Welcome to Fourth Grade

8/26/15

Welcome to 4th Grade!!!   I am looking forward to meeting the students on Tuesday, September 1st  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 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 that 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 day 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 bag the first week and second weeks of school and will use the contents for our first writing exercise.

The students will also be coming home with their homework planner.   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, have you initial / sign it, and have them bring it 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 you 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. 

Lastly, don’t forget to send your child to school with their summer reading sheets, math calendar, a healthy snack (lunch is at 1:00 this year!!!), and a water bottle!

I look forward to meeting everyone soon!


Fondly,

Miss Finneran

Completion Ceremony

Just a reminder that tomorrow - June 16th -  is the fourth grade Completion Ceremony.  The ceremony begins at 9:30 and should be over by 11:00ish.  Parents are invited. A few main points to review:

1.  Students are to wear appropriate clothing.  We shared it should be like "going out to a nice restaurant or a special family occasion."  They may bring a change of clothes for later in the day.

2.  We do ask that the girls we flat shoes - no heals or beach flip flops as we will be in the gym and the floor can be slippery.

3.  After the ceremony, we will have time for pictures. 

4.  When you leave, please take home your child's All About Me poster, Completion Certificate and their reading medal.  The posters can be taken down off the blue boards in the gym.  Just leave the thumb tack behind on the board.

5.  Students should plan on staying for the entire day.  We have other student / staff events (ice cream social) planned for them later in the day.


Our last day of school is Wednesday June 17.  We will begin dismissal at 12:15 pm.  There is no breakfast or lunch served on the last day of school.  If your child attends the after school program they will be dismissed there.  The after school program runs a full day as usual.  If you provided medication to the school nurse you must pick it up by Wednesday June 17 before 12:00 pm or it will be discarded.  

I look forward to seeing all of you tomorrow.

Kelly Finneran

Field Day / Tracks for Technology / SELCO COMMERCIALS

FIELD DAY

Just a reminder that tomorrow - Friday, June 5th, is field day.  Please make sure your child:
~  Wears sneakers
~  Applies sunscreen at home
~  Brings their lunch if they did not purchase lunch in advance.

Looking forward to a great day!


TRACKS for TECHNOLOGY

Tracks for Technology will take place tomorrow afternoon after field day.  Thanks to those families whom have helped by making a donation!!!  Money can still be turned in tomorrow.


SELCO Commercials

Here is the link to the SELCO adds / commercials the Coolidge fourth grades helped to make.  The adds will begin running on SELCO stations this summer.  Thanks to SELCO for making this happen!

https://youtu.be/5lZHdAqER8k

TRACKS for TECHNOLOGY

     TRACKS for TECHNOLOGY

     Friday, June 5th

          Please consider joining us field day Friday afternoon June 5th as we walk the Jordan Pond Trail and complete various fitness events to raise funds for Coolidge School's technology initiative.   The funds raised in past years have helped purchase various technology pieces for our building including several interactive whiteboards.  Your pledge or donation is greatly appreciated.

June 1st Update / Field Day lunch

This time of year can be very hectic for fourth grade.  Just a few reminders:

Field Day Lunch:  Field day is schedule for Friday June 5th (rain date: June 12th).  A notice went home on Friday regarding lunches.  If your child wants to purchase a lunch on Field Day,you need to send in money or a ticket on MONDAY, JUNE 1st.  If they do not pay by this day, they have to bring their lunch on field day.  The notice should be in their homework folder.

Spirit Week:  The memo went home on Friday in their homework folder.  Please refer to memo for the theme of the day.

Chorus Concert: Please refer to Ms. Fallis's recent email about the upcoming concert Thursday June 4th.  I look forward to seeing everyone!

Sherwood Tour: Sherwood Middle has invited all Coolidge 4th grade students to tour the building Wednesday June 3rd from 4:30 - 5:45.  I recommend that you take advantage of this opportunity with your child.
 
Completion Ceremony:  Tuesday, June 16th at 9:30.  Please join us at celebrate with all the 4th graders and their families.  Children may bring cloths to change into after the ceremony.

Last day of school - Wednesday, June 17th.  Dismissal will be at 12:15.

If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to ask.

Field Trip - Thursday, May 28th

LOWELL MILLS FIELD TRIP 

Thursday, May 28^th 

Students must be dropped off at school at 7:45 A.M.

The buses will be leaving at 8:00 A.M.

•   The students and chaperones need to report directly to their classrooms when they arrive.  

•  Chaperones are to check in at the office.  The buses will be leaving at 8:00 AM sharp!  We will return to Coolidge for the usual dismissal time.

•  Pack a bag lunch that can be completely thrown away when finished.   Lunches need to be in a plastic bag  with a name and teacher’s name clearly printed on it BEFORE arriving at school.  NO GLASS containers please!!  Backpacks are NOT allowed in the museums. Students should only bring what is reasonable for them to carry and eat in a limited time. 

•  We will NOT be stopping at the gift store so there is NO need for money.

•  Cameras are allowed.  Rules of the museum regarding photography will have to be followed.

•  Electronic devices (smartphones, DSI’s, iPods, etc.) are okay to bring.   The following rules

        will be strictly enforced.

         ~  All music MUST be appropriate

         ~  The device may be used ONLY as a camera in the museum. 

         ~  No taking pictures while the tour guide is speaking.

         ~  No texting or phone calling in the museum or on the bus.

         ~  No videotaping

         ~  Students will be responsible for all items brought.  Remember, we are not 

              allowed to have backpacks in the museum.

         ~  If your electronic device does not have a camera, it will be left on the bus – at 

              your own risk!

•  Wear comfortable shoes / sneakers as there will be a lot of walking!!

•  We will return to school in time for usual dismissal.

  

SELCO / PARCC

SELCO - Just a reminder that tomorrow the students will be heading to SELCO during the school day.  We will be there for about 2 hours.  We will leave close to 10:15 and return around 12:30.  If you child is not going to have the snack SELCO provides, please make sure you send them to school with a snack in a disposable container / bag.

PARCC - The final testing dates for PARCC are Monday, May 18th and Tuesday the 19th.  The focus of the tests these days will be math.  Please make sure the students have a good night's rest on Sunday, a healthy breakfast on Monday morning and that they come to school on time with a water bottle.

Thanks for your support!!

Kelly Finneran