Welcome to Mary G. Porter Traditional

School

New Student Orientation

2010 - 2011

Porter Traditional School Creed

Porter Traditional School is a safe, friendly, and caring community where learning is active and exciting.

We, the Porter staff, are enthusiastic, professional, caring and

committed to working together to provide the best learning experience for our school community.

I am a member of the Porter family. I am an intelligent,

responsible, and hard-working active learner.

At Porter, our learning never ends.

School Hours• Doors open at 8:40 a.m.

• Instruction begins at 8:50 a.m.

• Dismissal is at 3:20 p.m.

• Breakfast begins at 8:35 a.m.

• Students are TARDY after 8:50 a.m.

• Attendance/Tardies/Behavior must be excellent to remain at Porter.

Student UniformsALL STUDENTS attending Porter are REQUIRED to follow the uniform policy and the Prince William County Dress Code.

SCHOOL COLORS: Red, White, Blue, Tan/Khaki, and Black.ALL clothing MUST be SOLID colors.

There can be no logo or brand names on any item worn to school, except the school logo and/or name.

BOTTOMS: SOLID Navy Blue, Black, or Tan/Khaki…NO DENIMPants, jumpers, walking shorts, skorts, and jumpers

TOPS: Red, White, Black, Navy Blue or Light Blue…NO DENIMTops must have a collar and be tucked in.

PE Days: In addition to the uniform, students may wear Spirit Wear.

Shoes: Preferably street shoes, athletic/tennis shoes (No open toe shoes or sandals)

Student Uniforms• Ties – Red, White, Navy Blue, Light Blue and Tan Khaki

(These colors can be combined) • Girls – Hair accessories are to be of the student’s choice,

with the exception of bandanas • Belts – Black, Brown, Tan Khaki, Light Blue or Navy (Pants

must fit properly or the student will be required to wear a belt)

• Jewelry – Earrings are to be worn in ears only, no larger than a quarter.

• Financial Assistance - Families who feel they are in financial need and cannot afford uniforms may submit a letter to the Principal requesting financial assistance. The requests will be reviewed on a case-by case basis by the principal.

Volunteer HoursSTUDENTS….

• Participate in school or community projects each year. Volunteer hours are dependent upon grade level.

• Grades 1-3 10 hours per year• Grades 4-5 15 Hours per

year• Grades 6-8 20 hours per year

• Students keep track of hours in their agenda.

PARENTS… • Participate in 10 hours per

year of school related activities for each child enrolled at Porter.

• Parents log hours in the notebook in the main office.

Parent Committees

Porter relies on the commitment and involvement of our dedicated parents.

Porter Traditions

Our school-wide policies stating that we will all behave and demonstrate the

following Traditions…

Greeters Porter Traditional School Creed

Porter Traditional School is a safe, friendly, and caring community where learning is active and exciting.

We, the Porter staff, are enthusiastic, professional, caring and committed to working together to provide the best learning experience for our school community.

I am a member of the Porter family. I am an intelligent, responsible, and hard-working active learner.

At Porter, our learning never ends.

Staff UniformThe staff will wear

their Porter uniform at least 2

days a week.

Stars and StripesStars and StripesSTOPTHINK AND READSilently

STUDENTS TEACHERS READING INPERFECTLY ENJOYABLE SILENCE

Give Me FiveGive Me Five

1 – Quiet2 – Look at the

speaker3 – Get ready to

listen4 – Sit still5 – Raise your

hand to show you are

ready

Porter Writing DomainsPorter Writing Domains

Composing

Usage and Mechanics

Written Expression (Style)

Composing

•Focus on Main Idea

•Logical Organization

•Examples, Anecdotes, Illustrations, and Details Support the Main Idea

•Skillful Lead and Closure

•Overall Unity

•Lack of Digressions

•Consistent Point of View

Written Expression (Style)

•Precise Vocabulary

•Sentences Vary in Length and Beginnings

•Rhythmic Flow

•Writer’s Voice

•Word Choice Creates Pictures in Reader's Mind

Usage and Mechanics

•Capitalization

•Punctuation

•Usage

•Sentence Formation

•Spelling

* All students need to know the writing domains.

•Each student needs to do at least 2 writing prompts per semester. Then, these pieces need to be rated using these domains.

•You’ll get a stamp to use when scoring writing in any content area

Composing

Usage and Mechanics

Written Expression (Style)

Good Readers...Good Readers...

Look at the picture.

Think about aword that has

the samesound it it.

Listen to seeif it makes

sense.

Skip the wordand continue

reading. Thenthink about whatthe word could

be.

Go back to thebeginning and geta running start on

the word.

Start the sentence

again.

Put in a word that makes sense and continue

reading.

Look at howthe wordbegins.

Listen to seeif it soundsright. Doesit fit in the sentence?

Look forchunks or little

words.

Get your mouth ready

to say it.

Math FactsMath FactsThe recall of basic math facts is essential for the mastery

of the elementary mathematics curriculum.A school-wide policy has been established requiring all students to have mastery of their basic math facts. Below are the grade level criteria.

We are using the “Mad Minute Math” program as one way to monitor progress and encourage students to compete against their own record (to better their previous scores.) The “Mad Minute Math” sheets can be corrected, completed, and practiced each night. The school day can offer only limited time for practice basic facts; thus, much of the necessary drill must occur at home.

Grade Math Facts Time Frame Requirement

1 Sums to 10 and corresponding subtraction facts End of 4th quarter

2 Sums tp 20 and corresponding subtraction facts End of 4th quarter

3 Addition, subtraction, multiplication and division to 10 + and – End of 2nd quarter

x and / by end of 4th quarter

4 & Up Addition, subtraction, multiplication and division + and – End of 1st quarter

x and / by end of 2nd quarter

Porter’s Editing MarksPorter’s Editing Marks

REVISING MARKS (Grade 1)

seeChange a word: I can saw a bird.

seeAdd a word: I can^a bird.

