Dear Parents,

Thank you for your quick responses to my plea for drivers. It looks like we are good to go.
Here is my preliminary head count. Please note, if you are taking Miss Kara, the nurse, or me,
I assumed we would sit in the front seat and that the # of seatbelts you can provide remains the
same. Let me know if I’m mistaken. Again, thanks so much! This is my favorite field trip!

EEJ

Daria-3
Kate-6
Nolan-6
Mason M.-3
Kelly-4
Ramtin-6
Bryce-4
Amaya-1
Drew-1

TIME SENSITIVE!!!!!

Dear Parents,

As of today, Thursday, May 21, 2009, I do not have enough drivers for our Rancho field trip next
Monday. Obviously, if we do not have enough drivers, I will have to cancel and we will lose our
deposit. If you can drive can you please mail ASAP at erinjohnsone@sbcglobal.net (don’t forget
the “e” at the end) and let me know the following:

-how many child seats you can provide
-if I have your insurance information on file

If you do not have access to e-mail but you can drive, please let me know tonight at Open House.

Thanks!

Erin Johnson

April 12, 2009

I hope you all had a great break! I enjoyed spending time with family and dear friends in
Indiana. See you tomorrow!

Love,

Erin

March 24, 2009

Dear Parents,

Wow! I can’t believe it is almost time for Spring Break! What a quick year! I have a few
announcements to post.

First, our USS Midway field trip is tomorrow. Please make sure your child is at school, on
time, with a disposable sack lunch and layered clothing. We will be leaving promptly at 8:15.
Drivers, please be on time, all gassed up! Drivers, the cost of parking is $7.00.

If you have not turned in your child’s $8.00 donation to cover the Rancho Buena Vista Adobe
field trip in May, please do so ASAP. I would like to send them the money in a timely manner.

We have a problem solving quiz on Thursday. A study packet was passed out yesterday.

Lastly, I have great news! The upgraded Reading Counts program has quizzes for every single
story test we read each week! Those quiz points can be counted toward your child’s monthly
total.

Thanks!

Erin


February 26, 2009

Dear Families,

Thank you so much for your support during our study of the missions. All the projects were
absolutely amazing.

I sent home the official permission slip for the Midway field trip. So far, I’ve only received
a few slips and have seats for 14 students. If you would like to drive, please send the
permission slip back ASAP so that I can start assigning drivers. Please note, seating
selections are based on many things (how many seatbelts a car can offer and student
behavior/personality conflicts) so there cannot be any last minute switching of students the
morning of the field trip. If you had sent in $8.00 in response to a previous request, I have
refunded your child the $1.00 today, as I asked for too much money initially! If you need
financial assistance for your child please let me know. I still have money left over from the
mission field trip donations.

Finally, please make sure your child is in school next Tuesday. We have the State Writing test
and it is imperative that your child attends school.

Thanks!

Erin

Field Trip to the USS Midway:

Believe it or not, I need to start collecting for our upcoming USS Midway field trip in March.
Please send in a $8.00 cash donation to cover the cost of the trip for your child. If you have
the cash on you, I will even take it as early as tomorrow! When I finalize my number of
chaperones, I will let you know the cost per adullt.

Thanks!

Erin

Dear Families,

Here is a tentative schedule for drivers/chaperones for the mission field trip on Tuesday. My
field trip coordinator and I tried very hard to select cars that would carry lots of students
followed by those of you who have turned in all your auto insurance coverage information. So,
if you are listed as a chaperone, you are NOT driving. You will need to remain with your group
at the mission. If you are a non-driver and you would like to opt out of this field trip, let
me know so I can reimburse you. If you are fine with not driving but would still like to
chaperone, there are two options for transportation. First, if there is room, you can ride with
your group. If not, I might need a parent to take a car-full of all the rest of the parents!
As complicated as this is, I must admit, it’s a first! Usually, I am begging for drivers at the
last minute! I look forward to an on time departure from AOE at 9:15. Please meet us in the
front of the school at 9:00 a.m. SHARP!!!!

Thanks!

Erin Johnson

Drivers – Mission Field Trip

Michael & Karen McKinzie (6)Mason M. William Justin Ian Rudy Mason W.

