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Wednesday 23 August 2017

Welcome to Grade 4!

I hope everyone had a fantastic summer. For those of you who are new to SJA, my name is Rosalind Hung and I am one of the Grade 4 teachers. I have been a teacher at SJA since September 2016 teaching Grade 3 and this will be my first year teaching Grade 4. In the past, I have taught Grade 6 and Grades 6, 7, and 8 Visual Arts at another private school. My qualifications also extend to the senior grade levels for Social Sciences and Visual Arts. Fun fact: I have a Netherland Dwarf rabbit named Pebbles who is seven years old!

Blog/Agendas/Specialists

I will be teaching language, math and of course UOI (Units of Inquiry)! Our classroom is Room 18, next to the front office. I invite you to check out my blog on a daily basis at http://mshungsja.blogspot.ca. On my blog you will be able to see our daily class activities, homework, weekly spelling words, important dates, the Grade 4 schedule, and other items as well. My blog will be updated on a daily basis. Madame Stella will be teaching French, Mr. Oliver will be teaching music, and Mr. Beresford will be teaching Phys. Ed.. Daily agendas will also be filled out by each student and are expected to be signed by parents/guardians on a nightly basis.

Uniform

Grade 4 is a big year as it is the beginning of students’ Junior PYP career! Everything is done independently this year, such as the Science Fair and Oral Presentations where the Grade 4’s write and memorize an informational speech. Another big change is the uniform. From September until Thanksgiving, students are able to wear the summer uniform, which consists of grey pants/shorts/skirts, navy sock, and the white polo t-shirt. From Thanksgiving until after Easter, students are required to wear the winter uniform, which consists of grey pants/skirts, navy blue socks/tights, a white button up shirt, a tie, a long sleeve sweater/sweater vest, and the blazer. Students must wear their blazer during assemblies, to and from class during transitions, and of course during field trips. Black dress shoes are also required, as is a house colour tie to wear on Fridays. Black shoes must be polishable! **All uniform pieces must be purchased through Alpa and Multiform Canada. Uniform violations will be sent home to students who do not have the proper uniform pieces.** Alpa can be reached at alpa@multiformcanada.ca.

UOI

Our first UOI unit is Oh, Canada, where students will explore Canada. As part of our action, I am asking for students to bring in postcards from all over Canada. It can be one you got on a Canadian adventure, or if you have a friend or relative, who lives in another part of Canada, ask them to send you one!! Our first novel study will be Anne of Green Gables, which ties in nicely to our UOI. On my blog, you can find a link to SJA’s Program of Inquiry, as well as a list of our Units of Inquiry.

Trips

In Grade 4, we hope to have some exciting trips and events. Last year the students went to Medieval Times and Royal Botanical Gardens. They also had Scientists in the school for two workshops and Crock-A-Doodle come in for an art project. We hope to give ample warning for when trips/events may take place. Please keep in mind that hot lunch will not be provided during trips and that no reimbursements will be given for hot lunch. Reimbursements will also not be given if your child is ill on the day of the trip. Volunteers are more than welcome and we will do our best to accommodate all volunteers.

Homework

Homework is given on a nightly basis and is expected to be completed by the following day, unless other wise noted. I do understand that life does get in the way of homework being completed, but it should not become a habit. If homework is not complete, students will miss a recess/gym to get caught up.

Hot Lunch Program

Ms. Bancud is taking over the hot lunch program from Mrs. Smith. All hot lunch orders can be done online. Payments can be sent to the school via cash or cheque. I will send reminders about the final day that you can order lunch and when the payment is due.

Please see note from Ms. Bancud - HOT lunch program is back online and ready for you to place your order for the month of September. Please know that the website closes off end of day August 31st and is unable to reopen for September ordering. Please ensure you get your orders in as soon as possible! We have some new options featured on our menu, please keep your eye out for those! Lunch payments are due to homeroom teacher or reception no later than September 8th, 2017.

Below are the instructions for returning families:
*if you have a sibling joining SJA this year please keep in mind you can only use one email per child.

Step 1 Logon to website http://mydigitalmailroom.com/sja - if you forgot your password or email used please contact bsmith@stjudesacademy.com

Step 2 Across the top menu bar you will see several options, please scroll over MY ACCOUNT, Change grade and teacher to reflect new year. Select SAVE

Step 3 Across the top menu bar you will see several options, please scroll over MANAGE LUNCH, a drop-down menu will appear, select ADD NEW LUNCH FORM.
*Don’t forget to select payment method BEFORE ordering

Below are the instructions for new families:

**If you have more than one child you will need to use different email addresses for each child. Only one child can be registered and ordered for under a single email address.

