KYRENE TRADITIONAL ACADEMY Welcome to the 2019-20 School Year ! Dr. Lescher, Principal

1. KYRENE TRADITIONAL ACADEMY Welcome to the 2019-20 School Year! Dr. Lescher, Principal Dr. Hineman, Assistant Principal Mrs. Sarah Snedeker, Dean of Students August 2019

2. KTA Staff 2019-20 Welcomes You Back to School!

3. Curriculum Night 2019We are off to a GREAT start!!!

4. KTA Mission Statement • To provide a rigorous academic experience where all students can excel, while ensuring a safe, supportive and caring environment in partnership with families and the community. Students at KTA have a full range of academically rigorous courses available to them with a smaller student/staff ratio that allows for more one-to-one support and individualized attention.

5. Curriculum Night Agenda • 5:15-5:30 pm Enter MPR, View “Back to School’ Slideshow • 5:30-6:00 pm Presentation from Dr. Lescher, Principal and Dr. Hineman, Assistant Principal • 6:10-6:50 pm First presentations in classrooms • 6:15-6:45 pm Second presentation from Dr. Lescher and Dr. Hineman • 7:00-7:40 Second presentations in classrooms ** 7:45 pm Conclusion of Event **

7. 2019 and 2015 A+ School of Excellence, Arizona Educational Foundation 2015 National Blue Ribbon School of Excellence Nationally Accredited Spalding School Arizona Civic Engagement School of Merit

8. Key Components of KTA • Direct instructional model for phonics, reading, writing and math • Spalding Reading ( main reading resource) and Saxon Math (supplemental resource) are being implemented successfully in grades K-5 • CKLA Reading and Ready Math (district wide programs) are also used K-5 Jr. Great Books for enriched comprehension and higher level questioning strategies • School wide discipline plan • SPARC : Skills Practice and Re-focus Class at lunch recess K-5 • Lunch ISI: In School Intervention for 6-7-8 • 3-B’s: Be Safe, Be Respectful, Be Responsible • Clear and consistent expectations in all areas of school • Prescribed student dress • 99% of students have been in compliance! 

9. Key Components c’td. • Parental Agreement Commitment • Must be signed and returned to classroom teacher! • Attendance at Meet the Teacher and Curriculum Night, and two parent conferences per year • 5 hours volunteer per family per year • Volunteer Coordinator/Liaison will work to help parents needing guidance or support • Survey completed tonight and returned will help in supporting your successful involvement in school! • KTA Student/Family Handbook in addition to KSD Handbook • School wide homework plans • Details shared tonight in classrooms • Parental signature and follow up required

10. Key Components 6-7-8 Grades • AVID – Advancement Via Individual Determination, which includes: Formal Note Taking (Carnegie Notes), Socratic Seminar, Debate • Formal instruction for Research Papers, including the MLA format with citations (Modern Language Association/most prominent format for libraries nationally/internationally • GATE (Advanced Level) Classes available in grades 6-7-8 • ADVANCED/HS Level Math Classes • Study and Test Taking Skills • Classic Literature • 2 Exploratory Classes, including Art, Chorus, Beg and Advance Band, STEM, Web Design, Coding, Spanish (Intro and Spanish 1 for HS Credit),Drama, Student Assistant • Science Camp field trips for all grades 6-7-8

11. AVID Advancement Via Individual Determination • Program focused on student learning skills and strategies to advocate for themselves in a positive and meaningful way • GRIT and GROWTH MINDSET are key focal points – learning how to sustain efforts when things get difficult and realizing that not knowing something means…not knowing it ‘YET’ • K-8 Implementation: SCHOOL WIDE • Students learning effective note-taking, organizational skills, and close reading • College Bound focus as well; all students can and will be prepared with skills needed to apply to and attend college when the time comes • Preparation for successful and positive transition to High School

12. Middle School Grades: Athletic Teams Fall Sports are: Girls’ Volleyball and Co Ed Cross Country Students who want to participate in sports NOT offered at KTA will be able to participate in Aprende teams for this year. We will offer at least two teams on KTA campus in each of the three seasons (Fall/Winter/Spring) and will participate in all games and tournaments with other Kyrene middle S=schools.

