Firefighters from the Georgetown Fire Department came to visit our fourth graders this past week. The kids have all learned how to “get low and go,” and knowing how to dial 911. Now as older students, it was stressed how important it is NOT to play with fire. The Firefighters shared a video showing a real house fire, in a controlled setting, and explained how the black smoke of a fire is very dangerous for us to breathe. This opportunity to see how quickly fire can spread and destroy a home was an eye-opener for all!
Please discuss with your child your personal escape plan for your home and practice it with them like we do at school. Also, if your smoke detector is 10 years or older, please plan to throw it away and replace it with a new one. Sensors usually do not work well beyond this age.
We thank the Georgetown Firefighters for visiting us and for helping to keep our community safe each day!
Here’s what we’ve been studying:
Math: We completed Unit 1 and had our test this past week. We will soon begin Unit 2. It will contain multiplication. Please encourage your child to practice their math facts, as this will be helpful to them in the upcoming unit.
Social Studies: Our Economics Unit is drawing to a close. We will take our test next week about a market economy and its components. Our next unit will be about Government.
Writing Workshop: We have continued with our personal narratives, and learned how to think through a strong introduction and conclusion. The children have been working on finalizing their final copy and are feeling proud. We have begun to celebrate by listening to each student read their piece aloud to the class. 
Soon we will begin Realistic Fiction.
Reading Workshop: Your child may have shared with you that we had been reading Stone Fox during our Reading Workshop. It was a great book that everyone loved. They especially enjoyed getting to know the main character, Little Willie, and his dog Searchlight. When finished, we slowly watched the movie over a number of days and completed a Venn Diagram comparing the two forms of the story. Everyone agreed that the book was better! I am glad that the class had fun envisioning the story in their minds and that they are encouraged to always read a book first before seeing it at the movies. 
Important Reminders:
* Jet’s Pizza: This week’s fundraiser will take place Thurs., Oct. 12. When ordering, please remember to let them know your child’s teacher name.
*Early Release Day: We will dismiss at 12:15pm this Friday, Oct. 13. Please let your child know if you would like them to order a sack lunch that day.
*Homework: Read a minimum of 20 minutes every night. Remember to log the time and pages on your reading log.
*Book-It Calendar: Since your child is already reading each night, please encourage them to log their time on their Book-It calendar. Their hard work will pay off in a coupon for a Personal Pan Pizza at the end of month. Be sure to total the weekly/monthly time and return it to school at the end of the month. It will be exciting to see how many minutes they will have read each month!
*Math Homework: Please continue to encourage your child to independently try their personal best and return it the following day to school.
*Book Orders: All orders are due by Friday, Oct. 13.
*Turkey Trot: Will take place Tues., Oct. 24. If you did not send in your registration form, you can sign up the day of the Trot at Eagle Stadium. For an additional form or information, please visit this link to our PE Blog.
*Picture Retake Day: Thursday, Oct. 26.
*Hot Lunch Money: If your child orders hot lunch, please remember to send in their payment in a sealed envelope addressed “Hot Lunch” with your child’s name, teacher, and grade. This will ensure that payment is being applied to the correct student account.
Hope you’re having a wonderful weekend!
: ) Mrs. Estefan