Welcome to fourth grade!

1. Welcome to fourth grade!

2. About Me Twenty first year teaching Taught kindergarten through sixth grade, title, reading specialist, instructional coach Fourteen years in Kuna Seventh year in Meridian I have my BA in Elementary Education with endorsement in Early Childhood and Gifted and Talented I have my MA in early Childhood Education

3. About Me John (my husband) is an electrician Tayler (my daughter) works for the U of O Chex and Diesel (my two EXTREMELY spoiled dogs)

4. Communication • Red folders will be sent home ever day. Please place any notes or information to me in folder. • Easiest way to contact me is email: marshall.stacee@westada.com • Or call me at 208-855-4300 ext. 11

5. Spelling • We will be doing Words Their Way for Spelling! • Your child will be assigned a day Monday through Thursday to take their test. • Words will come home on their spelling day and tests will be given on their spelling day (example – purple group will get their words on Monday then test on them the following Monday). • Words will not be sent home over long breaks. I post all spelling group words on my web page. • We will be using Journeys as our reading. • We will use Engage New York as our math program. • Science we will be using Mystery Science. • 4th grade is Idaho History for Social Studies.

6. Homework • I will send homework home beginning on Monday. • On the back are a list of activities they can perform to get homework credit. • The expectation is twenty minutes of reading and twenty minutes of math practice each night for five nights. • Then home work will be turned in the following week.

7. Water bottles • Your student is invited to bring a water bottle to school. • Please do not send soda, milk or red/purple juice in their water bottle. The dyes in the juice stain the carpet when spilled. • No sodas (get sticky) and milk (goes bad). • I do not mind if they bring a lemonade or Crystal Light type product in their water bottles. • Students are welcome to refill their water bottles during recess time.

8. Book Orders • Will be sent home each month. You are invited to order and pay on line or send in to me. Please make checks payable to Scholastic. You are not required to participate. This is just an option for you and your student. • BIG News – I have gotten pledges from family and friends to purchase a dollar book each of the nine months we are in school. So watch for the book to come home!

9. Birthday & Other Parties • As per district policy, we are permitted one party a month. In order to ensure that we are able to celebrate Halloween, Christmas and Valentines day, I only do 3 birthday parties a year. • We will celebrate birthdays in the following months: • November – August, September, October and November birthdays • March – July, December, January and February birthdays. • May – March, April, May and June birthdays. • Please refer to the district policy on treats for parties.

10. Visiting the Classroom • You are welcome to visit at any time. • You may wish to look at our schedule so that you will know where we are and what we will be doing during that time. • I will not be available to conference with you during class time. • You are welcome to contact me and request a meeting to discuss concerns. • When you visit the school you will be required to check in at the office. • If your child is leaving early, going home with another student or going home in a different manner than usual, please send me a note so I will know.

11. Field Trips • We have two field trips this year - Wagons Ho and Rendezvous. • For Wagons Ho there is a per student fee. • Rendezvous has no charge. • Parents helpers will be needed.

12. We have specials in the morning. Here is our schedule for that: Monday – Health 9:15 and Music 9:45 Tuesday – P.E. 9:45 Wednesday – Music 9:30 Thursday – Library – 9:45 Friday – Computers 9:45 and P.E. 10:15 Please ensure that your student wears appropriate clothing and footwear on P.E. days. The curriculum for music this years requires a recorder. They are available to purchase or borrow from the school. If you have a recorder at home feel free to send that one. Specials Schedule

13. 9:05 – Bell Rings (9:20 on Wednesdays) red folders, lunch count, attendance, pledge and wildcat pledge. Then morning work or specials 9:45 – Reading/Spelling10:45 – Recess (except Wednesday)11:00 – Continue Reading/Spelling12:20 – Lunch12:55 – Lunch ends1:00 – Math2:45 – Recess3:00 – Social Studies/Science3:55 – Release time Daily Schedule

14. All students have been instructed in the “Wildcat Way”. In all areas of the school, we will be:Previously, I have used the “move a clip strategy” as management. If there is a problem I review the expectations with the class/student and more times than not the problem ceases. Classroom Management • Responsible • Respectful • Safe • Kind

15. This year we have a new grading system called standards referenced grading. This is the first time we have used this particular system. If you have questions, I will do my best to answer them, but may need to contact the district office for more clarification. A large part of what I do as a teacher involves finding out where your child is academically and helping them make growth over the year. Report Cards will come home at the end of the year. Please check Power Schools regularly to see how your child is doing. For more information go to www.westada.org Grading

16. Art Smart & Square One Art • We will have a parent come in and teach art to the students. I will be present and will do art as well. • In April, we have an art gallery night. It is AMAZING! • Square one art – fundraiser • Do an art project in the class and then can purchase different items (mugs, mouse pads, etc.). The school uses the money to fund our art smart program.

17. Papers • On your students desk are papers and forms sent out the first day of school. • They have not been returned. • Brochure about Standards Based Grading • COPPA forms need to be signed and returned.

18. Questions?