I can only describe my first year at Metcalf as thoroughly enjoyable and exciting! It is hard to believe that it is already over and summer vacation is upon us! I enjoyed getting to know your children and watching them grow and learn during the school year. I have seen first hand that the Metcalf families are caring, involved, and supportive of the many ideas and initiatives that are currently underway. The faculty and staff here are a true joy to work with and enthusiastic about trying new things in and out of the classroom. It is a delight coming to Metcalf every single day!
Together we have accomplished a great deal in one year...just take a look!
- We have created a new student recognition program, The Mighty Mustang Award, which will honor many different aspects of our developing students, (academic success, personal bests, exceptional talents, thoughtful/ caring individuals, and acts of kindness, etc.). I thank all the families that sent in thoughts and ideas after brainstorming with your children. We can't wait to get started!
- We researched and studied Standards-Based grading systems throughout the school year and deemed it the perfect fit for Metcalf. We then created a Standards-Based Report Card (SBRC) for grades 3-6 which will be implemented for the 2016-2017 school year. This new report card was designed to reflect specific learning standards at each grade level. You will find that it resembles the Wawaloam report card and will provide families with increased continuity as students join us at Metcalf. The first SBRC Parent Workshop was held in June with several more to be scheduled in the fall.
- New inquiry-based science kits have been added to each grade level which the children can't wait to get their hands into! Think bugs, and worms, and plants, oh my!
- We have adopted a new math program, Every Day Math 4, for grades 3-5, and Big Ideas for grade 6, after piloting both programs from January to June. Our teachers are extremely pleased and enthusiastic about these new programs and I think your children will be too!
- We are expanding our Social Studies resources and exploring ways to bring interesting history lessons and stories to life in the classroom.
- Our new Metcalf website is up and running! Don't forget to bookmark the website address, so you will have all important and up-to-date information right at your fingertips. https://sites.google.com/a/ewg.k12.ri.us/metcalf/
- We've had some shifts in classrooms, too. The entire grade 3 wing has moved down and around the corner to wing 3A. We've taken down a wall in Ms. Place's classroom to combine 2 rooms. Now she can hold band right there in her new, improved, and enlarged music room! We are also busy reorganizing and painting some rooms to spruce things up. There's nothing like a new coat of paint!
We also have a few surprises up our sleeves for the fall. I won't wish summer away, but I can't wait for our next school year together! Enjoy the following collection of photos and information that you might find helpful.
Rooster Games - 2015/2016
PTA Survey: Please log on to take the PTA survey so they can hear your ideas and plan ahead for the 2016-2017 school year! https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/XFY63W6
Box Tops: We are in need of a parent volunteer to take over the Box Top program for us. A HUGE thank you goes to Diane Gemma for running this program for the past several years. She not only did a fantastic job, but she's offered to train a new volunteer. This program is extremely valuable to Metcalf because it funds many extra materials and resources used in the classroom. This is a great way to contribute to our school community if you have a busy schedule but would still like to contribute to the school community in a valuable way. Please call Metcalf betwen the hours of 8:00 and 2:00 if you would like more information. Thank you!
Important Information: Please visit our Metcalf website to find the important information you may need over the summer. Just click the Documents tab at the far right top corner to find such things as Grade Level Supply Lists, Summer Learning Information, and the 2016/2017 school calendar, etc.
Last but not Least...please click the link below to enjoy the Metcalf slide show created by our very own Karen Traska! She certainly captured the Metcalf spirit! Thank you, Karen!
Box Tops: We are in need of a parent volunteer to take over the Box Top program for us. A HUGE thank you goes to Diane Gemma for running this program for the past several years. She not only did a fantastic job, but she's offered to train a new volunteer. This program is extremely valuable to Metcalf because it funds many extra materials and resources used in the classroom. This is a great way to contribute to our school community if you have a busy schedule but would still like to contribute to the school community in a valuable way. Please call Metcalf betwen the hours of 8:00 and 2:00 if you would like more information. Thank you!
Important Information: Please visit our Metcalf website to find the important information you may need over the summer. Just click the Documents tab at the far right top corner to find such things as Grade Level Supply Lists, Summer Learning Information, and the 2016/2017 school calendar, etc.
Last but not Least...please click the link below to enjoy the Metcalf slide show created by our very own Karen Traska! She certainly captured the Metcalf spirit! Thank you, Karen!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x49UMvFJ4EY&feature=youtu.be
Thank you all again for a wonderful year! I hope you enjoy your time with family and friends over the next few months. We'll see you on August 29th for our first day of school!
Mrs. Ratigan :)
