Martin Kellogg Middle School

nbrown@npsct.org
x118
rritacco@npsct.org
x115

September & October 2015

Volume 3, Issue 1

The Brown Tacco News

WELCOME TO 5TH GRADE
Welcome to Martin Kellogg Middle School! Many of our fifth grade families are experiencing this
milestone for the first time. It must be hard to believe that your baby is now entering those dynamic
middle school years. We cannot express how excited that we are to be your childs guide through
this exciting transition!
We hope that you will be able to join us at Open House on Wednesday, September 16th at 6:00 PM.
It will start in the auditorium with an introduction from our principal, Mr. Lambert. We are looking
forward to introducing ourselves and sharing the 5th grade curriculum in our classrooms. You will
be following your childs schedule for a greater understanding of what your child will be doing
during their days with us. Since our time is limited that night, you may choose to sign up for an
optional conference if you feel the need to share anything that would help us make this year a
success for your child. Since the September 24-25 dates come quickly, these conferences are not
designed to go over academic progress.
Please dont hesitate to contact us! Email is best since we can check it during the school day. You
may also call and leave us a voicemail. We will return your call after school hours.

HOMEWORK
Newingtons homework policy states that fifth graders will have 40 to 60 minutes of homework, five
nights a week. This homework will always include 20 minutes of sustained reading.
WHY WE ASSIGN HOMEWORK:
We believe homework is important because it is a valuable aid in helping students make the most of
their experience in school. Homework is given because it is useful in reinforcing what has been
learned in class, prepares students for upcoming lessons, teaches responsibility, and helps students
develop positive study habits. We never assign homework on an unfamiliar topic or concept.

IMPORTANT DATES
Labor Day:.Sept. 7
Prof. Development:..Sept. 9*

STUDENTS HOMEWORK RESPONSIBILTIES:

Picture Day:..Sept. 10

We expect the students to do their best job on their homework. The assignments are to be completed and done neatly, not sloppy. We expect students to do the work on their own and ask for
help only after they have given it their best effort. All assignments are expected to be turned in on
time.

Rosh Hashannah.Sept. 14*

PARENTS HOMEWORK RESPONSIBILTIES:

Prof. Development:..Sept. 22*

Parents are the key to making homework a positive experience for their children. Therefore, we ask
that parents make homework a top priority, provide necessary supplies and a quiet homework
environment, and set a daily homework block of time. When your child does not have specific
homework (which will be rare), maintain the same block of time for reading, reviewing for quizzes
or tests, etc.

Yom Kippur:....Sept. 23

TEACHERS HOMEWORK RESPONSIBILTIES:

We will check all homework. We believe that supportive feedback plays a valuable role in motivating children to develop good study habits. Therefore, we will recognize students when they do their
homework. Homework is a significant part of a students effort and class grade.
If there is a legitimate reason why a student is not able to finish homework, please send a note to us
on the day the homework is due stating the reason it was not completed. The note must be signed
by a parent.

Open House:.Sept. 16
@ 6:00 PM

Conferences:.Sept 24-25**
(0ptional)

1:00-3:15PM

Prof. Development:..Oct. 6*
Columbus Day:Oct. 12
Prof. Development:..Oct. 20*
PTO Meeting:..Oct. 13
@ 7:00 PM
*early release day @1:20
**early release day @1:00

MEET MRS. RITACCO

When I was a child, I either wanted to teach
5th grade or be a film director. I never became the next Spielberg, but I can easily
say that I am living my childhood dream!

degree in Curriculum and Instruction

through the University of New England. I
am always excited to implement all of my
new learning into the classroom.

This is my 11th year teaching in the

Newington Public Schools. The first six
years of my career were spent teaching
sixth grade language arts and social studies.
The past four years I have spent teaching
fifth grade. I am really excited to be combining my passion for language arts and
social studies with my love for 5th graders!

My husband and I have a spunky, three

year old daughter named Sylvia. She has
kept us very busy!

I was born and raised in Connecticut. I did

my undergraduate work at West Virginia
Wesleyan College. I completed my masters

In our free time (which seems to have all

but disappeared these days with having a
crazy toddler in the house) we spend it
outside hiking, entertaining Sylvia, taking
pictures and watching cycling races.
I am looking forward to knowing your kid!

"If a child is to keep alive his inborn sense of wonder, he needs the companionship of at least one adult who can share it, rediscovering with him
the joy, the excitement, and the mystery of the world we live in." -Rachel Carlson
HERES YOUR CHANCE...
We will be publishing several newsletters throughout the year. We
intend for this newsletter to be a
resource for you. We will let you
know what is going on in the 5th
grade wing and we hope to provide
articles that will also help you navigate this year as a middle school
parent. If there is something specific
you would like to see in upcoming
newsletters, please drop either one
of us an email to let us know. Also,
be sure to check out our school website (www.mk.npsct.org) for more
timely information.
Mrs. Brown
Math & Science
nbrown@npsct.org
666-5418 x118
Mrs. Ritacco
Language Arts & Social Studies
rritacco@npsct.org
666-5418 x115
NEXT ISSUE

Homework Help-for Parents!

Reading Strategies Every 5th
Grader Needs
Math Facts: Getting them
memorized without someone
crying.

MEET MRS. BROWN

This is my 17th year in Newington. I taught at John Paterson for the last 15 years in grades
3 and 4. This is my second year at Martin Kellogg and I am very excited about being a part
of the Kellogg family.
I currently live in Portland with my husband and 2 sons, Alex and Evan. I completed my
undergraduate work at Bucknell University in Pennsylvania in Elementary Education and
my Masters degree was completed at CCSU in Science Education. I am truly excited about
teaching math and science since that is where my background is.
My family and I enjoy traveling and camping. This summer we enjoyed biking, kayaking
and swimming together. We also enjoy finding new places to hike and letterbox.
During my very limited free time, I like to compete in road races and triathlons. I also
enjoy orienteering and mountain biking. During the winter months, I catch up on my
reading and enjoy snowboarding in Vermont.