Happy Holidays!

Monday, December 17th

Families of Room 31 ~

Our class had a wonderful time celebrating our Snowflake Festival this past Friday.  We were entertained by the Shrewsbury High School Choir and then spent some time working cooperatively in groups creating window snowmen!  I was so proud of he students efforts and cooperation!  Enjoy some of their masterpieces below.

Report cards come home today.  Please sign and return your child's envelope tomorrow for us to reuse each trimester.  If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to reach out via email or note.
Looking forward to a fun, yet busy week of learning!

Miss Finneran

Update - Week of December 3rd

Families of Room 31 ~

This time of year can be VERY hectic for everyone, so I am doing my best to stay on top of items you need to be aware of.  Below is a brief update of events between now and the winter break.

GINGERBREAD SHOP – Friday, December 7^th.   An envelope was sent home Monday Nov. 26^th for the students / families to plan any purchases your child may make.  If your child is planning on shopping THIS FRIDAY, you may send in the envelope any day with your child- including Friday.   This is the ONLY DAY for making purchases. 

BOOK ORDERS due by Friday, December 7^th - Any December book orders are due by Friday, December 7^th in order to make sure arrival happens by our winter break.  Orders will be placed on December 8^th.  If you should need to arrange any “special pick-up” please reach out and let me know. 

SNOWFLAKE FESTIVAL – Friday October 14^th 11:15 – 12:45

PARENT VOLUNTEER’S NEEDED!!!  I am looking for at least SIX VOLUNTEERS to help out with our snowflake festival.  The fourth-grade classes are making window snowmen and will work as a team to plan, design and create these.  It is helpful if I have one parent per group to help manage this event.  Please let me know at your earliest convenience if you are able to assist with this event!

TRIMESTER ONE REPORT CARDS – These report cards will be sent home on Monday, December 17^th.  We ask that you KEEP the report card at home, yet return the signed envelope with your child the next day for use to reuse throughout the year.

MATH – We have moved in the CHAPTER 6 – Fraction and Mixed Numbers.    Please remember that there are student book resources on both my class blog and on the class Schoology site.   A major concept of this chapter is learning how to add and subtract fractions with like and unlike denominators, compare the size of a fractions, along with a focus on mixed numbers.  Please reach out if you have any questions and / or your child needs any assistance with some of these concepts. 

SCIENCE - Our unit on WEATHERING and EROSION is quickly coming to an end.  We will be finishing with a culminating project where the students need to create a shelter to protect their structure (sand castle) from the effects of weathering.   We will then TEST their model and see if their design withstands the forces of “nature!” This has proven to be one of my FAVORITE days of the year!!  I’m sure you will see many examples on SEESAW once we have completed this assignment!

SOCIAL STUDIES – Student have been hard at work creating a Key Note presentation on the iPad about the EAST.  The students have been actively planning, writing and researching visuals to support their project.  I’m looking forward to having the students share their hard work with you. 

READING / WRITING – The students have wrapped up their Trimester One writing assessment – Opinion Writing.   Much of our reading / writing time has been connected to the social studies project, yet once it is completed this week, we will move towards a focus on narrative writing – (main idea / events) as well as continued focus on reading skills.  The key focus for our whole group reading this month is about ASKING QUESTIONS where the students will read to discover their answers as well as learning to ask questions to expand their thinking.

Please reach out if you have any questions / concerns.

Kelly Finneran

Happy Thanksgiving

Finneran Families ~

Today, more than any other day of the year, I stop … pause…. and reflect.   I think about all that I am grateful for.   Truly, your children and your support are right up at the top of my list.  Gratitude is happiness doubled by wonder.

Every day, I am moved and inspired by what I see your children doing.  Every day, I am in awe at the incredible perseverance your children display while growing and learning.   Every day, I am grateful to be in a school environment with such dedicated teachers, staff and a PTO that collaboratively work to build a culture with a focus on student growth and learning which happens in such a safe, loving environment.  

I believe that the success of our classroom is built on a foundation of mutual respect and inclusiveness.  I know I could not do my job if I didn’t have the support of such hard-working students and parents.  We – parents – students – teacher – are a team in every sense of the word. For this, I am blessed!

This is a wonderful time of the year to get together with friends and family to celebrate and be thankful for all the wonderful people in our lives. During this time of Thanksgiving, I just wanted to share my gratitude and thank you and your children for being such an important part my life.    

