Principal's Message
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PRINCIPAL’S MESSAGE Welcome to Mill Road Intermediate School! At Mill Road Intermediate School we strive to meet the needs of all students. The faculty and staff believe that every child is unique, and that all can be successful. We believe it is our responsibility to help facilitate the development of each child’s maximum potential academically, physically, socially and emotionally. We are committed to providing opportunities to help students make self-directed and responsible decisions. This handbook is intended to clearly define the procedures for students as they move to the Intermediate Wing of the Mill Road School, where Grades 3, 4, and 5 are located. The success of the transition is only possible with the cooperation and hard work from students, parents, and staff. It is our goal to provide students with the background and good work habits they will need to be successful here at Mill Road, at the secondary level and throughout life. Parental support is a key ingredient to a child’s success in school. The school/home partnership is strengthened with two-way communication. School personnel will communicate through conferences, newsletters, phone calls, etc. We encourage you to contact us with your questions or concerns, as well. Please read this handbook with your child and discuss the many important issues included. Together, we will create and maintain a safe, respectful and supportive learning environment for our students. We want our students to find school an enjoyable, meaningful and rich experience. Thank you for your support and please stay involved with your child’s education. We have an active and supportive PTA, and are proud of the community support we receive. We look forward to working with you on behalf of the children at Mill Road. Very truly yours, Brian Boyd Intermediate Principal The mission of the Red Hook Central School District shall be to develop in its students the skills, the knowledge, intellectual integrity and social consciousness to prepare them to accept the obligations and opportunities found in a free and complex society. The district seeks to provide a challenging educational environment that fosters and rewards the values of respect, responsibility, honesty, integrity and community service in all its members. 1 ACADEMIC PROGRAM Background The academic program initiated in the Primary Grades is continued in the Intermediate Grades. Students study Reading, Math, Language, Spelling, Writing, Handwriting, Science, Health, and Social Studies. In addition, there are opportunities for students to learn to use computers and apply those skills in the academic areas. There are also additional opportunities in the Fine Arts areas through participation in Band, Chorus, and other special programs designed to infuse the Fine Arts into other areas of the curriculum. A review of instruction follows. Please note that instruction is presented in accordance with New York State and some locally developed curriculum guides. Reading In grades 3-5, reading instruction is addressed in two ways. Students have a current literature based basal reading series, which not only provides students with quality thematic based literature, but also provides teachers with an impressive array of materials to provide both support and enrichment in reading skills. This allows teachers to implement instruction in specific skill areas that need to be addressed by both individuals and groups of students. In parallel to the reading series, teachers use novels which often support content areas of instruction, such as books about the American Revolution. Students may also read books that are of high interest to children or are examples of quality literature that the teacher feels the children should be exposed to. Selection of book titles is the responsibility of the individual reading teacher. Selections are made from collections of books made available to each grade level. Students may group for reading between and within individual classrooms. Teaming and collaboration on the part of teachers is encouraged. Additional instruction in reading is provided in the C.A.I. Lab. The software package in use provides strands which cover a host of reading and language skills. Students needing extra help in reading may be assigned to classes with the Title I reading teacher. Students may also receive assistance from a Special Education teacher. Mathematics To facilitate instruction, we select a textbook series that is closely aligned with the math curriculum prescribed by the State Education Department. We use this series across the grades. Current trends in mathematics instruction call for the implementation of integrated instruction, where practical applications of math are integrated into other instructional areas. An increased emphasis on the use of manipulatives and technology 2 are also present in our math instruction. Some grouping may take place at the discretion of instructors. Language Arts and Communications The various components of Language Arts are difficult to separate, as they are related in function. Although instruction in the various areas of language is often integrated, we do view them as separate subjects. A textbook series is used across the Intermediate Grades to provide a framework for instruction in language. It provides opportunities for students to practice their reading, listening, writing, punctuation, and grammatical skills. The skills taught in language also integrate well into the reading program. Spelling textbooks are currently in use. While students are expected to learn to spell prescribed lists of words, teachers often supplement that listing with words from various areas of curriculum. An ability to communicate in writing is a priority area of instruction. Competency in writing is a requirement for high school graduation and New York State mandated tests are administered at the elementary, middle, and high school levels. Students are taught the process of writing and are given the opportunity to practice on a daily basis. Instruction is also provided in handwriting. Most students are introduced to the Palmer Method in Second Grade and further develop the ability to write in cursive in Third and subsequent grades. Keyboarding is introduced in Third Grade. Students who become proficient are introduced to word processing. This usually occurs in Fourth Grade. By the Fifth Grade, students are encouraged to use computers for processing writing assignments. Social Studies Instruction is in accordance with the New York State Syllabus and themes are examined from social, political, economic, geographic, and historical perspectives. Focus for each grade is as follows: Grade Three - Communities around the world. Grade Four - Local History viewed in parallel to American History with a particular emphasis on site visitations. Grade Five - Growth and development of the United States and an awareness of Canada and Latin America. Science Science is taught in conjunction with the curriculum published by the State Education Departments. A hands-on approach to instruction is emphasized. Science kits 3 and other manipulative materials are available for student use. A text may be provided to each student. Teachers may team for instruction. Health Units on health and nutrition are incorporated into instruction. There is an emphasis on prevention and accordingly, students receive information on the dangers of drug and alcohol abuse, the dangers of smoking and age appropriate AIDS awareness instruction. Physical Education Students in grades, 3, 4, and 5 attend Physical Education class three times each week for forty minute sessions. A variety of units are taught throughout the school year and students are expected to do their best in each activity. Sneakers are required for Physical Education classes. In addition, students are expected to wear appropriate clothing that will allow them to fully participate in class. Classes may be moved outside to adjacent playing fields when weather is appropriate. A combination of team teaching and individual class teaching occurs during Physical Education instruction. Art Students go to the Art Room once each week for instruction. Instruction is provided by a certified art teacher. Instruction emphasizes the development of personal artistic skills and art appreciation. Student art is displayed throughout the school. Music Students in the Intermediate Grades attend general music class twice each week. This instruction provides students with opportunities to appreciate many forms of music and exposes them to musical theory and the history of music. Students sing and learn simple instruments and this may lead to their participation in band or chorus in Grades 4 and 5. Music lessons on band instruments are available to Fourth and Fifth Grade students. Students are excused from class for those lessons. Instrumental students may participate in Band. Band and Chorus practice before school each week. Participating students may ride the early bus from Linden Avenue Middle School. Technology The Red Hook Central School district is aware of the importance of technology in our changing world. A computer curriculum is in place. Beginning in grade 3, students 4 visit the Computer Lab twice a week where they learn the proper techniques for keyboarding and operation of a computer. They progress at their own pace and, when ready, learn a word processing program. When word processing has been mastered, they are able to apply their computer time to other forms of writing such as creative writing and