Welcome to the South Row Family!

K Orientation 2024

Meet the Team

Getting Ready for Kindergarten

Welcome to Kindergarten!

Welcome to Orientation at South Row Elementary School!

• Academics
• Health Services
• Transportation
• From the office
• Logistics
• Transition events
• We will share this slideshow and the recording via email - do not worry about taking notes! =)

Welcome!

Introduction of the Office Team

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Mrs. Terri Gilbert, Principal

Mr. Jayson Ramalho, Assistant Principal

Mrs.Debbie O’Neill, Secretary

Mrs.Kim Sepe, Clerk

Mrs. Shannon Vandevoordt, Nurse

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Meet the Principal:

Mrs. Terri Gilbert

• Entering fourth year as Principal at South Row
• Four years as Assistant Principal at Salisbury Elementary
• Seven years as a 6th grade teacher
• Three years as a Math Interventionist

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Meet the Assistant Principal:

Mr. Jayson Ramalho

• Entering 7th year as the Assistant Principal at South Row
• Previously taught PE in Methuen Public Schools for 7 Years (Kinder-Grade 8)
• M.Ed in School Administration
• Entering Third and Final Year as a Doctoral Student (Ed.D) at University of Massachusetts at Lowell studying Leadership in Schooling
• CPS & South Row Alum
• Enjoys the beach, traveling, exercising, and ice cream!

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Meet the Nurse:

Mrs. Shannon Vandevoordt

• I have been a nurse for 14 years.

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• Masters in Nursing Education from Endicott College

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• This is my 4th year as the nurse at

South Row

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• I have two boys, ages 4 and 7.

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• I enjoy being active, cooking, and spending time with my family and friends.

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Meet the Secretary:

Mrs. Debbie O’Neill

• 19th year in Chelmsford Public Schools district
• 9th year at South Row in the main office
• worked 10 years in CHIPS preschool prior
• Grew up in Chelmsford
• Enjoy spending time with my family, my two sons (Ryan and Corey) and walks with my dog Zoey!

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Mrs. Debbie O’Neill�Secretary

• Office hours 8:00am-4:00pm daily

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• Contact info (978) 251-5177 Ext O

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• Email: oneilld@chelmsford.k12.ma.us

Meet the Clerk:

Mrs. Kim Sepe

• 6th year in South Row main office
• Enjoy spending time with family in Hawaii and Vermont.

Mrs. Kim Sepe

Office Clerk

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• Office hours – 8:30am-2:00pm daily

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• Absentee Line (978) 251-5177 Ext. 6

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• Email: sepek@chelmsford.k12.ma.us

Pictured left to right:

Mrs. Patriquin, Mrs. Cassidy, Mrs. Richman, Mrs. Rigby

Mrs. Patriquin: Loves spending time with her family, which includes her husband (Kyle) 2 daughters (Nora and Charlie) and twin sons (Levi and Brody). She loves to drink coffee, read, sing and dance! If she could be anywhere, besides the classroom, she would be at the beach!

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Mrs. Cassidy: Loves to spend time with her family and friends. She enjoys reading and being outdoors. She is excited to travel to Italy and Switzerland this summer with her husband!

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Mrs. Richman: Grew up in Chelmsford, loves to travel and spend time with her family! She enjoys reading and trying new foods! She is excited to welcome a baby girl to her family at the end of June!

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Mrs. Rigby: Lives in Chelmsford with her family which includes her husband, Chris and two sons Jack and Liam. This year, her son, Jack will be in first grade at South Row! When she is not at school, she enjoys spending time outdoors with her family.

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Welcome!

• A view of South Row... from two South Row students

Ben Udstuen - Gr. 4 Student & Student Council Leader

Channa Chinamasa - Gr. 4 Student & Student Council Leader

Academic Calendar & Schedules

• School Hours – 8:50am – 3:18pm
• 180 Days of School – ATTENDANCE IMPORTANT
• Parent Involvement: PTO’s, School Council, etc.
• CORI Law

Curriculum-Literacy

• Fountas & Pinnell Classroom
• Reading & Writing in response to reading
• Fundations
• Literacy Block – IRA, Phonics, guided reading, writing workshop time

Curriculum-Math

• Reveal (K-4) - McGraw Hill

Kindergarten Concepts

• Counting and Cardinality
• Operations and Algebraic Thinking
• Number and Operations in Base Ten
• Measurement
• Geometry

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Curriculum-iReady

• Adaptive program for Reading and Math
• 45 min/week - grades 1 to 4
• 30 min/week - kindergarten
• Benchmarks - 3 times/year

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Curriculum-

Science/Social Sciences

• Science (FOSS)

Life Science, Earth Science, and Physical Science.

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• Social Sciences (Mass Standards)
• Many Roles in Living, Learning, and Working Together

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Curriculum-

Social Emotional Learning (SEL)

• Second Step (K-4 Curriculum)
• Growth Mindset & Goal-Setting
• Emotion Management
• Empathy & Kindness
• Problem-Solving
• PBIS (Positive Behavior Intervention and Supports)
• School Wide Passport/Chelmsford PRIDE
• Student Grade Level Meetings

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“SEL can help all young people and adults thrive personally and academically, develop and maintain positive relationships, become lifelong learners, and contribute to a more caring, just world” (CASEL, 2023, p.1).

