4th Grade - Room 5

Welcome to fourth grade! 

This is an exciting and important year in your child's educational journey. Fourth grade is often considered a year of transition as students continue to grow academically, socially, and emotionally. Throughout the year, they will be encouraged to become more independent learners by taking greater responsibility for their work, organization, and problem-solving.

Academically, students begin the important shift from learning to read to reading to learn. They will use their reading skills to explore new ideas across all subject areas, think more deeply about what they read, and communicate their understanding through discussion and writing. My goal is to provide a supportive classroom where students feel challenged, confident, and excited to grow as learners.

This year your child will be using Chromebooks and Google Classroom to prepare for the upper grades. They will also be using educational websites to enhance the curriculum. We will be spending the first couple of weeks becoming familiar with these websites as well as learning the routines that will ensure we have a successful year.

Each child should come to school every day with two water bottles (one for the morning and one for the afternoon). They will also need to have earbuds/headphones that they can leave at school. Lunches and snacks need to be peanut/tree nut free. Students will be allowed to eat a healthy snack in the morning starting August 21, 2026. The snack should not require any utensils to consume or washing of hands after eating. 

If you child is sick, please keep them home for everyone's safety (including your child's). Please remember to fill out the Absence Form under the Health & Safety tab on the school website. 

If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact me via email ([email protected]). I prefer to be proactive rather than reactive to any situation that may occur throughout the school year. Communication from me will be sent to your preferred email address. This saves you having to remember passwords and several clicks! It also makes it easier if you want to respond. 

I will do my best to make this school year a year of growth that is fun, safe, and challenging for your child. 

Warm Regards,

Ms. Penkala