Hi Parents! Welcome to Team201! It's going to be a great year.
Today we....
- unpacked and attempted to get organized! We will work on this tomorrow too.
- went to Art
- met our classmates and played a "Find Someone Who" game.
- read The Day You Begin and talked about First Day Emojis
- began our First Day Emoji writing and art project.
- practiced routines
- learned about our first project, which is due Friday.
A Note About Supplies
- The supply list is posted on this blog. Check out the tabs above.
- Binders- Many kids brought in HUGE binders. We can give them a try, but a two inch binder is ideal. Kids will be bringing them home every day.
- Dividers- should have pockets!
- Each kid will need one sturdy folder to act as the Thursday Folder. See the note below, and in the bookbag, for details.
- Thank you for your generosity.
This evening at home...
- Read about the OWL project. It is due on Friday. Each child will give a short talk about their owl.
- Read: Each child should be reading for 20 minutes each evening. Bring a book to school each day.
- Forms, Forms, Forms! Sorry parents. I am sending home many forms, including Emergency Forms, Lunch Forms, CPS Discipline Forms, and my own letter and parent survey. Let's shoot for getting them done by the end of the week.
- Below, you will see a copy of the "First Day News." Each child has a hard copy.
201 First Day News
2018-2019
Mrs. Ginn
Class Website:
Mrs. Ginn’s email:
Welcome to Team 201. My name is Mrs. Ginn, and I am excited to launch into another school year.
I can’t wait to welcome some returning families to 201, and to meet the new!
I know that each year brings both renewed excitement and a bit of nervous anticipation.
This year, your child has a teacher who loves to learn. My first job is to learn about your child.
I know that you have many forms to complete, and I thank you in advance for completing the Welcome to 4th Grade
contact and survey form. This will help me understand any concerns you may have and will help us set this year’s learning
goals. I have high expectations for each student and believe that challenge accelerates growth.
Safety Through Respect, Unity Through Teamwork, Achievement Through Effort
This is the Team 201 motto and Golden Rule. Teamwork, cooperation, and collaboration are “21st century skills” that will
be the pillars of our success. In 201, we will work to create an atmosphere where all are respected and valued. We will
support one another and we will work as a team. Our classroom guidelines are in place to support our learning and are simple.
Be responsible: Come to class ready to learn. Your homework is complete and is ready to be checked; your materials are organized; your attitude is positive!
Be respectful: of your teachers, your classmates, class materials, and yourself.
Be willing: to try new things, to work with new people, to work hard, to persist.
Be kind: Learn to be an upstander, not a bystander.
Homework, Calendar Cards, and Thursday Folders
Homework is designed to reinforce skills that have already been taught in class and to provide practice.
Please let your child complete homework independently but please make sure that you see the completed work.
I value your candid feedback regarding the homework. I am a parent too!
Here is what to expect:
Daily Go Math Homework: If I send it home, it has been taught.
Daily Language Arts/Writing Assignment
20 minutes of independent reading each night. Do not skip this!
It is essential that students bring their homework to school each day, as we will use class time to correct and go over
homework. If I have not had any communication from you, I will assume that you are unaware of missing homework and
the student will receive an in-school consequence.
Homework is checked daily.
Here is the routine:
Children pick up breakfast and enter classroom
Children unpack and homework is placed on workspace in neat stack.
Children eat breakfast and begin “warm up” of math skills or read and respond
Teacher circulates to check homework and confer with students
The Thursday Folder travels home each Thursday and should be returned Friday. Inside the folder you will find
graded work, a Calendar Card, and a “Parent Check-In” sheet.
Missing homework will be marked on the calendar. Take a look, but keep the calendar in the folder!
Take out all of the graded work.
Sign the “Parent Check In” card to indicate that your child is reading each night.
If needed, add a quick note in the comments section.
Return the Folder to school on Friday.
Each day, we will copy the homework from the blog into an Agenda or Assignment Notebook. This is an important habit
and lesson in responsibility. I strive to post the homework on the blog each afternoon. Sometimes, life or technological
glitches get in the way. Write down that homework, kids! It’s your job!
Please check the Thursday Folder each week! If a homework assignment was missing or incomplete, I will write a note
on the Calendar Card. If your child is unable to complete an assignment, write a quick note or send me an email.
Can you come to school prepared, with homework done well for a whole month? Kids who...do their homework and bring
their homework on time for a month and remember the Thursday folder will be rewarded! Easy? No! Possible? Yes!
Communication
Let’s talk! I know that our children are not always the best sources when it comes to reporting the daily events.
Esprit De Corps in Four is the name of our class website. Here you will find the most up-to-date information about
class activities, special projects, and deadlines. The site contains plenty of learning links for you to use at home. I hope
that it will be a valuable resource for you this year. I update the site daily. You can subscribe to receive my posts via email.
Want to send me a message? Email me at mport@cps.edu or click the Contact Me tab from the website. I look forward to
meeting you all, and encourage you to send me a quick email so that I can add you to my contacts. We have so many
fantastic activities planned for this year! Thanks in advance for all of your support at home.
Sincerely Yours,
Mary Bush Ginn
Facilities Schedule
Monday: Library with Ms. Albarren
Tuesday: Art with Ms. Moran
Wednesday: Science Art with Mr. Vacanti and Science Lab with me
Thursday: Gym with Mr. Meade
Friday: Gym with Mr. Meade
