Silver Lake Intermediate School

Welcome to Silver Lake Intermediate School

2012-2013 School Year

Silver Lake School…a great place to be!

With the bell set to ring on the start of the 2012-2013 school year, Silver Lake Intermediate School is looking forward to renew our focus on providing unsurpassed quality of education for our students. Our school community strives to be self-directed, collaborative workers, complex thinkers, quality producers and community contributors that have a passion for lifelong learning.

Silver Lake Intermediate School instructs students in grades 5-8 serving students from Park Lawn and Summit Elementary Schools, with approximately 720 students and seeks continuous learning opportunities for students such as Project Lead the Way (pre-engineering) classes, world languages in Mandarin, German, and Spanish, financial literacy, educational gaming, graphic arts, music, physical education, computer technology, and extra-curricular opportunities in addition to math, algebra, reading, writing, science and social studies. Staff learning opportunities this past year included staff development in differentiation and assessment/grading, book studies on 21st century fluencies, integrating digital media and emerging technologies into instruction, inclusive education, co-teaching, Response to Intervention, and literacy achievement with additional training in Readers’ and Writers’ workshop model.

Highlights of the 2011-2012 school year
As Self-Directed Learners:

• our students initiated a new mentor program where 8th graders learned, created and connected with 5th graders. High School students learned, created and connected with 8th graders, and National Junior Honor Society students established an after-school tutoring program. A celebration of student acceptance was the last week of school with 5th, 8th, and HS students coming together to present their learning and learning projects. We believe in seeking continuous learning opportunities!
• our staff participated in a summer Teachers College Reading and Writing Project through Columbia University, with Silver Lake hosting the week long workshop to support expert literacy instruction through research, writing and the professional development of teachers and school leaders. We believe in life-long learning for all!
  

As Collaborative Workers:

• our students demonstrated teamwork, consideration and respect for each other by performing the all school musical ―The Musical Adventures of Flat Stanley, Jr. to our community. We work within diverse groups to achieve a common goal!
• our WEB (Where Everyone Belongs) 8th grade leaders provided social activities for students to connect outside the classroom, provided academic follow up teaching lessons on topics such as study skills and ―Lifting People Up Instead of Putting Them Down‖ and devel-oped personal relationships with our 5th graders. We demonstrate leadership and teamwork!

As Complex Thinkers:

• our school partnered with Books and Company and our Silver Lake students worked with nationally known authors such as Alice Ozma- ―The Reading Promise‖, Lisa McMann- New York Best Selling author of the ―Wake Trilogy” and “Cryer’s Cross”, Peter Lerangis and Patrick Carmen- New York best selling authors of ―The 39 Clues” adventure series, and Mark Crilley- comic book author, illustrator and writer . Students were able to receive and express knowledge through the spoken, written, and visual language. We learn from others!
• our students brainstormed, researched, designed, and planned ―A Tribute to our Veterans‖ luncheon and assembly thanking veterans for service to our country and prepared a talent show for the Milwaukee VAMC and supported one veteran for the Stars and Stripes Honor Flight. We researched and appreciate those who have served for us!
  

As Quality Producers:

• our students designed, developed, and created robots that led two of our robotics teams to the world championships in California. The Silver Lake ―FIVE‖ team was given the highest award in the Vex Robotics competition. We are the Middle School Excellence Award 2012 World Champions!
• our school became a model for nation’s schools in the area of Emergency Management. FEMA Deputy Administrator and the Office of Justice observed Silver Lake and the STEP Program (Student Tools for Emergency Planning) and documented our lessons to model the program to other schools in the country. We presented presentations that reflect confidence and authentic purpose!
  

