Jean Reed

Back-to-School Night

4^th Grade

How should you contact me?

My email is Jean_Reed@roundrockisd.org.  My phone number is 464-5572.  My website address is:

http://teacherweb.com/TX/CarawayElementary/JeanReed

You can find/access all this from the Caraway Web page, in the TEAMS section, 4^th grade.  Please start with 4th Grade Central web page - that will have the information that is common to all the 4th grade teachers.

When am I available?

       My planning time each day is from 10:55-11:35, except Tuesdays. I am also available after school many days except Wednesdays and Thursdays.  It is best to arrange a meeting at least a day ahead to make sure I am available.

4^th Grade General Info:

       Located in the front section of the agenda that your child brings home every night. 

       Fourth grade is considered an intermediate grade.  The workload at school increases this year, and the fourth grade teachers emphasize organization and responsibility to help students transition into more independent learners.  We do more reading to learn, and writing to express what students have learned.

Daily Routine:

Math 8:00 - 9:15

Language Arts (spelling/vocabulary, reading, writing) 9:15 – 10:45

Snack 10:00 ish Please only healthy snacks

Specials 10:50- 11:45

Lunch 11:50 - 12:15  Exact times may vary by a few minutes each day due to     teacher's duties schedules.

      Social Studies 12:50-2:00  with Mrs. Creger Mondays/Wednesdays

Science 12:50-2:00 with Mrs. Reed on Tuesday/Thursdays + Labs on Fridays when appropriate to curriculum.

Flex -time 2:00 - 2:35

Homework and Assignment books (agenda):

The Assignment/Agenda/Planner book is taken home every night.  We expect the students to discuss what homework there may be and what topics were covered each day.  This should answer the questions, “What did you do today?  Do you have any homework?”  Your student needs to remind you to sign the planner each night!  The students are expected to read from an independent-choice every night in addition to any homework.  Homework is also posted on my website, but this is only homework, not the entire agenda.  I almost always give overnight to do an assignment.  This is your opportunity to review it or help as appropriate.  I know you know not to do the assignment for your child, but if they are not comfortable yet, and need help, unless the homework is marked “Independent”, this is your opportunity! Students write the day’s topics and homework every day in the agenda, and test and quiz dates are added when applicable.  These are assignments I will see or we will review the next day regardless of whether or not it is finished at school or at home.  

Grading Policy:

       A parent must sign all tests receiving a grade below 70.  Tests receiving a 50 or below must be retaken.  Students have the option of retaking tests with scores between 51 and 69.  The two retaken test grades will be averaged for a final grade, but no more than a 70.  Additional grading information is located in students’ agendas and on a separate paper sent home in the Tuesday folder.  I highly encourage and expect you, the parent, as well as the student, to use Home Access to view grades and progress reports.  Our goal is to add one grade per subject per week.  Projects and extra-curricular events may interrupt this timing.  I will be encouraging the students to also be aware of their own progress.

Absences and Tardies:

       Students need to be in the classroom at 7:45 in the morning.  If students are not in my classroom when the 7:45 bell rings, they are marked as tardy.  If your student is absent, an email, phone call, or written note is required on the day your student RETURNS to school.  Of course, an e-mail on the absent day is most helpful and please copy or send to both me and our Caraway registrar, Nancy Richards.  Nancy_Richards@roundrockisd.org  If you know of doctors’ visits that will occur first thing in the morning, do try to let us know ahead of time, even a week ahead is OK!  Attendance accounting is so much easier for Mrs. Richards and me!  Those first 15 minutes of the day are very important to the student.  It is our news and organizational time.  Please make every effort to help your student have a great start to their day at school.

Rewards/Consequences:

       Fourth grade uses a ticket in a token economy system for rewarding and recognizing positive behaviors.  Certain rewards may be “purchased” for tickets as the year goes on.  Our class has a LMB binder (late work-missing work-behavior) binder that students must sign if work is missing, turned in late, or if classroom rules are not followed.  Consequences are losing tickets or walking at recess.  If students stay under a certain amount of signatures each 9-week period, they are invited to attend a grade-wide party.  We also use the “Blue Hoot” notes that are employed school-wide which emphasize our main 3 school expectations, Respect, Responsibility, and Safety.

Standardized Testing:

We will NOT be taking the OLSAT test this year.

In fourth grade, students take three STAAR (formerly TAKS) tests: writing (2 separate essays on 2 separate days during April), math (April), and reading (April ).  We do not receive the results of these tests until about the last of May. 

Additionally:

       When sending money, please write the student’s name and 4-R on all checks. If your last name is different than your child’s, it is important to put their last name on the check also.  If you send cash, please put in an envelope or zip back with the child's name and my name and the purpose of the money.

 No games, toys, or cell phones should be out of the backpack during the school day.  Cell phones must be off at school.  Repeated problems with this will result with the item going to the principal’s office.

If you need to contact your child during the day, please call the office.

If you need to get a message to your child during the day, please call the office to send a note, not a telephone transfer.  I usually do not get to phone messages until well after school.  E-mails are more efficient, but there are days I can’t read any of them until after school.  Those calls/e-mails to remind your child to take the bus or go to Grandma’s house or come home instead of the friend’s home are sometimes not heard/seen until the child is long gone for the day.  The office can send a written note to your child, especially if you call BEFORE NOON.  After noon messages are reserved for emergencies as there really isn’t someone in the office to deliver a note unless we have a parent volunteer. (Consider the possibility!)

There are changes in the cafeteria food menu – please read the first menu that comes home for the explanation.

Field trips will be scheduled as we review finances and available times.

You MUST complete the Raptor System process before volunteering each year.