Enjoy your time with family and friends.

Kelly Finneran

Weeks of Nov. 13th and Nov. 19th

Families of Room 31 ~
I hope everyone enjoyed this extended weekend.  I know I was happy to catch up on some much needed sleep.  Just a few updates / reminders regarding the next few weeks.

NO SCHOOL - Wednesday, Nov. 21^st – Friday, Nov. 23^rd

BOOK ORDERS are due Thursday, Nov. 15^th.  If ordering online, the classroom code is DPQ8C.  Website is:  https://clubs.scholastic.com

Student Council collections: The 4^th grade Student Council is holding a supply drive for those in need. All donations will go to St. Anne’s to distribute to local families. Our class has been asked to donate SHAMPOO and $1.00! Let’s all do our part!  Orders are due by Nov. 19^th.  Thanks to those families who have already made their donations / contributions!

SCHOOL STORE - FRIDAY, Nov. 16^h - This year students will only shop with tickets earned based on their Reading and Math Incentive sheets!  Any student who turns in any sheets prior to Nov. 16^th will have tickets to shop with at the first school store.   

SCIENCE – Last week we created a classroom stream table to examine the destruction water can cause on the land.  This week we will be viewing various time lapsed photos looking at the changes in the earth’s surface.  The students will then have to write a C-E-R (Claim / Evidence / Reason) supporting their statement.

SOCIAL STUDIES – We have begun our project on the EAST.  This project demonstrates our knowledge of the concepts of climate, economy, natural resources and physical features of this region. This project will be completed in school, unless the students need some extended time to write their paragraphs.  This project needs to be completed before the Trimester ends.  

MATH – We are wrapping up Chapter 3 this week.   Our focus for early in the week will be to apply their knowledge of double-digit multiplication and long division to solve real world problems.  Students will be bringing home a study guide to review the concepts.  I believe the test will be on Friday of this week.  Students needing more time will complete the test on Monday

READING - We continue to use our INNER CONVERSATION and merge this with our thinking while reading nonfiction texts. We will focus on the difference between visual and text features.  This week I will model my thinking during whole group mini-lessons helping the students to key in to times when they are learning new information while reading.  We will also review the importance of being accurate with the information that they learn. Our hope in modeling these lessons is that the students will carry this over into their independent reading.  

WRITING – Although we are working on INFORMATIONAL jobs throughout some reading responses and our Social Studies Project, we are taking a step back to review our OPINION writing.  We will be taking a look at our early writing this year (Student Council) and review the strong opinion language used when writing an opinion piece.  I ask that students start thinking about something they have a strong opinion about as next week they will be completing their TRIMESTER ONE writing assessment.  The students will have 90 – 120 minutes to complete an opinion writing piece of choice. 

Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any questions / concerns regarding our classroom.

Week of Nov. 5th

Just a few reminders:

Tuesday, November 6^th - This is NO SCHOOL on Tuesday, November 6^th for students. We are holding our parent conferences that day. For those attending, please remember that I am holding student / parent conferences so you need to bring your child with you to the conference. Each conference is scheduled to be 40 minutes. I have emailed each family with a reminder of their time. Looking forward to our upcoming meetings.

Monday, November 12^th – NO SCHOOL – Veteran’s Day
Thanksgiving Vacation is scheduled for Wednesday, November 21^st – Friday November 23^rd. There will be NO SCHOOL. 

Student Council collections: The 4^th grade Student Council is holding a supply drive for those in need. All donations will go to St. Anne’s to distribute to local families. Our class has been asked to donate SHAMPOO and $1.00! Let’s all do our part! 

SCHOOL STORE - FRIDAY, Nov. 16^h - This year students will only shop with tickets earned based on their Reading and Math Incentive sheets!  Any student who turns in any sheets prior to Nov. 9^th will have tickets to shop with at the first school store.   Thanks to the 6 students who volunteered to work at the school store. Those who volunteered will work THIS FRIDAY – Nov. 9^th.  The need to be at the school by 8:15 to assist with set up. They should first come to the classroom to pass in homework and unpack.

SCIENCE - I hope many of you enjoyed the WIND / WATER erosion photos from last week’s science experiment. This week we will focus on the DEPOSITION aspect of erosion.   We will set up a classroom stream table and watch the effects of water on soil.

