Greetings 4B families,
I hope you all are doing well and enjoying the beautiful weekend we are having. I wanted to touch base with you all and give a few reminders and updates.
It is hard to believe October is here and autumn will be in full swing. If you have not been receiving emails from Mrs. Butler and Miss Heather in the office please reach out to us so we can ensure you are getting the MITCH updates and most current health protocols. Any of the updates, information, and health safety information from the school applies in 4B as well.
**I will copy and paste Mrs. Butler’s most recent email below**
Tomorrow is picture day! If you have not filled out the form from Dorian please make sure to send it with your 4th grader tomorrow. I have the forms already received and will give them to the students when it is our turn to hand to the photographer. As we read in Mrs. Butler’s email students do not have to wear their MITCH uniform.
The students have been adjusting to the new routine in class, and have done a very nice job with using sanitizer and wearing masks appropriately. Thank you so much for keeping your student supplied. We have been learning about the circulatory and respiratory system these last few weeks and we will be preparing for the end of the unit assessment. Students will be receiving a study guide to help prepare them for this. After our Human Body domain we will be going into our next domain of Maps and Mountains. We have a lot of fun activities and lessons I know the students will enjoy!
We have also started our grammar lessons where the students work to edit a sentence from a larger version of part of the Robin Hood story. We have also started reading Robin Hood which has been very exciting. Some students have been absent so I will be posting recordings of the chapters we made last year on Google Classroom in the Reading and Writing classroom. This will ensure every one can stay caught up with the story. Mrs. DeYoung and I recorded the chapters and they should play just fine at home, but please let me know if they don’t work.
It has been fun getting to know the students and see all of their unique personalities and interactions. This group enjoys pulling from personal life stories and experiences as they learn new concepts and ideas. I love this! I have been needing to remind our group to not only raise hands, but to make sure the person who “has the floor” gets to share their example without being interrupted. I know it has been a while since we’ve spent full weeks in a classroom and I recognize we are all adjusting. :-)
In music, both classes will be singing a song together and I feel so lucky and honored I get to help with the accompaniment with my guitar. It will be recorded for an upcoming assembly, and I will figure out a way for you all to see it.
If you have not already connected to Class Dojo I recommend having your 4th grader show you as well as the other programs we use. I can get a new invite if you need one. Also, I have asked the students to log in to their MITCH school account at home just to be able to have access. It works on tablets and phones as well. This is a great way to obtain info if any school is missed.
Thank you so much for all you do for the kids. Everything from a packed lunch, a water bottle, and getting to school on time keeps the wheels turning in 4B. I have set up a google form/survey on our website where you can let me know any information about your fourth grader.
Take care,
Ian Chapman
(email from Mrs. Butler sent Friday)
Hello Families! Here is your news for the week:
We have school all five days next week. TTSD does not have school on Friday October 8th, but MITCH does. Our calendar is very closely aligned with TTSD’s, but this is a date where we differ.
Picture Day is Monday October 4. There is no uniform requirement, so please dress up if you want, but bring PE/Recess shoes. We will keep you apprised of photo makeup days if your child is absent on Monday. Retake day is Thursday, November 18th.
COVID update: No new positive cases for students or staff for this week!!! Two individuals in quarantine: (OHA/ODE definitions: “Isolation separates people who have a contagious disease from people who are not sick.” “Quarantine separates and restricts the movement of people who were exposed to a contagious disease and could become infectious themselves to limit further spread of the disease.”)
COVID testing through OHSU: We have had a high response rate in the opt-in weekly testing program. Hopefully we will start the week of October 11th. More information to come.It is not too late to turn in paperwork for this program.
Change to Daily Screening Form: You do NOT necessarily have to keep your child home if there is someone else in the household awaiting COVID test results. The revised daily health form should provide clarity. Please email Heather if you have specific questions. Students stay home if: they are positive; if they have symptoms; if they had a direct exposure or they themselves are awaiting test results. It can be an excused absence if you keep a child home out of extra caution. This is not considered quarantine.
AG Field Trip:
Hello MITCH families!
As you may have heard, our field trips to Our Table Cooperative will be resuming this month. We are so very excited to send the students back to this local, community-supported, diverse fruits and veggie farm. For our newest families, you are in for a treat! These trips are a fantastic opportunity to learn outdoors - even when it’s rainy and cold.
Speaking of rainy and cold weather, we know that cold weather season is upon us, as are cold symptoms. In regards to the field trip, we are going to be taking every precaution to keep students safe and healthy:
Please send your student to school on the day of their field trip with cold weather and rain gear (warm clothing, jackets, rain coat, rain boots, a change of clothes incase of rain).
All volunteers attending field trips will be required to provide proof of vaccination.
All volunteers will drive separately, meeting classes at the farm.
Students will maintain masks and physical distancing throughout the trip, including the bus ride and all outside time.
Busses will have windows open to increase air circulation.
Classes will travel within their grade-level cohort and teachers will have assigned seating on busses to reduce chances of spread and ensure contract tracing in the case of a positive COVID-19 case.
Hand sanitizing and respiratory safety practices followed throughout.
Thank you for your support as we work together to keep our community healthy & safe!
-Ms. Blood
PSO Fundraiser: Panera Dineout Monday 10/4 4pm-8pm
Let's ask for no rain next week!
Keri Butler