Luis Planas K-8 576-7505 700 Palisade Avenue 06610
Park City Magnet - Terese Maguire PK-8 576-7547 1526 Chopsey Hill Road 06606
Read - Sarhanna Smith PK-8 330-2450 130 Ezra Street 06606
Roosevelt - Jacqueline Simmons PK-8 275-2102 680 Park Avenue 06604
Skane - Michele Matera PK-K 275-1451 2977 Madison Avenue 06606
Waltersville - Carmen Ortiz PK-8 275-2401 150 Hallett Street 06608
John Winthrop - Selena Morgan K-8 275-3000 85 Eckart Street 06606
Page 7
Elementary Schools Middle Schools & High Schools
Bell Times Half Day Full Day Bell Times Half Day Full Day
School Name Start Time End Time End Time School Name Start Time End Time End
Barnum 8:50 AM 12:50 PM 3:10 PM Barnum 8:50 AM 12:50 PM 3:10 PM
Blackham 8:50 AM 12:50 PM 3:10 PM Blackham 8:35AM 12:35 PM 2:55 PM
Batalla 8:50 AM 12:50 PM 3:10 PM Batalla 8:50 AM 12:50 PM 3:10 PM
Beardsley 8:50 AM 12:50 PM 3:10 PM Black Rock 8:50 AM 12:50 PM 3:10 PM
Black Rock 8:50 AM 12:50 PM 3:10 PM Bryant 8:50 AM 12:50 PM 3:10 PM
Bryant 8:50 AM 12:50 PM 3:10 PM CSMA 8:50 AM 12:50 PM 3:10 PM
CSMA 8:50 AM 12:50 PM 3:10 PM Columbus 8:50 AM 12:50 PM 3:10 PM
Columbus 8:50 AM 12:50 PM 3:10 PM Curiale 8:00AM 12:00 PM 3:05 PM
Columbus Annex 8:50 AM 12:50 PM 3:10 PM Discovery 8:40 AM 12:40 PM 3:00 PM
Curiale 8:45 AM 12:45 PM 3:50 PM Dunbar 8:30 AM 12:30 PM 3:30 PM
Discovery 8:40 AM 12:40 PM 3:00 PM Geraldine Johnson 8:50 AM 12:50 PM 3:10 PM
Dunbar 8:30 AM 12:30 PM 3:30 PM HHMS 8:35AM 12:35 PM 2:55 PM
Edison 8:50 AM 12:50 PM 3:10 PM Jettie Tisdale 8:50 AM 12:50 PM 3:10 PM
Geraldine Johnson 8:50 AM 12:50 PM 3:10 PM John Winthrop 8:35AM 12:35 PM 2:55 PM
Hall 8:50 AM 12:50 PM 3:10 PM Marin 8:50 AM 12:50 PM 3:10 PM
Hallen 8:50 AM 12:50 PM 3:10 PM Madison 8:50 AM 12:50 PM 3:10 PM
HHMS 8:35 AM 12:50 PM 2:55 PM MCM 8:35AM 12:35 PM 2:55 PM
Jettie Tisdale 8:50 AM 12:50 PM 3:10 PM Park City Magnet 8:35AM 12:35 PM 2:55 PM
John Winthrop 8:50 AM 12:50 PM 3:10 PM Read 8:00AM 12:35 PM 2:20 PM
Marin 8:50 AM 12:50 PM 3:10 PM Roosevelt 8:50 AM 12:50 PM 3:10 PM
Madison 8:50 AM 12:50 PM 3:10 PM Thomas Hooker 8:50 AM 12:50 PM 3:10 PM
MCM 8:35 AM 12:35 PM 2:55 PM Waltersville 8:50 AM 12:50 PM 3:10 PM
PCM 8:35 AM 12:35 PM 2:55 PM Wilbur Cross 8:50 AM 12:50 PM 3:10 PM
Read 8:40 AM 12:50 PM 3:00 PM Aquaculture 7:50 / 11:45 11:50 AM 2:10 PM
Roosevelt 8:50 AM 12:50 PM 3:10 PM Bassick 7:53 AM 11:53 AM 2:30 PM
Wilbur Cross 8:50 AM 12:50 PM 3:10 PM
BMA 7:55 AM 11:55 AM 2:10 PM
BLC
(Elem & HS) 8:15 AM 12:15 PM 2:00 PM
Central 7:53 AM 11:53 AM 2:30 PM
Skane (Pre-K) 7:40 AM 9:25 AM 10:20 AM FCW 7:55 AM 11:55 AM 2:10 PM
9:55 AM 11:40 AM 2:00 PM Harding 7:53 AM 11:53 AM 2:30 PM
Page 8
Black Rock: Addition - ($13,200,00)
Punch list work has been completed Sound system has been installed in the multipurpose room
Roof guard rail being priced Project is being closed out
Central: Renovations - ($86,419,000) Site work stage 2 is underway Upper Level “F” Wing abatement complete, construction in progress and will be complete for the start of school
Main Level “F” Wing construction in progress and will be complete for the start of school
Mezzanine and elevator #2 in progress Gymnasium demolition and abatement has begun
Administration area construction under way and will be ready for the start of the school year “E” Wing demolition and abatement has begun
PCB and asbestos abatement work will continue through the life of the project
Harding: New Construction - ($106,629,000) Grading of site is underway
Over 85% of the site is at sub grade level with clean soil being installed Storm drainage is being installed
Construction documents for Phase 2 (Building) have been approved at the state level and permission
received to go to bid Bids are due August 10, 2016
Project is scheduled for completion March 28, 2018
Geraldine Claytor Magnet Academy: New Construction - ($50,889,933) Interior finish work in progress
Contractor to turn overbuilding for FF&E installation in September Site work continues with plant material being installed
FF&E bids were received and contracts have been awarded Special legislation was passed allowing FF&E and Technology items up to $1,500,000 in cost to be reimbursable
