Welcome to Fourth Grade

Welcome to 4th Grade!!!

I am looking forward to meeting the students Tuesday, August  29th.    The summer went by fast, but for the past month, I know I was ready for the school year to begin!   (I don’t do well with idle time!)   The room is just about set and I know we are ready to begin!

Knowing that the transition back to the structure of the school day can be difficult for some, the first week back to school we will focus on many areas that will help to structure our return.   Along with some informal assessments in various subjects, we will be spending a good amount of time participating in classroom community building activities and establishing class expectations.

On the first or second day of school your child will be coming home with a “bag” to fill with 3 or 4 items.    They are going to use this bag to introduce themselves to their classmates while we practice our questioning techniques.   I will model this for them the first few days of school to introduce myself.  In the summer letter I sent home, I shared that they would need to bring in some items that would tell us a little about themselves, their family or their interests.  (Ex. – a baseball card might represent that they collect baseball cards or that they like to play baseball.)    We will be sharing the contents of the bags the first few weeks of school and may use the contents for a writing exercise.

The students will also be coming home the first day with their homework planner and homework folder.   This planner will be where they will record their daily / weekly or long term assignments.   I make every attempt to have myself or another adult initial the assignment so I know it is correct.   I would like your child to show you their planner every night, have you initial / sign it, and bring them back to school the following day.   They will need to do this everyday throughout the school year.   Starting this on the first day helps to establish the routine we are working towards.

I also wanted you to know that I often use “all parent” emails and personal emails as a means of communication.    Please feel free to contact me at any time, either through email, written notes and / or phone calls.   I will get back to you as soon as possible.   I value home/school communication and feel that it is crucial to the success of the students.  I strongly believe that we are a team - parents, students, and myself, and it will be important that we all work together and keep the lines of communication open.    I am hoping that the email address I have for everyone is correct.   I would appreciate it if you would send a quick reply to this email, even if you just write  “Got it!” so I know that you have received it.   Please make sure you have logged into POWERSCHOOL and updated any / all information necessary.

I am attaching my summer letter in case any of you did not receive it and / or misplaced it.  It includes a copy of the supply list and gives more in depth information about the summer reading / math expectations.  Also, I do plan on being at the Open House on Thursday, August 24th.  I have to leave by 6:15 but feel free to stop in between 5:00 and 6:00 if you attend.

Lastly, don’t forget to send your child to school the first day with their summer reading and math calendars, a healthy snack (lunch is at 1:05 this year!!!),  a pleasure book to read and a water bottle!

I look forward to meeting everyone soon!

Fondly,

Miss Finneran