This Week w/ Ms. Werth
Oct. 10th - Oct. 14th
Halloween Costumes
Students will be allowed to dress for Halloween on Friday, October 28th if they would like. Here are Blackburn's requirements for costumes:
1. They must come to school dressed in their costume already. Hairspray, makeup, etc should all be taken care of before they enter the school building.
2. Costumes may not have parts that interfere with learning. This means no masks or costumes that restrict movement or vision, cause problems on the bus with sitting or visibility for the driver, prevent sitting at desks, or prevent participation in PE. They must not obstruct movement in the hallways. Students must wear shoes and should not wear a mask.
3. Costumes may not be violent or suggestive. They should not be insulting to a particular ethnicity, religion, or gender.
4. Costumes may not promote violence or have accessories or props that could be used as a weapon.
5. Faculty and staff can use their discretion in modifying costumes or having students change if they feel a particular costume is a distraction to learning or in violation of our Code of Conduct.
Math and Science
This week in math we have been working on rounding numbers to the specified place. Furthermore, we have discussed using our understanding of place value from the previous weeks to assist in the steps to rounding numbers. This is generally a fairly difficult concept for fourth graders to conceptualize, so any practice or help on homework you can provide would be beneficial for your child.
Also, the first optional extra credit math project went home and is due tomorrow (Friday, October 14th). Based on the ones turned in already, students did a great job with these posters and I'm excited to hang these in the hall for others to learn from!
*As a side note, as grades start to come home weekly, I would like each of you to be aware (as I have told the students), I accept corrections on all assignments. Should your child receive a grade he/she isn't particularly proud of, have them make corrections on a separate piece of paper, staple it to the original assignment, and turn it in to me. My philosophy is simply that I would rather my students learn from a mistake than to merely accept defeat and learn nothing.
This week in science students have been working on the changing phases of matter and the names for those (condensation, evaporation, sublimation, vaporization, etc.). In order to help clarify some of the content in the previous Science Studies Weekly newspapers, we watched a short clip on Discovery Education and participated in a great demonstration and discussion. Students also really seemed to enjoy the Diamond Del parking lot trip, which served as a nice introduction for our Rocks and Minerals unit coming up later this school year. Hopefully they were able to identify some of their gems for you by name Wednesday evening.
This week during our designated Leader in Me time we have been reviewing Habit 6: Synergize. With this habit we have discussed the value of getting along with others and working together in order to achieve a common goal. This particular philosophy that "Two heads are better than one," works well with Guided Math, in which students work together in ability based groups to achieve a better understanding of math.
This year, as part of our Leader In Me philosophy, we will be having Student-Led Conferences (instead of the typical Parent-Teacher Conferences), so be on the lookout for information about this soon!
Secure Volunteer Background Checks
Blackburn has changed to a more comprehensive background check for our volunteers. The cost for the background check is $19.45 and it is self-enter and self-pay.
Once approved, you will receive a Secure Volunteer card in the mail that will be valid for two years. Those who have a current background check (completed within the past 2 years) are still eligible to volunteer without completing this process until the two years has expired.
Here is the link to complete the background check if you are interested in working with our wonderful students or volunteering to chaperone one of our field trips this year: https://bib.com/SECUREVOLUNTEER/CATAWBA-COUNTY-SCHOOLS-SELF
Important Dates
- Friday, Oct. 14th - School Dance (6:00-8:00)
- Thursday, Oct. 20th - Texas Roadhouse Spirit Night (4:00-9:00)
- Thursday, Oct. 27th - School Dance (2:30-4:30)
- Friday, Oct. 28th - Early Release Day (12:30)
- Friday, Oct. 28th - End of 1st Nine Weeks
- Monday, Oct. 31st - Halloween/Teacher Workday (No school for students)
Connect With Ms. Werth
Email: jessica_werth@catawbaschools.net
Website: http://www.catawbaschools.net/SCHOOLS/BLACKBURN
Location: 4377 West Highway 10, Newton, NC 28658
Phone: 828.466.7065