S.C.O.R.E.:
To create a school and classroom environment where students want to
learn, are willing to take chances, and to be challenged, Brywood has
develped the following acronym focusing on behavioral and academic
expections, part of our PBIS. I use this system to help students continue to
developcritical thinking and decision making skills, as well as be
responsible for
their actions.
S - Success
C - Compassion
O - On-track
R - Respect
E - Effort
It is important to reinforce these positive behaviors. So, along with
earning credit through timely completion of homework, students will
earn S.C.O.R.E. cards. These will be turned in to a bin. Each week, at our
Friday morning flag assembly, names will be drawn and students will be put in
the Hall of Fame.
HOMEWORK:
Homework is an essential part of developing time management,
responsibility, perseverance, independence, initiative, and
resourcefulness. Students will be assigned two types of homework: daily and
weekly.
Daily - Students will be responsible Monday - Thursday for daily homework
consisting of unfinished assignments, such as math, science, etc.
Weekly - Students will also have weekly assignments to practice
and review skills, such as Daily Geography, spelling or vocabulary, etc.
We will go over homework each afternoon and a copy will be posted
on our webpage under "Homework". Homework is due the next day, unless
otherwise noted.
Students can expect about 45 minutes a night (or less), which should
include free reading. The Music and Science teachers may also assign
homework, which may add additional time.
BOOK INTERVIEWS:
To help develop a lifelong love for reading and to continue to develop
reading skills, students are to read books at home. At the
beginning of the year and midpoint, students will participate in a reading
inventory and receive a Lexile score. This is a number that will help
students choose books that are in their Independent Reading Level. To aid
students in their experiences reading, we will focus on reading genres from
both fiction and non-fiction. A contract will come home at the beginning of
each trimester with the genre, deadlines, and other information and
explanation. Please review the specific details found under Projects
and Worksheets.
WAYS TO HELP AT HOME:
While children in fourth grade continue to develop independence, they
still need your support. The following suggestions may help establish and
maintain a routine for the year to help your child be successful this year:
1. Review SCORE expectations.
2. Set a daily schedule for homework. Remember to plan for regular weekly
activities, sports, music, religion, and especially play time.
3. Designate one spot in the house where homework is done. Keep extra
supplies handy.
4. Have your child cross off homework as it is complete and put back in the
binder.
5. Plan 10 minutes a night to review the Homework Planner, sign paperwork,
and ensure your child repacks his/herbackpack.
6. Celebrate effort and responsibility!
7. Encourage your child to call his/her Homework Buddy to ask questions,
check in, and get needed help.
GRADING:
Effort, growth, homework completion, participationg in class, and
averaging of graded assignments, tests, and projects determine a student's
grades. To ensure your child's success, work receiving a score of 69%
or below may be corrected and resubmitted. A progress report will be sent
mid trimester to inform you of your child's progress.
BIRTHDAYS:
We all love to celebrate birthdays! To promote a healthy lifestyle, our
school policy is that no food be brought in to celebrate. Instead, students
may choose to do one of the following if they wish:
* Donate a favorite book to our class library
* Provide the class with a new playground ball
* Bring in school supplies for classmates (under $1.00 per student)
Celebrating birthdays at school is always optional and your choice.
Regardless, we will recognize each student on his/her special day or "half
birthday."
FIELD TRIPS:
There are several field trips planned for the year which center around
our Social Studies and Science curriculae.
1. Mission San Juan Capistrano ($20)
2. Irvine Ranch Educational Center - Mining Camp ($25)
3. Trunk Show - gold rush ($15)
ABSENCES:
It is essential that students attend school daily. However, if your
child is ill, it is equally important s/he stays home and to get healthy!
Upon return, we will meet to put together a make-up packet and deadline.
Please remember to contact our Absence Line at 936-5501 to report absences.
FORGOTTEN SUPPLIES:
Our school policy supports students being responsible. If a student
forgets a lunch, s/he will receive a free lunch at the cafeteria. If
binders, papers, instruments, etc. are forgotten, please allow your child the
chance to receive the natural consequences.
RIGHT-TO-READ DAYS:
Throughout the year, there will be several days where Brywood
celebrates and promotes reading for enjoyment. Students should
be ready to read, read, read! They may bring chapter books, comic books,
magazines, etc. They may also bring a sleeping bag, pillow, or blanket to
read on. Healthy snacks, such as cut up fruit, vegetables, crackers,
pretzles, etc. are also acceptable. Please no "sweet" snacks, juices,
sodas, etc.
DROP-OFF/PICK-UP POLICY:
Students may arrive at school 10 minutes before the morning bell (7:50
a.m.) and need to be off campus within 10 minutes after school (2:38 p.m.).
Please DO NOT drive through the parking lot during these busy times as they
are used for buses and staff arrival/departures. You may drop-off/pick-up
students along the cut out on Westwood or around the corner on Adams. After
school, students will be directed to the front office if you haven't met up
with them yet.