Welcome Families! I would like to thank you for taking the time to visit St. Bartholomew Catholic School. I am excited to present to you all of the wonderful things your 4th grader will experience this year!

Mrs. Howell My family and I moved to Columbus from Greensburg several years ago. Jonas and I have two boys, Liam (second grader at St. B’s) and Mason (kindergartener). I graduated from IU and am currently in my 11th year of teaching. Before coming to St. Bartholomew Catholic School, I taught kindergarten at Milroy Elementary in Rush County. In my free time, I enjoy spending time with my friends and family. I also like to hike, run, and just be outside!

Student Behavior As fourth graders, students are expected to be responsible for both their school work and behavior. Our class created rules last week that everyone will strive to follow. The rules can be summarized by “Be Respectful.” If those rules are not followed, students will have to move their clip down on the chart. Behavior will be recorded on a strike slip that needs to be signed over the weekend and returned on Monday.

Positive Behavior Reward I am looking forward to our clip chart system, as students have the option to move up if I observe positive behavior. Students can move to “Good Choices” and “Superhero!” They will receive a reward at the end of the day for this. Anyone who does not get a strike for two weeks will get a homework pass.

Homework Students will be given time after lunch and at the end of the day to fill out their assignment notebooks. I will sign them at the end of the day during the first nine weeks to ensure that they are filled out correctly. Please be sure to go over the notebook with your child each night. On average, homework should take up no more than 40 minutes of the evening. Please let me know if it is taking longer than this to complete. Students should read their AR book nightly. Math facts should also be practiced on a daily basis.

Envision Math Mathematics is a very important and challenging subject. Math will be addressed in the classroom everyday. There will be great emphasis and focus on mastery of multiplication and division math facts. Please practice these at home daily. We will be using the Envision Math series, which is new for our school. We will also have math rotations 3-4 days per week.

Reading Students will have reading instruction for 90 minutes each day. We will use a wide variety of methods to teach reading. Reading will cross over through all subjects, especially: science, social studies, religion, and writing.

90 Minute Reading Block This is mandated by the state of Indiana. Several of the activities that we will do during this time include: Literacy Stations Reading comprehension activities Literature Circles Word Work Reading poems and news articles Listening to stories Reading to a partner Readers’ Theatre

Accelerated Reader Following completion of the Star Reading test, students will be given their AR reading level and will help decide their point goal. Students will need to meet their point goal by the end of the 9 weeks in order to attend the AR Reward Party. I will send home more information about this after they get their goals and levels.

Science/Social Studies We will be alternating between Science and Social Studies each 9 weeks. We will spend the first half of the 9 weeks studying Science, and then will switch to Social Studies for the remainder of the 9 weeks. I am very excited about our Science program! Discovery Education provides a wealth of knowledge. It is very engaging for children. There are many video clips, interesting articles, and fun activities provided. Our primary focus for 4th grade Social Studies will be Indiana State history.

Writing We will spend approximately 40 minutes per day writing. Students will also work on Grammar/ English during this time.

Religion We will be using the program We Believe. We will also be studying the Jesse Tree during Advent and the Gospel of Luke throughout Lent. Our class will host Mass 2-3 times throughout the school year. I will send home the dates when they become available.

School Information System I will have grades for the previous week posted by Wednesday. Please contact me with any questions regarding this! Be sure to regularly check your child’s grades. It is helpful to stay current with their grades. We will continue to use Jupiter.

A few additional notes… Students’ lunch account balances will not be allowed to go in the negative more than $10. Forms are available in the office if you are interested in applying for free/reduced lunch. In order to volunteer or chaperone trips, you must complete the Safe and Sacred Training.

Snacks/Birthday Treats 4th grade eats lunch much later than 3rd grade, so it is important to pack a snack for your child. We go out to recess at 12:15 and eat lunch at 12:45. Please keep in mind that birthday treats should be healthy. Ideas include: popcorn, fruit cups, yogurt parfaits, and mini muffins.

Thank You! Thank you for coming tonight! I am very excited to be your child’s fourth grade teacher. I believe that open communication between myself and you is very important. If you ever have any questions or concerns, please contact me at lhowell@stbirish.net. I am looking forward to a great school year!

Spanish K-5 From K to 5th Grade the students have 1 class per week. We are going to use power point presentations. The 40 min. classes will usually be divided into: Work with a power point presentation Conversation practice Vocabulary Reading Spelling Games to help improve conversation or vocabulary or topic learned We are going to have songs, videos, movies, and role playing. The students are going to have copies with the information that we will review during class.