4th Grade Newsletter 10/1/26

 

⭐10/1/2026 - 10/15/2026 ⭐

4th Grade Newsletter

What We're Learning:

Math: TEKS 4.4H & 4.5A

Students’ build an understanding of multiplication and division with multi-digit numbers by building on place value and properties of operations (TEKS 4.4B–4.4H, 4.5A). Students begin by using patterns to multiply by multiples of 10 and 100, and apply mental math and estimation to build number sense and check reasonableness. They model multiplication using arrays, area models, and partial products to show how numbers are broken apart and combined, then connect these models to the standard algorithm for multiplying 1-digit and 2-digit numbers. Students practice choosing efficient strategies based on the numbers in each problem and extend their thinking to solve multi-step situations. For division, students use sharing and grouping models to build understanding, apply partial quotients, and connect these strategies to the standard algorithm. They estimate quotients, interpret remainders in context, and solve real-world problems involving division. Students build fluency, accuracy, and flexibility as they select appropriate strategies & represent their thinking.



RLA: TEKS 

4.9D(i)-Recognize characteristics and structures of informational text, including the central idea with supporting evidence.

4.6B-Generate questions about text before, during, and after reading to deepen understanding and gain information.

4.6G-Evaluate details read to determine key ideas.

4.9D(ii)-Recognize characteristics and structures of informational text, including features such as pronunciation guides and diagrams to support understanding.

4.10C-Analyze the author’s use of print and graphic features to achieve specific purposes.

4.9Diii- recognize characteristics and structures of informational text including organizational patterns such as compare and contrast.

4.11Di-edit drafts using standard English conventions including complete simple and compound sentences with subject-verb agreement.
4.12B- compose informational texts including brief compositions that convey information about a topic, using a clear central idea and genre characteristics.

Science: TEKS 4.7A

Students learn that forces are pushes or pulls that can make things move, change direction, or change shape. First, in Experience 1, students investigate forces that act on objects through direct contact. Then in Experience 2, they explore forces that act on an object at a distance.

Students can apply what they learned in Topic 1 about observable physical properties of matter (TEKS 4.6A) to the questions they ask and investigations they plan and conduct in Topic 2 about contact and noncontact forces acting on objects (TEKS 4.7A).

  • Pushes, pulls, and friction are contact forces that change the position of an object through direct contact.

  • Friction pushes against an object to slow it or change its direction.

  • Gravity and magnetism are noncontact forces that can change the position of an object at a distance, without direct contact.



Social Studies:  TEKS 

  • 4.1(B)

    identify and compare the ways of life of American Indian groups in Texas before European exploration such as the Lipan Apache, Karankawa, Caddo, and Jumano

  • 4.9(A)

    explain the economic activities various early American Indian groups in Texas used to meet their needs and wants such as farming, trading, and hunting

  • 4.19(A)

    differentiate between, locate, and use valid primary and secondary sources such as technology; interviews; biographies; oral, print, and visual material; documents; and artifacts to acquire information about Texas

  • 4.19(C)

    analyze information by applying absolute and relative chronology through sequencing, categorizing, identifying cause‐and‐effect relationships, comparing, contrasting, finding the main idea, summarizing, making generalizations and predictions, and drawing inferences and conclusions

  • 4.19(D)

    organize and interpret information in outlines, reports, databases, and visuals, including graphs, charts, timelines, and maps

  • 4.19(G)

    Develop and communicate a claim and supporting evidence visually, orally, or in writing related to a social studies topic

  • 4.21(D)

    create written and visual material such as journal entries, reports, graphic organizers, outlines, and bibliographies

 



Up Coming EVENTS for LHISD and SRE:

Specials Rotations:

Safety is our first priority. Cell phones in school zones and in car lines are not only against the law, it puts our kids and staff at risk. Your cooperation is needed and appreciated.


Please do not park at or near crosswalks as it blocks our ability to see oncoming traffic and creates a hazard for crossing guards and students crossing the street.


The first few days of school are exciting for everyone. We often have 2-3 times the number of cars dropping off and picking up than the rest of the year. Thanks for your patience as we worked through these first couple of days getting back into our routines.


Morning Arrival:


  • Please form one lane and do not go around other vehicles or cones or run over our cones.
  • Do NOT drop off students in the bus parking lot to avoid our car rider line. That parking lot is reserved for our staff and students with special circumstances.
  • Do NOT drop off students by the black Panther walker near Braun and Vista Porta Loop.
  • Please follow staff and sign directives.
  • It is imperative that you pull all the way forward in the morning before letting your child out of the car. This allows us to try and fill up our parking lot as much as possible and alleviate traffic from Santa Rita Boulevard as soon as possible.
  • Please be kind to our staff members and use appropriate language in the presence of children.
  • If you are a walker, please cross the street at the designated crosswalk locations ONLY.


