Back To School Night

1. Back To School Night Thursday, August 25, 2016 Mrs. Armstrong FOURTH GRADE

2. What we will cover tonight… • Mrs. Armstrong’s Bio • Forms • Specials Schedule • Home-School Communication • Email/Phone • Classroom Website • RemindApp • Parent Conferences • School-wide Behavior Plan • Classroom Behavior Plan • Homework • Phoenix Grade Book • Grading Policies • Tests/Quizzes • Report Card Format • SOLs • Dream Box • Reflection Journals • OTTW & Genius Hour (Passion Project) • Fourth Grade Field Trip • PTO Membership • Nine Week Plans • Questions!

3. About Casey Armstrong • This is my first year with Loudoun County Public Schools. I previously taught fifth grade for ten years in Frederick County, Maryland. I’m super excited to be joining AES! • I received my Bachelor’s Degree in elementary education from the University of Maryland, College Park and my Master’s Degree in educational leadership from Strayer University. • My husband and I live in Leesburg with our two kids and dog. My son, Easton, is two and my daughter, Leighton, will be one on Monday! • I love cheering for the Redskins and Terpsand love doing most anything outdoors.

4. Important Papers/Forms • TO BE HANDED IN TONIGHT: Please complete the white student profile card on your child’s desk, the car rider visor tag request, and the transportation slipand turn them in before you leave tonight. • Parent volunteer opportunities, conference sign up sheets are on the kidney table under the clock. • NOTE TO YOUR CHILD: Please fill out the “Parent 3-2-1 and Child Reader Survey” sheet and turn it in to the basket on the kidney table. • Also, feel free to use the notecard to write your child a little note of encouragement for the first day of school. It’ll be a nice surprise for them when they arrive

5. Important Papers/Forms • TO BE HANDED IN ASAP First Day of School Packet (brown): Please send these forms in with your child on the first day of school. • The yellow form inside your packet should also be completed and turned in after viewing the Student Rights and Responsibilities documents under the Quick Links section of the LCPS website.

6. Class Specials Schedule 2016-2017 All fourth grade classes will eat lunch from 12:30pm – 1:00 pm. * Please make note of the days that we have PE, so you can be sure that your child wears shoes appropriate for physical activity.

7. Snacks • Students will have the option of bringing in a “working snack” to consume in the morning. If they choose to do so, please send in a healthy, nut free snack for your child (no dipping sauces.)

8. Home-School Communication • There are several lines of communication available. • Notes in the Agenda (please check daily) • Email (Casey.Armstrong@lcps.org) • School Phone (Note: I call for good reasons too so don’t be scared if you see my number) • Scheduled Conferences • Behavior Charts • Reflection Journals (ongoing between you and your child) • You know your child best; therefore, I believe, it is vital that we work together throughout the year to ensure your child flourishes academically, emotionally and socially. • Emails will be sent through Phoenix. Please be sure your email address is correct on the student profile card. This is the email that will be entered into Phoenix. If it is incorrect, change it on the card and we will take care of it in Phoenix.

9. Classroom Website The following is found on the 4th Grade Team’s site as well as our class website: • Teacher Biographies • Long Range Plans • Helpful Websites • Study Guides and Answer Keys

10. REMIND App • Sign up for important updates from Mrs. Armstrong. • Pick up a Remind handout for more information (on the kidney table) • This is NOT mandatory for parents; just another form of communication • Get information for 4th Grade right on your phone (sign up for the Remind App; it’s free.) • I will use this app to send out reminders regarding various class projects, due dates, events, etc.

11. Parent Conferences • The sign-up schedule for parent conferences is on the kidney table. First come first served!  • Sign up tonight if you know your schedule. Please record it somewhere. (Sticky notes are provided if needed). I will send home a reminder the week before your scheduled conference. • Conferences will be held before and after school starting the middle of October. • Any conferences before or after that will be either parent or teacher requested.

12. School-wide Behavior Plan

13. Classroom Behavior Plan • Emphasis on positive reinforcement as the primary behavior management tool. • The students will come up with our class behavior contract, which students will sign and be expected to abide by (3 RsPoster-Respect, Responsibility and Right to Learn) • Bucket Filling: Each student has their own “bucket”. Throughout the day, students will have the opportunity to earn stones to put in their bucket by being kind to others, following directions, earning a dolphin dollar/golden dolphin, etc. Each time a student earns 20 stones in their bucket he/ she will be able to choose a reward from the prize box. • Consequences: I believe in logical consequences such as a quiet warning, apologies (written or verbal depending on the circumstance), “think sheet,” or taking a time out. • If a behavior is serious, I will call you to talk to you about ways we can work together to resolve any issues. • Other: Class can earn marbles for the marble jar for exemplary behavior in Specials, Recess, Cafeteria, etc.

14. Fourth Grade Recess • The fourth grade teachers at Ashburn recognize the value of recess to our students. • Gives students a break • Increases time on-task in classroom • Promotes social interaction • Optimizes the brain’s performance (increased blood flow) • Every student in fourth grade will receive at least 15 minutes of recess daily. • Most days our recess will be from12:00pm-12:20pm.

