Ms. Britto's 4th Grade Class

We know we're a few days late on this, but we've FINALLY posted the 5 Finalists for our Best Website contest on our Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/TeacherWebInc. You have from now until midnight next Wednesday, May 22nd, to vote on your favorite. The winner will receive a free year of TeacherWeb, and the 4 runners-up will get $15 Starbucks giftcards, so vote wisely! The Finalists' websites are posted in their own photo album on our Facebook page, so check those out first, visit the sites, click around, then come back and vote via our poll.

Thanks for your participation - we were amazed by all the entries and fantastic websites that we got to review, and if you didn't end up in the Top 5, know that it's because there are so many stellar educators out there using our products to reach their students and families that it was almost impossible for us to choose.

Thanks again,
The folks at TeacherWeb

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FUN RUN-----------------------------------------------------------------

Mohr's first Fun Run is NEXT WEEK!!  Pledge sheets are due Monday, April 15th! All money is 
collected AFTER the run and is due back by April 24th.  The student that brings in the most 
money in the whole school will win an I Pod and the class that brings in the most will get to name 
the computers in the Lab!  Other prizes are going to be randomly drawn for so you could win - a 
Game Stop gift card, Rockin' Jump gift card, Justice gift card, etc....!!!  Remember, all proceeds go 
directly towards new computers for our Computer Lab!  Collecting pledges is not required to 
participate in this event!  Every student will do the Fun Run and receive a T-shirt!  Thank you for 
your support!!!

Pirate's Log---------------------------------------------------------------

Fifth Log Entry:
What day is it?
Where are you?
You encounter pirates.
Describe your confrontation with the pirates.
How do you defend your ship?
Is it a ship against ship battle?
Or do the pirates get aboard?  Describe.
How does the battle end?

Sixth Log Entry:
What day is it?
Where are you?
Your men are sick.
Describe the illnesses your sailors contract.
How is your crew affected by the illnesses?
You finally arrive at the Spice Lands.
Who is left in your crew?
What do you do when you get into port?

Mohr Fun Run April 17th-------------------------------------------------------------

It’s time for Mohr’s First Annual Fun Run!  Packets will be going home this week with your 
students so please keep a look out for them!

This fun event promotes a healthy lifestyle while fundraising for our school.  All money collected 
will be used to update our very outdated computer lab.  We will have two tracks out in the back of 
the school that are approximately 1/8 mile each.  Classes will be assigned a time to run, jog, or 
walk as many laps as they can for 20 minutes during their scheduled time within the school day.  
All students and staff will be getting t-shirts to be worn the day of the event with our generous 
sponsors on the back.  Rain or shine, we envision the day to be filled with school spirit, music, 
laughter, and exercise!

Here is what you need to know for a fun and successful Fun Run:

Ask for pledges:  Pledge forms will be handed out prior to spring break.  Pledges may be made 
per lap or as a flat donation.  Pledges will be due April 15th (no money).  All money will be due 
April 24th.  Collecting pledges is not required to participate in this event or receive a t-shirt.

Have the children wear comfortable clothes and running shoes.  Each grade will be assigned a 
spirit color, so have your child accessorize with their color.  More information about this will be 
made available from your classroom’s volunteers.

Parents are encouraged to come cheer on their children at the kick-off rally from 9:20-9:45 and 
during their classroom’s time slot.  FOURTH GRADE IS 1:10 - 1:50 AND WILL BE WEARING 
ORANGE.

Prizes will be awarded for top individual earners and top classroom earners and to the classes 
that return all their pledges in by Monday April 22.  There will also be raffle prizes which all 
students are eligible for.

PARENT VOLUNTEERS ARE STILL NEEDED on the day of the event.!  Please let us know if you can 
help!  You can sign up at 
http://www.jooners.com/guestutm_campaign=invites&utm_medium=email&utm_source=web&l=
08e6b9e2-b3b6-4eeb-a975-5d6b317598bb

If you have any questions, please contact Karen Boswell (Karenboswell@comcast.net) or Pam Jetter 
(pjetter@sbcglobal.net)

Thank you!

Science Fair-------------------------------------------------------------------

This Tuesday, February 5th, PTA will be selling the science fair boards here at Mohr.  The cost if 
$3.00 and checks can be made out to Mohr PTA.  These will be sold after school in the library 
beginning st 3:00 and closing at 3:30pm.  Any extra boards will be sold until they run out.  If you 
have any questions please read about the Science Fair in the Eagle Express or ask me.

Drop off of projects will be on Monday, March 4 from 3-3:30, and Tuesday morning, 3/5.
Science Fair will be held in the Mohr MPRoom on Tuesday, March 5.

