Dear Intermediate Education Center Families,

Welcome back to the Intermediate Education Center! We are thrilled to begin the 2024-25 school year, and we have an exciting theme that’s sure to delight and inspire: Dr. Seuss!

As Dr. Seuss so wonderfully said, “You’re off to Great Places! Today is your day! Your mountain is waiting, so… get on your way!” This year, we are ready to embark on a journey filled with learning, growth, and exploration. Our classrooms will be transformed into magical places where creativity and curiosity thrive, just like in the pages of a Dr. Seuss book.

Oh, the things you can learn! With Seussical fun, We’ll explore and discover; our year has begun! With books and projects, and new friends to meet, Our school is a place where learning’s a treat!

We are looking forward to seeing our returning students and welcoming new ones into our school community. Together, we’ll dive into new adventures, embrace challenges, and celebrate successes. Each student will have the opportunity to grow and shine in their own unique way.

“Think and wonder, wonder and think,” Dr. Seuss reminds us, and that’s exactly what we’ll do. With innovative teaching, engaging activities, and a supportive environment, we aim to make this school year a memorable and enriching experience for all.

We encourage you to get involved and be part of our school’s vibrant community. Whether it’s attending events, volunteering, or simply supporting your child’s learning at home, your participation is vital and greatly appreciated.

Let’s make this year a fantastic one, where imaginations soar and dreams come true. Here’s to a Seuss-tastic school year ahead!

Throughout the year, you can expect regular communication from our school to keep you updated on your child’s progress, upcoming events, and ways to get involved. We value your feedback and encourage you to share your thoughts and ideas with us. Communication is key, and we encourage you to maintain an open line of dialogue with both your child’s teachers and the school administration. Whether you have questions, concerns, or ideas, we are here to listen and work together for the betterment of your child’s education.

Thank you for trusting us with your child’s education. We are excited to embark on this new adventure with you and your family. Here’s to a year filled with growth, discovery, and countless opportunities! If you have any questions or need assistance, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us.

We are thrilled to announce that the Intermediate Education Center has officially been certified by Franklin Covey Education as a Leader In Me Lighthouse School. This prestigious recognition is a testament to the outstanding results we have achieved in both school and student outcomes. It also highlights the extraordinary impact our school is having on staff, students, parents, and the greater community. As a Leader In Me Lighthouse School, we are committed to fostering leadership, responsibility, and a culture of excellence, ensuring that every student reaches their full potential.

Once again, I am honored to serve the Lewiston-Porter family. I am humbled and proud to welcome our LANCER Family back to campus. I am very proud to work with a fantastic team that pours great energy and love into their work with your children. We look forward to working together as partners in your child’s education, helping to stimulate a love of learning and joy in discovery, in a school where children are placed first. Every step along the way, we are committed to supporting your child’s optimal growth and development.

It will be an exciting and rewarding year. As Dr. Seuss wisely said, “You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself in any direction you choose.” As a new school year approaches, it allows us to work hand-in-hand with all families to ensure the very best for all children, in order to achieve our vision. The first day of school is Tuesday, September 3, 2024. Please join our school Twitter account @LewPortIEC for updates prior to school and throughout the school year. Also, please join the district Lewiston-Porter CSD app. This app can be found in your app store. Our monthly newsletters, celebrations, and calendar will be on there, along with other fun school and district events.

As we embark on this new adventure, let us remember that “You’re off to great places! Today is your day! Your mountain is waiting, so… get on your way!” We are excited to take this journey with you and look forward to a fantastic year ahead.

We look forward to a great school year. It’s going to be a wonderful year!

Monday September 2nd- Labor Day

Tuesday September 3rd- First Day of School 2024-2025

Thursday September 12th- IEC Open House 6pm-7pm see announcement below

September 15- October 15 is National Hispanic Heritage Month

Monday September 16th- Mexico Independence Day, Independence Day (Día de la Independencia) is a Mexican holiday to celebrate the “cry of independence” on September 16, 1810, which started a revolt against the Spaniards.

Friday September 20th- Sprit Day for Alzheimer Awareness- wear PURPLE

(The official color of the Alzheimer's movement is purple, which is also the signature color of the Alzheimer's Association. The color is a combination of red and blue, representing the passion of red and the stability of blue, and is said to convey the strength and determination of the Alzheimer's Association and its supporters in their fight against Alzheimer's disease. Purple has long been associated with Alzheimer's and other types of dementia.)

