RESPECT,
RESPONSIBILITY,
and THE RIGHT TO LEARN
2016-2017
2016-2017
Dear Parents of Fourth Grade Students,
The fourth grade teachers would like to welcome you to a new school year of fun and learning. The following information and suggestions will assist you in guiding your child throughout the year. The move into fourth grade can be overwhelming for both parents and students. Requirements and expectations are higher than you have experienced in the past. We hope you find this information helpful and informative.
Please feel free to contact us at any time during the school year. We have a scheduled conference time for 45 minutes each day.
Sincerely,
Your Fourth Grade Team
Renee Mitchell
Rona Lee Price
Melissa West
General Information
After School Pick-Up Time @ 3:05
SAFETY is our priority at 3:05 dismissal. Students exit the building at the front and back entrance. All students must be picked up by 3:20pm.
1. K-2 STUDENTS and their OLDER SIBLINGS will exit the front of the building.
2. 3rd-5th STUDENTS without younger siblings will exit the back of the building.
3. Parents REMAIN in your cars. Students will come to you.
4. PULL AHEAD to the next available spot quickly, while waiting in the fire lanes.
5. If you are greeting your child face to face, you MUST PARK, use the crosswalks
and walk to where your child is waiting.
6. Children are NOT PERMITTED to cross into any parking lot without an adult
escort.
7. Please use the display sign provided by your child's classroom teacher and place
it on the dashboard of your vehicle when you enter the pickup lane of the school
parking lot. If you need additional display signs for others who may pick up your
child please request this from your child's teacher.
7. Please use the display sign provided by your child's classroom teacher and place
it on the dashboard of your vehicle when you enter the pickup lane of the school
parking lot. If you need additional display signs for others who may pick up your
child please request this from your child's teacher.
Arrival
As students arrive in the morning they will report to the gym. Staff will escort the students to their classrooms at 7:45am or after the after the assembly on Monday mornings.
Assignment/Plan Book
Students will purchase an Assignment / Plan Book from the classroom teacher. Fourth and fifth grade students use this book for recording detailed nightly assignments. Upon completion of his/her homework, we ask that a parent or guardian initial the bottom of the planning page, confirming that the work has been completed. You can also view a general weekly assignment calendar on the Fourth Grade website (http://4thgradesmith.blogspot.com).
Attendance
See attendance policy in Student Handbook. A written excuse needs to be sent to school the day your child returns from an absence. If you must excuse your child early during the day, please go to the office and officially sign your child out of school. Your child will be called to come to the office.
The law (SB 1432. Sec. 25.094) states that a student commits
an offense of the law if the student is absent from school on 10 or more days
or parts of days within a six month period or on three or more days in a four
week period.
- The first bell for students to enter the classrooms rings at 7:45 am.
- The tardy bell rings at 7:55 am.
- Tardies will count against Perfect Attendance.
- Students with 4+ tardies in a 9 week period will be required to serve morning detention from 7:15-7:45.
- Students with 5+ tardies in a 9 week period will be required to serve morning detention and meet with the teacher, parent and administrator.
- Students with 6+ tardies will be required to serve after school detention and a home visit will be conducted.
- If a student has a large number of tardies or partial day absences, a complaint will be filed against the parent or child in the municipal court with fees to be paid.
Every year Smith sets a goal to improve student attendance.
With your help, we can achieve our attendance goal of 98%. Please have your child at school by 7:45 A.M. in order for
them to have the most successful academic experience at B.J. Smith.
Changes in Address
If you have a change of address, telephone number, or name, please notify the school immediately.
Clothing
Please send your child to school in clothes that conform to the Mesquite Independent School District dress code. For your child’s safety, be sure that clothing will not hinder participation in physical activities. For example, poolside flip-flops are extremely dangerous. Also, no skin is to be seen between tops/shirts, and waistband of pants/shorts/skirts. Please review the Student Handbook carefully.
Conferences
Fourth grade teachers are available for conferencing three days a week from 8:30-9:15. Other arrangements can be made if needed. Please confer with your child’s teacher about their conference days.
Curriculum
Students have a very full schedule in fourth grade. Their subjects include language, reading, writing, spelling, math, science, social studies, technology, music, art, and PE.
