Daily Schedule

I wanted to outline our daily schedule for you parents, so you know when we will be having each subject throughout the day. Our schedule is as follows:

7:55-8:35: Problem of the Day / Writing - This will only be on Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday.
7:55-8:35: Mass This will only be on Tuesday and Friday.
8:35-9:20: Mathematics
9:20-9:55: P.E. (Monday, Wednesday) Music (Tuesday, Thursday, Friday)
10:00-10:35: Reading and Comprehension We will have a Reading Assessment on Fridays.
10:35-11:00: Language Arts
11:00 - 11:27: Recess
11:30-12:00: Lunch
12:00-12:30: Religion There will be a Worship Bulletin every Friday.
12:30-1:05: Science
1:05-1:20: Computer Lab Only on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays
1:05-1:35: Art Only on Wednesdays
1:25 / 1:35-1:55: Social Studies
1:45 - 2:15: Library (Only on FRIDAYS)
1:55 - 2:15: Spelling We will have a Spelling Test on Fridays.
2:15-2:30 Recess
2:35 - 2:55: Silent Reading/Read Aloud
2:55-3:10: Study Hall and Check Agendas
3:10-3:20: Get ready to go home.

Grading Scale

A+ = 99% -100%
A = 95% - 98%
A - = 93% - 94%
B+ = 91% - 92%
B = 87% - 90%
B- = 85% - 86%
C+ = 83% - 84%
C = 78% - 82%
C- = 76% - 77%
D+ = 74% - 75%
D = 72% - 73%
D - = 70% - 71%
F = 69% or below (redo)

Power School

Just like last year, we will be using Power School. I encourage you to check your child's grades regularly. I update grades on a daily basis, so it is always changing. Last year, you received a user name and password for each child. You will still use the same user name and password for this year. Again, please check your child's grades as much as possible. Then, if you have any questions about a grade feel free to contact me. Emailing me is the best and quickest way for me to respond. My email address is bramsey@stmarysderby.com.

Birthdays

It is always so much fun to celebrate birthdays. There are 23 students plus the teacher. I just ask that you also provide napkins as well along with the snack. Summer birthdays can be celebrated in May. Please, do not bring a cake. I do not mind cupcakes, cookies, etc. It takes up time to cut the cake and then pass it all out and it is very messy. Again, no cakes!!

Book Orders

I will be sending home book orders. Please fill out the order form, cut it out and send it back to school along with the payment. Payment needs to be in the form of a check. Please check the order form to see if checks should be made payable to Scholastic Book Club. No cash please!

Classroom Rules

•  Talking or misbehavior- You will receive a warning and then after that you will lose recess time.
•  Late Papers- You will have an automatic 15% taken off your paper.
•  If you forgot your homework, you will lose second recess.
•  Forgot your name on your paper- You will owe 5 minutes of recess time.
•  Redo Papers- Anything below a 70% will be redone. An automatic 15% will be taken off of your redo paper. Redo papers will be done at recess time.
•  Using the Restroom- There are plenty of opportunities given throughout the morning. In the afternoon they have lunch recess time to use the restroom. If you use the restroom before 1:30 you will owe 5 minutes. Take advantage of the restroom breaks given. (If there is a physical reason that your child needs to use the restroom, please let me know.)

ALWAYS SHOW REVERENCE AND BE A ROLE MODEL!!!

Mass Participation

Mass participation is expected. Participation at mass will also count towards part of the student's Conduct grade. The students must be actively participating, which includes singing along with the music book opened to the correct song.

Also in 4th grade, students will be given opportunities to be a leader at mass. These roles include lector, petitions, and song leaders. Mrs. Gassmann determines the song leaders. I will choose the lector and people to read petitions. I do watch for those who are actively participating at mass to help choose those particular students.

We also are in charge of some Prayer Services, which the students will lead. Your child will get a chance to lead at mass/prayer service.

Folders

The students will be bringing home one folder each day with all of their papers in it. Please make sure you check their folder and look at the papers they did at school. This is one of the links between the teacher and the parents. In their folders may be notes from me.

Agenda Books

Please make sure you check your child's agenda book. The students are writing all of their assignments in there and are crossing them off after they complete a task. This is a way you can tell what your child has done at school that day. Again, please make sure you look at your child's agenda! I do check their agendas at the end of the day.

Website

The St. Mary's website is a great resource to use in order to know what is happening in the classroom. I will update the website regularly. On the St. Mary's website (http://www.stmarysderby.com) go to the School link and under the School link go to Staff and Class News. When you are there click on my picture and it will take you to our classroom's webpage. There you will find important information that is happening in class, what we are doing in each subject, etc. I will also send home a hard copy of this as well. At the beginning of each month a Calendar of Events will also be sent home. This calendar will also be on the website to access as well.

Testing

This year in 4th grade we do have assessment tests. The 4th graders will be tested in Reading, Math, and Science for the State along with the Stewards (Religion) Test for the Diocese There is a lot of material to cover this year and the children are always very eager to learn. When testing time comes around please make sure your child gets adequate sleep and also has a nutritious breakfast. A note will be sent home closer to time to remind you.

4th Grade Curriculum

Included in this packet you will find a summary of the curriculum in which the students will be learning this year. This curriculum is from the State in which all 4th graders in Kansas will be learning.

Religion Curriculum

For this school year, the Wichita Diocese made some changes to the religion curriculum. Now some of the highlights we will be covering in 4th grade this year are:

The Ten Commandments
Theological virtues—Define faith, hope, and love
The Seven Sacraments
Beatitudes
Corporal Works of Mercy
Ascension
Assumption
Immaculate Conception
Annunciation
The Mysteries of the Rosary
The steps in making a good Confession
Prayers: Nicene Creed
Act of Faith
Act of Hope
Act of Love
Fatima Prayer
Stations of the Cross
Plus much, much more

Do not hesitate to contact me with any questions or concerns. My email address is bramsey@stmarysderby.com. You may also call me at school, 788-3151, or home, 788-1140. If I see any concerns I will let you know as soon as possible. It is very important that we communicate effectively for your child's sake and success. We are working together to raise your child to be more like Christ. Believe it or not, YOU are your child's first and foremost Teacher. I am here to work with your child on his/her journey of education and faith. I am very excited about this school year! We are going to have a super year. I know we will have a productive year working together.

Keep smiling,

Mrs. Bethany Ramsey