This document provides information from a 4th grade teacher's orientation for parents. It includes details about the teacher's background and qualifications, an overview of the classroom schedule and homework policy, a description of the behavior system and rewards, and information about assessments and communicating with parents.

1. VES 2012-2013
PARENT
ORIENTATIO
N

2. 
Earned my Bachelors Degree in Elementary Education
from the University of South Florida. Go Bulls!
I am currently getting my Masters Degree at Saint Leo
University In Educational Leadership.
I am certified K-6 grade, I am also an endorsed ESOL &
Gifted Education Teacher
I have worked at Sand Pine Elementary in grades 3, 4, &
5.
I have worked at and opened Double Branch Elementary in
grades 3 & 4.
This is my fourth year at Veterans teaching where I
taught 3rd
the first 2 years and 4th
the last two years.

3. • I am married. My
husband, Travis, is
a police officer in
the City of Tampa.
He is also a
member of the US
Army Reserves,
where he is a
Blackhawk
helicopter pilot.
• I am the mother of
2! I have 2
daughters. Olivia
who is 5 and
Lillian who is 4.

4. Common Core State Standards
English Language Arts & Literacy
A Sample of What Your Child Will Be Working on in 4th
Grade
Describing the basic elements of stories — such as characters, events, and settings — by drawing on specific details in the text
Paying close attention to key features of informational books and articles: these include understanding the main and supporting ideas;
being able to compare and contrast information; and explaining how the author uses facts, details, and evidence to support particular
points
Comparing ideas, characters, events, and settings in stories and myths from different cultures
Writing summaries or opinions about topics supported with a set of well-organized facts, details, and examples
Independently conducting short research projects on different aspects of a topic using evidence from books and the Internet
Paraphrasing and responding to information presented in discussions, such as comparing and contrasting ideas and analyzing
evidence that speakers use to support particular points
Reporting orally on a topic or telling a story with enough facts and details
Writing complete sentences with correct capitalization and spelling
Relating words that are common in reading to words with similar meanings (synonyms) and to their opposites (antonyms)

5. Common Core State Standards
Mathematics
A Sample of What Your Child Will Be Working on in 4th
Grade
Using whole-number arithmetic to solve word problems, including problems with
remainders and problems with measurements
Adding and subtracting whole numbers quickly and accurately (numbers up to 1 million)
Multiplying and dividing multi-digit numbers in simple cases (e.g., multiplying 1,638 × 7
or 24 × 17, and dividing 6,966 by 6)
Understanding and applying equivalent fractions
(e.g., recognizing that 1 4 is less than 3 8 because 2 8 is less than 3 8)⁄ ⁄ ⁄ ⁄
 Adding, subtracting ,and multiplying fractions in simple cases (such as 2 3 4 1 1 4 or 3⁄ − ⁄
× 5/8), and solving related word problems
Understanding simple decimals in terms of fractions (e.g., rewriting 0.62 as 62 100)⁄
Measuring angles and finding unknown angles in a diagram

6. How can you help at home?
English Language Arts & Literacy
Urge your child to use logical arguments
to defend his or her opinion. If your child
wants a raise in allowance, ask him or her
to research commonsense allowance
systems and, based on that research,
explain reasons why, supported by facts
and details.
Talk about the news together. Pick one
story in the news, read it together, and
discuss with your child what it means.
Mathematics
Ask your child to compare numbers using
phrases like “times as much.” For
example, if the family cat weighs 8 lbs. and
the family dog weighs 56 lbs., how many
times as much does the dog weigh?
 Ask your child to help you compare
fractional amounts — for example, if one
recipe calls for 2/3 of a cup of oil, but
another recipe calls for 3 4 of a cup of oil,⁄
which recipe calls for more oil? (In 5th
grade, your child will learn ways to
determine just how much more oil.)

7. 
SUPER HERO
DISCIPLINE
PLAN
Veterans Elementary School
2013-2014

8. Why PBIS?
 PBIS is a CONSISTENT positive behavior system that
focuses on the positive actions of students rather than the
negative!
 Last year, VES used a PBIS behavior system and saw
excellent results in student behavior with a direct
correlation to student achievement.
 This year, we took all suggestions and input and listened
to what worked best and what was wanted most! 

10. Behavior Chart

11. STAMPS and stickers
• Sticker (K-1) or a stamp (2-5) on an index card for
moving up on the chart
• Students keep these stamps and stickers no
matter what!
• 10 stamps/stickers = schoolwide store run by
patrols
OR
• Students can save up for larger rewards!
• Students can earn Super Status anywhere!

12. SCHOOLWIDE REWARDS
•Patrols will run a school store in the mornings
in the courtyard.
•Students can purchase tangible items or
choose from a catalog of experiences (lunch
with a teacher, bring in a stuffed animal for the
day, etc.).
•Items will be priced in increments of ten
(stamps or stickers).

13. Dress Code

14. 
Our schedule was sent home the first
week and it is also kept in your child’s
communication binder.
Specials (9:45-10:30):
PE- Tues & Thurs MUSIC- Mon
ART- Wed MUSIC in Motion- Fri
Lunch: 12:44-1:14

15. 
It is important that your child comes to school each and every day
well rested and ready to learn. Regular attendance at school is
critical for your child to achieve his/her highest academic potential.
Academic learning occurs all day and students who arrive late or
leave early miss valuable instructional time aimed at their
academic success. If your child arrives after 9:40 a.m. tardy bell,
you will need to park your car and come to the front office to sign
your child in for the day. If you child will be absent, you need to
notify the school of the reason why your child is absent. You can
call (813) 346-1488 to leave a recorded message why your child
is absent from school.

