Prospective Students/Families Information

2022-2023

Introduction

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Kristin Moffat - Assistant Principal

Beth Murray - Assistant Principal

Susan Woods -Principal

Karen Wolfson - Math Curriculum Coordinator

Betsy Grams - Wellness Coordinator

Holly Estes - Science & Engineering Curriculum Coordinator

Lauren Egizio - Humanities Coordinator

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Mathematics Curriculum

• We use Bridges in Mathematics and Number Corner from the Math Learning Center
• Instruction blends exploration and investigation
• Students construct learning through the use of visuals - seeing, touching, sketching, etc.
• Students gain a deep understanding of concepts and the ability to solve complex problems

Math Learning Opportunities at Home

• Games and Puzzles (ie. card games, Yahtzee, Monopoly)
• Find the Math in the World with your child
• Connecting Math with Student Interest (ie. cooking, crafts, sports, dance, etc.)
• Use Math Tools (ie. measuring with building or baking, pay with actual money)

Social and Emotional Learning

• Teach SEL by creating welcoming, participatory, and equitable learning environments.
• Integrate social and emotional learning into each part of students’ school experience—in classrooms and during all times of the school day.
• All adults in our school communities are SEL teachers and strive to nurture caring, supportive relationships with our students.

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Social and Emotional Learning

• Children learn skills through explicit instruction, practice, and modeling.
• SEL in the classroom takes shape in a variety of ways: using programs like Open Circle, Harmony, and Calm Classroom, and by integrating SEL into academic instruction.
• Teachers support children in developing skills and mindsets needed to help them succeed in school and to successfully navigate the world around them.
• SPS Social & Emotional Learning website for Parents/Guardians

Science & Engineering

A snapshot of an elementary science classroom:

• Robust science & engineering lessons
• Students engaging in hands-on explorations
• Students building understanding of content through exploration, collaboration, and instruction
• Students practicing the work of scientists and engineers: asking questions & solving problems, modeling, support claims with evidence, etc.

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Literacy Curriculum

• Students engage in the Workshop Model for literacy instruction.
• Students use authentic literature for mini-lessons, guided reading, reading responses, and word work.
• Writing skills are taught using the Units of Study by Teachers College as a foundational resource, along with other best practices.
• K-3 develop decoding and spelling skills.
• Grow student’s capacity to understand complex and high-interest texts
• Nurture a love of reading

Social Studies Curriculum

• Students engage in the four domains of social studies: economics, geography, history, and civics.
• Students learn map reading skills to analyze the global impact on humans, and the human impact on natural resources.
• Emphasis on civics which develops a child’s understanding of democracy, government, citizenship, and civil discourse.
• Develop a student’s understanding of society and the ability to engage in civil discourse with those who have similar and differing perspectives.�

SPS Vision Statement

We are committed to excellence in educating students to be knowledgeable, creative, independent thinkers who are caring, collaborative members of the school and wider communities.

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SPS Core Values

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• Enhance the learning and teaching process to enable and inspire students to achieve their potential
• Actively promote personal responsibility and integrity
• Seek and promote opportunities to advance equity
• Cultivate a lifelong commitment to community

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SPS Equity Statement

• Sudbury Public Schools are committed to welcoming, affirming, and celebrating all students, staff, and families.

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• Sudbury Public Schools are committed to creating and sustaining a culture that promotes advocacy, equity, and justice for marginalized groups who have been systemically oppressed and excluded.

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• Sudbury Public Schools are committed to an anti-bias and anti-racist education that includes and values the perspectives and histories of diverse peoples.

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Sudbury METCO Program

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Sudbury Public Schools have been a proud participant in the METCO program since 1975 when 40 students were enrolled. Enrollment increased to 70 students in school year 1976 and remains at 70 students.

METCO Staff

Students and families are supported by a dedicated and engaged staff who understands each student’s experience and learning style. Liaisons provide support to students, families, staff, and administration.

