Welcome to Grade 4!

Welcome to Grade 4!

I hope you all had a wonderful summer and are ready for another funtastic school year here at St. Jude’s Academy! My name is Nicole Samuel and I am one of the Grade 4 teachers for this upcoming school year. I have been a teacher at SJA since January 2018 and this will be my third-year teaching Grade 4. I am a graduate of Central Michigan University Elementary Education Program and an Alum of the CMU Women’s Soccer Team. When I am not teaching, I enjoy being physically active (soccer is my favourite sport, go Manchester United!), watching movies, working on “do it yourself” crafts, and spending time with my family. I can hardly wait to get to know all of you! Before you start Grade 4, here are a couple of items that you should know:

Blog/Agendas/Specialists

I will be facilitating the following learning sessions this year: An Inquiry into Language, An Inquiry into Mathematics, Inquiry into Art, and of course the Units of Inquiry (UOI)! Your child’s new room is room 15. I invite you to take a look at my blog on a daily basis at https://mssamuelsja.blogspot.com for daily updates. On my blog you will be able to see what your child learned, discovered and explored each day. I will also post your child’s homework, weekly spelling words, important dates, our class schedule, and other important items about SJA. My blog will be updated every day to ensure that everyone stays in the know of what’s going on in Ms. Samuel’s Grade 4 class.

Mme. Stella will be teaching French, Mr. Oliver will be teaching music, Mr. Orr will be teaching Physical Education & Health, and Ms. Hayward will be their Librarian extraordinaire! Please find the links to specialist blogs below:

Phys. Ed: Mr. T. Orr- https://tysonorr.blogspot.com/

Music: Mr. Oliver Manning- http://mrolivermusicclass.blogspot.com/ mrolivermusicclass.blogspot.ca

French: Mme. Stella - https://stjudesfrench-stella.blogspot.com/

A NOTE FROM THE LIBRARIAN, MS. HAYWARD:

Hello!  I hope everyone has had a great summer and is excited for back to school. I am looking forward to a great third year in the St. Jude's Academy Library.

We accomplished a lot last year in the library.  We cataloged over 2,300 books in our collection.  We had successful Recess Readers sessions. We started out LIT Club (library helpers). Our Enchanted Forest Book Fair was a huge success allowing us to get over $2,400 worth of new books and resources for the library.  The Library also held some fun contests. And, of course, we checked out a lot of books for the voracious readers at SJA. 

I hope to continue all these things and more. Please check out (and follow) the library blog listed below for all things library and literacy related. See you soon!

Library: Ms. Hayward- https://libraryatsja.blogspot.ca

Uniform

From September until Thanksgiving, students can wear the summer uniform, which consists of grey pants/shorts/skirts, navy socks, and the white SJA crested polo t-shirt. From Thanksgiving until after Easter, students are required to wear the winter uniform, which consists of grey pants/skirts, navy blue socks/tights, a white button up long sleeve shirt, a tie, a long sleeve sweater/sweater vest, and the blazer. Students must wear their blazer during assemblies, to and from class during transitions, and of course during field trips. Simple black dress shoes are also required, as is a house colour tie to wear on Fridays. Black shoes must be polishable and they should not have any detail. Black running shoes will not be accepted.

The SJA gym uniform consists of navy-blue sweatpants/shorts, a SJA gym shirt or house shirt, white socks, and proper running shoes. It is recommended that all students keep their gym uniform in a bag that is distinguishable from their classmates’ bag, whether it be a distinctive design, or their name somewhere on the bag. Please label all pieces of the uniform. **All uniform pieces must be purchased through Alpa and Multiform Canada. Uniform violations will be sent home to students who do not have the proper uniform pieces.** Alpa can be reached at alpa@multiformcanada.ca. Students who are not in proper uniform, will receive a uniform violation.

Class Schedule

This year your child will experience some changes to their class schedule on Wednesdays due to a new program for the Upper School called, Speaker Series. Every Wednesday, Upper School students will have the opportunity to attend a seminar about necessary life skills presented by the staff at SJA. In order to coordinate with this program, our class schedule will change slightly. I have created two class schedules that reflect a normal daily schedule, and one that reflects our day that falls on a Speaker Series session. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.

Programme of Inquiry

An email was sent with an attachment of this year Programme of Inquiry. 

