September 4, 2003 - SNACS



Newsletter for August 19, 2019

[pic]Welcome Fourth Grade Students and Parents/Guardians

Hello and a warm welcome to another wonderful year of academic and social growth at

Sierra Nevada Academy Charter School. I am Maxine Weiss and I have

been teaching for 29 years, 20 of those years have been at SNACS. I will be instructing 4th

Grade Mathematics, Science, Reading, Writing, Social Studies, and STEAM (Science,

Technology, Engineering, Art and Agriculture, plus Math).

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ACADEMIC PROGRAMS

Nevada Academic Standards for Mathematics, Science, English Language Arts, and Social Studies are the guide lines I use for planning lessons and activities. Our curriculum will consist of Envision MATH Common Core, Pearson Reading Street, Project Tahoe and Weekly News, Pearson Interactive Science, and Agriculture in the Classroom Matrix .

Evaluation is an important key in a successful learning program and weekly tests in Science, Math, Writing and Reading will help me plan and present lessons based on each child’s academic needs. Quarterly STAR Reading tests and trimester Measure of Academic Success tests (MAPS) will all play a part in preparing for the Smarter Balanced assessment at the end of the school year.

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BEHAVIOR REWARDS

On task behavior in the classroom is advantageous for everyone for it allows students to experience a productive learning environment. Individual, small group, and class “positive points” will be accumulated for rewards such as extra physical education time, parties, board game time, etc. Behavior grades are placed in Infinite Campus weekly so that parents/guardians can see how well students are doing.

[pic] DRESS CODE, ATTENDANCE, AND GRADING SCALE

Parents, you are encouraged to read with your child the Sierra Academy Charter School Student Handbook which is found online at . The dress code and 4th Grade grading scale is found in this handbook. Weekly attendance recognition drawings will be held for those students who are in school daily.

[pic] CONFERENCES

Parent/Guardian, Student, and Teacher conferences are held three times per year. However, conferences can be held whenever the need arises. Conference sign-up forms will be sent home preceding conference dates.

[pic]THE REALLY BIG PROJECTS FOR THE YEAR: (Written requirements for each project will be sent home.)

• September—Tissue paper balloons for the Great Reno Student Balloon Launch

• October--Farm-Ranch-Mining Day Demonstration/Model/Info Poster Project and Nevada Brownie which is a project to celebrate our state’s natural resources

• November—Young Author Published Book and Build a City

• December--Graham Cracker Homestead Engineering project to practice scale model construction

• January--Science Fair Investigation, Journal, and Project Board for SNACS Science Fair

• February—Science Game and Invention Convention

• March --Math Game

• April--Egg Drop Engineering project

• May--Earth Day Conservation Project with Information board plus Recycled Art Project Competition

• May--Dream Theme Park Competition

[pic]MUSIC, MOVEMENT, AND DRAMA

A class will be scheduled every week with Miss Lily, the Artistic Director of the Tahoe Players. She is experienced with working with all ages and will instruct students

[pic]ART

This subject will be incorporated in our daily core subjects. Various art styles, techniques, and media will be explored.

[pic] SERVICE TO OUR SCHOOL

Our class will engage in community service through the following activities this school year, if circumstances permit.

• Science/Reading Buddies with Kindergarten or First Grade Students

• Student Store Assistance

• The Reno Great Balloon Race

• Farm Day

• Fall Fund Raiser

• SNACS-giving

• Thanksgiving Feast

• Reindeer Grams Fund Raiser

• Holiday Boutique Fund Raiser

• Floating ValentinesFund Raiser

• Spring Baskets Fund Raiser

• Fun Run and Earth Day

[pic]MORNING SNACK AND LUNCH

SNACS follows nutritional guideline and promotes healthy snacks and lunches. Sodas or any drinks with caffeine are discouraged. Microwaves are available for heating food during lunch time only. School breakfast and lunch can be purchased daily. The cost for breakfast is $2.20, lunch is $3.85, and milk is 75 cents.

[pic] WATER

Water bottles are encouraged and students may keep them on their desks. Water is the only drink that is allowed during the academic periods. Other healthy drinks are allowed at Snack Break and Lunch.

[pic]MISSED ASSIGNMENTS DUE TO ABSENCES

In order to succeed in school, students must attend classes every day. Our daily schedule includes activities appropriate to each student’s unique learning style and academic needs, therefore it is important that all students participate. To accommodate absences, your child will have the number of days absent plus one more day to make up any assignments. It is the responsibility of the student to speak with me concerning missed work.

[pic] VOLUNTEERS

Parents and Guardians please know that you are always welcome in the classroom. I am often in need of volunteers to assist students with daily classroom activities, correct papers, or set up labs for math, science, and engineering. You can fulfill your required volunteer hours in this way. Please be sure to complete the volunteer requirements of forms, fingerprinting, and background check in order to help in the classroom or assist with field trips and other school activities. The school office staff will be happy to assist you with this. Volunteer hours can also be accumulated by donating items for the school and classroom. Please check with the school office for a list of needed items.

[pic] [pic] HOMEWORK

Average daily homework for 4th Graders is typically up to 40 minutes of per day. Homework generally includes AR reading and math reinforcement worksheet or activities.

Extra Credit: I am always happy to accept assignments beyond those that are assigned, for extra credit points. Extra credit assignments may include and are not limited to:

• A written summary, drawing, diorama, power point, or class presentation of any mathematics, science, engineering, or agriculture topic as well as visits to museums, and local/state/national parks. (Photos optional)

• Demonstration of a math or science concept presented to the class

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FIELDTRIPS AND SCHOOL ACTIVITIES

It is the expectation of SNACS that all students will attend fieldtrips and participate in all school activities. If you have questions concerning this expectation, please let me know.

[pic]HOW TO REACH ME

You can always speak with me by phone before school starts and after dismissal (3:15 pm). My cell number is 775-230-1603. During the school day, you may call the SNACS school office at 775- 677-4500, and they can transfer the call so that you may leave a message. If you prefer to contact me through email, my address is mesw3@.

Thank you, Maxine Weiss

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