Weekly Conduct Sheet
Parents will need to review and sign the Weekly Conduct Sheet sent home on the first day of each week. This communication provides you with details about your child’s behavior and study habits. Smith students are following a school wide assertive discipline plan for our campus. Therefore, your child begins each week with a 100. Students are given several opportunities to correct their behavior before a conduct mark is recorded. The FIRST conduct mark is a warning, however each time a conduct mark is recorded after that, 5 points are deducted from the 100. On Friday, each student will be given his/her final grade. This grade will be found on the weekly conduct sheet. This sheet needs to be signed and returned the next school day.
E-mails
Teachers may be contacted by e-mail using the following addresses:
Rona Lee Price: RPrice@mesquiteisd.org
Field Trips
Throughout the year we will have a few field trips. Information about each field trip will be sent home prior to the scheduled trip.
Take/Home Binders and Folders
Your child’s papers will be sent home the first school day of each week in their Take Home Binder and will be accompanied by a Weekly Signature Sheet. Please review and applaud your child’s efforts, then sign on the appropriately dated line, returning it the next morning.
Grades
Your child’s grades reflect his/her academic performance, quality of work, completeness, neatness, and timeliness of completion, ability to listen and follow both oral and written directions, and class participation.
The grading scale is as follows:
A 100 - 90
B 89 - 80
C 79 - 70
F 69 and below
Grading Policy for Fourth Grade
1. Students will be given one chance to redo assignments below a 70%. If corrected, the highest grade given will be a 70% regardless of the corrected score. Students will be given one week from the date the graded paper is returned to correct the assignment and return it to their teacher. Not all assignments are allowed to be corrected. Only ones marked “Correct”.
2. Correcting or retaking tests is not permitted.
4. Teachers will make a concerted effort to get any missing assignments from students. In other words, until missing assignments are completed. Parents will be contacted as deemed necessary.
5. The teacher(s) will re-teach and provide needed intervention strategies during the scheduled instructional time.
6. If a student is failing any subject, the parent(s) will be notified and the teacher will schedule a conference and tutoring.
Homework
Homework is an extension of the learning process. Any unfinished class work will be sent home to be completed in addition to other assigned homework. When circumstances beyond a child’s control prevent them from completing overnight assignments, please send a note (can be via email) explaining the situation. Football games, soccer practice, shopping, going out to dinner, etc. are NOT acceptable circumstances.
Students are expected to read for a minimum of 20-30 minutes at home daily. We ask parents to initial the planner each night as an acknowledgement that the reading homework was completed.
Academics
Reading: We will be working on fluency in the classroom to improve your child’s reading ability. We do this through weekly poems and reading other texts. Reading aloud to your child also models fluent reading, and kids still love to be read to at this age. Each child also needs to be reading in a chapter book on his/her level. Independent reading is imperative for a child’s comprehension. We will be learning strategies in class that will help the students with comprehension during sustained silent reading at DEAR (Drop Everything And Read) time.
Math: An average of 90 minutes a day will be devoted to learning new concepts and practicing math skills. Your child will be problem solving daily in order to improve critical thinking and reasoning skills. It is imperative that you work with your child and allow your child to utilize math skills in everyday problem solving. Cooking, grocery shopping, helping with laundry, and any other activity which involves measurement and higher order thinking will help them immensely.
Spelling: Spelling tests are differentiated and individualized each week. Your child will bring home a spelling list to study on the first day of the week to prepare for the test on the last day of the week.
Writing: Students will take their first writing test this year. Writing will be a big part of their daily routine in the classroom. This is the year that you should see a great deal of growth in their use of the English language. We want them to become lifelong writers and enjoy writing. Almost all of their writing will take place at school and will be guided by your child's teacher.
Library
Students will have the opportunity to visit the library a minimum of once a week, more as time permits. Library books are checked out for two weeks at a time and should be returned and re-checked out if the student is not finished with the book(s). Please use the MISD online library, which is available 24/7 at this link: Mesquite ISD Digital Library. Students will use their Student ID# to login.
Snacks
We will not have a snack time in 4th grade. Our lunch times for 4th grade are at 12:35, 12:40, and 12:45. Students may bring a water bottle that has a lid and will remain closed except when in use. Sodas and other drinks that contain sugar are not allowed.
Lunchroom Behavior
Students receive 30 minutes for lunch daily. During the first 15 minutes, students will be SILENT. This quiet time enables the cafeteria staff to hear the student’s requests, while providing a pleasant eating environment.
