4th Grade Information Packet

Mrs. Scott and Mr. Prater’s

Class Information Booklet

2012-2013

Around the World in 180 Days

Seabreeze Elementary

247-5900

Mrs. Scott

Ext. 134

scottr1@duvalschools.org

Mr. Prater

Ext. 133

praterj@duvalschools.org

  

A

ABSENT children must bring a note/email a note from their parent/guardian stating why they were absent from school.  The only excused absences by the county are because of illness, illness of family member, family emergency, or death in the family.  The student is responsible for making up all missed work.  The county policy for makeup work is one day to make up for each day missed and special arrangements can be made for longer absences. 

ACCELERATED READER will be used in the classroom.  Books from within the classroom, Seabreeze library and the public library can be assessed on Accelerated Reader.   Students will earn points for mastery of tests taken in the classroom.  Points will be used towards rewards.

ALUMINUM can tabs are being collected to give to the Ronald McDonald House at the end of the school year.  They use the proceeds to help with expenses, so start saving them for us.

B

BIRTHDAY party invitations can only be given out if there is one for every child. If select students are being invited, invitations must be mailed or given outside of school.  It is not the teacher’s responsibility to give addresses.

BOOKS have been assigned to each student.  It is their responsibility to take care of them.  They will be charged for lost or damaged books.  Duval County Policy states that report cards should be held until all textbooks and library books are returned or paid for. 

BOX TOPS FOR EDUCATION & SOUP LABELS are collected to earn money for Seabreeze.  The class with the most collected earns a party at the end of the year from our PTA.

BROWN ENVELOPES will be sent home every Thursday.  Please sign the cover page, and review and return the contents.    Weekly newsletters, progress reports, and other important paperwork will be sent in the envelope.

 Return the envelope with all paperwork  inside  for all  needs to be returned as soon as possible.  All tests must be signed and returned.

C

CELL PHONES – We understand the need for students to have cell phones.  Phones may be brought to school.  However, they must be turned off and left in the student’s backpack.  If a student chooses to use their phone during the school day, it will be taken and a parent must come to the school to retrieve it.  We cannot be responsible for lost or stolen phones.

CITIZENSHIP now counts toward the honor roll.  Students must have an A or B in citizenship, as well as academics, to be considered an honor roll student.

CLASSROOM RULES are posted in the class.  They are as follows:

1. Be respectful of others and their property.
2. Follow directions the first time they are given.
3. Keep hands, feet, and objects to yourself.
4. Always try your best.

                                                                           

The CLINIC is where your child goes when they are not feeling well.  It is not run by a nurse, but the office staff and volunteers.  If children are sick, they should stay at home.

THE CODE OF CONDUCT needs to be read, signed, and returned promptly.  The pages that required signature are updated in the student’s records each year.

COMPUTERS will be used at various times during the year.  We are very fortunate to have personal computers in all of our classrooms.  Students will be given their user numbers and passwords that they will use through high school.  Parents must sign the Internet Permission Form (located in the Code of Conduct) in-order for students to be permitted to use educational websites in class.

CONFERENCES are available by phone, email, or in person.  Please contact us to schedule a conference.  Opportunities to request a conference are also given on each progress report and report card.

D

When a student chooses to break a classroom rule, it will be noted on a classroom clipboard.  If the student receives any marks on the clipboard within one school day, it will be noted in the student’s planner for that day.  The teacher will note the rules that were broken with a number.  The number codes will be located in the front of the planner for you to determine what they mean.  They are noted below.  Using a number, rather than writing everything out will save valuable class time.  When necessary, students may also fill out a discipline form explaining what happened in more detail, which should be signed and returned the following school day.

