TAPESTRY LOWER SCHOOL
GRADES K-4
Program Overview
Tapestry Charter School, grades K-4, provides its students with a robust and rigorous curriculum that is aligned to New York State Next Generation Standards and prepares students with the foundational knowledge they need for success in school and life. In addition to their core academic subjects, elementary students explore art, music, dance, physical education, library and STEAM, as well as participating in crew daily. We believe in integrating social and emotional learning and rigorous instruction with small groupings to meet the needs of all students. Strong family partnerships are the key to everything we accomplish at Tapestry. Our diverse families are valued and integral partners in their child’s education.
Core Curriculum
MATHEMATICS
Tapestry Charter School adapts the NYS Math Modules. Our practices engage all students with a strong focus on number sense, fluency and problem solving. The modules are used in conjunction with a guided math model that uses differentiation to meet students’ needs. There is a Math Specialist dedicated to K-4. All K-4 students have access to a tier II math intervention, Bridges, as a way to boost growth in mathematics.
Please check out our Grades K-4 Math Website here.
ENGLISH LANGUAGE ARTS
Tapestry Charter School K-4 proudly uses EL Education Curricula paired with Phonics to Reading, which both are endorsed by the Science of Reading. Our practices engage all students with a strong focus on foundational literacy in our primary grades and comprehension and higher order thinking in grades 3 & 4. We have a number of interventions and our supports include: Heggerty Phonics, Walpole and McKenna’s Differentiated Reading Instruction and Phonics First.
Please check out our Reading Foundation Skills Block Grades K – 2 and ALL Block Grades 3 & 4.
Expeditionary Learning
Expeditionary Learning is an educational model that challenges students to think critically and take active roles in their classrooms and communities. This results in higher achievement and greater engagement in school. EL Education schools give students the academic and character-building skills they need to reach their potential as learners and leaders. Structures that are unique to expeditionary learning include expeditions, crew, intensives and student led conferences. For more information, visit www.ELeducation.org.
Super Subjects/Arts Program
Tapestry Charter School was founded in response to the need for a unique, arts-based program for students in the city of Buffalo. From the start, addressing the needs of the whole child was central to the educational model of the school. The arts, physical education, library, and STEAM were considered core curriculum fundamental to the growth and education of all children. With that mindset, the school founders referred to these curricular strands as Super Subjects. They continue to be an integral part of teaching, learning, and celebrating the Tapestry community. All children in grades K-4 receive yearlong, weekly instruction in Dance, Music, Visual Art, Library, Physical Education, and STEAM.
K-4 ARTS
TAPESTRY ARTS VISION STATEMENT
Tapestry Charter School values all students as artists and empowers them within an environment that inspires self discovery, builds community, embraces diverse perspectives, and celebrates artistic vision.
Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)
Tapestry Charter School believes in educating, supporting and nurturing the whole child. Tapestry focuses on CASEL’s 5 Core Competencies: self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, relationship skills, and responsible decision-making and utilize the NYS SEL Benchmarks. We offer a variety of services onsite with our own school counselor and K-4 dedicated social worker. We also contract with Gateway-Longview, Mobile Mental Health Unit and Say Yes providers. Our counselor is trained in mindfulness and we have a dedicated mindfulness room. Each classroom has a calming space as a resource for all students.
Special Education & ELL
Students who are deemed eligible and classified with a disability affecting their educational progress by the Committee on Special Education, or through Section 504 by the building based level team, will be provided support as indicated on their Individual Education Program (IEP) or 504 Plan. As with our English Language Learners, the laws and regulations governing the provision of educational services will be followed with precision. Certified Teachers will oversee IEP implementation for special education students, and accommodate the individual learning needs of all students. General education teachers work as active team members in the service of each student’s needs in classrooms. With appropriate program modifications/accommodations and/or services, students will be expected to achieve their goals and earn a diploma in accordance with NYS Education Department regulations.
If you suspect your child may have a disability that is impeding his/her ability academically and/or social/emotionally, you may reach out directly to our Director of Special Education & 504 Coordinator, Dr. Mariah Kramer at kramerm@tapestryschool.org
