WELCOME TO FOURTH GRADE!

Teacher: Shandalea Abdul-Hadi

Email address: sabdulhadi@bostonpublicschools.org
Cell: 617-504-0514
School Office: 617-635-8099

FOURTH GRADE CLASSROOM PROCEDURES

ARRIVING IN THE CLASSROOM:

Try to arrive at 8:15: You may go to breakfast (it’s free for all students) or come straight to the
classroom to do morning work. Please be on time! Mornings are an important time to get set up for the
day. Class starts promptly at 8:30.

Enter the classroom: Come in and hang up your coats and bags in the closet. Place your folder in the
basket and your homework in the basket. Any notes for the office or me should be placed in the black
tray. Go right to your seat and begin your morning work. This is a quiet work time.

Attendance: Strong attendance is essential to school achievement. Please make plans to be sure you are
in school on time every day.
● Learning starts at 8:30. You must be in the classroom to be considered on time. If you are late,
please go to the office for a late pass.
● If you are absent, please check the missed work when you return. You are responsible for making
up the work by the end of the week (or Monday the following week if you are absent on Friday).
● Absences are excused per BPS policy as stated in the handbook. It is extremely important to be in
school every day to avoid missing important learning. If there are issues affecting attendance,
please let me know.

IN THE CLASSROOM:

Expectations: We are all in school to learn. Our learning depends on each student doing his or her best
work each day and actively taking part in all school activities. As a learning community we will outline
Class Agreements to support the learning time. Each student is responsible for following these
agreements at all times to ensure that our classroom is safe, respectful, responsible, and rigorous.

Speaking in class: In order for us to maintain a productive workspace, we need an environment that
supports learning and work. Please observe these guidelines to ensure that our classroom is quiet and
productive.
● Participating: All students should participate in every lesson. This means raising your hand to ask
and answer questions and actively listening to all members of the classroom or showing non-
verbally that you are listening and thinking.
 ● Asking questions: Before you ask a question, think about whether you can answer it yourself. Try
to solve problems independently. Ask a classmate quietly if you still cannot find the answer. If
you have a question for the teacher or the whole class, stay where you are and raise your hand.
● Partner/small group work: Speak quietly and respectfully and listen to others in your group. Take
turns and observe our group work agreements.
● Quiet work time: Speak to others about work in a quiet voice that only those close to you can
hear.
● Silent work: This is a time to focus on your independent learning. Please save questions or
comments for later.

Try your best: We will be working hard to learn new and challenging material. You will do many things
well, and you will make mistakes. We ALL make mistakes when we are learning. Thoughtful mistakes
are appreciated and one of our best learning tools. Please come ready to try and if you make a mistake, try
and try again.

Solving problems with others: We will be using our weekly Peace Circle time to decide how we will
work together and solve problems. You are expected to work with others and solve problems responsibly
and respectfully. You may always come to me or another adult at school to ask for help solving problems
with others. If you see someone doing something that is Dangerous or Destructive (Double D), please tell
an adult right away. Families should contact me right away if their child reports Double D behavior at
home.

I encourage fourth graders to take responsibility for seeking help in school. If you are having trouble with
class work or homework, please come to see me and ask for help. Families, please encourage your child
to try to ask for help independently. You may always contact me if you feel the problem has not been
resolved.

Leaving the room: You must have a pass to leave the room for any reason. You may not ask to leave
during a lesson unless it is an emergency. If you need to use the bathroom, please choose a responsible
time (between lessons) and check with an adult before you go.

Dismissal: Students will be dismissed at 3:10 pm. Walkers must shake a teacher’s hand before they leave
the playground. Please send a note or call the office if there are any changes to your child’s regular
dismissal plans. If there is a last minute change, please try to call the office before noon. Unless we
have permission from a parent, we will follow the dismissal plan.

Visiting the classroom: Families are welcome to visit our classroom with advance notice. If you would
like to volunteer, let me know. If you would like to observe, please contact me to arrange a time. If you
have a special interest or skill that you would like to share, please let me know. We are always grateful
for the knowledge families bring to our class.

Birthdays: If your child would like to celebrate his or her birthday in school, please check with me in
advance to arrange a time. If you send food, please check with me about allergies before sending.
ASSIGNMENTS:

Homework: Homework is assigned daily, Monday through Thursday. It is due the following day. If you
have unfinished or unacceptable work, you will need to complete it over the weekend and return it on
Monday. If you have a question about the homework, you may ask a friend; call, email, or text me; or
come to see me in the morning to request help. Please refer to our homework expectations sheet for
details. Adults should check students’ home connections sheet weekly.

Homework is the responsibility of the student. Families, please encourage your child to work with me to
solve any problems they are having with homework. Please provide space and time to complete
homework, but do not feel the need to take on responsibility for quality or completion.

Reading at home: You are expected to read every day at home. You should have a Reading Log on the
Home Connections sheet in your folder at all times where you will record your reading. These are due on
Fridays, but may be checked randomly, so be sure they are complete.

Class work: You are expected to complete all class work during our work time. If you have questions,
you may ask classmates and then a teacher. You should always do your best work: write neatly, include
your name and the date, and complete all work.

Projects: We will be engaging in research and writing projects this year. Most of the work will be done in
class and we expect students to complete these projects themselves with the support of their classroom
partners and groups. I will notify families of any work that is to be completed at home.

We will be using the Boston Public Library and the school library for research. Please be sure to complete
the library permission form that was sent home so that your child has a library card.

Home Computer Access: As students enter upper elementary grades computer access at home is very
important. Students are expected to practice necessary skills online as well as conduct research and type
and complete written assignments and projects. There are many low or no cost ways for students to get
computers and internet at home. Please reach out if you would like more information about these
programs.