Dear Intermediate Parent or Guardian,

On behalf of all the Glassboro Intermediate School employees, I want to express my gratitude in serving as the Acting Principal of the school.  Parents are an important part of our school community and contribute mightily to our success.

I have decided to write this letter because I want you to know a few things about what has been happening in our school community.

First, I am proud to say that at the Intermediate School, I lead a staff – teachers, aides, counselors, bus drivers, secretaries, food service and maintenance workers – that is second to none.  As a team we work every day to create a supportive, disciplined school environment.  We take pride in being a safe, disciplined school and in the way we prepare our students for the future.  Our mission is to ensure that every student has the skills necessary to succeed in high school.

Second, I want you to know my “philosophy of good discipline.”  I believe in providing the support students need and then setting the highest standards possible.  By expecting the best from our students today, we help them succeed tomorrow: 

• Teachers have begun to meet to make changes in the Language Arts Literacy program, providing some guided reading practices, and literature circles. The district had initiated a new language arts literacy program grades 6-12 which is standards based and is very well articulated across grade levels.  The literature circles will provide added novels in the classroom library.

• We have completed re-writing curriculum in all content areas using the Understanding by Design model. 

• We have purchased new Social Studies textbooks that are aligned to the 2009 NJ Core Curriculum Content Standards. 

•   In Mathematics, we have begun a math protocol in terms of student notebooks.  We feel it is imperative for students to keep their work in an organized notebook.  By reviewing students’ notebooks teachers can get a clearer picture of their mathematical development.  Because the Connected Mathematics units are three-hole punched, students can keep their books, along with their work in a three-ring binder.  The following shows the Notebook guidelines for Connected Mathematics students:

• Students are to obtain a three-ring binder to use as their math notebook.
• All work is to be done neatly and in pencil. 
• All work is to be dated.
• The notebook should contain the following sections labeled with dividers. 
• Warm-Ups
• Notes
• Classwork (Notes and Classwork may be combined)
• Vocabulary
• Homework
• Assessment
• Connected Mathematics Book

• At a time determined by the teacher the notebooks can be cleaned out leaving the notes and vocabulary sections in the notebook.  Unit Tests are to be administered at the end of each unit and stored in the classroom by the teacher for reference.

• Notebooks are for students to refer to when they are doing classwork, homework and studying for tests or quizzes so it needs to be taken home and brought to class every day.  Teachers may determine if and when students can leave their notebooks in the classroom.

Below, please find a listing of school supplies for the school year:

• (3) 1” binders
• (1) 1.5” binder
• 2pkgs-- #2 pencils
• 4pkg-- filler paper
• 1pkg-- pens blue ink
• 1 marble composition book
• Highlighters(2)
• Post-it notes (2)
• Protractor
• Pencil Case
• 5 dividers, 3-ring, 5-tab, 11” X 8.5”
• 4gb Flashdrive- (optional)
• Calculator-math teachers will advise on the first day of school

• School hours for the school year 7:28 a.m.-2:08 p.m. (full day); 7:28-12:00 (half day) and 9:28-2:08 (delayed opening day).

• Students should not report before 7:10 a.m.  Please ensure that students are prompt .

•   If a student will be absent or late, kindly call the school nurse Mrs. Straube at extension 72134 and follow up with a parent note when your child returns to school.

• Students are not permitted to ride bikes to school due to safety reasons.  This also applies to skateboards and scooters.

• If you drive your child to and from school, please drive along the curb on the south side of the building.  Students will exit your vehicles in the rear of the building.  The area is marked with a sign.

• Students are required to wear gym uniforms.  The PE teachers will be selling uniforms on the first day of school.  You are not required to purchase them at the school. We are providing this service to make back to school as stress free as possible.  The gym uniform is maroon and gold shorts or sweatpants, shirts, and sneakers of your choice.

• Athletics are making a “return appearance” to the Intermediate School.  We will have a Field Hockey Team for our girls as well as a basketball team for our boys.  This should be exciting for the students and a boost to the Intermediate School Spirit.

• Also new and returning to GIS will be Student Government and Renaissance.  Students will be able to participate in the democratic process of our government by participating in Student Government.  More information will be given to students in the first few days of school.

• Renaissance is a nationally recognized program with over 100 schools participating.  At the Intermediate School we hope to improve overall academic performance, increase attendance, create a positive, safe learning environment and instill pride in our school.  Students will be able to earn a Gold Card, Maroon Card, White Card or join the High Five Club.  More information about Renaissance will be disseminated during the opening of school.

• Students will receive a Student Planner on the first day of school.  These have been purchased for each student utilizing Board of Education funds.  Students are required to have their planner with them at all times.  The Planner includes the Intermediate School Calendar as well as the Student Handbook which includes the code of conduct, dress code as well as other important information.  Students must write their homework into the Planner on a daily basis and we encourage parents to check the Planner and use it as a communication tool with teachers.  Once a student loses their Planner, they must purchase a new one for $5.00

• Communication between teachers and parents is a must.  Teachers will keep you informed of any academic or social concerns. Email is always encouraged as well as phone calls. Please utilize the directory in the Planner which lists the teachers’ extensions.  We are in our fourth year utilizing Power School.  Please remember to log on and check on your student’s academic progress.  If you have any problems with your log on, kindly contact Mrs. Velykis in the Main Office.

• Students have been scheduled in an Academic Enrichment class which gives the students added coursework in spelling and vocabulary development; writing informational and literary text; speaking and listening; mathematical reasoning and problem solving; skills for success-organization, time management and goal setting,; note taking and test taking strategies as well as learning styles and academic and behavioral responsibility.  Only students who are scheduled for music courses opt out of this class.

• Back to School Night is scheduled for September 13 at 6:30 p.m.

• Progress reports will be given out on October 4 followed by Parent Conferences on Thursday, October 11 from 7:15-9:15 a.m. in the cafeteria.  This is a perfect opportunity to discuss your child’s progress during the first month of school.  Students will have a delayed opening on that day and should report by 9:15 a.m.

Please know that my door is always open, and you are always welcome to visit.  I appreciate hearing from parents, and I hope I can count on you to share your concerns, ideas, and feedback.  I invite you to stop in when you get the opportunity or join me for our first Parent Advisory Meeting on Tuesday, September 25 at 6:00 p.m. Intermediate School Library.  I would love to meet you. 

Thank you for taking the time to read this and allowing us the opportunity to educate your most prized possession.  I hope this is the beginning of year-long dialogue, and I look forward to a successful 2012-13 school year.

Sincerely,

Santina S. Haldeman, Acting Principal