REVISING MARKS (Grades 2-8)

Cross out: I am am tall.

terrifiedI felt afraid.

calledAdd a word: Dad^to me.

PROOFREADING MARKS

Check spelling: blak

Need capital letter: t m

h rNeed a lower case: H R

New paragraph:

Indent:

Punctuation: We walked faster

* These edit marks are the only editing marks used at Porter*

Personal Personal BestBest

To celebrate the hard work of each and every student, each room (could be in the classroom or in the hall) labeled “Personal Best.” On this board, should be displayed students’ personal best work- it may be a project, art work, group project, essay, story, math problem solving, class work or many other items. This work should be updated frequently. Every child should have something well done of which he/she is proud to share. What a message it sends to kids when they see their own work up for others to read and enjoy!

Class Meetings

Each classroom teacher agrees to have a class meeting at least twice a week. The purpose is to enhance our school community and reduce bullying within our school.

Star Qualities

COURTESYCOMPASSION

RESPONSIBILITY RESPECTHONESTY

PERSEVERENCECOOPERATION

PATIENCECOURAGE

SENSE OF HUMOR

Academic Vocabulary-Academic Vocabulary-Word WallsWord Walls

• To support the initiative of literacy across the content areas and for our students’ learning, all students are expected to “master” 120 words annually (30 per content area)

• All teachers should have a word wall where the academic vocabulary are posted as they are learned throughout the school year.

Agendas… encouraging Agendas… encouraging responsibilityresponsibility

• All students Gr. 1-8 have agendas ($6 cost)• Students are expected to write their homework in it each

night.• Excellent place for communication• Teachers, both middle and elementary, will check that

students have written the homework down properly. • Time needs to be set aside daily for this step• Each teacher will have a School Fusion page please

check it regularly.• Parents and students need to bring an ID to get their

password with Mrs. Pat in the office.

Bullying of Students

PWCS is committed to a school environment in which students

are free from bullying

Front Office

• Please notify the office of any changes in your child’s transportation needs. The office must be notified IN WRITING, the morning of the change.

• ALL visitors need a photo ID and must check into the office first.

• Early dismissals will be permitted up until 3:00pm.

• Parents MUST to sign in students who come to school after 8:50am.

• ALL students need to be in their home- room class by 8:50am.

Nurse’s office• All emergency information must be

current. • All immunizations (shots) must be

current.• All medications must be kept in the

clinic.• All medications must be transported to

school by an adult. Children are nor permitted to carry medicines.

• Forms are required for all over the counter and prescription medicines.

• If you are sick or are injured you can ask your teacher and come to the clinic.

Cafeteria News

• Monies should be placed on lunch cards in the morning.

• Meatless meals are offered daily.• Free and Reduced forms are now online at

www.pwcs.edu• Forms are also available in the office• Student lunches are $2.10 • Breakfast is $1.20

School WellnessPWCS Wellness Policy states that:

PWC is committed to providing school environments that promote and protect children’s health, well-

being, and ability to learn by supporting healthy eating and

physical activity.

Guideline• Events that include

food or beverages, either during or outside the school day SHALL MAKE A POSITIVE CONTRIBUTION TO CHILDREN’S DIETS AND HEALTH.

• These include snacks brought to school, food provided for celebrations, lunches provided by parents.

BE A ROLE MODEL FOR HEALTHY LIVING

TRY TO DO THESE 5 THINGS EVERY DAY

9-5-2-1-0 For Health• 9 get 9 hours of sleep (7-8 for

adults)• 5 eat 5 servings of fruits and

vegetables each day• 2 limit screen time to no more

than 2 hours each day• 1 get at least 1 hour of exercise

each day• 0 limit sugary drinks

To Help You• Lists of HEALTHY

SNACK ideas are available with your child’s teacher and on the fusion site

• Lists of NON-FOOD items are available to substitute for that sweet treat for the birthday child

TransportationBus Riders:• Parent/Responsible

Adult MUST wait with student at Express bus stop in the morning.

• Parent/Responsible Adult MUST meet student bus in the afternoon.

• Everyone will have a car number.

Car Riders:• Bus lanes are closed to

all other traffic.

• Please wait in the car line until time to drop off/pick up in front of school.

• Everyone will have a car number. Given on the first day of school.

Your child should come to school on the FIRST DAY of school just like he/she will come to

school on the 2nd and 3rd and 83rd day.If you are dropping your child off, please GET IN

THE CAR LINE and follow procedures. No cars will be allowed in the parking lot.

First Day Transportation

Porter Websitewww.pwcs.edu/porter

We believe communication is important and  encourage you to use the school website to find

the information you need for your child.  Information DOES change, so please check the website often for the latest updates.  If you have

immediate questions, please call the school office at (703) 580-6501.

Be sure to sign up for updates on our website.

Summer Reading Recommendations

• The purpose of the PWCPS Summer Reading Program is to encourage students to enjoy quality literature and to continue developing their independent reading skills.

• Reading logs are due the first week of school.

• Check with your Language Arts teachers.

School supplies list is available on the Porter website: www.pwcs.edu/porter

Copies may also be obtained from the office.

School Supplies

Edulink=School Fusion• Parent-school

communication system allows secure access to student information such as school attendance and grades.

• First pick up School Fusion passcode from Ms. Pat

• You must present a photo ID to pick up the passcode.

• Register online at www.pwcs.edu/porter

Thank You

We are fortunate to have your children attend Porter.

You will have the opportunity to ask questions during the tour.