• Scroll through the topics below to find information relevant to fourth grade in room 203.

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    AGENDAS

    How will agendas be used?  Do I need to sign my child's agenda every night?

       Students will write their agendas every afternoon to bring home on a daily basis. Agenda entries will include homework assignments as well as important reminders for upcoming events. The agenda is a place where you can write me notes and write in reminders for your child (i.e., instrument lesson days).

       I strongly encourage families to check agendas daily and to initial/ sign them; however, I do not require agendas to be signed. There may be situations during the year when I request agendas to be signed, based on individual student needs. 

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    HOMEWORK

    How much homework will my child have? 

       Every week night your child is expected to read independently for a minimum of 20 minutes. The title of the book being read should be recorded in the agenda. Your child will usually also have some kind of math homework that might take 10-20 minutes to complete. Total time spent on homework will range from 20 - 40 minutes nightly.  On weekends, your child is expected to read 20 minutes daily. Additional homework may also be assigned. Please note that if your child did not complete classroom work due to behaviors or lack of effort, that class work will be sent home as homework. 

    Should I help my child with homework? How will it be scored?

       Your child's homework is a means for them to practice those skills that they will be expected to master as a fourth grader; your child should always attempt to do the work independently. I do encourage you, though, to sit down with your child after completion and have them explain to you how they completed their work. If you notice confusion and errors, please do provide your child with support and help at home and make it a teaching moment.

       Homework will be scored as follows:

    • Star (2 points)-- assignment is complete, on-time, and demonstrates grade-level appropriate work and effort
    • Check (1 point)-- assignment is complete or mostly complete, on-time, and demonstrates work and effort approaching grade-level expectation; OR, assignment is complete, demonstrates grade-level appropriate work and effort, but was turned in late
    • Minus (0 points)-- assignment is missing entirely OR demonstrates a complete lack of effort (in which case the student will be required to redo the homework)

     

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    ALLERGIES/ FOOD/ SNACKS

    Are there any food restrictions? 

       We are a nut-free room. Please refrain from sending/ bringing into the classroom any food products with nuts (peanuts or treenuts) or made in facilities that process nuts. This applies to holiday parties and daily snacks.

    Will students be having snack? What can they bring?

       We will be having a brief daily healthy snack break (since we have a later lunch). Students are allowed to bring in fruit or vegetables ONLY for snack break. Any other food item will have to be saved for lunch. Your child does not have to bring in snack, however, they are welcome to pack an apple or carrots to snack on late morning.

     

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    COMMUNICATION

    What are the best ways to get in touch with you?

       There are four primary ways to contact me: Remind app messaging, email, written notes, and phone. 

    • Remind: The Remind app allows us to text privately. This is the most convenient and efficient form of communication. If you send me a Remind message during the day, you can expect I will respond by the end of the school day (though usually much sooner). If you Remind message me in the evening, I will respond the following morning. If there is an emergency, please indicate as such in your message. You can register for my Remind messaging by texting "@whall203" to 81010.
    • Email: Email is equally as convenient and efficient as Remind. You can email me at whall@frontiercsd.org. Please write your child's name in the subject line. 
    • Written notes: You can write notes in the agenda or on separate pieces of paper. Please be sure your child knows they have a note to turn in to me.
    • Phone: Sadly, this is not the most efficient way of contacting me as my phone's voicemail notification system does not work properly. I check voicemail 2-3 times a day; however, if your phone message is time sensitive, you should Remind or email me instead. If you would like to have a phone conversation about your child, let me know a good time frame, number to reach you at, and topic for discussion.