What a great beginning to a new year! I am so excited to be back at school. I am thankful for all the families that were able to come to Back to School Night. It was nice to meet you. Your kids, whom I have the privilege of teaching this year, are fantastic! Each one brings a unique and special personality and set of skills to our community classroom. I can't wait to work with them and you to help them fulfill their potential this year.
Here are some housekeeping items and upcoming events (I apologize if this is lengthy, it won't happen again :-)
Agendas
All students have an agenda. This is we communicate with you your student's work at school and any upcoming important dates, like homework. This is also a way for you to communicate with me. I check their agenda each morning so a quick note could be written to me there. I require students to get each day initialed. Please help your student create a habit of giving you their agenda to look at and initial. This will increase their accountability and organization. Students who get their agenda signed each day in a week will receive a special sticker at the beginning of the next week.
**Their first homework this week was to read with you the first several pages in the agenda about school-wide behavioral expectations. They were to sign and get your signature on page 3 and return that to class. If you have not done so, please get that back to me ASAP (it was due last Friday).
Homework
Spelling homework will come home on Mondays. It will always be due the next day. We will begin that 9/14. I will post on my website kohlerkids.weebly.com the spelling lists for each unit. The spelling homework will let you know which unit we're studying.
Math homework will come home on a needed basis, meaning that when students need some extra practice of a skill we're working on in class, I'll send some home. Most likely, once a week. Homework is always due the next day unless it's noted otherwise. Also, please practice multiplication/division math facts. If you are in need of some flash cards or practice pages, let me know and I'll send some home. Becoming fluent in these skills is essential for 4th grade success in math.
Reading homework is always our 20/20 calendar. I am requiring students to participate in this program. They need to read for 20 minutes per day for 20 days in the month. You will sign them off for doing this on their 20/20 Read to Succeed calendar (which is on the back of the school monthly calendar that comes home). There is also an addition this year, a Problem Solve. This is to be done as a family. Do as many as you can. Students who try the problems up to their grade level will have an added opportunity to be drawn for prizes.
Behavior
In class and at school students are expected to be Safe, Responsible and Respectful. In order to help students to do that, there are incentives and consequences.
Students can receive a purple Paw Ticket for displaying Safe, Responsible or Respectful behavior. These tickets get put into a bucket for a drawing in class at the end of the week for privileges, like sitting in a special chair for the day, going to lunch a bit early, or having lunch with me. Those tickets will then be put in a drawing with the whole school at the monthly Character Education assemblies. Another incentive we have in class is our Compliment Chain. If the whole class receives a compliment outside of class from another teacher or staff member, they can add a link to the chain. Once it passes the mark we set, the class earns a celebration of their choosing.
In the reverse, if students are not displaying Safe, Responsible or Respectful behavior, I will give them a verbal warning. After that, their name will be put on the board as a visual warning. One tic after their name takes 5 minutes from their recess. Two tics after their name loses their whole 15 minute recess. Three tics after their name will prompt a minor referral, which means that the behavior will be noted on paper, we will call home to chat about it, and they will lose their recess.
I appreciate the varied personalities and challenges of my students and will make accommodations when needed to help them be successful at school. I appreciate your work in helping your child be their best Safe, Responsible and Respectful self.
Upcoming Events
National Geographic magazines is a great way to have kids interact with nonfiction, science-based text. If you have not done so, please turn in $5 ASAP. If this is a hardship for you, please let me know and that can be worked out.
September 4 Lacamas Fundraiser Sport-a-thon Kickoff (packets went home Friday)
September 18, 6-8pm, PALS Movie Night, gym
September 25-October 2 Book Fair
October 1, 5-7pm, Fall Family Learning Night
Please email me at school at [email protected] or call me at 360-833-5740 if you have any questions or concerns.
Here are some housekeeping items and upcoming events (I apologize if this is lengthy, it won't happen again :-)
Agendas
All students have an agenda. This is we communicate with you your student's work at school and any upcoming important dates, like homework. This is also a way for you to communicate with me. I check their agenda each morning so a quick note could be written to me there. I require students to get each day initialed. Please help your student create a habit of giving you their agenda to look at and initial. This will increase their accountability and organization. Students who get their agenda signed each day in a week will receive a special sticker at the beginning of the next week.
**Their first homework this week was to read with you the first several pages in the agenda about school-wide behavioral expectations. They were to sign and get your signature on page 3 and return that to class. If you have not done so, please get that back to me ASAP (it was due last Friday).
Homework
Spelling homework will come home on Mondays. It will always be due the next day. We will begin that 9/14. I will post on my website kohlerkids.weebly.com the spelling lists for each unit. The spelling homework will let you know which unit we're studying.
Math homework will come home on a needed basis, meaning that when students need some extra practice of a skill we're working on in class, I'll send some home. Most likely, once a week. Homework is always due the next day unless it's noted otherwise. Also, please practice multiplication/division math facts. If you are in need of some flash cards or practice pages, let me know and I'll send some home. Becoming fluent in these skills is essential for 4th grade success in math.
Reading homework is always our 20/20 calendar. I am requiring students to participate in this program. They need to read for 20 minutes per day for 20 days in the month. You will sign them off for doing this on their 20/20 Read to Succeed calendar (which is on the back of the school monthly calendar that comes home). There is also an addition this year, a Problem Solve. This is to be done as a family. Do as many as you can. Students who try the problems up to their grade level will have an added opportunity to be drawn for prizes.
Behavior
In class and at school students are expected to be Safe, Responsible and Respectful. In order to help students to do that, there are incentives and consequences.
Students can receive a purple Paw Ticket for displaying Safe, Responsible or Respectful behavior. These tickets get put into a bucket for a drawing in class at the end of the week for privileges, like sitting in a special chair for the day, going to lunch a bit early, or having lunch with me. Those tickets will then be put in a drawing with the whole school at the monthly Character Education assemblies. Another incentive we have in class is our Compliment Chain. If the whole class receives a compliment outside of class from another teacher or staff member, they can add a link to the chain. Once it passes the mark we set, the class earns a celebration of their choosing.
In the reverse, if students are not displaying Safe, Responsible or Respectful behavior, I will give them a verbal warning. After that, their name will be put on the board as a visual warning. One tic after their name takes 5 minutes from their recess. Two tics after their name loses their whole 15 minute recess. Three tics after their name will prompt a minor referral, which means that the behavior will be noted on paper, we will call home to chat about it, and they will lose their recess.
I appreciate the varied personalities and challenges of my students and will make accommodations when needed to help them be successful at school. I appreciate your work in helping your child be their best Safe, Responsible and Respectful self.
Upcoming Events
National Geographic magazines is a great way to have kids interact with nonfiction, science-based text. If you have not done so, please turn in $5 ASAP. If this is a hardship for you, please let me know and that can be worked out.
September 4 Lacamas Fundraiser Sport-a-thon Kickoff (packets went home Friday)
September 18, 6-8pm, PALS Movie Night, gym
September 25-October 2 Book Fair
October 1, 5-7pm, Fall Family Learning Night
Please email me at school at [email protected] or call me at 360-833-5740 if you have any questions or concerns.