Welcome To

Curriculum Night!
Thank you for coming tonight. I know how busy the beginning
of a new school year can be, so I really appreciate you taking
the time to come and learn more about your hawk’s teacher,
classroom, and what they will be learning about this year.

Find your hawk’s desk and take a look at their “Draw Your
Family” worksheet on each of the desks. They also wrote you a
note preparing you for the “awesomeness” that is Room 430.
1-517-706-4538

adam.clements@okemosk12.net

www.hiawatharoom430.weebly.com
 There is so much great technology out there that helps us do the
everyday a little easier, and every day it seems there is some new
technology that promises to fix all of our problems. Well, I can’t
promise that this will fix everything, but I do think it is a very useful
tool… it is called Remind. It is a free texting service (any standard
messaging rates still apply for all messages received) that allows me
to communicate quick reminders to you and your Room 430 hawk.
 How do I sign up

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ljdxBfjDQg4&disable_polymer=true
 How do I sign up

Just grab
your phone
and text Enter this number

@room430
to 81010 Text this message
 How do I sign up

OR grab your
smartphone Type this in a web browser

and enter
rmd.at/room430
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RwlhUcSGqgs
 Please pull
out the sheet
on your desk
that is titled
“It’s OK to be
AWESOME.”
 What does it mean to be
an AWESOME student?

Write it!
What does it mean to be
an AWESOME student?
 What does it mean to be
an AWESOME student?
• “Respectful, responsible, safe and caring.”
• “To be nice to your classmates and to make your classmates laugh.”
• “Not a bully.” Student Responses
• “Listen, focus, be responsible, do your best and do not bully.”
• “Listen carefully, be respectful, and respect the teacher.”
• “Be imaginative, show respect and don’t be chaotic.”
• “Listen to the teacher, be kind and work hard.”
• “Do your work when you are supposed to do it.”
• “Use your brain.”
• “Help others and listen to others.”
• “Protective and nice.”
• “Respectful, patient.”
• “Listens.”
• “Smart.”
• “Works hard”
• “Takes their time”
• “Being nice, talking to new people”
• “Polite”
• “Teaches others”
• “Good helper.”
• “Willing to inspire.”
• “Safe”
• “Focused”
 What does it mean to be
an AWESOME teacher?

Write it!
What does it mean to be
an AWESOME teacher?
 What does it mean to be
an AWESOME teacher?
• “Be nice.”
• “Be kind to others and make students laugh!”
• “Don’t bully. Be nice. Be happy.” Student Responses
• “They give many examples and do their job well.”
• “Be responsible and nice.”
• “They make sure that everyone is having fun at least once a day.”
• “They teach you correctly.”
• “They make class fun and enjoyable so you want to learn.”
• “Kind and not mean.”
• “Someone who makes sure kids are learning, teaches the kids correctly, and works with the students.”
• “Listens and cooperates. Is always kind and loving to the students.”
• “They are nice and smart and they let you take breaks if you need them.”
• “Protective and nice.”
• “Teaches the right things.”
• “Helps their students”
• ‘Convinces students to learn.”
• “Learns from their students.”
• “Smart and not strict”
• “Willing to inspire”
• “Serious and lets kids share ideas.”
• “Helps students achieve their goals”
• “Patient”
 What does it mean to be an
AWESOME Room 430 parent?

Write it!
 What does it mean to be an
AWESOME Room 430 parent?
 What does it mean to be an
AWESOME Room 430 parent?
• “Protective and nice.”
• “A good guardian that is funny, surprising, loving, kind, and respectful.”
• “Kind, patient, and helps with homework.” Student Responses
• “They let you know not to do things that are dangerous.”
• “They listen to your requests (if they are reasonable) and trust you.”
• “They make you on time for school. They make you do your homework.”
• “Protective and nice.”
• “Kind, gives kids time to play and learn.”
• “Help your kids with homework.”
• “Strong and generous”
• “Loyal and helpful.”
• “Takes care of you.”
• “Goes the extra mile.”
• “They hug you.”
• “Respects others”
• “Strict but not too strict”
• “They take time for me.”
• “Makes me meals and rides bikes with me.”
• “Makes you feel good.”
• “Takes me to fun places.”
• “Makes me work hard.”
• “Helps me learn.”
• “Amazing and cool.”
Please make sure
your name,
student’s name,
and e-mail
are on your paper
and turn it in!
Who is this ?
Who is this ?
I grew up in Midland, MI
(Your hawks have told me that many of you
have visited to play soccer tournaments at the
soccer complex up there.)