School to be completed December 2016
P. L. Dunbar : New Roof - ($8,807,099) Media Center renovation is complete and furniture has been installed
Punchlist work has started
Roof replacement is complete HVAC controls being installed
VAV work is underway Exterior tile has been installed
HVAC unit for Administration area is being located Thomas Hooker: Partial Roof Replacement - ($905,000)
Construction documents are complete Construction documents have been completed for code review
State has given permission to go to bid on the project Project was advertised on July 31, 2016 with bids due August 17, 2016
Asbestos abatement will be done off a State contract with completion before school starts
Page 9
PRE-K PARENT BREAKFAST - Transitions
NNPS - 2015
Type 1 - Parenting - Assist families with parenting skills and setting home conditions to support children as students. Also, assist schools to better understand families. Bell City School; Bell City, LA
The first day of preschool poses a difficult separation for many parents and children. To help ease the transition and to begin a pattern of school and family partnerships across the grades—Bell City School hosted a Pre-K Parent Breakfast on the first day of school. Parents and teachers met each other; families met and received helpful resources; and the children were just down the hall in their classrooms. The PTO welcomed Pre-K students’ parents to the cafeteria for coffee and pastries. The Principal, counselor, and members of the Action Team for Partnerships (ATP) mingled with the parents, allayed concerns, and answered many questions. Parents re-ceived information such as the PTO Calendar of upcoming meetings and ATP events, and forms to join the PTO. The ATP prepared information on how are it is working to engage all families in their children’s education at school and at home. The team distributed a form for parents to sign up to be a volunteer. They were asked to note special talents and abilities that they wanted to offer to support the ATP and classroom activities (e.g., baking, art, crafts, technology, career information). The cost of the Pre-K Parents Breakfast was supported by the PTO. Organizers set up welcoming decorations and used plastic table runners to facilitate clean up. The ATP displayed tri-fold bulletin boards of photos of student activities and family and community engagement events from the previous year. Pre-K teachers send individual invitations to Pre-K parents to encourage them to attend the Breakfast. The first day of school meeting for parents also benefitted students by easing the emotional first-day separation from their par-ents. They knew that their mom or dad was with other parents in the cafeteria having breakfast. “We were made to feel very welcome as newcomers to the school,” said one parent, “and we were glad to hear about the activities planned for the year.” School administrators benefitted from meeting the students’ families at the start of the year in a better way than just seeing them drop off their children. A school counselor noted, “The Pre-K breakfast was a great opportunity to give our newest families a heartfelt welcome, and to have one-on-one time with each of them.” The Bell City PTO/ATP implemented the breakfast after hearing about the success of a similar event at a school in a different district. The team adapted the idea to distribute printed resources to parents on the first day of school. In their evaluation of the event, the Bell City PTO/ATP noted ways to improve and expand the agenda. The team expressed plans to prepare a welcoming video, have a school walk-through, and increase coverage of school and family engagement activi-ties from the prior year. New Pre-K students and their parents enter the school every year and need to feel part of the school community. A Pre-K Parent Breakfast on day one shows parents that they are welcome partners in their children’s education. Breakfast, it seems, starts the day and the school year off right.