Saturday September 21st-LPHS Walk to End Alzheimers 10am @ Reservoir State Park

Wednesday September 25th- IEC School Picture Day

Monday September 30th- Orange Shirt Day (National Day of Remembrance of Indigenous Boarding Schools, or Orange Shirt Day, began as a day to bring attention to the damage the residential school system did to Indigenous children, lifeways, and cultures.)

Monday September 30- Friday October 4th- LP Homecoming Spirit Week

Dear Parents/Guardians:

Starting in the 2024-2025 school year Lewiston-Porter Central School District will be utilizing a system in PowerSchool to distribute, collect, and store vital student/parent forms. In previous years we would print and mail these forms to families and/or send them home with students.

Moving forward, our goal is to reduce the use of paper, reduce the cost of postage, and increase

efficiency when it comes to the management of important forms for our families. Furthermore, we believe using this system will make the completion of the forms easier on our families.

Some forms you may expect to see include but are not limited to: Emergency Cards, Health Forms, Athletics, Transportation Forms, Code of Conduct, Family Handbook, Acceptable Use Policy, Parking Forms (HS) etc.

IN ORDER TO RECEIVE FORMS AND DOCUMENTS IN THE 2024-25 SCHOOL YEAR IT IS VITAL THAT YOU SET UP A PARENT PORTAL ACCOUNT.

In addition to having access to these forms, the Parent Portal gives parents/guardians and students access to information including attendance, student contact information and schedules. We also use another product called Portfolio+ linked to the Parent Portal to distribute important documents like the Aimsweb+ reports, Q4 Report Cards, and NYS 3-8 ELA, Math & Science Testing Score Reports.

In grades 6-12 the Parent Portal provides parents/guardians with regular access to grades,

assignment details and there is even email notification feature that enables you to receive updates regarding attendance and assignments. Middle and High School Progress Reports and Report Cards are also posted in the portal.

Please follow the steps below to get started. You may also refer to the Parent Portal help page on our website for more help.

How to get to the Parent Portal

* Go to this web site: http://www.lew-port.com:

* At the top of the Home Page click on the A+ Parent Portal Icon and then click Parent Portal, on the next screen click the green

link that reads Click here to access the Parent Portal now.

* At the bottom of the screen click Create Account

* Enter your name, email address and create your own user name and password

* At the next section, enter your student's name, Access ID and Access Password listed at the bottom of this letter

* Select your relationship

* Click on Enter at the bottom of the screen

* You will be returned to the log in screen, log in using your newly set up account

* When setting up the Parent Portal app on your mobile device, you will also need our district code: CSXQ

If you have questions or problems logging into the portal, please contact your child's main office for assistance: 716-754-8281

Thank you,

Nicholas R. Hill

Director of Technology and Data

eCollect

Lewiston-Porter School District is updating the way we handle the distribution, collection, and storage of forms and documents. Starting this school year, we will transition to a digital system through PowerSchool called eCollect.

This initiative aims to increase efficiency in managing paperwork and significantly reduce the need for printing and mailing, aligning with our commitment to environmental sustainability. By leveraging the capabilities of PowerSchool, we hope to streamline our administrative processes, and make forms management easier for our families.

Here are some key points about this transition:

1. Digital Forms and Documents: Most forms and documents, including information verification, emergency cards, transportation forms, health forms, etc. will be accessible through the PowerSchool Parent Portal both on the website and through the PowerSchool app on your phone. You can complete and submit these forms online, saving time and ensuring your submissions are instantly received and processed.

2. Easy Access: The PowerSchool Parent Portal is user-friendly and can be accessed from any device with an internet connection. This means you can manage your child’s school documents from the comfort of your home or on the go.

3. Environmental Impact: By reducing our reliance on paper, we are taking a significant step towards minimizing our carbon footprint and promoting sustainability within our community.

4. Security: Your child's privacy and the security of your personal information are of utmost importance to us. PowerSchool uses advanced encryption and security measures to ensure that all data is protected.

For this year, we are staring with only a few acknowledgement forms and permissions including the Acceptable Use Policy, Code of Conduct, Family Handbooks, and Media Release. In subsequent years we will add on more forms as we all become more comfortable with the system.

To get started, please follow these simple steps:

1. Log In: ps.lew-port.com/public

2. Navigate to Forms: Once logged in, navigate to the "Forms" section where you will find all the necessary documents.

3. Complete and Submit: Fill out the forms and submit them online. You will receive a confirmation once the submission is complete.

Portfolio +

This is a reminder that Lewiston-Porter is using Portfolio +, an add-on to the PowerSchool Parent Portal to distribute and archive useful educational records for students.

