open house

1. Welcome To
Mrs. Wardell’s
Class

2. Meet The Teacher
Welcome to my class! I wanted to share a little with you about me and
my family.
I have been teaching for 27 years and this is my 15th year at George
Walton. I have taught kindergarten, second, and fourth.
I love fourth graders! They are a unique group of students and we have
so much fun during the year!
I am married (25 years) to Dan Wardell and have two grown children.
My daughter, Kathryn, graduated from GWA in 2010 with honors.
She is a recent graduate from Georgia College and State University and
is presently looking for a job in her field.
Send some prayers her way! PLEASE 
My son, Spencer, graduated this past year from GWA and will be a
freshman at the University of North Georgia! They both were very active
here at GWA and feel our school prepared them greatly for college.
I graduated from the University of Georgia where I was a member of the
Redcoat Band and sang in a young adult ensemble. Your student may
come home singing a crazy song or two that I made up to help them
remember an important concept .
I am looking forward to a wonderful year with your student!

3. MorningRoutine
Although school doesn’t
“officially” start until 8:15,
students who arrive between
7:45-8:00 have more time to
unpack, complete their spelling
spiral, and get settled before
the day begins. If your child
arrives after 8:15, you must
sign them in at the front office.

4. Class Rules
1. I will RESPECT all my teachers by:
● LISTENING CAREFULLY
● FOLLOWING DIRECTIONS
2. I will RESPECT my classmates by:
● WORKING QUIETLY so I do not disturb them
● USING KIND WORDS AND ACTIONS
● TAKING CARE OF MY OWN BUSINESS
3. I will RESPECT my school by:
● TAKING CARE OF SCHOOL PROPERTY
We use a card system in our class and any broken rules for
the week will be recorded on the weekly graded papers.
Behavior is used in determining the conduct grade for
report cards.

5. Academic changes this year:
We are moving to a new and improved mode of learning this year. We will
still keep the academic rigor of previous years, but we will be using
different, more authentic resources.
Each teacher will be teaching the following subjects to their homeroom:
Reading: We will teach reading skills using novels,
nonfiction resources, and the textbook.
Spelling: We will be using the Reading Street workbooks to
teach Spelling with homework assignments and
weekly tests on the words.
Science and Social Studies: We will teach these subjects on
alternate quarters (Science-1st & 3rd quarter, SS-
2nd & 4th).

6. Academic changes this year:
The students will rotate for these classes:
Mrs. Folsom – Math using the new math book!
Mrs. Gudnason – Writing – focusing on the writing process,
creative expression with words, and
writing with a purpose.
Mrs. Wardell – Grammar – focusing on the rules of English,
and creating habits of applying those in their
writing and speaking.

7. Homework
• Homework is a big part of our curriculum in fourth grade and
counts as a percentage of the student’s over-all grade on
report cards.
• Homework is expected from each student the next day unless
another date is specified by the teacher assigning the
homework.
• Failure to return the homework will result in a lower grade.
Unreturned homework assignments will also affect the
student’s effort grade on their report card. Missed
homework assignments for the week will be recorded on the
student’s weekly graded papers.

8. Homework Not Handed In
This is just a note to inform you that your child has not handed in his/her
homework today.
Name: ____________________________________________________
Date: ______________________________ Grade received is circled: 50 0
(Return tomorrow for half credit)
Assignment: ________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
Parent Signature: _____________________________________________
Please sign this and return tomorrow.
Thank you ,
Mrs. GudnasonMrs. Wardell

9. Agendas and
Student Responsibilities
Students are expected to get their agenda signed each night.
 Students are expected to write ALL their assignments in their
agenda each day.
 I will post assignments to my website. However, there may be
circumstances that prohibit this. ALWAYS look in agenda
first.
 Remember that it is your student’s responsibility to
write down each assignment on a daily basis. I will check
that the information was written, but not for accuracy.

10. WEEKLY GRADED PAPERS
• Graded papers will go home each Tuesday
from the previous week.
• Each child will return the graded paper
packet to school on Wednesday.
• A sheet for parent’s signature will be
included in the packet. You must sign that
sheet and return it with any work that may
be stapled to that sheet. The rest of the
work can stay with you at home.