Had AWESOME teachers growing up

(Now with technology like facebook, it
has been incredible getting to reconnect
with them and share my experiences –
very full circle.)
4th Grade Mr. C (98-99)
Who is this ?
I attended Michigan State University
(Graduated with High Honors from the Honors
College with a degree in Elementary Education
with teaching majors in Math and Language
Arts. I also completed my Masters of Arts in
Teaching and Curriculum – MATC from MSU)

Had AWESOME time learning there

(MSU gave me many great opportunities
to learn about myself as a person and as
a teacher.)
Who is this ?
I was built for teaching.
(I have the best and most
supportive parents.)

Mom is a clinical social worker.

Dad is recently retired from

Consumers Energy and is now
full time Mr. Handyman.
Who is this ?
I was built for teaching.
(I also have the best and most
supportive older brothers.)

Nick is my on-call tech support.

Chris reminds me to smile.

 My Experiences

2011 - 2012 Summer 2012 2012 - 2013

Cumberland Elementary (Lansing) Turfhall Primary (Cape town SA) Attwood Elementary (Lansing)
3rd Grade 3rd Grade 5th Grade
 My Experiences

2013 - 2014 2014 - 2015 2015 - 2016

Hiawatha Elementary (Okemos) Hiawatha Elementary (Okemos) Hiawatha Elementary (Okemos)
4th Grade 4th Grade 4th Grade
 My Experiences

2016 - 2017 2017 - 2018 2018 - 2019

Hiawatha Elementary (Okemos) Hiawatha Elementary (Okemos) Hiawatha Elementary (Okemos)
4th Grade 4th Grade 4th Grade
Who is this Mr. Petritsch?

I grew up in New Jersey, with two sisters

and a younger brother. I also grew up
around many cousins, aunts, uncles and
grandparents. I learned a lot about love,
patience and diligence from them!
Who is this Mr. Petritsch?
I am also a Spartan like Mr. C! I
recently graduated this past May with
a Bachelor’s in Elementary Education
and I am interning here at Hiawatha!
To finalize my teaching
certification, I will be spending this
next school year student teaching in
Room 430!
It has been great learning about
teaching over the past several years
and I am so excited to learn so much
more as I work with your hawks this
year!
MSU Intern Calendar
• The MSU intern program has me go through
several different stages of learning...
1. Now through Most of October: This will focus
on me getting to know the students,
classroom and curriculum.
2. End of October through end of Nov: We will
do Co-Teaching. Mr. C. and I will plan and
teach units of Language Arts and Math.
3. Mid Feb thru end of March: I will be Lead
Teaching. With Mr. C. guiding me, I will be the
lead teacher during this time.
Let me know if you have any questions about what else an MSU
intern does!
 The 4th Grade Dream Team

Adam Clements Stephanie Coontz Robb Shubel Erika Parsons

706-4538 706-4535 706-4530 706-4522
adam.clements@okemosk12.net stephanie.coontz@okemosk12.net robb.shubel@okemosk12.net erkia.parsons.okemosk12.net
The 4th Grade Dream Team
MSU INTERNS

Mark Petritsch Xuejia Lai

706-4538 706-4530
mark.petritsch@okemosk12.net robb.shubel@okemosk12.net
 Room 430 Subjects
(Reading Strategies) (Spelling / Vocab) (Math)

EXPLORERS
(Writing) (Science) (Social Studies)
taught by Mrs. Coontz taught by Mr. C
Daily Schedule
School starts at 8:50.
Students are marked
tardy at 9:00 and
should check in at the
office before coming
down to Room 430.
 A creative or academic review
activity to get their brain moving.

This is a zero voice work time.

These are not homework if

unfinished. (Usually…)
 Community Builder
Lift-Ups
Good News and
Announcements
Moments of Restitution
Daily Schedule
SNACK: Students may bring a healthy morning snack
with them to eat anytime during the morning.

