Welcome to Open House!

Ms. Pelaez

Pelaez & Espinosa

Pelaez: Reading, Language Arts, and Social Studies

Espinosa: Science and Math

A Little About Myself

Graduated from FIU with a BA in Elementary Education

Elementary (K-6) certified

TESOL certified

Attendance & Dismissal

Students should be dropped off by 8:00 am. School starts promptly at 8:15 am. After 8:15am the student will be marked as tardy and will a late slip to enter the classroom. Students who arrive late miss critical instruction.

They must be picked up between 2:45pm-3:00pm. (After 3pm they will be sent to the office. Late fees may apply.

If your child has been absent, you must send me a note to document the reason for the absence. If I don’t receive a note the absence will remain unexcused.

Birthdays & Toys

If you wish to have a birthday party during the school day, you may do so during lunch. Our lunch is from 11:35 – 12:05 pm.

Toys: Toys are not permitted in school. If brought to school they will be held until the December or summer break whichever comes first.

Money If you are sending any money in to school with

your child make sure if is sealed in an envelope and labeled with your child’s name and what the money is for. Thank you!

Remember, no checks under $20.

If you are forced to send cash to school and need change I may not be able to provide you with change right away. So, please be patient.

Specials Schedule

Quarter 1- Art- Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays

PE – Wednesday (AM)/Thursday (PM) (PE uniform and sneakers are required)

Library will be visited on Wednesdays (PM) and Thursdays (AM)

***Students will be able to check out library books at that time. Books are due back prior to the next visit. Please make sure

the books are kept in a safe place and remain in good condition. If a book is lost, parents will be responsible for the

cost of the book.

Communication School planners will be used as a daily form of

communication. Any question or comment you may have may be addressed inside.

Email is the best way to reach me: gpelaez@somersetmiramar.com

Schoolrack.com: The class website can be accessed by going to http://www.schoolrack.com/gpelaez I have important class information posted. The website

will be updated frequently.

Materials 2 red pens

5 number 2 pencils or mechanical pencils

1 eraser

1 sharpener

1 pack of college-ruled paper per quarter

Headphones

1 pack of highlighters (any light color)

1 pocket size dictionary (students must carry them with them to class every day)

3 composition notebooks (one for each subject – Reading, Language Arts, Social Studies)

1 flash drive

3 folders

Florida State Standards

Provide means to give college and career readiness

Standards will build on each grade level

Increased rigor

Evidence based responses

Increased text complexity

Emphasis on writing in all subjectsOpinion writing now included

What are the Florida Standards?

On February 18, 2014, the State Board of Education revised elements of the Common Core State Standards and renamed the benchmarks the Florida Standards. The board voted unanimously to revise the student performance standards in English/Language Arts and Mathematics.

Language Arts Florida Standards (LAFS)

The LAFS consist of Six Strands: READING STANDARDS FOR LITERATURE READING STANDARDS: FOUNDATIONAL SKILLS READING STANDARDS FOR INFORMATIONAL TEXT WRITING STANDARDS STANDARDS FOR SPEAKING AND LISTENING LANGUAGE STANDARDS

*Writing is incorporated within the Language Arts standards. Extended responses and writing will be based on textual evidence.

*The use of digital tools and technology to conduct research and publish writing using keyboarding skills is required.

Science and Social studies

Science and Social Studies instruction will continue to be guided using the Next Generation Sunshine State Standards. However, we will be incorporating Science and Social Studies content into the Reading/Writing lessons.

Why are we replacing the FCAT 2.0?

With new, more rigorous standards in place to help Florida students succeed, the FCAT 2.0 no longer serves the purpose of measuring student progress and achievement.

It is important that each and every child in this state have the opportunity to learn and succeed in college, career and in life. This new method of assessment will allow teachers to emphasize critical thinking, which will provide our students with even greater opportunities to live and learn in Florida.

*Note: Will any students be taking the FCAT 2.0 in 2014-15?

