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Dear Families,
I would first of all like to thank you for taking the time to get to know our fourth grade class for the 2009 - 2010 school year. I am originally from Newton, KS and graduated from Newman University where I attended for four years and played soccer. This is my first year teaching and I’m very excited to be joining the St. James community. I am looking forward to having a great school year and we are already off to a great start! With help from school and home, there is no doubt that this year will be a successful one. Therefore, in advance, I’d like to thank you for your help.
Sincerely,
Ali Moore
DISCIPLINE
Most importantly with behavior, it is important to understand that it is dealt with on a case-by-case basis. This year I decided to handle behavior slightly different than from the past; warning cards and demerits will only be used if necessary. For the time being, students have what is called simply a “Behavior Card”. On the front, the student’s name and month are printed. The back is divided into two sections: one for warnings and one for “stars”. As I told the students, I would like to keep behavior issues to a minimum in order to focus on learning. I put my trust and faith in them to be respectful of me, classmates, and St. James. So by using this system, I hope to eliminate behavior issues. If too many problems arise, we will be going back to the card system. As stated before though, behavior is constantly a case-by-case issues. I hope that you put your trust in me as a teacher to make decisions based on behavior.
Conduct grades will be based on Behavior Cards. Each student is allowed up to three warnings per week before a student is notified. On the other side, if students receive up to three stars per week, they will be rewarded with not only a good conduct award, but a simple class prize as well. Stars are earned by students performing simple acts of kindness, stewardship, and hard work in the classroom. As I told the students, they are not only to do the “right” thing because of a star reward, but rather to do it because it is the right thing to do.
HOMEWORK
Practicing study habits are fundamental during the school year and into the summer as well. It is a good idea to have a designated study time, even if your student does not have any assignments left over from class. There is always something that can be done even if not a specific assignment was given.
Items that can be done to improve skills in all areas of school are:
- Reviewing math facts (especially multiplication and division)
- McMath (handouts provided)
- States and Capitals
- Prayers and Vocabulary
- Reading for enjoyment
- And most important: studying for any upcoming tests
I will always try to give students enough time in class to work on assignments, but occasionally they will not be able to finish. This will mainly depend on students’ work ethic in the classroom. They will be given around 20-30 minutes of homework each night except for Friday’s and night that there are special activities scheduled. Each night students are to take home their Homework Folder. One side of the folder should contain unfinished work. The other side should have graded work that has already been put into the grade book and any other notes. Folders should be checked nightly and graded work and notes should be taken out. At this age, organization is vital for student to have a successful year.
LATE WORK
Warnings as a part of the Behavior Cards will be given for late work. The first day an assignment is late will result in a warning and losing 10 percent of the graded work. The second day another warning is issued as well as losing 20 percent on the assignment after it is graded and will spend recess time to finish it. On the third day an assignment is late, they receive their third warning of the week, so a parent will be contacted and a 0 percent is given. No name papers will also count as a warnings. The term warning is not used because there are no consequences; I choose to use it over demerit.
CORRECTIONS
Any work receiving a failing grade will be sent home to be signed by a parent or guardian. Unsigned corrections will be considered late work. The assignment must be corrected at home and returned in the homework folder to school. Students will be able to work on their correction assignments during their free time in class or may take them home at any time to correct. This gives me the opportunity to help students understand the strategy/concept more clearly. After students have corrected their assignment and it is correct, the maximum grade they can receive is an 80%. Any non-test paper may be corrected to 80%.
RELIGION / MASS
We attend Mass Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday. Kathy Kelly, the 5th/6th grade teacher teaches religion.
SNACKS
Students are allowed to have a daily morning snack. Students will need to supply their own snack and they must be healthy. No chips, cookies, or candy. Students also have a water bottle that they may use throughout the day. Please encourage students to bring home water bottles frequently to be washed.
CONFERENCES
Please let me know if you feel a conference is needed. Preferably a day or two in advance, though I know that is not always possible. My school email address is stjamesam@hotmail.com. I check email at least once in the morning and once before I leave school in the afternoon. IF a phone conference is needed, email me prior to make arrangements.
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