Healthy Not Healthy

 (Math)
• Curriculum: Math Expressions
• Expect one sheet of homework (usually
7-10 problems) almost every night.
As of right now, the back side called
“Remembering” is optional.
• Math Expressions was a new curriculum
to Okemos last year. Your continued
feed back this year will be vital to it’s
success. What is working? What do you
like? What would be a helpful change?
 (Math)
• Incorporating more explicit academic
differentiation is a big goal for me this
year. I actively work to incorporate it in
lessons, and hope to continue to
provide “Problem Solving Puzzle
Challenges” every month along with
differentiated online programs.

• We are working with Marsha Chance

(District GT coordinator) to help ensure
students’ needs are being met.
 Math Expressions Units
• Unit 1 = Place Value and Multidigit Addition/Subtraction
• Unit 2 = Multiplication with Whole Numbers
• Unit 3 = Division with Whole Numbers
• Unit 4 = Equations and Word Problems
• Unit 5 = Measurement
• Unit 6 = Fraction Concepts and Operations
• Unit 7 = Fractions and Decimals
• Unit 8 = Geometry
 Math Expressions Online
• Math Expressions comes with an expansive
online portal FULL of resources.

• As we move along this year, your hawk and I

will be exploring this resource together.

• In the next months, I will communicate how

to access these resources from home and
encourage using them as an option for how
to help support your hawk’s learning.
How Can YOU Help Your Hawk
• Multiplication Math Facts - More and more
accredited and peer reviewed research is
coming out that shows a strong correlation
between a strong foundation and automaticity
of math facts and greater success in math.

WAYS TO HELP:
- Flash Cards
- A Fact In the Door and a Fact Out the Door
- Multiplication iPad Games
 (Science)
with Mrs. Coontz
Students will engage in…
• hands on activities
• lab experiences
• unit assessments

TOPICS COVERED
• Plant and Animal Structures
• Earth’s Changing Surface
• Waves and Information
• Energy
 Sponsored By

MSU Children's Garden

Dates: Sept. 30, Oct. 8, Oct. 17

 RECESS
Recess is everyday from 11:15 – 11:45

Hiawatha is now using two school wide

community ball bins. At the end of every
recess the balls are returned to the carts.

Personal balls need to be kept in lockers.

Toys (beyblades) are permitted if used

appropriately and kept in locker.

Kindness. Respect. Fun.

 (Social Studies)
with Mr. C
Students will engage in…
• hands on activities
• interactive assignments
• project based learning (including technology)

TOPICS COVERED
• Earth Exploders – (Geography)
• Entrepreneurial Explorers – (Economics)
• Time Traveling Explorers – (History)
• Community Explorers – (Government)
 LUNCH
• Students eat lunch from 12:30 – 1:10
• 4th graders keep their lunch in their
lockers, and then when they are
dismissed, grab it and head to the lunch
room.
• If you arrive after 9:00, check in at the
office to make a lunch choice, otherwise
students receive a FUN lunch: whole
grain item, yogurt, and string cheese.
 LUNCH
• Pizza day is on Tuesdays.
• Choice 1 = Cheese
• Choice 2 = Pepperoni
• Milk is offered with each meal.
• You can add money to your child’s meal
account or check their balance online
at www.sendmoneytoschool.com
 RESET
This is how I explain it to the students.
Have you ever played a video game and all
of a sudden something goes wrong. The
screen freezes, or it gets fuzzy. So – the
best way to fix it is to reset the game and
start again. Well in learning, this can
happen too. Sometimes we get too
excited, or too frustrated, or too silly to
keep learning. So we need to reset
ourselves so that we can continue learning.
 (Writing)
• Strong emphasis on non-fiction
purposeful writing.
• Guided practice with the writing process.

TOPICS COVERED
• Opinion
• Informative
• Narratives
• Research Project
• Poetry
EXPLORATOR
with Mrs. .
WITH MRS. DEAN

Y Trygier

Specials start at 1:45

Exploratory
• new to 4th grade this year

P.E.
• shoe basket – donations welcomed

ART
• voice level and effort

Music
• 4th Grade Spring Performance (4/23)
(Reading Strategies)
• Curriculum: Reading Street
• Expect a comprehension skill/strategy,
spelling, or vocabulary review and
practice sheet once or twice a week.
• Reading Street emphasizes reading
skills/strategies, vocabulary, word
analysis, big ideas, and critical thinking.

