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Mrs. Gray's
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- Welcome
- Thoughts to Ponder
- Schedule
- Homework
- Upcoming Events
- Links
- Documents
Welcome to Mrs. Gray's Fourth Grade Web Page!
Fourth grade is an exciting year of learning across the curriculum. I hope that this web page will be a useful tool in providing students and families basic information about our classroom as well as resources that are helpful and enriching.
Favorite Links:
Your link to our Reading, Math, & Social Studies Textbooks
(Student User Name and Password are in your Student's Assignment Notebook.)
Scott Foresman Textbooks Online
Social Studies: US States Game
Contact Information:
Telephone number: 432-6956, Ext. 5136
Thoughts to Ponder:
The ABC’s for A Successful School Year for Students
Attend school regularly.
Be prepared for class.
Communicate your needs to your teachers and parents.
Develop and maintain a positive attitude.
Eat a good breakfast each morning.
Focus on your goals.
Give yourself a pat on the back regularly.
Help yourself before seeking assistance.
Imagine what you'd like to be and believe in your dreams.
Join in on all class activities and discussions.
Keep on task.
Learn as much as you can.
Make the most of every situation.
Note your progress.
Optimize your talents.
Put forth your best effort.
Quickly resolve conflicts.
Run your own race with the intention of winning.
Study! Study! Study!
Trust yourself and try new things.
Use your time wisely.
Voice your opinions.
Watch out for distractions.
X-examine your work carefully.
You are capable of great things.
Zero in on your strengths and build upon them.
Adapted from: Mrs. Sanchez, Sunset Lakes Elementary
A, B, C's for Parents
Attendance is very important! If your child misses school, please remember to write a note or call the office telling why your child was absent.Always check your child's book bag every day!
Every child's Birthday is important. You may send in a birthday snack. We will recognize summer birthdays at the end of the school year.
You will receive a school Calendar every month as part of the PTA’s “Hawk Talk” newsletter to let you know what's happening. Please post it somewhere for easy reference. Communication is important. Feel free to contact me whenever you have a question or concern.
Our system for Discipline is simple. We work hard to make the classroom a positive and safe place for all. In addition to our PBIS expectations we will agree on classroom guidelines for learners during the first week of school. Problems are looked upon as just that--problems to be solved.
Please help your child learn to Enter and Exit the building safely. They should always be escorted by a grown-up when crossing the parking lot.
Field trips provide wonderful opportunities to enrich the learning that we are doing in the classroom. We often ask for parents to go with us, but younger siblings cannot go along.
G is for the grand times we will have learning all year!
Students will have Homework in fourth grade. Check your student’s assignment notebook for Homework assignments each day.
It is Important to keep all records current. If you move, get a new phone number, or change babysitters, please be sure to inform the school. Also, remember to return Important papers in a timely manner.
Don't forget to Join the South School PTA! Parent participation is important and valued.
The Keys to a successful school year include open communication between home and school, a positive attitude, and daily attendance.
We will be checking out Library books from our Library/Media Center. Designate a special place at home for Library books. Be sure to check the return dates.
Money may be difficult for students to keep track of. Transporting money to school in a sealed, labeled envelope is helpful.
Our school Nurse is on staff to take care of any emergencies and needed medications.
Always sign your child in and out of the Office when picking him/her up or dropping off.
Parent/teacher conferences will be held during November and March. Sign-up sheets will be available at Open House. We will look forward to meeting with you. Please make sure that we have your current Phone number at home and at work. We also need a number of a trusted friend or family member to call if we can not reach you. It's important that we be able to reach you in case of an emergency.
Always let us know if you have any Questions or concerns. We'll gladly address them!
Please review our school Rules with your child. It's important that your child understands and follows our classroom rules and those throughout our learning community. Reading is also very important. Your fourth grader will have a reading log to complete and turn in each week.
We do have Snack time at the end of our school day. Healthy snacks are best.
Please Take the time to label your student‘s belongings with his or her name.
Your child is important to us! We will always treat your child with lots of love, respect, and Understanding!!
We love parent Volunteers. If you have some time to offer--either in the classroom or at home, please let me know. Help is always needed and appreciated. If you aren't able to come for any reason, please give as much notice as possible. We count and plan on you!! You must always sign in at the office and get a visitor's pass. Remember, --not everyone knows you.