Gina Murphy ATP Representative/Elementary Counselor
Page 10
SENIORS AND PARENTS NIGHT - Transitions
NNPS - 2015
Type 1 - Parenting - Assist families with parenting skills and setting home conditions to support children as students. Also, assist schools to better understand families. Eli Whitney Technical High School; Hamden, CT
At Eli Whitney Technical High School, the guidance counselor and many colleagues designed and conducted Seniors and Par-
ents Night—an informal session for twelfth-grade students and their parents on strategies for the transition from high school to life as young-adults. With information and entertainment, the goal was to spur the soon-to-be-graduates and their parents to plan for postsecondary education or technical training, and to set long-term plans for the future. About 150 parents and students came together in November for Eli Whitney’s first annual Seniors and Parents Night. The Principal welcomed everyone to school and conducted a Q & A period to discuss scholarships, financial aid, work-study oppor-tunities, and career planning. Next, the social studies teacher talked about SAT college entrance tests and the guidance counselor spoke about graduation requirements. Representatives from four colleges in Connecticut gave presentations about their programs and provided essential information for postsecondary planning. This included how to pay for college and details on financial aid; programs at vocational colleges; and the application and admissions processes. The informational segments were followed by a showcase of twelfth graders’ talents. They performed song and dance routines for their families, faculty, administrators, and community guests. The evening concluded with a dinner prepared by the school’s Culinary Arts students. Seniors and Parents Night benefitted both groups as they began paving a path from high school to college or careers. Parents generally agreed that this was “an excellent night” because they had opportunities to talk with the guidance counselor about requirements for students to graduate from high school on time, and ideas about postsecondary planning. Students enjoyed sharing their talents and focusing on their futures. Both groups welcomed the opportunity to network with college and university representatives, and to consider whether these were the right places for them. The teachers, guidance counselors, and speakers were able to assist students in planning next steps. As the school social work-er noted, “Planning for life beyond high school can be anxiety-producing for students and parents. It was awesome to have partnerships with college/university representatives to assist with future planning.” The activity succeeded because of good planning by the family engagement team, other teachers, and the students. The Graphic Arts instructor designed and produced the program; the Culinary Arts instructor helped students prepare dinner; and the ATP submitted a Family Engagement Proposal to the school leadership to fund the event. Eli Whitney’s guidance counselor for seniors sparked the idea for the evening because he saw the need to accelerate students’ and parents’ actions to make postsecondary and future plans. The Action Team for Partnerships (ATP) worked together to publicize the event with automated phone messages, individual invitations, and personal phone calls to all seniors’ parents to emphasize the importance of the event. When it comes to transitioning from high school to college and/or careers, Eli Whitney Technical High School designed an activity that could become a school tradition. Every year, seniors and their parents must give serious attention to plans for the future.
Mia Becton School Social Worker
HOME TO SCHOOL LESSONS - Learning At Home
NNPS - 2015 Type 4 - Learning At Home - Involve families with their children on homework and other curriculum-related activities and decisions. Mary Emily Byron Middle School; Weldon Spring MO
Mary Emily Bryan Middle’s Action Team for Partnerships (ATP) wants to make school more home-like and home more school-like, so students have multiple sources of educational support. To show that many daily activities easily connect home and school, the ATP adapted an idea from another school for Home to School Lessons.
