Ms. Hicks (Room 23) Fourth Grade Cool Spring Elementary August 21, 2018

1. Ms. Hicks (Room 23) Fourth Grade Cool Spring Elementary August 21, 2018 Please write a First-Day-Of-School note to your child on the notecard on the desk.

2. 1st Quarter Overview(see class brochure for other curriculum topics) Back to School Night

3. Assessments/Grades • Dates communicated verbally and written on board • Grade-level, LCPS and Virginia (SOL) • Formative (CW, HW) & summative (graded test, quiz, etc.) • I will enter graded assessments into Phoenix and return them afterward. (The “4/exceeds-3/meets-2/progressing-1/below standard” scale is the same as third grade report cards. A student earns exceeds by answering all questions plus extension question correctly.) • Any student who is absent on the day of a test/quiz must complete it the day he returns. • If a student doesn’t complete the test/quiz on the test date (gets sick during the test, fire drill, etc.), I will collect the paper and return it to him the next day to complete. • Students will put completed assessments into the black subject trays to be graded by me. Back to School Night

4. Homework • I allow students to use wait time in class to begin homework. A student who shows me the completed assignment before dismissal will ask me to initial it before going home, so that parents know I’ve seen it. • Homework reviews information that has been introduced and developed in class. • A highlighted item in the planner means the student didn’t complete the homework or have it to show to me. • Grades 4-5: Students shouldn’t spend more than 1h on HW. Back to School Night

5. One to the World & Bring Your Own Technology One to the World LCPS initiative that supports students’ learning of content through authentic learning experiences which include opportunities for students to develop critical thinking, communication and collaborative skills. • Significant content and competencies • Authentic challenging problems in the world • Public product for the world • Connected with the world  Variety of technology tools are incorporated into the learning experience which students use to research, create digital content and materials, presentations as well as connect with outside experts related to the unit of study. Students are learning how to use technology in a meaningful way and for a variety of purposes. Provides students the opportunity to learn and engage with content in a meaningful and deeper manner. Students and teachers have the flexibility to exercise creativity in both teaching and learning. • Students will be able to bring in their own devices on certain days--determined by the team--for school work only. • Students may only use their device when the teacher has given permission, according to the LCPS guidelines on the parent/student signature page of the Rights and Responsibilities paper in the set of “first-day papers”. Back to School Night

6. ParentVue • LCPS continues to expand the use of ParentVue to provide parents/guardians secure, convenient any-time access to their students’ information. • Parents may update information including: health information, who may pick up/drop off students, access grades and more. • Most First Day packet forms (i.e. Rights and Responsibilities, Acceptable Use of Technology, school closing notifications, FLE opt-out) will now be done through ParentVue • Report cards will now be available electronically via ParentVue. Cool Spring will not be sending a paper copy of students’ report card unless requested. The report card can be accessed through the ParentVue app and website. • Families who would prefer a paper copy of the report card must complete the Report Card Paper Copy Request Form • Parents/guardians are strongly encouraged to activate their ParentVue account if they have not done so already. Back to School Night

7. Medication • The VA State Medication Guidelines indicate that all medications must come from home. • LCPS is no longer stocking and providing acetaminophen, or any other unauthorized medication to students.  Instead, of acetaminophen, students may be given water, rest and ice for headaches. • Health Clinic staff will still be checking students’ temperature to ensure that they can remain at school. • Parents or guardians who prefer to have acetaminophen available at school for their child can complete the Authorization for Medication Administration form and bring the completed form along with a small bottle of acetaminophen to the health office. Back to School Night

8. Classroom Management • Planner(daily information, sticker rewards, teacher-written kudos/concerns) • Rewards(verbal praise, cones, easels, stickers, wristbands) • Clock/Shoulder/Face partners (Students who sit facing each other will help each other keep agenda up-to-date and answering questions when absent.) • PBIS/Penguin Pride(see posters throughout school) • Easels(I’m working fine/I need help and can work/I need help and can’t keep working) • Assigned seats change quarterly. Students may stand at desks or in a self-chosen spot in the room, at times. Back to School Night

9. Classroom Schedule • 7:30-8:00 a.m. Homeroom (Unpack bookbag. Sharpen pencils. Fill in planner.) • 8:00-9:00 a.m. Science & Social Studies • 9:05-10:05 a.m. Specials (*See class brochure for specific days.) • 10:05-11:00 a.m. Math (with Mrs. Piliere) • 11:00-11:15 a.m. Recess/Snack (outdoors whenever possible) • 11:20-12:05 p.m. Writing • 12:10-12:40 p.m. Lunch (Table F) • 12:40-12:50 p.m. Shared Reading • 12:50-1:00 p.m. Read-aloud (Mrs. Arrowsmith until 1:45 p.m.) • 1:00-1:10 p.m. Reading Mini-lesson • 1:10-1:40 p.m. Independent Reading • 1:45-2:00 p.m. Recess (outdoors whenever possible) • 2:00-2:30 p.m. WIN Back to School Night

10. Home-School Communication • Penguin Planner (checked each morning for parent signature and notes) • Daily Folder (Go Home—checked papers/Return to School—homework, spelling lists) • Thursday Folder(This is mostly for PTA and other school info outside our classroom.) • Email (Use CSP-ABSENTEE@lcps.org to communicate absences and early dismissals. Please send one email to that address and mine at the same time.) • Phone • School (webpage, newsletter, Sunday calls from principal) • PTA uses Room Parents to contact you re: events, etc. Back to School Night

11. Penguin Planners • Students must cop the information daily from the chalkboard. (I list info. on the chalkboard and in class planner located next to it.) • In the morning, each student shows me his planner; I put a sticker when I see parent signature from the day before. I will initial a planner after student a student shows me his completed planner for that day. • Feel free to write notes to me in the planner. For absences, use CSP-absentee@lcps.org or the call-in phone number. Please CC me on an absence email. • If there is no work for a subject, students will write “None” or “NO HW” in the block. Back to School Night

12. Field Trip, Birthday, etc. • Parties- 3 (Fall, Winter/December, June) • 3 SOL Tests (Reading, Math, Virginia Studies) • We are planning a field trip to the zoo for October 3, 2018. Stay tuned for more information. • Food allergies=no sharing/trading of food at any time • Parents are not allowed to send food for birthdays or buy ice cream from the cafeteria for the class. • A student may bring party invitations to school only if all students from this class are invited. • The PTA webpage will have links to sign up for all Cool Spring Events. PTA will contact room parents, who will connect with the rest of the class’ parents. • If you can volunteer during math or language arts, please let me know ASAP. (I’d like 2 adults for each lesson.) Back to School Night

13. Thank you for coming! If you wrote a note to your child, leave it on my desk so that I put it on his desk on the first day of school. Please sign up for volunteerand conference (www.SignUpGenius.com/go/30E0F45ABAA2BAAFC1-q1parentteachers1) timesas soon as possible. vanetta.hicks@lcps.org Back to School Night

14. Any Questions? Back to School Night