August 2009

Dear Parents,

            Welcome to the 4^th grade!  I am very happy to have your child in my classroom. The students will be settling in and learning the routines and expectations of the classroom. We have two new students in the class, with a total of 29 children. I believe that by all of us working together we can make this a very successful year.

          You are your child's first teacher. You have more of an impact on their values, behavior, expectations, work ethic, and actions than any other person in the world. If you feel education is important, your child will pick up on that. They will try their best to have a successful year. I consider it of prime importance that you be an active part of your child's education.  You make the difference!

          Communication between the home and school is very important for students to be successful.  I want this to be a great year for your child and welcome any questions or concerns you may have about your child’s learning.  You may contact me by phone at (818) 243-9239 ext. 410.  I am available for conferences before school, Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 7:00 a.m. to 7:40 a.m., and after school Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday until 3:30.  Your child’s assignment book is the perfect place for a quick note to me.  I will contact you if the need arises.  I believe that by all of us working together we can make this a very successful year.

Attached are my procedures for homework, tests and quizzes, and classroom notices.

Thank you for your cooperation and welcome to my class,

Mrs. Chatterton

Homework

          Students will be assigned homework every night, except on Fridays.  They are responsible for writing each assignment in their assignment book. The homework assignments are on the classroom white board all day.  Their assignment book MUST be signed every night after their homework is completed (you do not have to correct it for them). This is to be certain that all assignments are completed for the next day’s correction. If their assignment book is not signed, then they will be benched at morning recess. 

Homework is due the very next day, unless otherwise noted in their assignment book.  If your child does not turn in their homework, they will automatically receive a green slip, and they must complete the assignment during recess. At the end of every quarter, I calculate all of their homework assignments for each subject.  If they have completed all of their assignments to the best of their ability, that could help raise their grade.  However, if they have missing or incomplete assignments, that WILL lower their grade.

***Reading homework is assigned by their reading teacher, Ms. Huntley.***

                                        Tests

          Your child will be notified about a test in particular subject a week before the test is given. 

          If your child receives a 79% or below on a test or quiz, it will be sent home.  The test must be signed and returned the following day.  This way, I make sure you are aware of their grade. Additionally, any time a test is stamped “please sign and return”, regardless of the percentage it must be signed and returned.

Notices (Green, Yellow, or Red)

          If your child receives a green, yellow, or her homework notice or a benching notice, the notice must be signed and returned the following day. 

**All notice slips, family envelopes, and quizzes or tests (with a “sign and return” stamp), must be returned the following day signed.  If a paper is not returned the following day or not signed, it will result in benching.**

My Pledge to Students

The following is a list of goals that I have set for myself this year. I will make every effort to live up to these goals:

1) I will greet students each morning with a smile, and will be generous with my smiles throughout the day.

2) I will look for opportunities to reward and praise students for their work and good behavior.

3) I will not show favoritism, and will try to be fair to all.

4) I will use fair and appropriate methods of discipline.

5) I will try to make classroom instruction as interesting as possible and look for new and diverse ways of presenting materials.

6) I will maintain a positive atmosphere for learning.

7) I will make myself available and approachable to students.

8) I will recognize the individuality of my students and will provide opportunities for each of them to experience success. I pledge to work forward making this a very successful year for us all.

Mrs. Chatterton

These supplies should be sent with your child on the first day of school
ALL SUPPLIES NEED TO BE CLEARLY MARKED WITH YOUR CHILD’S NAME

PERSONAL SUPPLIES - THESE NEED TO REMAIN AT SCHOOL
1 book bag or backpack
1 large pencil pouch
3 large erasers (STAEDTLER brand works best)
10 No. 2 lead pencils, sharpened (have extra at home)
10 red lead pencils, sharpened
2 pencil grips
1 pencil sharpener with an enclosed bottom ( Staples brands work best)
1 set of colored pencils, sharpened
3 spiral notebooks 8 ½ x 11 (labeled) : green SCIENCE,
black SOCIAL STUDIES , blue SPELLING
6 folders (labeled): red MATH, green SCIENCE, yellow RELIGION
black SOCIAL STUDIES, blue LANGUAGE, homework ANY DESIGN
1 12" ruler with inches and centimeters
1 4oz. Elmer’s white glue (not gel)
3 glue sticks (not gel)
1 good pair of children’s scissors, (Fiskers brand works best)
1 24 – color set of crayons (Crayola brand works best)
1 package of thin markers (Crayola brand works best) Keep extra markers at home for homework. No permanent or washable markers
1 package of thick markers (Crayola brand works best). No permanent or washable markers
1 dry Erase Writing Board (8 ½ x 11 or 11x14, no larger) for math
1 package of dry erase markers (any color except yellow) (math)dry erase eraser
2 packages of Post-Its (any color)
1 desk size dictionary or pocket size
1 rosary
2 packages of loose leaf college ruled paper (Reading)
1 2 pack twin red portfolio for reports (Reading)
1 1 ½ inch , 3 ringed binder (Reading)

CLASSROOM SUPPLIES
2 large boxes of Kleenex
2 boxes of Zip-Loc bags (with zipper) 1 box gallon, 1 box quart
3 Large containers of Clorox or Lysol disinfecting wipes. (No soft packs)
ART ROOM
1 Package foam plates
DO NOT PURCHASE AN ASSIGNMENT BOOK, IT WILL BE PROVIDED FOR YOU

PLEASE ADHERE TO THE LIST. ANY ITEMS NOT ON THE LIST WILL BE SENT HOME. THANK YOU.