Welcome Back to School!
I am very excited to welcome you and your child to fourth grade! I can’t believe that this is my 22nd year in Pennfield and I still love it! I began teaching in the old Central building where I taught fourth and fifth grade for four years, however I have spent most of my years as a Reading Specialist working with young readers at North Penn and Purdy. Eight years ago I decided that it was time for a change and took a fourth grade position here at Dunlap. I felt like I had come back home!
My husband, Drew, and I have three children. My daughter, Hattie, is beginning her third year in college. Jack is a freshman in college and Max is beginning his sophomore year in high school. We once used to spend countless hours at the pool as all three of my kids are swimmers, but those crazy days are easing as they slowly graduate and move on to other things. (Enjoy your children’s younger years). My own personal favorite activity outside of school is reading! I hope that I can share my love of books with your child and keep them excited about it, too.
We have a busy and exciting year in store for us. I know that together we can build a group of responsible, independent, lifelong learners. It is extremely important that we maintain a close relationship regarding your child. Feel free to contact me by e-mail for non-urgent needs ([email protected]) or by phone (269-441-9864). Please do not call my classroom phone expecting that I will pick up. I hope you understand how difficult it is to stop classroom activities to answer the phone. I do check my email periodically, but we keep very busy throughout the school day so if you have transportation changes or an urgent matter please call the office and leave a message (269-961-9789). They will relay the message to me . Please never be afraid to contact me. No question is too big or too small. Let's ensure your child's success by keeping the lines of communication open!
Please do read the weekly Dunlap Newsletter. It will keep you updated on most school activities. I also have a classroom website that I hope you will check for updates on class work, dates, and events…
www.kinnisten.weebly.com.
Attendance
Fourth grade has a fast-paced and challenging curriculum. Attendance is extremely important and it is not optional. Our daily routine truly begins at 8:00, not 8:20. In order to be ready for the learning that starts at 8:20 your child really needs to be here as close to 8:00 as possible. I do realize that sometimes absences are necessary and I will collect assignments throughout the day of the absence for your child. It is a student responsibility to complete missed assignments. I will do my best to help your child with this. If it is an extended absence, you may call the school to arrange pick-up of missed assignments. Please allow 48 hours notice for work to be gathered. Work can then be picked up from the office. However, if it is a planned absence, you may let me know at least 48 hours ahead of time and I will do my best to provide work in advance. Please note that I plan according to the need of the children in the classroom. I will do my best to predict exactly which direction lessons will lead, however there will be things your child will miss. I will provide as much of this work as possible upon your child’s return. Please know that much of the learning we do depends on active class involvement and not all work can be made up. Therefore, in order for your child to learn well, regular and timely attendance is a must!
Money
When sending money to school, please send it in an envelope with your child's name, and purpose for the money written on the outside to ensure that the money is credited correctly.
Green Folder
We will provide a sturdy green vinyl folder for your student. Your child should bring this green folder home daily all year long. This folder may contain notes, graded papers, and homework assignments. Please remove all papers on the “Keep At Home” side and return any forms or class materials on the “Return to School” side. Be sure the folder is returned to school daily. If you are unsure whether something is to be kept at home, please ASK your child. Sometimes parents remove important learning tools that their child needs here at school.
Homework
Research has shown that assigned homework has very little correlation with success in the classroom. As a matter of fact, some research indicates that assigned homework may do more harm than good. Students work very hard in my class all day long. Family time is extremely valuable, and one of the most valuable uses of time for children is play. Therefore, fourth grade teachers will NOT be sending specific homework assignments this year.
We recognize that many parents like to see homework in order to be involved and see what their children are learning at school. You will still have ample opportunities to be involved in your child's learning. Our classroom website always contains information about our current learning objectives.
In the event that a child does not complete an assignment in class before the due date, he/she will need to complete that assignment as homework. It will come home in the green folder on the “Return to School” side. There is always plenty of time given in class to finish work, so this should really only happen if a child is not using class time wisely.
Aside from that, here are some items that we suggest students complete as "homework."
1. Joyful Reading: At least 20 minutes per day is suggested. As you know, reading is very important. We encourage your child to read at home every day. This reading should be FUN. Your child can read any material of his or her choice. Also, we highly encourage family read aloud! Reading TO your child is extremely beneficial to their reading growth, comprehension, and vocabulary development. Fourth grade is NOT too old for read alouds! Read together, make it fun!
2. Math Fact Practice: Throughout the year, I will teach the students a number of math fluency games. It is very important that students have all math facts through 12 X 12 memorized by the end of 4th grade. Students will be encouraged to play their math games with you at home. Similar to reading, we would like this to be JOYFUL math practice. There will also be a number of math activities posted on my website throughout the year.
3. Spelling words: Your child will be given time in class to practice spelling. However, if he/she prefers to practice at home, that is of course, encouraged. Try to make it fun. There are some spelling websites in the link section, in which kids can enter their spelling lists and practice their words online.
That's it! No homework! Be a family! Be active! Your evenings are valuable. Your kids are working hard all day. Let them play when they get home. Have dinner together. Take a walk. All of these activities are much more healthy and will contribute to your child's overall well being.
Classroom Volunteers
I encourage you to come into the classroom to help out. Your children love to have you here! I generally do not host volunteers for the first six to eight weeks of school so that we can establish our classroom routines and relationships. Be sure you have filled out the “Volunteer Consent Form” and it is turned in to the office.
I hope this letter answers some of your questions; however please feel free to contact me with any further questions you may have. Again, I look forward to everything this year has in store for us! It’s going to be a really great one!!
Mrs. Kinnisten