Welcome to 4 th Grade

1. Welcome to 4th Grade Greenfield Intermediate School

2. The 4th Grade Teachers • rfada@gcsc.k12.in.us  Rhonda Fada: reading, ELA and social studies • hjohnson@gcsc.k12.in.us  Heather Johnson: reading, ELA and social studies, Quest reading and ELA • tknepp@gcsc.k12.in.us  Tyler Knepp: math and science • klewis@gcsc.k12.in.us  Kim Lewis:  math and science • klithgow@gcsc.k12.in.us  Kay Lithgow: reading, ELA and social studies • jlowes@gcsc.k12.in.us  Jamie Lowes: math and science, Quest math • sseelman@gcsc.k12.in.us  Sara Seelman: reading, ELA and social studies • czellers@gcsc.k12.in.us  Courtney Zellers: math and science, honors math • abishop@gcsc.k12.in.us  Angie Bishop:  resource • kcreamer@gcsc.k12.in.us  Katie Creamer:  Title 1 • Alicia Besinger, Michelle Grant and Tiffany Reighley:  Instructional Assistants

3. Tonight’s Focus We are pleased to meet with you tonight to discuss questions you may have about 4th grade at GIS. For the privacy of your child, we will NOT be discussing individual student performance. We encourage you to sign up for the Parent-Teacher Conference. They are October 30 and November 5. If you feel it is necessary to speak with your child’s teachers before conferences, please contact us to schedule a meeting before or after school.

4. Principal’s Principles Principal’s Principle #1 Treat others as you want to be treated No Matter How They Treat You! Principal’s Principle #2 Control only those things that are in your control, don’t worry about that which you cannot control. Principal’s Principle #3 Respect the learning.

5. RESPECT yourself, your school, and others who are here to learn. MAKE GOOD CHOICES. Life is about making decisions and being the best you can be. BE RESPONSIBLE. Plan and prepare to work hard. Do the things you know you should. Keep our school SAFE and SECURE. Take PRIDE and be PROUD to make your school the best it can be. 4th Grade Values

6. Blue Day Schedule 7:50 – 8:00 Homeroom 8:00 – 10:05 Class 1 10:10 – 10:50 RTI ELA 10:55 – 11:25 Class 2 11:30 – 11:45 Recess 11:50 – 12:20 Lunch 12:25 – 2:00 Class 2 2:05 – 2:10 Homeroom

7. Gold Day Schedule 7:50 – 7:55 Homeroom 7:55 – 9:10 Class 1 9:15 – 10:25 Related Arts 10:30 – 10:55 Class 1 11:00 – 11:25 RTI math 11:30 – 11:45 Recess 11:50 – 12:20 Lunch 12:25 – 2:00 Class 2 2:05 – 2:10 Homeroom

8. Grades Every student will have a final grade of A, B, C , D or F. A grade will be a reflection of the student’s performance in class according to Indiana Standards. A= exemplary mastery of the standards B= showing acceptable mastery and growth of the standards C= Showing growth in most standards with some mastery D= minimal mastery and minimal growth F= non mastery, little growth, below grade level

9. Grades Check PowerSchool to monitor your student’s grades. Teachers will post grades as frequently as possible. Updates should appear every week. A student’s grade can change often throughout the grading period. Each teacher determines how assignments will be scored. Tests, quizzes, homework, class work, projects, etc. can hold different weights toward the final grade. Report cards are posted online or in hard-copy (at request) each 9 weeks.

10. Absent Work It is GIS policy that the student has one day to make up absent work for each day absent. It is the responsibility of the student who is absent to get with teachers to determine what he/she missed. This can be done when your student returns to school. Arranging to have your student’s absent work picked up is helpful. This is preferred if your student will be absent for several days. Notification can be made with a call to the office or an email to your student’s teachers.

11. Homework Homework will be assigned. Homework is used as a review of skills being worked on in class. It is opportunity for students to work independently to practice skills. Students are expected to complete and turn in assignments on time. Homework is due at the start of the Rotation for which it was assigned. Missing or incomplete homework will be completed during recess in “study hall.”

12. Homework and Grades It is our expectation that homework is completed by the student. It is wonderful if you are able to help your student with his/her homework; however, if you are having to DO the homework because your student seems “lost,” please contact your student’s teachers. • Work turned in LATE will be identified with “l” alongside the grade in PowerSchool. • Absent work will be identified with “ab.” • MISSING work will be identified with “m.” It is a teacher’s discretion as to whether missing work that is completed later will receive all, partial, or no credit.

13. Homework and Planners Students are expected to record assignments daily in their planner. Assignments will be on the board in every classroom. Always check your student’s planner for assignments NIGHTLY. Planners should be signed nightly. An ADULT signature is required on the planner. A signature on the planner is an indication that the adult has looked at each assignment and has verified completion. Homeroom teachers will check for signatures each morning. Teachers will stamp or put a sticker on the date if everything was turned in on time and complete. If something wasn’t turned in, teachers will note that in the planner either will a highlight, circle or a NH.

14. MOOSE Binder M.O.O.S.E. stands for Managing Our Organizational Skills Everyday Inside the binder your student needs: • Assignment Notebook • Pencil Pouch • 4-Pocket Plastic folders • Loose-Leaf Paper The following slide shows what the binder should look like and how it will be organized.

15. MOOSE Binder This binder has front and back pockets for additional papers the students may wish to carry. This is the requested 1 ½-3 inch binder. This zippered pouch will be used to carry extra pencils, colored pencils, etc. for daily classroom use.

16. MOOSE Binder This is the assignment notebook that will be provided for daily use. Here is a plastic 2-pocket folder with 3 holes to go into the binder. Students need 4 folders, one for each subject, to organize homework and take-home papers. Loose-leaf paper will be needed in the back of the binder for classroom activities.

17. 4th Grade Economy Students will be involved in a mini-economy. Classroom money (MOOSE money) will be given in return for: • completing homework • getting the planner signed • attendance • good behavior Students will be able to use the money to qualify to attend special events and to purchase items at the MOOSE store. Students NOT following rules will lose money. Donations for the MOOSE store are accepted and appreciated.

18. Staying in Contact • Students will be filling out their assignment planners DAILY. • An adult should check the planner DAILY for assignments and messages from your student’s teachers. • Please visit our webpage regularly for important updates, upcoming events, and classroom activities. You can access our page on the Greenfield Intermediate School website. • Emailing and leaving voicemails are also great ways to keep in touch with teachers.

19. Email Contact • We are sending out daily assignment updates via email so that you can double-check homework and announcements against your child’s planner. • There are several email addresses that are undeliverable. If you are not receiving the nightly email messages, WE NEED TO GET A CORRECTED EMAIL FROM YOU IMMEDIATELY. • Comcast provides a discounted internet service for those who qualify. Please check with us if you are interested in materials.

20. Parent-Teacher Conferences • Parent-Teacher Conferences will be on October 30 and November 5 from 2:30 – 7:30. • Parents will be able to sign-up online via the GIS website for an appointment with your child’s homeroom teacher. • Additional details will be provided closer to the date of the conferences.

21. Miscellaneous • Attendance • Transportation • Medication • Lockers • Paper heading • Student Handbook • Field trips/Criminal background check • Questions

22. We are looking forward to a fantastic school year with you and your student!