ABC’s of Fourth Grade 2017-2018

A Agenda- Please check your students agenda every night, sign, and return to school. Please support us by looking at them with your child each night and checking over any homework assignments. Attendance – Be sure to send a written note if your child is absent or tardy. The front office does not allow us to accept e-mail or phone excuses. Being at school on time is very important!

B Birthdays- Please feel free to send in a special birthday treat for your child to share at lunch time. You are also welcome to join us for lunch that day. If you send invitations in to class, please include all students. (Check with your child's teacher for your lunch time and possible classroom allergies.)

C Curriculum- If you have any questions about the fourth grade curriculum, you can go to our grade level blog. Conferences- Elementary school conferences will be held once a year in October for all students. If you have concerns and want to come in sooner, please send in an e-mail or note.

D Dismissal- Please send IN WRITING any changes to dismissal. The office will not allow any changes by phone, e-mail, or fax.

E E-mail- E-mail is the best form of contact for all of the fourth grade team. However, please keep in mind that we can not accept transportation changes or absence through e-mail. We respond as soon as we can! Envelopes – please be sure that all money and checks are placed in a labeled envelope specifically stating what it is for. Envelopes can be found in the front office.

F Folders- Take Home folders are usually sent home once a week. Please go through this folder with your child and send papers back in the folder. Make sure to check the folder for anything that may need to be signed (for example, permission slips, or any graded papers that do not meet expectations).

G Grades- The grading system for fourth grade is much different than third grade. We do not use the system of 1, 2, or 3. Instead we use the standard A-F grading method. You may check your students’ grades on Synergy. A (90-100) B (80-89) C (74-79) D (70-73) F (0-69) Guests – Please register in the front office when you arrive to visit the school for any reason. Don’t forget your visitor’s sticker!

H Homework – Homework is an important part of the 4th grade year. Please make sure your child is completing any assignments given. All homework assignments will be written in their agenda. Signing their agenda implies that all homework has been completed and checked. Healthy Snack – We are providing a time each day when children may eat a healthy snack as our lunchtime is very late. Cakes and candy are not appropriate snacks! Your child’s teacher may notify you if there are any specific classroom allergies.

I Identify all belongings by labeling with your child’s name, especially COATS, lunchboxes, backpacks, and personal books!

J Journals – We use journals in all subject areas. Students will be able to use these to access strategies, resources, and notes to help them study for assessments. Use these to help stay informed about what we are doing in class.

L Let's work together! Please sign up to volunteer or be a room parent. We need your help to succeed. See your child’s teacher for opportunities to be a part of our classroom community

M Media Center- Two books may be checked out at a time in fourth grade. Our class does take scheduled trips to the library, however if your child needs to get a new book they can do so at any time before announcements, or other designated times throughout the school day. Medicines – If your child needs medication, paperwork must be filled out through the clinic and the medication must remain there. Students may not have medication in their backpacks, and I cannot administer any medication unless instructed to do so by the school nurse. Multiplication– To ensure success, students should practice their multiplication facts 0-12 each night.

P Playground- Donations for playground equipment such as kickballs, jump ropes, and sidewalk chalk are very much appreciated. PTA – Please join! It is seven dollars, and you receive a lot of discounts for joining. Our school is trying to have 100% participation this year!

Q Questions? Please ALWAYS feel free to ask! The best way to reach us is through email, but we are also available to talk over the phone, through a note in your child’s folder or agenda, or in person if you would like to set an appointment.

R Report cards- Fourth grade report cards will be sent home every nine weeks. Reading- This is a requirement as a part of our nightly homework and will be checked daily.

S Specials: Be sure to have students wear the appropriate shoes for PE. Students will need a recorder for music class as well.

T Tests- Fourth graders take pre/post benchmark tests in math and language arts throughout the year. Also, fourth grade will take the Milestones assessment again this year. *Students will be taking SLO's or Student Learning Objective tests this year. These will be in PE and fine arts.

U,V,W Volunteers – Contact your classroom teacher if you would like to help in the classroom in any way. Guest readers and speakers are always welcome. We encourage you to become involved in your child’s 4th grade year. Water- Students can have water bottles. Students may not bring any drink other than water to have in the classroom. They may bring juice or something else for lunch, but in the classroom we only allow water in order to prevent sticky spills and stains.

X, Y, Z YOU are very important to your child’s success in fourth grade. Keep the excitement going by encouraging and supporting your children.