Dear Parents/Guardians,
Welcome to grade 4/5! It is lovely to see many new and returning families. My name is Marianne Smith and I am very much looking forward to this school year. I have been teaching in the Surrey School District, as a classroom teacher, for 16 years. I started my career at White Rock Elementary in 2000 and am delighted to be teaching here again.
Grade 4/5 is a year of growth and change as your child goes form being a primary student to an intermediate student. We will be starting the year by building a classroom community of mutual respect, creativity, mutual trust, discipline and risk-taking. It is anticipated that students will become independent and able to self-regulate as the term and school year progress.
Please take some to familiarize yourself with the classroom routines and expectations.
Division # Our class will be Division 10 this year. Please include this number on all forms that you send back to school. When handing in money for field trips, etc please put it in an envelope or baggie.
Behaviour Expectations>Your child is expected to:
Respect Yourself
Respect Others
Respect Property
Respect the Environment
What do I do if I need my child during instructional school hours (8:35-2:25)? > If you need your child for any reason during instructional time please report directly to the office. Our secretaries, Mrs. Owens or Mrs. Vuilleumier, will assist you and then be in touch with me.
Green and Yellow Cards > Students will each receive two green cards and one yellow card. Students will be asked to hand in a green card if they need a gentle reminder about the classroom expectations. If both green cards get handed in then they will be asked to hand in their yellow card, again if the require a gentle reminder. A pink “Think Sheet” will then come home for you to read, discuss with your child and sign (to be returned the following school day). Students who retain their green cards will have an opportunity to draw a prize from the prize box every Monday. All green and yellow cards will be returned to the owner after each prize box draw and the process begins again. This process helps your child to learn to self-regulate.
Eating/Drinking in Class > Eating is permitted in class during lunch time (of course :) and during read aloud (before recess). Healthy foods are strongly encouraged during both eating times. Students may keep an unbreakable water bottle on their desk throughout the day. It is to have water in it only and should be taken home every Friday to be properly cleaned with soap and water. Students may drink whatever they choose during lunch time. Please remember to have your child eat a healthy breakfast before he/she comes to school and a healthy snack after school. This will help to ensure that your child will have enough energy throughout the day to learn and have fun.
Help > I am encouraging students to become independent, life-long learners. If your child needs help with an assignment (after instructions have been given) they are to "Ask 3 and then Me" more simply put, your child is to ask three classmates for help first and if no one is able to assist, then they are to raise their hand and I will get to them as soon as I can. :)
Homework >Students will be asked to read for 15 mins. each day and to practice their multiplication tables (0 to 12x) on a regular basis (more information to follow). Ample time will be given to complete assignments in class and we will work very diligently at school. Sometimes assignments will come home if it needs to be completed for assessment purposes.
Planners > Students will be given time to fill out their planners on a daily basis. It is your child’s responsibility to fill out their planner accurately. Please check and sign your child’s planner on a daily basis. The planner is a great tool to communicate between home and school.
Marking > Assignments, quizzes and tests will be marked out of a multiple of 4 resulting in a total out of 4. For example if you receive 18 out of 20 then you will receive a 4 out of 4. A 4 is Extending (Exceeds Expectations), 3 and 2.5 are Proficient (Fully Meets Grade Level Expectations), 2 is Developing (Meets Expectations Minimally for Grade Level), and 1 is Emerging (Not Yet Within Grade Level Expectations). 4=A, 3=B, 2.5=C+, 2=C, and 1=C-
Class Website > Homework, learning overviews and learning resources will be posted on the class site. The address is www.lovetoteach73.weebly.com. The school's website is https://www.surreyschools.ca/schools/whiterockelem, school notices and other school wide information will be posted at this address.
Class/School Allergy > Please refrain from sending nuts and nut products as we have students in the school and in our class with serious allergies.
What if my Child is Away?> A“While You Are Away Folder” will be placed on your child’s desk and handouts will be put in it throughout the day. Feel free to stop by after the last bell to collect your child’s homework or your child may catch up on missed assignments upon their return.
Contact Information> I look forward to getting to know you and your child this year. Please contact me if you have any comments, questions or concerns. You can do this by writing a note in your child's planner or phoning me at the school 604-531-5731 ext. 2233. I will get back to you as soon as I am able to.
