You are cordially invited to be apartner in your child’s education.

It is indeed a pleasure to have your child in myclass. I realize that teaching is a privilege, aswell as a tremendous responsibility. I will do mybest this year to ensure that each student has

a motivating and safe learning experience in the classroom.However, I cannot do this alone. I am a firm believer that strong parent-teacher-student communication is essential in order to maximize student learning.

To start off the year right, I have created this Parent Survival Handbook toprovide information about classroom procedures, expectations, and activities. Ihope this will be a useful tool for you and will answer many questions that you mayhave about fourth grade! Please feel free to contact me at 281-856-1420 if youhave any additional questions. I will return your call as soon as possible to discussthe answers with you. You can also email me at kimberly.thibeaux@cfisd.net.Usually, it is easier to reach me via email. I will always get back to you within 24hours. As long as you are online, be sure to check out our class website athttp://www.mrsthibeaux.com. I will be using this resource as a communication toolquite frequently throughout the school year.

Again, Please do not hesitate to contact me with any questions or comments. I amso thrilled to be working together with you this year to ensure success for yourchild! It is going to be a GREAT year!

Sincerely,

Mrs. Kimberly Thibeaux(281) 856-1420kimberly.thibeaux@cfisd.nethttp://www.mrsthibeaux.com

Kimberly Thibeaux

Fourth Grade Staff

Teachers:Mr. BartoliniMrs. EllisMrs. HendrixMrs. MartinMrs. SteagallMrs. Thibeaux

Art: Ms. Nixon

Music: Mrs. Butler

P.E. Ms. ReevesMr. Blevins

Counselor: Mrs. DavisInstructional Specialists: Mrs. Pearson and Mrs. WatersAssistant Principals: Mrs. McIntyre and Mrs. Frank

Principal: Mrs. Guidry

Fourth Grade General Information

General Information:Welcome to fourth grade! Every academic school year is important in your child’s life. Wehope your child’s experience in fourth grade is exciting, informative, challenging andsuccessful. We also hope this information will help answer some of your questions aboutfourth grade.

Teacher Conference Time:Fourth grade teachers are available for conferences from9:05-10:00 a.m. by appointment. Please do not hesitate to write a note or call 281-856-1420if you have questions or concerns.

Homework:Homework will be assigned as an extension of classroom work. Students are expected toreturn their completed homework the day after it is assigned to receive credit. Latehomework will be graded with a reduced grade due to not being on time. All homework isdistributed on Monday.

HOMEWORK GRADES: are averaged in and are graded by a or - . Homework must becompleted when the student comes into class in order to be given credit. The grade willbe added to the grade book and averaged as an additional daily grade. The’s will beaveraged as follows.

9 Homework assignments completed = 100%8 “ = 90%7 “ = 80%6 “ = 70%5 “ = 60%4 “ = 50%

WORK HABITS-COMPLETES HOMEWORK:S= 0-2 Missing homework assignmentsN= More than 2 assignments missing

*Students must be given a progress report if a child is in jeopardy of receiving and “N”.“N’s” in any area of work habits will keep a student OFF of honor roll.

Parents can help their students with homework by using the following guidelines: Help set up a consistent organized place for homework to be done.

Help your child establish either a consistent schedule for completing homework ofhelp her/him create a schedule each Sunday night that reflects that particularweek’s activities.

Encourage, motivate, and prompt your child, but do not sit with her/him and do thehomework with them. The purpose of the homework is for your child to practice anduse what she has learned. If your child is consistently not able to do the homeworkby themselves, please contact the teacher.

If your child is practicing a skill, ask him to her/him to tell you which steps are easyfor him, which are difficult, or how they are going to improve. If your child is doinga project, ask them what knowledge he/she is applying in the project. If your childis consistently unable to talk about the knowledge he/she is practicing, please callthe teacher.

Although there might be exceptions, the minutes your child should spend inhomework should equal approximately 10 times their grade level (a 3rd grader wouldspend 30 minutes, a 4th grader, 40 minutes and so on).

When bedtime comes, please stop your child, even if they are not done.

District Benchmark Tests:Our district has designed benchmark tests in all subject areas to help the district andclassroom teacher’s determine your child’s progress and how well they are mastering thestate curriculum TEKS (Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills).

Sheridan teachers spend district professional staff development days keeping current withmethodologies and strategies to help their students be successful.

