Welcome to 4 th Grade!

1. Welcome to 4th Grade! Back to School Night September 23rd, 2015

2. Thank You for Attending Back to School Night! • Without your support, everything that we do in school would not be possible.

3. About Mr. Van Wyk • High School – Interboro High School • Undergraduate – West Chester University • Graduate School – Temple University • Teaching Experience: • 11th year teaching • 7 years in 4th grade • 2 years in 2nd grade • 1 year in 5th grade • 1 year in 3rd grade

4. Class Size • This year we have 23 students in our class • 13 boys • 10 girls

5. Birthdays • All birthdays are celebrated, even summer birthdays • No invitations to parties are to be handed out unless the entire class is invited • Treats are no longer allowed to be handed out. Some parents have bought mini pretzels on Thursdays for the class. • Students can dress down on their birthday.

6. Special Schedule • Monday: Gym 11:45 – 12:15 • Tuesday: Music 11:45 – 12:15 Library 2:15 – 2:45 • Wednesday: Gym 11:45 – 12:15 • Thursday: Chorus 7:45 – 8:25 Music 11:45 – 12:15 • Friday: Computers 9:15 – 9:55 Art 1:10 – 1:50

7. School Uniform • Acceptable colors: Black, gold, white, or gray. • Any print on shirts/pants needs to be Interboro specific. • Gym clothes can be worn any day of the week. • Spirit wear sale on sale until 9/28.

8. Science/Social Studies • We will be switching this year with Ms. Garling’s class • Mr. Van Wyk and Ms. Garling will both be teaching Social Studies and Science • We will switch 4 times per week • 30 – 45 minute periods.

9. Band • Beginner Band starts in 4th grade. • Mr. Peltz has already come around to hand out permission forms and talk to the students.

10. Homeroom Parents/Volunteers • Hopefully, 2 homeroom parents. • These parents also need to act as liaisons to Home and School. Regular attendance to Home and School meeting is encouraged. • Volunteers needed to help with special projects, events, and field trips that may come up throughout the year.

11. Activity Money • We are asking for $7.00 for activity money • This pays for parties and any other fun activities that we plan for the students throughout the year

12. Lunch/Breakfast • Breakfast - $1.50 • Lunch - $2.45 • Please label lunch money envelopes with child’s name, 4V, and lunch account number

13. Pretzels • Sold every Thursday • 50 cents each • Please send money in an envelope • Pretzels are optional – you do not have to buy them • Due to the wellness policy, we are reverting back to mini pretzels

14. School Store • Thank you to all parents/guardians who have volunteered to help out! • (Please don’t take off of work to work the School Store – we’ll be able to find someone) • All proceeds benefit the 4th grade. • Last year, most field trips were free - $5.00 due to the School Store.

15. Homework • Reading, Math, and Vocabulary assigned on a nightly basis • Occasionally, students will have Science or Social Studies homework

16. Challenge Points • Challenge Points are given on certain tests throughout the year. • They do affect grade in a positive or negative way. • Challenge Points are accumulated throughout the school year. • 50 Challenge Points = a free pretzel

17. Agenda Books • Homework written down every morning • I will sign off to make sure the students correctly write down their homework • Student’s color (for behavior) and any numbers will be written down • Please sign every night, so your child will receive a thumbs up

18. Monday Folders • Every other Monday, the children will be sent home with a Monday Folder • In the Monday Folder, you will find all of the assessments that have taken place over the last two weeks • Please sign the folder, and return all papers

19. Hole Punch Cards • When students are caught doing something nice, they are given a hole punch • A new hole punch menu has been implemented this year to give children more choices.

20. BUC Pride System • Numbers given to represent misbehavior • These are listed in the agenda book • Colors represent behaviors for the day • Green – perfect • Blue – warning • Yellow – 10 minute loss of recess • Orange – entire recess lost • Red – after school detention

21. Positive Behavior Support • Fourth year of system to identify positive behaviors seen throughout the school day • If a student receives a Bucs Bingo card, they have a chance to win a grand prize • Students will receive hole punches for good behaviors • 1 completed card = free pretzel • And many more options!

22. Report Cards • Trimesters – 3 report cards given throughout the school year • Report Cards are standard based – retain the same look as last year • No more letter grades, students will be given a number (1 – 4)

23. Dismissal • Please setup an assigned spot where your child meets parents/siblings • School is dismissed at 2:45 • 4th grade students are dismissed through the doors facing MacDade Blvd.

24. Messages If they are urgent, please leave with secretary Can be left on/with: • Phone • Email (checked most often) • Secretary • Student • Agenda book

25. Communication Folders • Materials handed out from the office • Given every Wednesday • Youngest student at school receives folder for family • All papers are also available on the Glenolden School website.

26. Field Trips • John Heinz • Philadelphia • Possibly a play • Pete’s Produce Farm

27. PSSA’s • Students will take Reading, Math, and Science exams this year • Reading and Math – Beginning of April • Science – Late April

28. Journeys • Our new reading series • PA Common Core Standards aligned. • Students now have: • Reading textbook • Reading workbook • Writing workbook

29. Go Math! • Same math series as last year. • All resources are available online. • www.thinkcentral.com • Username: lunch number • Password: Go!lunch number • Students have: • Math textbook • Math standards practice book (HW book)

30. Study Island • Computer Program used to help prepare students for PSSA’s • Sometimes homework is given through the website • Username – first name.last name-glen • Password – lunch number • www.studyisland.com

31. Tools For Success • Math Fluency program • Research based – proven to improve students’ retention and speed of math facts • Please go over with children daily • Should only take a minute or two to review • Students will be tested 1 or 2 times a week • Today was our first day • Look for an orange folder.

32. Conferences • If you have any specific dates or times, I have a sign–up chart on the board • Conferences take place end of Nov. • Conferences are only 15 min. long. • Mon., Tues., Wed. of Thanksgiving week.

33. Banana Splits • Social group for children who come from separated / divorced parents • Meets one day a week • Facilitated by our Guidance Counselor, Mrs. Cellucci

34. Flag Football • 4th – 6th grade boys and girls are eligible. • Every Thursday on the backfield. • Students will be dismissed at 3:30. • Will wrap up around Thanksgiving.

35. Website • Class Schedule • Class Calendar • Any important documents • Helpful Links • http://www.interborosd.org/Domain/191

36. Contact Information • Phone (610) 237-6430 x5101 • Email michael.vanwyk@interborosd.org

37. Questions • Any Questions?