don’t let what you can’t do stop you from doing what you can do. -john wooden
TRANSCRIPT
WELCOME TO MRS. PISANO’S
FOURTH GRADE CLASS
Don’t let what you can’t do stop you from doing what you can do. -John Wooden
A little about me!
Welcome to Somerset Academy’s Open House! I am Mrs. Pisano and I am very delighted to be your child’s 4th grade teacher. This is my sixth year teaching at Somerset Academy. I currently hold a Master’s Degree in Education from Florida Atlantic University. In addition, I am ESOL endorsed. I have been married for 7 years, been together for 16 and I have a beautiful 3 year old daughter and a 4 month old baby boy. Our Teacher Assistant is Ms. Berrios. Together, we are pleased to be part of your child’s learning journey this 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 Journeys and Go Math Textbooks and workbooks to supplement the curriculum. Along with the textbooks, I will also incorporate Scholastic News, educational websites, digital resources, and 4th grade novels into their learning and enrichment. Novels include:
○ James and the Giant Peach by Roald Dahl○ No Talking by Andrew Clements
○ Hoot by Carl Hiaasen
F.S.A (Florida State Assessment) Measures performance standards in Reading/Language Arts
and Mathematics
Emphasizes critical thinking and assess students’ higher-order thinking skills Multiple choice Multi-select Two part question
Testing Schedule: February 29-March 11: FSA Writing (Computer based) March 28-April 8: FSA Mathematics (Paper based) April 11- May 6: FSA English/Language Arts (Computer based)
***Next year, the Math portion will be computer based.
Somerset FSA tutoring More information will be provided in October
***BAFS will now be replaced with BSA. 1 installment in January.
Tips For Success!
Three easy steps to make this a successful year!ReadDiscussBe active and involved!
Reading Weekly Themed Stories
Reading skills (ex: prefixes, suffixes, cause and effect) taught with the story weekly
Along with the weekly reading skill taught, students will be incorporating their writing skills into their reading. Students will learn how to answer reading comprehension questions with short answer responses.
Spelling and Vocabulary will be given weekly
All materials and notes will be kept in their journal and folder.
Language Arts Spelling and Vocabulary
New focus skill each weekWeekly test on FridayYou can find our words on my web page.
Studying the weekly Spelling words are your child's responsibility, however, classwork time will be designated to practice their spelling words.
Students will also be practicing weekly skills taught in their Reading and incorporating them into their Language Arts curriculum.
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 can access their child’s current grades by clicking the Pinnacle link from our school website, www.somersetacademy.com, and logging on with their user ID and password. You can login and put your email address in and have Pinnacle update you on your child’s progress.
Homework =10%Class work = 25%
Tests = 35%Projects = 10%Quizzes = 20%
Schedule 8:00 - 8:15 Morning Business 8:15 - 8:50 Math 8:55 - 9:30 Specials/ Recess (Wed.
and Friday Late specials – 1:20-1:55 9:35 – 9:50 Math cont. 9:50 -11:10 Reading 11:15 – 11:45 Lunch 11:50 - 12:45 Reading/Language Arts 12:45 – 1:20 Social Studies/Science 1:30 – 2:00 Recess 2:00 Dismissal
Specials
Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday
Code
Academy
8:55 – 9:30
Panther
Principles
8:55 – 9:30
P.E.
1:20 – 1:55
Spanish
8:55 -9:30
Music
1:20 –
1:55
Classroom Management
Rules:1) Follow directions the first time
they are given.2) Listen when the teacher or
another student is talking.3) Raise your hand for permission to
speak or stand up.4) Keep your hands, feet, and objects
to yourself.6) Keep your dear teacher happy.
Classroom Management cont…
Rewards/Consequences: Behavior Chart
Green: On the Set: Ready to learn: No consequence/Student has been good and did not need talking to.
Orange: On the Walk of Fame: Student was behaving very well. Showed behavior worth pointing out. Receive Way to go 4 times/month get a sweet treat.
Purple: Oscar Winning Performance: Student displayed excellent behavior. Receive Star student 4 times/month receive a FREE HW pass.
Yellow: Take 1 (Make Better Choices): Student was warned and the behavior continued. 10 minutes off recess.
Red: Parent contact (Take 2): Loss of all privileges and note home/call home to parents.
Classroom Management Cont… Individual rewards
Tickets:
Students will be able to earn tickets throughout the school day for great behavior. Students caught doing the right thing, staying on task, doing their classroom jobs correctly and/or having good behavior will receive tickets. Students can turn in their tickets and redeem them for prizes or fun activities in the class. Students may also put their tickets into a bucket and be raffled out every Friday for a treat.
Classroom Management Cont… Classroom rewards
Compliments Popcorn bucket: Students will have the chance to earn a class party by
filling up the compliment bucket to the top by receiving compliments from their teacher and other teachers/administration. Students may also take away from the jar for unsatisfactory behavior.
* Compliment from me = 2 balls (or at my discretion)
* Compliment from other teachers = 3 balls* Compliment from Mr. Montero or Mrs. Enriquez =
4 balls.
Planner
Planners are used daily and provide much information such as the year long calendar of school activities, homework, spelling/vocabulary words 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. It will also give me the opportunity to communicate with you if needed. A daily color will be placed in their planner in the form of a smiley face, or sad face according to their color change.
Homework Homework will be posted on the board daily. It will be the
students responsibility to write down his/her homework for the night in their planner. Homework will be posted on my webpage but do not rely on the webpage because HW is subject to change. If HW is changed, the students will have enough time to change it accordingly in their planner before the end of the day.
