Chambers Hill Elementary School

Central Dauphin School District Chambers Hill Elementary School Steven Epstein - Principal

From the Principal’s Desk October 1st, 2011

Dr. Luis Gonzalez Dr. Carol Johnson Superintendent Assistant Superintendent

For background purposes, state target for students at or above proficient for Mathematics is 67%. The state target for students at or above proficient for Reading is 72%. The chart below demonstrates that those students whose home school is Chambers Hill Elementary, they surpasses both the state required score and district average score in Reading and Math.

2011 PSSA Results Grade 3 Grade 4 Grade 5 Math Reading Math Reading Math Reading Chambers Hill's Scores (approx) 82% 75% 78% 66% 78% 58% From the DRC website

We did make AYP as an entire building. Yet, we still have a lot of work we need to continue to do with our students. Please feel free to call the school if you have any questions. Let’s continue to work together to help all of our students be successful in school and life.

Special Events in History

On Morning announcements, we changed from a foreign language to a special even in history. The following are those events that took place in October throughout history.

On October 3 1789 GeorgeWashington declares it to be the 1st national Thanksgiving Day. On October 4, 1854 Abraham Lincoln made his first political speech at the Illinois State Fair On October 5, 1970, PBS, where Sesame Place airs becomes a TV station On October 6, 1889, Thomas Edison showed the first motion picture (or movie) On October 7, 1492 Christopher Columbus misses Florida when he changed course towards Cuba. On October 11 1864 slavery ended in Maryland On October 12, 1892 was the first time the Pledge of Allegiance was recited in public schools On October 13, 1792, was the first publication of the Old Farmer’s Almanac On October 14, 1774, the 1st Continental Congress is 1st to declare colonial rights On October 17, 1860 was the 1st pro golf tournament was held in Scotland. On October 18, 1767 the boundary between Pennsylvania and Maryland, the “Mason Dixon Line”, was created On October 19, 1781 General Cornwallis surrendered at Yorktown Virginia to end the Revolutionary War. On October 20, 1864, President Lincoln formally establishes Thanksgiving as a national holiday On October 21, 1797, the US Navy boat Constitution, “Old Iron Sides” was 1st launched from Boston On October 24, 1904 the first New York subway opens. On October 25, 1881, artist Pablo Picasso was born in Spain On October 26, 1774, Minute Men, like Paul Revere, were 1st organized in the colonies. On October 27, 1492, Christopher Columbus discovered and claims Cuba for Spain On October 28, 1793, Eli Whitney applies for a patent on the cotton gin On October 31, 834 was the 1st All Hallows Eve (Halloween) was observed October/November Activities and Events

October 5th – School Store (during lunch) October 7th – 2 hour delay start of school day October 10th – No School October 15th – Craft Fair/Flea Market at 8:00am (if we have enough vendors) – Rain date October 22nd October 17th – PTO Meeting at 6:30pm – Ford Thompson in attendance to talk about Enrollment Study October 21st – PTO Fall Festival at 6:30pm October 22nd – Craft Fair/Flea Market at 8:00am – Rain date October 25th – Picture Retakes November 2nd – School Store (during lunch) November 7th – PTO Meeting at 6:30pm November 8th – Elementary School Conferences (Parents Only) – No School for students November 11th – Kindergarten Conference (Parents Only) – No School for Kindergarteners November 11th – PTO Movie Night to celebrate our heroes at 6:30pm November 23rd through 28th – No School

Supporting Academic Progress at Home – Some Helpful Hints

Creating a Home Library By: Reading Rockets http://www.readingrockets.org/article/26730/

Starting a home library for your child shows him/her how important books are. Having books of his/her own in a special place boosts the chance that your child will want to read even more. Here are some ideas for creating your own home library.

Finding books

 Become a treasure hunter! Browse book store sales, garage sales, flea markets, used book stores, and sales at your local library  Organize a children's book swap with friends, community groups, or your school  Encourage family and friends to give books as gifts for birthdays, holidays, and other celebrations  Don't forget quality nonfiction and children's magazines!