Step 1 Go to website http://mydigitalmailroom.com/sja

·         Select register an account
·         Select grade
·         Select class
·         Select teacher
·         Enter in student information
·         Accept terms and conditions and select Register

Repeat for additional students.

Step 2 Across the top menu bar you will see several options, please scroll over MANAGE LUNCH, a drop-down menu will appear, select ADD NEW LUNCH FORM.
*Don’t forget to select payment method BEFORE ordering

Kiss and Ride

1. Please note that afternoon Kiss and Ride has been cancelled. The new dismissal procedures can be found in the SJA Parent and Student Handbook attached to this email. The new procedures will also be explained at the orientation evening next week.

2. Daily early dismissal procedures have been cancelled. Parents will still be able to pick up their children for appointments. Please notify your child's teacher as these events occur.


SJA Back to School Kick Off BBQ

The Parent Guild is excited to invite all families to the "SJA Back to School Kick Off" BBQ. This is a great opportunity to meet other families, socialize and have fun!

When: September 16th from 11 am- 3 pm.
Where: St. Jude's Academy
Price: $30 (includes food, drink, games, cupcakes, etc...)

A few other key items:

·         - Orientation Night is Monday, August 28 from 5-7 PM. We will begin in the Grade 4 classroom (Room 18) (5-6 pm) and then move into the auditorium for a general session (6-7 pm) in the auditorium.
·          - All SJA families are required to purchase a key fob. This will allow you to enter the building at the side door between 7:30-9:00 AM and then again from 3:45-6:00 PM. The key fob is a $40 deposit and you can see speak to Dawn about ordering one.
·         - As stated in the email sent from Ashley at reception, microwaves will be used only for students in Grade 3 and up. The microwaves are intended to warm up food, so please refrain from sending meals that need to be cooked, such as frozen dinners. Please also ensure that you are sending everything your child may need for their lunch, such as condiments, utensils, and plates for microwavable meals if applicable. We will no longer be handing out plates, bowls, cutlery, and condiments, as they are strictly for those who order hot lunch.
·         - As for our birthday policy, you will see in the Student Handbook to please refrain from sending in food related items. If you would like to send in something, a book with your child’s name can be added to the library or a loot bag with pencils, erasers, notebooks, etc. can be sent home with students.
·      -  A kind reminder that we are a peanut and nut-free school. Please avoid sending in items, which ‘may contain.’

August/September Dates

·       -Thursday, August 31 is the last day to order September lunch.
·       -  Wednesday, September 6 is the first day of school.
·       -Week of September 6-8 is Neophyte Week with Friday, September 8 being our first house color spirit day.
      -Please dress in your house color: orange, blue, or green! All teachers should have a list of student houses, so if you are unsure of your child’s house, please ask!
·      - Friday, September 8 is when September lunch payments are due.
·      - On Saturday, September 16, our SJA Parent Guild is hosting a “SJA Back to School Kick Off” BBQ. This event will take place from 11:00- 3:00 pm rain or shine and will be held in the back playground area. The cost is $30/person all inclusive. This event is sure to be an amazing time!
·      - Tuesday, September 26 will be our Terry Fox Run.
·     - Wednesday, September 27 will be our first Casual Day. Students will be allowed to dress down if they have paid the $20 casual day fee for the year.

Please find attached in your emails a copy of the SJA Parent/Student Handbook, SJA Code of Conduct, and the SJA 2017-2018 Calendar. Please take the time to carefully review each attachment and then sign and print off the last page of the SJA Parent/Student Handbook and return to me no later than Friday, September 15, 2017.

I apologize for the information overload! I look forward to seeing you all on Monday, August 28 from 5-7 pm. If any questions arise in the meantime, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Enjoy the rest of your summer,

Rosalind Hung 


Grade 4 Daily Class Schedule 2017- 2018

Time
Day 1, 3, 5
Day 2, 4, 6
8:45- 8:55
O’Canada & Announcements
O’Canada & Announcements
9:00- 9:30
Day 1- Reading Buddies
Day 3- Library
Day 5- Daily 5
Music
9:30- 10:00
Gym

Gym
10:00-10:20
Agenda
Agenda
10:20- 11:00
French
French
11:10-11:30
Recess 1
Recess 1
11:30-12:00
Lunch 1
Lunch 1
12:00- 12:45
Language
Language
12:45-1:40
Math
Math
1:40- 2:00
Recess 2
Recess 2
2:00-2:20
              Lunch 2             
Lunch 2
2:20- 3:20
UOI
UOI
3:20-3:30
Home Time
Home Time