4A

The link for Blackboard, which teachers are using this year, is http://bb.stjohnlincoln.org/webapps/portal/frameset.jsp. You will then need to enter your child's user name and password.

Welcome to a new school year! I look forward to sharing the adventure with you and your child.

This is my 6th year here at St. John’s, and my first year teaching 4th grade. However, before I moved to Nebraska in 1999, I had taught 4th grade for 5 years in Texas. Except for Nebraska state history, I am familiar with 4th grade curriculum.

There will undoubtedly be a lot of changes for your child this year. The focus will be on your child becoming more independent and taking more responsibility for his/her agenda, homework, etc. You can help by supporting and encouraging your child in their independent endeavors.

Education is a joint effort between teacher, parents and student. I will communicate regularly with you through notes, progress reports and conferences. Also, you may email me at school if you need anything. My email address is barbara-kuhn@cdolinc.net.

The following are some important things you need to know about your child’s upcoming year:

Homework/Agendas

Your child should bring home their agenda every night, Monday through Thursday. Your child is responsible for writing down any assignments that they did not finish in class that day. We take 10 minutes at the end of the day to get our agenda filled out and organized. If your child gets all their work finished in class, they still have homework. I would like them to study their spelling words and read for 15 minutes per night.

Every morning I check the agendas for parent signatures, notes, etc. If your signature is there, your child gets a sticker. On Friday they receive a treat if the agenda is signed daily. If the agenda is signed, but no homework is written down, they do not get credit for that signature.

Again, it is your child’s responsibility to bring home the agenda and get it signed.

In addition, they have a homework folder to put unfinished work in as the day progresses.

Classroom Policies

Children should have their required supplies daily. Their books need to be covered , their journal up-to-date and their assignments handed in on time. Please check with your child periodically to make sure they have updated supplies.

When your child has a late assignment, 10 points is taken off for the first day, and 20 points for the second. After that, late work will not be accepted, and they will receive a “0” for that assignment.

Grades/ Progress Reports

Your child’s graded papers will come home every week in their Wednesday folder. If they receive below a 70 on any assignment, they may re-do it for 90% credit. It is their responsibility to do this and get it back to me in a timely fashion (one to two days).

You will receive mid-term progress reports. Also, if you are concerned about a particular subject area, I am happy to send home progress reports more often.

Classroom Management

In my classroom, I expect a Christian environment in which all students are treated with kindness and respect. Classroom rules are posted and discussed regularly.

Conferences

We have two scheduled conferences per year. If you need to see me at any other time, please call the office at 486-1860 to set up an appointment as soon as possible, or you may email me.

My sincere thanks for your cooperation.  Thank you for the gift of your child! I am always interested in your input, and ways in which I can help your child succeed. Do not hesitate to drop me a note or email letting me know how I can help.

Sincerely,

Barb Kuhn