September 4, 2025

Dear Parents,

Happy Thursday! We have survived a long week and now a short week. The students are definitely trying hard to adapt to the schedule, homework, and trying to keep organized. It will be a struggle for a while but they will get it I promise. We now have the assignment books so that will be helpful for sure. Thank you for all purchasing them on time so they were all here at the same time. I really appreciate that.

Homework Folder

One of the most important things for a parent to remember is to NOT throw anything away or take anything out of the Homework folder. Everything in that folder must be returned the next day. IF the student does not return their work it is a late slip. The biggest thing the 4th graders will learn this year is taking responsibility of their own work. They need to be in control. All work has to be returned the next day. If it is done and is left at home, that is a late slip because it is not being turned in on time. This is the best way for the student to be responsible. I have talked to them about not having parents go through their folders and clean it out. IF it needs cleaned out they need to ask me to help them. That way we ensure that nothing important gets thrown away.

Language Arts

We are now reading our story of Flora and Ulysses for the 3rd time. We will be finishing the reading tomorrow. They will then take a selection test over the story. It is online and consists of 5 questions. Monday they will take their spelling post test. Tomorrow we will finish reading the story and work on a final spelling worksheet to practice the words and grammar worksheet. Monday they will take the post test and the end of the week test over everything we learned in the story. This will include text and graphic features, author's purpose, and figurative language. We used all these strategies when reading this story. We will begin the next story on Tuesday.

Math

We will finish the first lesson tomorrow. It takes a long time in the beginning to cover the first couple of lessons. They should be review but it gives me a lot to cover in one lesson. We will move on to lesson two Monday. It will cover place value a little more in depth. This will also take me several days to cover, once we get past the first couple lessons they become easier and will take 1-2 days to get through and be sure they understand.

Social Studies

We finished the first lesson Tuesday and they completed a worksheet over it. We began Chapter 2 . We will cover all of chapter 2 and test over it. I will keep you posted here when that test will be. It is made up of 3 lessons so it will take us a little while to cover it.

Lunch

Just a reminder about what students can bring for lunch. There is a section in the student handbook that covers this but here is just a reminder. They are allowed to bring their own lunch on days they do not like what is on the menu. They must bring food from home. We do not allow any food from restaurants of any kind brought in to students. The students should also not be bringing pop in their lunches. They are able to purchase milk here at school using their lunch ticket.

Spirit Day

Tomorrow is our Cy/Hawk Friday!! Students can pay $1.00 to wear sweats or a hat. Also be sure to wear your favorite Cyclone or Hawkeye gear to show your support.

FAST Testing

     This testing will begin next week. I have a 2 week window to get the testing completed. So at some point in those two weeks your student will be tested. I use technology time to do any testing that is done on the computer.

Green Valley Field Trip

You have some paper in the take home folders for our field trip to Green Valley State Park on Monday, September 15th. There is a green permission form, a white volunteer form. There is no cost this year. They will get to go out to the park and enjoy some outdoor activities for most of the day. The white form is for Green Valley your child is the volunteer so fill it out for them PLease return both forms ASAP.

They will need to bring a sack lunch the day of the field trip. Also the students should wear clothing that they can get dirty and play in. Lastly, I am asking that they wear tennis shoes for protection.

I had a great time with my family this weekend. I always love being with them. It is definitely good for the soul. This weekend will be spent watching the CY/Hawk game and getting some things done around the house. Have a great weekend!!

God Bless,

Mrs. Sickels