1. Welcome To the Fabulous Fourth Grade!! This year we are working towards becoming the Best-Version-of- Ourselves -Matthew Kelly, modern Catholic Apologist- During Religion class, students set goals to empower themselves to always do their Personal Best.

2. We are: 4A: Mrs. Bigney 4A: Mrs. Bigney Also teaches Social Studies Also teaches Social Studies 4B: Mrs. Campagna Also teaches English, Handwriting Also teaches English, Handwriting 4C: Mrs. Casner Also teaches 4A Math and Science Also teaches 4A Math and Science 4D Mrs. Kappes Also teaches 4B Math and Science

3. Team 4 th Grade This will be the ninth year we, the 4 th grade teachers, have worked as a team. Add us all together and you get more than 70 years (but less than 100…we’re not THAT old!) teaching experience!

4. Study Skills Please help your students by setting up a place they can file their papers at home. Students (You’re welcome to help at first, but please don’t do this FOR them!) should remove work that is no longer current, and file it. We’ve been working on writing info correctly in planners. EVERY space should be filled in EVERY day. (Some may say “NH”) If they have finished the assignment, they should still write it, but then may put a check mark by it. We also use a calendar for longer term assignments.

5. AR We will be using S.T.A.R. reading results to set point goals for the students per quarter. A grade will be given based on the percentage of point goal completed. This will be a major grade. (Equivalent to a test.) Students should read 30 min. per day in books within their ZPD range.

6. Homework Students have homework every night, except on weekends. (Most homework in fourth grade is started in the classroom, and completed at home.) Homework should not take an average student more than an hour. Please email us and let us know if your student is frequently needing more than an hour.

7. Enterprise City Best Field Trip Ever!!! Date: April 1 Actually it’s WAY more than a field trip…it’s the culmination of a month’s worth of cross curricular learning. We will need four to five parent volunteers from each class. You’ll have a wonderful time, but also work all day! (And not in the same business as your student)

8. Snacks… Students will not be having snacks at school. Please encourage them to eat a healthy breakfast before school. They’re encouraged to bring water (ONLY water, please!) bottles. Except….

9. Birthdays: On your child’s birthday, (or the day they choose to celebrate if their birthday doesn’t fall on a school day,) you are welcome to drop off a (pre-cut!!) treat for the class. Please leave it at the front desk by lunchtime. We will celebrate in our homeroom, (not the cafeteria!) when the day’s schedule allows.

10. Speaking of the cafeteria… Due to time limitations, and the large number of students who need to heat up their lunches, students will no longer be permitted to use the microwaves to heat up cookies, brownies, etc. It would be best to pack a lunch for your student, or plan on their buying, rather than bringing a lunch for them. If you do bring a lunch, it must be for YOUR student only.

11. Home/School Communication : RenWeb: Homework is posted every day by 4:30, and grades are posted promptly. Homeroom Moodle pages, more info to follow… Best way to contact us: Email: We check and respond daily. (Students are asked not to email.) In case of emergency or late notice, call or email Mrs. Qaddoumi. (cc us!)

12. Late Work Points are deducted for late work. 1 school days late: Work is accepted, 5 points deducted 2 schools days late: Work is accepted, 10 points deducted 3 schools days late: Work is accepted, 15 points deducted Work more than 3 school days late will result in a grade of “0”. Students will still need to complete it, however.

13. Absent? We’ll miss them… We are happy to write down your student’s missed assignments. If you would like to pick up their assignments that day, please call the office and email the homeroom teacher in the morning. We will have them at the front desk for you by the end of the school day. If we do not hear from you, the assignments will be given to your student upon their return to school. (You might want to ask to see them…) They have as many days as they were absent to complete and turn in work. We have been instructed NOT to give assignments in advance.

14. TGIF!! On Fridays, a study hall will be provided for students who have incomplete/missing work For students who are current on all assignments, enrichment/extension activities will be offered.

15. FA Parent Q: “How can we help?” Attendance and punctuality! 7:55! Haircuts, uniforms! Make sure they know who they’re going home with before they come to school! Homework: check it if you need/want to, but please don’t DO it for them! Make sure absent work is completed on time.

16. Transitions… 4 th Grade is a transition year. Hopefully, you’ll notice your children become more responsible and independent. We get it…sometimes it’s hard to let go…but this really IS a good thing!

17. New this year… Follow us on Twitter: @STA_2020 “4 th Grade Rocks!” student created newsletter (will be posted on Moodle) STEM/PBL activities incorporated throughout the year