SOCIAL STUDIES - We are wrapping up our learning of the EAST region. This week focuses on the immigrant experience through Ellis Island in the early 1900s. We will then be starting a project that demonstrates our knowledge of the concepts of climate, economy, natural resources and physical features of this region. This project will be completed in school. 

MATH - We are currently in the middle of Chapter 3. As you can see by last week’s homework, our focus has been on double digit multiplication. At the end of last week and this week, we have a focus on LONG DIVISION. We will then move on to applying these skills in word problems. 

READING - Last week our whole group focus was on MONITORING our comprehension by having inner conversations and taking the time to “stop and jot” those conversations down on post-it notes. This is a skill that is essential in building our reading knowledge. It is my hope that the students carry this skill over in their small guided reading groups as well as their independent reading.

WRITING - Our focus is on INFORMATIONAL writing with a connection / tie-in to social studies. Student will be focusing on the strong language of informational writing and the importance of good planning using a pillar. It is great when we can integrate our subject matter.

Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any questions / concerns regarding our classroom.

Week of Oct. 22nd

Families of Room 31 –

A few reminders for this week:

SCHOOL PICTURES – Due this Tuesday, Oct. 23^rd.  RETAKES will be Wednesday, Oct. 24^th. 

Parent Conferences – Due to the fact that I am holding student / parent conferences, I have several parent conference times beside Tuesday Nov. 6^th.  Last week I sent home a parent conference preconference form.  Please make sure to return the form with your child a day or two prior to your conference if not sooner.  Reminder – there is NO SCHOOL for students on Tuesday, Nov. 6^th

MATH – We completed our Chapter 2 test on Friday.  I will send them home with the students as soon as I have remediated and corrected the test with teach individual child.    This week we begin Chapter 3 - Whole Number Multiplication and Division.  This chapter is very rich in content truly focusing on multiplying by 2-digit numbers and the process of long division.  Please make sure your child is practicing their math facts (multiplication and division) especially if they have not mastered them yet.  Their nightly practice counts towards the Math incentive.   Program and truly is essential for success in this chapter and chapters to come.

SCIENCE - Last week, we had our first “official” hands-on science investigation.  The goal of this lesson was to learn about mechanical weathering and frost wedging.  We placed water in tin cans and let then freeze overnight.  They observed the cans the following day and certainly had some distinct observations.  I believe many of them sent you a phot via their SEESAW account!  This week we will learn about abrasion and how abrasion affects and change the earth’s surface!

SOCIAL STUDIES - We are continuing with our notetaking of the EAST REGION.  The focus this week will be finishing up learning about the economy of the region as it connects to the natural resources and we will move to learning about the climate.  I hear that there is a possible nor’easter heading our way this coming weekend.  Please have the kids pay class attention to the weather if it happens to be on at home!

WRITING – Our focus recently has been on the components of NARRATIVE writing with a focus on writing ENTERTAINING OPENINGS.  The focus has been on using a variety of TOADS (thoughts / questions, observations, action, dialogue and sound).  WE also began talking about using our SENSES to describe the SETTING of the story.  Later this week, we will move to learning to ask key questions of ourselves to discuss and describe and critical characters and / or critical objects as they relate to a story we create.    Our hope is to wrap up the beginning of the narrative writing diamond (openings and settings) before we move on to informational writing.

READING – We have begun meeting with GUIDED READING groups now that DRA’s are over.  The groups is also using a subscription to STORYWORKS to read some non-fiction articles and respond to the text.  We are also incorporating our read aloud – The Wild Robot – into some written responses on Schoology that the students will read and respond to.  Lastly, this week our focus for whole group reading is to review expectation of reading / responding to multiple choice questions and open responses.  I am modeling my thinking with the students as we work through a passage together.

As always, please don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any questions.

Book Clubs / Reading and Math Incentive

Families of Room 31 ~

Scholastic Book Clubs - I had a student as me to send home a reminder about the Scholastic Book Clubs.  If you are planning on placing an order, they are technically due tomorrow, yet I will accept any orders up until Friday evening.  If placing an order, you  can place the order online or fill it out and send it in in with a check to school with your child by Friday the latest. 