Homework is averaged as part of your student’s grade. Homework is due the following day unless otherwise specified. Homework may vary from day to day.
If a homework is not turned in on the due date, the student will have one day to complete and turn in the homework for a 75%.
Homework Club
Students have the opportunity to earn a sweet reward at the end of each month. All students remaining in the club will get a reward from me.
If a homework is not turned in, the student will have one day to complete the homework along with an extra assignment. Students get one chance to get back into the club.
Tests Tests count for 35% of your child’s final average Students will not be allowed to retake tests. The material is
covered in depth during class lessons and the material is reviewed before each test. Your child’s grade is his/her responsibility.
Most tests are given on Fridays. Students will have ample notice of upcoming tests so that they can study prior to test day.
Each Friday, we take a Spelling and Reading Comprehension test. (Math tests may vary depending on the length of the chapters)
Social Studies and Science Tests may vary upon completing the unit.
Students will be given a multiplication quiz every Wednesday
Please check Pinnacle weekly to track your child’s progress.
No name papers
Any papers submitted with no name will result in 10
points off of the final grade.
Think Central Think Central is a website where students can
access their student textbook and student workbook for Go Math as well as our Reading Curriculum “Journeys” Reading books will not be allowed to go home. All reading text books as well as their workbooks are online. Science Fusion can also be accessed on Think Central.
Students can utilize a variety of resources to help reinforce the skills taught in class through Think Central.
http://www.thinkcentral.com/
Study Island
Study Island is an excellent tool for your child’s enrichment.
Study Island will be used in class as well as at home for homework or extra practice.
As your child’s teacher, if I see that your child needs extra support in a specific area, I will make sure they have plenty of extra practice to further enrich their learning.
Communication, Friday Folder & Conferences
Communication is an important part of success for your child. I will provide weekly updates via my e-mail distribution list and through my web page. http://www.somersetacademy.com search for Staff directory. Look for my name. LaRae Pisano.
The fastest way to reach me is by e-mail. Please feel free to e-mail me at [email protected] with any questions or concerns anytime. You may also leave a phone message via the office at (954) 442-0233 ext 206.
Friday folders are sent home each Friday. Please look through it and keep all papers at home. Grades less than a “C” must be returned and signed on Mondays.
Parent Volunteer HoursParents 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) Please visit my WISH LIST (http://www.wishlistr.com/tziadie/) for
classroom items. Please remember to keep the receipt and attach it to the Volunteer Record Form. I will sign the form and turn it in to the office.
We are happy to announce that we have created a link on our website to facilitate the tracking of your volunteer hours. Please follow the steps below to view your account:
1) Go onto: www.somersetacademy.com
2) Click “Stop (Obligations)” 3) Log on: ########## (student ID number)
4) Password: mm/dd/yyyy (student’s birthday) (*** slashes are required***)
Room Parent: If you are interested in becoming a room parent for our class, please send me an email or indicate it on the sign in sheet.
AttendanceSomerset 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. Tardy is 8:05
For absences: Please provide a note explaining the reason for your child’s absence the day he or she returns to school. You may also call the hotline or email Ms. Manso at [email protected].
If you are planning for a trip or special occasion, you must submit a letter and get prior approval from Mrs. Enriquez. Failure to get pre-approval may result in unexcused absences on your child’s attendance record.
Reminders
Students are required to bring 2 chapter books for daily reading. Starting in September we will be reading our 4th grade novel, James and The Giant Peach, please make sure to purchase this novel ASAP.)
Please try and make all purchases online through our website. www.somersetacademy.com
Other novels to be purchased: James and the Giant Peach by Roald Dahl No Talking by Andrew Clements Hoot by Carl Hiaasen
Please bring in an individual white board
Forms to be returned
Copy of Insurance (Both sides)
Family/Volunteer Application
Code of Conduct pgs. 6-10
Spirit Shirt
Student/Parent handbook acknowledgement form
Payment Agreement
Parent/guardian contract
$10 Specials Fee
St. Augustine
St. Augustine is our “big” fourth grade overnight field trip.
It runs APPROXIMATELY $270 students/ $300 adults Price includes St. Augustine t-shirt, hotel stay, 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.
What’s New for 2015-2016myON Reader
https://www.myon.com/ provides anytime, anywhere access to a library of more than 9,000 enhanced digital books
with multimedia supports, real-time reporting and assessments and embedded close reading tools.
innovative digital literacy platform allows students not only to read, but to read closely, to engage with digital texts in new ways that will transform the entire learning experience. (Literacy Toolkit)
Code Academy- (Mr. Lee) replaces Science special will focus on computer literacy skills including keyboarding, Microsoft Word & PowerPoint,
coding (how computer software works), etc. www.code.org
Panther Principles- (Coach Gonzalez) replacing Respect Curriculum will focus on positive character traits, anti-bullying and character education
Backpack Tag Included in the purchase of a planner ($7) Must include: Name, Grade, and Mode of Transportation (example: Car, Bus (write name of
bus & route), Walker, etc.)
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 am certain we will have a successful year!
Please note, without your parental support at home your children will not be able to succeed in the classroom. By signing my classroom management plan, you are agreeing to work with your child as much as possible outside of the classroom.
I DO NOT BELIEVE IN THE WORDS I CAN’T…. ONLY THE WORDS I
CAN!!!!!
It is ok to not know, but it is not ok to NOT
try!!!
Homework for you Please send me an email with your
child’s name as the subject line.
This will help me communicate better with you about events, news, or updates.
Questions?