13. Volunteer Opportunities • WE NEED YOU to help with events such as Fall Festival, Book Fair, Read-A-Thon Fall PTO Fundraiser and other events such as International Festival/Variety Show, Turkey Trot, etc. • Volunteer hours also include chaperoning field trips, helping with classroom parties or special activities, volunteering in the classroom or taking items home for prep work for teachers.

14. PTO READ A THON September 2019 • SO Successful last year that we are doing it again! • Students get pledges for reading at home…and 100% of the money collected will go DIRECTLY to our PTO and our school! • Kick Off is Sept 6! • Pledges from Sept 9-19th. We encourage ‘out of town’ pledges online. • Students can earn great prizes!

15. Art Masterpiece: • A great opportunity to work in your child’s classroom to present a famous work of art! • You will also discuss the Artist, Art Technique and Art History • Each lesson includes a hands-on art project! • ALL presentations are already prepared and on Power Point for you! • Let your child’s teacher know you want to be an Art Masterpiece Volunteer!

16. Help teachers through PALS! • PALS Program: Parents Assisting Learning – • Helping to prepare classroom materials ( copying, laminating, binding, etc!) You can sign up for this in your child’s classroom. • Training will be provided.

17. Dress Code Reminders • Sweaters and sweatshirts worn inside school must be red, white or navy blue, or black • Outerwear can be any color • Colors are red, white and navy blue • Collared shirts required (vs. T-shirts) • Fridays: Jeans and Spirit Shirts OK • Skirts and bottoms need to be ‘uniform’ type fabric (not lace, sparkles) • Leggings/tights work under skirts/shorts need to be red, white or navy blue • Review KTA Handbook

18. ADDITIONS to the DRESS CODE POLICY THIS YEAR: • No headbands with ‘EARS’ or ‘UNICORN HORNS’ or other protrusions that become a distraction. • Only exception would be for a CRAZY HAT or CRAZY HAIR DAY or for a Special Holiday Event (such as Winter Parties or Halloween/Fall Harvest Parties). • No ‘pin on’ tails • Sweaters or sweatshirts worn inside can be RED, WHITE, NAVY or BLACK.

19. Homework Reminders • ALL grades have homework 4 nights per week and also have required reading minutes • Approx 10 min per grade level nightly plus reading (district standard per grade) • Parents/guardians MUST review and sign-off on agendas or HW sheets EVERY NIGHT • This is part of each KTA student’s responsibilities. • Continued problems with non-completion of HW could result in students not participating in special events, trips or class parties.

20. Office and Safety Reminders • Drop-off/pick up lanes: MORNING and AFTERNOON drop-off and pick up on BOTH METRO and GALVESTON sides of the building. • Students may enter through the BIKE RACK GATE or the GARDEN GATE. • Please be polite and merge appropriately; Pull forward. • Please cross only at cross walks and pay attention to staff on duty. • Please end cell phone calls when driving or walking on campus for safety’s sake. • Late drop-off requires parents coming into the office to sign in students, 7:30 or after is considered late. • Late pick up requires office sign-out. • Please keep the office informed about phone and address changes.

21. Tips for Parents • Students must read 10-20 minutes per night! Research shows that this increases vocabulary by thousands of words during the elementary school years and raises test scores, comprehension and cognitive capacity. • Limit video games and internet use: no more than one hour per day!Internet addiction is a relatively new mental health concern, considering worldwide Internet use increased by 1,000%between the years 2000 and 2015. Internet addiction can crowd-out other activities like sports, socializing, and schoolwork. It can also lead to social isolation and depression. • Engage in meaningful conversation with your child daily! Research shows that when adults are interested in what children have to say, it builds self esteem and confidence for a lifetime.

22. Social Media • MONITOR your child’s phone and social media accounts! • MONITOR who they are communicating with, and what sites they are accessing. • MONITOR how they are engaged with friends and others in their posts, videos and chats. • When/If it carries over into school issues, we become involved and open another level of inquiry and monitoring.

