Waugh Chapel Elementary “We Achieve What We Believe”

Cheryl Cox, Principal Lori Austin, Assistant Principal

(410) 222-6542 or (410) 672-5880 FAX: (410) 222-6963

April 2018

Dear Waugh Chapel Community, Is spring here yet? We are eager to see the spring weather finally join us…..and hoping it is sooner rather than later! Our spring here at Waugh Chapel comes with its’ usual busy schedule! We will celebrate Career Day on April 9th and thank you ahead of time for all the parents who are coming in to share their passions with us! Our PARCC testing will be starting and with it, we are going to motivate and pump up our children to “CRUSH” the test! (just wait and see what that looks like!) There are many field trips and again, we thank all the chaperones ahead of time for being part of these terrific experiences for our children. We couldn’t do it without you! Waugh Chapel has been working hard towards our IB/PYP certification and our 2 day certification visit is coming up this month! Our guests will join us on April 26th and 27th to see all the great things we are doing and to see our inquirers in action. This has been a journey and we are so glad you are on it with us. Inside this newsletter, take a minute to read our assessment policy that our staff has written. Reach out if you have questions….we are here for you! Here’s hoping for outdoor classroom weather, outdoor recess weather, and breaking out the shorts and flip-flops! Any day now! Fondly, Cheryl Cox Principal

WAUGH CHAPEL VISION STATEMENT

The faculty and staff of Waugh Chapel Elementary are

dedicated to developing well-rounded citizens who are life-

long learners equipped with effective thinking skills for an

increasingly technological global society. Focusing on

every student, we will work together with the community to

provide a safe, nurturing environment promoting rigor and

respect for all. We have confidence that ALL students can

achieve what they believe.

Kindergarten Registration

Kindergarten Registration begins Wednesday, April 4, 2018.

Children must be five-years-old by September 1, 2018 to

enroll in kindergarten. Required documents are:

• Child’s birth certificate

• A copy of your child’s immunization record

• Lease or mortgage document along with

• one additional document with the same address

such as:

o Current utility or phone bill

o Income tax of property tax notice

Registration packages will be available in the

office. Each package must include all required documents

and completed forms before being submitted to the school.

REQUEST TO LEAVE SCHOOL EARLY

A request to have a child excused from class early should be

sent with the child on the morning of the dismissal. The

time and reason for leaving should be included. This

request will facilitate the process.

Daily dismissal starts at 3:30 p.m. The time just prior to

dismissal is a crucial transition period for students and

teachers.

If you need to sign your child out before regular dismissal,

please arrive before 3:15 p.m. Students will not be called to

the office for dismissal between 3:15 and 3:30 p.m.

Thank you for your cooperation!

3

7

11

18

21

21/22

5th Grade Pano Photo

3rd grade field trip

2nd grade field trip

Kindergarten Field trip

Kindergarten Orientation

Pre-K and K Conferences

23

24

28

Spring Chorus Concert

1st Grade Field Trip

Memorial Day-School Close

Watch D.O.G.S Kudos

We would like to recognize and thank those who have

been able to come in and provide support and

security to our boys, girls, teachers, and staff. Our

Watch D.O.G.S. for the month of March were:

Mr. Bark

Mr. Orr

Mr. Armstrong

Mr. Baggett

Mr. Spinazzola

If you are interested in being a Watch D.O.G. or

wanting to find out more about this wonderful

program, please contact Mrs. Patterson at

klpatterson@aacps.org or call the main office at 410-

222-6542. We have lots of days open on our calendar

and would love to fill them. We will even take half

days. Maybe you could plan on coming on your child’s

birthday. Wouldn’t that be a nice present? (For them

and for us)

Character Education

Confidence was our Character Education theme this

past month. Teachers provided a mini lesson to

introduce the trait and then discussed behavior

examples. The definition for confidence discussed

was thinking you can try or do most things; belief in

oneself. Students were recognized throughout the

month with trolley tickets. Each class finally selected

two students whom they felt should be a part of our

“Cougars with Character Wall” because they truly

displayed the trait. The following students were

selected. A big “Congratulations” goes out to the

following:

