Our students are expected to complete math homework each night.  The math homework is found on our class website.  Students know that if their internet is not working at home they are then allowed to complete the homework first thing in the morning.  However, I have noticed that MANY students are simply choosing not to do their homework at home.  They are arriving first thing in the morning and wanting to complete it in the classroom.  This would be ok, however, this takes away from time they have to complete their morning work.  I understand that not everyone has an internet connection or a working computer at home.  If this is the case for you please have your parents send me a note that lets me know and you will be allowed to complete the homework first thing the next morning.  However, if this is not the case or if you do not have a note you will not be allowed to complete the homework in the morning. 

We are rapidly approaching the end of the school year!  Below is a list of important dates and information.

Tuesday May 7-Field-trip to Dover, DE-We are still in need of one more chaperone!  Please let me know ASAP if you are available.  Chaperones can either follow the bus or ride the bus with our class.  Chaperones are free of charge.

May 20-21-Social Studies DCAS, All fourth graders will be taking the social studies DCAS on these two days.

May 24th, Half Day and crazy hair or crazy hat day

May 27, No School

May 30-DCAS Carnival

May 31-Wilbur Winner Assembly

June 4-District Referendum-PLEASE VOTE YES TO INVEST IN OUR STUDENTS!!!!
Field-Day

June 7-Talent Show

June 11-Last student day

Mrs. Marraffini has distributed information about the third marking period library project. Click here for the character map that must be completed after reading a fiction book of your choice.

Mrs. Howell has extended an invitation to the fourth grade to participate in Wilbur's monthly Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) Day.  The next BYOD Day will be on Feburary 28.  Please look for a permission form to be sent home some time next week.  Students will not be able to bring in a device unless the form is returned with parent permission.

What is BYOD? BYOD Day is a special day where students are welcome to bring in their ipods, cell phones, ipads, etc. to use during class.  However, students who have recieved a bus referral or a behavior referral in school will not be invited to participate for that month.

We are getting very lucky this winter!  We just escaped another snow storm.  We will be happy when June comes around and we don't have to make up any snow days :)

A few reminders and thoughts...

1.  Conference forms were sent home this week.  If your student's form says that a conference is needed please return the form with the most convenient time ASAP.  If a conference is not necessary at this time you do not have to return the form.

Schedule of events:
Students do not have school on Monday, January 21 or Friday, January 25.
Students will have half days on Wednesday, January 30th through Friday, February 1 for conferences.

Students will take the DCAS for both math and reading the week of February 4th.  We are in the process of having teacher/student conferences to discuss growth goals and what both students and teachers need to do to help reach all goals.  Please look for these growth goal sheets to be sent home to be shared and signed by parents. 
We have begun completing practice tests on the computer for both math and reading.  Your child may access these practice tests from home.  However, you must have the secure browser, Mozilla Firefox.  You can download this browser for free by clicking here. 
There is also a program called Learning Point Navigator that can be accessed through THIS website.  I am in the process of setting up specific assignments that can be completed using this program.  This is an additional resource to use as practice for both reading and math.  In order for this program to work, you will also need to use the Mozilla Firefox.

I feel like I was just posting about how I couldn't believe Thanksgiving was already here and NOW I am saying the same thing about winter vacation.
First, here are a few important dates that we all need to keep in mind-

Wednesday 12/19/12-Minute-to-Win-It-Day (tomorrow)

Thursday 12/20/12- Pajama Day/Polar Express Day and last day before vacation
Friday 12//21/12-1/2/13 Winter Vacation

Wednesday 1/3/13-Happy New Year and welcome back to school!

Wed. 1/30-Friday 2/1 Parent/Teacher conferences and student half days.

****Week of February 4, 2013 is our first spring round of DCAS.  

We had library today.  Mrs. Marraffini gave each child a handout with details about the second marking period project.  That paper should be coming home today.  Projects are due by January 11, 2013.  Remember-these projects must be completed in order to recieve an O on your report card for library.