Welcome to Back to School Night!

Tuesday September 8, 2015

Room 39

A Little About Me:• Desiree Burbank

• Bachelors Degree in Business Management from SJSU • Multiple Subject Teaching Credential from Sacramento

State• Girls Basketball Coach for Warm Springs Elementary (Girls

team). Will be my 4th year as of this year. • Born and raised in Fremont, Ca. I went to Hirsch, Horner

and Irvington. • Previously taught Science Prep for 1-6th grades at Oliveira

Elementary School.• Taught 5th grade for 2 years, then 4th grade last year at

Warm Springs Elementary.• Previous FUDTA Site Rep and Science Fair Judge last year. • CELDT Tester this year .

My Contact Information• The best way to get a hold of me is through email.

My email is: dburbank@fremont.k12.ca.us• My extension at the school is 45139. The best way

to contact me is through email. I cannot answer emails during the school day. Please give me 24 hrs advance notice or window to reply.

• I also have a class website through the school. -Access Warm Springs website at http://www.fmtusd.org/warmsprings/site/default.asp -Click on the ‘Teachers’ tab and click on my name under the B’s

(Click on “Burbank”) - I am in the process of updating my website. This site is for general information only. I will not be posting homework online.

Classroom RulesClass rules are as follows:1.Follow The 8 Great Traits2.Be Ready to Learn3.Do Your Best Work Everyday.4.Respect Ms. Burbank5.Cooperate with your peers.6.Golden Rule – Treat Others the Way You Want to be Treated.7.Be Flexible!8. Be Happy! Have Fun!

Classroom and Table Group Points

• Point System: Every week the class and assigned table groups will have the opportunity to earn daily points. At the end of the week, prizes are awarded based on the following below:

Class Points:The class goal is to earn “Free Minutes”. These minutes are earned by the class following the class rules, the 8 Great Traits, working well in their groups, and last but not least working to achieve their “Free Minutes Goal of the Week”. For example, this week it is “To come into class QUIETLY”. These free minutes that are earned will be provided to the students at the end of the week, in the form of some class activity.

Table Group Points:The table group with the most points earned at the end of the week will receive $5 and a small prize, such as various school supplies, reading area pass, computer pass, etc.

Behavior Policy3-Step Behavior PolicyAll students understand the following consequences when rules are broken:

1.1st offence - Verbal WarningStudent owes $1

2. 2nd offence - Bench Slip Student serves 1 recess on the bench (or in class) and owes $1

3. 3rd offence - Responsibility Slip Student receives Responsibility Slip, owes $1, serves all 3

recesses during that day. A parent signature is required and the slip is returned the following next day. The student will be asked to copy and complete either the “Behavior Worksheet” or the “Time-Out Lesson”, depending on the severity of the behavior. An email will be sent from the teacher to the parent.

*Depending on the severity of the issue, the student could be sent to the Asst. Principal to discuss his/her behavior. The parent will receive a call home.

Homework Policy• Your child will be assigned approximately 45-60 minutes

of homework per day, Monday through Thursday. Homework is instrumental in reinforcing skills that were learned in class. Homework not only allows the students independent practice, but also teaches responsibility and helps to develop good study habits. Homework is due on the morning of the due date since we check answers together.

• Homework makes up 20% of each subject’s grade.

• No late homework is accepted.

Homework Responsibilities

1. Students will receive daily homework.2. Students will be assigned work that can be

completed independently.3. Students are responsible for completing and

turning in homework when due.4. Parents are responsible for providing a quiet

time and place for homework to be completed.5. Parents are encouraged to monitor and assist

students when needed.6. Parents are to sign the Student Planner

nightly. This is part of the student’s daily homework assignment. Student’s will be showing the teacher their signed Student Planner on a daily basis.

Must Do’s and May Do’s

• “Must Do” assignments are weekly class work assignments that are to be completed IN CLASS.

• Students are responsible for making sure all “Must Do” assignments are completed by Friday prior to school ending. I list the assignments on the “Must Do / May Do” Chart as they are assigned so students can keep track.

• Once students are done with their “Must Do” assignments, they can work on their May Do’s, which typically are fun, enjoyable activities, such as silent reading, crosswords, art activities, school contests, etc.

• All of these assignments / activities will be kept in a special folder that they are to keep in class and work on during the week.

• Must Do’s counts towards the class work grade.

Wolf Folders• Wolf Folders typically go home every Thursday.

• In the Wolf Folder you will find:– Graded tests, projects– Various flyers from the school and district– Important information from the teacher

• Please make a habit of reviewing the contents of the Wolf Folder with your child.

• Parents must sign the inside of folder and return on the next day, Friday. I check to make sure all folders are signed.