23. Parent Suggestionsfrom Common Sense Media Common Sense Media is a non-profit organization that "provides education and advocacy to families to promote safe technology and media for children.“ commonsensemedia.org • Model the behavior and manners you want to see. • Avoid texting in the car. • Help kids find time and space for face-to-face conversations. Put down phones to talk in the car and at the dinner table. • Charge phones in your room at night…it gives kids a much needed break. • Establish consequences for problematic phone and internet use. • Use the limiting tools provided by most carriers.

24. Behavior and Discipline Info • Students are expected to follow our 3B’s: Be Safe, Be Respectful, Be Responsible • Mrs. Snedeker is our Dean of Students, with an office in our new building. She is most often the ‘first line’ for communication with parents about behavior and academic concerns in all grades. • She is part of the administrative/leadership team at KTA.

25. Cell Phone Access • All students in all grades must keep their cell phones turned off and in their backpacks during the school day. • They may use them off campus (outside the campus gates) before or after the bells ring, AM and PM. • We ask that they ‘pull over’ to use their phones, out of the traffic flow and walkway areas. • If students use them during the day, they will be reminded to put them away, and subsequently be asked to surrender their phone, with parent/guardian pick up required. • This follows Kyrene District Policy.

26. Enhanced Support for Families Southwest Behavioral Health Services provides access to individual and family counseling. • AHCCCS/Kids Care or Sliding pay scale • Contact Dr. Hineman for information/application • Counselor: Ms. Kendahl Florio • Services on KTA campus School Counselor K-8 – Supporting ALL students, K-8 • Social groups, mediation, a quiet place to talk and share • Supporting our School-wide Social Emotional Curriculum • Counselor: Mrs. Andrea Borum

27. What is Move on When Reading? • Arizona State statute requires screening of the reading ability of all students in kindergarten through third grade. • The law, (A.R.S. 15-701) passed in 2010, states that when a third grade student scores far below the third grade level on AzMerit, they will not be promoted to fourth grade. • Requires additional instruction or retention for students who are not meeting minimum requirements by the end of third grade. • Exempt students include: • ELL or LEP students who have received less than two years of English Instruction. • Students with an IEP in Reading or Language and the student’s parent or guardian agrees that promotion is appropriate.

28. What is the identification process and timeline? • All students are screened using DIBELS by the end of August. • Parents of students identified for intervention are contacted by their child’s teacher prior to Fall Parent-Teacher conferences. • A parent-teacher conference is requested by the school to create an intervention plan. • Mid-year progress • Students reading progress is closely monitored and check-in points are identified. Interventions are updated as needed. • End of Year • Notification of 3rd grade promotion or retention occurs upon receiving results of AzMerit.

29. FREE UNIFORMS • Gently used donated uniforms are available tonight in room 30. • All sizes available. • Please feel free to visit and take what you need for your family.

30. We would love your input… • At tables near the library, you will see parent/guardian input forms to give us you ideas and input for a positive and productive year ahead! Please take a form and return it to your child’s teacher, or in the basket on one of the tables. • Parent forums and ‘focus groups’ will be scheduled each quarter as well. We value your ideas!

31. UPCOMING EVENTS: • FRIDAY August 30, RUBIOS Ray/Rural Location We get 30% back, directly to our PTO! • WEDNESDAY September 4, Peter Piper Pizza Night • ANNUAL FALL HARVEST FESTIVAL: FRIDAY OCTOBER 18 WE NEED YOU TO MAKE THIS THE FANTASTIC EVENT IT ALWAYS IS!! Watch for the links to sign up!! Food, games, bouncies, and more!!

32. KTA is a GREAT place to learn! • We are excited to have you as parents, guardians, and partners in your child’s educational journey! • We are committed to providing educational opportunities that are rigorous, consistent, and exciting for each and every child! • We are a staff committed to your child’s success!

33. THANK YOU! • Thank you for your continued support of KTA and our expanding and amazing school!!

34. Presentation Locations • Kindergarten: OLD Music Room- Room 39 • First grade: Classrooms • Second grade: Library • Third grade: Classrooms • Fourth grade: Classrooms • Fifth grade: Classrooms • Staff are outside and near the library to help you find your classroom and location!