San Jose Tech Museum Field Trip----------------------------------------------------

On Friday, March 1, we will visit the San Jose Tech Museum for the day.  We will spend several 
hours exploring the different exhibits in the museum, seeing an IMAX movie on FIERCE WEATHER, 
and enjoying lunch that we've brought from home.  Please let me know if you'd like to drive!

Drivers For Tech Museum:  Michelle O'Connor (3), Deepa Putchala (3, driving TO only), Karen 
Boswell (5), Dominic Miranda (5), Sunil Moothedath (Nina), Olivia Li (5), Xia Chen (5), Mike Wen (3), 
Allison Woodall (3), Kevin Atkin (5), Dimple Toor (3)

Field Trip Lindsey Wildlife Museum------------------------------------------------

Thursday, January 17, from 9 - 2pm.  The first half of the day will be spent in 9 
rotations through various California Indian activities such as grinding acorns, throwing "spears" 
through moving hoops, face painting, and several games played by Native children.  After lunch, 
we will have an hour and a half to tour the museums exhibits and see the wildlife perched above 
our heads ;>

Students should bring lunch, water bottle, jacket and a camera, if they'd like.

Drivers for Lindsey Museum:  Shilpa Rao (5), Karen Boswell (5), Kevin Atkin (6), Anita Miranda (5), 
Deepa Putchala (3), Dimple Toor (4), Olivia Li (6), Jane Liu (5),  Chiachi Wang (backup driver 5).

Heritage Luncheon-----------------------------------------------------------

We'd like to end the year with a grade level celebration in the multipurpose room.  We'd love for 
EVERY student to bring a food dish from his/her ethnic heritage, or a dish that is a 
tradition in your family.  These dishes will be shared with ALL the 4th grade, including parents!!  
So please make enough to serve a minimum of 20 people or MORE!  In addition to hot dishes, we 
also need breads, salads, beverages and a few desserts.  Any dish that is a family favorite would 
be an excellent choice for the luncheon.

Please email ANITA MIRANDA at anita.miranda@sbcglobal.net with the item that you'd like to 
bring in on Friday, Dec. 21st between 11:15 and 11:30 to the MPROOM.

Food items we'd like to have include:

-Hot Dishes - Kushi (samosas), Mason (lasagna), Connor (corned beef)
-Salads
-Breads
-Appetizers/finger food:  Charles (pot stickers), Ashley (lumpia), Andrew (Chinese spring rolls)
-Rice/Noodles:  Salley (Chinese noodles), Grace (rice)
-Soups/stew/chili - Emma (chicken soup)
-Vegetarian:  Kina (Yakisoba noodle), Vedant (curried chickpeas), Sameer (beans)
-Desserts:  Nina (Portuguese flan), Vivien (rice cake), Valentina (Alfajores cookies)
-Beverages (for 40)

PTA Movie Night-----------------------------------------------------

This Friday, Dec. 7, PTA is hosting Movie Night from 7-9pm in the MPRoom.  The movie will be 
Madagascar III.  Doors open at 6:30.  Please print a permission slip from the Mhr PTA website and 
turn it in signed and completed by this Wednesday, Dec. 7.  This is a great opportunity to do a 
little holiday shopping while the kids are being entertained!

Parent/Teacher Conferences------------------------------------------

Next week, November 13 - 16, is Parent/Teacher Conference week.  Please meet me at your 
assigned time in our classroom, Room 12D, to review the report card and go over your child's 
progress this trimester.

Turkey Talks-----------------------------------------------

Our October Book Talks wrap up tomorrow, but we have a SECOND opportunity for kids to take 
the stage and show off their personalities!  Next Tuesday, students will be presenting their Turkey 
Talks!  Please help them gather materials and generate interesting/unique ideas for their 
descriptions.  Can't wait!

Pie Party-----------------------------------------------

On Thursday, November 15, from 11:30 - 12:30, we'd like to have a PIE PARTY to celebrate 
Thanksgiving!  Please email Anita Miranda if you are able to participate with the donation of a pie 
or your time!  Thank you :)

Math Lab----------------------------------------------------

Math Labs begin Thursday, Sep. 20th at 11-12.  Below are the scheduled dates and volunteers.  
Please email me if you'd like to join!  Be sure you have your VOLUNTEER CLEARANCE form on 
file with the office.