Reading / Math Incentive Sheets - Don't forget to have your child fill out / bring in their math and reading sheets when they are completed.  Your child should be reading 20 minutes a night and practicing their math fact for me 3 to 4 times a week.  This homework counts towards their Incentive Sheets.  I already have  a few sheets turned in!  For each sheet a child turns in, they will get a ticket to shop at the school store.   This year the students will ONLY be shopping with earned tickets - no money will be accepted at the store!  Don't forget... get those sheets in once completed!
Miss Finneran

Seesaw / Schoology / Xtra Math

Families of Room 31 ~

I'm reaching out regarding a class communication pieces I spoke about at Curriculum Night.  There are a few means of communication that I  / the students are using this year that we need your help with.  We need our families to register for SEESAW, SCHOOLOGY and XTRA MATH if you have not done so already.  I will be re-sending home paper copies to have you sign up for these.  PLEASE SIGN UP BY FRIDAY, October 12th.

SEESAW -  Thus far, 10 out of 19  families have registered to this app.  This year, you child will be taking photos of their work that they complete in class and will send it to you to see.  Many families have already seen the great work the kids are doing and are THRILLED when they receive a response from mom or dad! 

SCHOOLOGY - Thus far, 7 out of 19 families have registered for Schoology.  This sight contains many of the forms  / resources that you may need as well as class information.  Missing your child's math homework- go to the math folder and you can print out the page you need.  Lost your vocabulary list or you study map of the East.... do to those folders and you will find them there.  This is also the sight that your child / you will be using throughout the remainder of their schooling in Shrewsbury.  I am looking for ways to improve it so if you have any suggestions, pleas pass in along.

XTRA-MATH - Thus far, 12 out of 19 families have registered for this site.  We use Xtra math almost everyday in class to practice our math facts.  The kids can also use it at home.  If they are not registered and linked to the site, the work they doe in the two places are not compatible.  Also, any work that they have done in previous years, will not be recognized.

MISS FINNERAN'S CLASS BLOG - There is NO NEED to register for this site, yet it is a recourse of information  that I try to keep up to date.    You can see this site by visiting:  http://kfinneran31.blogspot.com/

For those families that need to register for ANY of the sites above, (Seesaw, Schoology or XTRAMATH) I will send home the registration papers on Tuesday.

Please reach out if you have any questions.

PASSWORDS / MUSIC/ SQUARE ONE ART / STUDENT COUNCIL

Families of Room 31 ~

1.  PASSWORDS - tonight I sent home a homework assignment for my students AND PARENTS.  We need each student to have a strong password for the google / Schoology access this year.  We have shared some digital citizenship lessons with the students and have  practiced making strong passwords.  There are TWO different homework assignments depending on whether your child  already has a password or not.

HAVE A PASSWORD - If you child already has a password in Powerschool listed, please review the password with them tonight to see if it is a "Strong password."  (See the paper work sent home today.).  If you / your student wants to keep the password currently listed, please check of that spot on the homework and send it back.  If you / your child are CHANGING the password - please CREATE ONE with your child and write in on the form.  I will submit the password change to the IT department.

NEED A PASSWORD - If you child needs a password because one was not created in the past, please work with them to create the password following the criteria sent home.  Please enter this password directly into POWERSCHOOL following the directions sent home.
We will be using these passwords NEXT WEEK, so I ask that you take care of this this evening or over the weekend.

2.  SQUARE ONE ART -  There are still 9 students who have not submitted their Square One Art pieces.  They were sent home on Tuesday.  Please make sure they come back to school FRIDAY completed using colored markers.  They need to get submitted to the company next week.  The paper for this should be in your child's homework folder.

3.  MUSIC FORMS - The music teacher sent home a form this week about purchasing a Chorus T-shirt and a recorder.  Please make sure this form and money is returned to school by Monday, October 1st.

4.  STUDENT COUNCIL ELECTIONS - Elections will take place tomorrow morning at some point.  There are 16 out of 19 students running for election!!! (WOW!)  I am SO PROUD of the opinion writing they have completed to enter into the elections.  Please have your child practice reading aloud their speech tonight.  We will be electing THREE students from our class for this role.  ***  If any of the candidates are absent, we will postpone elections until all candidates are in school.

Music / Art / Student Council

Families of Room 31 -

Please check your child's homework folder / planner for two pieces of information from your child's art (Mrs. Loconsolo) and music teacher (Mrs. Falvo). 

On Monday, a notice came home from Mrs. Falvo about purchasing a recorder / Chorus T-shirt.  The form and money is due by Monday, October 1st.

