Newsletter: 4/27-5/1 - Issue #4

We are starting week four for this thing called eLearning.  The fourth grade teaching team can't begin to tell you how proud we are of our learners.  So many are working diligently to complete all their assignments everyday.  Some kids are actually doing better in the online world than they are in regular classrooms.  

Here are probably some reasons why based on our observations: 

• There is a lot less drama to worry about 
• Fewer distractions at home
• Without any physical papers its easier to stay organized

While this might be easier for some, we know that for a lot of our students this is very hard.  

Here are some of the reasons why this is difficult for some students based on our observations:

• Parents are essential works either in the health care field or some other field and have to work difficult shifts or extended hours
• Internet connections are slow or don't exist, making it hard to complete work
• Without a teacher in front of you it is hard to be organized and motivated

Regardless of how you are all feeling, know that we are all in this together.  Each of us is able to deal with all this in different ways, and your teachers and principals are here to help in any way possible.

Please remember each teacher has office hours.  This is a great time to get help and motivation.

Introducing Mr. Mitchell

We wanted to take a moment and introduce one of our fourth grade staff team members.  Mr. Mitchell is an educational aid who engages students in one-on-one/ small group support, assists teachers with everyday tasks, and carries out parent outreach regularly. Mr. Mitchell has been in education for 2 years with this being his first year with DECA.  Those of you who have spoken with him, now can put a face with a name!

Submitting Work That Is NOT Complete

A parental advisory warning:  A few of ours students are hitting "complete" on their google assignment when in actuality they didn't do anything.  We are reaching out to parents of which this pertains, however, a quick conversation with your at home student could help them know you are aware.  

Family Resources

If for some reason you are out of internet access in your home, or if you are out of minutes or data on your phone, the Montgomery County Job Center is offering free wireless internet access in its parking lot. https://thejobcenter.org/covid-19-resources.html

The Goodwill/Easterseals of the Miami Valley is offering computer use for those looking for unemployment or you need to fill out job applications.  https://gesmv.org/

The Taft Museum of Art in Cincinnati  is doing some virtual family events.  You can read about it here in the Cincinnati Parent Magazine on line:   https://cincinnatiparent.com/guide-to-free-virtual-family-programming-at-the-taft-museum/

For those of you with younger ones at home, maybe a fourth grade sibling can help setup a Youtube read aloud with Brightly Storytime:

  https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCvQagFNHMrGgQpYunk4rHXg



Important Dates

Monday, April 27th

- Food Response Program - 8:00-10:30 and 5:00-7:30

- Virtual Spirit Week - Pajama Day!

Tuesday, April 28th

Virtual Spirit Week - House Pride!

Wednesday, April 29th

Virtual Spirit Week - Wacky Hair Day!

Thursday, April 30th

Virtual Spirit Week - Talent Thursday!

Monday, May 4th

Food Response Program - 8:00-10:30 and 5:00-7:30

Pictures From This Week

Fifty participants for all-fourth-grade morning meeting last Thursday!!!

Office Hours!!!

Newsletter: April 20-24 - Issue 3 2020

Time Goes By Fast

Can you believe we finished two weeks of online school?  Congratulations to all the students who have 100% of all their work turned in.  We are so proud of you (and thankful to your parents) for making this happen.

We have learned a lot about this eLearning thing.  We are still working out kinks with Google Hangouts, finding better ways to deliver lessons, and figuring out how to make morning meetings fun and engaging.

Speaking of morning meetings...

Morning Meetings

 Morning meeting is a great opportunity for your children to connect with classmates and teachers alike.  It is the perfect way to start the day.  Teachers go over the "to-do" list for the day, answer questions, sometimes play a game or two, and generally build relationships with students virtually.  We love to see our morning meetings filled with every student in the fourth grade.  You can find log-on info your student's google classroom.  Most kids come dressed as they are, in PJs, robes, t-shirts etc.  It is a low key event, and easy to attend!!

Fourth Grade Spirit Week Is Here!!!!

All of fourth grade are having a spirit week where students dress according to the plan below.  We are practicing for the school-wide spirit week coming soon. 

Fourth Grade Reading Challenge

We posted info about the Fourth Grade Reading Challenge in your dojos.  If you missed it, here is the link:  Fourth Grade Reading Challenge.

Fun From This Week!

We had our first Chess Club on Friday!!!  We didn't have a lot of kids, but those who joined had a great time.  Every Friday at 1:00 PM!!!!  Look in the Brain Break google classroom for the info on how to join!

We had some fun with Simon Says during Morning Meeting!

Don't forget to come for office hours to get help

Follow Us On Instagram

https://www.instagram.com/deca4thtigers/

DECA Prep Fourth Grade Reading Challenge

What:  The fourth grade reading challenge is a race to see who can read as many minutes as they can.

Why:  To encourage our students to read at home during the pandemic.

How:  Each student is to read as many minutes from any book as possible.  At the end of each week a parent will send a Dojo message to the homeroom teacher with the amount of minutes read that week.  At the end of a two week span, the top three students with the most minutes will win a book.

When:  We will start next week on Monday, April 20, 2020.

Who:  All DECA Prep fourth grade students!

Newsletter: April 13-17 - Issue 2 2020

Grambling State - Fourth Grade News

We Appreciate You Parents!!!

We couldn't do this thing without you.  You are what makes all of this work.  Making sure kids are awake, going to sleep at a decent time, helping them with their assignments after a long day of work, and just being patient with your teachers has made this all worthwhile for us!!!  Thank you!

Do You Need Help?

Is your Chromebook not working?  Do you need help with food assistance?  Do you need help getting internet at home? For any type of question, DECA has set up a help e-mail address for you to send questions no matter the issue.  help@daytonearlycollege.org.  Please don't be afraid to reach out!

Moving Away From Zoom and to Google Hangouts

Our district leaders have asked us to stop using Zoom as a way of delivering our online lessons.  We are going to start using google hangouts instead.  We will post NEW links to Class Dojos for morning meetings etc.  We are making this move because Google Hangouts is more secure than Zoom. 

Going Live For Read-Aloud 

We are going to try something new this week.  Mr. V will be reading a book out loud at 11:00 AM everyday live.  We will record the session so that if you can't make it, you will be able to watch later.  We will be reading from a book from MyOn:  Museum Mysteries - The Case of the Missing Mom.  We are doing this to increase the interactiveness of lessons.  There is a companion vocabulary journal that is due on Friday that goes along with this book.

Newsletter: April 6-10 - Issue 1 2020