The following documents can be found in Portfolio +

• NYS student test score reports for ELA 3-8
• NYS student test score reports for Math 3-8
• NYS student test score reports for Science 5 & 8

***NYS Exams taken in Spring of 2024 will be loaded as soon as they're available. Usually we expect them in mid-late September.

• Aimsweb individual benchmark reports (K-8)
• 4th Quarter Report Cards (all grades)

To access Portfolio +, please follow these steps.

1. Missed Lessons = Falling Behind: Even one day can mean missing critical instructions and activities, making it harder for your child to catch up.

2. Impact on Future Success: Consistent attendance is a strong predictor of academic achievement and future opportunities.

3. Building Resilience: Regular attendance teaches your child the value of perseverance and responsibility—essential skills for success in life.

4. Stronger Friendships: Daily presence helps your child develop and sustain friendships, which are crucial for emotional and social development.

5. Healthy Routine: Attending school every day establishes a stable routine, promoting better mental and physical health.

If your child(ren) will be absent, late, dismissed early, leave then return due to medical appointment or needs a change from their default dismissal plan- please put the information into the Pickup Patrol App

To decrease the need to call the office

We have adjusted the cutoff for parents/ guardians entering information into the App to 2pm

Important Information about students dismissal plans and Pickup Patrol

New school year, new grade, new dismissal plan-

where do I go after school?

With the start of the new school year, there are always changes.

Let’s review some changes about dismissal plans

• Default plans must be entered into Pickup Patrol by the school office

• Parents are sent an email with a Google form to fill out the preferred default plan prior to the beginning of the school year (please make sure your email on file with the school is correct)

• Pick up/ Drop off locations other than home address require a form to be filled out and submitted to the bus garage. The form is located on the www.lew-port.com website, IEC main page, scroll down and look on the left hand side. Alternate pick up/ drop off locations must be for a set schedule, for example every Tuesday/Thursday student goes to an after school program.

• TWO pickup authorization cards with student’s name on them are sent home at the start of school. If you have the card, staff knows you are parent/ guardian/ authorized to pick up that student. If adult picking up student does not have the card, parent/ guardian must enter into pickup patrol (prior to 2pm day of the pickup) the full name of person who is authorized and will pick up student (make sure they bring ID- it will be checked) The school no longer keeps a list of who is authorized to pick up each student.

• Entering into Pickup patrol for a student to take a bus to a different address is NOT valid, and can not be performed. For example, a parent will be working late- student needs to take a bus to Grandma’s address. All bus assignments are made by the bus garage in advance, occasional bussing to non- home addresses is not available. In this instance you would enter into Pickup Patrol (prior to 2pm that day) that Grandma/ Aunt/ another adult (full name so we can check ID) will pick up the student at dismissal. Additionally, you can give Grandma the pickup card that was sent home with the start of school mailing, in which case we will not need her ID (because she has the card).

• If a student will be absent or a late arrival to school, please enter that information, as well as the reason into Pickup patrol. By doing so the teacher and school office will be informed. If you do not enter the reason for absence, you will need to send in a note to notify the office of the reason prior to the student returning to school.

Lewiston-Porter Intermediate Education Center:

Cell Phone Policy for 2024-2025 School Year

IEC “Away For the Day” Cell Phone Use

At Lewiston-Porter Intermediate Education Center, we are committed to providing an environment conducive to academic success and the social-emotional well-being of our students. It is our strong belief that the use of cell phones disrupts the educational process in our school. This belief is supported by research and expert opinions.

According to a study published in the Journal of Educational Psychology, "The presence of mobile phones in the classroom has been found to distract students from learning and reduce academic performance" (Smith et al., 2022). Additionally, Edutopia highlights that "even the mere presence of a cell phone, whether used or not, can detract from the ability to focus and absorb information" (Jones, 2023). With this in mind, we are implementing a new cell phone policy for the 2024-2025 school year, called "No Phone, Zone!"

Technology Provided by the School

We understand that technology is an essential resource for education. However, to ensure that all students have equal access to the necessary tools without the distractions associated with personal devices, we provide each student with a Chromebook for use in the classroom. This eliminates the need for students to bring their own devices, including cell phones. As educators, we know that "providing school-issued technology levels the playing field and keeps students focused on educational tasks" (Educational Leadership, 2023).

Policy Implementation

Starting this school year, cell phones, smart watches, airpod (any personal electronic device) are to be kept away during school hours. This means that cell phones must be stored in lockers, bookbags, or ideally left at home. The IEC will be “Away For the Day!”. The use of cell phones is not permitted during lunch periods, field trips, recess, before or after school activities or clubs, hallways or in the classroom. If a parent needs to contact their student during the school day, they may do so through the Main Office at 716-286-7253.

