Welcome to the Primary Magnet

Program @Takoma Park

Elementary School

Agenda

Welcome, Introductions All about TPES TPES Magnet Program

Framework How does the Primary Magnet

Program fit in? Application Process School Tour Q & A Session

What is our vision?

Parents, staff, students and thecommunity will work to achieve asafe and positive learningenvironment through highexpectations and diverse learningexperiences.

What is our mission?

Think positively,

work hard, and do your BEST.

Welcome to Takoma Park ES K-2 Elementary

School Primary Magnet

Program Reduced class

size initiative Feed into Piney

Branch ES

All About TPES

Classes 8 kindergarten 8 first grade 8 second grade

Facilities Include: Main building

with gymnasium

8 relocatable classrooms

By the Numbers… 394 Total studentsDemographics

Asian 7.4% Black 36% Hispanic 8.4% American Indian .3% White 47.9%

Scheduled Addition/Renovations

Addition and renovations at TPES will begin in July 2009.

Students will attend Grosvenor Elementary in Rockville, Maryland from July 2009 – August 2010.

Sample of a daily schedule

Reading/Language Arts (90 minutes) Math (70 minutes) Writing (50 minutes) Science/Social Studies (50 minutes) Special (40 minutes)

Art Music PE Media Center/Computer Lab

Lunch/Recess (60 minutes)

Plus: first and second graders attend interest based ENRICHMENT CLUSTERS once a week for 60 minutes.

Takoma Park Elementary School Magnet Program

Framework:

Takoma Park Elementary School Magnet Program

Framework:

The rationale and program goals that direct the course of studies and instruction for a

program.

Rationale Accelerated, compacted and

enriched to meet the needs of highly able students.

Promotes the thinking skills and

instructional strategies that encourage risk taking and creative expression to help highly able students realize their full potential

Program Goals Successful completion of William and

Mary Literature Unit (Grade 2)

Inquiry-based language arts program, Junior Great Books

Flexible groupings for instruction of Reading and Language Arts

Accelerated Math classes

Interest-based Enrichment Clusters

2008-2009 Primary Magnet Program Design

Students will be heterogeneously grouped for homeroom based on reading levels

Included in the reading programs will be Junior Great Books William & Mary

Lucy Calkins Writing Program

2008-2009 Primary Magnet Program Design

Students regrouped for math Curriculum compacting in all math

classes Curriculum acceleration in some math

classes Flexible grouping in Reading and

Language Arts Differentiated instruction

tiered lessons

2008-2009 Primary Magnet Program Design

Science/Social Studies will be taught daily in homeroom classes

Extension activities for social studies and science classes will be incorporated into all classes

All students participate in hands-on-science investigations in the science lab (rotation)

What does this mean for students

participating in the Primary Magnet

Program?

What does this mean for students

participating in the Primary Magnet

Program?

2008-2009 Primary Magnet Program

The magnet program is one tool for providing educational opportunities for students

Teachers plan instruction specifically for advance learners to provide challenging content, assignments, and instructional grouping within the classroom

Magnet Enrichment Clusters

Clusters meet weekly Clusters will be project-based or

performance task oriented Students will have the opportunity

to change clusters at the end of the semester

It is during this time that magnet students have the opportunity to work together exclusively.

Enrichment Clusters

By the end of Grade 2 the Takoma Park Elementary Enrichment Clusters will develop critical thinking, creative thinking, and problem solving by providing opportunities for students to master the following skills:(1) Develop and showcase authentic products, performances and/or services to adult and peer audiences

(2) Experience how expert speakers answer questions and broaden students’ conceptual understanding of various topics, areas of interest and fields of study

(3) Develop and investigate a scientifically testable question

(4) Share scientific findings and defend research with a community of peers

(5) Apply creative approaches to solve authentic problems

(6) Compose informational, persuasive, and fictional writing pieces independently

(7) Develop aesthetic appreciation and express learning in creative formats

Enrichment Clusters

First Grade Topics Second Grade TopicsUsing the Language of Sign

to Communicate PoetrySchool Store $$$A Study of Insects

Communication Through Animation

Backyard Bird WatchingRecipes for Healthy Eating

Building Number Sense through Math Games

Water Power!Reader’s Theater

School Store $$$Partners in ReadingReader’s Theater

Backyard Bird WatchingCultures and the Arts They

ProduceThe History of Takoma

ParkUsing and Making MapsTrees in Takoma Park

Water Power!Recipes for Healthy Eating

By the Numbers…2007-2008 1st grade 2nd grade Total

Total # Students

138 133 274

Magnet 95 64 150

Percentage 69% 48% 55%

Out-of-Boundary

23 18 41

Percentage 24% 28% 27%

Welcome to TPES!Tour Guidelines

To maintain continuity of instruction for ourstudents, we ask that you keep the following pointsin mind:

Be respectful of ongoing instruction for our students and staff.

Limit your time in any one classroom. If more than four parents are already observing in a class, please visit another room and return to the first room when space is available.

Keep conversations in hallways at low levels. Part of the pleasure of the open house is having the opportunity to talk with both prospective parents and current parents.

The Open House will end promptly at 3:00. Ask questions!

Smaller Group Sessions Red and Blue Groups

1st - (2:00 -2:30) Tour School

2nd- (2:30-3:00) Questions and Answers

Yellow and Green Groups

1st - (2:00-2:30) Questions and Answers

2nd- (2:30-3:00) Tour School

Primary Magnet Program

Primary Magnet Program

Application and Screening Procedures

What should I consider before making the decision to have my child screened for the TPES Primary Magnet Program?

Is this program, the change of environment, and commute the best thing for my child? Ask:

What programs for enrichment and acceleration does our home school provide?

How well does my child adjust to change? Will he or she be unduly upset if separated from friends at the home school?

How much time will be spent on the bus each morning and afternoon?

If your child is invited to the TPES magnet program, the expectation is that

he/she WILL attend unless unexpected circumstances arise.

Nomination & Testing Procedures Spring 2009

Complete the Parent Survey form Teacher survey will be completed by current

teacher Participate in testing at TPES Students who meet the screening criteria

will be entered into a pool for possible placement

If selected, complete a transfer application at home school

Your child will be screened this spring for the TPES Primary Magnet Program

Application Form

Print or type all information on the application

Sign permission slip for testing

Submit application before February 27th directly to TPES

Faxes will not be accepted

Teacher Survey

Meet with your child’s teacher regarding your interest in the Primary Magnet Program

Teacher should send form directly to TPES by March 20, 2009

Screening Process

February 27, 2009- Application Deadline

March 21, 2009 - Magnet Testing

March 20, 2009- Deadline for teacher survey

By May 18, 2009 - Parents Notified of Selection

May 29- Deadline for selected students to accept

Screening Instruments

Current Teacher’s Survey Form

Parent Survey Form

Norm-referenced Student Assessment

Math and Reading Levels

Welcome to Takoma Park!