Welcome to 4th Grade!

Dear Families,

Welcome to fourth grade at JTSD! My name is Layne Eckhardt, and I’m so excited to share fourth grade with you next year. We’re going to have a lot of fun as we learn to think like scientists!

In case you would like to know a little more about me… I live in Springfield with my husband, Brandon, and our two cats, Max and Mitzi.  I’m from a little town called Carthage, and after I graduated from high school, I moved to Springfield to go to Missouri State University. While I was at Missouri State, I student taught here in Nixa, at Century Elementary, and then I began teaching there until I came to JTSD last year.  This will be my 5th year in Nixa, and I am proud to be a Nixa Eagle!  I love being a teacher, so I stay pretty busy here at school.  But when I’m outside of school I enjoy running, reading, traveling, and decorating my home.

Right now it’s time to relax and enjoy summer break, but when August arrives, I want to be able to get in touch with you and share all the back-to-school information I’ll have. As soon as you get a chance, please email me at layneeckhardt@nixaschools.net, so that I can begin assembling my class distribution list. Also, let me know if there are any additional email addresses you would like me to include in my list.

-Please visit our classroom blog and subscribe by email (see picture above).  You may add as many email addresses as you like.  When you subscribe, all the information and school dates that I post will arrive directly in your email inbox.  This blog will be our primary method of communication throughout the school year. you like. 

-Parent orientation will be August 8 at 6:00 p.m. Students are invited to bring all their supplies and check out our classroom.  After we meet and put supplies away, students will head out to the playground for some supervised play so that I can visit with parents.

-JTSD PTA is hosting a back to school swim party at the Center on August 4th.  We have reserved the pavilion at the park before the pool party for those who want to picnic and play before swimming.  Entry to the swimming pool will be free and we will be selling concessions.

-The first day of school will be August 13.

-Here is our fourth grade supply list for JTSD.  A couple of items are different than the district list, so please follow this one.  Do not write your student’s name on items with **.  This allows me to exchange items if we have too many of one item but not enough of another item.  Students will keep their own personal supplies, so you can write your fourth grader’s name on all items not marked **.

1 large box of Kleenex**
1 pkg low-odor, dry erase markers
2 pkg wide-ruled notebook paper
4 wide-ruled composition notebooks
2 pkg #2 pencils (packages of 10-12)
1 pkg colored checking pens
1-1 ½ -inch binder (preferably clear-view with dividers)
1-1-inch binder (preferably clear-view)
1 pair earbuds or headphones
Choose one of the following:
      1 pkg markers
      1 pkg colored pencils
      1 large box crayons (at least 24)
1 backpack
1 pair of scissors
1 pkg antibacterial wipes OR 1 bottle hand sanitizer**
1 pkg copy paper**
1 bottle of Elmer’s glue
1 black sharpie
1 pkg yellow sticky notes**
1 pkg sandwich-size or snack-size Ziploc baggies**
Art supplies:
2 sharpie markers**
1 pkg Elmer’s glue sticks**

Have a wonderful summer vacation!  I’m looking forward to seeing you in August!