Assignment Notebook

Assignments are listed on the classroom planner each day.  Students are responsible for recording the work we've done in class as well as any take-home assignments.  Assignments that are completed should be checked off and handed in.  Projects not completed become homework.All remaining homework assignments will be highlighted in the assignment notebook.  There is time at the end of the day for each student to organize the materials he/she needs to take home to complete any unfinished work.  In addition, students are asked to record their nightly reading minutes in the bottom box next to the book icon each evening.  Encourage your student to develop the habit of using this assignment notebook by asking to see it each day and signing it.  Students will benefit from this responsibility!

Homework

Students need a consistent, focused time to study.  Please work with your child to establish a 30-40 minute period each night for such study.  It is important that students take ownership of this time.  Let him/her know that you are available as a resource, but that the work is his/her responsibility. 
Some evenings your child will have work that he/she has not finished during the school day.  Some projects will be assigned just for homework.  Since fourth graders are expected to have basic multiplication/division facts mastered, if your child has no assignment to work on, he/she should practice multiplication/division facts.  Other activities may include practicing spelling words or reading a chapter book. 

Usually students should not have more than 40 minutes of work to do at home.  If your child consistently has more homework than that, please contact me so we can find out why.  Your student should read at least 20 minutes at home every day in addition to his/her homework.

Mail/Take Home Folder

Each student should have a blue Teacher/Parent Communication folder to take home on Friday.  This folder will include graded papers, assignments that need to be completed, newsletters and other notes from school.  Please ask to see your child's folder each Friday so you can see what he/she has done.   Please keep all graded work at home.  Any homework or notes should be completed/signed and returned with the folder each Monday.

Absences/Make-Up Work

When you call a morning call to the office to report your child's absence, please leave a message for your student's teacher stating how you'd like to pick up his/her make-up work.  (It can be sent home with a sibling or neighbor or you may pick it up at the end of the day as long as the message was left before 9:45.)  Please help your child take the responsibility for completing his/her make-up work promptly.  District policy allows 2 days for each day missed because of illness, but that often makes it difficult for students to understand the new concepts that our class is working on. 

It is very important that your child attends school regularly.  Many of our classes require participation in activities that can only be done at school.  Please try to schedule family vacations during school vacations.  If you do schedule a vacation during time that school is in session please be aware of this school board policy: Make-up work is required for "family vacations and family business arranged in advance and due upon return, or upon a date agreed upon by the teacher, whichever is later."  Work that has been given to students before a vacation that is not completed when return will be counted as late work.  (The students DO NOT have two days per day missed to make-up work.)

Communication
We look forward to a great year with both parents and students!  One way we can guarantee a successful year is to ensure each part of our team-parents, students, and teachers-communicates efficiently and often.  Your student's teacher will contact you with concerns about something that your student is, or is not, doing.  Please e-mail, voicemail or write a note if you have a question about something that is happening at school. 

School Center- All weekly announcments will be put on the School Center website via the weekly announcment tab.
  There are several ways communication can happen:

•h Assignment Notebooks :   This is the easiest way to correspond as we will see each student's notebook every morning and you will see your student's notebook every evening.  Simply jot a note and we'll be happy to get back with you as soon as possible.

•h Voicemail:   If you feel more comfortable leaving a voicemail message, we can be reached by dialing 239-4700, then following the prompts to leave a message.  Voicemail will be checked each morning and again each evening.

•h Progress Reports :  Progress Reports will be visible on Parent Vue several times throughout the year giving you a record of your student's progress in the core curriculum areas.  Due to team teaching and the timing of certain units, a grade may not be provided for each content area on every progress report.  These reports must be signed and returned with any questions or comments.

•h Report Cards :  Report Cards are visible on Parent Vue quarterly and report your child's progress in the core curriculum areas.  These reports can be kept at home for your records.

•h Parent/Teacher Conferences :   Teachers will meet twice this year with you and your student.  This is a great time for everyone to share successes and set goals for the remainder of the year.

Thanks for all you do to promote your student's positive attitude toward learning.  When your child knows that his/her parents and teacher are a team, we can all have a spectacular year!
 

Birthday

 We encourage the purchase of a birthday book from the library to celebrate birthdays.  Students may also bring birthday treats to share with the class.  Due to several severe allergies among the grade level, we ask that these treats be non-edible.  Please let me know if you need any ideas. .  Please include enough for each student in the class (see attached class list).  Time will be set aside at the teacher's discretion for such treats.