Welcome to 4 th Grade

1. Welcome to 4th Grade • Please fill out the yellow Student Information sheet for my files before you leave tonight. ***Please write the e-mail and phone number clearly*** • Other forms and packets will be sent home on the first day of school.

2. Welcome Willow Springs Elementary 2014-2015 Mrs. Mordus – Track 3

3. Supplies • 4 Pocket folders (3 hole punched) • 4 Single subject notebooks • 1 Zipper enclosed binder • 1 Package wide ruled filler paper • Pencil pouch that will go in the binder • No pencil boxes ***they fall out of the desks*** • 1 Pack eraser caps • 1 Pack red pens, 1 pack blue/black pens • 3 Packs of #2 Pencils • 3 Boxes of tissues • 1 Pair of earbuds • www.teacherlists.com

4. Classroom “Wish List” • 10 Packs Expo dry erase markers • 5 Packs Ziploc bags (quart size) • 5 Packs of Ziploc bags (sandwich size) • 5 Packs of Ziploc bags (gallon size) • 20 Packs of Sticky Notes • 10 boxes band-aids (Curad are cheap and latex free) • 30 Highlighters • Electric pencil sharpener • 10 Containers of Lysol Wipes • 10 Packs of baby wipes

5. Classroom Expectations • No gum (school wide rule) • Bring a healthy snack (candy is not permitted) • Water bottles filled at home and brought to school everyday with their name on it. ONLY WATER. • Laps at recess are given as consequences if school rules (Be Safe, Be Respectful, Be Responsible) are not followed. This gives students time to think about their behavior while still being active. • The school uses a common discipline referral form to inform parents of any behavioral issues that arise at school. ..\PBIS\referral form.docx

6. Transportation Information • Keep car rider signs from last year – see the front office staff for further information if needed. • Do NOT line up in the afternoon car rider line until 3:35 or you will be instructed to park in the parking lot. Mrs. Miller is very adamant about this rule due to safety issues on Dwight Rowland Road. • ***Fill out the information card and information sheet before you leave to let us know how your child will be getting home***

7. Transportation Cont. • Students who currently ride the bus and are eligible for bus services will automatically be assigned to a bus for the beginning of school next year.  Rising kindergartners who have siblings that currently ride the bus will also be routed automatically.  • Students who do not currently ride the bus, or have not ridden the bus in the last ten school days, and parent would like them to ride the bus next year, must submit an online application.  The link to the application is on our school website.  • All bus service for the beginning of school will be to each students’ home address. Requests for bus service to an alternative address (for example, a day care) can not be made until June 27. These requests are not guaranteed to be approved, and will likely not be approved until after school has already begun. • REMEMBER: If your child’s transportation for the day changes, I MUST have a note or I have to send them home their normal way.

8. Green Star • In order to volunteer at school for any reason, you must be approved as a “green star” volunteer. • To register to be a “green star” you must login to a school computer in the Computer Lab or Media Center. You will need your drivers license #. It takes about 10 minutes. • To register come in any school day after July 6th • Background checks to qualify for “green star” can take up to 8 weeks to go through. • You must be a “green star” to go on field trips, assist in the classrooms, help with Field Day, help with Fall Festival, and everything else.

9. Field Trip • In the past we have gone to Wilmington to the battleship, then to Masonboro Island at Carolina Beach. • We take a ferry boat to Masonboro Island to explore the island and go crabbing. NO Swimming on this trip. • It is a day trip that starts early and ends late. • It costs around $45 per person. We strongly recommend you start saving now. We typically go in late September or early October. • Please become a “green star” volunteer so you can join us on this amazing trip!

10. Multiplication Facts • In order to be successful in 4th grade students need to quickly recall their multiplication and division facts. • 1st quarter expectation: 0-6 multiplication facts • 2nd quarter expectation: 7-12 multiplication facts • 3rd quarter expectation: 0-6 division facts • 4th quarter expectation: 7-12 division facts • We take a 20 problem timed test for 80 seconds every day. Students are expected to study their facts every night until they are mastered.

11. Accelerated Reader “AR” • 4th grade reading requirement is to earn 3 points per week in Accelerated Reading. The program is online, so it will be easy for you to check scores and titles of books read. • All tests must be taken at school. • You can read over track-out even though it is not a requirement. You can also take tests at school in the media center over track-out. • We read for enjoyment and over time we build stamina. • There is an AR party for all 4th graders that have earned 125 points by EOG test time. • Earning 125 points is not easy. It breaks down so that only kids that go above and beyond the 4th grade requirement of 3 points per week will qualify. That means you must earn 4 or more points per week to go to the AR Party.

12. Homework • Expect homework each night, Monday-Thursday. Even if students finish their work in school they need to take it home to show their parents their completed work. No homework on the weekends, unless homework is not completed during the week; therefore it must be done on the weekend. • Check your child’s agenda each night. All homework must be written in the agenda each day. • Math homework will generally be worksheets. • All students must read every night for at least 30 minutes. Remember that all students in 4th grade must earn 3 AR points per week and it is advised to go above and beyond the 3 points. • Please have your child read a variety of texts: non-fiction, poetry, and novels.

13. Homework Pass • Each student will receive a homework pass on their birthday this year, compliments of the office. You may use your pass whenever you want throughout the year, but please check with your teacher first to make sure it is ok! • This doesn’t include projects, sorry!

14. Contact Info • Mrs. Kate Mordus • kmordus@wcpss.net • Trailer 4 • katemordus.weebly.com • School Phone: 919-557-2770