Welcome to Back to School Night 2017-2018

1. Welcome toBack to School Night2017-2018 *Please take a seat at your child’s desk. Complete the survey and return it to me by the end of the week. Thanks! Theresa Maher Fourth Grade Room 17

2. Introduction • Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Studies Minor in Business Administration Chico State University • Multiple Subject Teaching Credential San Francisco State University • National Board Certified • I taught in the Bay Area for 12 years before moving to Folsom in 1999. I have been with F.C.U.S.D. for 18 years. • I’m married to my husband Chris and we have three children ages 27, 25, and 20.

3. Transition into fourth Grade Fourth grade is a big year, and your child will need time to adjust. Keep the following in mind…. • Class sizes are larger. • Students receive letter grades. • Academic standards are more rigorous. Students will be working from text books and writing a lot more. • Increased responsibility requiring strong organization skills and attention to detail. All of these changes may cause your child to feel anxious at first. Please know that I work with the children to make all of these adjustments, and in the end, they become confident students that take charge of their learning.

4. Communication • School news and lunch menu will be posted on the school web page. • Wednesday folders will go home with additional notices relating to school events along with student work. • Initially, I will send newsletters home on a weekly basis. Once email addresses are entered, I will email notes home regularly. • Email is my preferred method of communication. If you need to get in touch with me, email me at tmaher@fcusd.org. • Communication regarding serious matters needs to take place on the phone or in person. • I am available most days after school until 4.

5. Curriculum English Language Arts: • Our English language arts program, Benchmark Advance, is a comprehensive literacy program that provides instruction in reading, writing, speaking, listening, and language. The program is an integrated one that teaches all skills in the context of what students are reading and writing. There are no workbooks. Students demonstrate their understanding through collaborative conversations, journal entries, graphic organizers, and charts. • Weekly reading tests will be given. Students will not be tested on the week’s story. They will be given another short passage to read in which they demonstrate application of the skills taught that week. • Each week students will write a narrative, opinion, or an informative piece. However, the genre being tested on the unit assessment will be emphasized so that students are well prepared for the prompt. • Students will be given a list of spelling words and dictation sentences to study most weeks. A spelling test will be administered on Fridays. • Students will also take a benchmark test each trimester to measure overall progress toward Common Core standards. The assessment being used is called I-Ready and is computer based. Additional information regarding this will be shared after the first diagnostic test is given.

6. Curriculum Continued Mathematics: • Envision Math • Fact practice with multiplication, division, addition, and subtraction will take place in class every Tuesday and Thursday. • Nightly Fact Practice: Have your child practice facts and record his/her method on the math log. See my web page for ideas. • Make sure your child completes the homework problems requiring written explanations. • Visit the Envision Math web site for additional resources. Science: • Our current science book does not align with our new science standards. We will be supplementing it with lessons from Project Lead the Way and Mystery Science as they are both aligned to the standards. The district will be piloting new science programs this spring.

7. Curriculum Continued Social Studies: • A new program by TCI has been adopted: “Social Studies Alive! California’s Promise.” It is an engaging curriculum that students are sure to enjoy. The program teaches topics through all four social sciences– economics, geography, political science, and history. Teachers will soon be receiving training in how to implement this exciting program. P.E.: • 100 minutes per week; 30 minutes with P.E. teacher Music: • Thursday and Friday • Music teachers’ email addresses can be found on the Empire Oaks’ web page under staff. Library: • Tuesday

8. Field Trips • Coloma Outdoor Discovery School – February 11th • California State Capitol and IMAX- September 26th • Aquatic Center • Folsom History Museum classroom visits *Other trips will be planned and announced as details are finalized.

9. Report Cards • Issued three times per year. • Conferences are scheduled in November or sooner as needed. Second trimester conferences will be held on an as needed basis. • Parents may call and request to meet at any time during the school year. I am available most days after school until 4:00. • Letter grades are given to fourth graders in all curricular areas. These grades are posted on Power School, so make sure to activate your account. • If you have a question regarding a grade, please let me know once you have the graded item in hand. I do make occasional errors, so do check your child’s grades at least once a week.

10. Grades 90% - 100% A Excellent 80% - 89% B Above Average 70% - 79% C Average 60% - 69% D Below Average 0 - 59% F Failing • Fourth grade students are recognized for their achievement after each report card period. If your child earns Principal’s List (GPA 4.0) or Honor Roll (GPA 3.5-3.9), he/she will receive a special certificate. • Writing grades will be determined using a rubric rather than a true percentage of points. • Not all assignments will be given a formal letter grade. Some assignments are considered practice and are tracked for completion only. • Please keep in mind that not all grades are weighted equally. Tests are weighted more heavily as the overall grade needs to reflect progress toward the standards for the subject.