As Community Contributors:

• our school kicked off a school/family event with Waukesha County Recycling and finished the challenge with reducing our family trash by 4% and increasing our recycling by 77%. We developed an awareness of and had a positive impact on our environment while engaging families with school and having ties to science, engineering and math, and project based learning!
• our school built a community of lifelong readers by starting a new reading initiative that asked our families to read together for at least 10 minutes every night. The ―STREAK‖ program included t-shirts and prizes and we celebrated 100 days of the reading ―STREAK‖ with a pancake breakfast supported by local community sponsors. Our students also worked with the Mayor to proclaim a ―Love of Reading‖ week in Oconomowoc. We created a beautiful family/parent/school reading legacy!
• our students planned and took action in reaching out and giving back to a variety of organizations such as Casa de los Angeles, Hoops for Heart, Lake Area Free Clinic, Beads for Life, Mercado Global, Humane Animal Welfare, American Red Cross, Ixonia and Oconomowoc Food Pantries, One for Books, Jacobs Angels, and Soldier Care Package project. We empower our students to help others!
  

The 2012-2013 school year promises to be wonderful. Silver Lake Intermediate School…demonstrating and showing accomplishment and excellence!

Ellyn E. Helberg, Principal

Silver Lake Intermediate School

• Develop lifelong learners

• Provide students with the skills need to adapt to the changing world

• Create an awareness of global issues and the willingness to act responsibly

• Promote skills that enable students to engage in effective communication

Silver Lake Staff Goals for 2012-2013

# 1 By the end of the 2012-2013 school year, Silver Lake teachers will implement a more personalized learning environment for our students through the use of teaching and learning principles with the Columbia Teacher’s College Readers’ and Writers’ Workshop Model to improve student achievement in Reading and Writing.
# 2 Over the course of the next three years, the staff of SLI will dramatically transform our instructional delivery to offer our students a more engaging , personal, and relevant learning experience by leveraging new technologies, WEB 2.0 tools and the New Media Literacies.

Communication Plan—Are you connected with your child’s school?

• Silver Lake Daily Announcements will be stated over the intercom each morning. These school announcements are also placed on our web site each day under the ―Our School” tab. Parents and students are encouraged to check our website frequently to check daily announcements that week keep on line for a one week period.
• Parents will also receive a weekly email from (me) the principal, regarding upcoming events happing at Silver Lake School. If you are not receiving the weekly email, please contact Darla at 560-4305.
• Parents and students may check our calendar and web site as we try to put everything happening on our web site.
• All parents should have Family Access. This is a web based service that allows par-ents to view their child’s attendance record, class schedule, and grades (7th and 8th grade only) on an ongoing basis. Check this daily or weekly.
• The Silver Folder is an electronic folder that contains information about school clubs that are starting and school and community events outside of the school day. This is located under the “Our School” tab on our web site.
• District Communication—an email and phone notification system will be used by the school to inform our parents of any emergency situation and will link parents to important information as it becomes available. Please make sure that we have current up to date phone and email address on record with the school office.
• Community announcements and flyers are also posted on our community bulletin board located in the front hallway. Our PTO bulletin board is also located in our front hallway for more PTO information.
• Your child’s teacher(s) will also share with you their communication plan the first few days of school.
• Also, don’t wait for a teacher to contact you about your child if you have any concerns! Our staff tries their best to stay current with parents, but a 7th or 8th grade teacher has 90 to 120 children each day. An elective or encore teacher may have 180 students per quarter. If you have a ques-tions, call your child’s teacher. Every teacher has a planning/prep time every day to return phone calls and emails and work on curriculum. Each teacher also has an email address and voice mail to leave a message.
  

Bell Schedule and Lunch

Students arriving on buses will begin to enter the building at 7:15 AM. Students arriving by car should arrive at Silver Lake between 7:15 and 7:30 AM and enter the front doors.

Silver Lake does serve breakfast each morning from 7:15 to 7:30 AM.

If students arrive after 7:35, they should check into the office area and receive a pass to their class. Arriving after 7:35 without an excused pass will result in a tardy.