Pam Huppert (5)Kate Sierra A.Ramtin Nolan Chap: Stephanie Palm Chap: Kia Afashi

Shannon Gill (5?)Riley Tyler Paycee Drew Chap: Sydne Yeargin Chap: Sarah McMillan Chap: Robin
Bergh

Corina McGraw (6)Cierra N. Xena Jacob K. Cameron Fabiola Chap: Edwardo Sanchez Chap: Shannon
McMurray

Irene Perello (5)Isabelle Sierra K. Skyler CJ Chap: Gail McFadden Chap: Sarah Kirkpatrick

Danielle Haraway (5)Ashley Kelly Bryce David Chap: Mary Meinen Chap: Brian Grebbien

Chonnette Leathers (5)Daria Nika Carlos Jacob U. Amaya Chap: Tracey Fabian


January 13, 2009

Dear Parents,

Thank you for the overwhelming response to the request for drivers to the mission on February
10th. You all get to go, but I will strategically pick cars with the most amount of seats as my
drivers.

I only have received back about 1/3 of the orange papers that went home in the Friday Eagle
Express asking your permission to have your child’s photo published on our website, yearbook,
etc. The office needs that paper on file for every student at AOE, whether you accepted or
declined. I sent home a second copy today for those students who have not turned it in to me.
Please take a moment to fill it out tonight and return it tomorrow.

Thanks,

Erin

January 7, 2009

Dear Families,

An informational letter regarding our upcoming field trip to Mission San Capistrano will be sent
home today with your child. We are going with Mrs. Barrie’s class on Tuesday, February 10th. A
formal permission slip will be sent home in next week’s Eagle Express. In the meantime, I need
to know:

-Can you drive? If so, I need a copy of your insurance coverage and driver’s license.
-Do you need financial assistance to cover the field trip cost of $8.00?
-Can you provide an $8.00 scholarship for one of our classmates?

All money returned needs to be cash. Please DO NOT write a check. If you plan on driving you
must also pay $8.00 for yourself. I would appreciate all money returned to me by this Friday!

On a related note, I submitted all the mission project guidelines to our Copy Center
volunteers. When they are returned, the fourth grade team will distribute them to our
students.

Thanks!

Erin


January 5, 2009

Dear Families,

Welcome back! I hope your vacation was peaceful and full of cheer. It was fun listening to all
the students’ stories of their holiday adventures. I returned last night from Indiana.
Needless to say, it was interesting watching the Chargers/Colts game in INDIANA on Saturday!

Back to business, Mrs. Barrie’s math class just took the Chapter 5 division test before break so
you should be getting those results soon. For my math class, since we are a bit ahead of
schedule, we are learning about measurement in Chapter 6. There will be a test; however,
students WILL NOT have to memorize any conversions. They must be able to successfully interpret
a measurement chart in order to find the correct answers.

We will wrap up our science rotation with Mrs. Barrrie this week and begin our MISSION UNIT
soon! Very detailed instructions for project completion will be provided to your child which
includes step-by-step directions, descriptions of project choices, a sample PowerPoint and
deadlines. Look for this paperwork soon!

Lastly, I welcome 2009 with open arms. I hope it will be a year of happiness and peace for all
of us. Thank you for all your support of me and the children.

Love,

Ms. J.

December 23, 2008

Dear Families,

I hope you are having a peaceful break. Aidan and I are in Indiana, visiting our family. It
was 2 degrees when we arrived and it is snowing right now! I shopped for the writing books and
I wanted to update you on my purchases. Thank you to all who donated.

Love That Dog
A Story for Bear
Out of the Dust
Crash
Loser

Look for these books when we teach “Voice” and then in the class library.

Have a wonderful holiday!

Love,

Erin

December 11, 2008

Dear Families,

Thank you to those of you who donated money for classroom writing books. I plan to shop over
the break. You still are welcome to donate! :)

The optional Power Point presentations for “What I Want to Be When I Grow Up” are due next
Thursday.

We will have a brief holiday celebration in our classroom next Thursday at 12:45. We will
recognize December birthdays, complete one winter craft, and enjoy a healthy treat.

Students who do not have enough Reading Counts points before break begins can read over break
and take quizzes upon our return. Points can count for either December or January.

Thanks!

