Dear Parents,

Now that our long week of testing is over, students, teachers, and parents alike can breathe a sigh of relief. Of course, we are all looking forward to summer, and it seems closer than ever after state testing is finished. However, there is still plenty for students to learn, and we will keep teaching them until the end of the very last day.

Actually, fourth grade is still not quite done with their state tests because they still need to take the AIMS science test. The test will take place between April 11 and April 15, so not this coming school week but the next one, exact days TBA.

This week we will be returning to our usual class schedules for Monday through Thursday, but Friday will be Field Day. We will use this opportunity to build community and encourage teamwork and physical activity among our scholars. The event has an Olympic theme this year, complete with opening ceremonies, and an Olympic parade with class flags. Each class will create a flag that represents them, and two flag bearers will be chosen from each class to carry their class flag at the opening ceremonies.

The opening ceremonies will begin at 7:45am. We understand that this is a little earlier than usual, but we ask that all scholars be on campus by 7:35 in order to have our whole school together for the opening ceremonies. Students should go straight to the MPR when they arrive, not to their classrooms. If your student is chosen to be a flag bearer, they especially must arriver earlier because they will need to practice their part in the flag parade with Coach Brinson. They can meet her in the MPR at 7:35am.

Opening ceremonies end at 8:00am. Fourth graders will return to their classrooms, where they will have classes until 11:05. At 11:05 they will have an early lunch, and then they will head out to the back field for team games and activities until the end of the school day.

We are in need of parent volunteers to help run games and activities on field day! Coach Brinson is organizing the volunteers, so if you wish to volunteer you may email her at kbrinson@archwaytriviumeast.org. Thank you to all of you who have already volunteered.

Because of the emphasis on physical activity, students are not expected to come to school in official school uniforms on field day. However, they are still expected to be dressed in a manner appropriate to serious students (no tank tops, spaghetti straps, sandals). The family handbook contains information on appropriate non-uniform clothes. You all should have copies of the handbook at home. Otherwise, you can view it online at http://archwaytriviumeast.org/images/TriviumEast/2015-16/School_Info/archway%20trivium%20east%20family%20handbook%202015-2016%20final.pdf . The relevant portion of the handbook is on page 51, the Outdoor and Field Day Dress Code. Please look it up so that your student arrives at school appropriately dressed and does not need to call home for a change of clothes.

In math class this week we will be learning about equivalent fractions and simplifying fractions. We will return to the math lab for computer sessions and will also have math in the classroom. Online math homework will continue to be assigned.

Starting this week, there will be some changes to online math homework. We want to be sure all of our students are equipped with the best knowledge possible to enter fifth grade. One thing that will be a huge help to them in fifth grade is to complete the entire fourth grade online math program. At this point, the large majority of our students are set to complete the full program before the end of the year and will even have extra time to complete their walls of mastery.  However there is a small number of students who need to spend some extra time in order to complete the program. In order to support these students and help them structure their time so they are not cramming, they will be assigned some extra time doing online homework each night. In order to communicate clearly with parents about students’ homework needs, we will be using the following system:

1.       Students will be divided into two groups, a green group and a red group.

2.       Students in the green group are students who are on target to complete the online math program, assuming they continue to attend classes and complete their homework.

3.       Students in the red group are students who will need to spend some extra time in order to complete the program.

4.       If your student is in the red group, you will receive an email letting you know they are in the red group. Please respond to the email so that we can continue to communicate about your student’s needs. If you do not receive an email, your child is in the green group.

5.       Students’ agendas will contain the online homework assignment for the green group and the red group. Most days it will be 20 minutes of online homework for the green group and 30 minutes of online homework for the red group. Your student should complete the assignment that is appropriate to their group.

6.       If your child is in the red group, their consistent effort may bring them into the green group. If this happens, I will email you personally to let you know. Please continue to have your student complete the red group homework until I email you about their change to the green group.

We always want to be sure we are giving our students the best possible structure and support to succeed in all areas of school. With consistent effort, we are confident that all our students will complete the fourth grade program. If you have any questions, always feel free to contact me.

In science, we will wrap up our study of ecology and review some previously taught topics, such as magnets and electricity. This means that some of the homework and assignments will be based on past homework, so it is especially important for your students to use their science notebooks for homework.

I have one final note for you regarding “Try Again” assignments. At the end of last quarter, I mentioned that I was going to start sending “Try Again” assignments home in students’ Friday folders so that parents would know when and where to look for them. However, last week I started handing back “Try Again” assignments directly to students instead of putting them in Friday folders in order to give students as much practice as possible for their AZ Merit review. However, now that AZ Merit is over, I am going to put all “Try Again” assignments in students’ Friday folders. They can complete them and return them from there.

These are all the notes I have for you this week. If you have any questions, please feel free to email me at rwycklendt@archwaytriviumeast.org.

Sincerely,

Miss Wycklendt