Today, several students (not all), took home their Square One Art projects to complete from the Art teacher. Some student finished their work during art class.   If your child had to complete their project, it would be found in their homework folder and recorded in their planner.  These pieces of art work are to be completed and returned to school.  They may return it whenever they are done, yet by this Friday the latest.  Students may work on it during any indoor recess time we have this week.  They need to complete their art work using markers.

On another note, we will be holding student council elections for our homeroom on Friday (as long as everyone is in school!)   Copies of their speeches have been sent home when your child finishes their work so they may practice if they are running for the election.  There are still a few completing their final drafts and they should sent home tomorrow at the latest.    We will be electing THREE representatives from our classroom. 

Please let me know if you have any questions. 

Hopes and Dreams / Curriculum Night

Parents of Rooms 31 ~

In school this past week, the students and I have been talking about individual Hopes and Dreams as well what we need from each other to reach these dreams.  On Friday, I sent home a paper with your child for your to complete regarding your Hopes and Dreams for your child.  Please complete your Hopes and Dreams and send them back to school with your child by Wednesday, September 12th.

MATH GOALS - Students will be bringing home the results of their math fact assessment on Monday.  They worked in school to set some goals to reach when they take the assessments again at the end of the month.  To reach mastery, a student needs to receive a score of 95 or above in 5 minutes.    Those that did reach master will set new goals with the time frame being 4 minutes.  That that did not reach mastery, will be setting goals that are anywhere from 5 to 10 points higher than the previous  month.  Please review these goals with your child and send back the font goal sheet cover on Tuesday.

CURRICULUM NIGHT - Just a reminder that Curriculum Night is this week - Thursday, September 13th at 6:30.  I'm looking forward to meeting everyone and reviewing our classroom routines.  Also, there will be sign ups that evening for parent / student conferences.  Due to the fact that I invite the students to be part of the discussion, the conference time slots will be longer.  I will also be offering some before / after school slots on different days to accommodate schedules.

Looking forward to meeting you this Thursday evening.

FIRST WEEK

Families of Room 31 ~

I hope you all enjoy the extended weekend.  We were certainly tired after our first days back to school.  What an exciting and HOT  first week we had!

 

HIGHLIGHTS

            •  We unpacked and labeled all our notebooks and folders

• We enjoyed some “get to know you” activities

            •  We began reviewing / discussing class and homework expectations

            •  We began to utilize our planners and homework folders.

            •  We took two of our math 100 fact quizzes and one spelling assessment

            •  We completed a scavenger hunt of the room 
 
WRITER’S NOTEBOOK ~ Wednesday I sent the students home wit their Writer’s Notebook, as well as a blue handout with directions.  The students are to decorate the FRONT of the notebooks with pictures / photographs / drawings / lists / memories / quotes that you can use as inspiration for writing their own stories.  This is optional There is a picture on the back of the blue paper to assist you in what it should look like.  Please have your child return their notebook by Thursday, September 6^th.
ALL ABOUT ME BAGS – Don’t forget to have your child complete / return their ALL ABOUT ME bag by Wednesday, September 5^th.  We need these for our getting to know you activities.
Please remember to send your child to school everyday with a SNACK and WATER BOTTLE.  Our lunch is at 1:05 and they need a snack to hold them.  Also, our room is HOT and a water bottle is suggested to keep them hydrated all year long.  Remember – NO NUTS/ TREENUTS!
 
PLANNERS - Don’t forget to check and SIGN your child’s planner every night.   They have homework Monday – Thursday and their planner and homework folder should be coming home and back to school EVERYDAY!
 
SUMMER READING / SUMMER MATH – All summer reading / math calendars were due this week.  I am still tracking down a few.    If your child has not, please make sure the works comes in next Tuesday.
 
Don’t hesitate to get in touch if you have ANY QUESTIONS.   Email is the best way to reach me, yet you may send in a note / write a note in the planner if you would like.
 
I look forward to meeting all of you at Curriculum Night on September 13^th.

Great First Day

Families of Room 31!!

What a wonderful first day we all experienced!!!   I was so excited to have my room filled with eager and excited students! 

We spent some time unpacking and labeling our supplies.   Some supplies  -  the extras we did not ask for, were sent home (or to be kept in their backpacks) as we don’t have room to store them in our small buckets.

Today the children will come home with their planners and homework folders. The homework folder and planner are to travel between home and school on a daily basis.  Tonight, students and parents are to read / review the opening day letter that was sent home in the communication folder.  Please make sure your child brings back their planner / homework folder and an empty communication folder tomorrow.