Units of Inquiry and Other Subjects

Grade 4 is a big year for students as we prepare them for becoming a more independent student.  Many of the summative tasks and assignments will be done independently this year, such as the Science Fair and Oral Presentations, where the Grade 4s write and memorize an informative speech on a topic of their choice. We will continue with our weekly spelling lessons and tests, International Day, Spelling Bee, Arts’ Night, and our Christmas Concert. Our first Unit of Inquiry will be How We Organize Ourselves (we learn about the different physical regions in Canada). If you have any materials, videos, information, or guest speakers that you or your child can share with the class for our Oh Canada! Unit, please do not hesitate to reach out to the Grade 4 team!

Our novel studies this year will be Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery, Ghosts in the Churchyard by Marty Pullin, and Brendan Buckley’s Universe and Everything in It by Sundee Frazier.

Please be reminded that UOI summative work is to be completed in class only, unless otherwise stated, and that all work is to be completed by the student only.

Gym classes for students in Grade 3 and up will take place at the SJA Athletic Centre on alternate days of the 6-day cycle.

**Please note that all Grade 4 students will be required to have a working device for class instruction time for work during UOI assignments, Math Games, etc. For students who are unable to come with their own device, there will be school Chrome books available.**

Field Trips

In Grade 4 there are a few trips and in-class sessions that students will have the opportunity to participate in that are linked to our UOI units. **Please note that trips may change throughout the year, but as always, you will be advised of these changes well in advance.**

If you would like to volunteer in the school or on field trips, you are required to provide a current Vulnerable Sector Check. If you provided this document to the school previously (within the last 5 years) you need to sign the annual offence declaration form to continue volunteering at SJA.

Devices

This year students in Grade 4 should come prepared daily with a device to use for research purposes, typing up their written work, etc. Please not that it is your child’s responsibility to look after their device each day. Suitable devices for class are laptops or tablets; cell phones can be used at times, but they are not always suitable for typing up their written work.

Agendas

Agendas will be updated daily with homework, school events, field trips, etc. Please review and sign your child’s agenda nightly to ensure that you are up to date on what happens at school. Thank You!

Homework

In our class, homework will be given based on work that may not have been completed during class time, or to prepare for a lesson the following day.  Unless noted otherwise, homework is expected to be completed by the following day. I do understand that extra curricular activities, family events, health, etc. can be a hinderance on homework completion, I am understanding and can be flexible as long as there is regular communication about homework, and it does not become a regular habit. If homework is not completed, students are advised to use their time during recess periods to get caught up. To ensure math concepts are being practiced, math homework will be given on a nightly basis. Spelling practices will sent home on Mondays, and students will be given until Wednesday to complete each spelling activity. Other language and UOI homework may also be given at times. Please feel free to review with your child any work that has been completed and sent home.

Hot Lunch Program

Ms. Gandy is taking over the hot lunch program this school year. All hot lunch orders can be done online. Payments can be sent to the school via cash or cheque. I will send reminders about the final day that you can order lunch and when the payment is due.

·      Please know that the website will be closed at 3pm on Aug 30th and is unable to reopen for September ordering. Lunch payments are due no later than September 13^th, after this date it will begin to collect interest. 

Below are the instructions for returning families:

*if you have a sibling joining SJA this year please keep in mind you can only use one email per child. 

Step 1 Logon to website http://mydigitalmailroom.com/sja - if you forgot your password or email used please contact bsmith@stjudesacademy.com

Step 2 Across the top menu bar you will see several options, please scroll over MY ACCOUNT, change grade and teacher to reflect new year. Select SAVE

Step 3 Across the top menu bar you will see several options, please scroll over MANAGE LUNCH, a drop-down menu will appear, select ADD NEW LUNCH FORM.

*Don’t forget to select payment method BEFORE ordering 

Below are the instructions for new families:

**If you have more than one child you will need to use different email addresses for each child. Only one child can be registered and ordered for under a single email address. 

Step 1 Go to website http://mydigitalmailroom.com/sja

·      Select register an account 

·      Select grade 

·      Select class 

·      Select teacher 

·      Enter in student information

·      Accept terms and conditions and select Register

Repeat for additional students. 

Step 2 Across the top menu bar you will see several options, please scroll over MANAGE LUNCH, a drop-down menu will appear, select ADD NEW LUNCH FORM.

*Don’t forget to select payment method BEFORE ordering 

Kinderlime

Kinderlime is returning this year! Aftercare has been made easy with this great online app! Please see below the instructions on how to register.

