Dear 4-B Parents,
Welcome to 4B! Looking forward to meeting your children in September. I have a wonderful year planned. I will keep you updated as events unfold for the opening of the 2020-2021 school year. Please enjoy the rest of the summer. God Bless and stay healthy.
Mrs. Borghoff
kborghoff@olmacademy.org
ABSENCES
If your child is absent, I will be happy to have the homework sent home. Let the front office know and the work will be left on the bench across from the nurse's office.
EXTRA HELP
I am available for extra help in any subject area, as needed, on Monday and Wednesday. If you feel that your child is struggling in a particular area, please send me a note. If you feel your child needs a tutor, please let me know.
HOMEWORK
I aim to give purposeful homework on a daily basis. New homework planners have been provided for each child. It is imperative that your child has his/her planner in school each day. I rarely give homework on the weekend. I check homework each day. I will send a homework slip home if your child has missed his/her assignment. If there is an unusual circumstance at home please let me know. You can also check the homework daily on the OLMA website. Each teacher has their own set of pages. I often post information pertaining to class, on this site.
READING/WRITING
Each student has been asked to keep a chapter book in his/her desk or nearby at all times. If an extended amount of time allows, they may read from their book. Each student will be required to complete one book report a month. I encourage the students to complete a book report and receive credit in the form of a sticker for each book read. After earning 10 stickers, the student may choose a small prize. Each student will be required to turn in one book report each month.
The fourth grade students use
The class is given time for writing in each of the subject areas. My goal is to expose the students to several genres of writing. I incorporate letter writing, essays, book reports, creative writing, poetry, and newspaper publishing.Students will be following certain criteria that will assist them in becoming proficient writers. I encourage you as parents, to model a love of reading and writing.
MATHEMATICS
Math is a very important part of the curriculum at Our Lady of Mercy. My class begins the day by doing 5 minutes of math seatwork each day. Students have folders. Their work is checked each Friday. Stickers can be earned for math seatwork and math enrichment. Aside from our daily math curriculum, students meet once a week for math drill. I also allow time for math games and use of the I pads. I cannot stress how very important it is for your child to commit the multiplication tables to memory. Memorizing these tables will have a direct effect on understanding the concepts of the 4th grade curriculum.
SCIENCE
The fourth grade is fortunate enough to be using an excellent science series this year. "Science, A Closer Look", gives the students an opportunity to study the material, with a particular emphasis on hands on activities. Each Tuesday afternoon, 4B is scheduled to use the science lab for our lesson. The lab is equipped with a Smart Board, as well as science equipment, which supplements the lesson.
BIRTHDAYS/SNACKS
When sending in a snack for your child's birthday, please remember to include enough for each child. We have 15 children in our class. It is important that you give me notice when the snack will be sent. I will need to notify parents of children with allergies. Cupcakes, cookies or donuts/munchkins work well as a birthday treat. Time does not allow us to have a cake, or anything that would have to be cut into pieces. If you are planning a birthday party that does not include the entire class, please arrange to give out the invites off the school premises. Please keep your child's daily snack to a small amount. One snack and a drink is sufficient We do have children with food allergies in the class. Separate birthday snacks will be sent in by the parents.
CLASS TRIPS
The fourth grade will be taking two trips this year. The tentative plans are to take a trip in the fall and the Meadowlands Environmental Center in the spring. You will be advised of the dates, as they become available. The fourth grade will also be participating in a walking tour of Park Ridge in May.
UNIFORMS
Please check the student handbook for uniform guidelines. Jewelry should reflect the ideals of the school and our catholic religion. Socks, headbands and shoes should follow the uniform code stated in the handbook.
CLASS SPECIALS
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Spanish
Thank you, Mrs.Borghoff