Dates to Remember

APRIL

2 Easter/Spring Break- School and Central

Offices Closed

4

6

9

11/12

16

17

20

Registration for Kindergarten begins

5th Grade Field Trip

Career Day

Two-hour early dismissal

4th Grade Field Trip

Two-hour early dismissal

8 A.M. National Honor Society Meeting

MAY

Kindergarten

KA – Ella Hupman / Quinn Clay

KF – Fadil Ndatsu / Austyn Adams

KR – Elias Chang / Carson Polucha

KSe – Mia Stevens / Peter Frederick

KSh – Phoebe Dy / Aiden Sweatt

First Grade

1B – Kristin Apodaca / Austin Weaver

1C – Rachael Ruan / PJ Arendes

1G – Alliyah Cochran / Noah Raey

1H – Paige Klingler / David Rustei

Second Grade

2C – Rhys Lare / William Woodson-Potter

2F – Samantha Lueth / Landon Gallagher

2G – Carissa West-Bethea / Jalontaye West

2H – Alexander McClain / Scott Welsh

2T – Soliana Thompson / Ayden Broznowicz

Third Grade

3A – Sophia Wong / Owen Anderson

3D – Kearslee Kamachi / Zeke Evensen

3G – Morgana Fletcher / Tyler Tablada

3K – Lily Borradaile / Oliver Lineberger

Fourth Grade

4C – Dillon Henry / Felipe Monroy

4Ma – Sienna Klingler / Mason Tyus

4Sm – Timea Williams / Mary Frey

4St – Avah Perez / Nicholas Gash

Fifth Grade

5G – Brianna Banfield / Madalyn Ochs

5P – Maeve Sevec / Jack Laird

5S – Stephen Liberati / Jacob Payne

5W – Chanel Mack / Logan Kilby

Nice job boys and girls!

Waugh Chapel Elementary School Curriculum Highlights April 2018

Kindergarten Grade 1 Grade 2 Grade 3 Grade 4 Grade 5

Language Arts

This month we will continue practicing Rainbow Words and work on reading words with vowel patterns

Students engage in leveled guided reading, small-group instruction, independent tasks and Literacy Center Activities on their instructional and/or independent level.

Functional Skills & Their Function in Writing: Homophones Multiple Meaning Words Text Features Cursive Handwriting

Opinion Writing

Poetry and Prose Compare and Contrast Opinion Writing Narrative Writing

Students will be continuing to focus on argumentative

writing as well as discussing debatable topics and citing evidence from a

text

Math

This month students will learn subtraction strategies through many interactive and hands on activities!

Students will understand that in adding two-digit numbers, one adds tens and tens, ones and ones; and sometimes it is necessary to compose a ten

Math Skills related to time and graphing

Equivalent Fractions

Comparing Fractions

Fractions and Decimals Attributions of 2 Dimensional Shapes

Students will solve problems with fractional quantities, classify 2-dimensioonal

geometry figures, and perform operations with decimals.

Science

We will begin our new IB unit in April! Unit of Inquiry: Sharing the Planet Central Idea: Living things have patterns for how they meet their needs

How the World Works An inquiry as to how people use, light, sound, and technology to communicate over distances

Unit of Inquiry – Where We Are in Place and Time Central Idea: Tools can help us see how the earth changes

Nutrition Speed and Energy

Explain how organisms are linked by the transformation of matter and energy at the ecosystem level.

Social Science

Students will be learning about living non-living things and create their own animal habitat!

How the World Works An inquiry as to how people use light, sound, and technology to communicate over distances.

Unit of Inquiry- Where We Are in Place and time Central Idea: Tools can help us see how the earth changes.