15. Homework Policy • The homework policy for Loudoun County Schools is that a fourth grader should not have more than one hour of homework per night. • All Students will receive an Agenda on the first day of school and will write in their agendas daily • In the beginning I will initial students agendas before they pack up verifying that they have copied down all their assignments • Parent/Guardian initials are required in the agenda each night. • If homework is not turned in or completedI will circle the assignment in your child’s agenda

16. Homework Policy • Homework should not take more than one hour per night. If assigned homework is taking longer, please contact me so we can resolve the problem. • If a question arises on the homework that your student is unable to answer, please initial it to show it wasn’t skipped. I will then make sure to work with your child the following day to clarify any confusion. • READING LOG-Every student should read independently for a minimum of 15 minutes nightly (this is included in the hour ). Students should log how many minutes they read, the title of the book. An adult should initial the Reading Log.

17. Importance of Reading at Home

18. Phoenix Grade Book • You will have access to your child’s grades online through Phoenix again this year. • If you are new to Loudoun County Public Schools, you will need sign up for access to Phoenix (form can be found in the office).

19. Grading Procedures • Students will receive a combination of number and letter grades on all class assignments, quizzes, and tests. • Loudoun County Public Schools’ grading policy is as follows: Progress Indicators: 4 = Exceeds Standard 3 = Meets Standard 2 = Progressing Toward Standard 1 = Below Standard Grading Key: A = Outstanding B = Very Good C = Satisfactory D = Needs Improvement F = Not Performing

20. Learning Progression 4 Exceeds More Complex Concepts 3 – Learning Target Meets the Standard 2 – Simpler Concepts, Progressing Toward Standard 1 – Building Blocks, Below Standard

21. Grading • Could be multiple grades on each assignment that reflect different standards assessed. • Not every assignment will include a rubric.

22. Quiz/Test Policies & Procedures • There will not be pop quizzes. Students will be informed of a quiz or test in advance. Any quizzes/tests for the week will be written in your child’s agenda (Reminder: please initial daily.) • We will review in class the day before, but students need to study at home as well. • Study guides, when given, are to be completed three to five days before an assessment.

23. Retake Policy • Students that receive a C / 2 or lower will be given the opportunity to retakethe test or quiz. • Students must come to me directly to request a retake within three school days of receiving the graded assessment • The purpose of a retake is to ensure the child’s knowledge of the materialthe goal is for students to show “mastery” • The retake date for the test or quiz will be in your child’s agenda. • The retake assessment may be rewritten in a different format (multiple choice, fill-in-the-blank, essay, etc.) from the original assessment.

24. 4th Grade Report Card (Pg. 1)

25. 4th Grade Report Card (Pg. 2)

26. SOLs Tested This Year • Reading • Math • Virginia Studies • SOL tests will be taken in May-exact dates will be given as the SOLs get closer 

27. Reflection Journals • On some Fridays your child will write a letter to you detailing about their week • A great way for you to get more detailed answers to the question: “What did you do at school today?” • At minimum a parent signature is required, though families have the option of writing a letter back to them in the journal • Students love reading the responses in their journals.

28. Dream Box • A computerized math program, check out the program’s website for detailed information: www.dreambox.com • Will be done at school and at home • Please try not help your child at home. The program is designed to constantly evaluate your child’s needs and progress. It needs to be your student’s work to be most effective as a learning tool.

29. One to the World & Genius Hour Project • Stay tuned for updates about this year’s One to the World Project (fall/spring) • Genius Hour-(we will likely call it “Passion Projects”): Teachers will provide a set amount of time for their students to work on their passion projects.  Students are then challenged to explore something and produce a project demonstrating what they learned.  Students spend several weeks researching the topic before they start creating a product that will be shared with the class/school/world.  Deadlines are limited and creativity is encouraged.  Throughout the process the teacher facilitates the student projects to ensure that they are on task. (https://youtu.be/NMFQUtHsWhc) • To find out more check out: http://www.geniushour.com/

30. Fourth Grade Field Trip • Fourth grade will be taking one field trip this school year. • We are still exploring our options as to where the field trip will be. When a decision has been made, we will pass that information along to you. • Chaperones will be chosen in each classroom through a random lottery of those who turn in chaperone forms.

31. Ashburn’s PTO • The PTO raises about $50 for each student at Ashburn each year. • This is to provide teachers with the tools that your child uses in the classroom every day (i.e. Elmo Digital Presenters, Chrome Books and your child’s agenda). • Meeting times alternate between morning and evening times in the library every month from September through May. • You can also help by participating in their fundraisers of which several of them will not cost you a thing (icollectingand sending in your General Mills Box Tops or registering your Giant Food grocery card).

32. First Nine Weeks Plans • Reading • Expanding Vocabulary • Realistic Fiction/ Narrative Nonfiction • Predicting/Summarizing • Inferencing/Interpreting • Writing/Language Arts • Organize/Plan Writing • Focus on a Topic • Subject-Verb Agreement • Noun-Pronoun Agreement • Personal Narrative • Word Study • Grammar • Science • Scientific Investigation • Virginia’s Natural Resources • Solar System • Math • Place Value • Adding/Subtracting • Elapsed Time • Patterns/Functions/Equality • Social Studies • Relative Location • Virginia Geography • First Americans • Early Jamestown

33. WOW! Information overload!Questions?Thank you for coming tonight! Looking forward to an awesome school yearThis presentation will be up on my website for you to refer to if needed. Also, please feel free to email or call me if you need clarification or have questions or comments.