Dear Parents,
Welcome to the beginning of a wonderful school year. My name is Mrs. Heidi Gallagher. I am very excited to teach and learn form your children. I graduated from Thomas More College in December of 2001 and am working towards my masters degree in reading at Xavier University. I have been married for six years to my wonderful husband Patrick and recently gave birth to my first child, Garrett, in February.
As your child’s teacher, I plan on having a positive school year. To ensure this occurs please have your child at school on time to prepare for the start of the day. Attendance is very important, please eliminate any early dismissals. Read over the student handbook to ensure your child’s experiences to be positive.
Each morning I will check your child’s homework. They will receive a sticker on a sticker chart if homework is completed and if a parent has signed the child’s agenda telling me you have checked over your child's work. Once the sticker chart is full your child will be able to choose an item from the reward box. However, if your child does not have homework completed he/she will receive an infraction. (Please see homework policy on my homepage.) If a parent has not signed the agenda, he/she will not receive a sticker and will not get extra recess that Friday.
NURTURING DISCIPLINE - Listed below are the discipline steps for talking out in class.
1. Green - warning
2. Yellow - Five minutes of recess is lost.
3. Red - infraction
REWARDS
Throughout the year I will give students who are working hard good work awards. I will also give good behavior awards. The students are then entered into a monthly drawing for a chance to win a prize.
Students will also have extra recess on Friday if they have turned in all their work for the week.
There will also be an opportunity for the class to receive a class reward. Throughout the year I will give marbles for the whole class working quietly, and walking in the halls quietly. Once the marble jar is filled the class will receive a class reward.
HOMEWORK
I believe homework helps children gain responsibility and self discipline. Each night your child should have about 30-40 minutes of homework. However, reading is not included. Your child should read at least 15 minutes a night. Homework will be given Monday through Thursday. Rarely will your child have homework on Friday. All late homework must be turned in the next day. No homework will be accepted after a week. Points will be deducted on all late work. All homework will be collected but some will not be taken for a percentage grade. Papers with percentages on them will be taken for a grade. If a paper does not have a percentage grade please make sure you go over it with your child to check for understanding. Every Friday your child will take home a graded paper folder which will need to be signed reassuring me that you have seen the papers. Along with graded papers a newsletter will be sent home on Fridays as well.
SUBJECT AREAS
Social Studies
Communities (Rural, urban, suburban), map skills and the government
Science
Topic such as plants, animals, space, ecosystems, weather and the water cycle will be discussed.
Reading
Students will read stories from our reading along with stories outside our text. Stories outside our text include: Mr. Popper’s Penguins, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, and Bunnicula. Students will learn to identify the story elements throughout the school year. Students will work in small groups as well as large groups. I encourage you to read a novel with your child. This will help his/her reading fluency and comprehension. Each month there will be a book report due. Students will receive a list of different book report ideas.
Math
Working on math facts is one of the main focuses along with money, time, place value, fractions and decimals. I strongly recommend starting to study addition, subtraction, and multiplication facts with your child over the summer. Your child should study his/her facts at least three days a week for fifteen minutes.
Religion
The focus will be set on the gifts God has given us along with the sacraments. Students will also begin the Family Life series.
English
Will consist of sentence structure along with a few writing pieces. The students will write a personal narrative, a fictional story, a how to piece, poems, a persuasive letter, a biography and an autobiography. Each week students will take part in a writer's workshop. This activity consists of a 10-15 minute mini-lesson on a specific topic. Students will then have 30-35 minutes to write on their own. I will also write during this time but only for about 10 minutes. This is to demonstrate to students how this process is carried out. ( I believe students learn from example.) I will also meet with the students individually or in small groups at this time to conference. Then the class will come back together and share what they have just written. Children are great storytellers and this process helps them learn to write their stories down. During writers workshop students also learn the writing process.
Handwriting
Students will be graded on their cursive writing. Students will have a workbook to help them practice their writing.
PARENT HELP
You may help your child in many ways in order to have a positive year. Make sure you check your child's homework before you sign his/her agenda. Please DO NOT sign an agenda if homework was not completed. If your child has questions guide him/her in the right direction to arrive at an answer, but please don't give him/her the answer. Set aside a particular time and place every night to do homework. Ask if your child had a good day. Most importantly, give your child lots of hugs and kisses and tell them how proud you are. Children can do anything with the loving support from their family.
Feel free to contact me anytime. You can reach me by e-mail at hgallagher@stcatherineofsiena.org or by phoning the office, 572-2680. I will get back to you as soon as I can.
Once again, I am looking forward to a very successful year! If you have any questions or concerns please feel free to ask. God bless, and may you enjoy the rest of your summer!
Sincerely,
Mrs. Heidi Gallagher