Building your library

 A cardboard box or small wooden packing crate that you can decorate together might make a good bookcase. Or you might clear one of the family bookshelves.  Pick a special place for your child's books so that she knows where to look for them - in a cozy corner of your child's bedroom or close to where the rest of the family gathers and reads if your child is very social.  Help your child to arrange her books in some order - her favorite books, books about animals, or holiday books. Use whatever method will help her most easily find the book she's looking for.  "This book belongs to…" Bookplates give your child a sense of ownership and can add "newness" to a used book. You can make your own or download and print one of these colorful designs by children's book illustrators.  If you and your child make your own books together, you can add those to your home library.  Borrow books from your local library. Go to the children's section and spend time with your child reading and selecting books to take home and put in her special spot. You might even have a box or space just for library books, so that they don't get mixed up with your child's own books.

When collecting and reading books are a part of family life, you send your child a message that books are important, enjoyable, and full of new things to learn!

Information on Gifted Screening and Eligibility General or Level One Screening for Gifted Eligibility is conducted by Central Dauphin School District beginning in the fall of the school year. Teachers are asked to recommend any student who they think may qualify as gifted.

October...... Grades 5 – 12 December...... Grade 2 November...... Grades 3 – 4 January...... Grade K – 1

These screenings are arranged in order to allow teachers’ classroom performance time and familiarity with students to assess daily student achievement over time. There should be fewer children recommended for screening in older grades. Gifted children should have demonstrated their superior performance well before latter school years. Younger children will have the early months of school to adjust and to demonstrate their superior achievement to teachers.

Parents may request one evaluation annually at any time. In this event, the school will form a team, conduct an expedited screening of student achievement and determine the appropriateness of a Multidisciplinary Evaluation. Parents will be notified in writing if the school does not recommend evaluation.

When a child is recommended, who may qualify as gifted, the parent(s) are notified and the Level One screening measures are completed for the child. If criteria are met at Level One, the child is then recommended for Level Two Screening.

Throughout the screening evaluation process, staff collaborates with the Teacher of Gifted to recognize and confirm gifted traits in students.

Level One screening conducted by the District includes multiple factors:  Teacher(s) report, including the student’s rate of acquisition and retention  Review of the last two years PSSA test scores and SAT9 scores  Review of all report cards / grades  Consideration of intervening factors such as disability, English as a Second Language and/or socio-economic deprivation  Academic portfolio, products or research  Specialized skills or interests

At Level Two the child is given The Kaufman Brief Intelligence Test. If the child does not meet Level Two Screening criteria the parent is informed. If the child has met criteria in Level One and Two Screening, the Guidance Counselor will notify the parent if the child is recommended to receive a Multidisciplinary Evaluation and ask for written parent consent.

This evaluation includes all information gathered in the screening process, multiple and varied information from parent, teachers, psychologist, record reviews and work samples of the student. When the evaluation is completed, parents are invited to an Evaluation Review meeting to determine eligibility for gifted services.

If not eligible, this Team will make recommendations to enhance the child’s learning within their regular classroom. Many children are very bright but do not meet the criteria as “gifted learners”.

If the child is eligible for Gifted Education, a Gifted Individualized Education Program (GIEP) is then developed. The Individualized Education Program meeting may be conducted immediately following the Gifted Multidisciplinary Evaluation Team meeting at the parent’s request or within 30 calendar days after the parents have received a copy of the Gifted Evaluation Report. This report is a summary of the Gifted Multidisciplinary Evaluation.

Once the Notice of Recommended Assignment (NORA) has been signed, the Gifted IEP will be implemented no more than 10 days after it was signed or at the start of the following school year if completed less than 30 days before the last day of scheduled classes.

Parents will have 10 calendar days to respond to a Notice of Recommended Assignment (NORA) sent by mail or 5 calendar days to respond to a Notice presented in person at the conclusion of the GIEP Conference.

All children are special but yet may not be gifted. Many young people display their potential in unique and bright ways even though not meeting State and District criteria referred to above. Sometimes this is in one or two areas or for others across the entire curriculum. Some are artistic or demonstrate outstanding interpersonal leadership skills. Central Dauphin School District administrators and staff believe the talent of our young people can and must be enhanced through a broad continuum of educational services. These begin in the general classrooms for all students where our teachers differentiate learning experiences for all students.

Regardless if a student meets State criteria to be identified as a gifted learner as Joseph Renzulli, Director of the National Research Center on Gifted and Talented, shares “it is the level and quality of learning experiences for any and all student capable of manifesting high levels of performance in any and all areas of the curriculum” that makes the difference.