February 6th
Students can wear jeans, sneakers, and a school shirt/sweatshirt tomorrow if they pay $# or bring in a baby item.
January 26th
Please check out the Catholic Schools Week section of the website for the events next week. Please also note that our class is responsible for bringing in juice boxes and drinks for the beach party day. Everyone is asked to participate since we need enough for the whole school. All items are due no later than Tuesday, January 31st. Thank you again for your help!
Also, progress reports went home yesterday. Please sign and return them by Friday. If you have any questions or concerns, please email me or send me a note.
January 16th
Tuesday is a dress down day only if students pay $5. This money is to go toward a fundraiser to help those less fortunate than us. If you choose not to participate, you must be in full uniform.
So far our class has not had any issues with this, but I figured I would remind everyone. Boots are not allowed with the uniform under any circumstances. If it is a bad weather day, your child may wear boots for arrival and dismissal time. However, they must bring their regular shoes to change into it for during the school day. Thank you everyone for cooperating with this rule so far.
I also am very proud of the students hard work with long division. Many are doing very well. Please help your child practice their facts every night especially if they are having a problem. If they don't know their facts, they are not going to be able to successfully and efficiently through their long division problems. A few students are receiving a lot more math homework lately because of this.
Also, I have been pushing the students to answer questions better. I have spoken with the class a few times now about rewording part of the question with in their answers. This may take a little more time, but it helps the students accurately answer the questions and write better 4th grade answers. If I don't see this on their questions, they will lose some credit. This is important preparation for the higher grades, and I want them to be prepared.
January 4th
Welcome back to school!
December 20th
The students may have free dress on Wednesday and Thursday. Christmas colors are recommended, and jeans are okay as long as they are neat (nothing torn or ripped). No short skirts or other inappropriate outfits are allowed. Students not dressed appropriately will be required to change. Also, our class needs to be wearing sneakers for Thursday.
Tomorrow is our class party. So far we have munckins, brownies, several kinds of cookies, etc. Thank you in advance for your help!
A reminder, which I have told the students several times, that they are not allowed to be sharing their snacks or trading them with other students. This a school rule set forth do to potential food allergies and a parents' choice as to what their child is to eat. The only exception to this rule is for class parties and birthday celebrations. We have been having an issue in our room with the same children being "haunted" for their snacks, and these children can not eat in peace. I have also received complaints from students that others have been going through their lunchboxes. As I told the students, if I hear of anyone going through someone's lunchbox, that child will receive a demerit. If I find students are sharing food without permission, they will lose a recess. Hopefully, this problem will be resolved without any consequences having to be given.
December 15th
A reminder that the gift cards are due tomorrow. Thank you for all your support of our class family in need.
The Christmas concert is tomorrow. Students should arrive by 6:15 in Christmas clothing.
Students can bring in any goodies they wish that can be easily passed out on Wednesday. This way we can eat the leftovers on Thursday. A reminder that we do have one peanut/nut allergy in the room. Please include a list of ingredients with any baked goods. Thank you!
December 12th
Class pictures are tomorrow! All students are to be in full uniform.
Thank you so far for the Advent family gift cards. They are all due by Friday.
November 30th
Report cards were emailed home today. Overall, I am very pleased with your child's hard work. If you do not have an email listed with the school, your child will receive a hard copy tomorrow. Please remember if you want to attend conferences, the paper must be returned by Friday. If you do not have any concerns and your child is doing well, please do not feel like you need to come see me. If you want to double check to see if you should come in or not, feel free to send me an email. I can let you know whether I have concerns that need to be discussed.
Tomorrow is the feast of Saint Francis and we will be attending mass. Our class will still have gym tomorrow, but they must wear their gym pants tomorrow for church. Your child can also opt to wear their regular uniform and then change into their gym uniform after mass if they wish.
Also, some of the girls skirts are still too short. A letter was sent home regarding the guideline weeks ago by Mr. Pelletier, and I spoke to the girls two weeks before Thanksgiving break. The skirts were checked again today by myself and other female teachers. Please make sure all of the skirts are no shorter than right above the knee. Thank you to all the parents who have complied with the regulation. Some of the girls who I have already spoken to a few weeks ago were warned once again today. A few other girls were okay for now but will need to have the hem adjusted once they grow a little more. All skirts must be at the correct length no later than Monday, or they will be receiving a demerit for each day it is too short.