New Parents 

• You have been sent an email to sign up with a pin
• Please download the FREE Kinderlime app via APP Store, Google Play etc. Or Visit the website https://www.kinderlime.com <https://www.kinderlime.com/>

Complete MUST HAVE information about your child(ren) on APP/Website 

• Phone number(s)
• Updated pick up permissions
• Allergy/Medication information
• We strongly suggest you set up automatic payments through the app/website to ensure you will not incur late fees for monthly invoices. 
• You can also choose to pay monthly through the app/website.
• Through the app/website you will be able to digitally access monthly break downs (printed copies will not be available)  
• View App/Website daily to see sign in/out times. 

Returning Parents 

• Update the MUST HAVE information about your child(ren) on APP/Website 
• Phone number(s)
• Updated pick up permissions
• Allergy/Medication information
• If you have not already done so we strongly suggest you set up automatic payments through the app/website to ensure you will not incur late fees for monthly invoices.

If you have any questions/comments regarding this new addition, please contact the Students Services Coordinator at bsmith@stjudesacademy.com

A few other key items:

• Orientation Night is Wednesday, August 28 from 5-7 PM. We will be meeting in Room 15. To see your child’s specialist teachers please visit room 29. For information on bussing, Wynne Fitness, and uniforms please visit room 28. For a basketball presentation please visit the gym. 
• All SJA families are required to purchase a key fob. This will allow you to enter the building at the side door between 7:30-8:45 AM and then again from 3:45-6:00 PM. The key fob is a $40 deposit and you can see speak to Kaitlin about ordering one. New families who are in need of a key FOB, please see Kaitlin at reception during Orientation Night.
• Morning Kiss and Ride is not affected.

·       Daily early dismissal procedures have been cancelled. Parents will still be able to pick up their child/ren for appointments. Please notify your child’s teacher as these events occur. Dismissal for Grades 2-6 will be in the gym, as it was last year. Please be reminded that all parents are to remain outside until 3:30 PM, when the doors open for dismissal.

• Microwaves will be used only for students in Grade 3 and up. The microwaves are intended to warm up food, so please do not send meals that need to be cooked, such as frozen dinners. Please also ensure that you are sending everything your child may need for their lunch, such as condiments, utensils, and plates for microwavable meals if applicable. We will no longer be handing out plates, bowls, cutlery, and condiments, as they are strictly for those who order hot lunch.
• As for our birthday policy, as you will see in the Family Handbook, please do not send in food related items. If you would like to send in something, a book with your child’s name can be added to the library or a loot bag with pencils, erasers, notebooks, etc. can be sent home with students.
• A kind reminder that we are a peanut and nut-free school. Please do not send in items, which ‘may contain’, as they will be returned home.
• All parents/guardians that would like to volunteer for field trips or activities in the school must provide a current criminal record check.

August/September Dates

·       Wednesday, August 28 is Orientation Night from 5-7 PM. All specialist teachers and Ms. Alpa will be in the gym for Orientation Night.

• Friday, August 30 is the last day to order September lunch.
• Wednesday, September 4 is the first day of school, please wear your full summer uniform.

• Week of September 4-6 is Neophyte Week with Friday, September 6 being our first house color spirit day. Please dress in your house color: Kappa Iota Pi - orange, Theta Sigma Psi - blue, or Zeta Beta Pi - green! All teachers should have a list of student houses, so if you are unsure of your child’s house, please ask!
• Friday, September 13 is when September lunch payments are due & it is also Terry Fox Day!
• Please join us for our ‘SJA/Oakwood Welcome Back BBQ,’ happening on Thursday, September 19 from 4-6PM. This is a great opportunity to connect with teacher and friends.
• September 20 – 27 is our Fall Fundraiser
• Wednesday, September 25 will be our first Casual Day. Students will be allowed to dress down if they have paid the $20 casual day fee.
• Friday, September 30 is Orange Shirt Day, a day where we remember and pay tribute to those who were forced to attend residential schools.

Please find attached a copy of the Family Handbook, SJA Code of Conduct, the Grade 4 daily schedule, and a flyer regarding our Welcome Back BBQ. Please take the time to carefully review each attachment and then sign and print off the last page of Family Handbook and return to me no later than Friday, September 13, 2019.

I apologize for the information overload! I look forward to seeing you all on Wednesday, August 28.

Enjoy the rest of your summer!

Nicole Samuel
Grade 4 Class Teacher 
St. Judes Academy IB World School 
2150 Torquay Mews
Mississauga, L5N 2M6
T: (905) 814-0202
B: https://mssamuelsja.blogspot.com

W: https://stjudesacademy.com/