ROOM 121 - FOURTH GRADE!

 
Dear Family, 
I hope that you and your student are returning from summer vacation feeling refreshed, 
rejuvenated and ready for fourth grade at Amanda Moore Elementary! 
As an alumni of Romeo Community Schools, I am excited to be working in the district that 
holds a special place in my heart. I am also a graduate of Ferris State (GO BULLDOGS) with a 
degree in Elementary Education and concentrations in ELA and Math. 
I have a few things that I feel are very important for you to take note of so that we can get 
off to a great start! 
 
 
STUDENT RESPONSIBILITY 
“Accept RESPONSIBILITY for your actions, Be ACCOUNTABLE for your 
results, Take OWNERSHIP of your mistakes!” 
The theme of fourth grade is for the students to begin to take control of their 
education!​ By this time, students are used to the structures of school. Now, they have the 
opportunity to develop some social skills relating to responsibility, accountability and 
ownership!  
Your child will be your greatest resource for the buzz of our classroom! They are the 
perfect window into our daily classroom routines, announcements and lessons!  
It is my hope that your child will learn to be an advocate for themselves - bringing their 
questions and concerns directly to me so that we can work something out!  
Though I highly encourage a strong communication between home and school, I am 
absolutely thrilled when a student takes their own initiative! My students know that they can 
pull me aside for a private conversation at ANY time! I am here to help in any way, but I cannot 
help a situation if I am unaware of its existence!  
 
 
CLASSROOM INFORMATION/UPDATES 
“Communication is KEY to a smooth school year!” 
Throughout the year, I will be posting newsletters to our classroom website. On the 
weebly homepage, go to the “Newsletters” tab for updates, reminders and other notices. In 
fourth grade, we believe in a strong home/school connection! Please do not ever hesitate to 
reach out should you have questions or concerns.  
If you do not have computer access and will not be able to utilize the classroom website, 
let me know - we can work something out! 
DRINKS/SNACKS 
Our classroom is a​ water only zone​! Feel free to send in a water bottle that students can 
fill throughout the day using our water fountain. As upper-elementary students, I feel that they 
can regulate their own growling stomach. I tend to graze on snacks throughout the school day, 
so it is only fair that I provide the same opportunity for my students! Therefore, I do not have a 
designated “snack time”. ​Instead, the students are free to grab their snack at their own 
discretion with a few conditions: 
 
● Healthy snacks are preferred! 
● Must be easy to clean up! 
● Must be respectful of other students learning - it should not distract their peers! 
● Must be respectful of their own learning - no snack while a lesson is being taught! 
 
 
BATHROOM POLICY 
Throughout our school day, students have multiple opportunities to take care of business 
before coming into our classroom. As upper-elementary students, it is their responsibility to be 
prepared; that includes using the restroom prior to entering the room! 
Listed below are the perfect opportunities for students to use the bathroom so that it is 
not disruptive to their learning or the learning of others! These are bathroom FREEBIES! 
● Before the first bell 
● During lunchtime 
● During lunch recess 
● During afternoon recess 
● After pack-up, before dismissal bell 
● On the way to and from specials 
I understand that bathroom emergencies happen! However, if they are responsibly using 
the above opportunities to do their business, it should be a rare occurrence for students to use 
the bathroom during our work time. Students are ​not permitted​ to use the restroom during a 
lesson or during their silent reading time. ​*If your child has a special circumstance regarding the 
restroom, please let me know so that we can come up with a plan that works for them!* 
 
 
LEARNING ENVIRONMENT 
“I am somebody. I was somebody when I came in and  
I will be a BETTER somebody when I leave.” 
If you look in my classroom, you will notice that I have signs at the front of my room that 
empower students! I hung these posters to help my students see how incredible they are! 
 I am a passionate lifelong learner and teaching others to love learning is my greatest 
desire. I recognize that students learn best when they have someone cheering them on, building 
them up with encouragement. For that reason, creating strong, positive relationships with my 
students and between my students is a number one priority.  
I call our classroom a community of learners.​ I strive to create an environment where 
students feel safe to speak their mind, comfortable enough to make mistakes, and hungry to 
read and learn more.  
Through team building exercises, your child will collaborate with their peers on a variety 
of tasks throughout each school day. They will be inspired to ask questions, solve problems and 
think critically about their work. 
 
 
TABLES/SEATING 
In our community of learners, we use tables instead of desks. This allows for a huge 
amount of flexibility in where students sit around the classroom while they are working. With 
supply buckets at each table, the students have quick access to learning tools, no matter where 
they are in the room! In addition to their home seats, the students have a variety of other small 
tables that they may move to or stand at during work time.  
Not all students can learn while sitting in a hard plastic chair. For that reason, I have 
purchased other flexible seating for my students to utilize. To accommodate diverse needs, we 
have six options for our community! Each seating type has its own set of rules for general safety 
purposes. Students who abuse these rules will lose the privilege of that seating option.  
 
 
BEHAVIOR MANAGEMENT 
  This year I will be using ClassDojo as a way to communicate behavior to parents! This is a 
great way for you to stay informed on the things that your child is excelling at, as well as some 
areas that they need improvement! Every day, I am amazed at the overwhelming amount of 
positive behavior that I see from students - but more often than not, phone calls home only ever 
focus on the negative behavior. Using ClassDojo is my way of changing that stereotype!  
Every Friday, ClassDojo will automatically send you a report through the mobile app, 
explaining how the week went for your child! You will have the opportunity to view/comment 
on the assignments they completed, and the activities that they participated in. 
 
 
INCENTIVES 
As they earn “Dojo Points,” students will be individually awarded “Dojo Bucks” that can 
be redeemed for special privileges and treats. As a whole class, they will also be working 
towards classwide goals! You will be notified as we earn these special privileges so that you may 
celebrate our success with us!  
 
 
SPECIAL OCCASION PARTIES 
At Amanda Moore, we have 3 parties where parents are invited into our classrooms to 
celebrate special occasions! These are Halloween, Christmas and End of the Year! It is my goal 
to have a parent volunteer to organize each party, as well as other volunteers who are willing to 
donate food, supplies and prizes. For each party, I allow the students to brainstorm how they 
want their party to go (within reason of course)! 
 
 
 
SCHOOL SCHEDULE 
First Bell 8:53am 
Tardy Bell 8:58am 
Dismissal Bell 3:58pm 
Student Instructional Day  8:58am-3:58pm 
 
 
LUNCH SCHEDULE 
Fifth & Third 11:45am - 12:25pm 
Second & First 11:55 am - 12:35 pm 
Kinder & Fourth 12:25 pm - 1:05 pm 
 
 
SPECIALS SCHEDULE 
Monday - Friday 11:25am - 12:10pm 
Music (M), Gym (T), Art (W), Gym (Th), Digital Literacy (F)