The weather had been a bit crazy lately, and we have enjoyed some unusually warm weather. However, as you know, this is New England and weather changes drastically. Some students especially on the colder days have not been dressing appropriately for the cold. Mrs. Forsblom and I are going to take the children outside in the morning in the winter months unless the temperatures are below freezing or there is a low wind chill factor. It is good for them to get fresh air whenever possible. Thin sweatshirts and gym shorts in cold weather is not enough in the school yard. If other staff members or myself do not feel they have proper clothing on, they will miss recess and sit inside. Please check the weather before you leave the house. I recommend students have gloves and something to cover their ears on the cooler days. Thank you!
Don't forget the gifts for the children are due Friday, Dec. 9th. The gift cards for our Advent family are due Friday, December 16th. you may send them before the due date.
November 28th
Today your child received a paper regarding another Advent project the school is doing. We have adopted a family with a mom, dad, and two children. We are going to be making cards in school for them. Also, we are collecting gift cards to help this family. Please send in whatever you can. There are gift cards suggestions on the sheet. These are due by Friday, December 16th.
Don't forget the gifts for the children are due Friday, December 9th!
Novemer 23rd
The students received a paper and an index card for our Advent project. The students in grades 4 and 5 are sponsoring a child from a daycare in New Bedford. We are trying to make sure these children go home with something for Christmas. The letter sent home explains the directions in more detail. Please make sure the gifts stay as close to $5 as possible. Please return the gifts unwrapped, in a shopping bag, and with the child's name it will be going to by Friday, December 9th. We will be wrapping them in school together. This is meant to be a fun experience while teaching them how to give back to the community. Please enjoy it and please let me know if you have any questions.
There will be no papers going home this week. Everything will go home next Friday. Students are still expected to complete their readings log over the short break. However, they may take off 15 minutes for Thanksgiving Day.
Have a wonderful and blessed Thanksgiving!
November 21st
If you were looking for this week's math facts quiz, they were graded in time. However, I forgot to put them your child's packet this week. I will give it to them on Monday so you and your child can see what work needs to be done. Please ask your child on Monday to show it to you.
Conference sheets went home on Friday. These slips are due by Friday, December 2nd, so if you want to wait until you see your child's report card, that is fine. If you do not have any concerns and your child is doing well, please do not feel like you need to come see me. If you want to double check to see if you should come in or not, feel free to send me an email. I can let you know whether I have concerns that need to be discussed. Report cards will be going home the week after Thanksgiving.
November 17th
There will be a make up quiz for the science quiz given on Tuesday. The students were given back their quiz to look at their mistakes, but they were not allowed to take them home. The quiz was Unit C, Chp. 4, Lessons 1+2+3 on the key terms. I will average the two grades together to come up with a final quiz grade. This is out of fairness for the students who did extremely well the first time around.
There is another field trip scheduled for Dec. 2nd to go see a "Christmas Carol" at BCC. The form and $9 is due Wednesday, November 23rd. This is a great way to get us into the holiday spirit!
Reminder that Wednesday, November 23rd is a half day of school with dismissal at 11:00. There is not extended care that day.
November 7th
Field trip forms went home on Friday. We are going to see a science show at the Z in New Bedford on Tuesday, November 15th. Please send all permission slips and $11 to school by Thursday this week.
Book orders are due Wednesday if you choose to buy anything.
We also have the theme "Super Heros" for your basket for Santa's breakfast. If you can help out, please send the item to school. Thank you!
I have noticed that many students are struggling with their multiplication facts. It is extremely important that your child practices these every night. Facts up to 9 x 9 should have been already learned last year. The 7, 8, 9s tables seem to be the most troublesome to students. The timed quiz on Thursday will be only up to 9 x 9. The next time students will have to know up to 12 x 12 as in accord with Diocesean standards. We are already going to start a little bit longer multiplication this week. If your child does not know their facts, this is going to be extremely difficult for them. The only way they are going to know their facts is to PRACTICE! Please help your child. They have made flashcards in school, and there are also some games on the website too.
