Welcome to 4th grade! My name is Lydia Farman and I will be teaching your child Reading and Writing this year. I am entering my 11th year teaching, which seems hard to believe some days. I have Bachelors, Masters, and Specialist degrees from the University of Georgia in Early Childhood Education, I also hold endorsements in Reading, Gifted Education, and ESOL. Though it doesn't directly have to do with teaching 4th grade, I also coach Varsity Competitive Cheerleading at North Oconee, GO TITANS!
Below is some important information regarding 4th grade for you to refer to throughout the school year.
RBES phone number: 706-769-3235 ext. 423
RBES address: 5250 Hog Mountain Road, Bogart, GA, 30622
RBES website: www.oconeeschools.org/rbes
STUDENT BINDER and BLUE ROCKET FOLDER
Students will have a binder that will come home every day. It will contain any teacher notes, homework, goal setting and assessment scoring information, and daily work that a child may need to use to prepare for an assessment. It is up to you and your child how you want to keep papers at home. I recommend having a place where papers go for each subject so your child can study throughout the units and for end of year testing. The Blue Rocket folder will also come home on Fridays with school and community notes and other classwork papers for you to keep.
AGENDA
Students will use agendas to record homework and important reminders regarding assessments, field trips, and other classroom or school related activities. From time to time, I may also jot a note in a child’s agenda.
SNACK
Please send a snack and water bottle with your child every day. Also, I will not be able to provide snacks for students who forget to bring one. Parents may wish to donate snacks for students who forget, but students should not depend on these to be available. The children can fill water bottles at school if necessary. No other drinks are allowed.
RECESS
Fourth graders will play outside at recess when the weather is appropriate unless a doctor’s note is sent asking that your child be allowed to stay inside. Please be sure your child brings a jacket when the weather is cool. If your child needs to be picked up during our recess time, please go to the office. Your child will be sent to you there. No child will be released unless they are signed out through the front office first.
OFFICE PROCEDURES
If you are going to sign in, check out, or visit your student at school you will do so electronically at the office window. If you are visiting for lunch or volunteering you will be “buzzed” through the security doors. When you leave school, you MUST SIGN OUT at the window. The regular office door will remain locked at all times.
The ROCKETS' WAY
It is with great excitement that RBES became a National School of Character this past year. Last year we implemented the ROCKETS' Way. There are many aspects to this, one part being that we will not only establish our classroom guidelines, but you will also see posted guidelines throughout the school for our shared spaces. These guidelines will help to create a cohesive environment where everyone entering our school will know our expectations. This and much more will be discussed further during our Curriculum Night on August 16th. Students will be expected to know and understand The ROCKETS' Way. We will use class meetings to learn about The ROCKETS' Way and to discuss other home or school related difficulties, challenges, goals, and successes daily.
I am a firm believer in handling school situations at school. In such a case where inappropriate behavior or a problem continues and an end does not occur I will write/attach a note inside the agenda or send an email. In rare circumstances a parent conference may occur to discuss an alternative plan.
OTHER IMPORTANT INFORMATION
· No adult will be allowed to enter the building through any door other than the main entrance during school hours. Please DO NOT knock on a door and motion for a child to open it for you. We will spend time in the classroom explaining that students should never open a door for ANY adult.
· We must have a parent signature or phone call to the office to allow transportation changes. Emails will not be accepted.
- Send in notes regarding absences ASAP. Email if you know ahead of time your child will be out. Ask your doctor for an excuse to bring to school regarding appointments or sicknesses that caused your child to miss school. The state will only allow 5 parent notes to excuse absences this year.
· ALL monies should be returned to school in an envelope labeled with your child’s name, my name, and what the money is for.
· I encourage you to come have lunch with your child if you are available. If you bring fast food to share with your child you may enjoy your lunch in the Science Lab which is located across the hall from our classroom. Otherwise you are welcome to eat in the lunchroom with your child at the designated tables.
I look forward to teaching your child this year! Please contact me if you have any questions or concerns.
Miss Farman
