Frequently Asked Questions: This page contains answers to common
questions from
students and parents.
- HOW MAY I CONTACT MR. SIMMONDS?
- WHAT SHOULD I DO IF MY CHILD IS ABSENT?
- DO YOU ALLOW PARENT VOLUNTEERS & CHAPERONES?
- DO YOU ALLOW HOMEWORK / PROJECT EXTENSIONS?
- WHAT ABOUT THOSE AWFUL LOST PAPERS?!
- DO YOU GIVE RE-TESTS?
- WHAT IS YOUR GRADING POLICY?
- WHAT TEXTBOOK SERIES DO YOU USE?
- WHAT TECHNOLOGY IS AVAILABLE?
- NYS EXAMS - GET THE LOW-DOWN
- WHAT SUPPORT SERVICES ARE AVAILABLE?
- WHAT ENRICHMENT PROGRAMS ARE AVAILABLE?
HOW MAY I CONTACT MR. SIMMONDS?
BY PHONE:
Please call the Hagan-Spackenkill main office (845.463.7840) and
leave a message with one of our wonderful secretaries, Mrs.
Contelmo, Mrs. Pitcairn, or Mrs. Rooney. I would appreciate 24
hours to return your call.
Notes from home are always welcome and can usually be returned
with a written response the same day. An instant reply is
usually given in homework journals because they are checked on a
daily basis.
WHAT SHOULD I DO IF MY CHILD IS ABSENT?
It is not necessary to phone the office and leave a message if
your child is out for the day, unless you would like to make a
homework request. Gathering homework for absent students and
sending it home with a sibling or leaving it in the main office
is time consuming and stressful. Many times, the homework is
never collected or even worse, never submitted. If only out
for one day, I would ask that your child battle the storm and
work with me personally to complete back assignments when he/she
returns to school. If out for several days, I will make a
stronger effort to type and explain material as best I can, but
even that can be difficult for students and parents to
comprehend. Students are responsible for making up all
assignments due to absence. I am EXTREMELY lenient with due
dates (must usually be sumbitted by the end of the marking
period), but procrastination with assignments will only hurt
students' overall performance.
DO YOU ALLOW PARENT VOLUNTEERS & CHAPERONES?
I do welcome parents to help chaperone field trips and classroom
parties, but this number is typically limited to two. Class
holiday parties (Halloween, Winter, Valentine's Day)
usually require a craft activity and food preparation that lasts
approximately 45 minutes. Please remember that we may have
peanut allergies in our classroom and that all baked goods should
be submitted as follows:
21 students
1 for the hungry teacher
1 extra in case of an "accident"
Please note that birthday treats will be permitted within our
classroom ONLY and are not to be passed out to other classes
during the school day per school policy.
DO YOU ALLOW HOMEWORK / PROJECT EXTENSIONS?
Absolutely no extensions will be given unless there is a valid
and logical reason. Due dates are always assigned well in
advance of most homework assignments, and this is definitely the
case with all projects. A note from home the night before a
project is due is too little too late.
WHAT ABOUT THOSE AWFUL LOST PAPERS?!
It is understandable that students will misplace papers or will
lose them altogether. It is also understandable that students
should be held accountable for their actions or lack of
organization. However, when papers are misplaced or lost,
students may receive an additional copy. This will only happen
after receiving a note from home stating that the paper(s) cannot
be found. Parents need to be aware of the lack of responsibility
and organization that often occurs in 5th grade.
DO YOU GIVE RE-TESTS?
Traditionally, no. Under unique circumstances, re-tests are
considered for grades under passing (<65%). Students earn the
grades they receive, though I do accept some responsibility for
these grades as well. Though students may have had a bad test
day or may have forgotten to study, life is not full of second
chances and I am confident that these students will persevere the
next time and will learn from their mistakes!
WHAT IS YOUR GRADING POLICY?
Grading is based on 4 criteria for each marking period:
1) Homework
2) Quizzes
3) Unit Exams
4) Projects
Unit exams and projects are weighted double. Projects, despite
one's artistic ability, are meant to explore the creative side of
each individual. Exceptional effort is expected. Most projects
are enjoyed by my class and tend to help students' grades in
those subjects where they are assigned. Procrastinating on
projects will jeopardize the quality of your submitted work.
WHAT TEXTBOOK SERIES DO YOU USE?
READING - NEW 2007 SERIES
A balanced literacy program with basal integration is used:
1) Harcourt Brace Textbook with consumable workbooks
2) National Geographic Non-Fiction Leveled Reading Program (this
is amazing!)
