Dear Families, Welcome to Fourth Grade at VGPA! My name is Mr.

Foley and I will be your childs teacher in room 305 this school year. I am very excited to welcome you and your child to fourth grade! We have a busy, but exciting year in store for us. I know that together we can build a group of responsible, independent, lifelong learners. In this classroom, we are On Track to College. Your child will be expected to work hard to grow their minds, hearts, and imaginations, as well as practice making the good choices that will allow them to grow up as leaders. I have high expectations for your child and myself! I will be working hard to invest your child in their education and the importance of hard work. Through hard work in the classroom and at home, I know that all students will make great progress academically, as well as develop positive character and sense of inquiry and imagination. It is extremely important that we maintain a close relationship regarding your child. Feel free to contact me by e-mail <[email protected]> or by phone (860-803-8645) anytime. No question, comment, or concern is too big or small. I am available to you and your child for homework help, comments, and suggestions. Please know upfront that I only speak English. This does not mean, however, that we cannot overcome any language barriers that might exist. While it is helpful for you to ask an older child, a relative, or a neighbor to act as a translator when needed, I can also gain access to bilingual school staff members. Do not hesitate to communicate with me about your childs progress. Lets ensure your childs success by keeping the lines of communication open. I hope you are as excited as I am that we get to work together this year to help your child grow and succeed! Best, Mr. Foley

4th Grade D.R.E.A.M. Team Classroom Management Plan

D = Discipline: choosing between what you want right now and what you want in the future R = Respect: treating yourself and others with regard to their feelings E = Effort: work hard to get good, work harder to get better A = Attitude: manner of carrying yourself M = Mastery: display of great skill, knowledge, or technique Team: a group of people working together towards a common goal. This title describes the values that our class will operate on. Each student will be held to these values and expected to display them in school and the community. Expectations: Be Respectful Be Positive Be Prepared Be on Task

Be Respectful
This means: *Treating others as you want to be treated. -Being nice to your classmates. -Being polite to those who may have different ideas than you. -Responding to others appropriately when they speak to you. -Following directions from all staff members. -Using kind words. -Treating school property nicely (e.g. desks, chairs, books, materials, doors, etc.) -Following expectations in the cafeteria, specials, recess, hallways, stairwells, office, and classroom). Violations of this expectation include: -Talking back to school staff. -Cursing or using impolite language. -Bullying (severe offense that will not be tolerated). -Touching others/invading others personal space. -Ruining property (e.g. desks, chairs, books, materials, doors, etc.) -Being rude to your classmates because they have a different idea than you.

Be Positive

This means: *Every day is a new day and a fresh start. -Coming to school with your best attitude, ready to learn. -Continuing to work hard even if something is really difficult to do or understand. -Putting 100% of your effort into all assignments. -Acting as leaders and examples for all other students at school. -Encouraging your classmates who may be struggling. Violations of this expectation include: -Putting someone down because they dont understand right away or struggle in a subject. -Having a bad attitude when you come to school. -Not putting your best effort into all of your assignments. -Setting a bad example for other students (e.g. not being respectful, positive, prepared or on task). -Giving up because something is difficult, or because you dont understand right away.

Be Prepared
This means: *Always having what you need to be successful in class. -Coming to school with all folders, notebooks, books, pencils, and assignments that are needed or are due. -Being ready to learn each day. -Keeping your backpack organized so you can find things quickly when Mr. Foley tells you that you will need them. -Following procedures and expectations so that learning time is not wasted. Violations of this expectation include: -Not coming to school with all necessary materials (see above for examples). -Not being prepared to work hard every day at school. -Having a messy bag, making it hard to find things. -Failing to follow procedures and expectations (this leads to lost learning time).

Be On Task
This means: *Always following directions and paying attention in class. -Following teacher instructions right away, without argument. -Following all classroom procedures (e.g. lining up, getting materials). -Paying attention during lessons. -Taking notes when asked to.

-Actively participating in learning. Violations of this expectation include: -Failing to follow teacher instructions when you are told to do so. -Arguing when the teacher gives you instructions. -Not paying attention during lessons (e.g. drawing or do something other than what you are asked to do).

