VES 2012-2013

PARENT ORIENTATIO

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Earned my Bachelors Degree in Elementary Education from the University of South Florida. Go Bulls!

I am currently getting my Masters Degree at Saint Leo University In Educational Leadership.

I am certified K-6 grade, I am also an endorsed ESOL & Gifted Education Teacher

I have worked at Sand Pine Elementary in grades 3, 4, & 5.

I have worked at and opened Double Branch Elementary in grades 3 & 4.

This is my fourth year at Veterans teaching where I taught 3rd the first 2 years and 4th the last two years.

• I am married. My husband, Travis, is a police officer in the City of Tampa. He is also a member of the US Army Reserves, where he is a Blackhawk helicopter pilot.

• I am the mother of 2! I have 2 daughters. Olivia who is 5 and Lillian who is 4.

Common Core State Standards

English Language Arts & LiteracyA Sample of What Your Child Will Be Working on in 4th Grade

Describing the basic elements of stories — such as characters, events, and settings — by drawing on specific details in the text

Paying close attention to key features of informational books and articles: these include understanding the main and supporting ideas; being able to compare and contrast information; and explaining how the author uses facts, details, and evidence to support particular points

Comparing ideas, characters, events, and settings in stories and myths from different cultures

Writing summaries or opinions about topics supported with a set of well-organized facts, details, and examples

Independently conducting short research projects on different aspects of a topic using evidence from books and the Internet

Paraphrasing and responding to information presented in discussions, such as comparing and contrasting ideas and analyzing evidence that speakers use to support particular points

Reporting orally on a topic or telling a story with enough facts and details

Writing complete sentences with correct capitalization and spelling

Relating words that are common in reading to words with similar meanings (synonyms) and to their opposites (antonyms)

Common Core State Standards

MathematicsA Sample of What Your Child Will Be Working on in 4th Grade

Using whole-number arithmetic to solve word problems, including problems with remainders and problems with measurements

Adding and subtracting whole numbers quickly and accurately (numbers up to 1 million)

Multiplying and dividing multi-digit numbers in simple cases (e.g., multiplying 1,638 × 7 or 24 × 17, and dividing 6,966 by 6)

Understanding and applying equivalent fractions(e.g., recognizing that 1⁄4 is less than 3⁄8 because 2⁄8 is less than 3⁄8)

Adding, subtracting ,and multiplying fractions in simple cases (such as 2 3⁄4 − 1 1⁄4 or 3 × 5/8), and solving related word problems

Understanding simple decimals in terms of fractions (e.g., rewriting 0.62 as 62⁄100)

Measuring angles and finding unknown angles in a diagram

How can you help at home?

English Language Arts & Literacy

Urge your child to use logical arguments to defend his or her opinion. If your child wants a raise in allowance, ask him or her to research commonsense allowance systems and, based on that research, explain reasons why, supported by facts and details.

Talk about the news together. Pick one story in the news, read it together, and discuss with your child what it means.

Mathematics

Ask your child to compare numbers using phrases like “times as much.” For example, if the family cat weighs 8 lbs. and the family dog weighs 56 lbs., how many times as much does the dog weigh?

Ask your child to help you compare fractional amounts — for example, if one recipe calls for 2/3 of a cup of oil, but another recipe calls for 3⁄4 of a cup of oil, which recipe calls for more oil? (In 5th grade, your child will learn ways to determine just how much more oil.)

SUPER HERO DISCIPLINE PLAN

Veterans Elementary School2013-2014

Why PBIS?

PBIS is a CONSISTENT positive behavior system that focuses on the positive actions of students rather than the negative!

Last year, VES used a PBIS behavior system and saw excellent results in student behavior with a direct correlation to student achievement.

This year, we took all suggestions and input and listened to what worked best and what was wanted most!

Behavior Chart

STAMPS and stickers• Sticker (K-1) or a stamp (2-5) on an index card

for moving up on the chart

• Students keep these stamps and stickers no matter what!

• 10 stamps/stickers = schoolwide store run by patrolsOR

• Students can save up for larger rewards!

• Students can earn Super Status anywhere!

SCHOOLWIDE REWARDS

•Patrols will run a school store in the mornings in the courtyard.

•Students can purchase tangible items or choose from a catalog of experiences (lunch with a teacher, bring in a stuffed animal for

the day, etc.).

•Items will be priced in increments of ten (stamps or stickers).

Dress Code

Our schedule was sent home the first week and it is also kept in your child’s communication binder.

Specials (9:45-10:30):

PE- Tues & Thurs MUSIC- Mon

ART- Wed MUSIC in Motion- Fri

Lunch: 12:44-1:14

It is important that your child comes to school each and every day well rested and ready to learn. Regular attendance at school is critical for your child to achieve his/her highest academic potential. Academic learning occurs all day and students who arrive late or leave early miss valuable instructional time aimed at their academic success. If your child arrives after 9:40 a.m. tardy bell, you will need to park your car and come to the front office to sign your child in for the day. If you child will be absent, you need to notify the school of the reason why your child is absent. You can call (813) 346-1488 to leave a recorded message why your child is absent from school.

Homework Policy:Homework Policy states that a 4th Grade teacher should only give a total of 45 minutes of homework a night in all subject areas combined. We ask that students read 30 minutes each night as a part of their homework. I will also be sending home math practice worksheets. However, we will only be sending those home when the skills have been completely covered in class and they should be spending only about 15 to 20 minutes completing it independently.

