Thank you for all the positive comments and gifts.  Also, all of you have been wonderful for the support and encouragement you have provided your children during the first half of the school year. I truely love teaching your children; thank you for sharing them with me.

Just a few reminders:

MLK Holiday is January 19th

Parent conferences are in January beginning January 26th

Respectfully,

Gail Robertson

Dear Parents:

Wow! How time flies when we are having fun!  It is that time of the year to be thankful, and I am certainly thankful to you for sharing your children with me.  Too often, we teachers only communicate with parents when there is a problem or difficulty.  It has been a delight to have such supportive parents and good students.

The students have been busy reading both books and poetry.  They are also busy writing and studying.  Thank you for responding to your child's letter home journal.  They really enjoy reading your responses.  They are also learning how to divide in math as well as some mental math tricks.  In science, they have been learning about force and motion.  As you can see, there is a great deal of learning going on although the holidays are approaching quickly. 

Reminder: We are looking forward to the Grandparents' Luncheon on Thursday, November 20, 2008 for the fourth grade.  The grandparents are also invited to the classroom on that day for a short presentation before lunch.  Please inform me if there are any students who will not have anyone attending lunch on Thursday so we can be sure that someone is there to share lunch with them.

Also, FYI you may not be able to email me during the time of November 21- 30th.  There will be an outage of service during that time for Cobb County Schools.  Thank you for your understanding.

Very respectfully,

Gail Robertson

Dear Parents:

     Most of the students did very well on report cards, and I am very proud of the effort that all students have demonstrated.  I encourage all students to continue their learning and attempt to improve as the school year continues.  Please continue to support their learning by checking that they do their homework.  Students need that reinforcement to recall what has been taught.

     Also, it is at this time of the year that many students begin to struggle in math because they have not mastered their multiplication facts.  Continue to have them practice facts and complete the timed facts sheets.  Currently, the students are working on three digit numbers multiplied by two digit numbers.  When they do not have immediate recall of the facts, it may be taking they an extended time to complete their work.  When we begin division, it will become more difficult for those who do not have mastery of the multiplication facts.

     Just a reminder that the Foundation is having their pancake breakfast October 25th from 7:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.  Please join us in helping to support Garrison Mill.

     Keep up the good support.  As always, if you have questions about anything, feel free to email me.

Respectfully,

Gail Robertson

Dear Parents:

     Most of the students did very well on report cards, and I am very proud of the effort that all students have demonstrated.  I encourage all students to continue their learning and attempt to improve as the school year continues.  Please continue to support their learning by checking that they do their homework.  Students need that reinforcement to recall what has been taught.

     Also, it is at this time of the year that many students begin to struggle in math because they have not mastered their multiplication facts.  Continue to have them practice facts and complete the timed facts sheets.  Currently, the students are working on three digit numbers multiplied by two digit numbers.  When they do not have immediate recall of the facts, it may be taking they an extended time to complete their work.  When we begin division, it will become more difficult for those who do not have mastery of the multiplication facts.

     Just a reminder that the Foundation is having their pancake breakfast October 25th from 7:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.  Please join us in helping to support Garrison Mill.

     Keep up the good support.  As always, if you have questions about anything, feel free to email me.

Respectfully,

Gail Robertson

EARLY BIRD SPECIAL $22*
Nov. 1st price increast to $25*

On-line ordering available at:  http://www.myyear.com
*Note:  cost includes taxes.  Does not include 1x $1.75 processing fee per transaction, multiple items per order allowed.  Be sure to print & keep your confirmation for proof of payment.

ORDER FORMS ARE ALSO AVAILABLE ON THE CREDENZA OUTSIDE OF THE OFFICE.

Dear Parents:

     How fast the time is passing! It is October and the end of the first grading period is quickly approaching.  The students have already shown growth since the beginning of the school year. I have conferenced with many of you via phone; however, if we haven't talked, I'll be calling to see how things are.  Your children are such a delight to have in class.  Thank you for sharing them with me.

     Your children have been busy learning and I hope having some fun too.  I know that they enjoyed the reading project since they shared a great deal of food as well as sharing their reading.  They have also finished a couple of units in the math book so we will be beginning multiplication soon.  Please continue to reinforce this skill by continuing the timed math drill sheets for practice.  They do need practice.

     Also, I have a message about toys and trading cards.  The fourth grade is no longer going to continue to allow toys or cards at school.  I know that some of the children did have them to use during recess or in ASP; however, they are no longer allowed.  Please make sure that your child's bookbag does not have any toys or cards.  Thank you for helping with this matter since it was causing some difficulty at school.

     Additionally, please do remember that there is an early release day on October 15th; therefore, your children will be getting out of school early.

     As always, it has been great getting an opportunity to communicate with you.

Very respectfully,

Gail Robertson

Dear Parents:

        By now you should have received your child's progress report.  Most students did very well, and I am so proud of them. If your child did not perform as well as you had hoped, there is still time for all students to pull up grades.  As we have expressed in the past, there is a gap between third grade and fourth grade.  Some students found the beginning of school a bit challenging in getting used to the work and responsibility.  By now, most of the students are settling into the routine and performing better.

       The students have been busy reading and completing their reading projects. Also, they have been learning about graphing data in math. The science unit is complete for now, and now the students are concentrating on social studies. We are also working on writing. Please encourage your child to write as well as read at home. It can simply be a summary of what they read that day. Practice does increase their ability to write.

       Additionally, thanks for your support.  You are such a valuable part of your child's education.

Very respectfully,

Gail Robertson

Dear Parents:

Thank you very much for attending Open House.  It was so nice to get to meet each of you.  I enjoyed sharing time with you, and I look forward to working together this year. 

As you can see, we have had a great beginning to this school year.  The students are getting back into the routine of school and the challenges they face as fourth grade students.  Most of the baseline assessments have been completed, and they are busy learning.

Please remember that Letter Home Journals will be sent home each week.  Please remember to respond.  As discussed during Open House, it means so much to them to receive a note from you.

  If at any time you may have a question, please feel free to email me.  As I stated at Open House, it is easier for me to respond to email so I encourage that form of communication.

  Additionally, I describe myself as fair, firm, and friendly. Please encourage your child to feel free to ask questions or inform me if there is anything that they do not understand.

Thank you.

Very respectfully,

Gail Robertson

Dear Parents:

Welcome back to the 2008-2009 school year.  I am looking forward to this year, and plan to make it a great year for your children.

Fourth grade is the year when students become more independent as learners, and the curriculum is challenging.  If you would like to preview what your students will be learning, the state standards can be viewed on PICASSO.  Check it out.  There is a great deal of information available to parents on the PICASSO website.

I look forward to meeting you and working with you to educate your child.

Very respectfully,

Gail Robertson