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Welcome to Team Omega's Webpages
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Mr. Lutz's Page
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Mrs. Matthews' Page
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Ms. Rathbun's Page
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Mrs. Tierney's Page
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Mme Pierson's Page
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Mrs. Williams' Page
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TEAM MEMBERS: Matt Lutz, Language Arts and Social Studies, 8th grade support group ; Nancy Matthews, Science and Math, 8th grade support group; Patricia Netherwood, Spanish ; Sarah Pierson, French, 8th grade support group; Kristen Rathbun, Science, 7th grade support group; Mary Tierney, Mathematics, 7th grade support group; Leslie Williams, Language Arts and Social Studies, 7th grade support group.
TEAM GOALS
To provide a stimulating, ordered, positive, and respectful learning environment; to provide meaningful, standards-based learning opportunities which enable our students to use academic skills in practical settings; to work with students toward an understanding of our individual responsibility to be contributing members of the school and local community.
Our focus is to develop a community of learners excited about building a solid, quality education through a combination of methods and techniques, including direct instruction and interdisciplinary, project-based activities. Additionally we are committed to the following goals:
· Our team will develop an environment in which students, teachers and their families work together to ensure a quality educational experience.
· Our team will work toward a standards-driven curriculum based on the Vermont Framework of Standards and Learning Opportunities, as well as the Chittenden South Supervisory Union Curriculum Frameworks.
METHODOLOGY
Although methods vary according to teacher style and course, learning occurs through an amalgam of teacher-directed and student-directed activities:
*Direct Instruction
*Interdisciplinary team projects
*Cooperative group learning
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Vermont Math Portfolio
*Hands-on, project based activities
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Vermont Writing Portfolio
*Integrated social studies/language arts activities
*Integrated science lab activities
*Differentiated Instruction
Each student is expected to come prepared to every class with a pen, pencil, three-ring binder, daily planner, in addition to a calculator, any textbooks or resource materials required for that class. The team has purchased planners for all students to be used to record assignments and other school and personal information.
Using the Internet, electronic multimedia, on-line databases and the CCS library, we will provide access to periodicals, reference materials, and literature throughout the world, developing skills to become electronically literate. Technology Grade Expectations (TGE’s) will help to guide our students in their learning in all subject areas.
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Our Team Guidelines are developed in collaboration between students and Omega faculty during the first week of school.
Check back in September for an update
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HOW WILL LEARNING BE ASSESSED?
We provide varied methods of assessment for work within our disciplines, based on the Vermont Framework of Standards and Learning Opportunities. Learning is assessed traditionally and using performance-based assessments, from quizzes and tests* to student-created projects, such as web pages and 3D models. Rubrics are often available for projects and other final products. These are informative tools used to identify levels of completion for aspects of the project such as content proficiency according to standards or clarity of presentation. Students will be trained in the dynamics of rubrics and encouraged to refer to them while the work is in progress. These rubrics are then used by teachers to guide assessment and determine a grade. Additionally, the team is continually refining a class participation rubric with the purpose of acknowledging positive learning and classroom community habits while providing opportunities for reflection and feedback for both students and teachers.
*The team will determine appropriate quiz/test retake policies for seventh and eighth graders which will be shared with parents and students early in the school year.
HOW WILL PROGRESS BE REPORTED?
Progress will be reported on a regular basis throughout the year. All important dates will be shared at parent information night and posted on the website.
· Eighteen week final report at the end of each semester (includes report card and a portfolio* of work)
· Nine-week interim report at the midpoint of each semester (with student portfolio)
· Regular biweekly homework update sheets (IPODs) which indicate any missing work and/or test/quiz grades. Homework updates are not sent home on interim and final report weeks. The homework update system works best when the adults at home know when to expect and ask to see them.
o Missing work that appears on the homework update is expected to be completed during the weekend and turned into the support group leader on the following Monday during support group time, stapled to the homework update. Any work not received by the end of the school day Monday will become a zero. If a student is absent, there will be a reasonable expectation for completion of work.
*Students' portfolios are sent home with the interim and final reports. The portfolio is a student-organized collection of work. The portfolio contains cover sheets for each academic area (French, language arts, math, science, social studies, and expressive arts) and for project work. A cover sheet illustrates selected assignments the student was responsible for during that reporting period.
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COMMUNICATION PROCEDURES
Your child’s support group leader/teachers can be contacted here at school by phone extension number or via email, our preferred mode of communication.
Matt Lutz (165) – mlutz@cssu.org
Nancy Matthews (164) – nmatthews@cssu.org
Tica Netherwood (161) – pnetherwood@cssu.org
Sarah Pierson (143) – spierson@cssu.org
Kristen Rathbun (167) - krathbun@cssu.org
Mary Tierney (166) - mtierney@cssu.org
Leslie Williams (145) – lwilliams@cssu.org
In addition to conference half-days, conferences may be scheduled as needed by teachers or parents.
Homework requests for student absences
The team asks that you check the website for homework assignments if your child is absent for one day. If he/she is absent for more than a day, please call the school and request a homework packet to be picked up at the end of the day. A student absent from class for any reason should follow up with the teacher before and after, when possible.
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PARENTS’ ROLE
Parents' role (in general) is to serve as the home advocate for the student's learning;
*communicate directly with your son/daughter's support group leader and other teachers regarding the student's progress
*provide a work space for student homework
*participate actively in the learning triangle: student, parent, and teacher
*additionally, you may want to volunteer as a book discussion leader or to serve as a PAC member.
PAC
A PAC committee composed of interested parents will be formed at the beginning of the year. Parents are welcome to join at any time throughout the year or to attend as schedules allow. We encourage a balance of parents from each support group. Meetings are held monthly. Parents serve as essential liaisons among parents, the community and teachers. They assist in organizing special events, such as helping with the monthly preparation and serving of meals at the Burlington Salvation Army. They also serve as a sounding board for the teachers, providing valuable input about programs and other concerns. If you have an interest in serving on the committee, you may notify us of your interest.
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