Consequences for Violation of the “Away For the Day!” Policy

To ensure compliance with this policy, the following procedures will be followed:

1. First Offense: The student will be given a verbal warning and will be required to put the device away. The teacher will notify the parents.

2. Second Offense: Confiscation of the cell phone; the teacher will notify the parents and write a referral to the office. The student may get their phone at the end of the school day.

1. Third Offense: Confiscation of the cell phone; the teacher will call the parents and write a referral to the office; the parent must pick up the cell phone from the office; the student will serve two days of lunch detention.

2. Fourth Offense: Confiscation of the cell phone; the teacher will call the parents and write a written referral to the office; the parent must pick up the cell phone from the office; and increased disciplinary actions.

Recording or Photographing in School

Any student using an electronic device to record or photograph events in school, such as altercations, other students, or teachers without their consent, or in private areas like bathrooms or locker rooms, will face disciplinary action up to and including suspension.

Promoting Social-Emotional Development

We have worked incredibly hard to promote our students' social and emotional development through daily DEAL lessons and Social Perspectives. Studies show that "excessive use of cell phones limits face-to-face interactions and hinders the development of social skills, which are crucial for students' success both in and out of the classroom" (Brown & Green, 2023). We believe that this new policy will positively impact our students and the overall school environment.

Please feel free to contact the school office at 716-286-7253 or trodriguez@lew-port.com if you have any questions or concerns regarding this policy.

Thank you for your continued support and partnership.

Sincerely,

Mrs. Rodriguez, IEC Principal

On Wednesday August 28th the IEC hosted an orientation for students new to the Lewport central school district, as well as interested 3rd graders.

A few of our 5th grade Lancer Leaders were invited to host tours of the IEC for the students new to Lewiston- Porter. Special thanks to (pictured left to right)

Kinsley Kilmer, Emily Courts, Lauren Strassburg, Luciana Cruz, & Amelia Greene

We're looking forward to an amazing school year ahead!

During the 2024-2025 school year, Lewiston-Porter CSD has two (2) consistent school resource officers. These officers will support district safety and security protocols. Our number one priority is the safety and well being of our students and staff. With that being said, we make every attempt to create a warm and welcoming environment at the IEC for our families and the Lew-Port Community. Please support us in creating a safe school environment by adhering to the following procedures.

Lewiston-Porter is pleased to announce that we use the Raptor Visitor Management System to strengthen our program of building safety for students and faculty. Part of keeping students and faculty safe is knowing who is in our buildings at all times, and the Raptor system will allow us to do that. The Raptor system will better allow us to screen visitors, contractors, and volunteers in our schools and provide us with a safer environment for our students and staff.

Please be aware of and adhere to the following security protocols:

1. All visitors MUST enter the IEC through the main entrance doors facing the flagpole.

2. Upon entering the building, visitors will be asked to present a Government Issued Photo ID (ex. Driver’s License, Non-Driver ID etc.) which can either be scanned or manually entered into the system.

3. The Raptor system checks the visitor's name and date of birth for comparison with a national database of registered sex offenders. The registered sex offender database is the only official database checked by the Raptor system. The Raptor system will check to ensure that persons entering our school campuses that are registered sexual offenders are not entering without our knowledge. No other data from the ID is gathered or recorded and the information is not shared with any outside agency.

4. Once entry is approved, Raptor will issue a badge that identifies the visitor, the date, and the purpose/location of the visit. The badge must be worn at all times.

5. Upon exiting the building, the badge must be turned in to office staff. Once returned, you will be signed out of the building.

New Procedure for dropping off items 2024-2025

If you need to drop off items students forgot (shoes, books, musical instrument, lunch, etc)

Please ring the buzzer to the right side of the main entrance

You will be buzzed into the foyer to leave items on the table-

(Please make sure items are labeled with student's name/ teacher's name)

We will get them to student as soon as possible

The IEC Lost & Found is located at the back of the cafeteria.

Please encourage your children to check it often for misplaced items

Thursday September 12th from 6-7pm

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1B8FPRKfRfp6S7kGFhwpQkbRcMRYBypYC74nzzo_zOcc/edit?usp=sharing

Please go to the Lewiston - Porter website as your first resource

www.lew-port.com

Lewiston Porter Intermediate Education Center announced today the school has been certified as a Leader in Me Lighthouse School by FranklinCovey Education. This recognition is evidence that the school has produced outstanding results in school and student outcomes, and because of the extraordinary impact the school is having on staff, students, parents, and the greater community.