7:15-7:30—Students arriving and may be in cafeteria, halls, or classrooms
7:30- ―To Class‖ Bell (Remind students to get to class)
7:35 –Homeroom/Class Bell (Tardy if arrive after 7:35)

11:14-11:49– 7th and 8th grade lunch and recess
11:54-12:30—5th and 6th grade lunch and recess

We encourage students at Silver Lake to bring a nutritious snack each day. With our early start, many students are hungry before lunch. Your child’s teacher(s) will discuss when it is appropriate to
have their snack each day.

We have drinking fountains in the hallways and classrooms, however, children are able to bring water bottles to school and keep them in their lockers.

Family Access Information

What is Family Access?
Family Access is a link on the Silver Lake website that allows parents and students to view their grades for all of their courses. It is a way for families to make sure that work is being turned in and what a student’s current grade is for that particular course. Family Access gives families the opportu-nity to have a ―report card‖ at their convenience. With Family Access, there are no surprises as to what grade a student is currently earning.

How do I get signed up for Family Access?
There are forms available in the main office for signing up. Once you are signed up, a password will be sent to you. If you are already signed up and have forgotten your password, the information can be resent to you.

Why should I sign up?
With Family Access, there are no surprises. It clearly shows what has been handed in by the stu-dent and the grade they earned. It is highly recommended by teachers, esp. for students who do struggle with completing work by deadlines. It is easy to use and convenient for parents.

What can you expect from Family Access?
You can expect teachers to update Family Access in a timely manner. Please keep in mind that some assignments take longer to grade, so you may not see a grade for those as quickly as other assign-ments.
You can expect that Family Access to be convenient and easy to use.
You can expect that Family Access will be accurate. However, if you ever do have a question about your child’s grade, please do not hesitate to contact your child’s teacher.
You can expect that Family Access will help you and your child stay organized. You will be able to track grades, track homework assignments, and stay on top of things.

Special Codes for Family Access
As you work with Family Access, you will see various codes being used. Included here is a list of the most common codes and what they mean:
SA = Summative Assessment
FA= Formative Assessment
TG = Turned in but still needs to be graded
Abs = Student was absent when this was due and still needs to turn in work
0 = Student received a zero on this assignment. In reality, this means that the student did not turn in the assignment and it is late/missing.
―*‖- Student has not turned in this assignment and it is late/missing. The * does not affect the grade at this time.
LAT = Assignment is late
EXC = Excused – At times, a student may be excused from an assignment for a particular reason.
Points Possible = Maximum number of points a student could earn on the assignment
Points Earned = The number of points the student actually earned on the assignment

Food Service Lunch Program

All of your child’s lunch information and lunch balance is available on Family Access.

Online payments will be accepted using Family Access. For more information on our lunch program, please select the ―Family Re-source‖ tab on our web page and scroll down to ―Lunch‖. Under this tab you will find information on menus, payments, free/reduced meals, and how to make payments.

Lunch money and checks can also be deposited in the small tan box, located in the main office. Please make sure to write your child’s name on an envelope so that the money can be placed in your account.

Taher Inc. manages the food service program on behalf of the school district.

Student Lunch/Recess times:
5/6—11:55 to12:30pm
7/8—11:14 to 11:48am

Questions?

Your child forgot something at home?
Stop by the office and we will have someone take the item to your child’s class-room, or sign-in as a visitor, and you may bring the item directly to your child’s classroom.
Interested in volunteering?
All volunteers in our school must complete paperwork and have a criminal back-ground check completed before they can work in our classrooms and school. This also needs to be completed if you plan to chaperone any field trips as well. The forms are available in our office and must be completed yearly. Our school district Human Resources department reviews the paperwork, completes the background check, and then informs us if you are able to work in our school.

Online Payment Required this year

The ability for parents/guardians to pay student fees online was implemented last sum-mer at some of our schools and because of the multiple benefits for parents and the school district, payments for 2012-2013 student fees will be required to be made online.

Starting mid July, online payments can be made via Skyward Family Access for the 2012-2013 student fees. A fee management e-mail has been sent to parents notifying them that online payments can now be made. Step by step payment instructions were in-cluded with your registration material that was sent home with your child at the end of the school year. They are also posted on Family Access.

