Welcome to 4th grade in my "Virginia Villa" at Bristow Run Elementary School! I am thrilled to be teaching here again this year. I’d like to start by telling you a little about myself, my expectations for this year, and some ideas that will help you and your child have a wonderful year.
I taught for seven years before taking time out to raise my family. I have taught grades K-4 and this will be my eighth year teaching 4th grade. The children at this age are wonderful and I love being part of their learning and growing.
It is very important for you to know that in 4th grade I really stress responsibility and respect for others. The children need to know that they will be responsible for all their actions in and out of the classroom. They will be responsible for their agendas, homework, Friday Folders, completing their daily work, and their behavior at all times. If you ever have any questions or concerns, I encourage you to contact me as soon as possible. I can be reached at the school from 8:00am until 4:00pm (703-753-7741) or by e-mail at gorhamsx@pwcs.edu. Communication is very important to creating a positive learning experience for your child.
If you know your child is going to be absent from school, please send a note letting the school and myself know in advance. It is also required that you call the school and inform them when your child is absent. When your child returns to school, please send in a written excuse.
Sincerely,
Mrs. Sarah S.C. Gorham
gorhamsx@pwcs.edu
703-753-7741
Daily Schedule
9:00-9:45 Core Extension
9:45-11:15 Language Arts
11:15-12:00 Encore
12:05-12:35 Lunch
12:35-12:50 Recess
12:50-2:00 Math
2:00-3:25 Science/Virginia History
Encore
This year we will be having Encore everyday from
11:15-12:00. The following is the schedule for our class:
Day 1 Music
Day 2 Library
Day 3 P.E.
Day 4 Spanish
Day 5 Art
Day 6 P.E.
Day 7 Computer Lab/Math Lab
Student Behavioral Expectations
Hallways
•Students will be quiet while walking in the hallway so that they do not disturb others. Hallways are quiet zones
•Students will walk when in the hallway.
•Students will be in the hallway with a buddy and never alone.
•Students will use the ramp and never the stairs unless accompanied by an adult.
•Students will keep hands and bodies off the walls, artwork or bulletin boards.
Restrooms
•When in the restrooms, students will be quiet and respect the privacy of others.
•Students will remember that the restrooms are not play areas and are not to be used for social gatherings.
Recess
•Students will not swing too high on swings, jump off of swings or other equipment, climb up slides or flip or hang upside down on equipment.
•Students will take turns, share and not turn anyone away who wants to play.
•Students will not play any games that require them to physically touch another student like touch football.
Cafeteria
•Students will use good manners in the cafeteria and say please and thank you to the hostesses and other cafeteria workers.
•Students will stay seated until hostess dismisses them.
•Students will talk in quiet voices in the cafeteria. No yelling or making loud sounds.
•Students will sit straight in their seats and not turn around to talk to other students at other tables.
•Students will keep their tables and area around them clean.
•Students will clean up all food, paper and other trash before leaving.
General Behavior expectations
•Students will be respectful toward each other and toward all our staff members at all times.
•Students will not give putdowns.
•Students will use good manners throughout the school day.
•Students will follow our school behavior plan, county code of behavior and the bus rules.
•Students will complete their work as asked of them.
Miscellaneous
•Students will adhere to our school and county dress code.
•Students will not wear hats in the building.
•Students will not chew gum in school.
•Students will not wear wheeled shoes in the building.
•Students will not bring toys, comics, cards, or anything that looks like a weapon or could be used as a weapon to school.
Homework Policy
Homework is an important and necessary component in education.
In 4th grade students will be required to read for at least 20 minutes a night as part of their assigned homework. Additional assignments will be given as needed. As a 4th grader, your child should spend no more than 40 minutes on any given homework assignment.
Students will not be allowed to call home if they forget to bring in their assignment. When a student fails to complete his or her homework from the previous evening, then he or she will be required to stand for three minutes or complete three laps around the blacktop. If a child consistently turns in assignments late or not at all then further actions will be taken (such as detention.)
Agenda Books
In 4th Grade, we require that every student have an agenda or assignment book. Children will write down homework, upcoming tests, and important information on a daily basis. It is very important that you sign the agenda book daily. However, it is the child’s responsibility to make sure that homework is copied from the board, the book is signed and returned to school the next day. If the child forgets to have the agenda book signed or leaves it at home, then he or she will stand for three minutes or complete three laps around the blacktop during recess.
Behavior Policy
Each student will begin his or her day on "green". They will have opportunities to earn a "purple" throughout the day by showing exemplary behavior and respect toward others. It is also possible for a student to end his or her day with "NO color" because they have not followed the student expectaions listed above. If a student has remained on "green" and/or "purple" all week they will automatically receive a "purple" on Frday and get to pick from the "Pop Tree"
On a daily basis, I will stamp the agenda so you will know what kind of day your child had at school.
Purple Stamp = Student displayed Exemplary Behavior
Green Stamp = Great Day!
NO Color = note from teacher stating why no color was received for the day.
Friday Folders
Every Friday, or the last day of the school week, the Friday Folder will be sent home with your child. I ask that you please view the items found in the Friday Folder with your child and sign the attached sheet. There are two sides to the Friday Folder. One side is labeled “Graded Papers” while the other side is “Office, PTO, & other info”.
Examples of items that may be found are as follows:
"Graded Papers"
*Completed assignments, material that needs to be returned to me or the school, etc…
"Office, PTO, & other info"
*Newsletters and or information from the school, PTA, and or community, etc.
As a reminder, Friday Folders must be signed and returned to school on Monday. Once again, students will be held responsible if they forget to bring in their signed Friday Folder. A student will stand for three minutes or complete three laps around the blacktop during recess for each day the folder comes in late (unless they are absent of course!) Thank-you in advance for your help!
Grading Scale
A = 93% - 100%
B+= 90% - 92%
B = 84% - 89%
C+= 81% - 83%
C = 74% - 80%
D+= 71% - 73%
D = 65% - 70%
F = 64% and below
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