11. Homework Policy • Homework is assigned Monday through Thursday of each week. • Homework assignments will provide students the opportunity to practice concepts already taught in class. Projects will not be assigned for homework. • Students are to write down their assignments daily in their agendas. Please look to see that your child has completed the work, and then sign the agenda. • All homework is to be done neatly, in pencil, and to the best ability of the student. Written homework is to be done on white binder paper and must have a proper heading. • Students who don’t do their homework or have forgotten it will spend half their recess with me. Homework delivered to class after the start of the day will be considered late and result in a Pink Ticket. • Reading and math logs are due every Friday. • Students are most successful when homework is completed in the same place at the same time each day. Establish a homework routine with your child. • IF YOUR CHILD IS HAVING DIFFICULTY WITH HOMEWORK AND GETTING OVERLY FRUSTRATED, PLEASE LET ME KNOW IN YOUR CHILD’S AGENDA OR EMAIL ME. HE/SHE WILL NOT BE PENALIZED FOR INCOMPLETE WORK. WE WILL WORK TOGETHER AND MAKE MODIFICATIONS IF NECESSARY.

12. Discipline In order to provide an environment conducive to learning, consistent discipline is essential. I have found that by maintaining a positive environment, emphasizing rewards for desired behavior, and communicating with parents regularly, issues regarding discipline can be resolved. • School and Class Rules: Be Safe, Be Respectful, Be Responsible • Rewards: Amazing Acorns, Sweet Treats, Preferred Activity Time • Consequences: (1) Warning (2) Time Out during class or recess, or other consequence relating to offense (3) Parent Contacted; Notes going home must be signed and returned ***IF YOUR CHILD IS BEING BULLIED OR IS HAVING PROBLEMS WHEN OUTSIDE AT RECESS, LET ME KNOW IMMEDIATELY. STUDENTS DON’T ALWAYS BRING THESE ISSUE S TO MY ATTENTION.

13. Book Orders • Book orders will be sent home each month with the exception of December when we hold our annual Book Fair. • Orders need to be placed on-line. I will not be collecting money or checks. • Please order within the timeline printed on the flyers going home. I have to manually go online to place the orders, so if you place an order after the time indicated, it may sit in the system until the next round of orders. • Please note that I earn bonus points for every order placed. With these points, I am able to purchase books free of charge for our classroom library.

14. Birthdays • Your child may bring in a small treat such as a cookie or a mini brownie to celebrate his/her birthday. Small treats that can be easily passed out are best, and don’t forget the napkins. Consider sending items such as bookmarks, pencils, or erasers. Students like these, too. • Treats will be passed out just before recess or dismissal depending on the SUGAR content. • Do not send in any items with peanuts or items made with peanut oils due to allergies. • Please let me know ahead of time when sending in treats.

15. Parent Volunteers • Parent volunteers need to make sure that they have registered to do so at the office. Please see Mrs. Griffin at the front desk. • Category 1 clearance is required to volunteer in the classroom. Parents volunteering to go on field trips must have a Category 2 clearance on file. • All parent volunteers must sign in at the office prior to coming to the classroom. • Please sign up on the volunteer list if you are interested in helping out in class. I can’t always accommodate all requests to work in the classroom. Please consider helping out the P.T.A.

16. Campus Safety • We maintain a closed campus during the school day. Parents on foot are to drop off and pick up their students from the amphitheater. This area is supervised both in the morning and afternoon. Students and parents are not to wait outside the classroom doors. • Parents dropping off and picking up children by car are to use the designated areas in front of the multi purpose room and the drive leading down to the park. The drive in front of the office is reserved for busses. Please do not leave your car unattended in the drop off zones. If you need to speak with a teacher, please find a parking spot in the lot and walk to the classroom.

17. Miscellaneous • If your child will be missing five or more days of school, please arrange for Independent Study. Mrs. Smith in the front office will provide you with the paperwork. And…. please remember that this needs to be done two weeks prior to the planned absence. • Please do not ask another teacher or the custodian to open my door after school so that your child can retrieve a forgotten item. • E.O. clothing can be ordered on line. Let’s show our spirit! • Pictures of students taken at school are not to be posted on social media sites without parental consent. • Donations are welcome to help pay for additional books and art supplies. Please consider making a contribution.

18. Thank You! It is my strong desire and goal for your child to reach his/her academic potential, contribute to a positive classroom environment, and develop a love of learning. By working together, we can help your child achieve this.