Classroom Disclosure

Welcome to 4^th grade! I aim to create a positive, engaging, and challenging learning environment. I also strive to promote independent thinking and learning, where students are motivated to learn by taking ownership of how they learn. I have high expectations for myself and my students. If you have any questions, please feel free to call me at 801-402-2650, message me in Seesaw, or email me at vhinojosa@dsdmail.net.

School Time

The first bell rings at 8:50 am. School starts at 8:55 and is dismissed at 3:30 (Friday dismissal is 1:30). When students are more than 15 minutes late, they will need to check into the office. It is extremely important that your child attends school regularly and on time. If your child is going to miss an extended period of class time, arrangements can be made to participate in core subjects via Zoom.

Communication

Parents and teachers must work collaboratively for students to succeed in school. Because of this, I have established several ways for parents to be informed of what is happening in school and our classroom.

Our class uses an app called Seesaw. I will post pictures and videos of what is happening in our classroom. Your child will also be completing assignments and assessments in Seesaw. Feel free to “like” or comment on your child’s assignment to praise and encourage them. You can also communicate with me through the app’s messaging system.
Information is posted on our classroom website.
I will call or email with any other important information regarding your child’s progress.
Periodic handouts will be sent home and posted on Seesaw. Please check your child’s backpack and/or Seesaw regularly.

Parent Teacher Conferences twice a year.
Please call, message (Seesaw), or email me with any questions or concerns regarding your child.

Expectations

I firmly believe that kids will become whatever we tell them they are. I constantly remind my kids that they are hard workers, generous, caring, intelligent, and the #BestClassEver! Our class does not have rules; we have values and expectations. As a class, we will create these together during the first week of school.

I use a behavior method called CPS (Collaborative and Proactive Solutions). If a student struggles with a behavioral challenge, we work together to identify concerns/problems and devise solutions. Students must be part of the process to learn how to handle difficult situations. Parents will also be notified to be part of the process.

Our class will also follow the school-wide behavior plan. For more information, please see the Wasatch Elementary Student-Parent Handbook.

Please note that certain 4th-grade privileges, such as field trips, swimming, and other activities, require students to demonstrate a history of responsible and safe behavior to attend and participate. If a student is unable to participate, this will only occur after additional support is provided and prior notification to parents/guardians.

Dress Code

Our classroom follows the school’s dress code policy. If you have any questions, please see the handbook.

Electronic Devices

Personal electronic devices (including smart watches) are not allowed during the school day, including pass-time between classes, recesses, and lunchtime. They must be entirely powered down, turned off, and kept in their backpacks. If students are caught with a cell phone during school hours, I will turn it in to the office, and a parent must pick it up. Students may use electronic devices before and after school. We cannot be held responsible for anything that ends up missing. We will be using laptops and other devices in the classroom. These are provided as tools to assist learning, and all acceptable use guidelines are expected to be met.

Websites for Learning

Because our school is fortunate to have a laptop for every student, we will utilize various websites daily. These websites include Google products, CKLA, Imagine Learning Illustrative Math, Canvas, Seesaw, Office 365 products, IXL, Mission i.o., Breakout EDU, Pixton, Tinkercad, and many others. To enroll students on these websites occasionally requires login information, such as name, birthdate, student ID, and other basic information. This information is kept confidential by requiring login information, and you, as a parent or guardian, will have access to these sites. Please note that I would never give your child’s information out unless I feel the website is a safe and great resource for our classroom. By signing this disclosure, you consent and give permission to allow your child to access these different websites.

Social Emotional Learning

I believe in teaching the “whole” child rather than just math, reading, etc. I feel that when building an environment where students feel that they belong and feel comfortable and safe will open the doors to more learning. Because of this, we will be learning social and emotional skills to identify and manage our feelings. The classroom will also be set up to be calming and inviting. Students will have access to different seating, lights will be turned down, and we will listen to music while working.

Permission to Photograph

I love to take pictures and film videos in class and use them as learning opportunities. These pictures also keep parents in the loop with what is happening in the classroom. Periodically, our class will earn a grant for school supplies, and we will post pictures and thank you cards to show appreciation for the donations. These pictures could be displayed on websites and social media. These websites include Donors Choose, 100% For Kids, and Davis Education Foundation. We also might take pictures and/or videos to display on the district, school, classroom, and other websites. All images posted on the websites will not have identifying information such as name, etc. By accepting this agreement, you acknowledge that your child can have his/her picture and video taken throughout the school year.

Homework

Please make reading each night a top priority. Doing this will help your child progress academically. Each student will be given a 40 Book Challenge this year. Your child will work on reading at least 40 books at school and at home. If your child does not finish the challenge, there will not be a penalty. My primary reason for this challenge is to have your child find a love of reading and to read more books than they ever have.

Throughout the year, students will be assigned a project to complete at home. More information will be provided as the year goes on.

Grading

At Wasatch Elementary, we follow the DESK report standards outlined by Davis School District. You may check your child’s progress on the MyDSD website. I grade based on standards being met rather than scores on assignments. Therefore, you won’t see individual assignment grades in MyDSD. You will see where students currently stand for each 4th-grade DESK standard. The grades will change based on students’ progress. Throughout the unit, I will provide multiple opportunities for students to show their proficiency in a skill. Students will be given grades based on a rubric scale of 1-3 (1- Well below, 2- Almost there, 3- Showed mastery of standard). All efforts will be made to assist and support students who have not shown proficiency yet in a skill.