The Benchmark Tests are secure and will not be sent home. Teachers will send homewritten notification of your child’s performance. If you have any questions, you areencouraged to call the teacher and set up a conference to review the test.

It is also our goal at Sheridan to continue our high academic achievement. Students will beprovided district study guide materials to aid in their review as well as the numerousclassroom assignments they complete at school in preparation for their tests.

State Testing DaysStudents in fourth grade are expected to complete and master three STARR™ (State ofTexas Assessments of Academic Readiness) tests. STAAR™ will replace the TexasAssessment of Knowledge and Skills (TAKS), which is the criterion-referenced assessmentprogram that has been in place since 2003.

Writing March 27, 2012Math April 24, 2012Reading April 25, 2012

Results are sent home when the school receives them.

Agenda/Conduct Grades

Agendas give parents the opportunity to monitor student progress on a daily basis. Pleasebe sure to read the assignments and review the objectives for the day in order to have abetter understanding of the daily activities in the class. Agendas are regularly checked forparent signatures on Monday mornings. Remember to send $3.00 to cover the cost of theagenda the first week of school. If the agenda is lost, a replacement fee of$3.00 will be charged.

GradesGrades will be based on Warm-ups, Daily Assignments, Tests, Projects, and Homework. Thedistrict grading criteria is as follows:

100%-90%=A89%-80%=B79%-75%=C74%-70%=D69%-Below=F

AbsencesIf your child is absent, please send a note the next day. The note needs to include thehomeroom teacher’s name, the date of the absence, and your signature. If the student doesnot bring a note for being absent, within three days of returning, the absence will becounted as unexcused. Students need to check each teacher’s make-up folder uponreturning to class and check with each teacher for specific directions. According todistrict policy, a student must be absent for three consecutive days before work can besent home. Therefore, no make-up work can be given in advance.

TextbooksAll fourth grade students are required to have their binder and a chapter reading book withthem daily. Textbooks must be covered at all times.

Arrival TimeThe doors at Sheridan open daily at 7:45 a.m. Students eating breakfast will go directly tothe cafeteria and pick up their “Grab and Go” breakfast and walk immediately to theclassroom.

Sheridan Star GalaxyFourth grade students will be earning Galaxy rewards as an incentive to reward positiveconduct. Students will place the reward in the box in the media center and winners will beannounced on Monday. Galaxy winners for the week will eat at a designated special seateach Tuesday.

LunchFourth grade students eat lunch from 12:30-1:00 p.m. daily.Parents are welcome to join their child for lunch but we would ask that you allow 6 weeksbefore you visit in order for lunchroom procedures to be established.

Please sign in at the front desk and have your driver’s license ready and you will be issued anametag from the V-Soft program for the safety of everyone. You may meet your child inthe cafeteria at the beginning of their lunch period. Please remember to say good-bye toyour child at the dismissal time.

The cost of a school lunch is $1.65. Parents are encouraged to set up a lunch account withtheir child in the event they forget their lunch and you are unavailable. Money can be addedto your child’s lunch account by sending a check with your child to the Sheridan cafeteria orthrough the Parent Account Management System at www.pamslunchroom.com.

Birthday CelebrationsFoods of Minimum Nutritional Value Guidelines prevent parents bringing any birthday treatsto share with the classes during lunch time.

TransportationIf your child’s routine mode of transportation is being changed, even for a day, it isimperative that you send a note to your child’s homeroom teacher first thing in the morning.Please remind your child to give your note to the teacher as soon as he/she arrives to theclassroom.

The note should include:Child’s nameDateParent signature

Emergency transportation changes must go through the front desk. We are unable to makechanges requested after 2:30 p.m.

School NewsletterOn the last Monday of each month our school sends home a school newsletter indicating anyevents or activities like holiday parties, school picture days, field days, field trips, scienceenrichment programs, school holidays etc. Look for these to come home to stay informedabout important events and information about Sheridan.

