Parent Corner

Dear Parents,

Welcome to a new school year!  I hope each of you had a wonderful 
summer!  The following is a list of information you will need for the new 
school year.  If you have any questions please let me know.

    Class Routines
Class begins when the student walks in the classroom.  We have 
daily routines and each child in the class is responsible for his/her
morning committee work.  This begins at 8:00.  If you need to speak to me, 
please make an appointment with the office.  My conference time is your 
child's P.E. time.  Our class time is very important.  Please try to keep 
check-ins and check-outs to a minimum.  School is not out until 2:45.  We 
work up until 2:35 and the next ten minutes are spent cleaning and getting 
our books ready to go home.  Thank you for your support in this matter.

     Homework 
Each Monday I will be sending home a weekly calendar of homework, 
tests, special events, etc.  Please be expecting this home on a weekly 
basis. The weekly homework calendar is on my website, and updated every 
Monday.
Homework for 4th graders should take about 30-40 minutes each night to 
complete.  (You should count on about 10 minutes per grade level).  Please 
review the assignments and homework with your child nightly. Please remember 
it is their homework. Homework should be your child's time to work 
independently. Your child should be able to complete the work with minimal 
assistance from you.  If they are having any trouble, please let me know.
Every week your child will be given homework in math, daily reading, and 
spelling.  Any homework they have in Math will be to review or practice a 
skill that we have been studying in the text. The spelling activites will 
help encourage vocabulary development, cursive handwriting, grammar,and 
memorization of weekly words.  


    C.R.E.W Binder (Communicate Responsibly: Everyday Work) 
                  
This is the way each child will stay organized at home and at 
school.This binder will contain valuable information that will be right at 
your child's fingertips. (Please see the attached sheet for further 
explanation of our C.R.E.W. Binder.)
     
        Tuesday Folder(C.R.E.W Book)
Each Tuesday I will send home your child's work & tests.  One 
side of the folder is for any papers they may keep, and the other side will 
be for anything signed and returned. ALL TESTS should be signed by a parent 
and sent back the next day.  Please ask your child for this folder every 
Tuesday.
                
   Nightly Reading  (C.R.E.W Book)
Each child will have two books to read and a report to do for 
each book each 9 week period. A schedule will be provided that includes the 
genre of book, project, and the due date of their projects. This should have 
a permanent place inside your child's C.R.E.W. Book.  Please let your child  
read aloud to you at night, and ask them questions about what they are 
reading.  This will help your child with fluency and to develop a deeper
understanding about what their book is about.  

     Spelling (C.R.E.W. Book)
Your child's weekly spelling list should be kept in this binder along 
with their practice test and weekly spelling homework.  This should be 
turned in for a grade every Thursday.  They should take this binder home 
every day. (See Weekly Spelling Instruction sheet for further explanation of 
spelling)
          
     Assignments/Due Dates for assignments
All assignments should be written in neatly with the proper 
heading.  Math work should only be written in pencil as should all other 
assignments unless told differently. All work should be written in cursive 
after Jan. 1st. Classroom assignments are generally due the day 
they are assigned.  Class time is always given to complete the assignment.  
Students may need to finish an assignment at home if not completed  
during the given classwork time.  This is in addition to normal assigned 
homework.   

     Water Bottles
Students may keep a water bottle in the classroom. Please, only 
water should be sent in the water bottles.  These are to be used mainly 
after P.E.

     Effort
Students are always expected to turn in their best work.  Students 
are highly encouraged to correct low scores to make sure they understand 
what is being taught.

     Birthdays
We will not be having birthday parties in the classroom, but 
please feel free to send cupcakes/favors on your child's birthday for the 
class to enjoy at either break or lunch.  Please do not send birthday or 
other party invitations to give out at school unless your child in inviting 
the whole class.  I am sure you understand how this can eliminate major 
problems in the classroom.

Thank you so much for your cooperation.  I hope this information is helpful 
to you and will help explain how our classroom functions. I am excited about
the coming school year!  I want you to enjoy your child's fourth grade 
year.  I love my job, and I look forward to each and every day in the 
classroom!   I hope you all have a great year!!

  
Paula Reaves


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*Please sign and return this bottom portion.  Please keep the letter to 
refer to during the school year.

I have read the parent letter for the 4th grade.


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Parent Signature