Dear 4A Families,
We made it! The last week of school and the last newsletter of the year. I am always a little sad writing this letter as I say good-bye to my students and their families. It has been a wonderful year with such a creative, enthusiastic and talented group of students. The students have done an amazing job adjusting to distance learning this trimester and they have truly produced some excellent work under less than desirable circumstances. Thank you all for your sacrifices and support during this time. I have so appreciated the kind support of all the 4A families and I will truly miss, and always remember this very special class.
Report cards will be sent to you by mail next week. Along with the report card you will also be receiving information about math placement for 5th grade. There will also be information about the summer math and reading programs.
Portfolios: On Thursday or Friday when you come to drop off and pick up supplies you will receive a bag with contents of your child’s desk and their comfort kits. You will also receive a portfolio containing some special projects of the year. This portfolio is a nice compilation of the wonderful work the students produced during their 4th grade year. Please note, there will be a small cellophane wrapped gift for the students in the bag. Please be on the lookout for this little bag.
Summer packets: If you have requested paper copies of the summer math and reading packets they will be placed inside your child’s portfolio in a construction paper folder labeled ” Summer Work.” Be sure to take out the packets and put them in a safe place.- if you have opted not to receive paper packets you will be able to access the math and reading packets in PDF form both on Google Classroom and on the 4A Webpage.
- I know this is probably not the time when anyone wants to think about more school work, but I do want to take this moment to reinforce the importance of regular reading and math review over the summer. Research is clear that students lose a significant amount of growth during the summer months if they do not include regular reading and math into their summer plans. As mentioned, it is more about quality and quantity—short but highly focused reviews a few times a week make a real difference and reduce the “summer slide.”
- Beginning this week in the top tabs of the 4A webpage you will find newly added “Summer Math”, “Summer Reading” and “Summer Writing” tabs. In each section you will find links to great websites, resources and ideas to help with summer review. . The links on the right side of the webpage that the students have used all year will remain as well. If you are looking for some fun summer work ideas, be sure to check out these tabs.
Those students that can bring in evidence of their summer work in math (worksheets, website online program results, or completed workbooks) should stop by my classroom the first week of school for some fun little prizes/goodies to reward a job well done. Added bonus for me–I get to see my “old” students!.
Zoom Meetings this week:
Monday June 8th: 9:30: Whole class Math Zoom and 1:00 whole class Zoom for Social Studies.
Tuesday (6/9): 9:30: Summer reading Zoom with Mrs. Weythman and 1:00: Whole Class Zoom (We will acknowledge missed and summer birthdays)
Wednesday (6/10): 10:00: Seattle Public Library Summer Reading Zoom (see information below) and 1:00 End of Year Slideshow. Students are encouraged to bring a treat to eat (maybe bake something themselves in lieu of our bake sale). Wednesday is also Wacky Hair / Facemask /”Masq”erade ball theme day. Students can wear masks–costume type or covid type to our 1:00 Zoom. No masks for the Summer Reading Zoom please.
*Seattle Public Library’s 2020 Summer Reading Program:
Join Mrs. Weythman and Ms. Sumida, the Children’s Librarian for the West Seattle Branch of the Seattle Public Library, on Wednesday, June 10th at 10am for an optional Zoom presentation of this year’s SPL’s Summer Reading Program. Ms. Sumida will explain how this challenge will look remotely and when libraries reopen. She is a wonderful resource and encouragement for summer reading and resources, so don’t miss out on this chance to meet with her. See you there!
Math: Students will work out of their Math Review Packet this week. Please use the PDF on Google Classroom for which pages to complete, and when to post on Seesaw.
Language Arts this week: Letters to Next Year’s Teacher!
This week, students will write letters to next year’s teacher. I went over this assignment last Thursday during our Zoom meeting and will review it with them again on Monday. These letters will have 4 paragraphs, and the specific directions can be found on the PDF. These letters should be turned into Seesaw no later than Wednesday, June 10th, and the hard copy of the letter should be dropped off during the pick up/drop off days at school. We would love it the students could attach a recent photo to the letter. Thank you!
Friday June 12th: Please join us online for the End of the Year Mass at 9:30.
Field Day Fun! Mrs. Southerland created this video from the videos and pictures she received. Enjoy.
Student Materials Drop Off And Pick Up
On Thursday, June 11th and Friday, June 12th, we will be collecting school materials that the students have taken home and giving out their personal items. This will be an involved process as parents and students are not able to come into the school at this time. To assist everyone in social distancing, a staff member will come to your car to collect textbooks, electronics, CYO uniforms and anything else your child’s teacher has requested. You will then be given a bag with any items that your child had left in the building. Below, you will find your assigned time listed by the first two letters of your last name. We ask that you arrive during your 30 minute window and park in front of the school. Please have your child’s school items in a bag labeled with their name. If you have more than one child, please put their items in separate bags labeled with each of their names. You will receive more detailed instructions from your child’s homeroom teacher. Thank you for your patience during this process.
4th Grade Students please return the following items to school:
- iPad (Please carefully clean the device.). Students should remove all photos they have taken.
- iPad charger
- Recorder book (Keep recorder at home)
- Hardcover Blue reading anthology (“Journeys Common Core” book)
- Paperback Blue Religion Text Book (“Alive in Christ”)
- From the Mixed Up Files of Mrs. Basil E Frankweiler
- Any classroom library books or school library books
- Letter to next year’s teacher (please place in a folder of some type to keep it neat)
- Any optional letters you have written to residents of Mt. St. Vincent nursing home.
Note: You will receive a portfolio with student work from the first ⅔ of the year. You can add any of your child’s work from remote learning to the portfolio or discard it.
Thursday, June 11th |
Friday, June 12th |
|||
| 9:00a | AD-AR | 10:30a | MC-MI | |
| 9:30a | AS-BA | 11:00a | MO-MU | |
| 10:00a | BE-BO | 11:30a | N-O | |
| 10:30a | BR-CA | 12:00p | PA-PE | |
| 11:00a | CH-CO | 12:30p | PH-Q | |
| 11:30a | CR-DE | 1:00p | RA-RO | |
| 12:00p | DO-EL | 1:30p | RU-SI | |
| 12:30p | EN-FR | 2:00p | SK-SO | |
| 1:00p | GA-GU | 2:30p | SP-SZ | |
| 1:30p | HA | 3:00p | TA-TU | |
| 2:00p | HE | 3:30p | U-WE | |
| 2:30p | HO-JA | 4:00p | WH-Z | |
| 3:00p | JO-KA | |||
| 3:30p | KE-KL | |||
| 4:00p | KN-KU | |||
| 4:30p | LA-MA |
That is about all for this last newsletter. Again, I want to thank you all for a wonderful year. I hope you all have a fun and relaxing summer. I am looking forward to heading out to Montana near the end of June. I love to get letters in Montana (and it is a great way for students to practice those writing skills). If I get a letter I will return a postcard from Montana in return! My summer address will be posted in Google Classroom.
Blessings for a happy, safe, relaxing and rejuvenating summer break.
Sincerely,
Mary Simpson