Presenting Expectations to the Class 1st Weeks TBD *See First Weeks Plans (separate document) Class/Student Contract As a class, we will discuss what we want to accomplish this year (our Big Goals in Reading, Writing and Math), how we can accomplish our goals, and how we plan to work together to accomplish them. We will also discuss behavior and academic expectations (Rules and procedures that will help us to accomplish our goals). During the discussion students will be introduced to the four big classroom expectations (Be Respectful, Be Positive, Be Prepared and Be On Task). Students will then be asked to work in groups to list example of what each expectation means and what it looks like. Once each group has recorded their ideas we will share out as a whole group. Then, groups will be asked to create a list of what might be a violation of each expectation. Groups will share out, whole class. Then, using our lists, we will create a whole group classroom contract. The teacher and students will then sign the bottom of the contract. This contract will be put up in the classroom. *A variation of the contract with student, teacher and parent responsibilities listed will also be sent home for parents to sign.

Behavior Management:
Student Friendly: Purple = Awesome Day! Earn 3 raffle tickets and a positive note home. Green = Good Behavior. Earn 1 raffle ticket. Yellow = Lose 5 minutes of recess and class job for the day. Orange = Lose recess, reflection time, note sent home. Red = Call home during class and sent to ALC. Behavior will be tracked and assessed on a color chart system. This will consist of 5 levels. All students will start the day on Green. Students will move their clip either up or down based on their daily choices. If a students clip has moved up to purple they have gone above and beyond academically or behaviorally. If a students behavior or academic performance is not in compliance with the DREAM Team attitude they will have to move their clip down to yellow (strike 1).

If negative behavior continues, student will move clip down to orange (strike 2). If poor behavior still continues, the clip will move to red (strike 3). If students improve their behavior they will be able to move their clip up. (i.e. A student makes a poor choice and moves to yellow in the morning. After lunch the student encourages a struggling student and gets to move back up to green. Clips with student names on them will be visible in front of the class attached to the color they are on. Mr. Foley will also keep a chart on his clipboard to know what color students are on. (A new sheet is used each day). My sheet will have student names listed in alphabetical order down the side with 5 columns to the right of the names. I will mark with a pencil where each student is throughout the day. Rewards: *Students earn raffle tickets for many things (completing homework assignments, getting papers signed by parents, making good choices, ending the day on green or purple). Students are responsible for keeping track of their tickets. At the end of the day on Friday, students who have earned at least 15 tickets are entered into the weekly raffle. *Students who stayed on green/purple for the entire week earn 15 minutes of free choice time. *Students who stay on green/purple for the entire month are part of the lunch bunch. Immediate Consequences: Purple none Green none Yellow lose 5 minutes recess, class job for the day Orange lose recess, student moves to the chill out corner, note sent home Red student calls home, sent to ALC Important notes: *Some behaviors constitute an automatic referral to ALC. These behaviors include: endangering themselves or another student, leaving the classroom without permission, cursing, and repeated refusal to follow directions. *Students will track which color they end the day on and show their parents. Chill Out Corner Students who get to orange will spend 10 minutes removed from the current activity to reflect on their actions and chill. There, the student will have to fill out a letter of apology or a behavior reflection template. Once completed, this will need to be approved by the teacher before the student can return to their seat. The sheet will be brought home by the student along with a note and signed by a parent. Sheet needs to be returned the next day.

Weekly Raffle Students will earn raffle tickets for good deeds. On Fridays, if the student has earned at least 15 tickets they can put their tickets into the weekly raffle. If their ticket is drawn, they can choose a prize.

Whole Class
Positive Behavior Enforcement Class Compliments As a class, we will keep track of the compliments we receive from staff and students. One student will be assigned the job of keeping a running record of the compliments by adding a tally to our Class Compliment chart. Compliments can also be earned if the whole class completes homework or meets academic goals. Mystery Scholar I will choose a Mystery Scholar each morning from a stack of index cards with each students name. I will monitor the Mystery Scholar closely throughout the day (behavior, effort, academic work). If this person is being a true member of the DREAM Team, I will reveal his/her name at the end of the day. The entire class will then earn a compliment on our chart. If this person misbehaves, I will not reveal who it was. Reward: Every time the class earns 30 compliments, they earn a class celebration on the Friday of that week. The class will vote on 20 minutes of free time or 15 minutes extra recess. Negative Consequences Loss of specific materials until students earn the privilege back. Loss of recess time.

D.R.E.A.M. Team Learning Contract VGPA Room #305

All parties agree that academic success is the product of a cooperative effort. To insure that ________________ will benefit from this union, each party has the following responsibilities:

As a student ______________________________ will: 1. Be respectful to my classmates and all school staff. 2. Put my best effort into my schoolwork. 3. Pay attention during lessons. 4. Obey all rules and expectations both at home and at school. 5. Come prepared to school with homework, materials, and a positive attitude. 6. Spend at least 30 minutes a day reading. As a parent _______________________________ will: 1. Monitor my child's schoolwork and extracurricular activities. 2. Maintain a discipline policy with my child. 3. Attend all parent-teacher conferences, or arrange to meet with the teacher at least two times per year to discuss report cards and student progress 4. Volunteer my time or resources for at least 1 school activity during the year. As a teacher Mr. Foley will: 1. Provide a safe, comfortable environment for my students. 2. Provide ample time for my students to receive extra help after school. 3. Enforce school rules consistently. 4. Provide students with clear and concise expectations. 5. Work to make learning an enjoyable experience.