I also ask that you:
            •  send your child to school each day with a WATER BOTTLE and SNACK.  Remember to be allergy aware!
            •  sign / initial your child’s planner EVERY NIGHT!!
 
Tomorrow the students will have PE and CHORUS.   Don’t forget sneakers!

Just a reminder - Friday is a day off for students as teachers attend a professional development training.  Also, Monday is Labor day so there will be no school!

I look forward to a GREAT YEAR!   Please don’t hesitate to get in touch if you have any questions.

Welcome to Room 31

Welcome to Room 31 ~
I am so excited for the first day of school tomorrow! My classroom is located on the third floor - Room 31. Here are just a few reminders regarding the first day.

1.  TRANSPORTATION FORM - Thanks to those of you whom have already sent this in.  If you have not, please send  your child's transportation plan with them to school tomorrow morning. You can also email it directly to me if you'd like.    Also, please make sure your child knows how he or she is getting home!

2. WATER BOTTLE / SNACK -  As you know, this week is going to be very hot. Please send your child to school each day with a water bottle or two to bring into the classroom. This water bottle can be refilled throughout the day as needed.   I know some students have frozen them in the past to keep them cooler.    Also, lunch is at 1:05.  Please make sure your child has a snack each day as 1:05 is a long time to wait without any "fuel!" 

3. SUMMER MATH / READING CALENDARS - Summer math and reading calendars will be collected tomorrow upon arrival. Please make sure your child them completed with their name on them. 

4.  COMMUNICATION FOLDERS - A blue communication folder will be sent home a the beginning of each week.  Please take out the notices / corrected papers and send the folder back with your child the following day.

5.  PLANNERS / HOMEWORK FOLDERS - Your child will come home with a planner and homework folder every day.  I (or another adult in the room) will initial the planner every day to make sure they have copied the assignment correctly.  Please make sure your child completed their assignment each night.   Once you know they have, please sign / initial your child's planner EVERY NIGHT and have them pack it in their backpack for the next day!

If you have any questions or concerns, please don't hesitate to get in touch.  I'm looking forward to working with you to support your child in having a successful fourth grade!

Warm wishes ~

Completion Ceremony Reminder

Families of Room 31 -

First, Happy Father’s Day to all the dad’s out there.  I always stop to remember my dad on this special day.  There is a quote that I always use when referencing him that goes out to all of you -  "A dad is someone who wants to catch you before you fall but instead picks you up, brushes you off, and lets you try again.”  Thanks for always being there to “brush” us of and letting us try again!

Tomorrow, Monday June 18th, is an exciting day for fourth grade.  Our fourth grade Completion Ceremony begins at 9:30 tomorrow.  I’d like to highlight a few important pieces of the invitation:

• Family and friends are welcome to enter the gym no sooner than 9:00am. Please do not arrive any earlier than 9:00am as traffic will interfere with morning student drop-off. 
  
• Students are asked to dress appropriately for this special occasion. Please refrain from jeans, t-shirts, and tank tops. If your child would like to change after the ceremony he/she is welcome to bring a change of clothes.

The change of clothes is IMPORTANT for our class as we will have our final PE class at 12:00 today so they will need to change in play clothes and have sneakers!!!

Also, with the given HEAT, please  send your child to school with a water bottle or TWO.  Freezing them has helped to keep them cooler throughout the day.

I look forward to seeing everyone tomorrow.

Kelly Finneran

Field Trip Reminder / Upcoming Dates

Families of Room 31 ~
Just a reminder that our field trip to Lowell Mills in Tuesday, June 5th.  Students need to be dropped off at the school at 7:45 AM with their bagged / disposable lunch.  The bus will leave at 8:00 AM.  We will return back to Coolidge for the usual dismissal time.  Please see the attached reminder that was sent home last week for more information.  We are going rain or shine.  Most of our day will be indoor, yet need to walk a distance to and from the bus.
LOWELL REMINDER.doc 

Upcoming Important Dates
Tuesday June 5^th – LOWELL MILLS FIELD TRIP – students need to arrive at Coolidge at 7:45 AM.  Buses leave at 8:00 AM.  We return for usual dismissal.  Look for more information in today’s communication folder.
 
Thursday June 7^th – PICTURES of students due for completion poster
 
Friday June 8^th  –  Tracks for Technology Fundraiser due.... Thanks to those who have already submitted their child's pledge sheet  ( a new pledge sheet is going home in the Monday Communication Folders for those who may need it.
 
