Steele Elementary Orientation

Welcome to Steele!2015/2016 School Year Orientation

Welcome to Steele!!!

• The purpose for this evening is to help new parents learn the norms of Steele, build relationships with one another and get answers to all of your questions.

So, if anyone feels like this

After tonight you will feel like this….

Let’s get to know one another!!

• On my cue stand up and walk around the room • When I ring the bell find a person you don’t know • Tell each other where you grew up• When I clap my hands stop talking and look back to the front of the room

• On my cue walk around the room with your partner• When I ring the bell find another couple• All four people should discuss what they had as their first job• When I clap my hands stop talking and look back to the front of the room • Now as a group of four find another group of four• Discuss what you are most excited about the upcoming school

year• Write a tweet on a sticky note summarizing the groups

discussion

Share Out

• Talk to one another to see who grew up the closest to my hometown of Matawan N.J.

• This person will share their group’s tweet with the larger group

A little bit about our school

Our Mission:Steele’s mission is to provide children with the skills, knowledge, and values necessary to become productive citizens in a dynamic and diverse society. We seek high academic achievement by providing a challenging environment and by fostering cooperation between students. Steele offers multi-age classes for all of its students, four different electives and two educators in every classroom.

The Steele CodeAt Steele we do the right thing.We respect ourselves, each other, our school and our community.We treat everyone with kindness, compassion and a forgiving spirit.We have the courage to take risks and learn from our mistakes.We are responsible for our actions, our words and our learning.We tell the truth even when it is difficult.We do the right thing even when no one is watching.

320 South Marion ParkwayMain Office: 720-424-3720Attendance Line: 720-424-3725

We are here to help!

• Kevin Greeley--Principal• Andrea Dite--Nurse• Paula Lougheed—Office Assistant• Melissa Nawrocki—Office Assistant• The School Phone Number is 720-424-3720

British Primary: It just makes sense

Steele Elementary Uses the British Primary Method of teaching. For a period of time we used traditional teaching methods and found, when we compared test results, that academically there was no difference in our students performance.• There are three fundamental differences between a more traditional

approach and the way we apply the British Primary method– Classrooms are combined. (Kindergartners and First graders are in the same

classroom, 2nd + 3rd, 4th +5th)– There is a second educator in every class (our teacher to student ratio is 1:18

max)– Learning is project-based and experiential inter-disciplinary

• Benefits– Children have the benefit of building lasting relationships over the two year

duration they are in class with their peers– They learn by mentoring the younger children and vice versa– More continuity in their educational experience

Before school starts…as in now!

• Are you registered?• Your child must be registered in order to be added to all of our key

communications• In order to register, please stop in to the main office tomorrow• Last official day to register was today if you haven’t registered, please do so

tomorrow!

• Pick up school supplies if you haven’t already pre-ordered them• If you haven’t yet picked up school supplies, we will need for you to purchase key

supplies that your child will need for the school year. When you register you will receive more information on the list of school supplies we will need for your child

Getting in the loop

As part of the registration process, your child will be enrolled in his or her classroom (if they aren’t already) Some of the key communications you can expect include:• Monthly emails from the class room parent with an update on classroom

events, activities• Regular communications from your child’s teacher.

• Teachers will decide if they prefer to communicate via email or a “portal” or web page

• If you have not received any communication from your child’s teacher by the second week of school, you probably aren’t on their list. Please contact the school and we will ensure that you receive these key communications

• Make sure you register for the school newsletter, the “Steele Stallion” to receive information about school and PTA sponsored events• Embrace your community! We do our best to communicate as proactively as

we can but another great source of information is the Steele community• Make sure you are registered for the school directory! For more info:

steeledirectory@gmail.com.

Dropoff and Attendance

Where to drop off your child: Marion Parkway, directly in front of the school’s main entrance, is designated as the “Kiss and Drop” area. This is for parents who want to drop their child off at the curb and don’t need to park. Alternately if you prefer you can always walk your child in to the classroom or stay with your child until the teacher has the kids “line up” when the first bell rings. Each class has a designated meeting point outside the building where students line up at the first bell, contact the school to find out where your child’s meet up spot is. Dropoff Timeline• The first bell rings at 8:10, your child should be lined up ready for class at that time• We suggest dropoff by 8am to ensure you make it in time. There is supervised play outside from

7:55-8:10.• The second bell rings at 8:15 which means its time for your child to be in his or her classroom. If

your child is not accounted for at that point it is considered a “tardy”What if my Child is “tardy”?• After the second bell rings you must document that he or she is late by:

– Pick up pink slip and tell Melissa or Paula your name– Contact the School Attendance Line: : 720-424-3725

Use the same process for Absences as for tardies and please provide advanced notice when able.If you do call in please leave a message by 8:30 am and leave this key information:

– Your name– Your child's name– Teacher or room number– Date of absence– Reason

Information on your child’s academic performance

There are multiple ways that we gauge success here at Steele Elementary. Academic performance isn't the only indicator – but it is one of them.1) You will receive three report cards during the school year.