Erin


Good morning!

I hope you all had a great break. Here are a few reminders...

I am need of black and color ink cartridges for my printer. It is a DEll A920. I would really
appreciate a cartridge or two-currently I have to send all my print jobs to the the computer lab!

Tomorrow is the last day for the Giving Tree Gift drive. We currently only have 5 presents for
our family. If you are able to donate, I am sure the family would really appreciate it.

The fourth grade teachers are doing a holiday art rotation next week so you can expect 4 great
projects for the fridge!

Power point presentations are due December 18th. The topic is what I want to be when I grow
up. This is an optional project.

Thanks!

Erin Johnson


Happy Thanksgiving!

Yes, I am working on Thanksgiving-I know I’m crazy. I just wanted to share some positive
feedback and some new information. The optional Power Point presentations on rocks and minerals
were amazing! They exceeded my expectations exponentially! We still have two more to watch and
I am looking forward to them immensely. So, I am going to extend this opportunity each month.
The presentations will always be on the last Thursday of the month. All presentations will be
optional except for the month of February. A presentation topic schedule follows.

December-What I want to be when I grow up
January-Black History Month is February but we have something else going on that month so
presentations this month should be on a biography of a famous African American
February-Mission report: MANDATORY
March-Favorite author/book report OR anything art based
April-Science based-choose from populations and ecosystems, magnets and electricity, or landforms
May-Family Tree

Like before, please email the presentations to me or send them in on a jump drive or CD.

Enjoy your turkey! Please let your child know I am thankful for him or her!

Love,

Ms. J.

PS I am going to send home a list of suggested books I need to purchase for the writing program
we have been implementing this year. The list was given to us at our training last Friday.
They are all great books and I will use them not only to teach writing, but also to use in the
class library. If you each would like to donate one book, I think that would provide our class
with most of the suggested literature. Let me know if you would like to donate.

Okay, I really am going now….Happy Thanksgiving!


November 19th
If your child is doing a Science powerpoint tomorrow please remember to email it to me or put it
on a jump drive.

Thanks!

Erin
November 18, 2008

Dear Parents,

Here are my latest updates….

SMART board training is going well. My colleagues and I are learning so much valuable
information that we will immediately be implementing in the classroom upon our return. One of
the things we have learned is how to convert lessons that were taught on the SMART board to PDF
files. We will begin posting those files on our class websites. I have already place a
vocabulary tab on my page and I will also place a SMART board tab. Please take advantage of
these resources as they become available

Reading Counts: After much discussion, our team has decided to keep the regular points’
requirement for November and December. Students who read a book over Thanksgiving break and
take the test upon return can choose to apply those points to either month. For December,
students will take the test for Island of the Blue Dolphins which will account for the majority
of that month’s points. Again, points for a book read over Winter Break can be applied to
either December or January.

We will have a brief acknowledgement of Thanksgiving with a healthy treat and craft this
Thursday at 12:50. Parents are welcome to attend.

Have a great night!

Erin Johnson

Oops, two more things. The optional science power point presentations on rocks and minerals are
due next Thursday, the 20th.

I gave the students two papers with additional icons that can be used for reading log. Please
encourage your child to use the icons that he or she is most comfortable with.

November 13, 2008

Dear Families,

Here are a few quick updates I wanted to share as I think of them.

-If you have not done so already, please turn in a $1.00 donation to help offset the cost of two
crafts we will be doing for Thanksgiving and Winter Break. We will have a brief observance of
Thanksgiving and our November birthdays next Thursday at 12:50.

-We will have our science test on Rocks and Minerals next Thursday. Please continue to support
your child by reviewing key terms and concepts. A study guide has been provided and additional
study aids will be sent home soon.

-Following this unit, my students will be taught Populations and Ecosystems by Mrs. Barrie.

-Music starts next week! Yippee!

-The Reading Counts point’s expectation will remain the same for November, but reduced by half
for December.

-Remember, I am out of the classroom three days next week for mandatory training, ugh!
November 2, 2008

Dear Families,

I hope you enjoyed your weekend! I would like to update you on a few things…

Please give kudos to the kiddos for the great job they are doing on Island of the Blue
Dolphins. In the nine years I have taught this book, this year is the best the students have
done in both comprehension and vocabulary. Please continue to support your child by reviewing
the chapters we have read in class and really studying the vocabulary. Vocabulary words with
pictures are given to students on Mondays. Students will be able to take the Reading Counts
test on this book for November points.

