School Photos / Student Council

Families of Room 31~

~ Just a quick reminder that THURSDAY (today), September 28th is School Picture Day! 

~  Student Council Elections - As long as every student is in class on Friday, we will hold our student council elections.  Many students brought home a copy of the speech they wrote in class on Wednesday.  Although every student needed to write the written piece, only those who choose to read the speech aloud will do so on Friday.   Each homeroom will select 3 members to represent their class.   

~ NO SCHOOL - There will be no school for students on Friday, October 6th as it is a Professional Development Day for staff.  Also, Monday October 9th is Columbus Day.  There will be no school.

~Lastly, I am reaching out to families who were unable to attend Curriculum Night and sign up for a parent conference.  As a reminder, conferences will be 40 minutes and your child is asked to attend.
Please don't hesitate to reach out if you have any concerns / questions.

Thanks for your continued support.

Curriculum Night / Media

Families of Room 31~

Just a few reminders:

1.  Media is on Tuesday.  Each media session the children may check out TWO books.  One book must be appropriate to the student's reading level and I usually approve the choice.  The second book is a book of choice.  We have had many discussion about "quality literature" recently.  Our goal is that hte students throughout the year try various genres and authors.

2.  CURRICULUM NIGHT - Tuesday, September 19th at 6:30.  I hope to see everyone Tuesday night.  I will be reviewing the 4th grade curriculum and expectations as well as some of the routines of our classroom.  There will also be a sign up for parent conferences.  Although we have ONE parent conference day on Thursday, Nov. 9th, I will be holding conferences on alternative dates also.  I want the students to join us for the conference so, it takes longer than the standard 15 minutes speed version.  Many of the alternative dates will be before school / after school.  Fee free to sign up at one of the few slots on conference day or choose an alternative date / time.  Just make sure if is a time / day that both you and your child is able to attend.

3.  THANK YOU - I'd like to reach out and think our families for their generous contribution of hand sanitizer / cash for the Hurricane Harvy victims.  The school in general boxed up six full boxes of supplies and raised close to $400.  What a great reinforcer for the students to actively live - "Helping Others!" 

Looking forward to meeting everyone tomorrow night!

Kelly Finneran

Reminders

Families of Room 31~

A few important reminders:

1.  Decorated WRITER'S NOTEBOOKS are due tomorrow - Friday, September 12th.  We need to use them in class so please make sure your child has turned their in tomorrow.

2.  HURRICANE HARVEY - Thanks to those families that have helped with the community donations.  We have had a few bottle of hand sanitizer sent in as well as a few donations.  We have been spending some time talking about acts of kindness and I can think of no better than helping out our fellow Americans.  Any donations are due by the end of the day Tuesday, September 12th. 

3.  PE (Gym) is on Monday.  It will be our first PE class of the year.  It will be important for students to remember that they should wear their sneakers EVERY MONDAY!

Please be in touch if you have any questions -
Kelly Finneran

Great First Week!

Families of Room 31!
I'm just reaching out to let you know what an ENJOYABLE first week we have had on the third floor!  I am so proud of the students perseverance and effort.  We have spend a bit of time getting to know each other, practicing and modeling our routines in many areas, and talking about the importance of being "present" in the moment.    The students gave terrific effort on there baseline assessments in math and writing.    Next week, we will being our focus in reading while they being their DRA's.  I feel very fortunate to be their teacher!  REMEMBER - there is NO SCHOOL FRIDAY or MONDAY!

Just a reminder that the students need to work on a few items for next week. (Directions were send home in their homework folder on Wednesday)

1.  WRITER'S NOTEBOOKS - DUE BY FRIDAY SEPT. 8th
 These  notebooks were sent home this week for the students to DECORATE with items / photos that are meaningful to them.  These items / photos can and will be inspiration for future writing assignments.  Please make sure they are covering only one side (WRITER'S NOTEBOOK side - not the VOCABULARY side) with these personal items / photos/ drawings.  
 ***  On another note, if you have any laminating / packing tape at home, it would be helpful if you could cover their pictures with these when they are finished.  If not, I will take care of this when they pass them in.

2.  ALL ABOUT ME BAGS / ITEMS - DUE BY WEDNESDAY SEPT. 6th
White bags were sent home on Wednesday for the students to finish personalizing / decorating about themselves.  They are to fill the bag with 3 - 5 items to use to help introduce themselves to their classmates.  Please make sure the items chosen fit in the bag and can stay in school for a week or more.

I hope you and your family enjoy this long holiday weekend.    Please feel free to get in touch if you have any questions / concerns.

Best -
Kelly Finneran

FIrst Day - SUCCESS

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.   In their homework folder are TWO forms that need to be signed and returned.

            •  Nature Trail Form
            •  Bullying Pledge

Please review these forms tonight and send them back with your child in the morning.   I also ask that you:
            •  send your child to school each day with a WATER BOTTLE and SNACK.  Remember to be allergy aware!

            •  sign your child’s planner EVERY NIGHT!!
 
Please clean out the blue communication folder and send it back to school tomorrow!

Tomorrow the students will have CHORUS.   Our PE class will be on MONDAY.
Just a reminder - Friday is a day off for students as teachers attend a professional development training.

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

Get Ready for our First Day!

Good Evening!

I hope that everyone  enjoyed their last day of summer.  It is hard to believe that tomorrow is our first day together!    I am really looking forward to working with your child this year!

I would like to let you know a few of important items before sending your child to school tomorrow:

1. Please send your child with a NUT FREE  snack and a water bottle EVERYDAY. See the information below for more information from Mrs. Zimmerman regarding snacks.   Our lunch is at 1:05 so it is important for the children to "refuel" mid morning!

2.  We will start our day with music class at 9:15 so it will be important for everyone to arrive on time.

3.  If possible, please send your child to school this week with a pleasure book to read.  Our classroom library will be opening up by early next week and they will have the opportunity to choose from our library one we are up and running.

4.  The children will be coming home with a homework folder / planner everyday.  Please make sure they share this with you.  I will make every attempt to initial the planner each day.  I ask that they get in the habit of showing your their completed assignments and that an adult initials or signs the planner at home every night.

I'm looking forward to a great school year and working as a team to support your child.  Please feel free to email me at any time with questions or concerns.

Best -
Kelly Finneran

Dear Parents/Guardians,

This is to inform you that a student(s) in your child’s class has an allergy to PEANUTS.  Strict avoidance of this allergen is the only way to prevent a life threatening allergic reaction.  We are asking your assistance in providing the student with a safe learning environment.

Exposure to this allergen could result in a life-threatening allergic reaction that requires emergency medical treatment.  Please avoid sending in any products for your child’s snack containing this allergen.  All sharing or trading of snacks in the classroom is prohibited.

Please contact our nurse, with any questions at (508) 841-8887 or you can email her at

kzimmermann@shrewsbury.k12.ma.us.

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