Dear 4A Families,

Welcome to the new school year and to 4^th grade! It is such a privilege to be a part of the Holy Rosary school community and teach the amazing 4^th grade students! I am looking forward to getting to know each and every one of my new students and their families.

Expect to see a weekly letter each Monday. This letter will contain information about our weekly studies, upcoming events, permission slips, book orders and all you will need to know in order to keep up with the goings on in 4A. Please take time to read the newsletter each week, as it is an important form of school/home communication. I work hard to keep the 4A website updated weekly with many helpful links and resources. Beginning the week of September 12^th, newsletters will be distributed online only. I will go over the features of the website on Parent’s Night, but please feel free to check it out before then!

I look forward to meeting you all at Back to School Night this Thursday the 1^st. At this time I will discuss our academic program as well as the ins and outs of life in 4^th grade. If you are unable to attend, please let me know so that I can get the information packet to you.

Attached to the newsletter you will find a student profile sheet and an iPad user agreement. Please return the iPad user form by this Friday and the student profile no later than next Thursday, September 8^th. The profile is confidential and helps me to better know your child. I truly appreciate the time you spend on these profiles. Your insights and comments are invaluable.

This week we will be spending the majority of our time learning classroom and school expectations as well as practicing the procedures and routines that will help our school year run smoothly. The time we spend now will help to ensure our school year runs smoothly and efficiently.

The class schedule will be in the Parent’s Night packet, but there are a couple of things I wanted to share regarding our schedule:

• We do have our Opening Mass this Friday the 2^nd at 8:45 and Friday is a noon dismissal.
• Health and Fitness (P.E.) in 4A is scheduled for Mondays and Fridays this year. Students should be sure to wear appropriate shoes for P.E. class on these days.
• Tuesday is our library day, and students should have their library books back to school to return or renew each Tuesday.
• The students will meet their science teacher, Mrs. Podell, during their first science class next Tuesday the 6^th. Mrs. Podell is looking forward to meeting and working with the 4A students.

Students may bring a healthy snack to school each day. We will generally eat our snacks before or after the first recess. I ask that snack choices be healthy such as fruit, veggies, cheese, yogurt, crackers, etc. No chips or sweets please. Students are encouraged to bring a water bottle.

The magazine sale kick-off assembly will take place next Friday the 9^th, but you find a packet of information about the magazine sale in your child’s backpack. Thank you for your support of this important fundraiser.

Good communication is the key to a successful year. The filers will be handed out and organized on Tuesday. Students may use their filers from 3^rd grade or purchase a new one from the school. Tests, newsletters, and the homework will be sent home in the filers. The first tab will be labeled School/Home. Please check this section of the filer nightly and remove any papers found there. This is also where you will place any correspondence that you need to return to school. If you have any questions, concerns or insights, please do not hesitate to contact me. I check my email regularly and it is the quickest form of communication. My email address is:

msimpson@holyrosaryws.org

 I will be creating a 4A email group list so that I can send out important information throughout the school year. This list is important for quick and efficient communication between home and school. Please send me an email with the email address(es) that you would like included on our 4A list. I would like to have all emails by the end of the week if possible. Thank you!

 I am so excited to meet and get to know all! I know that we will have an amazing year together.

 Have a wonderful first week of school!