We have begun our unit of Rocks and Minerals. I would like to present a great extension
opportunity that is totally optional. I will be asking students to research any aspect of this
unit and create a Power Point presentation on their findings. The presentation should be 5-10
slides and should include text and pictures. Presentations will be held three weeks from this
Thursday.

Please remember to leave assessments attached to the weekly bulletin when you return it each
week.

Thank you to Corina McGraw, Cierra N.’s mom and our room mom, for providing healthy snacks last
Friday as we celebrated October birthdays. We enjoyed popcorn and apples with caramel.

I want to let you know far in advance that I will be out of the classroom three days on the
week before Thanksgiving Break. I have mandatory training. Wendy Grebbien, Kelly’s mom and
former teacher, will be our sub. Thanks, Wendy!

PE has commenced and the students are enjoying the time they spend with the PE teacher.

If your child is in Mrs. Barrie’s math class, please emphasize the importance of mastery of
basic multiplication facts. Students who do not have their facts mastered will be studying them
at recess!

A new round of Eagle Electives will start this Friday. We are offering Poetry, Art, Math Games,
and Book Club. More details will follow.

Have a great night,

Erin Johnson

October 26, 2008

Dear Families,

Thank you for meeting with me during conference time. I enjoyed sharing your children’s growth
and hearing your feedback. Here is a brief summary of some of the things that we discussed:

Reading Counts: 15 pts/mo is Excellent Effort, 12-14 is good effort and 9-11 is satisfactory
effort.

My daily schedule is posted on the Newsflash section of the Teacher Web page. It will soon be
posted on the Class Schedule tab on the left side of the page.

The Bonus spelling activities sheet that was handed out at the beginning of the year is not
required unless I specifically assigned it for that week. Please encourage your child to keep
it filed safely under the homework tab, as we will use it eventually.

Starting tomorrow, I am asking you to give your child the spelling pre-test each Monday night
using the fourth grade words that come home. If your child misses two or few of those words,
he/she will be required to study the challenge words for the week. I have also given the
students a yellow packet that has high frequency spelling words listed. We will not be testing
on these words but they are meant to serve as a resource and expected to be referenced during
all writing assignments.

Thanks!

EEJ

October 13, 2008

Dear Parents,

Let me update you on a few things since I was absent on Friday. My ten year old son has croup!
Isn’t that bizarre???

Social Studies Flip Books: I will pass them out today. Your child should have been gathering
pictures from magazines and the internet. Please help him/her neatly glue the pictures on to
each page. He/she should also write one caption on the bottom of each page. Please proofread
captions before they are written on the flipbook. I am extending the deadline to next
Wednesday, the 22nd, since I was absent.

Corina McGraw, our room mom, needs your help! Our class has been asked to donate treats for the
Halloween festival fundraiser. We need to donate red Gatorade, a bag of candy, and a webkin.
Please email me if you can help and I will put you in contact with Corina.

The kids in my math class will get their Chapter 2 math tests back this week. Our Chapter 3
test is a week from today, the October 20th.

I think that’s it for now!

EEJ

October 2, 2008

Dear Families,

Here are a few updates…

I would like to explain how I grade the “story” tests that have been coming home on Fridays.
The first 2 questions are worth two points each since they are write-in responses. I add those
points to the rest of the multiple choice comprehension questions for the comprehension score.
The multiple choice vocabulary questions are graded separately, hence the two grades. Sorry I
did not clarify that sooner.

It seems we are going to be okay on volunteers. Thanks to all who agreed to come in and help.
I am going to be giving your availability to a parent and she will produce a schedule for us.
Thanks, Karen!

Please encourage your child to bring a water bottle to school. Students may use the class water
cooler to refill their bottles throughout the day.

I encourage you to order at least one item during our school wide gift wrap fundraiser. I am
aiming for 100% participation for our class.

If your child is in my math class and you have found that completion of the math challenge
packet has been too time consuming, please drop me an e-mail so I can adjust the work load next
time. Students do have time to work on the packet each day in class.