Unit of Inquiry: How We Express Ourselves (Culture in our Community)

Production and Consumption in Maryland Entrepreneurship and Technological Changes

Students will develop an understanding of the factors affecting the course of the Revolutionary War and those contributing to the American Victory

Media

Creative writing in Wixie Poetry Exploration

Reading Poetry by Shel Silverstein

Voting for BES picture books

Reading Concrete Poems Voting for BES picture books

Figurative language and symbolism in poetry

Voting for BES picture books

Inquiry Research Projects, completing and presenting a digital

project

Inquiry Research Projects, completing and presenting a digital project

Art

The Power of Possibilities Composition

I can overcome Challenges Composition

Taking Action Artwork serves a purpose

Pattern Unity Rhythm

Music

Tone Color//Timbre Environmental sounds Sing, speak, shout, whisper Body percussion Individual/group sounds Instrument families/sounds

Tone Color/Timbre Environmental sounds Sing, speak, shout, whisper Body Percussion Individual/group sounds Instrument families/sounds

Tone Color/Timbre Instrument families/sounds Vocal timbres of different people Environmental sounds

Tone Color/Timbre Instrument families/sounds Vocal timbres of different people Environmental sounds

Tone Color/Timbre Instrument families/sounds Orchestral sections Vocal timbres of different people Ensemble performance

Tone Color/Timbre Instrumental families/sounds Orchestral sections Vocal timbres of different people Ensemble performance

PE

Parachute activities Scooter games Relay Work

Parachute activities Scooter games Relay Work

Volleying skills Lacrosse skills

Volleying skills Lacrosse skills

Volleyball skills and games Lacrosse skills and games Spring Fitness testing

Volleyball skills and games Lacrosse skills and games Spring Fitness testing

Field Trips

We are so excited for our field trip to Camp Woodlands on April 19th!

Maryland Zoo (May) Coming Soon= EcoAdvventures (May 7th)

Announcements

Hand Sanitizer donations would be greatly appreciated! Thank

you for helping keep our students well!

Primary Talent Development Lesson: Bubblelogy is in April Students display persistent and perceptive behaviors when experimenting with bubbles

PARCC TESTING FOR MAY 2018

Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Special Notes

1 2

Gr. 3 ELA PARCC

9:15-10:45a.m.

Unit 2

3

Gr. 3 ELA PARCC

9:15-10:45a.m.

Unit 3

4

Gr. 3 Math PARCC

9:15-10:25-Unit 1

10:30-11:30a.m.

Unit 2

7

8 9

Gr. 3 Math PARCC

9:15-10:25-Unit 3

10:30-11:30a.m.

Unit 4

10

Gr. 4 ELA PARCC

10:30-12:00pm.

Unit 1

11

Gr. 4 ELA PARCC

10:30-12:00pm.

Unit 2

Interims Go Home

14

Gr. 4 ELA PARCC

10:30-12:00pm.

Unit 3

15

Gr. 4 Math PARCC

10:30-11:30-Unit 1

1:30-2:30p.m.

Unit 2

16

17

AM

PARCC Make-ups

18

Gr. 4 Math PARCC

10:30-11:30-Unit 3

1:30-2:30p.m.

Unit 4

21

Gr. 5 ELA PARCC

10:30-12:00pm.

Unit 1

22

Gr. 5 ELA PARCC

10:30-12:00pm.

Unit 2

23

24

Gr. 5 ELA PARCC

10:30-12:00pm.

Unit 3

25

Grade 4 & 5 will switch cultural arts &

lunch ONLY on testing days

this week.

New times:

CA: Grade 5- 9:15-10:15a.m.

Grade 4- 10:15-11:15a.m.

LUNCH : Grade 4– 12:00-12:25p.m.

Grade 5 – 12:25-12:50p.m.

28

Memorial Day

No School

29 30

Gr. 5 Math PARCC

10:30-11:30-Unit 1

1:30-2:30p.m.

