Increase Miller Elementary School

August 2019

 Dear Increase Miller Families,

We hope you are all enjoying your remaining days of summer together as a family.  Summer is a wonderful time for new adventures and experiences, and we look forward to hearing about all the memories you and your family have created in September!  With the school year just weeks away, we know that you will gain excitement for the first day of school. 

 The first full day of school for all students, K-5, is Wednesday, September 4th.  

On Tuesday, August 27^th, we will be welcoming our new families at both the Kindergarten Visitation from  9:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. and our New Family Orientation (Grades 1-5) from 12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.   

 General Information:  At this time, we have 448 students enrolled at IMES, which includes our 49 incoming kindergartners and 22 new students in other grades. We look forward to welcoming everyone back to our learning community and greeting new faces as well.   

 While you were away, Increase Miller continued to be a bustling place!  Over the summer, we enjoyed seeing K-L students in the ESY (Extended School Year) Program and faculty engage in curriculum writing and new learning.  Additionally, the District’s Operations and Maintenance Department, the school’s custodial crew, the technology department, our office staff, teachers, and the administrative team have worked collaboratively to prepare classrooms, schedules, instructional spaces, common areas, and the school campus.  We would like to thank everyone for their hard work and diligence during the summer months. 

 Staffing Updates:  Throughout the Katonah-Lewisboro School District there have been changes in staffing.  Mrs. Heather Resnick moved from third grade to second grade at IMES, Mrs. Kate Hernandez moved to Meadow Pond to teach Kindergarten, and Mrs. Jen Fattore returned to JJMS.  Mrs. Carly Spaeth-Walsh, who taught Instrumental Music (Band) to our elementary children across the District, will be teaching music this year at John Jay Middle School. Ms. Annie Oulette, one of our current music teachers, will now be teaching Instrumental Band to our 4^th and 5^th graders.  Mr. Steve DelMoro, PE Teacher, will now be working at John Jay Middle School as a health educator.  Mr. Matt Gallagher, PE Teacher from JJMS, will join IMES full time as PE teacher.  Mrs. Marie Pritchett, PE Teacher, will move to Meadow Pond full time this year.  Dr. Marlee Schwartz, one of our school psychologists, will be working at JJHS this September, and Mrs. Kiri Ryan, school social worker from JJHS, will join IMES’ clinical team. Ms. Christine Caserto, JJHS special education teacher, will also be joining the IMES staff this year as an elementary special education teacher.  Mrs. Kendra Collins, Art Teacher from JJMS, and Mrs. Chris Eckler, Art Teacher from KES, will work with Mr. Spencer Eldridge this year at IMES. 

 Mrs. Juli Hoffman, our library media specialist, will be returning to IMES along with Mrs. Jillian Abisch, one of our Interventionists. 

We would also like to welcome new faculty to IMES and the District including Ms. Heather Bishop, Special Education Teacher, Ms. Amanda Mangione, Fourth Grade teacher, and Ms.Alyssa Tong, ENL Teacher.

We look forward to working with all of our faculty and staff as we begin the new school year!

Transportation information will be posted to the parent portal during the week of August 26^th.  If you have questions, please contact them at 763-7234.

Instructional Programs Update:  We continue to move forward with District programs and initiatives with a focus on the Katonah-Lewisboro Learning Commitment:  We strive to create learning experiences for all students that are intellectually engaging, relevant, and take place in an active learning environment.  At the elementary level, we are shifting our focus from Writing Workshop to Reading Workshop.  This summer, teachers were engaged in professional development opportunities related to best practices in reading.  We will continue to partner with Teachers College Reading and Writing Project to support and challenge our young readers and writers throughout the year.  Social and emotional learning will continue to be a focus at Increase Miller. Explicit instruction and embedded opportunities for learning about the five social emotional competencies including self-awareness, self-management, responsible decision-making, social awareness and relationship skills will support students in their personal development over time.  At Increase Miller, Kind, Responsible, and Safe will continue to be our mantra as we help students grow and learn.   You will hear more about our curriculum and programs at IMES during our Curriculum Nights scheduled for Wednesday, September 18^th grades Kindergarten, 1, and 2 at 7:00 p.m. and Thursday, September 19th   for grades 3, 4, and 5 at 7:00 p.m.   

