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Fourth Grade Rocks!
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Absences
Please call the school at (623)376-3700 to let us know if your child will be absent.
Absent Work
Much of our work is done in groups or is teacher directed. Since this cannot be made up at home, it is imperative that your child be in school as much as possible. Please consult the calendar on our school website before planning trips or appointments.
If your child must be absent, he/she will be responsible for making up the work that was missed, with two days for each day absent given. Please call me early in the morning so I can have the assignments ready for you to pick after school or send them home with a sibling or friend. Please do not e-mail these requests, as I may not check my e-mail first thing in the morning. Your child will have one day for each day of absence to make up the work.
Arrivals & Departures
School starts at 8:45 A.M. and dismisses at 3:30 P.M. On early release days, dismissal is at 12:20 P.M. Our learning starts as soon as the bell rings, so make every effort to have your child here on time.
Backpacks
Students should bring a backpack each day to hold their folder, water bottle (in an outside pocket per the librarian's request), snack, and lunch.
Behavior
Australia - If a student has been given a warning and still can't control their behavior, they go to "Australia" (based on the book Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day by Judith Viorst), which is a seat at the back of the room. They stay there until they think they are ready to work appropriately. How long they stay is entirely up to them. They are responsible for their own actions and behavior.
Think About It - Think About It is a little more serious than Australia. If a child has gone to Australia, but still cannot behave appropriately, I will send them to another classroom where they will fill out a sheet explaining what the behavior was, why they behaved this way, and how they could change their behavior next time. After the paper is filled out, they will take three minutes to reflect on their actions, then return to the classroom. When the paper is filled out to my satisfaction, I will sign it and staple it in the school planner for a parent signature, and it will be returned to me the next day.
Birthdays
Treats are allowed to celebrate your child's birthday. They can be dropped off in the classroom between 8:30 and 8:45 A.M. After that, please leave them in the office so instructional time is not interrupted. We will share them during our daily snack time. Students will not be allowed to disrupt other classrooms by passing out extra treats.
Book Orders
Book orders will be sent home every month or two. Scholastic Book Clubs provide a wonderful way to build a home library very inexpensively. They offer classic, award winning, and special interest reading materials. This year, parents can place orders on line! A flyer with a link will be sent home and a link will be added here when book order flyers are given out.
Clothing
Make certain your child is dressed appropriately for the weather. It does get cold here sometimes! Please put your child's name and room number (C108) on coats, sweaters, backpacks and lunchboxes. Remember, healies are not allowed at school. Hats are not to be worn inside the building, except for during certain Student Council Spirit Days.
Communication
In order to communicate with you most effectively, I'll need your e-mail address. Put your child's name in the subject line and your name in the message. Send the e-mail to me at elizabeth.kinsey@dvusd.org . Students whose parents do this will earn a small prize!
If you have any questions or concerns, please write a note in the planner, send in a note, e-mail me at elizabeth.kinsey@dvusd.org or leave a message at (623) 376-3750. E-mail is my preferred method of communication and is checked daily.
Also, check this website frequently for the "Latest News." If a student needs extra help or falls behind, I will contact you. Remember, you can check your child's grades at any time on the PowerSchool site.
Class Economy
This year we will have a classroom economy to help students learn the value of earning and saving money. Students will be paid for their responsibility, behavior, organization, class jobs, and good deeds. They will keep track of their money and can save up to purchase rewards or to spend at our class store, which will open at the end of each quarter, beginning in October. I will be asking for a $5 donation to use to buy prizes. If you have any toys, games, or books around the house that are in good condition and would be suitable as prizes, we would always appreciate those donations!
Grading Scale
The grading scale is as follows:
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A |
90-100% |
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B |
80-89% |
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C |
70-79% |
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D |
60-69% |
Fourth Grade Weighting of assignments:
Tests 60%
Homework 15%
Classwork 25%
Grades can be checked online at the PowerSchools site, http://ps.dvusd.org/public/ . Information on logging in to the site and passwords will be sent home at the beginning of the year and is available from the school office. Progress reports will be sent home every three weeks only only for students receiving a D or F in any subject.
The Fourth Grade policy is that grades for late work will be reduced by 25% for each day an assignment is late. Since one of our goals is to produce responsible citizens, completing work on time needs to be your child's priority and responsibility, just as it is for you at your place of work.
Each quarter, your child will be given many opportunities to demonstrate mastery of the curriculum. It is normal for students to experience periods of difficulty throughout the quarter as material becomes more challenging. Just remind them, effort produces achievement. Hard work WILL pay off. All grades are final.
