TAKE HOME FOLDER
  Items put in the take home folder should be emptied out DAILY.  Unless an item is to be signed by a parent or guardian and returned to me, it should stay at home.
 

MISCELLANEOUS
  Some other ways you can help your child stay on top of school include going over the assignment book together and cleaning out the take-home folder every day.  Another cleaning project may be to clean the backpack with your child each week.  This can keep inappropriate toys from coming to school, and may uncover any papers that should be in a folder.
 

PARENT SIGNATURE
  There may be papers I send home with your child that request your signature.  Please sign them and return them with your child as soon as possible.  This procedure is to let you know how your child is doing, and your signature lets me know you are aware of the situation.
 

STUDYING
  Studying for tests or working on projects gets a little more difficult in the fourth grade.  On top of that, a little more responsibility is put on the student as each year goes by.
 Some topics we will talk about at the beginning of the year and refer to throughout the rest of school is managing your time, preparing in advance by studying a little each night, and how to study.  Some of the things we talk about are listed below.  It is encouraged that each student use these guidelines when studying.

1.  Work in an area that has enough space and light.

2.  Have a planned time each day when you study - regardless of whether or not you have homework.  This time can also be used to review for upcoming tests.

3.  Be sure there are no distractions around.  The radio, television, and other items are not helpful when doing schoolwork.

4.  If you come to a problem or question you can't figure out, skip it, and come back to it later.

5.  After working really hard for awhile, reward yourself by taking a short break!
 

KINDERGARTEN BUDDIES
  About once a week our class will be joining Mrs. Michigan's Kindergarten class for an activity.  We will have discussed what is and is not appropriate behavior during our activities.  Our fourth grade students will work on their role modeling and their helping skills (ex: how to give verbal directions).  Appropriate behavior and role modeling is expected during activities with our Kindergarten buddies.
 

SHOULD YOU EVER NEED TO GET IN TOUCH WITH ME, feel free to contact me at school.  If I am unable to come to the phone, leave a message with the secretary, and I will get back in touch with you at my next available moment.
 

HOMEWORK
  Homework is expected to be done when it is assigned.  Homework is given to: 1) review information, 2) practice old skills, 3) practice new skills, 4) complete unfinished class work, 5) study for tests, and 6) complete long term projects such as reports.  Written homework will be collected and checked.  Parents are encouraged to look over homework and offer help when needed.  Please write notes on papers if you feel it would be helpful for me to know if your child had difficulty with an assignment.
 

QUIZZES
  Students will have some quizzes in various subjects throughout the year.  Sometimes they will know in advance of an upcoming quiz; HOWEVER, there will be some pop quizzes throughout the year.
 

TESTS
  Students are told about upcoming tests AT LEAST FOUR DAYS IN ADVANCE.  It is written on the board each day and is to be copied in the assignment book.
 

EVALUATION
  Students are graded in relation to their own capability and development based on observation, performance, conferences, and test data when available.  The following percentages give an idea of what range your child is in.
 Very Good 90-100%     Satisfactory 70-89%
  Having Difficulty 0-69%
Should a child receive a 0-69%, it reveals the need for immediateparent attention.  Percentage grades will be given on the report card for each major subject area.  They will be derived from a composite of the percentage scores given over the quarter.
 

PROFICIENCY TESTS
  Our fourth grade students will be taking the Ohio Fourth Grade Proficiency Test once again this year.  The state has required all fourth grade students to take the test at the same time.  Last year the test date was changed to the first full week of March.  You will receive at least two more notices concerning the dates between now and the end of February.  The only way a student can prepare for the test is to do their best each day at school.  If a student pays attention in class and does his/her homework, passing the fourth grade proficiency test should not be a problem.
 The test covers five areas: writing, reading, math, citizenship, and science.  Written responses are required for many of the questions, and our studies in Language class will be applied here as well.
 

STUDENT CONDUCT

 It is expected that every student will behave at school.  This is necessary for the health, safety, and academic progress of every student.  Every person at Morrison has the right to be treated courteously and with respect.  Everyone has a right to feel free from harm when they come to school.  Children who show they can not, or will not, follow the rules and/or treat other people with respect and consideration often find themselves excluded from privileges or activities.  This is especially true of activities such as field trips when safety is a primary concern and teachers need to feel assured that students will cooperate and be dependable.

 As a class we have discussed appropriate behavior and why it is important.  Students have compiled a list of guidelines they feel would be appropriate for our classroom.  These guidelines are posted in the classroom.  Morrison's rules are listed in the Parent- Student Handbook.  The fourth graders have been given a "Strike" book which outlines the teacher's expectations and possible consequences of misbehavior.  Every parent should have seen and signed a copy of the Strike book the first week of school.  Students should know and understand what is expected, and why it is expected.

 A general outline of the strike booklet is listed below.  In the beginning it discusses the items listed in the first paragraph above.  Students will begin each new grading period with a "clean slate".  If they misbehave, they might receive a strike.
 - 3 strikes a recess is missed (either by standing on the wall, sitting on a bench, or performing some sort of service project)
 - One recess is lost for every strike after the third one.
 - 6 strikes and you begin to lose special privileges, such as assemblies or extra recesses.
 - 10 strikes or more, and all recesses and special privileges are lost.

 You could get a strike:
- for disturbing others as they try to complete their work (talking, passing objects, etc.)
- for not doing or not turning in your class work or homework on time Everyone makes a mistake once in a while.  This means if it happens often or if an assignment is several days late and you still do not have it completed when asked to turn it in.
- for not walking quietly in the hallways on the way to, or back from, special classes
- for ignoring an adult who works at Morrison when they ask you to do something or warn you of misbehavior
- any time you purposefully hurt another person physically or verbally
- for damaging things which belong to another student
- for damaging property at Morrison
- any time you do not keep your hands, feet, or other objects to yourself
- for inappropriate or obscene language or gestures
- any time you get into trouble on the bus, playground, hallways, or lunchroom
- for inappropriate behavior in Special Classes
 Some behaviors are not covered in the above list.  It is impossible to list all the possibilities here.  The list is provided to give you something to think about and remind you of how you are expected to behave.
 It is easy to avoid getting strikes.  All you have to do is use a little bit of self-discipline and try to do what you're supposed to do, when you're supposed to do it.