Yes, it is really February. I am one person who is not complaining about a mild winter…at least so far. We will be taking the WIDA next week. This is the bilingual test that consists of an assessment in Reading, Writing, Listening and Speaking. This assessment will be done on the computer.

Also, I have invited Mrs. Ingoglia to come in work with my students with Writing. I think with her expertise and my experience we can get the students to the next level in Writing.

Please continue to work with  your child on multiplication facts. Also, they should be reading every night. Ask them questions about what they are reading. They should do some type of homework even if they say they don’t have any.  It is imperative that they master these skills, including studying.

Please sign their planners daily….

NWEA is over. We will be trying to get back into our routine. Some of our students did not finish so they will be asked to finish up their tests, but for most students, the testing is complete. We will continue in Math to work on multiplication and division. We must keep our students reading and writing in all subject areas.  We will reading and writing by using 3 sources to answer questions and write constructed responses.  In Social Studies, we are studying the government. In Science, we are studying states of matter.

We will be taking the WIDA, or bilingual assessments, soon. Your child should still be bringing homework home everyday. If not, please contact me. The second quarter will be ending soon, so report cards will be sent home with your child.  As always, feel free to contact me if you have any questions or concerns.

Thanks….keep in touch….

Mrs. McBain

Happy New Year….Soon we will back to school and we have a very busy first week back. On Tuesday we will be celebrating the December PBIS. Town Hall will be in the morning and the celebration will be in the afternoon. Also, this week, we will be NWEA. This will be the mid-year assessment. It is important that we see some growth in your child’s progress. Hopefully, with all the work we have been doing in school and the numerous opportunities we have given them to practice on the computer, we will see significant growth. So, please keep working with your child at home.

Thank you parents and students for attending conferences.  It is important that we continue to support each other. I appreciate the help you give your child at home. I will support and challenge them at school to higher expectations.

Thanks to all the parents that chaperoned our field trip to the Rouge Plant. It was very informative and a new experience for me, as I have never been on this trip before. We will be having a couple more trips, so hopefully, if you did not get a chance to share in this experience, there is still time.

It’s good to acknowledge students when they are successful. Recently, the following students were inducted into the National Honor Society: Ayah Mustapha, Reem Sleiman, Adam Sabra, Achraf Chami, Fatima Alyssiri, and Mohammed Altiwainy. I am so proud of you….Congratulations….(qualifications were based on NWEA scores)

Also, our Student of the Months for September was Fatima Alyssiri and for October, Dareen Basma. These students show great effort in their work and behavior on a daily basis.

Thanksgiving is approaching and it is a great opportunity to spend with family and friends. I am looking forward to time with my children, who will be coming home for this holiday. I can’t wait.

Lastly, the weather is getting colder. Please dress your child appropriately, as they will be outside in the morning, at lunch, and even a possible recess. We all need some fresh air now and then.

Please ask your child  about their Learning Plan. Every student wrote an academic goal and a personal goal in their planner. They were also given their NWEA scores for Math and Reading, along with their expected goal for May 2016. Every child  is expected make a year’s growth.  Please read how they plan to achieve their goal. We need to support them in any way we can. We will discuss this more at conference time.

Important Dates:

October 30 – Halloween – parade at 1:00 for K-2, followed by 3-5. If your child brings in treats please make sure they are individually wrapped.

Nov. 5 – Fourth Grade Field Trip to Performing Arts Center…all students are expected to attend.

Nov. 6 PBIS TOWNHALL & REWARDS – Remind your child of the behavior expectations in school. They areinside their planner if you need to see them.

Nov. 6 – HALF DAY

Conference Notes coming soon………

Just a reminder…students should be bringing work home every night. If they are not, please stop by or email me as soon as possible. Also, planners need to be signed every night. It is important that you sign their  planners and check their planner to see if they are filling it out. We need to work together to monitor their work. If you have questions, please contact me.  In addition, students should be reading at least 20-30 minutes every night. They can work on times tables and study spelling words. They can use any of the websites we have used in class or Enrichment at home.  This would be in addition to whatever work they bring home. All  tests and quizzes will be announced so ask your child if they have any assessments coming up. It is their responsibility to study. Thank you for your continued support.

If you would like to help out in class or want to do some work at home, please let me know. It is important that we work together. Students need to see that you value education and the work they do on a daily basis.  Please help your child at home. If you need to get ahold of me, please email me and I will reply as soon as possible.  My email is:

mcbainc@dearbornschools.org

Also. please feel free to reply to my blog. I will try to do a better job to keep it updated.

Thank you for attending Open House. It is always wonderful to meet parents and in many cases see you again. This will be a great. Your child should be coming home with homework every night. If he/she does not, please contact me. It is imperative that you and I stay in close contact. I will be writing in planners each Friday so you know on a weekly basis how your child is doing. You need to sign their planner every night. If they don’t show it to you, please ask them for their planner and sign it.

NWEA Reading and Math were taken this week. Next week the Language and the following week Science. Also, next week, we have only two days and then a break. Enjoy what’s left of the nice weather.

Welcome Back…I am very happy to be your child’s teacher. I am very exciting to be working with you this year.  Yes, I have looped and brought some of my students with me. I was not able to take all of you, and  I am so sorry about that. However, with fewer students in your class this year, you will make much more progress and your teacher will be able to work with individuals more. The fourth grade will be much more rigorous and a lot of work will need to be done at home. I want to assure you that although you have the same teacher and are in the same room, the curriculum will be much different. There are much higher expectations for each student. I am looking forward to working with each of you this year. See you soon…..

Mrs. McBain

We took the NWEA for Language and Reading last week. This week we will be taking the Math and Science NWEA. Of course, due to the snow days, we will be struggling to reschedule the test dates. However, we will do our best to get the tests completed and get the results to you as soon as possible. Please make sure your child gets a good night sleep and a good meal before coming to school. It is Black History Month, so reports are upcoming. Mid winter break is also fast approaching, so we have a lot of work to do. Stay warm….and enjoy our Winter Wonderland!!!!!