Welcome to Fourth Grade2020-2021

Communication● Available Conference Times

○ Mondays or Wednesdays from 9:45-10:20○ This will be virtual or phone call

● Blue folder○ Serve as your child’s “take home” folder○ Signed papers need to be returned ASAP. Signed

papers will come home periodically ● Weekly newsletter will be sent via email● Email is the the best way to get in touch with us. If you

don’t hear from us within 24 hours, please email again.

Communication● Birthdays

○ Birthday treats must be purchased through the cafeteria this year. Please contact the lunchroom to place your order

○ All phones, Apple watches, Gizmos, etc. can be brought to school, but MUST be left in lockers until after school. No devices are allowed in class!

Communication● Parents are also not to forward ANY email from

teachers. It is intended for their eyes only and may include information that cannot be shared. (violation Data Governance and student confidentiality)

Afternoon Plans● Please have afternoon plans set before your child leaves for

school. If something changes, you can email your child’s teachers (please copy both teachers to the email) rather than calling the office. Teachers will respond with “got it” if the message has been received.

● Teachers will not be checking email after 2:30. No plans can change after 2:30 unless it is an EMERGENCY!!

● Please make all social plans outside of school hours. Please do not email us about play dates. Those plans need to be made outside of school.

Absences/Check Outs● Absences: You must use the Absences email account to let us know

if your child will be absent. There is a place for you to attach a doctor’s excuse. No emails or handwritten notes will be accepted.

● Please try to limit checkouts as much as possible. It is harder and harder to miss school. Much of class time cannot be replicated.

● IF an appointment must happen during school, please try to make it between 9:10-10:25.

● If you know your child will be checking out or absent, please try to let his/her teachers know ahead of time. It helps us to be ready!

● Friday afternoons are still just as important! We do not slow down!

●

Absences/Check Outs● If your child is SICK for an extended period of time, we

will be in contact about their assignments. ● If your child is out for a few days, all assignments and

tests will be taken when your child returns to school.

Lunch AccountsFrom Andrea Rodgers, Lunchroom Manager…

● no longer be sending home slips to indicate lunchroom balance

● If you have not signed up for PayPams, this is a great way to manage your child’s account

● will continue to send emails to parents when their child’s lunch account is negative.

● the debit limit is -$10.00● not be allowed to charge a-la-carte; chips, bagel, Rice Krispy

Treat, etc., but can charge a lunch.

Appropriate Dress4th grade is a time of growth and change for many students.

● Things to consider:○ Students should come to school wearing tennis shoes.

We have PE at 9:10 and our mornings are packed!○ Your child may want to bring a sweatshirt as some

classrooms are chilly ○ Clothes need to fit properly with no undergarments

showing. ○ It might be time to begin wearing deodorant!

Discipline PlanCougar STRONG...all day long!

S...ServeT...TrustworthyR...Respect yourself and othersO...Own your actionsN...Never give upG...Grow

Discipline PlanThis year we will be using Class Dojo. We will give one reminder. If the child continues, he/she will lose one Dojo point. Students will also have an opportunity to earn points. Dojo reports will go home with signed papers.

1st consequence – verbal reminder

2nd consequence – lose one Dojo point

3rd consequence – lose two Dojo points

4th consequence – lose three Dojo points…

a phone call will be made to parents. **If your child does not lose a point during the week, they will receive a reward.

*If the problem becomes chronic, further measures will be taken which may include any or all of the following:

Meeting with the counselorMeeting with an administrator

Discipline Plan Rewards for good choices:Students who choose to follow the rules will earn dojo points! Students will receive verbal praise for good behavior/choices in the classroom. Students will also receive points for demonstrating positive behavior. These may be turned in for different rewards at school.

4th Grade Progress Reflection

Grading

100 - 90 = (4) 89 - 80 = (3)

79 - 70 = (2) 69 - Below = (1)

What does

this even

mean?

Our focus is on LEARNING not Grades!

Checking Your Child’s Grades● Grades will only be posted every nine weeks● These grades are viewable in chalkable ● We will send more information about how to login closer to time

Math● The MOST important thing you can help your child

master at the beginning of the school year is his/her MATH FACTS.

● We will be sending home weekly math practice. Your child may choose to do all of it on the night it is assigned, or he/she may do a little each night. We will check a few problems each day in class. Your child should know which problems we are checking each day.

Science● S.T.E.A.M. Philosophy (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts,

Math) ● Challenges

○ Parts of the brain and concussions ○ Energy collisions○ Energy conversions ○ Waves and the properties of light ○ Earth: past, present and future

● Often, when students miss school, these activities and experiments are difficult to replicate at home.

Language Arts● Most weeks we will have weekly spelling list and test● Making Meaning & Being a Writer-Companion Programs

for Reading and Writing● Workshop Model for Instruction● The MOST important thing you can encourage your child

to do is to READ.● At LEAST 20 minutes of reading at night● One “Book Buzz” per Nine Weeks● Practice routine at home!

Alabama HistoryTopics related to Alabama History:● Knowledge of Alabama Native American Tribes:

Choctaw, Chickasaw, Cherokee and Creek● Founding of our state● Alabama and the Civil War● Civil Rights Movement in Alabama

●

Thank you for tuning in!

We are looking forward to a great year!