Welcome to Mrs. Pelaez’s4th Grade Class

Welcome!

• Welcome to Somerset Academy’s Open House! I am Mrs. Pelaez and I am very delighted to be your child’s 4th grade teacher. Together, we are going to have a great school year!

Curriculum

• The 4th grade curriculum consists of Reading, Language Arts, Math, Science and Social Studies. Our curriculum follows the Florida Standards, providing your child with a well-rounded and complete education.

• We utilize textbooks workbooks and technology to supplement the curriculum. We also incorporate Scholastic News Magazine and 4th Grade Novels.

FSA (Florida Standards Assessment-Measures performance standards in Reading/Language Arts and Mathematics Emphasizes critical thinking and assess students’ higher-

order thinking skills Multiple choice Reflective writing

Testing Schedule: February 29th-March 11th FSA Writing (Computer Based) March 28th-April 8th FSA Mathematics (Paper Based) April 11th-May 6th FSA English/Language Arts (Computer Based)

Somerset FSA tutoring More information will be provided in October

** BAFS will now be replaced with BSA (Broward Standards Assessment) The first test will be given in January

***Next year, all areas will be computer based

Grades and Pinnacle

• 100% – 90% A• 89% - 80% B• 79% - 70% C• 69% - 60% D• 59% and below F• Pinnacle is our student database system. Parents will be

able to access their child’s grades through this system. Login information will be distributed in the upcoming weeks. I highly recommend that you receive the grade notifications so that you can keep track of your child’s progress.

Classwork = 25%Homework = 10%

Tests = 35%Quizzes = 20%Projects = 10%

Schedule• 8:00 - 8:10 Morning Work• 8:10 - 8:55 Language Arts • 8:55-9:30 Specials• 9:30-11:00 Math• 11:00-11:30 Lunch• 11:30-1:00 Reading• 1:00-1:30 Science/Social Studies• 1:30 – 2:00 Physical Activity• 2:00 - 2:15 Dismissal

Specials

Monday TuesdayWednesda

yThursday Friday

Spanish MusicPanther

Principles

Code

AcademyP.E.

Classroom Management

• Rules• Rewards• Consequences• Compliment System

Planner

• Planners are used daily and provide much information such as the year long calendar of school activities, homework, projects and notes from school to home.

• Reviewing the planner nightly will give you an opportunity to check and discuss your child’s homework and progress.

• The use of planner encourages students to be responsible for their own learning. After each assignment is completed the students are required to highlight the assignment.

Homework

Homework is assigned daily and turned in the following day. Students will place their HW in their assigned pocket when then come in.

Your child will have homework Monday through Thursday. Students will record their homework in their planners and it will be posted on my web page.

If homework is one day late they will receive a 75%. After that the student will receive a zero.

Homework -continuedSpelling Homework

There will not be spelling HW. Many students of mine in the past have used Spelling City to practice their words.

Math Homework Students complete the assigned page(s) for each night

Reading Students will be given reading HW nightly.

Language Arts-

Will be assigned regularly.

Science/Social StudiesCurrent events and WB pages

Tests

• Students will receive notice of upcoming tests so that they can study prior to test day.

• Each Friday, our tests will include: Spelling, vocabulary, and Reading Comprehension.

* Reading tests from the Journeys book will always be open book.

• Math, Social Studies and Science Tests will vary based on the lessons in the chapter.

Communication & Friday Folder

• Communication is an important part of success for your child. I will provide weekly updates via distribution lists and online through the Somerset Academy web page.

• The fastest way to reach me is by e-mail. Please feel free to e-mail me at lpelaez@somersetacedemy.com with any questions or concerns anytime.

• Friday folders are sent home occasionally. Please look through it and keep all papers at home. Any papers below a B need to be signed and returned with your child’s folder the following Monday.

(Due to yearly reproductions tests are not sent home)• Students may bring back A papers to be hung on the wall.

Parent Volunteer Hours

Parents must complete a total of 30 volunteer hours. • These hours may be completed by helping out in the classroom or

school, purchasing supplies for the class, volunteering for special events or projects, donating snacks, or chaperoning on field trips.

• ($4 = 1 volunteer hour with receipt)

• If an item from our WISH LIST is purchased, PLEASE complete a Volunteer Record Form and attach the receipt. I will sign the form and turn it in to the office.

• Room Parent- If you are interested in being a room parent please sign the form. I am looking for someone that is familiar with Pinterest. There will be a random selection in class.

Uniforms

• Follow Somerset School Uniform Policy.

• P.E. Days (Friday) – Students must wear P.E. T-shirt and P.E. shorts.

• Jackets- It can get chilly at times in my classroom. If a student would like to wear a jacket or sweater it must be navy blue.

• Spirit Days - Students can wear their ORANGE Spirit shirt.• Dress Down Days – Students can dress down for a fee (Please

check the school uniform policy on which attire is appropriate for dress down days.

Attendance

Somerset Academy follows Broward County Schools Attendance Policy 5.5!

This means every minute counts, from absences,

tardiness, and early sign outs.

• School begins at 8:00 am. Students that arrive late to school must have parents sign them in the office and pick-up a late pass before walking to the classroom.

• For absences: Please call the front office or email Ms. Manso- dmanso@somersetacademy.com. I suggest an email in case you ever need a paper trail.

• If you are planning for a trip or special occasion, you must submit a letter and get prior approval. Failure to get pre-approval may result in unexcused absences on your child’s attendance record.

Dismissal

• Carpool pick-up is from 2:00 - 2:30 p.m.

• Early Release Days – dismissal is at 12:00 p.m.

• If your picking up your child from carpool: Please hang colored decal from your rearview mirror and make sure to include your child’s name using a dark marker. This will allow our carpool to run smoothly.

• Early Pick-up is not allowed after 1:30 P.M.

Reminders

• Lunch is $3.25; accounts are up and running.• Bring a water bottle with a covered top.• The school is no longer accepting checks.

However you may pay for your child’s lunch with a check.

• Free and Reduced Lunch Applications are now available on-line. Please visit our Somerset Academy Website, select the Parent Tab on the top to locate the document.

• Students must have a grade level chapter book with them at all times. Electronic books are acceptable.

St. Augustine

St. Augustine is our “BIG” fourth grade overnight field trip.

• It runs APPROXIMATELY $280 students/ $310 adults– Price includes St. Augustine t-shirt, hotel stay,

attractions and meals.

• Prices may be reduced based on the number of students attending.

* Please sign the St. Augustine sheet if you are interested so we may get our prices to you as soon as possible.

Forms- Please return by 8/26

Please do not remove the staple from the forms that need to be returned.- Please add to the list of items to be returned

A copy of your child’s insurance card- Check to make sure that you have all the forms from the

front page of the stapled packet. - If you are interested in free or reduced lunch please

include that form in the Friday folder with the stapled packet.

Whats New for 2015-2016• myON Reader https://www.myon.com/

Provides anytime, anywhere access to a library of more than 9,000 enhanced digital books and activities. • Code Academy- (Mr. Lee) This will replace the Science special. It

focuses on computer literacy skills includeing keyboarding, Microsoft Word & PowerPoint, coding (how computer software works, etc. Take a peek at www.code.org

• Panther Principles- (Coach Gonzalez)   This will replace the Respect Curriculum  and the library special. It will focus on positive character traits, anti-bullying and character education 

• Backpack Tag - Included in the purchase of a planner ($7) Must be attached to the backpack for the entire year.

Final Note

• I am truly excited to be teaching your child! I know that all children can learn and that it is a collaborative effort between the parents, teacher and student. I am committed to the success of your child and I hope to inspire and educate them. I know we will have a successful year!