Unit 2

31

Gr. 5 Math PARCC

10:30-11:30-Unit 3

1:30-2:30p.m.

Unit 4

Grade 4 & Grade 5 will switch cultural

arts

ONLY on testing days this week.

New times:

CA: Grade 5- 9:15-10:15a.m.

Grade 4- 10:15-11:15a.m.

Help us celebrate 50 years at Waugh Chapel! All

Proceeds will go to the purchase of a bench

commemorating Waugh Chapel’s 50th year!

WCES PTA is bringing back the Buy-A-Brick program that will allow you to personally leave your mark on the grounds of Waugh Chapel Elementary School forever!

Special Introductory Offer

Let’s get the ball rolling! Order your brick by April 15th , 2018 and purchase a 4X8 brick for only $80 or an 8X8 brick for only $120!

YOU CAN ORDER ON OUR ON-LINE ORDERING WEBSITE: WWW.BRICKSRUS.COM/ORDER/wcespta

Then send in your check made out to WCES-PTA with your son/daughter to school in an

envelope labeled Brick Program

ORDERS MUST BE RECEIVED BY April 15th , 2018 TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF INTRODUCTORY OFFER.

If you have any questions, please email Marci Monaldo mmonaldo@gmail.com.

Black-Eyed Susan Reading Program

2017-2018

Waugh Chapel students are invited to participate in this year’s Black-Eyed Susan Reading Program!

❖ Students in grades K-3 will read and vote on the picture book nominees during their media class

time.

❖ Students in grades 3-5 may independently read 3 novels or 3 graphic novels from the list below

and meet with Mrs. Duvall to discuss. All students who complete the task by Friday, April 6,

2018, will be invited to the voting party.

*Students may check out these titles from the school or public library. Please contact Mrs. Duvall with any questions at

tcduvall@aacps.org

Grades 4-6 Novel Nominees Graphic Novel Nominees

The Wild Robot

by Peter Brown

Moo by Sharon Creech

Isabel Feeney, Star Reporter by Beth

Fantaskey

Space Case: A Moon Base Alpha Novel by

Stuart Gibbs

Garvey’s Choice by Nikki Grimes

Full Cicada Moon by Marilyn Hilton

Unusual Chickens for the Exceptional

Poultry Farmer by Kelly Jones

Pax by Sara Pennypacker

Towers Falling by Jewell Parker Rhodes

Save Me a Seat by Sarah Weeks

Rutabaga, the Adventure Chef #1

by Eric Colossal

Help Us! Great Warrior

by Madeleine Flores

Mighty Jack: Book One by Ben Hatke

Red’s Planet by Eddie Pittman

Dinosaurs: Fossils and Feathers

by M.K. Reed

Space Battle Lunchtime: Lights, Camera,

Snacktion by Natalie Riess

Caveboy Dave: More Scrawny than Brawny

by Aaron Reynolds

Ghosts by Raina Telgemeier

The Creepy Case Files of Margo Maloo by

Drew Weing

Hilo: Saving the Whole Wide World

by Judd Winick

Mission Statement

At Waugh Chapel Elementary, we strive to develop world class scholars and first class citizens who have the skills and attitudes to enable them to become compassionate, life-long learners, who will contribute positively to the future.

Assessment Beliefs

The staff of Waugh Chapel Elementary believes assessment is an integral part of teaching and learning that provides information about learning, the process of learning, and insight into the development of the attributes and attitudes of IB Learners. As a school community, we strive to make assessment a collaborative and informative process that involves teachers, support staff, students, families, and relevant stakeholders in the collection and analysis of dynamic information regarding student performance, instruction, and programming. To this end, we have chosen assessment techniques that provide multi-faceted information through diagnostic, formative, and summative means in ongoing, authentic, varied, and purposeful ways. Through these means, students reflect on their own learning and teachers reflect on their instruction.

