Thursday, August 25, 2016
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Mrs. Armstrong’s Bio
Forms
Specials Schedule
Home-School Communication
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Email/Phone
Classroom Website
RemindApp
Parent Conferences
School-wide Behavior Plan
Classroom Behavior Plan
Homework
Phoenix Grade Book
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Grading Policies
Tests/Quizzes
Report Card Format
SOLs
Dream Box
Reflection Journals
OTTW & Genius Hour (Passion
Project)
Fourth Grade Field Trip
PTO Membership
Nine Week Plans
Questions!
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This is my first year with Loudoun County Public Schools. I
previously taught fifth grade for ten years in Frederick
County, Maryland. I’m super excited to be joining AES!
I received my Bachelor’s Degree in elementary education
from the University of Maryland, College Park and my
Master’s Degree in educational leadership from Strayer
University.
My husband and I live in Leesburg with our two kids and dog.
My son, Easton, is two and my daughter, Leighton, will be
one on Monday!
I love cheering for the Redskins and Terps and love doing
most anything outdoors.
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TO BE HANDED IN TONIGHT: Please complete the
white student profile card on your child’s desk,
the car rider visor tag request, and the
transportation slip and turn them in before you
leave tonight.
Parent volunteer opportunities, conference sign
up sheets are on the kidney table under the
clock.
NOTE TO YOUR CHILD: Please fill out the “Parent 32-1 and Child Reader Survey” sheet and turn it in
to the basket on the kidney table.
◦ Also, feel free to use the notecard to write your child a
little note of encouragement for the first day of school.
It’ll be a nice surprise for them when they arrive
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TO BE HANDED IN ASAP First Day of School
Packet (brown): Please send these forms in
with your child on the first day of school.
The yellow form inside your packet should
also be completed and turned in after
viewing the Student Rights and
Responsibilities documents under the Quick
Links section of the LCPS website.
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Music
8:05-8:35
Music
8:35-9:05
PE
8:05-8:35
PE
9:05-9:35
PE
8:05-8:35
Library
11:05-11:55
Guidance
(every other
week)
10:05-10:35
SEARCH
(every other
week)
8:40-9:25
Computer Lab
8:05-9:00
Art
8:35-9:25
All fourth grade classes will eat
lunch from 12:30pm – 1:00 pm.
* Please make note of the days
that we have PE, so you can be
sure that your child wears shoes
appropriate for physical activity.
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Students will have the option of
bringing in a “working snack” to
consume in the morning. If they
choose to do so, please send in a
healthy, nut free snack for your child
(no dipping sauces.)
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There are several lines of communication available.
◦ Notes in the Agenda (please check daily)
◦ Email ([email protected])
◦ School Phone (Note: I call for good reasons too so don’t be
scared if you see my number)
◦ Scheduled Conferences
◦ Behavior Charts
◦ Reflection Journals (ongoing between you and your child)
You know your child best; therefore, I believe, it is vital
that we work together throughout the year to ensure
your child flourishes academically, emotionally and
socially.
Emails will be sent through Phoenix. Please be sure your
email address is correct on the student profile card. This
is the email that will be entered into Phoenix. If it is
incorrect, change it on the card and we will take care
of it in Phoenix.
The following is found on the 4th Grade Team’s
site as well as our class website:
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Teacher Biographies
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Long Range Plans
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Helpful Websites
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Study Guides and Answer Keys
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Sign up for important updates from Mrs.
Armstrong.
◦ Pick up a Remind handout for more information (on
the kidney table)
◦ This is NOT mandatory for parents; just another form
of communication
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Get information for 4th Grade right on your
phone (sign up for the Remind App; it’s free.)
◦ I will use this app to send out reminders regarding
various class projects, due dates, events, etc.
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The sign-up schedule for parent conferences is on
the kidney table. First come first served! 
Sign up tonight if you know your schedule. Please
record it somewhere. (Sticky notes are provided if
needed). I will send home a reminder the week
before your scheduled conference.
Conferences will be held before and after school
starting the middle of October.
Any conferences before or after that will be either
parent or teacher requested.
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Emphasis on positive reinforcement as the primary behavior management
tool.
The students will come up with our class behavior contract, which
students will sign and be expected to abide by (3 Rs Poster-Respect,
Responsibility and Right to Learn)
Bucket Filling: Each student has their own “bucket”. Throughout the day,
students will have the opportunity to earn stones to put in their bucket by
being kind to others, following directions, earning a dolphin dollar/golden
dolphin, etc. Each time a student earns 20 stones in their bucket he/ she
will be able to choose a reward from the prize box.
Consequences: I believe in logical consequences such as a quiet
warning, apologies (written or verbal depending on the circumstance),
“think sheet,” or taking a time out.
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If a behavior is serious, I will call you to talk to you about ways we can
work together to resolve any issues.
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Other: Class can earn marbles for the marble jar for exemplary behavior in
Specials, Recess, Cafeteria, etc.
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The fourth grade teachers at Ashburn recognize the
value of recess to our students.
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Gives students a break
Increases time on-task in classroom
Promotes social interaction
Optimizes the brain’s performance (increased blood
flow)
Every student in fourth grade will receive at least 15
minutes of recess daily.
