Here is some important information to help prepare your child and yourself:
*Schoolwide PBIS: Our school is taking on a PBIS initiative this year, which stands for Positive Behavior Intervention and Support. Rules and procedures will be established and taught throughout the school to encourage positive behaviors and good choices for all students. Our slogan is we are “aRmored for Success” and we will do this by making sure:
-We are Respectful
-We are Responsible
-We are Ready to Learn
*Classroom Behavior: In our classroom we will also continue to support and initiate our PBIS rules, but we also have some specific classroom rules that will be expected which we will discuss on the first day of school. If students have behavior issues I will be in contact with you.
*Class Dojo: Classroom behavior and work habits will be tracked via Class Dojo. This program allows me to both give points to students for making positive choices and take points away. Students will work as tables/groups to earn points that will allow them the opportunity to earn prizes on Fridays! Class Dojo also as a message feature. From time to time I may use these features to communicate with all of our class parents or you individually. Additionally, you can use this feature to send me private messages. Many of you may already be linked to a Class Dojo account, if you do not have one I will send a paper home about linking up. *Class Dojo use may vary from teacher to teacher*
*Chromebooks: We are so excited that the WCS Technology Department is able to issue a Chromebook to each child this coming school year. A Technology Fee of $30 will be charged per student. You can pay with cash or check. If you are paying with cash, please be prepared with exact change. This year we are offering an option to pay online. To pay online, visit the wilsonschoolsnc.net; click the “Families” tab, then go to “Online Payment System”. Parents will need to register to create an account. There will be a small additional fee ($1.50) for credit card processing. We plan to distribute Chromebooks during the first week of school. Students who have submitted the Technology Fee will be allowed to take their Chromebooks home for school use nightly. Students will be expected to bring their Chromebook back and forth to school daily. Please take time to discuss being CAREFUL with their devices and remembering to bring the device AND power cord DAILY. Students are expected to charge their devices at home nightly so they will be fully charged to work at school.
*Planners: Each student will be given a planner. This planner will go home with your child daily and will be a very important communication tool. It will contain information, such as homework assignments, reminders and occasionally notes from me. Please check in with your students’ planner every night to keep up with homework assignments, reminders or notes. I am also asking that parents please initial their child’s planners nightly to ensure that parents are aware of nightly homework assignments.
*Classwork: Students will be completing classwork daily that reflects material being taught. Classwork may be paper assignments, Google Classroom assignments, Core 5, Newsela, or ReadWorks, for example. Students are expected to complete assignments in a timely manner. Assignments are due within FIVE DAYS of being assigned. If for some reason your student is NOT able to complete their assignments within FIVE DAYS please reach out to your teacher.
*Homework: Students will be assigned and expected to complete homework daily to reinforce skills or concepts taught in class. It will be reviewed daily and checked/graded only for completeness. Please expect nightly (Monday-Thursday) homework and check planners for assignments.
-Math: A worksheet with nightly activities
-ELA: A reading passage and nightly comprehension questions
-Reading Log: We will also have a reading log to track that students have read at least 20 minutes each evening. Please sign the log daily.
-Unfinished Classwork: This would cover any class assignments given that day for students to complete at home and Core 5 units if not completed.
*Core 5: Core 5 is an online reading practice we use at school. Students are expected to complete AT LEAST 20 minutes or 4 units in Core 5 daily. They are given an opportunity to complete this most days in class, but if they have not completed their minutes/units that day they are expected to complete them for their homework.
*Book Choice Boards: This year we will be encouraging our students to read by completing independent book choice boards. Books need to be approved by the teacher before completing an assignment. When students are finished with a grade appropriate, teacher approved book they are reading independently they will complete one of the assignments from our “Book Report Choice Board”. When they complete their report they will be able to “add” their book to our 4th Grade Reading Shelf Bulletin Board in the hallway to celebrate their accomplishments. Students are required to complete AT LEAST one project per semester, but are welcome to complete more! Let’s fill those shelves!
*Google Classroom: We will use Google Classroom where student activities and assignments will be posted. You can check if your student has completed their required assignments in Google Classroom by having them log in and show you. You can also sign up to receive notifications and emails about assignments in Google Classroom. Please have your student check their Google Classroom nightly at home to make sure all work is complete and submitted.
*Data Notebooks: Our students will be keeping up with their graded assignments in Data Notebooks. These will serve as a document to keep students, parents and teachers continuously aware of student performance. Data Notebooks will go home frequently to be reviewed, signed and returned. Data Notebooks will serve as a way for students to track their progress, to keep you informed of their progress and to keep graded papers in a safe place. Please do not take papers that are in the rings out of the Data Notebook when they come home and make sure the notebooks are signed and returned the day after they are sent home.
*Absences/Tardiness: Please send a note to school when your child has been absent or tardy or if they are checking out early for an appointment. If afternoon transportation is changed please send a signed and dated note with your student, changes MUST be made BEFORE 1:00. A student is considered tardy if they are not in the classroom by 8:00 a.m. If the student arrives after that time, a tardy slip is required. A student is also considered TARDY if they are checked out before 3:00 p.m. A student is considered ABSENT if they are checked out BEFORE 11:30 am.
*Parent Portal: Parent Portal is online access to your student’s classroom grades and attendance. It is now called “Infinite Campus”. If you do not already have access to Parent Portal/Infinite Campus, you will need to speak to someone in the office. If you were not present at Open House you will need to come into school and get your login information from the office. It is important that you have access to Parent Portal/Infinite Campus to track your student’s progress.
*Grading Scale: Student’s grades will be based on percent correct. Along with percentages they will also get letter grades to reflect their work. They are as follows:
A: 100%-90%
B: 89%-80%
C: 79%-70%
D: 69%-60%
F: 59%-0%