Welcome Back To School Night at S.H.P.S.
Mrs. Hillila - 4th Grade
Welcome to the new school year at Sacred Heart School. My name is Mrs. Jeanne Hillila and I will be your child’s 4th grade teacher. You and I will be spending more time with your child in the upcoming year than any other adult. Because of this, I would like to take this opportunity to tell you a few things about myself.
I was born in Newport, RI and moved to Coronado when I was two years old. I am a 4th generation Coronadoan. I have several relatives in the teaching profession (my great-grandfather was a chemistry teacher at Coronado High, my great-aunt was Superintendent of Schools in Montana, my grandfather was a principal for SDUSD for 30 years, my aunt, stepmother, and husband are all 2nd grade teachers.)
I received both my Bachelor’s Degree and Master’s Degree from San Diego State University. My Bachelor’s Degree is in Elementary Curriculum and Instruction. My Master’s Degree is in Education and my thesis was about Classroom libraries and how they influence the reading attitudes of students in a 4th grade classroom.
This is my seventh year teaching 4th grade at Sacred Heart School. I have also had experience teaching Kindergarten, 2nd, 3rd, and 6th grades. I consider my job both a privilege and a challenge and will do all I can to provide a positive atmosphere where your child will learn that he/she is a unique individual. It is my goal to create a learning environment where all students reach their learning potential and develop a love for reading.
I believe that homework is very important in your child’s education. It is an effective tool because it helps to reinforce the skills and information that we learn in our classroom. I feel that students who do their homework regularly begin to understand responsibility. This helps to prepare them for upcoming lessons and units that are part of the curriculum. Most assignments will support what we are learning in class.
CLASSROOM STUFF
* CLASSROOM DISCIPLINE POLICY:
1) Listen carefully
2) Follow directions
3) Work quietly. Do not disturb others.
4) Respect school and personal property.
5) Work and play safely.
Positive rewards include:
Coupons, praise, special privileges, free time, and a class party.
Negative consequences include:
Oral reminder, 1st check=warning, 2nd check=missed recess, 3rd or 4th check in one day=parent notification. For severe disruptions I will send a child to see the principal and possible detention.
* HOMEWORK:
A typical night of homework is about 40 minutes and will include math, spelling, and reading. Occasionally, other assignments may include social studies, science, and religion or book reports.
PLEASE review your child’s homework assignment book each Monday so you’re aware of their HW responsibilities for the week. Each homework assignment is worth 2 points. Neatness counts. I will give 1 point for late work, and 0 point for work not turned in. If you have a family event that prevents homework from being completed, please send me a note so your child can make up the missed work. If you are going to be out of town for an extended period of time, let me know ahead of time, and I can make a packet of the upcoming homework assignments.
* TESTS:
I will try to schedule tests toward the end of the week. There will be a test at the end of each unit in the different content areas (Math, Science, Soc. Stu., or Religion). There may also be quizzes and “pop” quizzes. Spelling tests will always be on Fridays. We will start a vocabulary program in December and the vocab. tests will also be on Fridays. If your child misses a test they should be prepared to make it up the following class day.
* WEEKLY COMMUNICATION:
I will send a communication folder home each TUESDAY. It will include a weekly letter from me, a score for behavior and homework, and student work that you will keep at home. The communication folder needs to be signed by you and returned to me on WEDNESDAY. If it is turned in on time, you child earns a stamp in the folder. If they turn in it on time four weeks in a row, they earn a homework pass.
* WEEKLY MASS SCHEDULE:
4th and 8th graders will attend Mass together every Tuesday morning. We will leave the class by 7:50 a.m. PLEASE BE ON TIME! Father Mike does not like it when students arrive late. However, if your child is late, they should enter in the back of the church and sit in the back pews. There will be a consequence for continuous tardies on days we attend Mass. Parents are invited to come sit with the class.
* ABSENCES:
I would encourage families to plan vacations during school vacation times. If a student is going to be out of class for a long time, we can make arrangements for them to get their assignments so they can keep up on the class work.
* READING PROGRAM:
Your child will be reading about 5 or 6 chapter books during the year. They will borrow a book from our class set and return them when we finish the book. There will be a book report due at the end of each chapter book. Examples include dioramas, mobiles, and timelines. Your child will also be receiving other reading materials like Scholastic News and California Studies Weekly, which we use as part of our social studies program.
* POETRY:
The fourth graders will be learning about different types of poetry. They will also have a poem each month that they have to memorize. At the end of the month they will write this poem from memory (spelling and punctuation count).
* ITBS TESTING: October 22-26th, 2007
The testing takes place between 8-10 a.m. Please make every effort to have your child here on time. I will try to make arrangements for your child to make up a missing test, but since some of these tests require large time allotments, I cannot assure you that each missing test can be administered.
* BOOK REPORTS AND SPECIAL REPORTS:
I will assign a book report when we finish each of the five or six literature books. I will give directions for the reports at least two weeks before they are due. In addition to the written component, some reports will also be given orally. Other reports during the year include a Mission report (which includes a 2 day art project) and an Artist report.
* PE SCHEDULE:
Fourth graders have PE on Tuesday from 1:20 to 2:05 and Thursday from 11:15-11:55. Students need to bring their PE uniforms to school and they will change into their PE clothes during lunch recess time. Please provide a special bag for their PE clothes.
* NAMES ON UNIFORMS and LUNCH BOXES:
Please have your child’s name written on the tags of their school uniforms, PE clothes, and lunch boxes. You’d be amazed how many items are left in the lost and found.
* EARTHQUAKE PACK:
Please have your child bring a small snack bag to school. Include a water and snack items that can keep for a long time. You may also include a reassuring note. Write their name on the bag and send it back to school within the first couple of days. They will be returned at the end of the school year.
* VOLUNTEERS:
Many thanks ahead of time. From time to time throughout the year I will need parent help. I will let you know in the parent letter what help I need and then you can let me know if you are available. Also, if you have a special talent or interesting career that you would like to share with the class.... please let me know.
* PARENT PARTICIPATION: There are a variety of activities that parents can participate with in our class, like our two-day Mission Art Project, Bake Sale, Walk Through California, Thanksgiving Lunch, Class Parties, and Chaperoning for Field Trips (San Diego Mission de Alcala, Star of India, and San Juan Capistrano on AMTRAK).
* SCOUTS:
Those students who are participating in any scout activities after school may wear their scouting uniforms to school.
* AFTER SCHOOL ACTIVITIES:
Our school offers a variety of after school programs including drama (which I am in charge of this year), art, sports, choir, band, homework help, and more. Notices will be sent home in the family envelopes if your child wants to participate in any of these activities.
* BOOK COVERS: (do not use adhesive tape)
Cover books to keep them in good condition with the ready-made covers (book socks) or a paper bag. All textbooks are due at the end of the year. There will be a fee for lost or damaged books.
* WATER BOTTLES:
Students can bring in a water bottle to keep on their desks. Put an old sock around the bottle to keep the desk dry. Write their names on the bottle.
I am easy to reach anytime. If you want to schedule a conference just let me know. I may be a little busy before or after class with a duty or something, but you can possibly catch me then too. If you would like to reach me by email, my address is jeanjeaner@yahoo.com.
Thank you for attending Back to School Night! I look forward to teaching your child this year.
Sincerely,
Mrs. Jeanne Hillila ¤
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