Fourth Grade First Nine Weeks TEKS(Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills)

Language ArtsListening/Speaking Being a good listener Being an effective speaker

Reading Creating a reading environment Use of phonics, context, & syntax Monitoring & self-correction strategies Character analysis Prefixes, suffixes, & root words Dictionaries and glossaries Setting, plot line & resolution

Writing

Creating a writing environment Writing process Peer conferencing Journals Use of nouns and verbs Spelling core words Sentence structure/capitalization & punctuation

Six Traits Ideas Organization Conventions: On-going

Math Problem Solving Processes Looking for a pattern, number sentences, words Place Value and Problem Solving Adding and subtracting whole numbers and money Multiplication and division facts and problem solving Metric Measurement and problem solving

Social Studies Year Long Project: States and Capitals of The United States First Six Weeks Theme: Where in the World are We

Geography: globes, hemispheres, maps, latitude, longitudeDecision makingU.S. Regions: landforms, climate, resourcesTexas Regions: locations, landforms, climate, resources

ScienceScientific Method and Processes Demonstrate safe practices during field and laboratory investigations Plan and implement descriptive investigations including asking well-defined questions,

formulating testable hypotheses, and selecting and using equipment and technology Collect information by observing and measuring; Analyze and interpret information to construct reasonable explanations from

direct and indirect evidence; Communicate valid conclusions Collect and analyze information using tools including calculators, safety goggles,

microscopes, timing devices, rulers, thermometers, meter sticks, and balances Use reflections to verify that a natural object has symmetry

Astronomy As students learn science skills, they identify components and processes of the

natural world including the role of the sun as our major source of energy. Students should know how science has built a vast body of changing and increasing

knowledge and also should know that science may not answer all questions. A system is a collection of cycles, structures, and processes that interact. All

systems have basic properties that can be described in terms of space, time,energy, and matter.

Represent the natural world using models and identify their limitations Collect and analyze information using tools including computers Identify and describe the parts in nonliving systems. Predict and draw conclusions about what happens when part of a system is removed Identify patterns of change such as in weather, metamorphosis, and objects in the

sky Illustrate that certain characteristics of an object can remain constant even when

the object is rotated like a spinning top or reflected on a smooth surface The student knows that the natural world includes earth materials and objects in

the sky Identify the Sun as the major source of energy for the Earth and understand its

role

Thank you for your continued support of our efforts in bringing to your child an exemplaryeducation at Sheridan Elementary.

SHERIDAN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL SUPPLY LIST 2011‐2012

PPCD QTY Kindergarten QTY4 OZ. ELMER'S SCHOOL GLUE 2 4 OZ. ELMER'S SCHOOL GLUE 3SMALL (6 GRAM) ELMER'S GLUE STICK 2 110CT KLEENEX TISSUE 2110CT KLEENEX TISSUE 2 CRAYOLA CRAYONS 24CT 39 X 12 50 CT ASST GW CONSTR PAPER 2 PINK BEVEL ERASER (LATEX FREE) 1CRAYOLA PIP SQUEAKS MARKERS 16CT 1 PAPERMATE EARTHWRITE PENCIL 24COLORATIONS 5" BLUNT SCISSOR 1 CRAYOLA CLASSIC THICK MARKERS 8CT 2BABYWIPES 80CT 2 9X12 MANILA PAPER 50CT 2RECLOSABLE QUART BAG 12 9 X 12 50 CT. ASST. CONST. PAPER 116CT CRAYOLA CRAYONS 1 12X18 MANILA PAPER 50CT 1RECLOSABLE GALLON BAG 24 12 X 18 50 CT ASST CONSTR PAPER 1FOUR COLOR PACK OF PLAY DOH (5 OZ CANS) 1 COLORATIONS 5" BLUNT SCISSOR 1FOAMY SHAVING CREAM 1 RED POCKET & BRAD FOLDER 9.5PT 1ANTI-DISINFECTANT AIR FRESH LYSOL SPRAY 1 YELLOW POCKET & BRAD FOLDER 9.5PT 11" WHITE VIEW VINYL BINDER 1 PLASTIC SCHOOL BOX 1XEROGRAPHIC PAPER REAM 1 ONE CAN OF 5 OZ. PLAYDOH 1

