Syllabus

Syllabus for Grade 4 -  2025-2026                                                        

Our School Address

Berea Elementary School

100 Berea Drive

Greenville, SC 29617

355-1500

Principal: Hunter McClure

Assistant Principal: Mary Simpson

4th Grade Teacher Contact Information

Freida Culpepper

Sherri Eberly - Room 412  Phone # 355-1531

seberly@greenvilleschools.us or seberly@greenville.k12.sc.us

Mark Fleming

Stephanie White

Assessment and Evaluation of Students - Each teacher has an obligation to be as exact and as consistent as possible when evaluating student performance.  The grade book reflects not only scores, but also what was tested and when.  Checklists (rubrics) and portfolios of student work are also used to assess student progress.  Student performance is evaluated constantly and is reported to parents through Backpack, as well as with quarterly progress reports and report cards.  

Uniform Grading Policy Numerical Grade Range 

• 90 – 100 A 

• 80 – 89 B 

• 70 – 79 C 

• 60 – 69 D 

• 59 and below    F 

Grades Two through Five - Teachers in grades 2 through 5 will use numerical grades, according to the State’s Uniform Grading Policy, to communicate student progress in all subject areas with the exception of elementary related arts and elementary handwriting.

Definitions of grades given for participation in elementary related arts and elementary handwriting are:

E – Excellent

S – Satisfactory M- Met Standard

N – Needs Improvement P- Progressing toward Standard

U – Unsatisfactory

State Testing - To comply with South Carolina Law, State test scores (SCREADY) are reported to parents when the scores are returned to the home school.  During your child’s Fall conference, you will receive copies and explanations of test data.

Homework Policy - Homework assignments should have one or more of the following purposes:

1. To extend the work introduced in the classroom and to encourage good habits by stimulating voluntary effort, initiative, independence, responsibility, and self-direction;

2. To provide opportunities for creative ability;

3. To reinforce school learning with additional practice, integration, and application;

4. To increase a student's skills and knowledge;

5. To encourage a carry-over of worthwhile school activities into permanent leisure interests;

6. To incorporate resources of the home and family;

7. To improve home-school relationships; and

8. To challenge every pupil.

At Berea Elementary, we adhere to the following guidelines - 

1. Homework should be relevant and beneficial.

2. Students should spend some time each day reading independently.  This time should not be considered part of homework and should include a variety of types of reading.

3. Parents should review the day's assignments with the student.

4. Homework assignments should be clearly stated.

5. Teachers should establish homework expectations and routines. 

6. Teachers should instruct students in study habits to ensure that they know how to study, use books, and find other reference materials.

7. Teachers should incorporate long-range assignments such as projects and research assignments into daily routines.

Missed Work and Make-Up Work - Students have up to five days to make up work once they return to school after an absence.  Students are required to make up work if they have missed days for illnesses or discipline.  If an absence is planned, please allow a three-day notice for assignments to be prepared in advance of the absence. 

Student Behavior - Located in the student handbook, you will see detailed descriptions of how students are expected to behave.  Posted in every classroom you will find a class mission/ motto and expectations.  Each classroom creates their own set of expectations that share our school-wide principles.  

BEREA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL-WIDE EXPECTATIONS - Coming Soon

CLASSROOM REWARDS & CONSEQUENCES -  Coming Soon

Parent Communication - Understanding that parent involvement is important for a child’s success in school, Berea Elementary offers many opportunities for parent communication.  “Home Folders” are sent home each week with updates, newsletters, and important communication from the school and PTA. The teacher will also use their website and Class Dojo or Talking Points for communication. There will be at least one scheduled conference between the child’s teacher and parents during the fall to review test scores. All parents are expected to attend these scheduled conferences.  Parents are encouraged to initiate conferences if they have questions by writing to the child’s teacher or setting up an appointment.  When teachers observe the need for additional parent-teacher meetings, they will request that parents come in for special conferences.

Procedures for Non-Instructional Routines - Homeroom Procedures- Homework is expected to be ready and organized before class begins.  Chromebooks are checked at the beginning of class every morning.  Homework will not be used for classroom grades or for punishment. 

Supplies - Students are expected to have a pencil pouch with supplies to carry from class to class.  Most other craft supplies, project materials, and in-class objects will be provided by the teacher unless specific needs arise.

Restroom - Breaks are incorporated during the day during non instructional time but students are encouraged to go to the restroom when the need arises. Emergencies are always honored.  However, if it is not an emergency, the procedure is that no more than one girl/ one boy be out of the room at any given time.

Class Parties -  Christmas - Thursday, December 18th, 2026; Valentine’s - Friday, February 13th, 2026

Medications - Medications must be brought into the health room by the parent or guardian to be administered by the school nurse or other designated trained personnel. See the Berea website for complete health room information and procedures. Students are not allowed to bring medicines into school. 

Party Invitations - If party invitations are given out at school, each student in the class must receive one. Parents may send individual pre-cut, birthday treats (cupcakes, cookies, etc) to be eaten at lunch. Parents should check with the teacher about food allergies in the classroom. Please notify the classroom teacher if you are bringing these items to lunch. 

Early Morning Procedure - The student is to enter the room quietly, go to his seat and unpack all of the books and materials needed for the day and sharpen 2 pencils for the day. The homework folder should be placed on their desk upon arrival. Students will work in their morning work until 7.55.

Line Procedure - The teacher will call students in groups to line up in order. We walk from place to place without talking, hands and feet away from the walls. We stop at key points along the hallway, yielding to oncoming traffic. 

Lunch Procedure - After receiving his/her lunch, the students will sit down at their assigned spot at the table to eat lunch. Due to the limited time that students have to eat lunch, the students are to eat without talking for the first 10 minutes of lunch after they are seated. The remainder of the lunch period, the student may talk quietly to the students beside him or across the table. After students have shown that they have the appropriate procedures down for lunch, they will be given the opportunity to sit with 4th grade friends at designated tables. 

Presentation of Rules & Procedures - Classroom rules and consequences are explained to the students at the beginning of the school year. Procedures are explained to the students upon arrival, and they are practiced to reinforce understanding. Students came up with our own set of classroom rules and expectations. Each student, including the teacher, signed the rules showing our understanding of our own class rules. Procedures for 

Lunch Money Payments - Students eat breakfast and lunch for free. Students may bring money for snacks if desired. 

Recess - Each class will have designated recess areas for play. Either the playground, car loop, large soccer field, or basketball/volleyball area. There will be a rotation schedule for each teacher.

Afternoon Dismissal - At dismissal time, 2:10, the students will enter the hallway. Bus riders line up in the hallway behind their given bus color. Afterwards, walkers will enter the hallway, dismissed at 2:15, and walked across the street at the crosswalk by one of the 4th grade teachers. Finally, two teachers will walk all car riders to the cafeteria, one will stay for monitoring, to be dismissed as soon as their car number has been called. 

Curriculum - Long range plans are as follows

Elementary Parent Friendly Curriculum