Signed:

Student Signature: X____________________________ Parent Signature: X____________________________ Teacher Signature: X____________________________

Date: _________________________ Student + Teacher + Family = Success

Date: _______________ Dear Parent/Guardian, This letter is to inform you of your childs behavior in school today. I know we both want your child to make significant academic gains this year. Because behavioral issues can take away from learning time, I wanted you to be aware of the choices your child made today. Please sign and return this sheet. Thank you for your support! _______________________________________________________________ Appropriate items have been checked. _____ Did not turn in homework _____Disturbing other students _____ Not keeping hands to self _____ Talking Excessively _____ Refusing to participate _____ Using obscene language _____ Threatening others _____ Not completing work _____ Disrupting class _____ Left the classroom without permission _____ Throwing objects in class _____ Being disrespectful of teachers or other school staff Comments:

Parent Signature: ________________________ Date: ____________________

El estudiante + Maestro + la Familia = Exito

Fecha: _______________ Estimado Padre/Guardin, Esta carta es de informarle de la conducta de su nio en la escuela hoy. S que nosotros ambas necesidad su nio para hacer las ganancias acadmicas significativas este ao. Porque los asuntos conductistas pueden llevar de aprender tiempo, yo dese que usted fuera consciente de las elecciones su nio hecho hoy. Por favor signo y vuelve esta hoja. Gracias por su apoyo! ________________________________________________________________ Los artculos apropiados han sido verificados. _____ No gir en deberes _____ Perturbar a otros estudiantes _____ Las manos no manteniendo al ser _____ Hablar excesivamente _____ Negar a participar _____ Utilizando el idioma obsceno _____ Amenazar otros _____ Trabajo no complete _____ Interrumpir la clase _____ Dej el aula sin el permiso _____ Tirar se opone en la clase _____ Es irrespetuoso de maestros u otro personal de escuela Comentarios:

Cre Firma: ___________________________ Fecha: ____________________

Date: _______________ Dear Parent/Guardian, This letter is to inform you of your childs success in school today. Your child served as a role model by making positive choices and staying focused on learning. This positive behavior will undoubtedly help him/her make significant academic progress this year. Thank you for your support! ________________________________________________________________ Appropriate items have been checked. _____ Asked great questions during lessons _____Helped other students with their work _____ Demonstrated leadership _____ Served as a role model for other students _____ Showed respect to students and teachers _____ Made positive behavior choices _____ Kept hands and feet to him/herself _____ Followed classroom and school procedures _____ Came to class prepared _____ Followed the teachers directions _____ Stayed focused and attentive during lessons _____ Asked for extra help and/or work _____ Maintained a positive attitude Comments:

Name _______________________________ _____________

Week of

Weekly Homework Monday

_____ Spelling practice tac-toe _____ Read for 30 min. or more. _____ Math practice sheet
(due Tues.)

Circle the type of reading

done tonight:

choose and do 1

Read to Self Read to Someone Listen to Reading

spelling practice activity from your tic-

Tuesday
_____ Vocabulary practice _ ____ Spelling practice (due Wed.) choose and do 1 spelling activity from your tic-tactoe _____ Read for 30 min. or more. _____ Math practice sheet

Circle the type of reading

done tonight:

Read to Self Read to Someone Listen to Reading

Wednesday
_____ Vocabulary practice _____ Read for 30 min. or more. _____ Math practice sheet

Circle the type of reading

done tonight:

Read to Self Read to Someone Listen to Reading Circle the type of reading
done tonight:

Thursday

_____ spelling practice; choose final tic-tac-toe activity

(Test Friday!)

Read to Self Read to Someone Listen to Reading

_____ Read for 30 min. or more. _____ Math practice sheet _____ Vocabulary practice

Friday
Your child will be writing and illustrating a parent journal letter today including highlights from their week. Please respond and send to school with them on Monday. Also complete the weekly reading log. Thank you for your support! _____ Read for 60 min. or more.

Reading at least 60 min. over the weekend. This will help your child become a lifelong reader! Consider going to the Library!

Parents: Please initial as you see that your child has completed each activity. Your child is responsible for returning this sheet to me Monday for a homework completion grade.