Thursday, Sep. 20:  Shilpa Rao, Anita Miranda, Maria Sandretti, Xia Lin, Chiachi Wang, Anita 
Miranda, Sonali Thakkar,

Thursday, Set. 27:  Maria Sandretti, Jack Chen, Deepa Putchala, Chiachi Wang, Anita Miranda, 
Sonali Thakkar,

Friday, Oct. 5:  Macky Yamaguchi, Karen Boswell, Maria Sandretti, Chiachi Wang, Anita Miranda, 
Yan Zhou, Shilpa Rao, Jyothi Kuyamudi, Sonali Thakkar, Dimple Toor

Friday, Oct. 12:  Karen Boswell, Maria Sandretti, Chiachi Wang, Anita Miranda, Allison Woodall, 
Sonali Thakkar,

Friday, Oct. 19:  Macky Yamaguchi, Karen Boswell, Maria Sandretti, Chiachi Wang, Anita 
Miranda, Jyothi Kuyamudi, Sonali Thakkar

Friday, Oct. 26:  Karen Boswell, Maria Sandretti, Deepa Putchala, Chiachi Wang, Anita Miranda, 
Sonali Thakkar

Friday, Nov. 9:  Macky Yamaguchi, Karen Boswell, Chiachi Wang, Anita Miranda, Yan Zhou, 
Shilpa Rao, Jyothi Kuyamudi, Harmit Toor

Thursday, Nov. 15:  Karen Boswell, Maria Sandretti, Chiachi Wang, Anita Miranda,

Friday, Nov. 30:  Macky Yamaguchi, Karen Boswell, Maria Sandretti, Chiachi Wang, Anita 
Miranda, Allison Woodall

Friday, Dec. 7:  Karen Boswell, Maria Sandretti, Chiachi Wang, Anita Miranda, Yan Zhou, Shilpa 
Rao, Jyothi Kuyamudi,

Friday, Dec. 14:  Macky Yamaguchi, Karen Boswell, Maria Sandretti, Chiachi Wang, Anita 
Miranda, Praveen Sampat

Thursday, Dec. 20:  Karen Boswell, Maria Sandretti, Chiachi Wang, Anita Miranda,

Welcome Back To School!!!!!---------------------------------------

My name is Ms. Michele Britto, and I'll be your child's teacher this year.  I hope that everyone 
has had a restful and enjoyable summer.  We are now ready to head into a new year of fun and 
challenging lessons!!  Please review my website "Announcements Link" at least once a week to 
be apprised of all the activity  going on in our classroom.  The Homework Link will also keep 
you up-to-date on the nightly assignments and due dates.

Back to School Night----------------------------------------------

Back to School Night falls early - the first Thursday of school.  Our principal, Mr. Fobert, will 
begin with a "Welcome" speech in the MPRoom at 6:40pm.  Following, parents will be directed 
to their upper grade classroom where teachers will have the opportunity to discuss curriculum, 
homework, supplies, projects, expectations, field trips and other special events for the current 
school year.  Please join me in Room 12D at 6:50pm - 7:20 for introductions and pertinent 
information that will help your child start the 4th grade off successfully!
 
**Important Note:  To cut back on paper and its cost, I will be posting a lot of information 
online this year.  Please check my Announcements often.  Also, notices and reminders will be 
sent via email, so it is ESSENTIAL that I get your email information at BTSN!

Math Labs-------------------------------------------------------------

Our first Math Lab session is scheduled to begin Friday, Sep. 10 from 11:05-12:05.  The 
schedule is posted on the "Back to School" page for you to review.  I will have 6 stations set up 
with different games that practice skills we're learning.  If you'd like to join us, please shoot 
me an email, be sure your Volunteer Clearance Form is on file with the office, and we'll see you 
on Friday in the classroom!!!  
Thank you!

Cleared Parent Drivers-------------------------------------------------

If you would like to drive on any of our field trips this year, please turn in your insurance 
paperwork as soon as possible.  Thank you!

Cleared Drivers Include:  Anita Miranda, Michelle O'Connor, Shilpa Rao, Dimple Toor, Karen 
Boswell, Deepa Putchala, Olivia Li, Kevin Atkin, Jane Liu, Xia Lin, Mike Wen, Allison Woodall

Room Parent Volunteer-------------------------------------------------

Please let me know if you are interested as we have holiday parties every month between now 
and winter break.  I could definitely use the help.  Having two or three room parents is even 
better!  Then the duties can be broken into smaller chunks and deligated.  If you are 
interested, please contact me.

enVision Math On-Line--------------------------------------------------------

Each student took home a blue paper today with directions for accessing our math textbook 
on the web.  Please set up your account tonight using your child's individual username and 
password (on the blue sheet).  Let me know if you have problems setting this up.

Junior Achievement-----------------------------------------------------------

We are looking for a parent volunteer who would like to take on this project.  If you are a 
parent who is interested in finding out more about this program or you've presented in 
previous years and would like to continue, please email me with your interest.  We typically 
start in May, once state testing is completed.  For fourth grade, the program is 4-5 sessions of 
around 45 minutes.  There will be a parent training as well as a teaching manual given to the 
parent interested later this year.  Please email me if you are interested!!

