FAQ  Hopefully helpful information--contact me if you need more 
information.

1. What is the best way to contact you?
2. Is there homework everynight? What is it?
3. What are the fieldtrips and what if I need more information?
4. What is the policy about completing work missed when absent or away?
5. Are volunteers needed in 4th grade?
6. What units are being taught this year for Science?
7. What is Mastery Club?
8. What are classroom behavior expectations?
9. How can I help with costs in the classroom?
10. Do you have a reading list for classic literature for my child? Yes

What is the best way to contact you?

Click on Announcements on this page or choose what type of 
communication is best for you.

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Is there homework everynight? What is it?

Monday-Thursday, Yes. Occasionally, there will be an event, 
homework pass, etc. that eliminates homework. 
Reading: Your child should read every night. 
Let's talk if your child needs suggestions.

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What are the fieldtrips and what if I need more information?

Fieldtrips - TBA at Back To School Night - Hopefully a 
combination of both bus trips and virtual PORTS fieldtrips 
provided by the State of California.  
Please, always return signed form and payment within 
1 week due to district paperwork.I'll always send home a 
permission slip with information and it will be on this website 
too. Please ask your child first before contacting me. One goal 
this year is for all students to be able to answer their parent's 
questions based on information provided to them during the class 
day.

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What is the policy about completing work missed when absent or away?

1. If your child is ill, they will have the next week to catch up 
depending on how many days missed. Let's not stress them when 
they need to rest. 
2. As a teacher I hope that you will consider taking vacations 
when school is on vacation. It becomes more difficult each year 
for students to catch up on content missed during trips.

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Are volunteers needed in 4th grade?

Yes and no. Weekly help in Room J, copying, organizing, special 
projects!  This gives me more time to plan lessons.
Please consider volunteering to support student reading (Morning 
Readers) and Arts Attack. Morning Readers, outside of the 
classroom and (possibly)Junior Great Books. Please consider 
volunteering for Room J or take projects home, as needed. I will 
need a room parent/s. Also, we will need chaperones for field 
trips/special events. 
Fourth grade is a time for more student independence, therefore, 
we won't have the need for in classroom volunteers. Thank you!

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What units are being taught this year for Science?

I'm glad you asked... 
Physical Science-Electricity and magnetism are related effects 
that have many useful applications in everyday life.
Life Science - All organisms need energy and matter to live and 
grow and living organisms depend on one another and on their 
environment for survival.
Earth Science - The properties of rocks and minerals reflect the 
processes that formed them and waves, wind, water, and ice shape 
and reshape Earth's land surface.
Investigation and Experimentation - Ongoing scientific progress 
is made by asking meaningful questions and conducting careful 
investigations. As a basis for understanding this concept and 
addressing the content in the other three strands, students 
should develop their own questions and perform investigations.

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What is Mastery Club?

Your child's journey as a life-long learner begins here.  
The important thing is not to stop questioning. Curiosity has its 
own reason for existing. -Einstein
(This club is only for students wishing to step above and beyond 
the normal classroom experience, and take a chance in exploring 
the joy of learning.) 

Californians Mastery Club is a club for students who are 
interested in exploring and learning more about this amazing 
world of ours. The student is to learn ALL about the topic, tell 
me when he/she have MASTERED the skill so that we may schedule an 
appointment to take the challenge. You may become a 1 star member 
or more! Have fun and good luck!  Mrs. Heather Renz created this 
club.

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What are classroom behavior expectations?

A combination of Character Counts (6 traits) and the Honor System 
allow Room 19, 4th grade students to develop positive and 
respectful character traits.  The Honor System was first 
introduced to me in college while taking tests with the 
expectation of being honest without the professor checking on 
student conduct.  The purpose is for students to receive 
intrinsic rewards for doing the right thing.

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How can I help with costs in the classroom?

Donations help us!  School budget reality: Zero dollars for 
classroom supplies and PUSD teachers agreed to a pay cut.  What 
are the options?  Do without or please agree to donate for our 
classroom needs. 

Continuing costs:  kleenex, disinfecting wipes (H1N1) band-aids, 
wide ruled paper, pencils/erasers and anything special.  
I will keep a running total of money spent on this page. 
1. Teacher Web Page  $39.
2. Staples supplies  $46.
3. A+ Teacher Supply $27. 
4. FedEx Kinkos      $12.
5. Scholastic News         ($3.99 per student)x 30 = $120
6. Student Calendars $     ($5.00 per calendar x 30= $150
Subtotal             $374.

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Do you have a reading list for classic literature for my child? Yes

Yes. Here are some lists. Please review any book prior to 
recommending it to your child. Some books listed are for older 
students. 
http://www.thewritingtutor.biz/suggested_reading/ccliteraturebytit
le.php

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