You will no longer be required to wait in line on registration day, August 9, from 1:00 to 7:00pm. Simply bring your receipt of online payment to registration to obtain tangible items purchased. During school registration your child will find out their teachers and receive a schedule of classes if they are in 7th and 8th grade.

Stay in the "Know"

To stay ―In the KNOW‖ at Silver Lake Intermediate School we encourage our students, parents, and families to check us out at least weekly! This year all of our Report Cards will be posted to Family Access. Please come to the office and fill out a Family Access‖ form if you did not complete this at registra-tion. The form is also available on-line. Once you complete the Family Access‖ form, there is no need to complete it each year.

Silver Lake Handbook

All students at Silver Lake will receive a student orientation on their first day of school reviewing expectations, general rules, and the Silver Lake Handbook (which is also posted on our website). In addition, all 5th grade students will review the handbook with their classroom teacher. We encourage all parents to review the handbook with their child as well.

PARK AND RIDE RULES

Dear Parents,
The following are PARKING AREA AND PICK-UP RULES for the 2012-103 school year at Silver Lake Intermediate School.

• Students should be dropped off at school between 7:15a.m. and 7:30a.m. The bell to begin class will sound at 7:35a.m. Students should be picked up at 2:55p.m. There is no supervision after 3:05, unless your child is participating in a sport or club offered right after school.
• The front parking area (North) should be used by parents for dropping off children before school and picking children up after school. Parents may also park their cars in the parking area, but not behind the parked cars. Please pull up next to the sidewalk and have your children enter or leave the car. The lane parallel to the drop-off lane is a passing lane and children should not enter of leave the car while in the passing lane. Buses will be the only vehicles allowed in the west drive/parking lot at the end of the day. Handicap buses will use the front drive entrance. Again, parents will use the front parking lot area for pick up and drop off.
• At the end of the day, bus children will be dismissed through the front, back, and west side doors to load the buses. Students may not cross the staff parking lot, but should walk around the side-walk area to their bus. An infraction slip will be issued to students who cross the west parking lot, as this is considered a safety violation.
• In the morning, bus students will be dropped off in the West Drive. Students will enter through the back playground door.
• Children that arrive late at school (after 7:35a.m.) because of an appointment, etc., should stop in the office to let us know that they are here and receive a pass to class. Children who are leaving school early because of an appointment, etc. will be sent to the office for parent pick-up. They should sign out and may be picked up in the front of the building.
• If your child will be a bus rider, we encourage your child to ride the bus starting on the first day of school. Bus capacity/enrollment is determined the first few days of school.
• Silver Lake Street, Hwy. BB, and Hwy. B are considered hazardous areas for walkers and bikers. Please do not walk or ride your bike in these areas. Take the bus!
• Parents volunteering during the day may park in the north or west lot and enter the main doors. The main door will be the only door open after 7:40 a.m.
• One crossing guard will be placed on Oconomowoc Parkway (before and after school) at the inter-section of Shore Circle (where the sidewalk on the north side of the street ends and Oconomowoc Parkway.
• Drive slowly entering and exiting and ANY TIME YOU ENTER THE DRIVEWAY, PLEASE MAKE CERTAIN TO GIVE SILVER LAKE INTERMEDIATE STUDENTS A BRAKE! Thanks for keeping our students safe!
  

Ellyn E. Helberg

CONFERENCES

During our October Parent/Teacher/Student conferences we encourage all parents to meet with their child’s teacher and have the opportunity to discuss their child’s educational progress. This conference proves to be of value in bringing about a better understanding between the home and school.

Parents of 5th and 6th grade students
Conference sign-up for October 18,23, and 25th will be available in each grade level pod area the evening of our Open House on Wednesday, August 26. Please sign up with your child’s teacher for a conference. If you do not sign up for a time, we will send you information in the mail.