Parent/Teacher Conferences-----------------------------------

This year we are resuming parent/teacher conferences at the end of the first trimester - 
November.  A schedule of times is posted on my "Back to School Info" page.

National Day of Service 9/11--------------------------------------------------

Mohr Elementary School has decided to participate in the National Day of Service on Friday, 
September 9th.

The National Day of Service and Remembrance (9/11 Day) is to provide a positive and forward-
looking way for Americans and others to forever honor and remember the 9/11 victims, 
survivors, and the men that rose in service in response to the 9/11 tragedy, including first 
responders, recovery workers, volunteers, public safety officers and members of our military.

As a 4th grade group, we will be writing to the service men and women of Pleasanton.  We 
have been in touch with the chairperson of Pleasanton Military Families and the organization 
will be providing our students with information so they can write a letter to these brave 
individuals.  More information about this organization can be found at:  
http://www.pleasantonmilitaryfamilies.org/.

Positively Pleasanton Schools---------------------------------------------------

Please check-out our new website at positivelypleasantonschools.org.  PPS's 
mission is to create a "window" into Pleasanton schools for sharing 
information on the many programs and activities that make up the remarkable 
educational experiences in our award-winning district.  Our mission is to 
strengthen community ties, elevate communication and transparency between our 
schools and its stake holders, and celebrate the character and achievements 
of our unique schools.

It is a wonderful site!

Volunteers/Field Trip Drivers/Chaperones--------------------------------

At BTSN, I will provide copies of the Volunteer Clearance Form and Permission 
to Drive Minors in a Privately Owned Vehicle.  The Volunteer Clearance is 
necessary for anyone interested in working within the classroom or throughout 
the school, or joining us on field trips.

If you are interested in driving on a field trip, you will also be required 
to submit a copy of yourinsurance with 300,000/100,000 coverage along with 
the form "Permission to Drive Minors in aPrivately Owned Vehicle".   The 
sooner this form is completed and returned to me, the sooner you will be able 
to join us in our activities!

Just as a heads-up, I typically require anywhere from 8-10 parent drivers to 
carry 33 students for every field trip.  If I am not able to find enough 
drivers, it sometimes becomes necessary to cancel trips at the last minute! :(
   
Homework Spiral/Binder-------------------------------------

All students have been given a student homework planner for the year.  If you 
would like to help us with the cost of the planners, we would love any 
donations you'd like to make to be made out to the Mohr Student Body for $4.  
The planners greatly help our students be informed of nightly assignments and 
reminders and the donations help to support our school programs.

PLEASE REMEMBER TO REVIEW THEIR NIGHTLY ASSIGNMENTS AND  SIGN THE BOTTOM TO 
LET ME KNOW YOU HAVE REVIEWED THEIR WORK.  This helps kids to succeed, AND 
they can earn a gold ticket each day for having all their assignments in on 
time and signed by you!  
Thank you for your help.

By Monday of the second week of school, students should all bring a 2' binder 
to school.  The ZIPPER BINDERS seem very popular and help students to not 
loose any materials.  Also, these binders do not tend to break apart halfway 
through the school year like the typical binders.  Inside the binder, they 
will keep their science and history work, math homework workbook, spelling 
worksheets, reading log, student planner, notices for home, and anything else 
that will regularly need to go back and forth between home and school.  
Please help your child to keep their binder neatly organized.

IT IS ALSO HELPFUL IF THEY HAVE A PACK OF 5 COLORED DIVIDERS TO ORGANIZE THE 
BINDER.  We will do this in class.  Any type of dividers will do.

Bi-Weekly Work Packets---------------------------------------------

Every other Friday (depending upon work load), students will bring home a packet of graded 
papers.  Please sign the packet to let me know you've received and reviewed the work.  Often 
there are notes letting you know whether students have make-up work to complete over the 
weekend to be turned in Monday morning.  You may keep all other work contained inside the 
packet.  Please be aware that some in-class projects that students complete will not go home 
immediately.  Long term projects are often kept until the end of the year to be put into a 
portfolio of best work!!

Volunteers-------------

To volunteer within the classroom for any reason OR to attend field trips as a volunteer, you 
MUST fill out the VOLUNTEER CLEARANCE FORM.  This can be filled out and returned to me on 
Back to School Night or in the days that follow.  Please be aware that it takes several days to be 
cleared through the district before you will be allowed into the classroom.

Math Corrections:  
Spelling Corrections:
Math Lab:  
Class Parties:  
Photocopies:

Thank you!!!!

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