Welcome To Fourth Grade!

Dear Parents,

My name is Katie Hawkins and I would like to welcome you to the 2009-2010 school year! I look forward to an exciting year together. We plan to have a fun-filled, progressive year, and we will need your support to make it even better.

About Me & My Teaching Philosophy
I was raised and educated in the great state of Georgia and received a bachelor’s degree from The University of West Georgia in Carrollton. This will be my second year teaching fourth grade at Hightower Trail and I look forward to getting to know you and your child. I consider you to be THE most important people in your child’s life, and an essential part of our success this year. As a team, we will make our time together a positive and valuable experience.

Attendance
Regular school attendance is important. A written excuse is required from you each time your child is absent. I also ask that you send written instructions if you need to make a change in the way your child leaves school (bus, car, etc). If you need to pick your child up early, please visit the office and they will call me to dismiss your child.

Classroom Blog
All of our classroom newsletters will be online. Every Sunday, I will post a weekly update and include the upcoming week’s events. You can access our blog by going to Hightower’s homepage, clicking on Directory (on the left hand side), and then scrolling to find my name. Next to my name you will find a link that says Web Page/ Blog click on that and it will take you to our blog.

You can also access the blog directly at: http://mrshawkinsfourthgrade.blogspot.com/

Parent Conferences
If, at any time, you feel the need to meet with me, please feel free to write a note, e-mail or call to schedule a conference. Please remember to leave the best telephone number at which to reach you so I can return your call promptly.

Classroom Discipline
Please take a moment to review the forms attached to this letter. Please sign and return the bottom portion of our classroom discipline plan to me as soon as possible.

Reading
Reading is essential at all grade levels. Students should read items of their choice for at least 30 minutes each night. I have included a list of questions to ask your child as they read. These questions can help your child build reading comprehension throughout the year. Meeting their Accelerated Reader Goal each quarter is part of their reading grade, incorporated with the overall percentage correct on all tests taken (two 100-point grades).

I am very excited about starting this school year. I hope this letter answered some of your questions. Please feel free to contact me with any additional concerns at (770) 388-0751 or at khawkins@rockdale.k12.ga.us Your child’s education is a team effort, and I am glad to have you as such an important part of the team. Together, we will have a great year.

Sincerely,
Katie Hawkins