A Kindergarten Day

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• Morning Meeting
• Reading / Writing Block
• Recess / Lunch
• Math Block
• Specialist – Art, Music, Library, Physical Education, Technology
• Snack
• S.S. / Science Activity (FOSS) / Afternoon centers

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• Second Step / SEL
• Play Centers

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Specialists

• Each day your child will participate in a 50 minute specialist period. These include art, music, physical education, library and computer
• Sneakers are required for participation in physical education class.
• Library books are circulated weekly.

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Assessments

• Your child will be assessed throughout the school year in all areas of the curriculum.

• Assessments include individual testing as well as student observation.

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• Your child’s progress will be discussed during parent/teacher conferences.

Report Cards

• Kindergarten report cards are distributed twice a year

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• The Chelmsford Public Schools report cards are available online on your X2 Family Portal Account

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School-Home Communication

• HOME LINK – Weekly communication from School Administration

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• School / District Website

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• Twitter (“X”) – @CPSSouthRow
• Facebook -@SouthRowElementary

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• Teachers – newsletters; various apps

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Transportation�Notify teachers with changes

Buses:

• Early bird special
• Start right away!
• Bus stop on bus pass
• Bus passes -August

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Car / Walk:

• All students will get car numbers
• Car drop off and pick up – back door car line
• Walker drop off/pick up - front door (Parent has to escort for walking)

Arrival/Dismissal Visual�

Transportation Con’t

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• Notify the teacher / office of changes in writing (morning of or day before)
• Car Number and tags - will get them at visitation
• Early Release Days (approx. once a month, dismissal at 11:45am)

Extended Day Care

• 7:00am – 8:50am / 3:20 – 6pm

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• Students are located here at South Row

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• Registration through Community Education at the Westlands School

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The Lunchroom

• Lunch from home
• School lunch – hot and cold option
• Free lunch for all students
• Please go over the menu with your child if they are going to buy
• Practice opening containers, etc.

Health Services�Shannon Vandevoordt, RN

Vandevoordts@chelmsford.k12.ma.us

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• Immunizations
• Physical Exam 8/30/23 or later
• Vision and stereopsis, lead
• Health Concerns
• Allergies/Asthma/Medications
• If your child is sick? Injured? MD note please!
• Food allergies - Nuts in school

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Health Services�Shannon Vandevoordt, RN

Vandevoordts@chelmsford.k12.ma.us

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• Extended Day Meds - need 2!
• Skills - Shoes, dressing, bathroom
• Reasons students visit the

nurse - sick, bored, miss home

• Clothes in the backpack just in case.
• Be detailed when you call your

student out sick for tracking purposes.

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Office Notes

• Always use the main door at the front of the building and ring the buzzer. Do not pass the door to anyone behind you. Obtain VISITOR badge.

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• Please email the classroom teacher, Mrs. Sepe and Mrs. O’Neill on any attendance related matters OR call the absentee line by 9:00am

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• Please notify office of ANY telephone number changes for YOU or anyone on your contact list
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• Any address changes need to go through Central Registrar - new residency info is required

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CORI checks�Criminal Offender Record Info

• REQUIRED prior to volunteering in classroom or school events
• PLEASE DO IT NOW….so you are covered when opportunities arise
• One week processing time
• Simple form & license verification
• Valid for 3 years within district
• forms available TONIGHT - if you have not completed one at registration.

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Preparing for Kindergarten

• Get excited!
• Read daily
• Write or color often
• Find math in daily activities
• Go over safety rules
• Establish a routine - Practice healthy habits – nutrition, physical activity & sleep
• Know your child

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K Screening

• Measures: speech, language, cognition, perception, and fine and gross motor coordination.
• What they will do: Block building, drawing, visual memory, eye hand coordination, short term memory, following directions, verbal expression, balance, gross motor activities
• You will be asked to separate from your child
• please bring a photo of your child to your appointment
• School Counselor will be present!

What Happens Next?

• K Screening on May 21st and May 22nd
• Be on the lookout for input in placement (google form)
• Tour - June 3rd (10:00am or 2:00pm)
• Class placements will be mailed by June 30th (ANTICIPATED)
• Kindergarten social – August TBD
• Visitation - Aug. 27th (two time slots)
• Open House (Curriculum Night)
• Transportation information needs to be given to teachers at Visitation.
• Be on the lookout for a transportation google form in the summer - please fill it out!!

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Message from PTO Co-Presidents

Ashley Cakounes and Denille Ruth

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PTO Website: www.SouthRowPTO.com

Email: SouthRowPTO@gmail.com

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Follow us:

Facebook: SouthRowPTO

Twitter: @SouthRowPTO

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Before you leave…

• Double check screening date & time
• CORI
• Review of Information

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Questions?

Thank you for coming tonight!�Welcome to the South Row Family!