School Communications/Information:  Research shows that the home/school connection is a key component to the success of our students.  A common understanding of the school’s practices and policies is helpful to ensure clear and consistent expectations. The Family Handbook on our school website, and the Elementary “Be Your Best” Code of Conduct, which will be sent home during the first week of school, are valuable resources and should be reviewed carefully. There are many means of communication used throughout the year to keep you informed, which include Principal Coffees, Connect Ed family letters/messages, PTO e-blasts (Eagle Express), District newsletters, backpack mail and the school and district websites. We look forward to collaborating with our PTO Co-Presidents, Kathy Martin and Cassie Hollander, to enhance student programs and facilitate communications. Whether you are new or familiar to IMES, please join our PTO and reserve some time to volunteer for activities that are held throughout the school year. We very much appreciate your support and assistance.

Class Placement:  Each year, in order to create balanced classrooms, thoughtful attention and a significant amount of professional time are given to class placement for all children. Family input, student performance, student profiles and gender ratio are among the factors considered. The faculty participated in the class placement process in the spring, and during the summer, assignments were finalized by administration. We appreciate your support of the decisions made regarding your child’s class placement.

If you have submitted the necessary documentation, your child’s teacher assignment will be posted to your Parent Portal account on Infinite Campus during the week of August 26^th.  Your child’s placement will become available on the portal only after the necessary information, including medical and emergency information, is processed. For easy access to your Infinite Campus Parent Portal account, you may go to our school website at imes.klschools.org/home and scroll down to the Quick Links section and locate the Parent Portal link. If you have not established an account or need assistance, please send an email to parentportal@klschools.org, or call 763-7095. Families without internet access should notify Jennifer Ferentini in the main office at 763-7155.

 Mark your Calendar for Important Dates:

Tuesday, August 27^th                          Kindergarten Visitation from 9:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.

Tuesday, August 27^th                          New Family Orientation at 12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.

Wednesday, September 4^th                 First Full Day for Grades K-5

Wednesday, September 11^th               9:30 a.m. PTO Meeting/10:00 a.m. Principal’s Coffee

Friday, September 13^th                       Welcome Back Picnic 5:00 -7:00 p.m. hosted by the PTO

Wednesday, September 18^th               Curriculum Night at 7 p.m. Grades K, 1, and 2

Thursday, September 19^th                   Curriculum Night at 7 p.m. Grades 3, 4, and 5

September 30^th & October 1st            School Closed - Rosh Hashanah

 Wednesday, October 9^th                     School Closed - Yom Kippur            

Attachments: 

• Five-day Rotation Schedule attached.  All elementary schools will continue to use a five-day rotation schedule using letter names for each day (Days A, B, C, D, E).  This means that your child’s class will be assigned a specials’ schedule (Physical Education, Art, and Music) that meets on a given letter day rather than a day of the week.  This five-day schedule is “locked in” so that it does not create confusion.  In other words, if there is a snow day and students miss “B Day,” students return to school on “C Day.”  This “locked in” format allows everyone to know what letter each day is well in advance.

• Drop-off and Pick-Up Instructions attached.

Reminder:  If you are driving your child to school, please remember that you should plan to drop off no earlier than 9:10 a.m. as there is no adult supervision prior to this time.  If you are picking your child up during the day or at the end of the day, please remember to send in a written note in your child’s backpack. Students are picked up from the gymnasium beginning at 3:35 p.m.  If students must be picked up earlier, please pick them up in the main office before 3:15 p.m.

 First Week of School:

• As a reminder, school hours are 9:15 a.m. to 3:40 p.m. Students are welcomed into the classrooms at 9:10 a.m. This allows for a few minutes to unpack and prepare for the day.

• If your child participated in the summer reading challenge, please have him/her submit his/her accomplishments to their classroom teacher.

• Please have your child bring in his/her school supplies.  Lists for each grade are available on our school website. 
• Through backpack mail, each family will receive the “Be Your Best!” Code of Conduct.  Please review the content carefully with your child and sign and return the Commitment Statement page to school by Friday, September 20^th.  The Code of Conduct will be reviewed in classrooms and at school assemblies and events throughout the year.  We thank you in advance for partnering with us to support students’ social and emotional learning as well as their physical safety. 

  We look forward to welcoming students on Wednesday, September 4^th at 9:15 a.m. and we anticipate a wonderful year of growing and learning together!

 In the meantime, enjoy the remaining days of summer!

 Sincerely,

Kerry Ford                                                            Andy Galotti

Principal                                               Assistant Principal