Lunch Money
Lunch money is handled in the cafeteria. We ask that all lunch money be deposited, or bills paid, before school begins at 7:45 am daily. Students may turn in their lunch money to the teacher and the teacher will send the lunch money to the cafeteria following proper protocol before 8:30am. Students are not allowed to present money at the time of purchase. If you send a check for lunch money, please include the student’s PIN number and the student’s name on the check. We offer free and reduced lunch assistance, but you will need to inquire at the office for the proper paperwork.
Lunch Visitors
When parents come to eat lunch with their child, they must sit at the tables provided. Parents are to eat ONLY with their child. All other students will eat with their classmates at the designated class tables. No visitors during the first week of school or on state testing days.
DATE ISSUED: 7/20/2016
GKC(REGULATION)
Mesquite Independent School District strongly encourages community involvement in our
schools. We welcome opportunities for visitation by community representatives and parents
during lunchtime on our campuses. Our lunch visitor procedures are intended to enhance
school safety and ensure an orderly environment for our students.
The administrative staff of each campus monitors school lunch visitation guests and strives to maintain a positive learning environment, including the lunchroom. Procedures for lunch visitation by community representatives [GKC(REGULATION)] are below for your review.
MISD schools encourage community organizations to schedule a meeting at the beginning of each school year between the building principal and the organization’s school lunch visitor to discuss cafeteria rules and lunch visitation procedures.
Students whose parents complete a lunch visitor permission form will be able to join the organization’s visitor for lunch each time he/she comes to the school. A copy of the permission form is available both in the school and community organization offices. Completed forms should be returned to school office personnel and will be kept on file in the school office for the current school year.
The district encourages one campus lunch visit per six weeks for each community organization. Please schedule each visit with school personnel at least one week in advance. School personnel will coordinate lunch visits with the master school calendar in an effort to avoid scheduling too many events or visitors on any given date.
Organizational visitors will report to the office upon campus arrival so that the usual campus procedure for visitors can be followed.
Office personnel will accompany the community organization lunch visitors to an area in the cafeteria designated for lunch visits.
School lunch visitors from community organizations must undergo and pass a district background check before they will be permitted on campus for lunch visits.
Lunch visitors will refrain from distributing literature, candy or other items during lunch visits. Lunch visitors will be aware of and follow individual campus lunch rules, including a professional dress code that campus teachers follow.
Lunch Visitation Student Permission Form (sample)
DATE ISSUED: 7/20/2016
GKC(REGULATION)
Mesquite Independent School District strongly encourages community involvement in our
schools. We welcome opportunities for visitation by community representatives and parents
during lunchtime on our campuses. Our lunch visitor procedures are intended to enhance
school safety and ensure an orderly environment for our students.
The administrative staff of each campus monitors school lunch visitation guests and strives to maintain a positive learning environment, including the lunchroom. Procedures for lunch visitation by community representatives [GKC(REGULATION)] are below for your review.
MISD schools encourage community organizations to schedule a meeting at the beginning of each school year between the building principal and the organization’s school lunch visitor to discuss cafeteria rules and lunch visitation procedures.
Students whose parents complete a lunch visitor permission form will be able to join the organization’s visitor for lunch each time he/she comes to the school. A copy of the permission form is available both in the school and community organization offices. Completed forms should be returned to school office personnel and will be kept on file in the school office for the current school year.
The district encourages one campus lunch visit per six weeks for each community organization. Please schedule each visit with school personnel at least one week in advance. School personnel will coordinate lunch visits with the master school calendar in an effort to avoid scheduling too many events or visitors on any given date.
Organizational visitors will report to the office upon campus arrival so that the usual campus procedure for visitors can be followed.
Office personnel will accompany the community organization lunch visitors to an area in the cafeteria designated for lunch visits.
School lunch visitors from community organizations must undergo and pass a district background check before they will be permitted on campus for lunch visits.
Lunch visitors will refrain from distributing literature, candy or other items during lunch visits. Lunch visitors will be aware of and follow individual campus lunch rules, including a professional dress code that campus teachers follow.
Lunch Visitation Student Permission Form (sample)
Campus Visitors
All campus visitors must enter the front of the building and visit the office to receive a Visitor’s ID Badge. A Texas Driver’s License or State issued ID will be required.