The FCAT 2.0 science exam will be used in grades 5 and 8.

Florida Standards Assessment (FSA)

The new exam will assess students in English/Language Arts and Mathematics is the Florida Standards Assessments (FSA).

The new test will provide a more authentic assessment of the Florida Standards, because it will include more than multiple choice questions. Students will be asked to create graphs, interact with test content and write and respond in different ways than on traditional tests. New question types will assess students’ higher-order thinking skills in keeping with the higher expectations of the Florida Standards.

http://www.fsassessments.org/

Florida Standards Assessment (FSA)

March 2-13 FSA Writing (4th-paper based and 5th-computer based)

March 31-April 10 FSA English/Language Arts and Mathematics (3rd & 4th grade-paper based)

April 13-May 8 FSA English/Language Arts and Mathematics (5th Grade-computer based)

FCAT 2.0 Science (5th grade-paper based)

Typing Resources Typing Web www.typingweb.com Dance Mat Typing http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/typing/ ABC YA! http://www.abcya.com/kids_typing_game.htm Slime Kids http://www.slimekids.com/games/typing-

games/super-hyper-spider-typer.html Fun To Type http://www.funtotype.com Free Typing Games

http://www.freetypinggame.net/play.asp Learning Games for Kids

http://www.learninggamesforkids.com/keyboarding_games.html

Sense-Lang http://www.sense-lang.org/ http://games.sense-lang.org/

Helpful Websites and Resources

FLDOE: http://www.fldoe.org/bii/curriculum/sss/

LAFS: http://www.fldoe.org/pdf/lafs.pdf

MAFS: http://www.fldoe.org/pdf/mathfs.pdf

CPALMS: http://www.cpalms.org/project/cpalmscharter.aspx

FSA Portal: http://www.fsassessments.org/

Social Studies- Social Studies Weekly

Hispanic Heritage Month

Black History Month

Multicultural Week

U.S. History

Curriculum

What curriculum are we using to teach these new standards?

Curriculum

ELA- Journeys Read and comprehend complex literary and informational

texts independently and proficiently.

Compare and contrast texts.

Conduct short as well as more sustained research projects

Read with sufficient accuracy and fluency to support comprehension.

Write arguments to support claims

Using evidence to prove points

Engage effectively in a range of collaborative discussions.

Writing and Grammar

New Curriculum

Ready Florida Our new crunch

time prep books.

Sadlier Grammar Supplementary in

depth grammar instruction

Home Learning, Textbooks, and

Conferences Homework: Students will receive daily

Reading/Language Arts homework. Reading Plus will be assigned on a weekly basis. Students are to read 30 minutes each day and complete reading log. Students will receive a weekly grade for all assignments.

Conferences: There are two mandatory parent/teacher conferences in a year.

Textbooks: Textbooks should never be taken home. If a book happens to go home with your child by mistake please send it back.

Grading•Grades will all be the same weight this year. The following things may be graded.

– Class participation & homework– class work– projects– tests – quizzes

•Grades will be posted weekly on Pinnacle.»90-100 A»80-89 B»70-79 C»69-60 D»59 and below F

VolunteerRemember you need 40 hours!!!

We need your help!  Parents are needed to help with...

A. donating/contributing items for classroom use:

*WISHLIST*

For each $4 spent, you will receive one volunteer hour. 

Ways You Can Help: Check my website on a weekly basis to

make sure your child is keeping up with the assignments.

Check Pinnacle on a weekly basis. FYI: Pinnacle can send you an e-mail if your child’s grade drops below a certain percentage.

Please have a designated quiet area for your child to complete his/her homework assignments.

Homework Homework is MANDATORY. It is used to reinforce the skills

learned during the day.

Late Work Policy: 1 day late: -10 points 2 days late: -20 points 3 days late: -30 points 4 or more: NO LONGER ACCEPTED NO HOMEWORK = PINK SLIP 5 PINK SLIPS = LUNCH DETENTION

Classroom Expectations

Begin work upon walking into class.