Purpose of Assessments

At Waugh Chapel Elementary, assessments involve students, teachers, and other stakeholders and are used to:

* Provide feedback on the learning process * Inform curriculum, instruction, and future assessments * Obtain evidence of student’s development in the Essential Elements of PYP, including the Learner Profile * Inform policies, procedures, agreements, and programming * Communicate to school community on the progress and proficiency on state curriculum and expectations

Assessment Practices

Strategies used to gather information about students’ development, learning, dispositions, and behaviors: * Performance assessments * Observations * Selected response

* Self and peer assessments * Process-focused assessments * Portfolios

* Reflections * Homework * Open-ended and Summative tasks

Tools used to collect data: * Running records * Rubrics * Checklists * Anecdotal records * Graphic Organizers * Benchmarks * Exemplars * Continuums * Standardized tests

Redo Policy To help students improve knowledge and understanding, further foster enthusiasm for learning, and engage in thoughtful reflection, the school has implemented a redo policy.

• Students in grades 1-5 shall have 3 additional opportunities to improve a score of 69% or less on a qualifying activity which demonstrates knowledge of course content, skills, and standards for learning.

• To qualify, students must have completed and submitted the original work by the due date and participated in teacher-facilitated re-teaching within 10 school days following the return of the original graded work.

Mandated Assessments The teaching and learning staff at Waugh Chapel Elementary recognizes that there are local, state and national requirements of administering standardized assessments for a variety of purposes. In terms of the data provided by these assessments, we carefully consider the relevance of the test to the student population in the school, the relationship between what is being tested and the school’s instructional program, the impact of standardized testing on teaching and learning, and the usability of the data produced. In alignment with the IB philosophy on assessment, we recognize the data from standardized assessments to be a single portrait of a one-time performance and should be considered along with other assessment information from varied assessment techniques.

• ACCESS for ELLs – federally mandated assessment for students in grades K-5 to determine proficiency in the language of instruction as a component of the English Language Learner Identification Process. Administered Jan through early Feb.

• Cognitive Abilities Test (COGAT) – locally mandated assessment for students in grade 2 and 5 as a component of the Gifted and Talented Identification Process. Administered Nov through early Dec.

• Fountas & Pinnell Benchmark Assessment System (BAS) – locally mandated assessment for students in grades K-5 for the purpose of pinpointing a student’s independent and instructional reading levels and observation of a student’s reading behaviors, for the purpose of making instructional decisions. Administered in October-mid Nov, February, and May.

• Kindergarten Readiness Assessment (KRA) – state mandated assessment for selected students in kindergarten of four areas of early learning: Social and emotional development, and approaches toward learning; mathematics; language and literacy; physical well-being and motor development. Administered mid Sep through mid Oct.

• Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Career Readiness (PARCC) – federally mandated assessment for students in grades 3-8 to gauge progress towards mastery of standards for learning for the English language arts and mathematics.

• Maryland Integrated Science Assessment (MISA) – state mandated assessment for students grade 5

• Alternate MISA and Multi-State Alternate Assessment (MSAA) – state mandated assessments for students with significant cognitive disabilities, who qualify, as an alternative to MISA and PARCC.

• Performance Series – selected students participate in this locally mandated assessment of mathematics and English language arts as a component of the Gifted and Talented Identification Process.

• Primary Talent Development Portfolio – locally mandated assessment of a specific set of learning behaviors in grades K-2 as a component of the Gifted and Talented Identification Process.