• October 18 (3 to 7PM)- Scheduled Conferences
• October 23 (3 to 7PM)-Scheduled Conferences
• October 25 (12:30 to 4:30PM)-Scheduled Conferences
• February 26 (3 to 7PM)- “In-need” Conferences
• March 18 (3:15-7:15PM)—Student Led and “Celebration of Learning” Conferences

Parents of 7th and 8th grade students
Conferences are different at 7th and 8th grade. Your child’s teacher may see 120 students per day so it is not feasible to have individual conferences for all students. Instead we offer two options. Arena conferences are a time where all 7th and 8th grade staff are available and you may come anytime during the scheduled time and meet with any teacher (in their class-room) you would like to see. Staff members will also schedule individual conferences with parents, especially if there is a concern.

• October 18—Arena Conferences
• October 23-Special Scheduled Conferences
• October 25 (12:30 to 4:30PM) - Arena (12:30 to 2:30PM) and Special Scheduled Conferences (2:30 to 4:30PM)
• February 26 (3 to 7PM)- “In-need” Conferences
• March 18(3:15-7:15 PM) - Student Led and “Celebration of Learning” Conferences

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If you have any concerns about your child’s progress or school day, please don’t wait until conference time to speak with your child’s teacher. All staff have some time during the day to talk with parents.
5th grade—Available 7:40-8:20 6th grade-Available 8:30-9:15
7th grade-10:30-11:14 8th grade- 11:55-12:40

TECHNOLOGY AT SILVER LAKE

Over the past year, students, parents, community members, teachers and administrators have been working together to examine how technology is deployed at Silver Lake Intermediate School and challenged us to increase access to eLearning opportunities for students-anywhere, anytime.

With this in mind, we are excited to announce that early mid year—students will be able to bring their own personal electronic devices-including laptops and handheld technology (smart phones, iPod Touches, etc.) - with them to Silver Lake Intermediate School. This will enable student to use a combination of district and school technology and their own to facilitate learning. No longer will our students be limited by the availability of district technology or access to software and applications. By connecting to our web site, students can access the web-based learning tools that are offered.

Oconomowoc Area School already offers our 7th and 8th grade students Google Apps for Education. This year we will be implementing ―Google Apps for Education‖ for students in grades 5 and 6. Google Apps for Education includes collaboration and productivity tools allowing students to create, design, and share documents, presentations, web pages, blogs, video, calendars, and Gmail.

The benefits of using Google Apps for Education are numerous and include: students accessing and working on projects from anywhere, using tools that fit their learning style (i.e. text, video, chat, im-ages), teachers modeling responsible and ethical use in online spaces while shifting the teaching to more ―student-focused‖ environment, parents and teachers have increased access to the entire learning process, and Google Apps serves as significant preparation for 21st Century Skills and college and/or career readiness.

Doesn’t OASD already use Google Apps for Education?
Yes, all students in grades 7-12 currently have a Google Apps account. Because the tools are useful, powerful, and appropriate for today’s students we would like to extend them to younger learners. Google Apps for Education policy, in compliance with child protection (FERPA and CIIPA Laws) state that students below the age of 13 may use the applications with parent permission. Thus, a parent permission slip will need to be signed.

Will my child’s privacy be compromised?
While online spaces can never guarantee 100% privacy, Google Apps for Education are in a ―controlled environment‖ where teachers can see all student work. Gmail is archived using a service called ―Postini‖ so school personnel can access electronic communications if it becomes necessary to retrieve student emails. Furthermore, ethical and responsible use of online tools is part of our formal curriculum and reinforced by every teacher working with students using online tools.

Can this account be used personally?
The purpose of the Google Apps for Education is for education use only. Students and families are asked to use other accounts for personal communication.

Do other school districts use Google Apps for Education in 5th and 6th grade?
Yes, a number of schools across the United states have extended, with parent permission, Google Apps for Education to students in grades 3-6 in compliance with Federal Child Protection Laws. After a successful first year with 7-12 grade students, OASD would like to offer them to grades 5 and 6.

