The ABC's of Fourth Grade

Mrs. Anne Askey – room 202

Mrs. Laurie Christesen – room 203

Mr. Doug Sharretts – room 201

Teacher assignments

• Mrs. Dolan: Science to all

• Mrs. Christesen: Religion to all

• Mrs. Askey: Language Arts to all

• Mr. Sharretts: Math and Social Studies to all

Arrival Times

• 7:45 am – Arrival in gym• 7:55 am – Bell rings for

homeroom• 8:15 am – Homeroom;

morning prayer and announcements

• 8:20 am – 1st period begins

AttendanceWhen your child is absent, all necessary assignments will be sitting on your child’s desk at dismissal.

Students should make up missing work promptly, and be prepared to take any missed quizzes or tests the day they return (unless arranged).

Book Orders

Scholastic book orders will be completed online this year.

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BirthdaysYou are more than welcome to send

treats to school to celebrate your child’s birthday. Please contact your child’s homeroom teacher to arrange a convenient day. The treats will be eaten during lunch time.

Communication

Students have a take-home folder in their white binder.Each Wednesday graded work and various announcements will be sent home in this folder. Please review this work, sign, and return the folder on Thursday.

Dismissal

• School ends at 2:55. Please send a note if your child is to go home a different way than his/her normal schedule.

• Students are required to wait with their class until the bell rings.

• For safety reasons, a student is not to leave without informing the teacher.

Field Trips*All students are required to pay for

field trips. Chaperones must be STAND certified.• Annapolis/Naval Academy (fall)

• Living Classrooms (spring)

EmailWe check our email daily. Please contact us with any questions or concerns.

Early Dismissal DaysOn these days, school will end at 12:15.

Grades

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All grades will be available for parents and students to view on PowerSchool beginning Monday, October 1. Effort and conduct grades have a weight of zero.

Homework• Average 4-5 hours weekly• Expect English, Spelling & Math every

night• Assignments posted on classroom

homework board• Homework slips are given for missing

work• Please visit all of your child’s

teachers’ websites daily.

IllnessPlease keep your child home if he/she is sick so that germs are not spread.

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IPOD (I’m Prepared and Organized Daily)

This should go everywhere with your child. It contains your child’s schedule, homework pad, and take-home folder.

Junk FoodStudents may bring a healthy mid-morning snack. Because students work during snack, we ask that the food be non-greasy and non-juicy. Students will not be permitted to get snacks from their lunches at snack time. No drinks please.

Lunch/Recess

• Lunch – 12:00-12:20• Recess – 12:20-12:40Teachers supervise students at this

time.Students may not bring toys from

home and should dress appropriately for the weather.

Forgotten lunches can be delivered to the main office. No fast food please.

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ManagementWe use a discipline “flip card”

system in the classroom. “Flip” card as consequence to

not following classroom rule(s).• Start every day on Green• Two chances (“flips”) given • Final “flip”: Red – demerit sent home

*Tickets will be given for each week a student has not flipped their card. These will be used to purchase prizes during our auction at the end of each marking period.

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Newsletters

• School newsletters are published online monthly on the SMS website. Please check this site at the beginning of each month for the latest school related news and information.

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OutreachWe participate in school-wide and grade level outreach projects throughout the year. Some include making casseroles for Our Daily Bread, making teddy bears at Christmas, and remembering those serving our country. Thank you for all of your support!

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ParentsPlease check in at the main

office before entering any school building so that you may receive a visitor’s pass.

Parties• Most are during lunch/recess

time: 12:00-12:40 P.M.• Party coordinators organize• Dates:–Halloween – October 31–Thanksgiving Day – November

16–Christmas – December 19–Valentine’s Day – February 14–End of Year – June 4

Supplies

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Please check with your child throughout the year to find out if he or she needs additional supplies.

Teacher WebYou and your child may find the

following information on his/her teachers’ websites daily:

• Homework• Project requirements• Important dates/announcements• FAQ• Class scheduleThese sites can easily be accessed by

visiting smsch.org.

Updates

Please keep the school and teachers informed with current addresses, phone numbers, emails, emergency contacts, or special situations.

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Very Hot Lunches• Hot lunch may be purchased in

advance for Tuesdays and Thursdays. Please note that Thursday hot lunches may be ordered online.

• Tuesday hot lunch forms may be found on the SMS website. These forms and money will not be accepted late. Room mothers schedule parent volunteers to assist with distributing hot lunch on Tuesdays. 21

Water

On exceptionally hot days your child may bring a water bottle to keep in his or her locker. Please no flavorings.

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Religion• Class Mass - tba• Bulletin Board – Students will work

in groups and decorate board based on assigned theme. Guidelines were sent home.

• Prayer Partners – 4 year old preschoolers

• Prayer Journal – Students decorate required prayers to show meaning. Specific guidelines on inside cover of journal.

• Wednesday Folders - Parent signatures on folders are counted as Religion effort grade.

• Family Life – Classes begin in spring. Parents are offered opportunity to preview the materials.

Social Studies

• Focus: Maryland and the Regions of the United States

• Homework: When assigned, should be neat and accurate.

• Tests: Students should complete and use a review sheet to prepare for tests.

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Math

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• Focus – fluency with basic facts, time, and money; introduction to fractions and decimals; integration of algebra and geometry

• Homework will be given every night. Students must show work.

• Should I help my child with math homework?

• Computations class• Text book/workbook online• Excellent resources through the internet

Science

• Topics covered include the three major subdivisions of science – physical, life, and earth.

• Children will use scientific equipment. At times, students may be asked to bring in supplies from home for activities.

• Daily participation is an important part of grade.

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English Journal

• There will be 1 entry every week. • Journals are due on Friday of that week

unless school is closed. Then they will be due on Thursday.

• Topics for the journal are assigned.• Journal entries must include at least six

sentences. Specific guidelines are provided on the inside cover of the journal.

• English Journal grade is part of the creative writing standard.

DIRT (Daily Independent Reading Time)

• Students are required to have a DIRT book with them at all times.

• DIRT books must be age-appropriate and cannot include catalogs or comics.

• Each class has a specific DIRT period every week.

• The student’s effort, including having his or her DIRT book with them and being on task during DIRT time, will be part of the Language Arts effort grade recorded every two weeks.

Lego Club

First Lego League is excited to have you!!

Join the Sport for the mind!!

First Lego League is excited to have you!!

 Join the Sport for the mind!!

2012 Senior Solutions Challenge

Student applications due Monday September 10th.

First meeting will be after school in 4th grade classrooms on Thurs. from 3:15-5:00