Sincerely,
Ms. M. Smith
Welcome to grade 4/5! It is lovely to see many new and returning families. My name is Marianne Smith and I am very much looking forward to this school year. I have been teaching in the Surrey School District, as a classroom teacher, for 16 years. I started my career at White Rock Elementary in 2000 and am delighted to be teaching here again.
Grade 4/5 is a year of growth and change as your child goes form being a primary student to an intermediate student. We will be starting the year by building a classroom community of mutual respect, creativity, mutual trust, discipline and risk-taking. It is anticipated that students will become independent and able to self-regulate as the term and school year progress.
Please take some to familiarize yourself with the classroom routines and expectations.
Division # Our class will be Division 10 this year. Please include this number on all forms that you send back to school. When handing in money for field trips, etc please put it in an envelope or baggie.
Behaviour Expectations>Your child is expected to:
Respect Yourself
Respect Others
Respect Property
Respect the Environment
What do I do if I need my child during instructional school hours (8:35-2:25)? > If you need your child for any reason during instructional time please report directly to the office. Our secretaries, Mrs. Owens or Mrs. Vuilleumier, will assist you and then be in touch with me.
Green and Yellow Cards > Students will each receive two green cards and one yellow card. Students will be asked to hand in a green card if they need a gentle reminder about the classroom expectations. If both green cards get handed in then they will be asked to hand in their yellow card, again if the require a gentle reminder. A pink “Think Sheet” will then come home for you to read, discuss with your child and sign (to be returned the following school day). Students who retain their green cards will have an opportunity to draw a prize from the prize box every Monday. All green and yellow cards will be returned to the owner after each prize box draw and the process begins again. This process helps your child to learn to self-regulate.
Eating/Drinking in Class > Eating is permitted in class during lunch time (of course :) and during read aloud (before recess). Healthy foods are strongly encouraged during both eating times. Students may keep an unbreakable water bottle on their desk throughout the day. It is to have water in it only and should be taken home every Friday to be properly cleaned with soap and water. Students may drink whatever they choose during lunch time. Please remember to have your child eat a healthy breakfast before he/she comes to school and a healthy snack after school. This will help to ensure that your child will have enough energy throughout the day to learn and have fun.
Help > I am encouraging students to become independent, life-long learners. If your child needs help with an assignment (after instructions have been given) they are to "Ask 3 and then Me" more simply put, your child is to ask three classmates for help first and if no one is able to assist, then they are to raise their hand and I will get to them as soon as I can. :)
Homework >Students will be asked to read for 15 mins. each day and to practice their multiplication tables (0 to 12x) on a regular basis (more information to follow). Ample time will be given to complete assignments in class and we will work very diligently at school. Sometimes assignments will come home if it needs to be completed for assessment purposes.
Planners > Students will be given time to fill out their planners on a daily basis. It is your child’s responsibility to fill out their planner accurately. Please check and sign your child’s planner on a daily basis. The planner is a great tool to communicate between home and school.
Marking > Assignments, quizzes and tests will be marked out of a multiple of 4 resulting in a total out of 4. For example if you receive 18 out of 20 then you will receive a 4 out of 4. A 4 is Extending (Exceeds Expectations), 3 and 2.5 are Proficient (Fully Meets Grade Level Expectations), 2 is Developing (Meets Expectations Minimally for Grade Level), and 1 is Emerging (Not Yet Within Grade Level Expectations). 4=A, 3=B, 2.5=C+, 2=C, and 1=C-
Class Website > Homework, learning overviews and learning resources will be posted on the class site. The address is www.lovetoteach73.weebly.com. The school's website is https://www.surreyschools.ca/schools/whiterockelem, school notices and other school wide information will be posted at this address.
Class/School Allergy > Please refrain from sending nuts and nut products as we have students in the school and in our class with serious allergies.
What if my Child is Away?> A“While You Are Away Folder” will be placed on your child’s desk and handouts will be put in it throughout the day. Feel free to stop by after the last bell to collect your child’s homework or your child may catch up on missed assignments upon their return.
Contact Information> I look forward to getting to know you and your child this year. Please contact me if you have any comments, questions or concerns. You can do this by writing a note in your child's planner or phoning me at the school 604-531-5731 ext. 2233. I will get back to you as soon as I am able to.
Sincerely,
Ms. M. Smith