• Title Talks will be incorporated every

other month. Chapter book reading.
 Reading Street at a Glance
Reading Street SWYK
• Every other Friday
• Assesses:
- assigned vocabulary knowledge
- word analysis (suffixes / related words)
- comprehension of a short selection

• Use Reading Street online based software to

complete assessments – faster, immediate
feedback, tracks patterns, practice for M-STEP
 Reading Street at a Glance
Skills and Strategies Main Selections
• Sequencing • Because of Winn-Dixie
• Author’s Purpose • Paul Bunyan
• Main Ideas and Details • Navajo Code Talkers
• Summarize • My Brother Martin
• Character/Setting/Plot • On the Banks of Plum
• Cause and Effect Creek
• Drawing Conclusions • Moonwalk
• Fact and Opinion • Eye of the Storm
• Inferring • Coyote School News
• Graphic Sources • The Man Who Named
• Visualize the Clouds
How Can YOU Help Your Hawk
• Reading Fluency – It doesn’t take a rocket
scientist to figure out that the best way to
become a better reader is to read more! I want
your hawk to be excited about reading – so as
long as they are reading – that works for me.

WAYS TO HELP:
- Let them choose the books (book orders)
- Create a Regular Reading Routine!
- Reading to a neighbor or a friend
(Vocab / Spelling)
• Curriculum: Reading Street
• Expect a comprehension skill/strategy,
spelling, or vocabulary review and
practice sheet once or twice a week.
• The 20 word list is given out on Monday
and the SWYK is on that Friday.
• Spelling Scramblers: Interactive ways to
study spelling words. (Optional)
Make sure you sign the bottom slip.
 Student Planner
Every student has a student planner.
At the end of the day, we review what we
learned and record that in our planner. We
also go over what homework has been
assigned and when it is due.

This is recorded on the Room 430 website.

Feel free to use this resource to combat
your child’s “nothing” response when
asked “what did you do in school today?”
COMMUNITY CLEAN-UP
Every student has a classroom job.
At the end of the day, students take a few
minutes to make sure their learning spaced
is organized, their cubby is organized, and
the room is organized.

Students fill out a job application and

jobs switch every month-ish.
COMMUNITY CLEAN-UP
Examples of jobs include…
School ends at 3:45.
Students leave for the bus
circle, sidewalks, or
carline. They should be
bringing home their
planners and homework
folder everyday!
Brain Break
Can you find…
 a chair
 a rose
 a fork
 a mouse
 clock
 a toaster
 an 8 ball
 a whistle
 Classroom
•
Economy
Students get paid bi-weekly.
• Their behavior determines their paycheck.
• They pay taxes.
• They pay rent. (second semester)
• Students can earn bonuses and get fines.
• Room 430 store is open once a month.
• Auction is four times a year.
(Room 430 is always looking for donations!
For example… old books, toys, gadgets,
stuffed animals, trinkets, odds and ends!)
Classroom
Economy
[$0 - $7] Clothespin Chart

I strongly believe in helping students not only grow

as learners but as people. Part of this development
is understanding their feelings, being able to better
examine their choices and behaviors, and reflect on
how to always improve for next time.
[$0 - $7] Clothespin Chart

Ready To Learn

$5
All students start each day with $5
hawk bucks.

It is expected that students come to

school each day with a positive
attitude and ready to learn and take
positive risks. If they can do this
consistently, their clip gets moved UP!
[$0 - $7] Clothespin Chart

Working Hard

$6
As students are working, if they are
keeping a zero during silent work
time, trying really hard on an
assignment, or showing
perseverance, focus, or a great
effort they will be asked to move
their clip UP.
[$0 - $7] Clothespin Chart

AWESOME

$7
Students will be asked to move their
clip all the way up to the top when
they show a full day’s worth of
consistent, effort and
awesomeness!
[$0 - $7] Clothespin Chart

Ready To Learn

$5
The chart resets everyday and all
students are moved back to $5.