:

1. Disrupting Others

2. Disrespectful

3. Off-task

4. Not Following Directions

5. Misbehavior in Resource/Lunch

6. Restroom Misbehavior

7. Hallway Misbehavior

8. Gum or candy

9. No homework

10. Not bringing materials to class

DISMISSAL times are as follows: 

Buses/Day Care/Car Riders are called individually

Walkers/Bike Riders leave at 3:00

Extended Day report to their assigned class with the bell at 3:00

DRESS or clothing attire should meet the standards addressed in the Student Code of Conduct.  Students not meeting the dress code will be sent to the office to call home for a change of clothes or will be provided appropriate clothing by the front office.

E

EARLY RELEASE WEDNESDAYS are noted on the school calendar and monthly newsletters.  School will be dismissed by 1:45 on these dates.  This time is used for teacher training and planning.  These days are vital in assisting us in our quest to constantly improve ourselves to provide the best education possible for our students. 

Early Release Dates for this school are:

Sept. 5, Sept. 19, Oct. 3, Oct. 17, Nov. 7, Nov. 28, Dec. 12, Jan. 9, Jan. 23, Feb. 6, Feb. 20, Mar. 6, Mar. 20, Apr. 10, May 1, May 22

F

 FCAT.  Fourth Grade students take the FCAT Writes on February 26-28, 2013.  They also will take a reading and mathematics portion April 15 – 26, 2013.   The students will have many practice opportunities to prepare them for these tests.  We want them all to do well.  In order for them to do well your child needs to be present and  on time every day.

FIELD TRIPS are tentatively planned to the Museum of Science and History, Fort Caroline, and St. Augustine.  News pertaining to these trips and permission slips will come home well in advance.

G

The Duval County GRADING SCALE is:

                             A       90-100

                             B        80-89

                             C        70-79

                             D       60-69

                             F        59 & below

Grades can be accessed online through the OnCourse Grade Portal - https://dcps.mygradeportal.com/login.aspx.  All students will be provided with a user name and password to access their grades from the main office.

H

All students are required to read for 30 minutes each night. 

HOMEWORK is assigned Monday-Thursday night.  The homework for each subject is work that simply offers a quick review of what was covered that day in class.  It is counted toward a homework grade.  Students are also required to complete assignments they did not finish that day for homework.   

I

ILLNESS is hard to avoid, so we do ask that if your child is not feeling well that he/she remain at home.

J

JUNE BOX - Leave toys, candy, and gum at home.  These items will be collected by the teacher if they become a distraction to the student or class.  In this case, they will be placed in the “June Box” where they will remain until June.  Parents may request for items to be returned to the student to be taken home.

L

The LATE WORK POLICY:  Assignments turned in after the due date will not be accepted. Late projects will be accepted but, the grade drops one letter grade each day the project is late until the grade of an F is received. This policy is in place for multiple reasons (i.e. teaching children to be responsible, & preparing them for middle school). 

LUNCHTIME

The students may sit wherever they want at our assigned tables, unless there is a problem, and then seats will be assigned.  Parents may come and visit their child during lunch as long as they have filled out the online volunteer form and signed in at the main office.  If they choose, parent and child may eat outside on a picnic table.  However, no other children may leave the cafeteria.

LUNCH prices are: 

          Students $1.65

          Adults     $2.00

Children may pay in advance by cash or check or at www.mylunchmoney.com.

M

MATH SUPERSTARS (Sunshine Math) is a program our students will be involved in this year.  Once the 18 week program begins, each week the students will get a Math Super Star sheet.  This is an enrichment assignment that is due by Friday each week.  The problems are usually challenging for students and offer great FCAT practice.  Students are given credit based on attempting the problems and showing their work

A chart is kept on how many Math Superstar papers the student has completed.  Towards the end of the year, students that have completed a large portion of the assignments will be given an opportunity to compete in the district exam. 

MEDICINE must be sent to the school clinic to be administered to your child as needed.  This includes Tylenol and cough drops.  A policy form must be signed.  This is Duval County Policy.

The MILLION WORD Standard is a challenge issued by the county for every child to read at least a million words during the school year.   Each book must be on their reading level.  This will be included as part of their reading grade.  Students will take an Accelerated Reader (AR) Quiz upon completion of a book. Students must score at least a 70% in order to count the book toward the Million Word Standard. After taking an AR Quiz, students will log the book in the AR Folder. Every 100 pages will be counted as a book. 