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• METCO Director
• Curtis Middle School Program Liaison
• Elementary Program Liaison
• Two Elementary Bus Monitors
• One Middle School Bus Monitor

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METCO Placement

~300

Open seats each year grades K-9

across all 33 districts

~3,100

Total Boston students attending suburban schools through METCO each year

Selection is based on:

• Seat Availability
• Proven Boston Residence

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Selection is NOT based on:

• Financial need
• Academic performance
• Relationship with METCO or district staff

Demographics

Where are our students from ? Dorchester

Hyde Park

Roslindale

Mattapan

Roxbury,

South Boston

Brighton

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Sudbury Public Schools - Demographics

• Our K-8 student population is 2517 - (5 schools)

4 elementary and one middle school

• 73.5% of our student population identify as White
• 3% of our students identify as African American
• 5.7% identify as Hispanic
• 3% identify as Multiracial
• 9.8% identify as Asian
• About 58 different languages are spoken by our Sudbury families

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Technology - Tools and Platforms

• Devices

Grades K -5 use Chromebooks provided by the Sudbury Public Schools that remain in school

Grades 6 to 8 are provided Chromebooks as part of the 1:1 program at the Curtis Middle School.�

• Learning Management Platforms

Preschool to grade 1 uses Seesaw as a way of managing learning content and activities.

Grades 2 to 5 use Google Classroom as their platform for managing classroom materials.

Grades 6 to 8 use Schoology.

Summer Math Intervention & Literacy Engagement Program

• 4-week/5 day program (July 11-August 5, 8:30 am-3:00 pm)
• An academic or social module in the morning and the afternoon
• Attendance is mandatory for the 4 weeks
• Transportation and lunch will be provided

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School Calendar

2022-2023 School Calendar

Family Partnership/Collaboration

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• Attend parent-teacher conferences; November and March
• Attend events in Sudbury; volunteer at your child’s school
• Support home school learning
• Attend School Committee Meeting, Curriculum Meetings, all METCO related meetings
• Communicate respectfully with METCO and District staff
• Partner with school to support safe respectful bus rides

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Family Partnership & Collaboration

Family Engagement

• Engage as much as possible with your child’s teachers and school staff
• Have reliable means of communication; email and phone
• Reliable emergency contacts

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• Available to principal/staff regarding student concerns
• Ensure student attendance
• Support peer relationships with play dates
• Volunteer/chaperone field trips
• Get comfortable with having open discussions about race, diversity and inclusion

Communication

• ASPEN- elementary students update contact information, access student information (report cards, class placement)
• PTO Newsletters/Website
• Principal Newsletter/Website
• District Website: sudbury.k12.ma.us
• METCO Newsletter
• Email
• SMS Messages

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The Journey

35 miles each way

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• Average length of trip AM - 1 hour 30 minutes
• Average length of trip PM - 2 hours 30 minutes - 3 hours

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School Bus Transportation

• All students will be provided a bus pass.
• Students will have an assigned seat on the bus.
• Siblings may sit together.
• Bus windows will be at least half-open at all times except in extreme weather.

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Bus Expectations

• Parents are required to walk children to the bus in the morning and pick up at the bus in the afternoon

Students:

• Board the bus quickly , safely, quietly to find assigned seat
• Follow the directions from the driver and monitor
• Wait to leave seat until the bus has come to a complete stop, the driver has opened the door and the monitor says it is safe to leave the bus
• Leave the bus quickly but in a courteous manner without pushing other students.

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Students’ Bus Rules

Bus Rules

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• Completed Homework
• Signed Forms
• (when applicable)
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• Healthy Snacks
• Lunch (if not buying)
• Library Book

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School Ready

Bus Ready

Book to Read

Game to Play

Over Ear Headphones

Red Zone

Orange Zone

Yellow Zone

Green Zone-

Where students should be

Next Steps

1. Individual family interview
2. Return teacher recommendation forms
3. Provide legible copies of all required documents
4. Registration
5. New Student and Family Orientation

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Questions?