WELCOME TO 4TH GRADE

2020-2021

MEET THE TEACHER

•  My name is Mrs. Taylor and I have been teaching elementary students for twenty years. I graduated from Troy University in Troy, AL with my master’s degree in Elementary Education. I have certifications in English Speakers of Other Languages, Gifted, and currently working on my reading endorsement. My husband and I will be celebrating our 20th wedding anniversary this year. We have 2 children, Peighton will be entering her second year of college at the University of Alabama (ROLL TIDE!) and Oakley will be in 1st grade this year. I believe each student brings their unique personality and learning styles that makes our class community complete. I will use multiple learning styles, technology, as well as hands on, minds on activities to make learning come alive. I want students to leave my classroom feeling happy, successful, and have an appreciation for the world around them. I am excited to partner with you this year!

MEET THE TEACHER

•  My name is Mrs. Testerman and I received my degree in Elementary Education from Saint Leo University. This is my 7th year teaching, and my third year teaching at McKeel. I am married with 3 children, ages 23, 21, and 14. In my free time, in addition to spending time with my family, I love to read on the beach, (or anywhere really!) craft, and spend hours watching my youngest play travel baseball. I am originally from New Hampshire and am a Red Sox fan! Go Sox!!! I am looking forward to a fantastic school year!! I believe that learning can be fun for students and look forward to an amazing year!

CONTACT INFORMATION •  leslietaylor@mckeelschools.com michelletesterman@mckeelschools.com

•  Class DoJo - Check your email for an invitation to join our classes. (Class Updates, messages, and pictures posted to our class stories)

•  Communication and support is key to your child’s success. You may visit our class website (http://www.mckeelcentral.com) for weekly updates. We check agendas daily for notes along with checking emails and DoJo messages every day. We will get back to you as soon as possible. Feel free to ask any questions or share any concerns you might have. Please make sure you have heard back from us for all transportation changes made through class DoJo and email or call the school.

CLASS SCHEDULE

Your child will have two teachers this school year. Mrs. Testerman teaches Language Arts, Writing, and Social Studies. Mrs. Taylor

teaches Math and Science. Your child will begin each day in their

homeroom class and dismiss from their second block.

For a daily schedule please check our class website. Or

our class Dojo.

STANDARD BASED GRADING

•  McKeel uses a standards based grading system in grades K-6th.

•  The levels 4,3,2,1 are a student’s level of performance for a specific skill within the 9 weeks.

UNIFORM/DRESS CODE •  Students are expected to wear their McKeel collared shirt at all times, with appropriate shorts or pants. Only plain navy-blue jackets or McKeel jackets are allowed. Shirts should be tucked in and students should wear a belt. Closed toed shoes only please. Students may wear jeans ($1) and their Spirit T-shirt on Fridays.

SUPPLIES • All students will use their own supplies this school year. Please place any extra supplies in a Ziploc bag labeled with your students name. • Please label your child’s headphones, lunch box, masks, pencil pouch or pencil box, as well as their folders with their first and last name. • Please place any extra supplies in a Ziploc bag labeled with your students name. These will be stored in the classroom. • While not required, students may want to have their own set of scissors to keep in their pencil pouch. • Clorox wipes are limited and Scarce. If you could please send in as you locate these items that would be greatly appreciated.

For parents that pre-ordered spirit shirts and agendas: Students will have these Thursday to bring home with them. In addition, each student will receive a lanyard, which they can use to clip their face mask. Lanyards will remain at school.

IPADS

•  iPads will be collected the first day of school. Chargers should remain at home. Students will receive new iPads, within the first couple of weeks of school. Please ensure that your child’s iPad is charged at home daily and ready for use in the classroom. (Portable charging devices will help your child continue to use their device when the battery is low. They can be found on Amazon but are not required).

•  This year your child will use Canvas as an online platform for completing and turning in assignments. (Contact is Sherry Jorris for any questions or concerns regarding Canvas) sherryjorris@mckeelschools.com

BEHAVIOR EXPECTATIONS

•  I can use technology in accordance with school policies.

•  I can display my best effort in all that I do.

•  I can complete and submit quality work in a timely manner.

•  I can follow directions quickly.

•  I can listen respectfully and acknowledge the thinking of others.

•  I can take responsibility for my own actions and demonstrate self-control.

SNACK

•  Snack time will occur daily, please send a bottle of water with a flip top (no exposed tops) and a healthy snack to school daily. (Students are not permitted to share food). New water stations are located around the school for hands free refills. Due to our early lunch time this year snack will be held in the afternoon.

AT HOME PRACTICE

•  Read 20 minutes nightly to meet weekly AR goals and math homework will be coming home on an individual basis. If you would like additional resources or ideas you may request them from your subject area teacher.

RECESS •  This year we will limit the equipment used at recess. Materials and supplies sent in will be used for your child in their individual recess bag, which will be kept in the classroom.

•  Some ideas of Materials you may send in for your child are... •  Play dough •  Legos •  Chalk •  Puzzles •  books

HOW DOES YOUR CHILD GO HOME? •  Please ensure you complete the google form that tells how your child will be going

home on the first two days of school. if you are changing your child’s dismissal for the day please note the change in the agenda and email, class DoJo message, or call the school of the change.

•  Only parents with Pre-K students can walk up to pick up their children. All other children will be car riders picked up through the car line.

•  There will be an email coming home prior to the first day of school to fill out and return how your child will be going home.

NEW SAFETY PROCEDURES

•  As of now we do not have any field trips scheduled for the first semester and will not be collecting fall dues. Students will eat in the classroom on an alternating schedule. There are no visitors allowed on campus, and no volunteers. If you would like to volunteer from home or donate to the classroom you may contact your child’s homeroom teacher for more information.

MASKS •  Masks are REQUIRED to be worn by all student at all times while on school campus.

QUESTION AND ANSWER