Have your child Wear practical clothes to school. Also, please label all jackets, sweaters, backpacks, and lunch pails with permanent ink.
There are some eXtra clothes in the nurse's office for emergencies.
Please remember that You are your child's first and most important teacher. No one can influence your child's life in the way that you can!
Z is for zoom! Sit back and watch your child's skills take off!
by L. Critchell, Modified by D. Gray
Specials Schedule
2012 - 2013
This year 4th grade specials will begin at 10:00 AM.
Tuesday
- Art
Wednesday:
- P.E.
(Remember your sneakers!)
Thursday:
- Music
A Word About Healthy Nutrition:
This year 4th grade lunch and recess begins at 12:10 PM.
We will have a limited time for a small healthy snack between 10:55 & 11:05 AM.
Healthy Lunch – Healthy Lunch Boxes
From: http://www.care2.com/greenliving/lunchboxes-easy-greening.html
Many parents are focused on the challenge of what to put in their children’s lunchboxes. We don’t always consider the lunchbox itself. Many reports have found disturbing amounts of lead in vinyl lunchboxes. The highest lead levels were found in the lining of the lunchboxes–the area closest to food. (You wash the organic apple, then snuggle it up against the lead lining of the lunchbox—yikes!)
Reusable seems the most eco-friendly choice, but a report by the Center for Environmental Health found that common soft plastic (PVC) lunchboxes often contain lead. The level of lead in one lunch box, an Angela Anaconda box made by Targus International, tested at more than 90 times the legal limit for lead in paint in children’s products. Not only were the highest levels found in the interior of the lunchboxes, but lead was found on the surface of the lining and could easily be transmitted to food or hands. Low levels of exposure to lead can result in damage to the brain and other parts of the body. Some lunchbox makers are now labeling their products as lead-free, and you can test vinyl lunchboxes using a hand-held lead testing kit available at most hardware stores. Keep in mind that many lunch boxes marketed to children have been tested while the grown-up versions have not.
The bad news doesn’t end with lead. A common additive to the vinyl used in lunchboxes is DEHP—a substance that is a suspected carcinogen and reproductive toxicant. So what to do? Might be best to steer clear of vinyl lunchboxes altogether and try an alternative. If you’re thinking “brown paper bags,” they are free of health hazards, consider this: The average school-age child generates 67 pounds of lunch trash per school year. It seems most thoughtful to pack lunches with as little garbage as possible. Other alternatives include Basura bags, rainbow reed lunch boxes, canvas and other cloth lunch bags.
More healthy and green lunch ideas:
http://www.care2.com/greenliving/school-lunches-the-easy-green-and-healthy-way.html
http://www.scholastic.com/resources/article/its-brain-food
Homework:
Homework is an important part of the learning process. It provides practice and reinforcement of skills taught in class. Completing and returning homework helps build a sense of responsibility and prepares students for the homework requirements expected in later school years.
Fourth grade students can expect written homework Monday through Thursday. Occasionally written homework may be assigned on a Friday. In addition to written homework, fourth grade students are expected to read daily and complete a home reading log that is returned to school each week with a parent signature.
Students will be provided with an assignment notebook to keep track of their homework assignments. Use of this important organizational tool will be checked daily. Students may be asked to have an adult at home sign the assignment notebook. Students may access their math, social studies, and science texts online at http://www.pearsonsuccessnet.com. The student login password may be found on the first page of the assignment notebook.
Fourth grade students who do not bring in a completed homework assignment will attend "Homework Room" during recess time. If your child needs to attend homework room, a letter will be sent home that will need to be returned with a parents' signature.
Mark Your Calendar!
April 3rd (Wednesday): South School Art Show, 5:00 - 7:00 PM **4th Grade Comic Convention 5:00 - 6:00 PM**
April 11th (Thursday): South School Drama Club presents "Cinderella", 7:00 PM
Drama Club Schedule:
April 2nd (Tuesday): Full Cast Rehearsal - 3:30-5:00 PM
April 9th (Tuesday): Full Cast Rehearsal - 3:30-6:00 PM
April 10th (Wednesday): Full Cast Rehearsal - 3:30-5:00 PM (School Performance at 1:00 PM)
April 11th (Thursday): Evening Performance - Cast Arrival 6:00 PM (School Performance at 1:00 PM)
April 12th (Thursday): Evening Performance - Cast Arrival 6:00 PM
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