1" WHITE VIEW VINYL BINDER 11/2" BLUE BS HYTONE STORY TABLET 1ASST. PLASTIC POCKET ONLY FOLDER 1XEROGRAPHIC PAPER REAM 1

1st 2ndCRAYOLA CRAYONS 24CT 2 PINK BEVEL ERASER (LATEX FREE) 212 X 18 BRT WHITE 50 CT CONST. PAPER 1 110CT KLEENEX TISSUE 2PINK BEVEL ERASER (LATEX FREE) 3 COLORATIONS 5" BLUNT SCISSOR 1110CT KLEENEX TISSUE 2 CRAYOLA CRAYONS 24CT 2PAPERMATE EARTHWRITE PENCIL 24 BLUE POCKET & BRAD FOLDER 150 SHEETS 5/8" BOND REAM 8X10.5 5 YELLOW POCKET & BRAD FOLDER 112X18 MANILA PAPER 50CT 1 PAPERMATE EARTHWRITE PENCIL 48COLORATIONS 5" BLUNT SCISSOR 1 PURPLE POCKET & BRAD FOLDER 1BLUE POCKET & BRAD FOLDER 1 PLASTIC SCHOOL BOX 1YELLOW POCKET & BRAD FOLDER 1 CRAYOLA WASH THICK CLASSIC MKRS 8CT 1PLASTIC SCHOOL BOX 1 12X18 MANILA PAPER 50CT 2RECLOSABLE QUART BAG 12 200 CT. WIDE RULE FILLER PAPER 170 CT. RED SPIRAL COMP. BOOK-WIDE RL 6 SMALL (6 GRAM) ELMER'S GLUE STICK 31" WHITE VIEW VINYL BINDER 1 70 CT. RED SPIRAL COMP. BOOK-WIDE RL 22X2 POST IT NOTE CUBE STRIPED 400 SHTS 1 70 CT. BLUE SPIRAL COMP BOOK WIDE RL 1NYLON PENCIL BAG, CLEAR TOP W/ GROMMETS 1 70 CT. GREEN SPIRAL COMP. BOOK WIDE 14 OZ. ELMER'S SCHOOL GLUE 3 50 SHEETS 5/8" BOND REAM 8X10.5 1CRAYOLA CLASSIC THICK MARKERS 8CT 1 9 X 12 50 CT. ASST. CONST. PAPER 1XEROGRAPHIC PAPER REAM 1 12 X 18 BRT WHITE 50 CT CONST. PAPER 1

1.5" ASST HARDBACK VINYL BINDER 1XEROGRAPHIC PAPER REAM 1

SHERIDAN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL SUPPLY LIST 2011‐2012

3rd QTY 4th QTY

CRAYOLA CRAYONS 24CT 2 PINK BEVEL ERASER (LATEX FREE) 2PINK BEVEL ERASER (LATEX FREE) 3 CRAYOLA CRAYONS 24CT 1110CT KLEENEX TISSUE 3 4 OZ. ELMER'S SCHOOL GLUE 1200 CT. WIDE RULE FILLER PAPER 2 7" 12CT PRESHARPENED COLORED PENCILS 1ASST. POCKET AND BRAD FOLDER 4 70 CT. SPIRAL COMP. BOOK WIDE RULE 4PAPERMATE EARTHWRITE PENCIL 48 110CT KLEENEX TISSUE 212X18 MANILA PAPER 50CT 1 5-TAB INDEX DIVIDER 2CRAYOLA WASH THICK CLASSIC MKRS 8CT 1 FLUORESCENT YELLOW HIGHLIGHTER 1SMALL (6 GRAM) ELMER'S GLUE STICK 3 ASST. POCKET AND BRAD FOLDER 4COLORATIONS SHARP 5" SCISSOR 1 NYLON PENCIL BAG, CLEAR TOP W/GROMMENTS 14 OZ. ELMER'S SCHOOL GLUE 2 PAPERMATE EARTHWRITE PENCIL 48REG. PENCIL SHARPENER W/ RECEPTACLE 1 CRAYOLA WASH THICK CLASSIC MKRS 8CT 1100 CT BLACK MARBLE COMPOSITION BOOK 6 12X18 MANILA PAPER 50CT 1XEROGRAPHIC PAPER REAM 1 COLORATIONS SHARP 5" SCISSOR 17" 12CT PRESHARPENED COLORED PENCILS 1 200 CT. WIDE RULE FILLER PAPER 2SHARPIE ACCENT FL. YELLOW HIGHLIGHTER 2 SMALL (6 GRAM) ELMER'S GLUE STICK 18.25X10.25 SEE THRU PLASTIC PENCIL BAG 1 9 X 12 50 CT ASST GW CONSTR PAPER 11" WOOD RULER STANDARD & METRIC 1 1.5" ASST HARDBACK VINYL BINDER 1

REG. PENCIL SHARPENER W/ RECEPTACLE 1LARGE BEGINNER PENCIL 13"X3" ASSORTED POST IT NOTES 50CT 4PK 13 X 5 100 CT. RULED INDEX CARDS 1