• I expect students to keep all completed and graded homework filed in the appropriate area of his/her binder to refer back to when it is time for testing and keep track of what assignments have been completed.

Absences• Must notify the office and teacher (by email please) of when your child is and/going to be absent.

• Please notify me of any upcoming appointments too (dentist, doctor, etc.).

• Student will receive an “Absence Folder” with information inside showing all work that was completed in class and homework that is due on the day of the his/her absence.

• Student has 2 days (evenings) to complete all the work for full credit. If a student fails to turn in his/her make-up work by deadline, then they will receive no credit for all work. For example, if your child is absent on a Monday and return to school on Tuesday then their make-up work will be due on Thursday.

• If a student misses a test, he/she is to make up the test on the next day they come to class.

GradingYour child will receive letter grades on their report cards for all subject matter except Music, Computers, Physical Education, Citizenship and Conduct, Listening and Speaking, and organizational skills.

Students are assessed on their daily work, tests, homework, projects, oral presentations, cooperation, and individual effort. Students are expected to make-up work that they miss when they are absent. Grades are based on the following criteria:•Daily Work Includes the observed ability to apply the concepts for fourth

grade•Tests Includes quizzes, chapter tests, unit tests•Homework Includes accuracy, neatness, being completed on time•Projects Includes accuracy, neatness, being completed on time•Oral Presentations Includes the observed ability to apply the concepts for fourth

grade•Cooperation Active involvement in class discussions and cooperation with

group members•Individual effort Based upon the extent to which a student goes beyond the basic class requirements

Grading Policy:

• Homework and classwork are each worth 20%. • Tests and projects make up the remaining 60%. • The breakdown of grades is below.

100-96% = A+ 79-76% = C+95% = A 75% = C93-90% = A- 73-70% = C-89-86% = B+ 69-66% = D+85% = B 65% = D83-80% = B- 63-60% = D-

59 and below is an F

EngradePro• I will be using a online grading program.

www.engradepro.com• Will be able to access your child’s grades at any

time.• Passwords and logins are coming soon. • Please monitor your student’s grade through

engradepro.com. Please understand that I try to get the grades entered as soon as possible, but tests and projects tend to take longer to grade and then enter compared to daily homework and weekly assignments.

Field Trips

• We have several wonderful field trips planned for this school year.

• These trips include: San Juan Baptista, Oakland Museum, Alameda County Water

District (in class presentation), and Levi’s Stadium.

• This is just a reminder that we will not be able to go on these great field trips unless we have the following things in place: parent volunteers, payment for the trip, and signed and returned permission slips.

• We will be taking busses to all field trips unless otherwise noted.

Textbooks and Other Materials

• Students will be responsible for the following textbooks/materials throughout the year:1. California Science Textbook – May be taken home and must be returned following day.2. California Science Interactive Text – Must be taken home to

complete assignments and returned to class each day.3. California Science Study Guide – May be taken home to complete assignments and returned to class each day.4. California Treasures Reading – May be taken home and must be returned the following day.5. California Treasures Practice Book – Completed in class each day. May not be taken home unless approved by teacher.6. Wonders – May not be taken home.7. Social Science Workbook - May be taken home to complete

assignments and returned to class each day. 8. Math Expressions Homework and Remembering Book –

Students will tear out daily homework practice pages and spiral review to take as homework. Remainder of book is to stay in the classroom.

9. Math Expressions Student Activity Book – May be taken home to help with homework or to study for tests, but must be brought to class each day.10. Student Comprehension Writing Journal – Will not be taken home.

Classroom DonationsWe are always in need of some classroom supplies.

In case you have anything you are looking to get rid of would be greatly appreciated.

– Games– Books (4th – 6th grade level)– Computer equipment – Art supplies! (Paint, brushes, etc.)– Ball pump– Cardboard paper.– Anything! We will find a need.

Online Access…4th Grade Curriculum

Here are the websites to access you child’s fourth grade curriculum:•www.thinkcentral.com: Your child will be provided a user name and password as soon as Math Expressions has finalized the website. This website will provide access to the Student Activity Book, games, tutors, videos, and much more!•www.ca-hss.com (Social Science): ID for this website is fss4 and the password is go. Access the textbook, work pages, games, videos, and much more!•www.macmillanmh.com/reading: This website does not require a user ID or password. It provides access to games, main selection story summaries, and much more!•www.eduplace.com/cascp: This website provides extra practice, games, crossword puzzles to strengthen vocabulary, word finds, etc.

Questions??• If you have any questions please write them on the index

card at your child’s desk and I will answer them in an email as soon as possible!

Before leaving, please make sure you have: *Signed in

*Wrote any questions you have on the index card on your child’s desk

*Volunteered for a classroom need?

• Thank you for being here!! I look forward to a very successful school year! Have a great

evening. ~Ms. Burbank