Mrs. Melissa
Follin
Fourth Grade
Kemps Landing/Old Donation School
Twitter: @Follin4Fourth
Facebook Page: Mrs. Follin’s Fourth Grade
Website: Follin4Fourth.blogspot.com
Schools Phone: (757) 648-3240
Welcome!
I hope
this letter finds you well-rested from a great summer vacation!
Next week begins a brand new school year for all of us,
and I’d like to extend a warm welcome to all of my students. As always, the
start of a school year holds the promise of new discovery and learning, as well
as the prospect of personal growth in all areas. My purpose in writing is to provide you with some general
information about our upcoming year together.
Gifted Curriculum
As a
magnet school for gifted students, our curriculum is catered to the
instructional needs as well as the socio-emotional needs of gifted students.
While we still adhere to the Virginia Beach Objectives for 4th grade
instruction, we also address the Virginia Beach Gifted Benchmarks to better
meet the needs of your child. Instruction is differentiated to ensure that each
child is being challenged and engaged in quality learning opportunities. Our
instruction is integrated and authentic in nature. We plan to give students as
many chances to apply knowledge and skills in a real world setting as possible.
This year the 4th grade team will have a STEM (Science, Technology,
Engineering, and Math) focus as well as the idea of students as “Makers”.
Schedule
Students are allowed into the building at 8:15am. The school day
officially begins at 8:25am.
PE 10:35-11:20am Daily
Art 8:45-9:30am Fridays
Music 1:55-2:40 Tuesdays
Lunch 12:15-12:45pm
Technology
Virginia
Beach Schools has a BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) Policy which is available
online and will be distributed with beginning of the year paperwork. Students
are allowed (but NOT required) to bring a device (iPad, iPod, Kindle, Nook,
Laptop, Tablet, Smart phone, etc.) to use in the classroom. We will allow
students to read eBooks during independent reading time.
Students
will be using their own SharePoint account this school year which can be
accessed from any school computer and from home. Students can use this to store
work they are completing electronically.
Each
student will setup an Edmodo account within the first week of school. This is a
safe, secure way for our class to discuss and communicate. We will use this
program regularly and discussion posts will be a part of homework. Specific
rules and expectations will be sent home during the first two weeks of school.
Homework Policy/Planners/Homework Folders
Homework
will be assigned on a weekly basis. Students will be expected to read nightly
and participate in Edmodo discussions weekly. Other assignments will be given
on a weekly basis and will be due on Fridays. By assigning homework on a weekly
basis it allows for students to develop time management skills to ensure that
the tasks are completed in the time allotted. Additional practice may be
assigned to help a student master skills being learned in the classroom on an
as needed basis. If work is not completed in class in a timely fashion it may
be sent home to be completed but will typically include a note to explain the
expectation.
Standards Based Grading
Virginia Beach
Schools began moving towards Standards Based Grading district-wide last year in
Grade 3. This will expand to 4th grade this year. Standards based
grading allows for me to provide more specific feedback about your child’s
performance. Students will no longer receive letter grades but instead they
will receive proficiency ratings- AP (Advanced Proficient), P (Proficient), DP
(Developing Proficiency), or N (Novice). Grades will be updated weekly and are
available to view in the Parent Portal via the school website. Progress reports
will be sent electronically half way through the quarter. Report cards will be
printed and distributed at the end of each quarter.
Behavior Management
During
the first few days of school we will be working as a class to develop a set of
rules to guide us through the school year. Once these rules have been developed
and agreed upon, I will be sending a copy home for parents to review.
Water Consumption
I permit my students to bring a water bottle to school to
keep on their desks during the day and to use at recess. Plain water is the
only beverage permitted, and the bottle must have a secure lid. Water bottles
should be taken home regularly to be cleaned.
Lunch Money
Students must
either purchase a lunch from the cafeteria or bring a lunch from home. Our school has a computerized system that
effectively keeps track of all money paid into each child's account. Parents
can either send in a check/cash with the child or pay online. The cost of
school lunch is $2.50 (40 cents for reduced) so a week of meals will cost $12.50
(full price) or $2.00 (reduced price). The cost of school breakfast is $1.15 (30
cents for reduced). Students have the option to buy a la carte items (they
range from $0.50-$1.50). All lunch money should be turned in the morning by the
student to be taken to the cafeteria. If you need to apply for free or reduced
lunch, please see the school office.
Birthdays/Parties/Holidays
We
will have two parties during the year- a winter holiday party and an end of
year party. Our classroom parent will help organize these events. At other
holidays we may have a fun snack or a craft but it will be curriculum based. Birthdays
are a big part of every child’s life- if you wish to bring/send a special treat
for your child’s birthday, please do so during our lunch time (you may also
send in the snack in the morning for us to take to lunch with us). If you are
sending in birthday party invitations they must be done for all (all boys or
all girls is okay as well). Please keep in mind the PTA does compile a PTA
parent directory that can be used for contact outside of school.
Parent
Communication
I believe that strong relationships between teachers, parents, and
students lead to the most successful educational environment. The fastest way
to get in touch with me is by e-mail, Melissa.follin@vbschools.com. If you do
not have Internet Access, I am available by phone at school (757-648-3240) from
8:00 until around 4:30. Please understand that during the school day
(8:25-3:30) instruction is my greatest priority- so I may not be able to respond
until afterschool. Please also feel free to set up a conference at your
convenience to discuss your child’s progress.
To
help with communication about student work, your child will bring home a
Take-Home Folder with work from the previous week each Thursday. Please keep the contents and return the
folder on Friday. There will be a sheet to sign in the take-home folder for
parents to sign after reviewing the work. Any unsatisfactory work will come
home to be signed in your child’s binder. Any important information throughout
the week will come home in your child’s binder.
I am
looking forward to a fantastic school year! Please feel free to contact me with
any questions!
Sincerely,
Melissa Follin