5th QTY XEROGRAPHIC PAPER REAM 1SHARPIE ACCENT PEN HIGHLIGHTER YELLOW 2 100 CT BLACK MARBLE COMPOSITION BOOK 1CRAYOLA CRAYONS 24CT 1110CT KLEENEX TISSUE 2 Life Skills QTY

5-TAB INDEX DIVIDER 1 110CT KLEENEX TISSUE 2200 CT. WIDE RULE FILLER PAPER 2 1" WHITE VIEW VINYL BINDER 27" 12CT PRESHARPENED COLORED PENCILS 1 12X9 1 RULE PRIMARY TABLET 1PINK BEVEL ERASER (LATEX FREE) 2 12 X 18 50 CT ASST GW CONSTR PAPER 2PAPERMATE EARTHWRITE PENCIL 48 CRAYOLA WASH THICK CLASSIC MKRS 8CT 2NYLON PENCIL BAG, w/ GROMMENTS 1 4 OZ. ELMER'S SCHOOL GLUE 2CRAYOLA THIN CLASSIC MARKERS 8CT 1 BOX RECLOSABLE SANDWICH BAGS 50CT 1COLORATIONS SHARP 5" SCISSOR 1 BOX OF RECLOSABLE GALLON BAGS-20CT 1SMALL (6 GRAM) ELMER'S GLUE STICK 3 CRAYOLA CRAYONS 24CT 112X18 MANILA PAPER 50CT 1 BABYWIPES 80CT 170 CT. RED SPIRAL COMP. BOOK-WIDE RL 1 MANILA 1/3 CUT LETTER SIZE FILE FOLDERS 1270 CT. BLUE SPIRAL COMP BOOK WIDE RL 1 XEROGRAPHIC PAPER REAM 170 CT. YELLOW SPIRAL COMP BOOK WIDE 1ASST. POCKET & BRAD FOLDER 9.5PT 22" ASST HARDBACK VINYL BINDER 1CRAYOLA CLASSIC THICK MARKERS 8CT 1100 CT BLACK MARBLE COMPOSITION BOOK 2XEROGRAPHIC PAPER REAM 1

FIRST & LAST DAY OF SCHOOL

PROFESSIONAL DAY (Student Holiday)

LEGEND

STUDENT/STAFF HOLIDAY

{ PARENT CONFERENCES/HOLIDAY FOR ALL STUDENTS/PROFESSIONAL DAY

OCTOBER S M T W T F S 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31

Aug. 11-12Aug. 15-19 Aug. 22Sept. 5Oct. 10

Nov. 21-25Nov. 21, 22Dec. 21Dec. 21-30Jan. 2-3Jan. 16Feb. 20

March 12-16April 6May 28May 30May 31

New Staff OrientationProfessional Days1st Day of SchoolStudent/Staff HolidayProfessional Day /Elem. Parent ConferencesStudent/Staff HolidaysInclement Weather DaysInclement Weather DayStudent/Staff HolidaysProfessional DaysStudent/Staff HolidayProfessional Day / Inclement Weather DayStudent/Staff HolidaysStudent/Staff HolidayStudent/Staff HolidayLast Day of School Professional Day /Inclement Weather Day

Elementary Schools

1st 9 Weeks: Aug. 22-Oct. 212nd 9 Weeks: Oct. 24-Jan. 133rd 9 Weeks: Jan. 17-March 234th 9 Weeks: March 26-May 30

Secondary Schools

1st Semester 1st 6 Weeks: Aug. 22-Sept. 282nd 6 Weeks: Sept. 29-Nov. 43rd 6 Weeks: Nov. 7-Dec. 20

2nd Semester4th 6 Weeks: Jan. 4-Feb. 17 5th 6 Weeks: Feb. 21-April 136th 6 Weeks: April 16-May 30

2011 2012Important Dates

SEPTEMBER S M T W T F S 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30

NOVEMBER S M T W T F S 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30

MARCH S M T W T F S 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31

MAY S M T W T F S 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31

APRIL S M T W T F S 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30

Cypress-Fairbanks I.S.D.

INCLEMENT WEATHER DAY

DECEMBER S M T W T F S 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31

JUNE S M T W T F S 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30

FEBRUARY S M T W T F S 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29

21

20

21 22

31

JULY S M T W T F S 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31

AUGUST S M T W T F S 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31

JANUARY S M T W T F S 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31

GRADING PERIODS

*revised 1/25/11