Homework
*As your student approaches their secondary education years, it is important for them to learn how to keep track of assignments and complete them within a given timeframe. Because of this, they will use their assignment notebooks (planners) to write down any work they need to finish at home, and the expectation is that families are looking them over and signing them to be returned to school daily.
*I understand our students are busy with many extracurricular activities after school. With this in mind, I will very rarely assign something purely as homework. Instead, homework will mostly be reserved for students who did not complete their work during classtime. I believe this acts as motivation for them to work hard at school. Furthermore, it helps maintain a more attainable balance between school and home. I do, however, encourage you to both read and practice fact fluency with your child as often as possible at home. More information can be found on these important skills under the "at home practice" tab.
*If a practice activity is assigned as homework, it will be sent home in their homework folder. The expectation will be for your student to return it the next day completed unless a different due date is noted. Due dates for larger activities or projects will be found on this website, in your student's assignment notebook, and in our weekly newsletters.
LATE WORK
*If a student does not return an assignment to school that they were to complete at home, the assignment will be sent home again - this time with a late work notice attached. The late work notice is to be signed by a parent or guardian and returned the next day with the completed assignment.
*If the assignment is late a second day, the student will miss recess to complete it.
*If the assignment is late a third day, parent contact will be made and alternative arrangements will be decided upon by parent and myself to ensure appropriate course of action regarding student work ethic and time management.
Grading
*We do use the district grading scale in fourth grade as it helps with standardization in grading across the many buildings. It is as follows...
1 - 94% and above
2 - 86%-93%
3 - 78%-85%
4 - 70%-77%
5 - 69% and below
*These numbers will be found on your student's report card after each quarter and are not available to parents and families during the duration of the term. However, I will reach out to you if a concern arises with your child's grades at any point so we can discuss a plan of action for their success!
*Per our accountability policy, students will not receive any failing grades. If at any point, they receive a 69% or below, they will be retaught the material and will be given that test or assignment again for a redo. Both the original and the redo will be sent home labeled appropriately. The highest grade a student can receive on a redo in the gradebook is a 70%.
Friday Folders
*A folder will be sent home every Friday (or the last day of the school week in case of a shortened week) containing your child's graded tests and assignments. These will be found on the left side of the folder along with any other notes or reminders for you to keep. The right side of the folder will be reserved for any permission slips or forms that need to be filled out, signed, and returned.
Left - To be LEFT at home
Right - Send RIGHT back to school :)
Snack Time
*We will eat a morning snack after specials. Please make sure you are sending your child with a healthy snack if they would like one. It is very important that they are using this time to fuel their bodies and their minds, and unhealthy snacks can have the opposite effect. Please also make sure it is quick and easy so it can be eaten and cleaned up in about 5 minutes!
Examples of healthy snacks include...
-Granola Bars
-Fruit
-Veggies
-Crackers
-Cereal
-Pretzels
-Popcorn
*Please don't hesitate to reach out if it is difficult for you to send a healthy snack with your child to school. It is a really important break for our students, and I don't want any time or financial barriers to prevent anyone from being given that time. With that said, if you are able to donate any easily passable snacks for students who need them/forget one, it would be greatly appreciated!
Lunch
*We eat lunch every day from 12:05-12:35. The lunch schedule for Gretna Elementary is posted by the week and can be found here. We will always have a hot lunch option, a sandwich option, and a yogurt & cheese option. Or Instead, you can send a cold lunch with your student that they will store in their locker until we head to the cafeteria.
*You are welcome to join your child for lunch if you please! If you choose to do so, go through the front doors to the office to check in. I recommend arriving a couple minutes early to allow time to sign in.
Recess
*Unless it is storming or extreme temperatures, we will be going outside for recess. Please make sure your child is prepared for this time - coats, hats, gloves, shoes to move around in, etc. - every single day. They are able to store extra items they may need in their lockers.