Most days our recess will be from12:00pm-12:20pm.
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The homework policy for Loudoun County Schools is
that a fourth grader should not have more than one
hour of homework per night.
All Students will receive an Agenda on the first day of
school and will write in their agendas daily
◦ In the beginning I will initial students agendas before they
pack up verifying that they have copied down all their
assignments
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Parent/Guardian initials are required in the agenda
each night.
If homework is not turned in or completed I will circle
the assignment in your child’s agenda
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Homework should not take more than one hour per night. If
assigned homework is taking longer, please contact me so we
can resolve the problem.
If a question arises on the homework that your student is unable
to answer, please initial it to show it wasn’t skipped. I will then
make sure to work with your child the following day to clarify any
confusion.
READING LOG-Every student should read independently for a
minimum of 15 minutes nightly (this is included in the hour ).
Students should log how many minutes they read, the title of the
book. An adult should initial the Reading Log.
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You will have access to your child’s grades
online through Phoenix again this year.
If you are new to Loudoun County Public
Schools, you will need sign up for access to
Phoenix (form can be found in the office).
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Students will receive a combination of number and
letter grades on all class assignments, quizzes, and
tests.
Loudoun County Public Schools’ grading policy is as
follows:
Grading Key:
A = Outstanding
B = Very Good
C = Satisfactory
D = Needs Improvement
F = Not Performing
Progress Indicators:
4 = Exceeds Standard
3 = Meets Standard
2 = Progressing Toward Standard
1 = Below Standard
4
Exceeds
More Complex
Concepts
3 – Learning Target
Meets the Standard
2 – Simpler Concepts,
Progressing Toward Standard
1 – Building Blocks, Below Standard
 Could be multiple grades on each assignment
that reflect different standards assessed.
 Not every assignment will include a rubric.
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There will not be pop quizzes. Students will be
informed of a quiz or test in advance. Any
quizzes/tests for the week will be written in your
child’s agenda (Reminder: please initial daily.)
We will review in class the day before, but students
need to study at home as well.
Study guides, when given, are to be completed
three to five days before an assessment.
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Students that receive a C / 2 or lower will be given the
opportunity to retake the test or quiz.
◦ Students must come to me directly to request a retake within three school
days of receiving the graded assessment
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The purpose of a retake is to ensure the child’s knowledge of
the materialthe goal is for students to show “mastery”
The retake date for the test or quiz will be in your child’s
agenda.
The retake assessment may be rewritten in a different format
(multiple choice, fill-in-the-blank, essay, etc.) from the original
assessment.
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Reading
Math
Virginia Studies
SOL tests will be taken in May-exact dates will
be given as the SOLs get closer 
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On some Fridays your child will write a letter to
you detailing about their week
◦ A great way for you to get more detailed answers to
the question: “What did you do at school today?”
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At minimum a parent signature is required,
though families have the option of writing a
letter back to them in the journal
Students love reading the responses in their
journals.
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A computerized math program, check out
the program’s website for detailed
information: www.dreambox.com
Will be done at school and at home
Please try not help your child at home. The
program is designed to constantly evaluate
your child’s needs and progress. It needs to
be your student’s work to be most effective as
a learning tool.
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Stay tuned for updates about this year’s One to
the World Project (fall/spring)
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Genius Hour-(we will likely call it “Passion
Projects”): Teachers will provide a set amount of time for
their students to work on their passion projects. Students are
then challenged to explore something and produce a project
demonstrating what they learned. Students spend several
weeks researching the topic before they start creating a
product that will be shared with the
class/school/world. Deadlines are limited and creativity is
encouraged. Throughout the process the teacher facilitates
the student projects to ensure that they are on task.
(https://youtu.be/NMFQUtHsWhc)
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To find out more check out:
http://www.geniushour.com/
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Fourth grade will be taking one field trip this school
year.
We are still exploring our options as to where the
field trip will be. When a decision has been made,
we will pass that information along to you.
Chaperones will be chosen in each classroom
through a random lottery of those who turn in
chaperone forms.
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The PTO raises about $50 for each student at Ashburn
each year.
This is to provide teachers with the tools that your child
uses in the classroom every day (i.e. Elmo Digital
Presenters, Chrome Books and your child’s agenda).
Meeting times alternate between morning and
evening times in the library every month from
September through May.
You can also help by participating in their fundraisers
of which several of them will not cost you a thing
(icollecting and sending in your General Mills Box Tops
or registering your Giant Food grocery card).
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Reading
◦ Expanding Vocabulary
◦ Realistic Fiction/ Narrative
Nonfiction
◦ Predicting/Summarizing
◦ Inferencing/Interpreting
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Science
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Math
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Social Studies
Writing/Language Arts
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Organize/Plan Writing
Focus on a Topic
Subject-Verb Agreement
Noun-Pronoun Agreement
Personal Narrative
Word Study
Grammar
◦ Scientific Investigation
◦ Virginia’s Natural Resources
◦ Solar System
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Place Value
Adding/Subtracting
Elapsed Time
Patterns/Functions/Equality
Relative Location
Virginia Geography
First Americans
Early Jamestown