Welcome to Room 4

Dear Parents and Caregivers

A very warm welcome to Room 4. The next few weeks will be a time of settling in, as we get to know each other and the children adjust to new class routines. My aim is to achieve a positive, supportive classroom atmosphere, where children will meet success in a variety of classroom activities. Our focus in the first term will be getting to know one another and establishing the ways in which we will work and play together in a respectful, co-operative way. 

My belief is that your child will make his/her best progress when there is a close partnership between home and school. You know your child best and I hope you will share this knowledge with me. Please feel free to approach me with any concerns you may have over your child’s education or welfare. If I have any celebrations or concerns, I will bring them to your attention as soon as possible. I do have school meeting commitments after school on Mondays and Tuesdays but I will always endeavour to make a time to see you, as soon as possible. Many issues are easily solved with a brief chat.

To encourage children with their learning and behaviour, a positive management programme operates in Room 4. Each day, a child who has worked co-operatively and well, will be chosen as “Star of the Day”. That person will sit on the “Star” chair for the next day and will have special privileges.

Parent helpers are a very important part of our programme at Burnham School. If you have skills you are willing to share, please contact me, so that we can arrange to make use of your talents.  

Swimming began this week and will continue in Week 3. If you are able to assist with dressing and supervision of children who are not swimming, please let me know. Please ensure all items of clothing, including towels, are named and in a sturdy bag.

Reading Homework will be given each day. Instructional readers will come home Monday – Thursday and on Friday, the “Poem of the Week” comes home to share. Sometimes there will be other activities, associated with the classroom programme. I ask that you find a quiet time to share the reading book with your child, encouraging them in their efforts. Regular practice at home, does promote reading success. The book that comes home will have been read in class and your child should have little difficulty sharing it with you at home. Please return the books each day and sign the Home Reading Log.

There will be a Lost Property Box just inside the door, for items left around the classroom during the day. To assist, please ensure all items of clothing are clearly named. 

In Brief :

•    As your child has only been at school a few months, many of last year’s stationery supplies will still be unused - especially the large scrapbooks. I am very happy to use these books, so please do not buy books you do not need.

•   Please do not name your child’s pens, pencils and glue sticks. I collect these in and distribute them as needed during the year. There are no “lost” pencils in Room 4, as each table has a shared supply.

•    Please remember named sunhats are required each day.

•   We are happy for the children to have water bottles in the classroom.

•   Our Library Day is Friday.

Please keep an eye on the Room 4 Blog, for notices from me and wonderful work from your children.

I am looking forward to working with you and your child in 2015.

Kind regards,

 Pam Golding