Dear Parents,
Welcome to a new school year. My name is Barb Lowe and I am you child’s fourth grade teacher. I am married to Tim Lowe and we have a daughter Laura. Laura is a graduate from Alma College.
I have taught in Alma for over 30 years. I taught fourth grade for 10 years at Highland Elementary before coming over to Pine Avenue. I graduated from Alma College and completed graduated work at Central Michigan University.
During this school year please. . .
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Be involved and know what your child is studying.
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Don’t “be a wonderer”.
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Look for your child’s weekly evaluation on Friday. Sign it and return on Monday.
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Understand that fourth graders do have homework, Monday-Thursday. It is due the next morning.
If you have questions please call me at school 463-3111 ext. 6502.
Thank you,
Mrs. Lowe
EVERYTHING YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT 4TH GRADE
Grades
A+ 100% C+ 77-79% F 0-59%
A 93-99% C 73-76%
A- 90-92% C- 70-72%
B+ 87-89% D+ 67-69%
B 83-86% D 63-66%
B- 80-82% D- 60-62%
All assignments are based on points. The number of points your child received is written as a fraction over the total number possible. Daily work is worth 50% of the grade and tests are worth the other 50% of the grade.
Homework
A. Homework is given on Friday. Your child will have homework to complete from the math facts, a reading passage with questions, and spelling words to study.
B. Spelling words are sent home on Monday. A pretest is given on Monday, the test is on Thursday and a retest on Friday. If your child passes the pretest on Monday, then a second challenge list is given. We will begin Unit #1 during the second week of school.
C. Multiplication and division facts will be tested. Sometimes your child might receive flashcards to work on a specific fact or fact family.
D. Read a book to earn money for our end of the marking period auctions.
PowerSchool
If you or your child would like to check their grades at home, you would use the program called PowerSchool. In September we will be sending home the website and log in information to get into our school program.
Fall/Spring Conferences
The office will send home a note asking for a time and date that will work for you.
M-STEP Test Week
Students are tested in math and reading. Please be to school on time. We will be testing in the morning so eat a good breakfast.
Field Trips to the Michigan Historical Museum (March), Forest Hill Nature Center (May) and the John Ball Park Zoo (June).
Volunteer Sign Up
Thank you to all that signed up at Open House to volunteer their time. When the time arrives that I am ready for the volunteer, I will contact you.
Grade Reports
Every Friday students will receive a weekly update on their grades (comments and notes may be attached). Please sign and return the weekly evaluation. This lets me know you saw the report. This will begin during the second week of school.
Planner
The planner needs to be at school everyday. We write homework and important reminders in them. Please look over your child’s homework assignment, read the planner, initial it and return it to school the next day.
Birthdays and Celebrations
All Alma Public schools are following a nutritional guideline that does not allow food items for birthday treats. We may continue to recognize birthdays and celebrations, but celebrating using non-edible items. A student may bring pencils, stickers, or have a book or game donated to their classroom.
Suggestions for home
--Study spelling words
--Review math facts (multiplication and division)
--Read at home
--Go over the homework sheet together
--review the Story of the Week
General Schedule
8:03-8:15 Morning Routine/Planner
8:15-9:00 DOL/Spelling/Rewire the Brain
9:00-1030 Reading
10:30-11:10 Writing
11:10-11:55 Lunch/Recess
11:55-1:10 Math
1:10-1:50 Specials
1:50-2:25 Social Studies/Science
2:25-3:05 Individualized Instruction/Panther Period
3:10 Dismissal
Special Schedule
Monday: PE
Tuesday: ART
Wednesday: PE
Thursday: MUSIC
Friday: LIBRARY
Supply List:
Required:
Box of Tissues
Box of Baby Wipes Scissors
Pencils
Scissors
Markers
Colored Pencils
Crayons
Glue Stick
Ink Pens
Folder to take papers home (not a trapper keeper)
Highlighter
Dry Erase Markers
Pencil Sharpener
Erasers
White T-shirt
Wish List:
70-80 count lined notebook
Six 2 pocket pronged folders
Headphones/Earbuds
Recipe Box/Index Card Box
Package of lined paper
Scotch tape