Medication
Refer to the MISD Student Handbook about medication, this includes prescription and non-prescription medication, even cough drops.
Medication administered at school should be in it original container and labeled.
Ask your pharmacist to prepare a second container for school.
Medication administered at school should be in it original container and labeled.
Ask your pharmacist to prepare a second container for school.
Parties
We have ONLY two parties during the school year – Winter Holiday and Last Day of School.If you would like to send something to school for a student’s birthday you need to contact the teacher first. Whatever you choose to send will not be consumed on school property and it must be individually wrapped so the teacher may pass the items out to the students as they are leaving at the end of the school day.
Punctuality
Teachers are in their classrooms by 7:45 am each morning. It is essential that students arrive on time, so they will have adequate time to prepare for the day. Students will be counted tardy if they are not in the classroom when the 7:55 bell rings. School ends at 3:05 pm. Students must exit quickly and GO DIRECTLY HOME.
Report Cards
Report cards will be issued four times during the school year. Each of the four periods during the school year will be 8-10 weeks. Progress reports will be sent mid-period. Grades are accessible at all times via Skyward.
Safety
The safety of your student(s) is top priority. Therefore, it is essential that ALL VISITORS report to the office before entering the academic area of the school.
Telephones
Students are permitted to carry cell phones. However, they must be left in their backpacks and be turned off during the school day. If the phone interrupts instruction, the teacher will take the phone and return it to the student at the end of the school day.
Toys and Distractions
Toys, stuffed animals, trinkets, jewelry, false fingernails, fingernail polish, makeup, “twiddly” items, sports cards, candy, gum, excessive amounts of money, valuables, gadgets, noisy items, electronic games, etc. need to remain at home. Any item that interferes with instruction is not welcome in the classroom and will be taken and held by the teacher.
Zero Tolerance
The fourth grade teachers have Zero Tolerance for inappropriate language, weapons of any kind, fighting, or bullying by students. Such actions will result in a direct office referral.
STAAR Testing Dates
2016-2017 4th Grade STAAR Testing Dates are as follows:
Writing Tuesday, March 28 Report date: by June 14, 2017
Math Monday, May 8 Report date: by June 14, 2017
Reading Tuesday, May 9 Report date: by June 14, 2017
REMINDER: The building is closed to all visitors on testing days.
Responsibility
We emphasize responsibility in the fourth grade. Students are expected to be responsible for their actions on the playground, in the restrooms, cafeteria, and in the hallways at all times, as well as behave appropriately in the classrooms. These responsibilities have been explained to your child by their teachers. We really don’t have “RULES” in fourth grade, but we do have “EXPECTATIONS” and “RESPONSIBILITIES.” Students will be expected to fulfill these expectations and responsibilities and will be held accountable. Appropriate behavior will be reinforced with verbal praise, positive notes, certificates, stickers, and special privileges, etc. However, if a student neglects his/her responsibilities, consequences will have to be faced. We have reviewed these expectations and responsibilities with your child.
Details about our Fourth Grade Structure for Discipline are found below. Please discuss them one more time at home, so that he/she has a clear understanding of what is expected. We also invite you to implement these responsibilities outside the school setting, as well.
Fourth Grade Structure for Discipline
Respect Yourself and Others
Be responsible for your actions (admit mistakes)
Accept consequences (accountability)
Use self-control at all times (no bullying)
Be prepared and punctual for instruction (supplies and you are ready)
Display good manners (yes, please, thank you)
Be courteous to peers and adults (no talking back)
Be mindful of appropriate language and gestures
Be a good listener while others are talking
Respect Property
Keep hands, feet, and objects to yourself and off others’ belongings
Keep hands, feet, and all body parts off walls and displays
Use and dispose of lavatory paper items appropriately
“Swinging” on lavatory doors is NOT permitted
Write in appropriate areas only, NOT on desks, books, or walls
“Slam touching” of hall clocks, door frames, or exit signs is prohibited
Follow Directions and Expectations
Listen carefully to instructions from all teachers and staff
Follow all school, playground, and cafeteria rules
Follow emergency drill rules - NO TALKING OR RUNNING
Think Safety First
Keep all 4 legs of chairs on the floor - no leaning backwards
Walk inside the school at all times (no running, pushing, or shoving)
Handle school supplies appropriately (ie: no spinning of rulers or scissors)
Pulling chairs from others as they are about to sit is prohibited
Clothing must be appropriate for school and not be a safety hazard
that interferes with recess, PE, and other physical activities (no flip flops)
Other dangerous acts will be dealt with accordingly
Consequences: A Weekly Conduct Sheet will be sent home to be signed by you and returned the following day. It will show what expectations, if any, were not met. Consequences may include: recess walking and lonely lunch for misbehavior, study hall for not having homework or class work completed. These consequences may be served during recess time and will be reflected in the students’ weekly conduct grade. Additional consequences may be necessary, such as a written resolution, a phone call home, direct office referral, or loss of other privileges. Recess is earned by students; it is not part of the curriculum. It’s hard to learn from your mistakes when there are no consequences to face.