Thursday June 14^th – Sherwood Ambassadors visit 4^th grade classes
 
Monday June 18^th – Completion Ceremony for 4^th grade   (9:30  AM- 11:00 AM)
 
Wednesday June 20^th – Ice Cream Social for 4^th grade (2:00 PM – students only)
 
Thursday June 21^st – Last day of school – Wear 4^th grade T-shirt!   Dismissal at 12:15
 
Just a shout out to the PTO for some recent activities.  Last Thursday we had the please of listening to and learning from non-fiction author Loree Griffin Burns.  She is a dynamic presenter and truly strikes a chord with the students about the importance of researching, writing and revising.   Also, Friday June 1st was our Field Day and Tracks for Technology.   A lot of hard work and planning happens behind the scenes to make events like this happen!  We are fortunate to have such an a group of hard working parents here at Coolidge working to provide the students with such wonderful experiences.  Speaking of great experiences, the PTO is sponsoring a school wide visit from character actress Cheryl Faye who will be visiting the school this Wednesday as Sally Ride!   Ask your child about her visit Wednesday evening.

As always, please reach out if you have any questions.

END OF YEAR REMINDERS / DATES

Families of Room 31 ~

I hope everyone enjoyed the “official” start to summer.  The year is quickly coming to an end and there is A LOT happening.  Below is a summary of some upcoming events / important dates for fourth grade.

SPIRIT WEEK  / IMPORTANT DATES

SPIRIT WEEK is this week May 29^th – June 1^st

Tuesday May 29^th – Sports Day – wear your favorite article of clothing (no hat) to represent your favorite sport team

Wednesday May 30^th – Crazy Hair Day

Wednesday May 30^th – SELCO is coming to 4^th grade to film a commercial.  Please have your child either WEAR or BRING their SELCO shirt that they received when we visited SELCO earlier this month

Thursday May 31^st – School Spirit Day – wear your Coolidge T-shirt or red and black

Thursday May 31^st – Author Loree Burns visiting 3^rd and 4^th grade

Friday June 1^st – Field Day / Color Day – 4^th grade color is blue!

Friday June 1^st – Tracks for Technology (after field day)

Tuesday June 5^th – LOWELL MILLS FIELD TRIP – students need to arrive at Coolidge at 7:45 AM.  Busses leave at 8:00 AM.  We return for usual dismissal.  Look for more information in today’s communication folder.

Thursday June 7^th – PICTURES of students due for completion poster

Friday June 8^th – RAINDATE - Field Day / Color Day – 4^th grade color is blue!

Friday June 8^th  – RAINDATE - Tracks for Technology (after field day)

Friday June 8th - TRACKS for TECHNOLOGY FUNDRAISER DUE!

Thursday June 14^th – Sherwood Ambassadors visit 4^th grade classes

Monday June 18^th – Completion Ceremony for 4^th grade

Wednesday June 20^th – Ice Cream Social for 4^th grade

                                      (2:00 PM – students only)

Thursday June 21^st – Last day of school – Wear 4^th grade T-shirt!  

                                     Dismissal at 12:15

MCAS Reminder - May 10th & 11th

MCAS REMINDER

Our fourth grade students will be taking the MATH portion of MCAS performance based 
assessments.  The students will be using the iPads for this test.  The students are well prepared and have certainly progressed in their math skills this year.    It is time for their talents to shine!

Finneran / Weagle – May 10^th & 11^th   (Thursday / Friday)

Cloyes / Rice – May 14^th & 15^th  (Monday / Tuesday)

Here are a few reminders that we’ve discussed with the students:

1.  ARRIVE TO SCHOOL ON TIME!

     This is key for those students that do not take the bus.   MCAS testing is scheduled to begin at 9:15. It is important that we have some time to talk with the students prior to the beginning of the given day’s assessment.   

2.  Get a good night’s sleep!

3.  Eat a filling, healthy breakfast.

4.  Bring TWO SNACKS and a WATER BOTTLE to school!

      * First snack will be eaten prior to testing and the second snack needs to be able to be eaten quickly (3 to 5 minutes).

5.  Wear comfortable, appropriate layered clothing.

6.  Any ELECTRONIC devices such as smart watches / cell phones, etc. should either be kept at home or will be kept on the teacher’s desk.