Will my child be penalized if I don’t allow them to have a Google Apps for Education account?
No, accommodations will be made to communicate, offer collaborative opportunities and projects to students whose parents do not consent to extending Google Apps to their son/daughter.

Clubs

Silver Lake Intermediate School has many clubs and activities throughout the school year. All activities, events, and clubs are announced on our AM an-nouncements and then posted to our web page. (Go to ―Our School‖ tab, and then look under ―Daily Announcements‖) This changes daily so make sure to check it out every few days. We also post flyers and information about our clubs and athletics to our ―Silver Folder‖ tab under our ―Our School‖ tab.

National Junior Honor Society
Your son or daughter in 7th or 8th grade may be eligible to join the Silver Lake National Junior Honor Society this year. Selection is based on five criteria: citizenship, service, leadership, scholarship and character. Members must maintain a high grade point aver-age, a 3.75 for three consecutive quarters and beyond. They must also become good citi-zens by participating in service projects. The Silver Lake chapter of NJHS began in 2008 when we opened our doors as a new school. The induction ceremony for 7th and 8th grade students will be in March 2013.  List of Clubs for 2012-2013

We offer WEB (Where Everyone Belongs) to our 5th grade students at Silver Lake!

The transition to intermediate school can be a major event in the life of a young person and yet very few strategies for support exist in most intermediate or middle schools. WEB (Where Everyone Belongs) eases this challenging time period by offering the 5th graders a solid and safe foundation to begin their intermedi-ate school experience. With WEB, students help students succeed by using older students as peer mentors for the 5th graders. WEB Leaders are members of the 8th grade class who go through an extensive training to become positive role models, motivators and teachers. The WEB Leaders also serve as a catalyst for change at our school by modeling positive behavior for their peers, thus reducing incidences of teaching and bullying and helping to make Silver Lake School a place where EVERYONE ONE BELONGS.

THE ORIENTATION

A year with WEB begins with a spirited and interactive 5th grade orientation at the start of the school year. After a whole group assembly, the WEB Leaders lead their group of eight to ten 5th graders through a series of fun, positive, activities designed to help them al get to know each other as well as learn important school information. These activities also spark discussion and thoughts regarding the upcoming responsibilities, choices and challenges of intermediate school.

THE FOLLOW UP

With academic follow-ups, WEB Leaders visit 5th grade classrooms several times through the year teaching structured lessons on topics such as Study Skills, Asking Good Questions, and Lifting People Up Instead of Putting Them Down. The power of the Academic Follow Ups is that younger students learn from older stu-dents who have had a variety of experiences, success and challenges.
Social follow-ups provide a social setting for WEB Leaders and their 5th graders to reconnect and build rela-tionships outside the classroom. Several times during the year WEB Leaders and 5th graders attend organ-ized social events that may include playing games together, watching a movie and eating lunch together.

Assignment Notebook

At registration, all 5th and 6th gr. students will receive an assignment notebook. The assignment notebook is optional for 7/8 but they do need something to record their assignments and special projects. The Silver Lake Student/Parent Handbook is on-line and covers the following policies:
*Academic Dishonesty *Attendance Policy *Athletics and Activities Code
*Bike Policy *Board of Education Information *Excessive Absences and Tardies
*Pre-arranged absences *Classroom Conduct *Computer/School Equipment
*Conflict Resolution *Daily Announcements * Dances *Dress Code
*Mobile Technology *Emergency School Closing Information *Fighting
*Fire/Severe Weather Drills * Grades/Report Card Grades * Honor Society
*Grade Advancement Policy *Harassment and Bullying * Honor Roll
*Health, Accidents, and Medication * Incomplete Grades *Library Media Center
*Locker /Security *Loitering *Lost and Found *Lunch *Playground
*Nondiscrimination *Resource Opportunities *Schedule Changes
*School Liaison Officer *School Attendance and Extracurricular Participation
*School Pictures *Textbooks *Theft *Transportation *Behavior
*Behavioral Expectations *School District Policies *Progressive Discipline