Zephyr Class

Dear Parents/Carers

Hello and welcome to Zephyr class. I hope that you had a lovely summer holiday. This letter is to inform you about some of the year 4 routines. I will try to keep routines similar to Cirrus class, so the children settle in quickly.

Staff – The teacher for Cirrus class is Mrs Grainger, supported by Mrs Bayldon in the morning, and Mrs Blanchflower in the afternoons. Mrs. Crosby will teach the children on Thursday and we have Miss. Sanders in for music on a Wednesday afternoon.

Daily routines – Presently (according to the weather), your child can go into the playground from 8.20am. The bell will ring at 8.30am, when the children will go into class, through the door by Sunshine class, near Little Explorers. We are continuing with our drop off and pick up scheme, so please collect your child at 3.05pm from the school car park. If anyone would like to help with the drop off or pick up scheme then please do let us know!

Fruit time – This is generally before morning break and children are welcome to bring a piece of fruit to school with them from home. So if you want your child to have a piece of fruit, then please put an extra piece in their lunch box.

Drinks – Each child will need to bring in a named water bottle to drink throughout the day. If they have a sports bottle, these can be kept on their table in the classroom. Other types of bottle can be left on a shelf in the classroom and children can access them at any time. Milk or a fruit drink is also available at an additional charge, which is given out during fruit time.

Lunchboxes – These are stored on the trolley in Cirrus class cloakroom.

Doors that Cirrus class can use– Cirrus class enter school through the doors by Sunshine class, near Little Explorers. The door previously used at the front of the school, will from September only be used as a fire exit as that room will now be part of Cirrus and Zepher’s working classroom. At the end of they day we will go out via the main door near Zepher class.

Toys at playtime – Children can bring one toy to school, it needs to be small, unbreakable, and not valuable. The toy needs to be kept in your child’s bag or on their peg. Toys that encourage aggressive play will not be allowed.

Clothing – We ask that you regularly check that all clothing is clearly labeled, including the P.E. kit and plimsolls, and that children are provided with a hat in hot weather, and a coat when it is cold or wet.

P.E. – Zephyr class have P.E. twice a week, with a mid-morning and afternoon session. However, these can vary occasionally, so please ensure that your child has their kit everyday.

Reading – We will be keeping the reading routine the same as we had in Cirrus class, and so we will be doing various reading activities every day. Please can you make sure that the children have their books in school every day. Each child has a Children’s Reading Record, and it is helpful if you can write in it each time your child reads to you. Adults in the school will do the same, to keep you informed of your child’s progress. Please be aware that sometimes the children will repeat pages and may not necessarily change a book every time they get to the end, as we have to make sure of their understanding of the story and characters in the book. We will have reading time everyday in class, this could mean your child reading independently, to an adult or as part of a guided reading group. I would greatly appreciate some parent support with reading each morning, Monday to Thursday from 0835 until Collective worship time at 0855. Please let me know if you feel that you could help as this is such an important start to our day, and it really helps each child to read daily.

Homework – Homework will go out as before on Monday’s and need to be returned the following Monday. Spellings will be tested on a Friday. Your support with homework will be greatly appreciated, as before some of the Numeracy games will require your participation! We ask that you encourage your child to Look, Cover, Write and Check their spellings regularly, as practice helps the children to feel more confident. They will be tested on these spellings on Friday.

Buddy Afternoon - Buddy Afternoon will continue to be run in class groups, and there will be three activities per term on a rota. Children will get the opportunity to do all three activities and I will send a letter home if they need to bring anything for Friday afternoon. If there are any parent who would like to help during Buddy Afternoon please let me know, I would greatly appreciate it!

Half term topic planning - Please find enclosed this half term’s overview sheet. I will send out details of each new topic at the beginning of each half term. This will include details of how you can help your child with their new topic that half term.

We hope that your child will have a happy, fun and exciting learning experience in Zephyr class. If you need to see me any time then please come into class before or after school. I have always greatly valued your support in Cirrus class, and I hope this will continue now we are all part of year 4!

Yours sincerely,

Mrs Grainger and Mrs Bayldon