The ATP divided subjects into 8 categories: ELA, Math, Social Studies, Science, Fine Arts, Practical Arts, PE, and Reading. Two subjects were assigned to each quarter of the year. The ATP provided a list of 30 topics and activities for interactive homework assignments that could be adapted for different sub-jects. The activities had to be smart, creative, and fun for students, parents, and family to do together—not always using paper and pencil. They had to be no-cost and easy to complete. Students would take the lead in conducting the activities with family members. In the first quarter of the school year, teachers of fine arts and practical arts developed the assignments. Each teacher selected one to assign to students. These included talking about and collecting favorite recipes, listening to a piece of music together and noting how family members responded differently to the music, or playing a game of charades. Individual teachers could design other assignments in the fine or practical arts linked to their own curriculum. In the second quarter, communication arts and science teachers developed activities. Ideas included asking a family member how technology is different now from when they were in middle school, asking a parent why they chose a particular career, or doing a science experiment together. Social studies and math teachers had their turn in the third quarter. Teachers chose from ideas such as discussing how math is used in a family’s daily life, writing a news article together about an event in the family’s history, or make a meal plan using a certain budget. Physical education and reading teachers designed creative homework in the fourth quarter of the school year. Students could engage a family member in taking a bike ride or walk, going on a nature scavenger hunt, asking parents about their favorite books when they were children, and, if possible, reading those books together. At first, the activities were optional. Fewer than half the students and families participated. This year, activities were improved and required as part of students’ grades. Over 91% of families participated and reported how much they enjoyed the activities. One teacher reported, “…when students shared their family recipes, the [other students] made connections to their [own] fami-ly’s history…They want to create a cookbook to make all of the recipes at home.” A parent shared, “I can’t believe [my son] was able to teach me a song on the keyboard. …We had a great time listening to some of my favorite songs from when I was his age!” Although the assignments were fun, students engaged in higher level thinking discussions with their parents and family mem-bers, and connected school learning with real life skills. It seems that everyone wins
when students take what they learn in school and make it come to life at home. Dr. Angela Dickson Assistant Principal
Page 11
INTERACTIVE MATH NOTEBOOKS - Learning At Home NNPS-2015
Type 4 - Learning At Home - Involve families with their children on homework and other curric-ulum-related activities and decisions.
Opelousas Junior High School; Opelousas, LA
The Action Team for Partnerships (ATP) and math teachers at Opelousas Junior High researched best practices for helping stu-dents retain math skills to improve scores on math tests. One math teacher developed Interactive Math Notebooks to help stu-dents in the middle grades stay organized and reflect on the skills they learn in class. She invited parents, teachers, and the com-munity to contribute to student success by reviewing and discussing the notebooks with students. In the beginning of the school year, math teachers sent all parents a list of the units and math skills that their child would learn. Parents of 7th graders also were told that their students would use Interactive Math Notebooks. Seventh graders were oriented to this new feature: “This year you will be using an Interactive Math Notebook to keep your work organized. The notebook will be a personalized reference book.” Students created a cover page for their notebooks that uniquely represented them. They also created a table of contents of the skills they learned in class and kept it current. Students were guided to write neatly, use colored pencils and highlighters, label all diagrams and models, use the notebook as a study tool, and take the notebook home each night to share with a parent and to help with homework and study. The left side of the notebook was labeled “Output,” for students to record math skills such as problems of the day, test correc-tions, and reflections. The right side was “Input,” for notes, vocabulary, and graphic organizers. Parents were asked to help students use the notebook as a study tool. Parents could write notes to the math teacher, ask ques-tions, or provide feedback. Parents added a signature each week if their child reviewed the notebook contents at home. Community partners also were engaged with students’ Interactive Math Notebooks. For example, local bank representatives came to math classes as guest speakers. They brought Real World Applications of math and financial literacy to students to add to their notebooks. Bank tellers talked about withdrawals and deposits as examples of positive and negative numbers. They also discussed credit card interest in lessons on percentages. Students wrote about the skills they learned in their notebooks and shared their weekly work with parents. If students were absent, they could check with students who served as peer tutors to obtain information they missed. Absent students also could check with their teacher. Each student’s notebook was evaluated for the quality of the organization, accuracy, and consistency. The school newsletter spotlighted students whose notebooks were especially detailed and well organized for others to recognize exemplary work. Interactive Math Notebooks aimed to help students keep track of and study the math skills they learned. One student reported, “When I needed to remember something we did months ago, this really helped me [study for] the comprehensive test.” Parents were gratified as one expressed, “Thank you for making my child more organized and showing him the benefits of keeping his work in one place.” Interactive Notebooks could be useful tools in any subject. One student summed up the meaning of the notebook in math, “This really shows how much I learned this year. Wow!”
Timothy Villemarette, Principal
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