Team Mindcrafters Daily Update 8-25-14

Parents, 

This week students have been learning about proper school behavior.  We call these "General Expectations."  They are:

• Be Respectful
  
• Be Responsible
  
• Be Safe

These expectations apply to every area of the school.  So far students have had lessons and discussions about behavior in the cafeteria and in the classroom.  

Here are the videos students watched that go with these:

Cafeteria:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VmaMUMmal64&feature=youtu.be

Classroom

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P44NbnJXG1g&feature=youtu.be

Reminders:

• Healthy snacks and water bottles are encouraged each day.  Our lunch is late (12:45).
• Please make sure your child is bringing home their take-home folder (blue) and an AR book every night.  20 minute nightly reading is expected every night.  Look for their reading log at the bottom of their pink letter from Mrs. Dressel.

HOMEWORK:

READING:

20 minutes silent reading - complete log

MATH:

Know your numbers activity - requires parent help and signature

SCIENCE/SOCIAL STUDIES:

none

Visit the team website to learn more about cool fourth grade activities.

http://teammindcraft.blogspot.com

--
Shane Pransky
Whitehouse Primary
4th Grade

parent e-mails

Hi parents,

I have been working on revising our Team Mindcrafters e-mail list. Hopefully, this one is able to reach everyone who would like to see it.

If you have given us your e-mail address and did not receive this message on one of the accounts, it could be that it is being caught in your Spam filter.  There are over 100 e-mails in this list which could easily be perceived as bulk Spam.

If you ever cannot find an e-mail from us, all messages are eventually posted and archived to the class website at:

http://teammindcraft.blogspot.com

This is probably a good opportunity to discuss proper use of e-mail when communicating.  

Here are some "Do's and Don'ts"

Do:  

• e-mail us if you have a quick concern or question.  We'll try to get back to you within 24 hours, usually sooner.

• keep in mind that your child has 3 teachers.  Try to e-mail the teacher you have a question for rather than the homeroom teacher.  Sometimes it can be helpful to keep all teachers on the team in the loop.  Please CC: (carbon copy) the other teachers if needed.

• e-mail us sharing something positive about your child's experience at school.  This can really make our day.

Don't:  

• expect an immediate response.  Please don't e-mail anything that is time sensitive ("We forgot to give our child her medication this morning.  Could she be sent to he nurse?")  It's better to call the office for situations like this.

• send lengthy e-mails.  This is another situation where a phone call is probably more efficient and appropriate.

• e-mail if you are upset or feeling emotionally charged.  Its always better to wait until you are calm and set up an appointment or phone conference to discuss a problem.

We are looking forward to working with you and your child this year!

--
Shane Pransky
Whitehouse Primary
4th Grade

First day! 8-21-14

First Day of School...Success!

Students were prepared today, and everything went smoothly.  Thanks to those who were able to get some of the paperwork returned that was in the folders from Open House night.  If you weren't able to get them done, please send in as soon as possible. The bottom portion of Mrs. Dressel's letter and Mrs. Vanderstelt's letter are for a back-to-school activity for tomorrow, so please have your child complete them tonight.

We know getting students back on schedule isn't easy (we all have teenagers at home), but some students were struggling today.  Hopefully going to bed early tonight will be easier:)

Reminders:

• Healthy snacks and water bottles are encouraged each day.  Our lunch is late (12:45).
• Please make sure your child is bringing home their take-home folder (blue) and an AR book every night.  20 minute nightly reading is expected every night.

HOMEWORK:

READING:

20 minutes silent reading

MATH:

none

SCIENCE/SOCIAL STUDIES:

none

Visit the team website to learn more about cool fourth grade activities.

http://teammindcraft.blogspot.com

--
Shane Pransky
Whitehouse Primary
4th Grade

Parents,

I hope your summer break is off to a great start.  I saw this on a Facebook post and thought it was worth sharing:

Free Kid-Friendly activities in Toledo

http://momonthegoinholytoledo.com/2014/05/13/free-kid-friendly-activities-in-toledo-2014/

I can't wait to check out fossil park.  That looks neat.

--
Shane Pransky
Whitehouse Primary
4th Grade

Team Mindcrafters Daily Update - last day of school :(

Parents-

Mrs. Dressel and I want to first take this opportunity to thank each of you for your support in your child's education this year.  We truly appreciate everything you have done to help make this a successful year - from helping your child study, to sending in supplies for parties or projects, to encouraging your child in their learning.  Each school year brings new challenges for your child, and through each success and failure your child grows and matures and learns more about his/herself.  

Academically, this class performed exceptionally well in learning the fourth grade curriculum.  The more we taught them, the more eager they were for a new challenges.  The children demonstrated limitless curiosity and enthusiasm to learn.  This made them such a pleasure to teach.

Beyond showing academic excellence, the students have also demonstrated many other many other qualities that they can take with them wherever they go.  Students showed responsibility, perseverance, honesty, hard wok, empathy, cooperation, and decision making skills which we hope  will carry with them until adulthood.

We hope that you and your child can look back upon this school year with fond memories.  As your child grows we will enjoy reading and hearing about their successes.  In the future, if you or your child are ever around for a school event, please have them stop in and let us know how they are doing.  Also, students can e-mail us as to share what is going on in their lives.

Grade cards.  Grade cards went home with your child this year.  Included in your child's take home materials today are a few reports of their progress with STAR Math, STAR Reading, and Accelerated Reading.

4th Grade Memories.  Each student has a "4th Grade Memories" book to keep.  I have attached a digital version for you as well.  This might be something that would be fun to look back on in years to come.

Staff Talent Show Video.  Our entire staff came together to do another staff video for Talent Show this year.  You can enjoy it here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TMSJWaRB9eU

Thank you for a great year.  Have a safe and happy summer!

--
Shane Pransky
Whitehouse Primary
4th Grade

Team Mindcrafters Daily Update 6-3-14

For the past two days, your child has been creating a "digital yearbook" in class.  Mr. Pransky and I are apparently quite the shutterbugs, as we have taken hundreds of pictures of the students over this past year.  Your child has had access to these, and has been choosing pictures to create a Google presentation of the year.  They came out great!  Students have access to this from home, and can continue working on these if they'd like.  Make sure they show you what they've done so far!

For tomorrow, it would be great if your child can bring an empty backpack so that there is room to bring home any remaining items from the year.  We've  been doing this a little all week, but just in case.

Have a great night,

Mrs. Dressel and Mr. Pransky

Team Mindcrafters Daily Updates 6-2-14

There is no homework for tonight.  

This is just a a quick congratulations for Garret and Noah R. for winning the Checkers tournaments in our rooms.  Tomorrow these two will complete for the Team Mindcrafters checkers championship.  The winner of this game will then go on to challenge the "Team Extreme" winner from Mrs. McMurtrie's and Lindrup's rooms.

--
Shane Pransky
Whitehouse Primary
4th Grade