– The report card is based on the Common Core State Standards and the Colorado Academic Standards

– If a child scores a 3 it means that they are on track or have achieved that standard. A score of 2 means they are approaching mastery and a score of 4 means they are advanced

– If you receive a report card and have questions, it is always ok to reach out to your child’s teacher(s) with questions

2) We periodically administer standardized tests. We make every effort to notify you if there is an upcoming test via the Stallion newsletter.– Find test results in the parent portal– For information on how to access the parent portal, call: 720-423-3163

Before and After School Care

Kaleidoscope provides both before and after school care. • It is a program offered by DPS Kaleidoscope at Steele and provides before school care

from 6:30 am - school start then after school through dismissal at 6 pm. • You can register for one or both (pre-care and after care) and for only days needed.

The programs do fill up, so check with DPS for availability.

What to do if your child is registered for kaleidoscope:• Morning drop-off is in the cafeteria and you must sign your child in. • The kaleidoscope staff then will walk your child to his/her classroom just before school

starts. • After school, the teachers drop the Kaleidoscope kids off at the cafeteria where the

Kaleidoscope staff signs them in. • Parents must sign out their kids when picking them up unless a waiver has been signed

for the kids to walk home (only offered for kids over a certain age). • Children in Kaleidoscope can attend after school activities with a special form that is

submitted to the Kaleidoscope program following same drop-off and pickup protocol.

For more information check the website: . http://kaleidoscope.dpsk12.org

Meals

Here at Steele we provide a healthful locally sourced (whenever possible) food option for both breakfast and lunch.• Breakfast is served from 7:45 in the mornings and is free for all childrenFor Lunch there are two options available:1) Your child is always welcome to bring his or her own lunch 2) A prepared option is also available.

Your child can opt for the school prepared lunch same day but needs to have money applied to their account so they can purchase the school lunch.

You can decide from one day to the next which option you would like for your child to pursue. If you feel that you would like for your child to have a prepared option available, before the school year starts please:• Go to www.mylunchmoney.com• Ensure that your child is set up for the lunch program• Call the office if you have any questions!

House Keeping/General Information

• We suggest that you (especially in the warmer months) provide your child with his or her own water bottle for each day

• Some teachers ask that parents bring snack in for the week so don’t be surprised if you are asked to provide a snack at some point in the school year

• If your child has any allergies, please notify the teacher right away• For days when your child has PE, please make sure your child wears stable

“safe” shoes– If you don’t know when your child has PE class, please reach out to your child’s

teacher• Have kids dress comfortably at the beginning of the year because the

building can get hot • If you would like for your child to wear sunscreen, please apply his or her

own sun screen before the beginning of each school day

Getting to the school

• Buses are available! For Eligibility:– You must live more than one mile from the school– Steele must be your “home” school– For more on busses, contact the DPS transportation organization: 720-423-

4600

Next year you may feel like this….

But if you have a kindergartner it may look like this…

First day things to know about: Classroom

• Drop-offs can be hard! The kids handle it better than you might think so trust that they will be ok after dropoff. We will be monitoring your child closely and will call if he or she does not rebound quickly

• Your teacher will pick your child up outside at their designated pick-up spot

• Immediately following dropoff, a Parent Social will take place in playground

• If you are concerned about your child’s ability to navigate throughout the school, we have it covered!Kids will have a tour of the school on the first day so will be able to find their way around

Key Resources

1) Steele Stallion: Weekly newsletter about school-wide events and activitiesRegister to receive the Steele Stallion Press weekly newsletter via email. This is the primary source of key communications about school and parent-sponsored events.

2) Steele Main Website. Be sure to access the Steele website regularly for key information about:

– After School activities and care (kaleidoscope program)– Calendar of events and fun events– Opportunities to participate

• Fundraising Events• PTA activities• Volunteer

3) Don’t be afraid to reach out to the school if you can’t find the information you need!

Getting involved

The Steele community is actively engaged in providing the best possible experience for our children. We highly encourage you to get involved! Some great opportunities to participate in the school include:• The PTA (which is responsible for a number of fund raising activities that

contribute not only to the facilities but the second teacher in every classroom)– For more information on how to get involved in the PTA, send an email

to:steelevp1@gmail.com– You can also check myschoolanywhere.com for postings of volunteer

opportunities• Participate in your child's academic and social growth by:

– Reaching out to his or her teacher for volunteer opportunities in the classroom• Stay on top of communications and participate in community building

activities

Find us if we can’t find you!

• Find us on Facebook! For fun events. Search for “Steele Elementary”

• Go to Our website

Last Thought