We encourage our students to set their own personal goals beyond the minimum requirement.  Reading for 30 minutes each evening will help our students accomplish the reading goal set by the district.   

MONEY is a temptation if left in a desk.  It is a good idea not to send large sums of money to school with your child.  Lunches may be purchased by the week, and the money is to be sent to the cafeteria first thing in the morning.  You can also use the MYlunchmoney.com to fund their account online.  Money is not available to loan to the students.

N

NEW information has been added to the Seabreeze Parent/Student handbook.  Please be sure to read it carefully.

O

OPEN HOUSE is scheduled for the evening of August 23rd for fourth and fifth graders at 7:00 P.M.

P

We will have two scheduled class parties this year.  Information regarding those will be sent home well in advance.  Other PARTIES don’t usually fit into our tight schedule.  A treat may be brought in during lunch in order to celebrate an important occasion.  Any invitations should be sent from your home, not in class unless the whole class is being invited.  This will keep feelings from being hurt.

PG MOVIE PERMISSION SLIP is going home soon.  Students need permission to watch PG Movies that the fourth grade teachers have approved at various times during the school year.  Please sign and return this as soon as possible.

PLANNERS are given to the students by our School Advisory Council (SAC).  Students are responsible for filling in the homework assignments daily.  Take time to look at them and initial them every night.  It is the responsibility of the student to have their planner initialed and this will be included as part of their citizenship grade.  Check your child’s planner daily for any teacher communication.

PROGRESS REPORTS go home twice (every 3 weeks) during each nine week quarter.  The progress reports need to be signed and returned within the week of going home. 

PTA or PARENT TEACHER ASSOCIATION membership is so important.  Membership is $5.00 per parent, and we hope that you all will join.  If you have more than one child at Seabreeze, your membership counts in all their rooms.  The PTA does so much for our school and the children.  Please support them.  Aside from the donation, you can also offer to volunteer on a team to assist with events at our school.  Please check out the First Day Packet for more information.  If you have already joined, thank you!

R

 Our RECYCLING PROGRAM will continue at Seabreeze.   

 READING GOALS – Each student has 3 reading goals. Book goals are not optional, but a required part of students’ reading grades. The book goals work together meaning that reading one chapter book and passing the AR Quiz will count toward all three goals!

(Goal 1) Million Word Standard/25 Books - The MILLION WORD Standard is a challenge issued by the county for every child to read at least a million words during the school year.   Each book must be on their reading level.  This will be included as part of their reading grade.  Students will take an Accelerated Reader (AR) Quiz upon completion of a book. Students must score at least a 70% in order to count the book toward the Million Word Standard. After taking an AR Quiz, students will log the book in the AR Folder. Every 100 pages will be counted as a book.  Student expectations per quarter are as follows: 1^st Quarter – 7 total books, 2^nd Quarter – 14 total books, 3^rd Quarter – 21 total books, 4^th Quarter – 25 books.
(Goal 2) AR Point Goal – Each student has an individualized AR Point Goal that is based on student ability. Students earn points each time they take and pass an AR Quiz. Typically, higher level books and longer books are worth more points. Lower level books and/or shorter books are usually worth fewer points. You can visit www.arbookfind.com to find out how many points a particular book is worth.

(Goal 3) Reading Bingo – The intent of the Reading Bingo assignment is for students to learn new authors, genres, and writing styles. Every quarter students are given a Reading Bingo board. Each student is to select a row or line from the Reading Bingo board sheet to complete. Students will select chapter books to read according to the genre, book, or author in each grid, making a total of 5 books per quarter. The goal of the nine weeks is to read at least 7 books and Reading Bingo books will count toward the 7 book goal.

REFERRALS will be sent home when students repeatedly misbehave or for severe infractions.    

