2021-2022 Fourth Grade
Dear Families,
Welcome back to school! This year will certainly be like no other. During fourth grade, we expect students to gain responsibility and become accountable for their actions. We encourage them to use their conscience to make good choices, even if an adult isn’t nearby. This is possible when the students are given the opportunity and taught more responsibilities at home and school. There will be days students make mistakes, and chances are your child will not be happy about making mistakes. These mistakes are okay - they will learn from them. Learning from mistakes helps your child grow and become more independent. This year will be challenging, but also rewarding as you watch your child grow and mature.
If you have a question or are confused about a situation that involves your child, we encourage you to ask your child about the situation first. If you still have questions or the situation is unclear, please do not hesitate to ask. Communication is key!
The information below will help you understand how you can help your child become successful this year.
If a student does not have an assignment to turn in, the assignment will be counted as late, and points will be taken off the grade each day until it is turned in. Student work may be handed back at times to make corrections. An average of the old and new assignments will be taken as the grade. If the “second attempt” assignment is not turned in the next day, the original grade is recorded.
We look forward to guiding your child through this unusual school year and watching him/her grow and mature. Remember, do not hesitate to ask us any questions!
Sincerely,
Mrs. Ettling [email protected]
Mrs. Donjon [email protected]
Dear Families,
Welcome back to school! This year will certainly be like no other. During fourth grade, we expect students to gain responsibility and become accountable for their actions. We encourage them to use their conscience to make good choices, even if an adult isn’t nearby. This is possible when the students are given the opportunity and taught more responsibilities at home and school. There will be days students make mistakes, and chances are your child will not be happy about making mistakes. These mistakes are okay - they will learn from them. Learning from mistakes helps your child grow and become more independent. This year will be challenging, but also rewarding as you watch your child grow and mature.
If you have a question or are confused about a situation that involves your child, we encourage you to ask your child about the situation first. If you still have questions or the situation is unclear, please do not hesitate to ask. Communication is key!
The information below will help you understand how you can help your child become successful this year.
- Treat others the way you want to be treated. Students are expected to be respectful toward the teacher and other classmates consistently throughout the day. If students fail to do so, the consequences may be: removal from group/task (a time to step back and figure out a way to get back on task), loss of recess, letter home, or a family/teacher meeting. If the behavior continues, a meeting with Mr. Gregson may be requested.
- Behavior Expectations: We will continue to use Focus 5 in the classroom. If your child doesn’t make an effort to choose the strong choices, he/she will write a letter home to parents to explain his/her actions. Please talk with your child before asking us questions. Once you talk to your child, and if you’re still confused then please reach out to us for clarification.
- Agenda: Students are expected to write homework in his/her agenda each day. We spend the first week or two of the school year doing this as a class, then it is the student’s responsibility to do this each day. (You can cross-check your child’s agenda with the Homework Central website if they are not routinely writing in it - this will be updated daily). Please feel free to remind your child to write in his/her agenda as well - this is not helping too much. This will help guide your child to fall into a routine. The goal is for your child to become independent with this.
- Homework: Students are expected to have work completed on time. Exceptions will be made for certain circumstances, but if an assignment is late, students will lose credit toward their grade until it is turned in. It is the student’s responsibility to complete and turn in any work missed due to an absence. You may help guide your child at home to be sure, once homework is complete, that it is all put back into his/her homework binder until he/she falls into a routine. Please let us know if your child is forgetting books/homework at school.
- Please make arrangements before leaving on a trip so your child can have materials and not risk falling behind when they return.
If a student does not have an assignment to turn in, the assignment will be counted as late, and points will be taken off the grade each day until it is turned in. Student work may be handed back at times to make corrections. An average of the old and new assignments will be taken as the grade. If the “second attempt” assignment is not turned in the next day, the original grade is recorded.
- Tests: In fourth grade, preparing for tests is different than previous years. Your child will need to take time to study at home before tests. Notes will be taken in class and will help your child form helpful study skills. Study Guides are handed out for many tests, these are to help guide your child on what to study for the test. Students will be told in class the items they need to study (ex. Study guide, page #s, notes).
- Classroom Websites: Each class has a website. Spelling words are posted for each week along with helpful websites, and the link for “Homework Central”. You can check Option C at any time to see your child’s grades. Grades are updated often.
- Study Time: Students have a study time almost every day. Students should not be coming home with hours of homework as long as they are managing their time appropriately in class. We are willing to help students with any questions/problems they may have with their work - before they go home! Please reach out to us if your child is bringing home a lot of homework.
- A.R.: Accelerated Reading will be based on a point system. At the beginning of the school year, students will take a test and a point goal will be assigned. These points need to be acquired before the end of the quarter for full credit. Students will keep a record of books read and points earned for AR. This log will be kept in their Reading/English folder to help keep them on track to attaining their point goal for each quarter. It will be the student’s responsibility to be sure they are keeping up with his/her points.
- Snack: Students are allowed to bring in a snack each day and we encourage it to be healthy and non messy. Please try to limit the amount of sugar in snacks so your child can do his/her best focusing throughout the morning. Snack time varies day to day and sometimes there may not be time. Snacks MUST be NUT-free and store bought. They must be individually wrapped or still in the package (if the teacher needs to distribute).
- Contacting Teachers: We are more than happy to answer your questions, but we ask that you contact us in an appropriate/professional way via phone call at school or school email. We will not respond to Facebook messages, personal texts, or personal emails when it is a school matter.
We look forward to guiding your child through this unusual school year and watching him/her grow and mature. Remember, do not hesitate to ask us any questions!
Sincerely,
Mrs. Ettling [email protected]
Mrs. Donjon [email protected]