1. Greentree Elementary 2017-2018
Welcome to 4th Grade
Greentree Elementary
Michelle Stroud Julia Arcuri
Susan Mitchell Meg Gandy
Julie Wimberly Melissa Ebarb

2. Dismissal
During dismissal, our goal is to dismiss 730+ students safely and efficiently.  Once we get going, our car rider dismissal rarely exceeds 25 minutes.  PLEASE be mindful that we are all doing the best we can.  We need parents to follow these guidelines:
Please display a CLEARLY WRITTEN car rider sign at all times (see example).
Please DO NOT leave your car to walk up to the school during dismissal.  It is a safety and traffic issue.  
Please do not come to the car rider lines before 3:10. No one will be dismissed before 3:30 and any parked cars impede emergency vehicles and buses.
Please do not park on Brook Shadow to pick up your student as a Walker.  

3. Referrals for Gifted/Talented testing
 have moved up this year! 
All kinder through 5th grade students,
new or returning to the district,
may be referred by parents or teachers
from August 28 until September 20.  
Please view the flyer at 
or visit 
for more information and to request referral forms. :)

4. Lunch
Times: Mitchell/Gandy :15 Ebarb/Wimberly :17 Arcuri/Stroud :19 Eating with your child: We ask that if you visit during lunchtime, please sit with your child at the center guest table only. Students may not ask a friend to join them, as this is your special time with your child. If you have peanut products, please notify the teacher on duty. Cafeteria Prices: Breakfast - $1.45 Lunch - $2.25

5. STAAR Testing 2018 Testing dates: April 10–Writing May 14 – Math
May 15 – Reading
The building will be completely closed those days, so please do not plan on lunch with your child or schedule any appointments for them those days.

6. Daily Schedule 8:10-10:15 1st Block 10:15-11:10 Specials
11:15-11: Lunch
11:45-12: Recess
12:25-12: Sparkle Time
12:55-3: nd Block
3:30-3: Dismissal

7. Planners & Purple Folders
Planners are filled out each day indicating all homework assignments and important notes. These should be checked and signed by parents each and every day.
Purple folders will come home each Monday or Tuesday and will include graded papers, conduct, and other communications from the previous week. These must be signed by a parent and returned to school the following day.

8. Bloomz
We will be using a class conduct system through Bloomz. This is a positive behavior system that lets students earn points as they exhibit good character and follow or exceed classroom expectations. This also allows for students to be reminded of behaviors that need improvement.
Students and parents can easily access these points daily by joining your student’s Bloomz. We will communicate with you through this APP. Also, we will use it to sign up for conferences. Please download the APP and use the code: U73GKC to join.
If you choose not to download the APP and join the class, you will receive s through Bloomz.
The student’s weekly conduct grade will be the average of points throughout the week. This grade can be found in the Tuesday Purple Folder.

9. Whole Brain Teaching
Whole Brain Teaching is a researched based approach designed toward maximizing student engagement, and focusing on the way the brain is really designed to learn.
Super Improver Wall – Setting Goals
Student Engagers - Never a dull moment
Examples: (Class, Yes) (Mirror, Hands and Eyes) (Teach, Okay)
Score Board
It’s COOL
Sooo much more!

10. PBIS & The Great 8
PBIS (Positive Behavioral Intervention and Supports) is practiced throughout Greentree. This means we reinforce positive behaviors as models for all students. Gator tickets are one way to reward students for “Great Gator Behavior”.
We also study character education using The Great 8 in our classrooms. Each quarter, the entire school will focus on a pillar of character, such as, Optimistic Thinking or Self-Awareness, and students will be expected to exhibit each pillar through their behavior.
Weekly conduct will be recorded and communicated to parents through the Monday folder.

11. Supplies
Mrs. Stroud and Mrs. Arcuri have decided not to use a binder this year.
Please attempt to purchase one red pocket folder.
Your child will not need the pocket dividers. We will send home the ones in the EPI packet.
We apologize for any inconvenience this change may cause you. We feel that with the children traveling to the other classroom, the folders will be best for them. If you cannot find the designated color, let us know. We will work it out.
Students can bring decorative duct tape for their interactive notebook on the first day.

12. Specials
Specials rotate by classroom. Please make sure your child wears good athletic shoes on the days they go to P.E.
Students learn the recorder in the second semester of fourth grade. Students will need to be responsible to bring their materials to music.

13. Power Walk - Every Friday afternoon
Power Walk - Every Friday afternoon. Please make sure your student wears appropriate shoes that day. Fruit Break - Please pack a nutritious snack for your student each day. Healthy foods only . We encourage students not to bring peanut products to the classroom due to food allergies. Water bottles - Be sure to send a non-spill water bottle with your child daily and remind them to bring it home often for washing. Please do not send any beverage other than water.

14. Tutoring
Tutoring needs will be assessed on an as needed basis. Official tutoring will be determined after the first round of DBA’s (district benchmark assessments). Tutoring groups are kept small to meet the needs of each student effectively.
Sparkle Time is a daily 30 minute block where interventions take place based on a student’s individual needs or plan.

15. Word Study
Words Their Way: All students will be learning the same spelling skills required by the TEA for 4th grade. The program helps students learn spelling patterns, NOT simple memorization. Sorts and nightly homework will be a huge part of this. **Lists will be differentiated for students’ levels.

16. Daily 5
The Daily 5 is a structure used to foster “foster literacy independence.” Each day we will have mini-lessons and independent learning time to practice the skills learned. Using the I-Café and Writing is a BRREES, we will cover reading and writing.
We will focus on many reading strategies, including comprehension, accuracy, fluency, and vocabulary. Also, we will practice the writing process: brainstorming, rough drafting, revising, editing, and showing it off. Students will be challenged to increase their stamina, as well as setting weekly goals to become better readers and writers.
The Daily 5 by Gail Boushey and Joan Moser

17. Balanced Math
The hands-on curriculum is designed to give students a grasp on manipulation of numbers & number sense, not just rote equations. Have your student share these strategies with you so you can better understand what they are learning. In this balanced math approach we use district-created plans, Investigations, and enVision. Our team is always here to answer any question you may have.
In fourth grade, multiplication and division are huge. Please help your student practice their 1 – 12 multiplication facts nightly.

18. Science and Social Studies
The science curriculum is focused on hands-on labs.
The social studies curriculum is focused on Texas history.

19. Support your school – Annual Fund
Please help support our school through the Greentree Annual Fund. Unlike fundraisers, 100% of your tax deductible donation goes to help our school.
Our goal is to raise $60,000 for things such as technology, training, and equipment.
You can donate today or go online to

20. We look forward to a GATOR GREAT new school year!