August 8, 2023

Aloha Parent(s)/Guardian(s),

       Welcome to a new school year 2023- 2024, where we will be trying to embrace new learning styles, methods, trends, approaches, habits, techniques and modes of learning! We will be using Wonders and Novel Studies for Reading, Eureka Squared for Math, Word Wisdom, G.U.M (Grammar, Usage and Mechanics) for Conventions of English, Hawaiians of Old for Social Studies, and Amplify for science.  We will also be working on our manual and cursive writing.  It is very important for students to know how to sign their name and write clear and concise letters and sentences.

       With everything going on in the world lately it is VERY important for all of us to stick together and to remember always have a growth mindset.  Education comes from EVERYWHERE not just at the school building, but at home too.  80% of success is showing up!  This COVID 19 situation has taught us many things but one really major thing is we are stronger when we are working together. 

       In this class we ALL stick together no matter race, skin color, creed, socio-economic status or anything else.  We are all one family and are only here to lift each other up!  Remember the golden rule “If you have nothing nice to say then say nothing at all”. This holds thru in the class as we do not allow discrimination of any kind within this classroom.     

School Supplies

    School supplies for grade 4 has NOT all been covered.  Please purchase 5 wide rule hard cover (1 red, 1 purple, 1 blue, 1 green and 1 black) composition tablet, back pack and water vessel.  I have secured unruled blank tablet, color pencils, color pens wide and thin, #2 pencils, binder paper, school box, rubber cement and ear buds.  Pencils and color pens/pencils for home use will be the responsibility of parent(s)/guardian(s).  Lost, misplaced or misused school items become the responsibility of the parent/child to replace.

My classroom rules are quite simple.

Classroom Rules

• Be respectful, honest and true to your teachers, peers, classmates and most of all to yourself.
• Safety, safety and safety. Be safe, keep yourself and those around you safe.
• Have FUN! 100% effort = your best.

Easy Rule to remember:

IF WHAT YOU ARE DOING:

INTERFERES with learning

HURTS someone’s heart or PREVENTS you from being your best self

YOU SHOULD NOT BE DOING IT!

       Grades are assigned for classwork, homework, projects, participation and test. Homework should be completed on time with at least satisfactory effort. I expect fourth graders to be responsible for their own work. Just a caution on homework, if your child is struggling with their homework after 15 minutes, please let me know.  (Homework is practice work from classroom work).

Attendance

80% of success is showing up!  Please be sure to check your child before dropping them off to school or putting them on the bus.  Attendance is important and so is the health and welfare of everyone on campus. Please call the office or text me should your child be absent or planning an absence. 

Testing Smarter Balanced Assessment (SBAC)

Students this year will be taking their state standardized test called the Smarter Balanced Assessment.  This assessment is used to measure whether students are meeting the grade levels Common Core Standards for Mathematics and Language Arts. More information of this test can be found online via way of the Hawaii DOE website SBAC

We will continue to use a student planner to record daily homework, which may also be used as a communication log also. Please be sure to ask and check this planner on a daily basis. Thank you in advance for your help, support and aloha this school year!

Login and passwords will be given to your child, should they somehow forget or don’t know please contact me asap.

Any questions please feel to call me at the school (808) 7767710, text me at (808) 9372701 or email at [email protected]

Mahalo,

Ms. Christy Hirae