Structure of Discipline
The beginning of a new school year is always an exciting time. We expect another great year and great things from your children. In order to have our children well prepared to meet the demands of the future, the fourth grade team will provide an effective learning environment, where nothing is permitted to interfere with the students’ learning. In order to provide such an environment, we need to have your full understanding and support for our discipline plan. Quite simply, we ask each student to:
RESPECT themselves, others, and property
Be RESPONSIBILE for behavior and actions
FOLLOW DIRECTIONS and EXPECTATIONS
Think SAFETY FIRST
How to Have a Successful School Year!
- make sure children have a good night sleep and a healthy breakfast each day
- monitor their TV and video game time
- encourage outdoor exercise
- give children responsibilities and consequences when they are not completed
- be consistent with rules at home
- provide a quiet, organized place for homework and have a nightly homework routine
- when your child forgets his/her homework, do not deliver it to school; allow them to experience the consequences of their actions
- keep “on top” of homework, even if the child says, “No homework tonight”
- help them with their homework, but do not do it for them
- be sure to sign the papers that need your signature
- always show your love to children, even when they make mistakes (learning opportunities)
(Something worth reading)
Who Pays the Traffic Tickets?
(Summarized from the Star Telegram)
Written by a student from Lamar High School
RESPONSIBILITY – What’s a one-word description of children who never are allowed to suffer for their mistakes? Brats
If your son or daughter came home with a speeding ticket today, who would pay the fine? Would you or your child be responsible for that mistake?
In today’s society, most parents would pay for the ticket. You don’t want to hurt your children or make them feel bad, now, do you? After all, life is all about how you feel, right? WRONG! The cop who wrote the ticket doesn’t really care how it made your child feel.
Sensible parents know that making your children feel bad and suffer the consequences of their actions is good for them. Parents also recognize that the benefits of this decision far outweigh the heartache that it may cause. Children build responsibility and character being held accountable for their actions.
THE STUDENT WRITES . . . in grade school, I’d forget my homework every day. I’d roll out of bed, … lazily walk to class, … open my binder to find my homework … was sitting on the table at home. Once I was done with my homework, I’d just go to bed. I was not responsible enough to put the work straight into my book bag. So, every day, I’d call my mom to ask her to go home, get my homework, and bring it to school. She’d drop work, drive 30 min. home, get my papers, drive another 15 min. to school, go back to work, then work through lunch so she could make up the time she missed getting my work. “ In short, she was teaching me I didn’t have to be organized or responsible because … she would always fix my problem in an hour or less at no cost to me.”
“I have watched people around me grow up into irresponsible, spoiled rotten brats.” Unfortunately, some parents continue to save their children from the “evils” of life. But, the day I called my mother to make my usual request, and she flat-out said, “NO,” I knew I had to step up to the plate. She put her foot down, no longer catered to my demands, and became the parent. At the same time, I became responsible.
Children crave discipline, the “time-outs,” or the “go to your rooms.”
“ …Kids test the boundaries … That is why you have to teach your kids that they cannot get anywhere by speeding around in a car and risking lives.” My mom demanded more of me and it felt good. I felt closer once she established the rule. I made good grades and was proud to have my homework in my binder, right where I put it the night before.
You’re not always going to be there for your child. Teach them to be responsible for themselves so they can handle the big, bad, and ugly. By the time they are your age, they might not have you to run to every time something goes wrong. Teach them to be responsible now, not later.
No one pays your traffic tickets!