If a student is showing a lack of

focus, effort, and/or participation,
or is simply not being respectful,
responsible, or safe, their clip may
be moved DOWN.
[$0 - $7] Clothespin Chart

First Warning

$4 The student is asked to stop and

slow down. They have just had a
misstep and only needed a simple
reminder to correct their behavior.
They can easily turn it around.
[$0 - $7] Clothespin Chart

Second Warning

$3 The student is asked to think about

the choices they are making. Are
they helping themselves or our
Room 430 family be successful?
[$0 - $7] Clothespin Chart

THINK SHEET

$2 The student needs to carefully and

deliberately reflect and introspect
about their behaviors with a bit
more focus and help. They will go
to the think sheet or in the hallway
to fill out a think sheet and we will
talk about it at recess together.
[$0 - $7] Clothespin Chart

$2
[$0 - $7] Clothespin Chart

Restitution Letter

$1
The student has had 3 chances to turn around
their behavior. They have now really affected not
only their ability to learn, their teacher’s ability to
instruct, but also their classmates learning
environment. They need to take care of the
situation and show responsibility for their
actions. They will write a letter to whomever was
affected by their actions about how they will
make it up to them.
[$0 - $7] Clothespin Chart

Office & Parent Contact

$0 The student has had a really rough day and I

need to let Mrs. Bellinger or their family at
home know about it. These people will be
able to continue to help them think about
their choices / what they can do differently.
[$0 - $7] Clothespin Chart
Paycheck Slip
The students receive a paycheck slip
every other Monday. It outlines
where they landed each day and how
much they earned for that day. It also
shows a YTD total for bonuses and
fines. If you would like your hawk to
bring these home, please have this
conversation with them. Or you can
always ask to see their latest paycheck
and I would be happy to provide you
with that important information.
 HOMEWORK
All general 4th grade homework
expectations can be found on the
yellow Homework handout.

Please read this over with your

hawk and return the second page
signed by you and your 4th grader.
HOMEWORK
Check your work and correct
your answers using a different
colored writing instrument.
Ask questions about things you
don’t understand or that are
confusing. This helps us learn!
Listen for classmates who solved
puzzles using the same method
as you or a different one.
homework check
In class, I check in the homework based on effort,
completeness, neatness, and showing their work.
During our lesson, we go over the homework
reviewing concepts, correcting wrong answers, and
discussing alternative solutions. Students are
expected to correct answers and “star” or “check”
correct ones. Students know that for any
homework, I might collect it back and grade it for
correctness. If they were following along and
making changes to their homework, they should get
100%. This seems to help keep students motivated
and focused when going over homework.
 HOMEWORK
Student completed the assignment with great
+ thoughtfulness and quality.

 Student completed most of the assignment, but

quality/completeness was lacking.

- Student showed little effort or quality in

completing the assignment.

0 Student made no effort on the assignment.

 SWYKs
In Room 430, there are no tests. 100
Exemplary
Instead, students are asked to 90 CLASS
AVERAGE
Show What YOU Know. 80 Accomplished
GOAL

Re-Do Option
Assessments do provide extremely valuable
70
data for teachers and students, but in today’s Beginning
test crazy world, even our youngest students
have begun to develop severe test anxiety. 60
Re-naming it gives an opportunity to be more  Re-DO
honest about what is being asked of them.
0
 SWYKs
100 Student has mastered the content with outstanding
Exemplary ability showing a complete understanding of material.
90
Student has shown a solid understanding of the content
80 Accomplished meeting the expected ability level for fourth grade.

70 Student has shown some understanding of the content

Beginning but is still at an initial stage in learning the material.
60
Student has not understood the content or material.
 Re-DO After more direct instruction and practice, the student
will re-take the assessment to measure new growth.
0
Student Portfolios
Understanding ourselves as learners is
very important. Reflecting on our goals
and our learning helps us to understand
our thinking better and can help lead to
greater success in the future.

During the year we will use our portfolios

to track our learning, set goals, reflect on
our growth, and demonstrate our success.
Student Portfolios
If at any time you would like to check in
with your hawk about their learning, this
is a great thing to look at together.

At the end of the year, it is very easy for

students to simply take home their binder
instead of having to take out all the pages.
If you would like to purchase a 1 inch
binder and send it in with your hawk, that
would be a great option!
 FIELD TRIPS
The fourth grade teachers are asking for
a $30 donation from each child to go toward field
trip expenses and a few special supplies used for
projects throughout the course of the year. In
addition, bussing is a big part of every field trip
expense and due to capacity restrictions, we must
take two busses on every trip.

• MSU Seeds of Science (THANK YOU OEF)

• OHS marching band trip (THANK YOU Music Patrons)
• OHS Orchestra concert (THANK YOU Music Patrons)
• Michigan Historical Museum
• Encampment at Lake Lansing
• The State Capitol / Hall of Justice
Our Room 430 Family
As a way to help build community in
Room 430 family, I encourage students to
bring in a photo of their family.

