September 17, 2009
Dear Parents and Students,
Welcome back to a new and exciting academic year. This new term brings
many changes. Some were unexpected as a few teachers have moved on
to different venues and some changes are part of the new direction
that will take us towards the adoption of the Primary
Years Program PYP in the future. Mr. Mullane outlined the changes in his summer
newsletter; please read the information and look at the links that
further explain the PYP. In order to comply with the curriculum planning
demands of the programs a few immediate changes have taken place in
the schedule in primary and throughout the school.
Italian classes in Primary are now four periods a week during the
regular school hours. In grade 4 students have an additional hour
of math offered once a week either in the morning or afternoon.
In grade 5 students have two additional periods, Italian math and
preparazione all' esame di quinta offered in the morning and afternoon.
These extra classes will begin on September 21.
In order to give each grade level sufficient planning time together,
the Italian classes in each grade level have been scheduled at the
same time. This means that each section in each grade will have a
different Italian teacher. In addition IAL (Italian as an additional
language) students in each grade level will be grouped together in one
multilevel class four times a week instead of three times a week as it
occurred in the past. In some cases, students may have to leave their
homerooms for Italian and join their peers in a different class. These
changes require your collaboration and support and we are all excited
about the challenges these changes will bring.
This past week teachers have been attending workshops on how to begin
to implement the PYP framework and Rubicon curriculum mapping.
Changes have also occurred in the location of the classes. Ms Beeton’s
grade 3 class is now on the main floor next to the computer lab and
Ms. Muir’s grade 2 class is adjacent the gym.
Primary had its traditional ‘Welcome Assembly’ last week
to introduce new students and teachers. Primary students also met
the Peer Group leaders who are students in grade 8 who are currently
receiving training in how to be mentors for their younger peers in
Primary.
This year I am also working very closely with our counselor Ms. Elisabeth
Escobar who is also my supervisor as I pursue my training in International
Counseling at Lehigh University. As part of my Master’s training
practicum, this year I am teaching PSHE (Personal, social and health
education) classes in the Middle School and will follow individual students
who may need some extra help in order to make healthy choices towards their
academic, social and emotional success. Fortunately most of my classes in
Middle School are concentrated on Tuesdays and Wednesdays and the rest of
the week I can spend time listening, observing and embracing the busy life
of our primary department.
Primary Class Meetings have been scheduled for the following dates:
Grade 3 Monday September 28
Grade 4 Tuesday September 29
Grade 2 Thursday October 1
Grade 5 Friday October 2
Pascale Salomon
Primary Principal
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