ELEMENTARY PARENT MATH NIGHT IN REGION 15

   Region 15 invites all elementary school parents to attend a mathematics workshop in January to deepen parent understanding of how children best learn mathematics, and how Math Trailblazers, the program the District uses, supports this learning.

   Betty Erickson, nationally recognized Math Trailblazers consultant, will lead the presentation and parents will also have the opportunity to ask questions to Ms. Erickson.

   Parents from the Middlebury Elementary and Long Meadow Elementary School districts are invited to attend the Monday, January 28, 2008 workshop. The program will be held at Long Meadow Elementary School at 7:00 p.m.

   On the next night, parents from the Pomperaug Elementary and Gainfield Elementary School districts are invited to attend the January 29th workshop. The program will be held at Pomperaug Elementary School at 6:30 p.m.

   If a parent is unable to attend their school’s evening, they are welcome to attend the other night’s program. In case of snow, all evening activities will be cancelled and the workshops will be rescheduled.

   “We hope to show parents how mathematical knowledge builds from grade level to grade level in our curriculum,” said Jeff Haddad, Region 15 Elementary District Math Coach. “In addition, we will explain the Trailblazers program and how it encourages students to develop a deeper understanding of important mathematical concepts.  Most important, we would like to talk with parents about how fostering a variety of ways of thinking can help produce students who are skilled in computation, understand important mathematical operations, and are well prepared for success beyond elementary school.”

   Mr. Haddad is a professional resource for Kindergarten – Grade 5 elementary teachers, employed by the District as part of a Math Science Partnership federal grant.

   Also invited to attend the workshops will be Region 15 Elementary-level Mathematics Instructional Teacher Leaders Susan Fishman (GES), Ginny Palios (LMES), Sheila Burke (LMES), Stacie Broden (PES), Katie McCann (MES), and Ellen Shugrue (MES).