Handwriting
According to the third grade teachers, all students were completing assignments in cursive by the end of the school year, so we will start the year off using cursive handwriting. There will be a brief review each day, and every student will have a desk plate showing proper letter. If any students are having real difficulty, a practice packet will be sent home.
Homework
Homework is assigned to provide students an opportunity to practice new and previously learned concepts. It is also intended to help students develop responsibility.
Homework should be a priority in your home. Your child should have a set time and place in which to complete his/her work. Homework should be: 1) Neat and complete, 2) Turned in on time, 3) Completed by the student with as little parental help as possible.
When all homework for the week is turned in on time, your child will have the opportunity to play Homeworkopoly on Friday. If your child does not turn in homework on time, he/she may lose recess to complete the work. Grades will be lowered by 25% for each day an assisgnment is turned in late. A conference may need to be held to establish a homework contract.
As part of their training to become productive citizens, completing homework needs to be your child's priority and responsibility. Very rarely, there may be extenuating circumstances. If this is the case, please notify me by phone, note, or e-mail so that an alternate arrangement can be made.
Late Work
When all homework for the week is turned in on time, your child will have the opportunity to play Homeworkopoly on Friday. If your child does not turn in homework on time, he/she may lose recess to complete the work. Grades will be lowered by 25% for each day an assisgnment is turned in late. A conference may need to be held to establish a homework contract.
Lunch
Our lunch period is at 10:45 A.M. Money can be added to your child's cafeteria account through EZschoolpay.com. Please click on the "Links" tab to the left to connect. I do not handle any lunch money or accounts. If you have questions, you will need to contact the ladies in the school cafeteria.
PTSA
Your involvement in our parent/teacher organization helps our school and students tremendously. Please consider attending meetings or helping out by adding your name to their list of volunteers.
Report Cards
Report cards are sent home at the end of each quarter - October, January, March, and May. You keep the report card itself, sign the envelope and return the envelope only to school. Please try to send it back as soon as possible so you don't have to worry about losing it!
Restroom
One boy and one girl at a time are allowed out of the room. Students may use the restroom at any time except during direct instruction or tests. Those who abuse the privilege may have it revoked.
Rewards
100 Compliments - Any time the class is working well together, walking quietly in the hallway, complimented by another teacher or adult, or just doing an outstanding job, they will receive a compliment. When we reach 100 compliments, they will receive a class party of their choice.
Group Points - When a group is ready first, quietest, working most cooperatively, and more, they will be awarded a group point. When a group has earned 10 points, they will each receive $10 from our classroom economy, which they may use in a variety of ways.
Exceptional Effort - Whenever a child shows effort above and beyond the ordinary, either in behavior or classwork, they will earn a dollar of classroom money to save toward a reward.
Homeworkopoly - Students who have completed all assignments on time all week will get a turn at the Homeworkopoly Board on Friday.
Snack
We will have a brief snack time each day. Children should bring a HEALTHY snack, with none of the first three ingredients listed as sugar or corn syrup or ending with "-ose." A water bottle is absolutely essential in our hot, desert climate.
Supplies
Please click on the "Supplies" tab to the left. It is critical that your child come to school prepared to learn.
Tardies
If you child is late for school, be sure to sign them in at the office before dropping them off. Our learning starts as soon as the bell rings, and tardies are disruptive to the class. Please avoid bringing your child to school late.
Toys
Toys should not be brought to school. They might be lost, and I will not be responsible for them. Balls or jump ropes may be brought for recess, but must be marked with the child's name and room number (C108).
Visitors
Anthem's school policy is that ALL GUESTS must sign in at the office.
Volunteers
By volunteering at school, you let your child know that you value their education. Volunteers will be needed throughout the year to chaperone field trips, run copies, help with parties, send in treats or prizes, prepare materials at home, assist with special projects or small groups, and more. Please let me know if you are interested in helping in any of these ways!
Water Bottles
It is crucial that your child have a water bottle at school each and every day! Our brain cells, neurons, make connections through a liquid medium in the brain. Studies have shown that within seven seconds of taking a drink, brain function increases! Learners are allowed to drink at any time except during direct instruction and tests.
Zzzzzzzzz!
Studies show that children need 9-11 hours of sleep each night. It is during sleep that their bodies mend and grow and their brains process the learning from the day. A bedtime routine including reading, talking about the day, and/or tucking your little one in will be one of your (and their) most cherished memories. Believe me - I speak from experience! My kids are grown and gone, but they tell me how much they appreciated that time together. Please help your child be the best learner possible by setting a regular bedtime for school nights.
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