Keep your notebooks clean, neat, and in order.

All papers must be turned in on time-neatness counts!

If you finish your work early, work on unfinished material or read a novel.

Walk in and out of class quietly and orderly.

Raise your hand if you have a question or comment. And wait your turn to speak.

Stay in your assigned seat while in class.

Do NOT speak when the teacher is speaking.

Bring ALL required materials to class every day.

THE TEACHER DISMISSES THE CLASS, NOT THE BELL!

Following the Guidelines will Result

in: Verbal acknowledgement

A stress-free learning environment

A pleasant and orderly classroom atmosphere

Rewards

Tickets

Candy

Class party

Five extra minutes of recess on Fridays

Ability to choose a job

10 minutes of computer time at the end of the day on Friday

A happy teacher!

Infractions and Procedures

First offense: Verbal warning, parent contact.

Second offense: Parent contact, 30 min lunch detention

Third offense: Parent contact, Mandatory 1 hour after school detention.

Fourth offense: Referral submitted to the dean of discipline.

Loss of recess

Loss of tickets

School Advisory Councils are…

A group intended to represent the school community who will share responsibility for guiding the school toward continuous improvement.

Referred to as SAC

Required by all schools, including charter schools

Have the goal of increasing student achievement for all students in a safe learning environment

Assists in preparation and evaluation of The School Improvement Plan (SIP)

Decides how school improvement funds are spent

Assists principal with the school budget

Making suggestions relating to the improvement of the school in all areas

SAC meetings are held quarterly

Students are notified of SAC meetings by distribution of flyers, parent link notifications, teacher emails and the Somerset School website.

Meetings are usually held at 6:00 p.m. in the Media Center

2 volunteer hours are given for attending these meeting

Works hand in hand together for the success of the students and the school!

School Advisory Council (SAC)

What is Title I? Title I is the largest federal assistance

program for our nation’s schools. The goal of Title I is a higher quality of

education for every child. The program serves millions of children in

elementary and secondary schools each year.

“What every parent should know about Title I” brochures are available in our front office.

For a detailed description of Title I, please attend our first School Advisory Council meeting in the beginning of September.

How Title I Works

The federal government provides funding to states each year for Title I.

The Florida Department of Education sends the money to the district.

The school district identifies eligible schools (based on the number of students receiving free/reduced lunches)and allocates Title I funds.

Somerset Miramar implements a school wide Title I program. This means that all students receive the benefits of our Title I funding.

School Status and Testing

As part of our Title I compliance, we are expected to reach certain achievement levels dictated by our School Improvement Plan.

We utilize FCAT (grades 3-8 for previous years), FSA (grades 3-8 from this year on), Primary Reading and Math tests (grades 1-2), and FAIR tests (grade K) to determine our achievement levels.

Our elementary and middle school are both “A” rated schools!!

Working together! Title I law requires meaningful involvement of

parents in the decisions made at our school.

How we work together is listed in our: School Level Parent Involvement Plan; District level Parent Involvement Plan Parent-School Compact Title I Plan (School Improvement Plan)

All information is available on our school website, but the best way you can be involved is by participating in our School Advisory Council. (SAC)

If you have any questions, please contact a member of our administration or our Title I liaison- Ms.Calvacca.

Parent-Teacher Conference

If you’d like to schedule a conference, please write the student’s name on the calendar.

Remember: You must meet with me at least two times this year.

If you only have a question, please write it on the index card. Please make sure to include your e-mail address so that I can get back to you ASAP.

Now lets rate our learning!

4 – I understood the presentation and I could teach it to a friend.

3 – I understood the presentation well.

2 – I understood the presentation well but I still need some clarification from the teacher

1- I did not understand the presentation and need more clarification from the teacher

THANK YOU FOR COMING!!!

Please make sure to sign in prior to leaving.