• Additional locally mandated assessments in Grades K-5 administered throughout the year

Grade Level Assessment, Purpose, Frequency

Pre-kindergarten Teacher Observation of Learning Assessment (T.O.O.L.) in five domains: Language and Literacy, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, Fine Arts, Physical Education, and Student Behaviors

Kindergarten

Fountas & Pinnell Wordlist; Teacher Observation of Learning Assessment (T.O.O.L.) in five domains: Language and Literacy, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, Fine Arts, Physical Education, and Student Behaviors

First Grade Mathematics Checkpoints; Optional Social Studies/Science Assessments

Second Grade Mathematics Assessments (3); English Language Arts Assessments (2); Optional Social Studies/Science Assessments

Third Grade Mathematics Checkpoints; Mathematics Assessments (3); English Language Arts Assessments (3); Science Assessment (2); Social Studies Assessment (2)

Fourth Grade Mathematics Checkpoints; Mathematics Assessments (3); English Language Arts Assessments (3); Science Assessment (3); Social Studies Assessment (2)

Fifth Grade Mathematics Checkpoints; Mathematics Assessments (3); English Language Arts Assessments (3); Science Assessment (2); Social Studies Assessment (2)

Note: The state of Maryland has legislation limiting the amount of time students spend taking national, state, and locally mandated assessments to 2.2 percent of overall classroom time in a year — about 24 hours in elementary and middle school and 26 hours in high school.

Reporting to Stakeholders

Keeping stakeholders informed regarding student progress is done through a combination of methods for the purpose of providing a multi-dimensional portrait of each student: The Written Report:

• Formal written reporting of students’ efforts and achievement using the Anne Arundel County Public Schools (AACPS) district-mandated report card is scheduled four times a year in grades 1-5 – November, February, April, and June.

• In prekindergarten, teachers will complete a Progress Report on each student in November, May, and June. Parents are informed about student progress in Language and Literacy, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, Fine Arts, Physical Education, and Student Behaviors

• Interim reports are distributed midway through the nine-week grading period. An interim is a notice that a student is not progressing adequately or is having difficulty with conduct, social development, work habits, or demonstrating the attributes of the Learner Profile. Positive interims are highly encouraged.

• Special educators send progress reports that update families on students’ progress and provide strategies for supporting learning at home.

• Report cards and interim reports include a student’s reading level, letter grades for each academic and cultural arts subject area, and evaluations on expected student behaviors and Learner Profile attributes, as well as skill development.

• The Maryland State Board of Education releases a yearly report card to inform stakeholders in regards to the performance of the State, its 24 school systems, and individual schools. The state report card provides information on state-mandated testing, school progress, annual measurable objectives, demographics, enrollment, attendance, and other relevant data.

Conferences:

• The purpose of parent-teacher-student conferences is to review progress, exchange information about the students, and formulate plans for continued progress.

• In accordance with district policy, parent-teacher conferences are held for grades 1-5 in October, December, and March. Additional conferences for Pre-Kindergarten and Kindergarten are held at the beginning and end of the school year. Parents may request additional conferences at any time.

Portfolios:

• Portfolios will be implemented and used to purposefully collect examples of students’ work that demonstrates the Essential Elements of the PYP, as well as their growth and reflection throughout their elementary school years.

• They will be cumulative collection of student work that travels with the student from Pre-K through fifth grade, housed in the classrooms, and available to students and families at any time.

• In grades PreK-2, the Primary Talent Development (PTD) portfolios serve as a collection of artifacts of student work in where teachers observe and document targeted behaviors, student strengths, interests, and abilities. The PTD portfolio serves as an expanded student profile that can be used to identify students who require advanced learner services. The portfolio documentation may also be used as evidence of student performance in identifying those who may need extra support or special education services.

Other Methods:

• Teachers send home graded and ungraded assignments home on a weekly basis to keep parents abreast of student progress and assists in extending learning beyond the school day.

• District policy mandates that teachers in grades 1-5 keep an online grade book that is updated at least every 5-8 days so as to facilitate open communication between home and classroom.

• The teacher’s online gradebook is linked to an online tool for parents called ParentCONNECTxp (PCxp). To keep updated on their child’s grades and attendance, PCxp allows parents access 24 hours a day, seven days a week, from any computer with internet access.

Teachers use various communication methods to communicate with parents on a daily basis about student progress and behavior, including but not limited to: Class DoJo, class and/or grade level websites, agendas, emails, and phone calls home.