August 4, 2025

Aloha Parent(s)/Guardian(s),

Welcome to an exciting new school year, 2025-2026! We're eager to embrace diverse learning styles and innovative approaches to help your child thrive.

Our Curriculum Journey 🚀

This year, our learning will be guided by:

Reading/Writing: Wonders and Novel Studies

Math: Eureka Squared

English Conventions/Writing: G.U.M. (Grammar, Usage, and Mechanics)

Social Studies: Hawaiians of Old

Science: Mystery Science

We'll also focus on developing both manual and cursive writing skills, which are essential for clear communication and signing important documents.

Our Classroom Community ❤️

In our classroom, we believe in a growth mindset and the power of working together. Education extends beyond the school building—it flourishes with strong partnerships between home and school. Remember, 80% of success is showing up! The recent global challenges have truly shown us how much stronger we are when we collaborate.

This classroom is a place where everyone belongs. We are one family, here to lift each other up, regardless of race, skin color, creed, or socio-economic status. We uphold the Golden Rule: "If you have nothing nice to say, then say nothing at all." Discrimination of any kind is not tolerated here.

School Supplies 🎒

Please ensure your child has pencils, scissors and colored pens/pencils for home use. If school items are taken home and lost, misplaced, or misused, it will be the parent/child's responsibility to replace them.

Simple Classroom Rules 👍

Our classroom rules are designed to foster a positive and productive learning environment:

• Be respectful, honest, and true to your teachers, peers, classmates, and most importantly, yourself.
• Safety First! Always prioritize your safety and the safety of those around you.
• Have FUN! Giving 100% effort is doing your best.

An Easy Rule to Remember:

If what you are doing:

INTERFERES with learning

HURTS someone's heart

PREVENTS you from being your best self

...YOU SHOULD NOT BE DOING IT!

Grades & Homework 📚

Grades will be assigned based on classwork, homework, projects, participation, and tests. Homework should be completed on time with satisfactory effort, as it's practice for classroom concepts. Fourth graders are expected to be responsible for their own work.

Important Homework Tip: If your child struggles (unable to functionally do their homework) with homework for more than 15 minutes, please let me know. This helps me understand where they might need extra support.

Grading Scale:

Attendance & Health 😷

As mentioned, 80% of success is showing up! Regular attendance is crucial for your child's learning. Please check your child's health before they come to school or board the bus. The health and welfare of everyone on campus are very important. Kindly call the office or text me if your child will be absent or has a planned absence.

Smarter Balanced Assessment (SBAC) 📝

This year, students will take the statewide Smarter Balanced Assessment (SBAC). This test measures whether students are meeting the Common Core Standards for Mathematics and Language Arts for their grade level. You can find more information about the SBAC on the Hawaii DOE website.

Communication & Resources 📞

We'll continue using a student planner for daily homework assignments, which can also serve as a communication log. Please ask your child about and check this planner daily.

Your child will receive login credentials and passwords for various online resources. If they forget or are unsure, please contact me immediately.

Thank you in advance for your support, help, and aloha this school year!

Please feel free to reach out with any questions:

School Phone: (808) 776-7710

Text: (808) 937-2701

Email: [email protected]

Mahalo,

Ms. Christy Hirae