Week of September 26th, 2016

Chorus has begun!

If your student signed up to participate in chorus this year, they have started going to classes on Tuesday afternoons.  Please bookmark the chorus website so that you can access all of the information about upcoming performances and events.

Nora Hunter's Chorus Website

Scholastic Book Orders

Scholastic book orders are a great way to access new and exciting books for your child! In addition, every book ordered contributes bonus points to our classroom. I use those points to order new books for our class!

This year, I will be sending home catalogs for Scholastic book orders about once a month. You can look for the catalogs in your child's Wednesday folder.  Alternatively, if you would like to search the catalog online, go to this link: https://clubs.scholastic.com. Our class code is M6PB9. You can order online any time. I will place orders at the end of each month and books will arrive soon after! The September orders will arrive later this week.  Thanks to those of you who ordered!

New Car Line Sign Up

Our car line responsibilities are coming up soon!  Please visit the recently updated car line sign up.  It has been changed to include daily slots. Thank you so much to those of you who have already signed up.

Click this link to check what you've signed up for or volunteer a day or two:
  http://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c0548a5ae28a20-edna

deYoung Museum Field Trip

We will be going to the deYoung Museum on Friday, October 28th to participate in their Get Smart with Art program.  At the museum, students will view several art pieces to explore and better understand the multiple layers of cultural heritage that comprise the story of California. The pieces shown will be from the mid–to–late nineteenth century and will address the growth of Euro–American settlements in the California region, technological advancements such as the Transcontinental Railroad, and the great wealth produced by western mining operations. Through the study of this art, the diverse Native American cultures of California and how these cultures survived and adapted to the rapid environmental and cultural changes resulting from European expansion will also be addressed.  In the art studio at the museum, students will participate in an art activity that allows them to explore key artistic concepts through a range of materials that connect to the artwork they will have seen in the galleries. 

Thank you to those of you who have signed up to drive on this trip! We will have a wonderful day together.

Steeplechase

The Steeplechase will be on Friday, October 7th! Please plan to join us for the pep rally on the same day at 12:30pm.  The grades will all run after the pep rally. Please see the schedule below. I hope that you will be able to join us for the fun! 

12:30-12:55 All School Assembly in MPR
1:00-1:20 TK and K run
1:25-1:45 1st and 2nd run
1:50-2:15 3rd and 4th run
2:20-2:45 5th grade run

Walk Through California

On October 13th, we will participate in a Walk Through California presentation.  This is a fun, informational history presentation all about California! This week, your child should be planning their costume for the event.  Costumes can be as simple or elaborate as your child would like! If you're looking for ideas, please visit this website: http://californiaweekly.com/studentsparents/walk-through-california-4/costume-ideas-2/

The presentation is open to parents and I would love to have you join us! We will be in the MPR from 12:30-3:00pm. I hope to see you there!

Sutter's Fort 2017

We have set the date for our Sutter's Fort field trip! It will be June 12th, the last Monday of the school year. Please put this date in your calendar now!

I am hoping to have many of you along on the trip with us.   Parent volunteers will be required to attend a Saturday training.  We know it's a lot to ask and are so grateful for those who agree to help out on the big day.  If you are planning to volunteer at the fort, please mark April 22nd in your calendar now and plan to be at a Sutter's Fort training on that day. More information will be coming soon!  Thank you!!

Plagiarism and Keyword Lessons

We have started our Talking Calendar projects at school. I've been very impressed with the kids' enthusiastic attitudes and curiosity about their topics!   Recently, I taught a lessons about the importance of specific keywords and avoiding plagiarism.  When Talking Calendar assignments come home next month, please support your child with the research process.  The art of "Googling" is not an easy one! I will be sending home informational handouts about keywords and plagiarism soon.  Please take a look at them with your child when you receive them.  Thank you for your support with this!

Week of September 5th, 2016

Back to School Night

I've had a wonderful time getting to know the students in my class over the past week.  I look forward to seeing and meeting many of you at Back to School Night on Wednesday, September 7th! Please join me in Room 29 at 6:00pm for an overview of the upcoming 4th grade year. Here is the schedule for the evening's events:

5:30-5:50pm Principal and PTA Welcome
6:00-6:45pm All Class Presentations

Please note that this is a parent only event.

Classroom Volunteers

Please sign up at Back to School Night to become a class volunteer! I'm searching for several volunteers to help with art and garden classes as well as class photography.  I will have paper sign up sheets out in the classroom. 

Library volunteers are also needed. Please follow this link to sign up to volunteer in the library:  http://www.signupgenius.com/go/20f054cadaa29a64-edna

Thanks to Lisa for volunteering already!

Parent Teacher Conferences

Please visit our Sign Up Genius website to schedule your parent teacher conference for this fall! These conferences are designed to provide an opportunity to discuss the first trimester's progress report as well as your child's progress in 4th grade. Please sign up for one conference per child.

Please take note that during the weeks of parent teacher conferences, we will have minimum days at school. That means that students will be dismissed at 2:00pm every day.

Car Line!

This year, the entire school will sign up for car line duties on sign up genius. Follow this link to sign up!

 http://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c0548a5ae28a20-edna

Our weeks are: 
 
October 10th, AM
October 24th, PM
March 20th, PM

Please consider signing up for a week of car line service and marking the dates in your calendar.  The entire school benefits from your attention to car line.  I consider it to be one of our Edna civic duties! Thank you for your support with this.
 
Every Kid in a Park

Exciting news! It is now possible for all 4th graders and their families to visit National Parks for FREE!  I have printed passes for all students and will distribute them in the Wednesday Folders this week.   The Every Kid in a Park pass is good for the 2016-2017 school year, until August 31, 2017.  (The passes that were distributed last week were unfortunately expired! The new passes are updated for this school year.) For more information, please visit this site: https://everykidinapark.gov


MCOE Waiver

In the Wednesday folders last week, you received a consent form for media use by the Marin County Office of Education.  Signing this will allow me to use pictures and videos of your child in my work with the Marin Next Generation Collaborative.  This is a three year grant funded group that is working to improve math and science education in Marin County schools.  Thank you in advance for returning this form as soon as possible.

Book Talk

Author, Raina Telgeimer will be visiting Marin on September 14th.  She is the author of Smile, Sisters, Drama, and now Ghosts. Many children love her graphic novels and have read them again and again. Information is in the link below. Sign up to take your child to meet Raina!

http://www.bookpassage.com/event/raina-telgemeier-ghosts-hall-middle-school