This helps showcase diversity and builds

empathy as we can learn to celebrate
and appreciate our differences. It also
helps empower students with ownership
of their classroom space.

If you are willing to share a photo of your

family, just have your hawk bring it in,
and I can make a copy of it and return it.
 HOW DO I SIGN UP?
1. In a web browser, go to:
https://app.seesaw.me/s/957-809-594

2. Choose your hawk’s name from the list.

3. Create your account (IMPORTANT – Please

use YOUR name, not your hawk’s name.)

4. Once you’re approved by Mr. C., you’ll get

instant access to your hawk’s learning!
 Student Activity Calendars
This activity calendar is to let me know about all the
cool things your hawk does outside of school. For
example, sporting events, dance recitals,
performances, concerts, or award ceremonies.

I would love to come see them do the things that

they love to do, so have them put a star next to any
public events that they would like me to attend.

Sometimes my schedule gets busy so I can’t make

any promises - but I will definitely try my best to
come and support them. Please use the back to
include extra details like addresses or special
directions to help me out. Thanks!
 Encouraging reading is one of the most important
things we can do to help your hawk succeed. It can be
tough finding the right books to keep them interested,
which is why I am so excited that our class will be
participating in Scholastic Book Club this year.

Orders are DUE… Friday, September 13th

REGISTER at scholastic.com/bookclubs
ENTER the Class Activation Code - MLFQY
CHOOSE from thousands of print titles, value packs,
and Storia eBooks
SUBMIT the order to me by the due date.
EARN FREE Books for our classroom too!
 I want to bring in a special treat for
my child’s birthday. Is this okay?
When should I do this and what is
an okay snack to bring in?

Birthday treats are a great way to celebrate your hawk turning 9 or

10. Room 430 loves to celebrate birthdays. If you would like to
provide a treat for your hawk and his or her classmates, contact me
two or three days before just to double check any details. Snacks
can be delivered anytime during the day but 2:00 PM is perfect
because that is when students are at specials. In the morning before
school is perfectly fine too. Please make sure it is easily served. (No
cutting or prep necessary.) Some great ideas are cookies, cupcakes,
doughnuts, etc. NO PEANUTS or NUTS please! Room 430 has many
nut allergies this year and we want to make sure everyone stays safe
and feels included.
This year there are 28 students + 2 teachers = 30 treats.
 I want to bring in a special treat for
my child’s birthday. Is this okay?
When should I do this and what is
an okay snack to bring in?

Please see the

calendar in
your packet
for what day
we will be
celebrating
your hawk’s
birthday in
Room 430!
 I want to make sure my hawk has
their art shirt on art days and gym
shoes on P.E. days? When will my 4th
grader have which special?

For your convenience, an ABCD

rotation special has been
provided in your packet.

Remember, this year 4th grade

has 4 different specials…
• Exploratory with Mrs. Trygier
• P.E. with Mrs. Dean
• Art with Mr. Staib
• Music with Mrs. Reed.
 This is a really cool room! I want to
be a student in Room 430! Can I
come volunteer everyday?!

That is kind of you. I have spent a lot of time making sure Room 430 is an
inviting, comfortable, and organized learning space.
YES! For the past few years, I have used amazing Room 430 voluenteers
to help support and run something called “Learning Check-Ins.” The idea
is to have volunteers come in during 20 minute flex periods (beginning of
day / at the end of day) and work with students who could benefit from
additional one on one time with a learning coach! It is always a huge
success thanks to the numerous volunteers who are able/willing to help.
To volunteer, along with signing up for exploratory learning trips (aka:
field trips) and/or to help with the Halloween, Winter, and Valentine’s
Day Celebrations, go to hiawatharoom430.weebly.com/volunteer
 I’m looking forward to talking with
you later in the year about how my
child is doing in your class. Will I
have an opportunity to do that?

Absolutely! Aside from continually updating you on your hawks

progress by communicating through newsletters, e-mails, remind,
and visiting after school – fall parent-teacher conferences will be on
November 5th, 6th, and 7th. We will be able to talk about your
student’s progress in their mathematical abilities, reading
comprehension, and student skills like organization, and
responsibility. Also, the spring conferences are student led.
Please know that if you ever have any questions, comments,
concerns, or compliments about your child’s learning and progress –
my door is always open. Unless it’s 8:00 PM – in which case I hope I
am out of here by then!
 We are going to be taking a long
vacation overseas this year and my
child is going to miss a week of
school. What do we need to do?

