Thank you for sending such wonderful kids! This week we got to know each other. Every morning in homeroom we greeted each other by name and with a handshake. I hope this makes all feel welcome. We will continue "morning meeting" throughout the year, building on our community cohesiveness. Next week we begin our PAW behavior system. There is a sheet in the Bee Binder that has Paws on it; hopefully your child can explain our system to you. But don't worry; we will go over it during Back to School on Sept. 15. The 4th grade team rewards good behavior with the opportunity to participate in Flex Friday - an extra half hour of recess in the afternoon - and with Brilliant Bobcat Day once a quarter. One of the aspects of this school year that I'm really excited about it the fact that Austin ISD is focusing on Independent Reading this year! This is the first step in the new district Literacy Plan, which will be rolled out over the next few years. I hope to instill a love for reading in all our students. We will "read wildly" this year! We will read a lot of different genres and will respond to our reading in different ways. I would LOVE every student to have a book bag this year. This can be a smallish bag with handles that your child can carry over the shoulder and that can be hung on the back of the chair. I hope that the kids can carry their bags to our class reading buddies (probably a 1st or 2nd grade class), outdoors, to the cafeteria, even out to recess. My goal is for all of our students to feel the enjoyment of really getting into a good book. Independent reading will not be graded or tested. We will do lots of discussing books - characters, themes, setting, author style, etc. If you can provide your child with a book bag as soon as possible, that would be great. I do have a friend who has a sewing business and is happy to take orders. Two bag examples are to the left. Available bag colors are purple, gray, navy, royal blue and red. The outside pockets can vary; just specify a pattern your child would like. They are $16.24 ($15 + tax). You can order them through me. But please know that any bag is great. You may have a smallish bag at home; please bring that one in. Kids have brought all kinds of bags this week! Hope you have a restful weekend and see you Monday!
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