16. 
Homework Policy:
Homework Policy states that a 4th Grade teacher should
only give a total of 45 minutes of homework a night in all
subject areas combined. We ask that students read 30
minutes each night as a part of their homework. I will
also be sending home math practice worksheets.
However, we will only be sending those home when the
skills have been completely covered in class and they
should be spending only about 15 to 20 minutes
completing it independently.
•Reading logs will in the communication binder and
checked bi weekly.
•Math homework will be assigned each night a new
lesson is taught. No homework the night a test was
taken.

17. 
A- Well Above Expectations
Your child has demonstrated performance that is well
above expectation on concepts and skills emphasized or
addressed during this reporting period. This grade recognizes
excellent achievement based upon your child’s ability to
independently and on a consistent basis apply critical thinking,
problem solving or innovative thinking that goes above and beyond
teacher’s expectations for successful performance.
B Above Expectations
Your child has successfully demonstrated performance
on concepts and skills addressed during this reporting period.
Your child has successfully learned concepts and skills and
independently and on a consistent basis is able to apply
them in a variety of settings.

18. C– Adequate Progress
Your child has adequately learned concepts and skills
emphasized or addressed during this reporting period and is
independently and on a consistent basis continuing to perform at the
expected level.
D– Below Expectation
Your child is in the process of learning concepts and skills
emphasized or addressed during this reporting period. Your child is
making minimal progress and needs assistance to complete
the tasks at the expected level.
U- Well Below Expectations
Your child has made little or no progress in learning
concept and skills emphasized or addressed during this reporting
period. Extra assistance is needed to perform assigned tasks. Your
child is working well below expectations

19. 
Writing:
•Times assessments (60 minutes, prompted) when a skill has been
completely taught (approx every 3 weeks)
Reading:
•We will be taking 1-2 mini assessments per unit of study (4-5 weeks)
and one unit test at the end of the unit
3 times a year:
•Paper Pencil Benchmark (M, Sci, R)
Once a year:
•Writing FCAT (February)
•Reading & Math FCAT (April)
Other:
•Pre & Post Tests (Every Math Chapter, 13 chapters)
•Science Unit Tests
•Social Studies Unit Tests

20. 
We will be recognizing your child’s birthday through
our weekly pod meetings, school-wide morning
announcements, and by the school giving a small
birthday token on their special day. At the end of each
month he/she will also enjoy birthday cake at a
special birthday table at lunch. It is VES policy to
recognize students’ birthdays in this way so that we
are not interrupting instruction. Gifts, cupcakes,
cakes, and other “party” items will not be allowed.

21. 
If you would like to volunteer in the classroom, at school or on a field
trip, at all this year, you must be approved by the county. I suggest
that everyone fill out the application and be approved so that you
don't have to worry about it later. It takes about 3 weeks to get
approved, so it is almost impossible to apply at the last minute before
a field trip if you want to chaperone. Please note that you must re-
apply each year. It can be done on-line contact me for the link.
If you are already an approved volunteer, please let me know
or if you apply let me know when your approval comes through. I like
to keep track of my parents who are already approved.
Volunteer in
our Classroom!

22. 
Planners: Behaviors and some notes will be
written in planners.
Email: Weekly emails (Monday Nights) will be sent
to all parents. I will also email for more detailed
issues or behaviors if my schedule does not allow
me to call.
Newsletters: Bi-Weekly grade level newsletter will
be attached to my weekly e-mail with information for
all 4th
graders and their families.
On-Line: Like out Fantastic Fourth Facebook
Page!

23. 
The planners are used school wide. They are used for parent/teacher
communication as well as keeping the students organized.
In my classroom, the planner can be a good tool for family planning.
Every Monday, when the students come in, I have them copy my
planner at the front of the room into their planners. This lets them
know what topics we are learning about in each subject that week,
when we have a test and when we have a schedule change. It also
helps to know about tests ahead of time or if your child is absent, it
lets you know what they missed or will be missing that day.
I suggest reviewing the planner on Monday evenings with your child
and initialing for me that you saw it and are aware of the week’s
activities. Each day, please glance at the planer to check and make
sure there are no new notes or behavior notes. The planner is also
used to check and see what that night’s homework is.

24. TESTS will be written or boxed in RED
HOMEWORK will be in the
corresponding subject box labeled with
an HW.
BEHAVIOR notes and YOUR INITIALS
should be at the bottom of each day.

25. 
All your child’s folders are color coded to match a
specific subject to help them and me stay
organized. Here is the color system so you are
aware as you look through their backpacks.
BINDER- Communication
GREEN- Science & Social Studies
RED- Reading
BLUE- Math

26. 
This year your child will have
independent reading time daily. We spend
about 30 minutes doing this everyday.
During this time I will be doing 1 on 1, or
1 on 2 conferences with your children to
have more thorough personal instruction
and to assess their reading needs.

27. Auditory Learners: Hear
Auditory learners would rather listen to things being explained than read
about them. Reciting information out loud and having music in the
background may be a common study method. Other noises may
become a distraction resulting in a need for a relatively quiet place.
Visual Learners: See
Visual learners learn best by looking at graphics, watching a
demonstration, or reading. For them, it’s easy to look at charts and
graphs, but they may have difficulty focusing while listening to an
explanation.
Kinesthetic Learners: Touch
Kinesthetic learners process information best through a “hands-on”
experience. Actually doing an activity can be the easiest way for them to
learn. Sitting still while studying may be difficult, but writing things down
makes it easier to understand.

28. 
If your child is changing their dismissal I
need a note or email, or the office needs a
phone call. I cannot change your child’s
dismissal based on what they verbally
tell me.

29. District Bullying Orientation

30. 
for taking the time to attend Open House!
I look forward to working with you and
your child this year. It is going to be a
wonderful year filled with exciting
learning activities!