Take a look at your child’s Reading Counts points summary that is attached to tomorrow’s
bulletin. Remember, the goal for September was 7 points. October’s goal is 15 points.

Have a great night!

Erin Johnson

Here is my daily schedule. Please keep in mind when scheduling appts.

Erin Johnson’s Schedule

Mon.
805-835 Morning Work
835-1005 Math (9-935 teaming with Mrs. Barrie, 935-1005 Computer Lab)
1005-1025 Recess
1025-1205 Language Arts
1205-1250 Lunch
1250-110 Silent Reading
110-225 SS/Science

Tues.
805-835 Morning Work
835-1005 Math (9-935 teaming with Mrs. Barrie)
1005-1025 Recess
1025-1205 Language Arts
1205-1250 Lunch
1250-110 Silent Reading
110-145 SS/Science
145-225 Eagle Electives

Wed
805-835 Morning Work
835-1005 Math (9-935 teaming with Mrs. Barrie)
1005-1025 Recess
1025-1205 Language Arts
1205-1250 Math
1250-110 Silent Reading
110-145 SS/Science
145-225 Eagle Electives

Th.
815-9 Science Lab OR 835-905 Library
905 Morning Work
935 Computer
1005 Recess
1025 Buddies with Mrs. Hogg
1100 Language Arts
1205 Lunch
1250 Silent Reading
110 Class Meeting/Dismissal

Fri.
805-835 Morning Work
835-1005 Math (9-935 teaming with Mrs. Barrie, 935-1005 Computer Lab)
1005-1025 Recess
1025-1205 Language Arts
1205-1250 Lunch
1250-110 Silent Reading
110-225 SS/Science










September 23, 2008

Dear Families,

Thank you so much for turning in your conference request times. I have sent back the schedule I
have to date. If your child’s name is not on the schedule, please contact me so that we can
make an appointment.

Volunteers: I appreciate those of you who have offered to help in the classroom. Creating a
Classroom Volunteer schedule is on my To Do List and I will have one posted, ready for October.
As the months progress, I will be in need of field trip drivers.

Evaluations of the oral presentation portion of the diorama project will be sent home with the
Friday bulletin.

We will be taking a break from the Houghton Mifflin reading series for two weeks to focus on
Narrative Writing. We will then read the novel, Island of the Blue Dolphin.

Students in my math class will have the Chapter 2 math test on Friday, Oct. 3rd. The Challenge
packet is also due that day.

Mrs. Barrie math students will have their Chapter 1 test on Monday, September 29th. There will
be no math this Friday due to our Student of the Month assembly.

All students need to have passed the Time Test #1, which focuses on multiplication facts by
October 1st!

Thanks for your continued support!

Erin Johnson

eptember 17, 2008

Dear Families,

Thank you so much for signing up for these automatic e-mail updates.

Here are some things to note:

We have our Social Studies test on regions tomorrow. The diorama of the CA regions is due next
Wednesday. Please have fun with this project and due not spend too much time or money!

We will begin a new writing program soon. Information will go home in the Eagle Express.

Library starts next week and PE instruction should begin soon as well.

We started Eagle Electives this week and the kids are enjoying the enrichment opportunity.

I had very few parents sign up to volunteer in the classroom. If you could spare an hour a week
it would be much appreciated!

If you have not turned in your Parent/Teacher date request form, please do so ASAP!

Please continue to monitor your child’s homework completion.

The Reading Counts points requirement for September is cut in half, as we started late.

Have a great evening!

Ms. J.

September 15, 2008

Dear Parents,

Welcome to the first Teacher Web update! Please sign up using the button at the bottom of the
page to receive future updates automatically sent to your email address. Here are a few class-
specific updates:

-Johnson’s math class will have our Chapter 1 test this Wed.

-Johnson’s homeroom will have our Social Studies test on CA regions this Thurs. Students
already have a study packet and guide.

-PLEASE do not rip off assessments that are attached to the bulletin. Leave them stapled and
return the whole thing on Monday.

-Picture day is this Wed.

-Please return your Parent/Teacher request forms by Wed.

-Please review the Reading Counts letter that went home today.

I will write more as things come to mind. Have a great day!

Erin Johnson