•Reading logs will in the communication binder and checked bi weekly.

•Math homework will be assigned each night a new lesson is taught. No homework the night a test was

taken.•No weekend homework. : )

A- Well Above ExpectationsYour child has demonstrated performance that is

well above expectation on concepts and skills emphasized or addressed during this reporting period. This grade recognizes excellent achievement based upon your child’s ability to independently and on a consistent basis apply critical thinking, problem solving or innovative thinking that goes above and beyond teacher’s expectations for successful performance.

B Above ExpectationsYour child has successfully demonstrated

performance on concepts and skills addressed during this reporting period. Your child has successfully learned concepts and skills and independently and on a consistent basis is able to apply them in a variety of settings.

C– Adequate Progress Your child has adequately learned concepts and skills emphasized or addressed during this reporting period and is independently and on a consistent basis continuing to perform at the expected level.

D– Below Expectation Your child is in the process of learning concepts and skills emphasized or addressed during this reporting period. Your child is making minimal progress and needs assistance to complete the tasks at the expected level.

U- Well Below ExpectationsYour child has made little or no progress in

learning concept and skills emphasized or addressed during this reporting period. Extra assistance is needed to perform assigned tasks. Your child is working well below expectations

Writing:•Times assessments (60 minutes, prompted) when a skill has

been completely taught (approx every 3 weeks)

Reading:•We will be taking 1-2 mini assessments per unit of study (4-

5 weeks) and one unit test at the end of the unit

3 times a year:•Paper Pencil Benchmark (M, Sci, R)

Once a year:•Writing FCAT (February)

•Reading & Math FCAT (April)

Other:•Pre & Post Tests (Every Math Chapter, 13 chapters)

•Science Unit Tests•Social Studies Unit Tests

We will be recognizing your child’s birthday through our weekly pod meetings, school-wide morning announcements, and by the school giving a small birthday token on their special day. At the end of each month he/she will also enjoy birthday cake at a special birthday table at lunch. It is VES policy to recognize students’ birthdays in this way so that we are not interrupting instruction. Gifts, cupcakes, cakes, and other “party” items will not be allowed.

If you would like to volunteer in the classroom, at school or on a field trip, at all this year, you must be approved by the county. I suggest that everyone fill out the application and be approved so that you don't have to worry about it later. It takes about 3 weeks to get approved, so it is almost impossible to apply at the last minute before a field trip if you want to chaperone. Please note that you must re-apply each year. It can be done on-line contact me for the link.

If you are already an approved volunteer, please let me know or if you apply let me know when your approval comes through. I like to keep track of my parents who are already approved.

Volunteer in our Classroom!

Planners: Behaviors and some notes will be written in planners.

Email: Weekly emails (Monday Nights) will be sent to all parents. I will also email for more detailed issues or behaviors if my schedule does not allow me to call.

Newsletters: Bi-Weekly grade level newsletter will be attached to my weekly e-mail with information for all 4th graders and their families.

On-Line: Like out Fantastic Fourth Facebook Page!

The planners are used school wide. They are used for parent/teacher communication as well as keeping the students organized.

In my classroom, the planner can be a good tool for family planning. Every Monday, when the students come in, I have them copy my planner at the front of the room into their planners. This lets them know what topics we are learning about in each subject that week, when we have a test and when we have a schedule change. It also helps to know about tests ahead of time or if your child is absent, it lets you know what they missed or will be missing that day.

I suggest reviewing the planner on Monday evenings with your child and initialing for me that you saw it and are aware of the week’s activities. Each day, please glance at the planer to check and make sure there are no new notes or behavior notes. The planner is also used to check and see what that night’s homework is.

TESTS will be written or boxed in RED

HOMEWORK will be in the corresponding subject box labeled

with an HW.

BEHAVIOR notes and YOUR INITIALS should be at the bottom of each day.

All your child’s folders are color coded to match a specific subject to help them and me stay organized. Here is the color system so you are aware as you look through their backpacks. BINDER- CommunicationGREEN- Science & Social StudiesRED- ReadingBLUE- Math

This year your child will have independent reading time daily. We spend about 30 minutes doing this everyday.

During this time I will be doing 1 on 1, or 1 on 2 conferences with your children to have more thorough personal instruction and to assess their reading needs.

Auditory Learners: HearAuditory learners would rather listen to things being explained than read about them. Reciting information out loud and having music in the background may be a common study method. Other noises may become a distraction resulting in a need for a relatively quiet place.  

Visual Learners: SeeVisual learners learn best by looking at graphics, watching a demonstration, or reading. For them, it’s easy to look at charts and graphs, but they may have difficulty focusing while listening to an explanation.  

Kinesthetic Learners: TouchKinesthetic learners process information best through a “hands-on” experience. Actually doing an activity can be the easiest way for them to learn. Sitting still while studying may be difficult, but writing things down makes it easier to understand.

If your child is changing their dismissal I need a note or email, or the office needs a phone call. I cannot change your child’s dismissal based on what they verbally tell me.

District Bullying Orientation

for taking the time to attend Open House!

I look forward to working with you and your child this year. It is going to be a

wonderful year filled with exciting learning activities!