Fourth Grade Parent Transition Night

1. Fourth Grade Parent Transition Night Welcome to… Parent: What did you learn in school today? Child: Not enough, I have to go back tomorrow.

2. 4th Grade Teachers/ Support Staff at Dieringer Heights • Mrs. Trisha Gray • Mrs. Gelinda Williams • Mrs. Monica Barker • Mrs. Stephanie Allen • Mrs. Teresa Mayr • Joan Sullivan (Resource Room) • Karen Wilkerson, Lori Cull, Erica Compton, Libby Whitman, Shelley Hanbidge (Para Educators) • Mary Boben (School Social Worker/Counselor)

3. Subjects Taught • Reading • Math • Writing/Language/Spelling • Social Studies/Science/Health • Social Skills • PE & Music • Technology Skills • Character Education

4. Assessments • Formal MSP( Measure of Student Progress), Fluency Reads – DIBELS, Reading Baseline Placement Test, Math Diagnostic Test, Math Fact Fluency • Informal Unit tests, quizzes, teacher observations, projects

5. Grouping • In 4th grade students are grouped for math and reading instruction based on individual student assessment data • Fast Track, High, Grade Level, Below Grade Level • Grouping is based on the following data: • 3rd grade recommendation • 3rd grade MSP Score • 4th grade baseline test • 4th grade fact fluency scores (math) • Groups are flexible – students may be moved based on performance

6. HomeworkHomework will be turned in and graded on a daily/weekly basis. Homework consists of: • Work not finished in class • Review/study for unit tests • Special projects/reports • Weekly spelling list • Daily math fact fluency • Reading independently 20-40 minutes per day

7. The Notebook • The Notebook needs to be a plain, plastic, 3-inch, 3-ring binder. • Please do not purchase a “fancy” notebook with pockets and zippers as it hinders organization. • We will help your child set up his/her notebook in class. Reasons for filing and keeping papers in notebook are: Assignments/papers can be used for test reviews. Assignment did not get recorded also… Provides an opportunity for parents and child to see on a weekly basis how the child is doing.

8. Grading Grades 1 – 3 use standards based grading Grades 4-8 use letter grades based on a percentage scale If your child is struggling with assignments, homework, and / or due dates, please contact your child’s teacher.

9. Grading • Daily/Weekly work will be graded on a percentage basis • Late work must be turned in by the following Monday for a maximum score of 80% • Work turned in after the late turn in date will not be scored • Work not turned in will be given a score of 0% • Remember, you can check your child’s scores on Skyward Family Access

10. Skyward --Family Access • Parents will be able to access their child’s classroom grades with their child’s identification number through the Dieringer District web site. • This is an opportunity for the parent to have current information on missing and late work, as well as grades in all subject areas. • Skyward Access letters will be sent home in September • Skyward should be checked on a weekly basis

11. Skyward --Family Access

12. Report Cards • Sent home six times throughout the year. • Three mid-terms – Emailed through Skyward/Family Access • Three trimesters

13. Honor Roll Honor Roll is awarded to students who earn an overall GPA of 3.6 or higher Honor Roll will be recognized 3 times a year at the end of each trimester

14. Character Education Each month we highlight a specific character trait and reinforce the trait in our teaching and morning messages Character education helps foster responsible, caring behaviors in and out of school Character Education also decreases incidences of student teasing and bullying

15. DHES Character Traits Respect, Empathy, Courage, Community Contributor, Responsibility, Self-Discipline, Honesty, Flexibility and Perseverance All students are recognized at some point in the year for demonstrating at least one character trait

16. Steps to Respect DHES is proactive in addressing bully prevention. Students are taught lessons from the evidence based curriculum Steps to Respect. Students learn how to recognize Face to Face Bullying, Behind the Back Bullying, and Cyber Bullying. Bystanders are taught what to do if they see a situation involving bully behavior, and how to make the situation better rather than worse.

17. Steps to Respect Students learn the 3 R’s of bullying which teaches them how to: Recognize Refuse Report

18. Classroom Expectations We believe that lifelong success depends on self discipline. We have developed a classroom plan that gives every student the opportunity to manage his/her own behavior. Your child deserves the most positive educational climate possible for academic growth. School-Wide Student Behavioral Expectations • Be respectful • Be responsible • Be Safe • Always do your best!

19. Communication is Key • Email is our primary form of communication • Classroom News/General Information • Upcoming Tests • Homework • Special Activities • Mid Term Reports • Skyward/Family Access is used to send group emails • Please have a current email address in the Skyward system • Families without email access need to let their child’s teacher know in order to get printed copies of classroom communications.

20. Planner • Filled in daily • “HW” means Homework • “L” means late or missing work • Parents initial/sign daily and student returns each school day.

21. Classroom Websites • Our websites are a great way for us to communicate information to you.

22. Success in 4th Grade WAYS PARENTS CAN HELP • Check assignment sheet daily for homework and teacher notes. • Sign or initial the planner daily to recognize a great job done, project due dates, and missing work or work needing to be corrected for Monday. Please don’t sign days ahead of time. • Help your child select: …a regular time for homework …a quiet place away from distractions • Check the Family Access system weekly for current grades

23. More ways to help • Parent help on homework should be to answer your child’s questions, please allow your child to complete the work. Teachers need to see what your child can do by themselves. It lets us know how fast we can move and/or what needs more teaching. • Many links to helpful sites can also be found on our classroom websites. • Please …Check Family Access! 

24. Pick Up/Drop Off Please Do: • Drive slowly and cautiously at all times. • Have your child ride the bus to and from school if at all possible. • Car pool with others to reduce the number of vehicles in the parking area. • Use the designated student pick-up and drop off zones. • Drop off students only at the curb • Unload students on the curb side of your vehicle. • Observe directional arrows at all times. • Cooperate and be patient with school personnel. • Observe crosswalk and all other school signage. Please Do Not • Park or unload students in the “Fire Lane”, “Bus Zone” or “No Parking” zones. • Leave your vehicle unattended for any reason. • Unload students from any lane of travel. • Pass other vehicles in line to drop off or pick up students. Be patient.

25. Extended Family Vacations • Pre-Approval Extended Absences Policy • Forms available in the office and on the DSD website

26. Curriculum Night • Tentative Date--Thursday September, 27th • Rotation Format • Homeroom • Math Teacher • Reading Teacher • Specialists • Classroom Letters will be arriving beforethe start of school • Classroom Information packets will be given out during the first week of school

27. Any Questions? OPEN HOUSE— AUGUST 29TH FROM 3:30-5:00 PM