REPORT CARDS go home every nine weeks.  There are approximately 45 school days in a grading period.  Please be prompt in returning the signed portion of the report card and the envelope to us to show that you have seen it. 

RESOURCE teachers are:

          Library                  Mrs. Kamleiter – Every other week

          P.E.                        Mr. Hollingsworth – Mon-Wed

          Music                     Mrs. Pfisterer – Wed-Fri

          Guidance                Mrs. Kelly - Daily

          Speech                  Mrs. Livingston – Weekly

          Art                       Ms. O’Bannon – Wed-Fri

          The schedules are posted in the classroom. 

ROOM PARENTS and helpers are always needed for the smooth running of the classroom.  If you are available to assist in any way, let us know.  Please be sure that you have filled out the online volunteer application. 

S

S.A.C. (School Advisory Council) is a group of parents, teachers, and community members that meet monthly to discuss and decide on school business.  We encourage all of our parents to try to attend a meeting when it’s convenient for them.   

SAFETY continues to be a concern here at Seabreeze.  Here are some of our safety procedures:

          -Students should not be in the building before 8:00 a.m. (unless they are enrolled in

Extended Day)

          - Parents are not allowed to walk down the hallways after 8:00 a.m.

          -All doors and gates will be locked at 9:00 a.m.

          -All visitors (including parents) must fill out the online volunteer form, sign-in, and wear a       

visitor’s badge.

          -No one will be allowed in the classroom before or after school without an appointment. 

-Students are not allowed to return to the classrooms in the afternoons to get forgotten

Items.

          -Parents are required to meet their child for dismissal at the west

entrance of the school.  They will no longer be allowed to wait for students in the

hallways.

          -Student shoes must have closed heels or backs.

SCHOLASTIC BOOK ORDER FORMS will be given to students regularly.  If students would like to order something, checks or money orders (made to Scholastic) can be sent into the classroom teacher with the order form or parents may order online with a credit card.  Online ordering information will be sent home with each order.  Orders provide each teacher with points that can later be used to acquire books for the classroom.  PLEASE WRITE ALL CHECKS TO SCHOLASTIC, NO CASH.

There will be SNACK TIME for students each day, as our lunch time is so late.  Students are expected to continue to focus and work on their school work during snack time.  Snacks MUST be easy to eat while working.  (No spoons, forks, unpeeled oranges, etc.)  Students are permitted to have only water to drink and a healthy snack, such as nuts, pretzels, crackers, granola bars, cheese sticks, fruits (already peeled and sliced), or vegetables.  Potato chips, candy, chocolates, high sugar beverages, and other unhealthy items will not be allowed during snack time.  Students may eat these items during their lunch time.  Students will not be given a warning, if they do meet the snack time expectations, they will lose their snack privilege for the rest of the quarter.   

SOUP LABELS & BOX TOPS FOR EDUCATION are collected to earn money for Seabreeze.  The class with the most collected earns a party at the end of the year.

S.T.A.R. READING INVENTORY will be administered on the computer to all students at least twice during the school year to check their progress.  It also gives us a current reading level for each student.

T

TARDY students who arrive before 9:00 A.M. may go directly to their classroom.  If they arrive after 9:00 A.M., they need to check in at the office and get a tardy slip that will admit them to class. 

Our school day begins at 8:30 A.M., and a tardy bell will ring at that time.  It is important to arrive on time so things are not missed.  Children who are frequently tardy will have their names turned into the office, so the county can correct the problem.

TELEPHONE calls are not allowed unless it is an emergency.  Please inform your child about anything he or she might need to know before they come to school.  This includes instructions on how they will be getting home.

V

VALUABLES should be left at home.  We make a point of locking the room any time that we are not in it, but this sometimes isn’t enough.  Don’t leave things in your desk that may be a temptation to others sitting in your desk during the day. 

W

WEBSITES that we suggest for students, as well as textbook links that are available are listed on our class website.   The website is listed in the front of student’s planners.