11. First Four Weeks of Fourth Grade:
• Fourth grade will be different than anything your child has encountered so far.
• We spend a lot of time in fourth grade learning to be good students of work, study,
organization, and homework habits.
• These qualities are shaped in the student because all three fourth grade teachers
require and expect it of each student.
• The first four weeks or so, can sometimes look from a parent’s standpoint, like the
student is struggling. I promise you they are just learning how to adjust to the fourth
grade way.
• If your student is truly struggling - you will be contacted by me. All I can say is “trust”
me with this and give your student some time to adjust. Remember, I have been
teaching students for 27 years and I promise I will contact you if I feel something
more is going on.
• PLEASE let the student be responsible for themselves and their actions and choices. I
promise you that you will see a different student after the first progress report. I have
found that when parents and teachers are on the same page by allowing the student
to face consequences - these students adjust to the rules and ways of fourth grade
quicker and easier.
Thank you .

12. Setting up a conference:
• Conferences will be set up in October-November.
• If I notice a situation is not improving after progress reports have gone out, I
will schedule a conference with you between that time and report cards.
• If you have questions or concerns, you can email me at:
school email is swardell@gwa.com
• You may also call the lower school office and leave a message for me to call
you in regards to a conference (not during the first four weeks of school
please).
• If you have questions concerning subjects taught by one of the other two
teachers, email them directly. You can also set up individual conferences with
them after the first four weeks of school.

13. Fourth Grade Websites:
Each teacher will have her own
website. Check that sight for
weekly updates and homework
assignments.
Our web address is: superteachgwa.blogspot.com
RenWeb
This is the new system for managing grades,
attendance and more.
You will be able to get specific grade
information on a weekly basis like the middle
and high school kids.

14. All three fourth grade teachers will be using Remind 101 this year
to send out text messages concerning their individual subject
class. This system resembles the “calling tree” that the school
uses, but is done with a text. We will be sending reminders of
upcoming tests and any changes in homework, etc. that concern
our individual subject taught. I have attached a packet for signing
up for this service. You will need to sign up using each teachers #
and message code given to them by Remind 101. Directions are
easy to follow on the instruction sheets, but I have highlighted
exactly what you need to complete. This is just one more way
that technology is going to help you stay connected to what is
going on in each of the subjects your child is learning this year.
Please feel free to sign up before leaving open house and I will be
available to help you if you have any questions.
101

15. After School Help
• After school help will be provided to those students who have shown signs
of struggling for the week (based on teacher observation).
• I will send home an “invitation” to your child on with a R.S.V.P. slip for you
to return letting me know that they will stay for the session.
•Remember this is ONLY for struggling students and you must receive and
return the “invitation” in order to attend.
• It is not mandatory to attend but just a service I will provide to give my
struggling students some extra help.
• You must plan on being in the hall outside our room at 3:00 to pick up
your child. Any students left after 3:05 will be sent to aftercare on the hill
and you can pick them up there for a small fee.

16. Guests at Lunch
Please join us for lunch when you can! If you plan to eat
from the cafeteria with your student, you will pay at the
check-out counter during the lunch period. Do not send in
the money with your child that morning.
Please eat at the guest table when dining with your student.
The time you spend eating with your student at lunch is
time for you and them. Other students are not allowed to
join you during this time unless they are siblings who have
lunch at the same time.
Ice cream may be purchased only if you are eating with your
child and for your child only.

17. Birthdays
We look forward to celebrating each child’s birthday at lunch.
This is when your child will be allowed to pass out edible
treats.
This eliminates eating in the classroom.
If your child has a summer birthday please contact the
teacher to coordinate another date to celebrate.
If your child’s birthday falls on a weekend or a holiday please
contact the teacher to coordinate another date to celebrate.
Treats are not passed out to one or two students in another
class. If you choose to bring treats for the entire fourth grade
that is your option, if not, then only students in our class
should receive them.
If you will not be able to attend and help your child pass out their
treats, please send in something that does not need to be sliced (ex.
cupcakes, cookies, donuts, etc . . .)
Candles ARE NOT allowed! Thank you.

18. I look forward to spending a
wonderful year with you and
your child. Fourth grade is a very
magical year and if we work
together asa team, I am
confident that your child will
have their GREATEST learning
year ever. Please feel free to
contact me anytime with
questions and concerns–we ARE
on the same team.
Mrs.Wardell