Mr. Pelletier also sent an email home regarding the length of the girls skirts. They should be at around knee length. Please let the hem out if your child's skirt does not meet this requirement and is shorter than this. Thank you.
November 1st
I passed out a report direction sheet today. Each student has been assigned a planet they are to research and write a report on. They also must draw a picture of their planet and cite their sources according to the information sheet I sent home (It looks similar to the one Mrs. Brunelle gave the children last year). The specifics are all on the sheet. Please make sure you review it with your child. I also listed some recommended websties under the Links for Home section. Students can use other sites too as long as they don't use Wikipedia. Search engines can be used, but the site used itself has to be cited, not the search engine. The reports are due Thursday, November 10th.
October 31st
A big thank you to all the parents who helped out in any form today for the party. The children had a great day! Happy Halloween!
We are going to mass tomorrow for All Saints Day. This is a holy day of obligation so please feel free if you are able to come to mass tomorrow at 9. We will be missing art class, but I have a project from them to do later in the week.
October 28th
We will be having a small Halloween Party on Monday afternoon. If you would like to bring in anything that is fine. Just please make it easy to pass out. Please include ingredients of any baked goods do to food allergies. Thank you!
I will see some of you tonight at the Halloween dance!
Also, students can wear orange and black with their uniforms on Monday
October 21st
Progress reports went home today. Most students are doing really well, and I am very proud of them. Grades are based on what was graded by Tuesday, so if your child missed a test due to an absence early in the week, their grade for that test was counted as zero on the report (just how the system works). This means the grade on the progress report might be a little lower that you would expect. If you have any questions please let me know. If you would like to have a conference, please email me or write me a note. I will be more than happy to set up an appointment with you.
Please returned signed progress reports on Monday.
October 19th
Progress Reports are expected to go out on Friday in your child's folder. If this changes I will let you know.
September 30th
IOWA testing begins on Monday. These tests are to see what progress your child is making in school from year to year. Children are simply to do their best so I can accurately see what his or her strengths and weaknesses may be. Please remember your child will need number 2 pencils and a book to read. They need to be busy and not disturb other classmates during testing.
September 23rd
Students have picture day on Monday. Students may wear their uniforms or nice clothing. No beach attire including flip flops and shorts or ripped and torn jeans are permitted on this day. If you are interested in buying photos, please return the form and money that was sent home today by Monday.
Overall, students are doing well on their exams. I am very pleased. Their dioramas also came out really nice. I will try to remember to take some photos to put them up on the website for you all to see. The project grades and the science test will go home next week. As a whole, many students do need to work on how to answer questions completely and fully. We will be spending time some time on this across all subject areas. I have been writing extra comments on questions your child has completed so you and your child should view these to see where your child's strengths and weaknesses are.
I also took the class to the computer lab this afternoon. We did have some technically difficulties beyond our control, but the students did a good job trying to listen and follow the directions on the screen. I did notice that some of the children are extremely uncomfortable using a computer and some of them had a lot of trouble typing a few words even though it was written on the board for them. As you all know, your child will need to know how to use technology if they are going to be successful later on. I know the children are still young so I do not expect them to have the knowledge that an adult would have. However, they need to know some basics such as how to open and close websites, using right and left clicks on a mouse, and be able to type (even if they cannot do it quickly yet, that is okay). If you are able, I would recommend that you let your child use a computer from time to time. I do have some links on the website under "links for home" they can use. Even just letting them play on a website for fun can help them feel more confident and comfortable with technology. I like to use the computers for enhancing their learning, and the more technology they know, the more things we will be able to do together as a class.
September 22nd
I posted a photo under the photos section. It was taken when 4th and 5th grade went to the 9/11 memorial in Acushnet.
Don't forget that projects are due tomorrow both paper and diorama. Many students have already turned things in which is great! I look forward to seeing everyone's hard work tomorrow.
Apparently my email account has been "eating" emails. I just found a bunch of emails in my spam folder today from the past two weeks. It looks like everything had already been taken care of already or did not require a response. If you feel like I have been ignoring you, I apologize. I always check my email at 8 in the morning and I do try to do it once more during the day if I have time (unless we are having technical difficulties). This has never been an issue before, and I have readjusted my settings for my spam folder because they were extremely high. Hopefully this fixes the problem.