     7.  Remember to use all the strategies that they have learned and practiced.

 

 

UPCOMING INFORMATION

Families of Room 31 -
Just a few reminders -
1.  Tomorrow, Tuesday May 1st is a 1/2 day.  Dismissal begins at 12:10.

2.  SELCO permission slips are due by Thursday, May 3rd.

3.  MUSIC  - Concert forms were sent home on Friday.  Please complete these and send them back with your child by WEDNESDAY, May 2nd.  Our music teacher needs to know whom is planning on attending the concert that is happening on Wednesday evening May 23rd.

4.  HEALTH POSTERS - Mrs. Current, our health teacher, assigned a health poster that the students need to complete and turn in by Friday.  She gave them the paper and the topic.  Some students have already handed their colored poster in.  Please check with your child to see if they need to complete theirs.

5.  SOCIAL STUDIES - WEST MAP QUIZ - Don't for get the Friday, May 4th the students will take their WEST MAP QUIZ.  They need know the states, land forms and waterways.  Capitals are a bonus.

6.  MATH MCAS - Students from our class and Mrs. Weagle's class will be taking their MATH MCAS on Thursday, May 10th and Friday, May 11th.  We will send reminders home about snack, water bottles and timely arrival closer to this date.  Please refrain form making any appointments on these days.

7.  Chaperones - First, than you all so much for having so many volunteers for out field trip to Lowell.  We are only able to take four so I have chosen names out of a hat and have made contact with those parents whom are attending.  Those whom I did not contact, I'd like to place on a reserve list in case a parent has to back out.  (It has happened to me several times!).  It is important to know that in order to chaperone, OR VOLUNTEER (field day!), you need to have a completed CORI.  Some of my parents who are on a reserve list for chaperoning do not have a CORI for the school and would need to have this to attend if called upon.  

8.  CORI'S -   Anyone volunteering at our school must participate in the Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI) check before volunteering.  Volunteering includes classroom volunteering, field trips, field day, etc.  Once a CORI check has been completed, your ‘CORI’ is valid for 3 years.  CORI checks are applicable to any volunteering in the Shrewsbury Public Schools.  Unfortunately, CORIs completed elsewhere are not valid for Shrewsbury Public Schools.  Please come to school and see to Mrs. Cairns, our secretary, with your license to complete the CORI form and have it processed.  It you need it processed quicker, you can stop up at Central Office and complete this process.  Please allow for at least 2 weeks for CORI checks to be completed before participating in any volunteer activities at our school.  Volunteers without a completed and processed CORI will be unable to volunteer until the process is complete.  Thank you in advance for your cooperation. 

 

Upcoming Dates:
May 10th / 11th   - Math MCAS
May 18th - SELCO field trip (2 hours during the day)
May 23rd - Chorus Concert
June 1st - Field Day
June 5th - Field trip to Lowell
June 8th - Field Day rain date
June 18th - Completion Ceremony
June 21st - Last day of school (1/2 Day)

Please be in touch if you have any questions.

Job Well Done

Families of Room 31 ~

I'd like to send my congratulations to your children.  I am so proud of the effort that they put forth during our ELA MCAS these past two days.  I wish I could grade on effort alone.

Although I am unable to read what the children write or even check their work, but I can say that they took their work seriously, planned their answers using pillars,T-charts, or diamonds.  I saw them checking and rechecking their work.  Many were very proud to share that while they were checking, they found their own mistakes!  What more can you ask for!

It will be good to get back into a normal routine these last few days before April vacation.

Don't forget that there is a measurement quiz on Friday!

MCAS DAY ONE UPDATE

Families of Room 31 ~

 Watching the kids work today through their ELA MCAS truly brought tears to my eyes!    The effort that they put forth was outstanding! I watched the students follow all the strategies, highlight key words, find the answer in the text and highlight it as well as  plan out their open response / essays using pillars and writing diamonds to answer their essays.     They should all have huge smiles on their faces based on their effort, yet they will be tired.   Many students worked past lunch, yet all finished and were able to have at least part of their gym class this afternoon!  They deserve a GIGANTIC round of applause!!! 

Let's hope the same effort is put forth tomorrow!   Remember... a good night's sleep, a hearty, healthy breakfast, water and TWO healty snack will help ensure their energy for the day!
Congratulations on a job well done

Don't forget that FIELD TRIP permission and money is due this Wednesday.  Also, tomorrow the students should return their media books and bring their recorders.