First, make sure the office is aware and that they know this is a week
of excused absences.
Second, come see me about a week before you plan on leaving. (The
more reminders ahead of time the better!) I will gather all of the
homework and lessons that your child will be missing and put them in
a folder. He or she should TRY to do as much of it as they can – and be
ready to turn most of it in when they get back. If there are one or two
concepts that are confusing and they can’t quite seem to figure them
out – that is okay and I will help them when they get back.
Lastly, if you are able, keep checking the website while you are gone to
make sure you are away of any important reminders or updates.
 What does a week of 4th grade
homework look like?

Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday

Puzzling HW Puzzling HW Puzzling HW Puzzling HW

RS Review RS Review RS SWYK

or
Spelling Spelling SWYK
Scrambler
(optional)

20 min DEAR 20 min DEAR 20 min DEAR 20 min DEAR 20 min DEAR
 My child keeps bringing
home a student planner. Can you
explain that again. What are they
supposed to be doing with it?

This year your hawk was given a brand new 2019-2020 school
year planner. We have built in a time during the end of our day
to fill out our planner and we will be writing all the homework
assignments that are due in it so they can remember what they
need to do when they get home.
If they forget or need more details, be sure to check out the
Room 430 website and click on “Daily Planner.”
Your hawk should be bringing their planner to and from school
everyday! If they don’t have it – it could end up being a fine.
This helps to improve their responsibility skills.
 Some nights we get really busy!
What happens if my child doesn’t
finish their homework?

Believe me – I understand just how busy life can get! Missing a

homework assignment is not the end of the world or your hawks 4th
grade career. If they forgot it on the counter, or didn’t have time to
do it – I ask that you just send me a quick note/e-mail to let me
know and that they bring it in the next day.
As an incentive to help build their responsibility skills, Room 430 has
a Homework Club. If a student is able to turn in all their homework
on-time they stay in the Homework Club. If at the end of the month
they are still in the Homework Club – they earn $50 hawk bucks!
Everyone is welcomed back in to the Homework Club at the
beginning of each new month.
 My child loves to read. Will they
get to bring books home?

Absolutely! Hiawatha has an incredible library full of picture books,

chapter books, fiction and non-fiction, magazines, and so much more.

Room 430 visits the library on MONDAYS from 10:30-11:00 in the

afternoon. This means that students get to pick out a book early in
the week. This also means that they need to remember to bring it
back after a weekend. On Monday morning our classroom librarian
brings down the library cart and students need to put their book on
the cart to return or renew. Forgetting to do so, could result in a fine.
This is a great opportunity for your hawk to practice responsibility.
 I’ve heard that 4th graders do
Encampment? What is that?

Encampment is an awesome experience that your hawk will

remember forever! We go to Encampment at Lake Lansing in May.
Students will travel back in time to meet an American Indian, a
Metis, and a Voyageur as they experience what it was like to live in
Michigan in the early years of its history.

We count heavily on our parent volunteers to help make

Encampment a success – so watch your e-mails as it gets closer.
 When are the 2-hour
early release PLC days?

2019-2020 Early Release Days:

•
8

September 18
• October 16
• November 20
• December 11
• January 29
• February 26
• March 25
• April 22 School gets out at 1:50 on Early Release days.
• May 20 Child Care is available. Contact the office.
 Can you show us the Room 430
website you mentioned?

Sure!
http://hiawatharoom430.weebly.com
 I know that my hawk has an Okemos
google account that they use at
school, but are they able to access
that at home on our computer?

Yes! Being able to access your

hawk’s google account from home
can be really helpful. They can
continue working on projects that
they have started in school or even
access their assignments and
grades. Remember, any changes
they make will save automatically
and will then sync to their google
drive at school.
E-Mail ME!
adam.clements@okemosk12.net
on the back table
Pencils
Sticky Notes

Pencils

Mints
One Last Assignment…
When you came in
tonight, there was a
sticky note on your
hawk’s desk. Before you
go, take a minute to
write your hawk a note!
If you notice that a student’s family was unable to come
tonight, please also consider writing them a note!
THANK YOU!