March 17 Newsletter

Dear Parents,

I hope everyone had a wonderful spring break! At my house, I got so much spring cleaning done. Now that we're all refreshed, we're ready to get back to learning!

This coming week in math, we will be computing area of polygons and non-polygonal figures. In science, we will begin our next science unit on matter and energy, but we will hang our bird feeders and continue to monitor the results. In reading, we are revisiting main idea and supporting details. In writing, we will be exploring and writing poetry. Finally, in language we will be studying synonyms and antonyms.

Reminders:

• As we discussed at conferences, I highly encourage all fourth graders to be practicing with Acuity at Home regularly. This is a wonderful tool for reinforcing what is being taught in our classroom and it can help prepare your child for test-taking. Click here for more information about Acuity at Home.
• We now have another wonderful study tool called Study Island. On Tuesday, we will be kicking off MAP MADNESS by introducing Study Island and how to use it. To encourage participation, I will be offering the class some incentive celebrations for everyone who participates and achieves a score of at least 70%. Click here to find Study Island. Students will get their individual login information on Tuesday, March 18.
• Please remind your fourth grader to only bring snacks that do not interrupt learning time.  Snacks that are easily spilled (like liquids), snacks that require both hands to eat, or snacks that make hands messy are not appropriate. I do not mind students snacking while they work, but they must be able to work and snack at the same time. Students will be asked to put away any snacks that interfere with learning or work time.
• This Friday is Hat Day! This is a wonderful event sponsored by our own JTSD Student Council. Our class representatives select a charity, and everyone in the school can wear a hat for 50 cents. This time, the class with the highest participation gets a popsicle party.
• This year each grade level is going to contribute a themed basket to the PTA online auction. The 4th grade theme is BBQ/Outdoor Cooking! We will collect donations from 4th grade families through March 18th. You can send smaller items in with your children, or for larger items our PTA rep, Carrie Gallo, will be happy to meet you at JTSD.  Ideas for donations might be grilling pans & accessories, outdoor table wear, cookbooks, campfire accessories, outdoor candles, sauces & spices, etc. Be creative! The grade that produces the highest auction amount will be rewarded with a pizza party! The funds raised for this event contribute to field trip transportation costs, a classroom assistance closet, and school-wide Spirit Wear. Thank you in advance for your support! The Online Auction begins March 23rd, and runs through March 30th. There are going to be a lot of terrific items available. For more information, contact Carrie Gallo at carriegallo@hotmail.com.
• Mrs. Lannutti sends her thanks to everyone who sent in magazines and newspapers.  She has plenty of those for a while so please don't send anymore. Keep the lids coming!  Please send only plastic lids the size of a sour cream container or smaller (drink bottles, juices, etc).  She can use yarn if you have any extra to send.
• I posted some videos on Friday that demonstrate the bow-tie strategy of multiplication, along with some additional information. Click here to view that post. 
• Please visit our JTSD website for school-wide updates and information.

Important Dates:

• March 18-PTA auction basket donations due
• March 21-All Pro Dads, Hat Day
• March 24-30-PTA Online Auction
• April 3-Science Night
• April 8-PTA Skate Night
• April 13-Staff/Parent Kickball Tournament at Summers at the River, 12:30-4:30
• April 17-Godfather's Pizza Night
• April 18-No School (Easter Break)
• April 19-PTA Movie Morning (Rio 2)
• April 28-May 1-Fourth Grade MAP Testing

Visit the JTSD calendar for school-wide dates.

Have a great day!