3) Harcourt Brace Leveled Readers (also amazing!)
MATH - NEW 2007 SERIES
1) Harcourt Brace Textbook with consumable workbooks
2) Individual Manipulative Math Kits for Each Student
SOCIAL STUDIES - NEW 2007 SERIES
1) Harcourt Brace Textbook with consumable workbooks
2) Time For Kids Leveled Reading Program
3) National Geographic For Kids Magazines
SCIENCE:
1) Discovery Works Textbook
2) Manipulative Science Kits
Several of our *NEW* series are accompanied by leveled readers,
software, hands-on manipulative kits and numerous visual aides.
WHAT TECHNOLOGY IS AVAILABLE?
Hagan is very fortunate to have state-of-the-art, wireless
technology. In our classroom, students have access to 5 Dell
computers with flat screen monitors, colored printers, and
digital cameras. Our classroom also has a new, wall-mounted
Smartboard complete with VCR/DVD hookup.
Hagan has a magnificent COMPUTER LABORATORY with 30 new Dell
computers, headphones, a wall-mounted Smartboard, and color laser
printer.
Hagan has 60 IBM PORTABLE, WIRELESS, LAPTOP COMPUTERS that are
new as of 2009.
NYS EXAMS - GET THE LOW-DOWN
Fifth graders across New York State will take three intense exams:
SOCIAL STUDIES - Mid-November, 2009
ELA - Mid-April, 2010
MATH - Mid-May, 2010
Exams are graded on a scale of 4 (high) to 1 (low). NYS mandates
any student earning a score of 1 or 2 be required to attend one
semester of remediation in that subject area.
Tests can make students experience stress and anxiety. I do my
best to make students feel comfortable and prepared for all
exams. My classes have had a 100% pass rate on the NYS Social
Studies Exam since its inception in 2000.
WHAT SUPPORT SERVICES ARE AVAILABLE?
Hagan School prides itself on catering to the needs of every
student. I take a personal interest in all students, both in and
out of my class.
We offer the following services:
SCHOOL PSYCHOLOGIST - Mr. Tolomeo
SCHOOL SOCIAL WORKER - Mrs. Philips
ACADEMIC INTERVENTION SERVCIES (AIS) for MATH, READING, SOCIAL
STUDIES, SCIENCE - Mrs. Murphy, Mrs. Davis
RESOURCE ROOM - Mrs. Rhynders
WHAT ENRICHMENT PROGRAMS ARE AVAILABLE?
Please understand that enrichment is offered in my class on a
daily basis in numerous ways. Students above, at, or below grade
level are exposed to enrichment and participate in any number of
activities on a daily basis. I am a strong advocate for
independent thinking, discussion, and presentation of
controversial topics in the media.
Enrichment programs outside of class exist on many levels for
students with many talents and interests. The requirements vary
for each but suffice it to say that any class work that is missed
while in attendance of an enrichment program must be made up by
the student with the same timeline as his or her classmates. No
exceptions will be made.
TALENTED and GIFTED (TAG) - There are 4 criteria for admittance
into the TAG program: Academic record since 3rd grade; Teacher
Nomination/Recommendation; NYS Test Scores; Creativity Test.
This class meets every other day and is instructed by Miss.
Giangrasso.
CONTINENTAL MATH LEAGUE (CML) - Admittance is based on a pre-
screening math test and/or strong teacher recommendation. CML
meets once per week in lieu of TAG and is instructed by Miss.
Giangrasso.
ODYSSEY OF THE MIND (OM) - Admittance is based on a built
structure and an artistic performance. Both are graded by 5th
grade faculty. Admitted students are coached by school or parent
volunteers after the school day.
INSTRUMENT LESSONS: BAND, ORCHESTRA, CHORUS - Chorus meets
Wednesday mornings at 7:45am and transportation must be
provided. Band and Orchestra rehearsals are during school
hours and all instruments must be remembered to be brought to
school. Students who participate are responsible for all missed
work and will not be given extensions.
INTRAMURALS - There are several team sports offered during recess
througout the year, such as soccer, basketball, floor hockey,
volleyball, and kickball. Student participation is voluntary.
Additionally, students may be nominated and selected to act as
Game Monitors for the k-3 intramural programs.
SCHOOL STORE - Our Hagan Hawks School Store began operation in
May, 2009, and is staffed by 5th grade students. Interested
students must submit an application, perform exceptionally well
on a math screening exam, and be nominated by the classroom
teacher. Store hours are Thursdays during recess.
