Welcome to Fourth Grade! Please read on for important information, expectations, and curriculum.

Classroom Expectations: We will adhere to the St. Joseph School Parent and Student Handbook. Be sure to read this thoroughly and feel free to ask questions. We will focus on grades, discipline and conduct, uniform policy, emergency drills and procedures, and playground rules as we review the handbook in class. In our classrooms, we have five core expectations: 

1.  Follow directions the first time given.

2.  Be respectful while listening and speaking.

3. Whether in your seat or around the room, be where you are asked to be.

4.  Make smart choices.

5.  Do your best to help our class grow in holiness.

If students do not follow these expectations, we will reference the Discipline and Conduct Leveled Consequences on pages 12 and 13 of the handbook. For minor classroom infractions, students may receive natural consequences (i.e., cleaning up a mess they made); if work is incomplete, they will complete it during recess; and students may receive conduct marks which would require laps at recess. 

We will also seek out positive behaviors and reward students who meet or exceed expectations. We will reward individuals, teams, and the entire class or grade level for excellent behavior. Please reference our Reward Menu for specific details. 

Parent Communication: We will use the CONNECT app to communicate with families about important reminders (tests, assignments, etc.), to share the weekly newsletter on Friday, and to send pictures.  

Emails will be sent for lengthier messages and notifications. 

School to Home Envelopes will be sent home with graded assessments.  Please take time to sit down with your child and go over their work.  This is one way in which you are able to see how your child is doing.  Please make sure the envelope is signed and sent back to school the next day.  Some assignments will be digital only! Please check Google Classroom regularly with your child for scores and teacher feedback. 

Teacher Parent Communicator Folder:  This is sent home each night with homework, notes, special event reminders, etc. If you send lunch money, SACC money,  notes to the teacher, etc., please put them in this folder.

Absent Work:  If your child is absent, please contact the school office by 9:00 am. You can request work to be picked up in the office at dismissal or send work home with siblings.  Please email if you would like your student's work.  Some assignments may be posted to Google Classroom as an option for absent students. You may also wait until the student returns to school and receives his or her work.

NTI Days: If we have NTI days, we will post assignments on Google Classroom. I will be available to students who require assistance via email or a Google Meet.

Amazon Wish List: If you would like to support our classroom with extra supplies, I have an AMAZON Wish List that you can check out.                  

Sustained Silent-Reading and AR: Each student is required to keep a book for silent reading in his/her desk at all times. Books may be checked out from the Library, classroom, or brought from home. We will set goals for AR points quarterly. Taking AR tests will be a requirement. 

Snacks and Water Bottles: Students are encouraged to bring a healthy snack and water bottle to school daily. Water bottles must have a lid that closes all the way. Students will not be permitted to bring water bottles that have straws, i.e. Stanley type bottles. Spills happen and create hazards that take away from instruction. 

Lunch: If you would like to have lunch with your child, please call the school by 9:00 to allow the cafeteria time to prepare your meal.  Mrs. Dilsaver-Sandusky's lunch is at 11:37, and Mrs. Poston's lunch is at 11:31.

Birthdays: Students may celebrate by bringing in a snack to be shared during lunch or in the classroom. 

Field Trips: If you can drive on field trips please make sure that you are Safe Environment certified.  You can call the office for details. 

Cursive Handwriting: Students will be required to write some pieces in cursive to build on their learning from last year. Please encourage your child to practice his or her handwriting at home.

Spelling Words: Word lists are from the fourth grade curriculum guide.   The students will be expected to define the words, sort the words with similar patterns, use the words in sentences, categorize words by the part of speech, etc.

Homework: Homework will vary for each class. Students will always have a choice board to complete for each Reading unit. This will require them to read/complete a short assignment three nights a week. Students should also study their vocabulary and spelling words nightly. Students will be assigned Math homework based on in-class and differentiated skills. 

Assessments: Test dates will vary for each class. However, we will notify students and parents at least a week in advance of a test. Spelling tests will coincide with the end of each Reading unit. Word lists will be given out at the beginning of each unit. Students are expected to use their textbooks and class notes/assignments to study for all tests. Students may complete test corrections to receive up to, but not exceeding, the class average on tests. 

Criteria for letter grades are as follows: 

A: 93-100 Superior knowledge and use of skills and subject matter 

B: 85-92 Good knowledge and use of skills and subject matter 

C: 77-84 Adequate knowledge of subject matter 

D: 70-76 Insufficient knowledge of subject matter 

F: 69-Below Unsatisfactory knowledge of subject matter

If you would like to have a conference, please feel free to contact me and I would be happy to set up a time to meet with you.  My e-mail address is jsandusky@stjosephschool.org.  My goal is to encourage your child to do his/her best and be proud of the person God intended them to be! I am excited to teach and learn with your child this year!