Leader in Me is an evidence-based PK-12 model, developed in partnership with educators, designed to build resilience and leadership in students, create a high-trust culture, and help improve academic achievement. This model equips students, educators, and families with the leadership and life skills needed to thrive, adapt, and contribute in a dynamic world.

Leader in Me unites students, staff, and families around a common goal to prepare students with college-, career-, and life-readiness skills that are necessary to thrive in today’s ever-changing, fast paced environment. With Leader in Me, students learn to become self-aware, interdependent, take initiative, plan ahead, set and track goals, do their homework, prioritize their time, be considerate of others, communicate effectively, resolve conflicts, find creative solutions, value differences, live a balanced life, and contribute to society.

Tina Rodriguez, Principal of Lewiston Porter Intermediate Education Center said, “We are honored to have been certified as a Leader in Me Lighthouse School. We have seen amazing results from implementing the Leader in Me model at our school, such as students finding their voice, decrease in discipline issues, attendance, and academic results. One example is a student who was very shy in 3rd grade and is now on the Lancer Leadership Team, Leading our school assemblies as the MC with a beautiful voice. We are so proud of her confidence and success.

Within the PK-12 education community, it is common for schools to receive recognition for outstanding achievement. Lighthouse Certification is a highly regarded standard that is attainable by every Leader in Me School. Schools that achieve the certification are great examples of a strong leadership model. They have experienced significant measurable results, aligned to their goals, through implementation of the principles and practices in Leader in Me. Schools typically apply for this certification three to five years after a school begins the Leader in Me model.

FranklinCovey Education has designed the Lighthouse Rubric to establish high standards for quality and, ultimately, school outcomes. Schools use the Lighthouse Rubric to measure outcomes in the three areas: teaching leadership principles, creating a leadership culture, and aligning academic systems. Schools also measure their success as it relates to their unique school. Lighthouse Schools serve as examples to their community and to other schools.

Sean Covey, President, Franklin Covey Education, said, “We are thrilled to recognize Lewiston Porter Intermediate Education Center as a Leader in Me Lighthouse School. Schools who achieve this Lighthouse Certification are great examples of a strong leadership model, and of what it means to be a Leader in Me school. This school has experienced incredible results by implementing the principles and practices related to Leader in Me. And we are so pleased and honored to be their partner and to celebrate the success they are experiencing.”

Since its official launch, more than 7,000 public, private, and charter schools across 70 plus countries have adopted the Leader in Me model, over 700 of which have achieved the prestigious Lighthouse Certification. It is earned by schools that demonstrate the following:

• The principal, school administration, and staff engage in ongoing learning and develop as leaders, while championing leadership for the school.

• Leadership principles are effectively taught to all students through direct lessons, integrated approaches, and staff modeling. Students are able to think critically about, and apply, leadership principles.

• Families and the school partner together in learning about The 7 Habits and leadership principles through effective communication and mutual respect.

• The school community is able to see leadership in the physical environment, hear leadership through a common language, and feel leadership through a culture of caring, relationships, and affirmation.

• Leadership is shared with students through a variety of leadership roles. Student voice leads to innovations within the school.

• Schoolwide, classroom, family, and community leadership events provide authentic environments to celebrate leadership, build culture, and allow students to practice leadership skills.

• The school utilizes the 4DX process (The 4 Disciplines of Execution) to identify and track progress toward Wildly Important Goals (WIGs) for the school, classroom, and staff.

• Students lead their own learning with the skills to assess their needs, set appropriate goals, and carry out action plans. They track progress toward goals in Leadership Notebooks and share these notebooks with adults in Student-Led Conferences.

• Teacher planning and reflection, trusting relationships, and student-led learning combine to create environments for highly engaged learning,

Lewiston Porter Intermediate Education Center will maintain its Lighthouse Certification for two years and will continue to foster its growth and proficiency in exemplifying a leadership culture and principles. At the end of the two years the school will recertify its Lighthouse Certification through a virtual self-assessment, describing and celebrating its growth and accomplishments since its original Lighthouse designation.

Leader in Me training includes establishing vision for the school or district, goal setting, personal-accountability systems and is aligned with commonly held best in class educational research, content and best practices. At the core of the Leader in Me model is the belief that every child possesses unique strengths and has the ability to be a leader. The foundation of Leader in Me is its PK-12 framework, the See-Do-Get model, and the Student Leadership Portrait competencies.

Leader in Me is implemented through an educator professional development model. Teachers and staff learn key concepts and integrate them into existing systems. FranklinCovey has robust implementation support to ensure success for individual schools, district-wide, distance learning, and online delivery of content. Coaching supports implementation excellence and sustained achievement across all implementation modalities.