Assignment Pads
Students are responsible for copying their daily assignments into their pads.  Pads should accompany students to and from school.  I ask for parents to check the pads daily for homework, incomplete work, or notes. 

Band Lessons
With so many students leaving during instructional time for band lessons each week, I am unable to repeat each lesson for each individual child. Therefore, your support at home will guarantee a successful fourth grade year, both academically and musically! A letter will be sent home to all band students during the first week of lessons to ensure that expectations for missed work are understood.

Birthdays
Students love celebrating their birthdays in school, and we will be sure to make your child’s birthday special. If your child would like to bring in a treat for his/her birthday, please remember that it must be store bought. 

Grades & Report Cards
Your child’s grades will be based on tests, homework, projects, and in-class assignments.  Students’ effort will also be factored in to their grades. In fourth grade we focus on responsibility in completing our work, and grades will be greatly affected if students do not complete assignments on time (10 points off for each day late!).

Report cards will be sent home on the following days.  5-week reports will also be sent home on an as-needed basis.  Of course if you have any questions or concerns at any time during the year, please contact me!

Report Card Dates:

• November 16, 2011 (Conferences Nov. 17-18)
• January 27, 2012
• April 5, 2012
• June 21, 2012

Homework & Homework Folders
Please have students share homework folders with you nightly.  Inside you will find worksheets as well as any notes or notices.  On most nights, homework should take no more than 30-45 minutes.  If homework is regularly taking your child longer than 60 minutes, please let me know!  Your support will help your child to have a successful year as well as instill good study habits that will help throughout his or her life!

Weekly homework will usually consist of:

• Math assignment Monday-Thursday
• Parent-Student Reading fluency sheet due each Friday (assigned Monday)
• Spelling Test and Tic-Tac Toe assignment due each Friday (assigned Monday)
• Reading Calendar due at the end of each month (starting in October)
• Science or Social Studies assignments or projects occasionally

Students who do not hand in homework assignments will be required to stay in for workroom (during recess) until they are completed.  Thank you for your support in making sure that this does not happen!

As I will stress with the students, if you know that your child will not be able to complete his/her homework because of a special event, please have them approach me ahead of time.  I am always willing to excuse/extend assignments or make alternate arrangements if your child is proactive!  If an unusual circumstance (sickness, injury, etc.) keeps your child from doing his or her homework, please send in a note when they return.  Make-up work for absences will be dealt with on an individual basis.

Math Facts
Students should be practicing math facts regularly at home.  Speed and accuracy tests are given daily for mastery (100 problems in 5 minutes).  We will begin with addition facts, but students will individually advance to subtraction, multiplication, and division once each is mastered. Students are very proud of themselves once they master all four operations!

Snack
Please make sure that your child packs a healthy snack each day. Lunch is later in 4th grade than it was last year, and students really need a snack in the morning to keep them focused and energized!

Specials Schedule

• Monday - Art (12:00)
• Tuesday - P.E. (12:00)
• Wednesday - Music (12:00) & Library (1:30)
• Thursday - P.E. (12:00)
• Friday - P.E. (12:00)