Afternoon Dismissal:


  • Please form 2 lines in the afternoon. Please remember the inside lane will go straight into the neighborhood off of Vista Porta Loop. The outside lane will turn left down Braun.
  • Please remain in your vehicle at all times.
  • Please follow all staff directives and signs.
  • Please do not come up to the building to receive your child. All students will meet parents at their designated crosswalk and their vehicle.
  • Please be kind to our staff members and use appropriate language in the presence of children.




SRE Digital Citizenship

Families,


Students at SRE have been learning about digital citizenship in library classes. Students are learning how to balance time online, how to be kind to others while on devices, and how to keep their private information safe. Please continue to discuss online safety with your children.


LHISD Library Website

Library Services Website


We are excited to share the LHISD Library Services website. We invite you to view the page to find information regarding all 11 of our state-of-the-art libraries, the book selection process, and frequently asked questions. You will also find a list of proposed book purchases for elementary, middle and high school. These books will be posted for 10 school days. If you would like to provide feedback or input on any of the books listed, we invite you to complete the Feedback Form that can be found on the Library Services website. After the books have been posted for 10 days, a committee, including campus and district staff, will review the comments to determine approval for purchasing.


Thank you!


After School Care at SRE!

Need Afterschool care? The Y Afterschool is here to give your kids supervised fun as soon as the school bell rings, till 6:30pm!

In Y Afterschool your child will have the opportunity to participate in programs such as enrichments, crafts, STEM activities, and so much more! A snack is provided for students daily.

Registration is available online.



Ricardo Rios
Site Director | Licensed Child Care
Phone: 512-246-YMCA
rrios@ymcactx.org
ymcactx.org | The Y.™ For a better us. Follow us:


Watch D.O.G.S.

WATCH D.O.G.S. Santa Rita Elementary School


@Dads: 3 Steps to Sign Up


1. Background Check: Submit your Liberty Hill ISD Volunteer Application


https://apps.raptortech.com/Apply/MzQ0OmVuLVVT


2. PTO: Complete your Santa Rita Elementary PTO Google Form


https://www.sres-pto.org/membershipform


3. SignUpGenius: Request your Volunteer Day

http://sres-pto.org/volunteer


PTO will send a confirmation email invite

(Check your spam folder)



GT Website

Please check out the link below to view the SRE GT website and learn more information!


Click Here


We Need You!

We will have lots of opportunities to get involved this year.


Be a volunteer! Get started by completing the volunteer application online. It must be updated every school year.


Join our PTO! Membership is free. Nowhere else can you get so much for so little! We have the best parent partners ever!! Check out their website for volunteer opportunities, Spirit Nights and more!


Calling all Dads! WatchDOGS is a unique organization that partners the school with male role models. It's an incredible opportunity to volunteer at Santa Rita while getting a sneak peak into your child's school day. It's an experience you won't want to miss, and you will make an big impact on your own child and so many others!


Student Reading Mentors Needed! Enjoy working with children, love reading and want to make a big impact on a child's life? Education Connection is just for you!! Consider investing just 30 minutes a week, and bless the life of a child.


More opportunities to come soon!


Lost and Found

We ask that you label all lunch boxes, water bottles, and jackets. This will help us to get lost items back to your child.

Attendance

  • Communication is key! We are here to support you.

  • Our campus attendance goal is 97%

  • 90% attendance or better!

  • Arrival after 7:40 requires you to check your child in the front office

  • Please send a doctor’s note when your child is at an appointment

  • Vacations or traveling to other countries are not considered excused absences

  • For family loss, excused absences are for the travels days needed the day before, day of services, and day after. All other absences outside of these 3 days is not excused absences.

  • Truancy Measures initiated: when absent 3 days or parts of days in a 4-week period


If you need to report an absence, please CLICK HERE

Bell Schedule & School Calendar

Doors Open: 7:05

Students eating breakfast will go to the cafeteria.

If not they will go to their grade-level hallway.

1st Bell: 7:30

Students can go to class

Breakfast is still open


Tardy Bell: 7:30

Class begins

Exterior doors close

Breakfast ends

Please arrive on time

Dismissal Bell: 3:00

Helpful Tips

  • Please do not let tardies become a habit. Our car rider line is running smoothly, and we are eager to start the day off right.
  • The school encourages families to label their students' items such as water bottles, jackets, lunch boxes, etc. Let's work together to keep our lost & found empty.
  • Around 3:15, our car rider line will close. After that, students can be picked up at the front office.
  • If you need to pick up your student, please do not assign them as a walker. We have a car rider line for those picking up.
  • Continue to follow traffic patterns, staff guidance, and crossing guards.

Parents & guardians, please remember that if your child is not in the building by 7:30am, then your child is considered tardy and must be walked into the building by an adult. We are having students crossing crosswalks unattended and we have students being dropped off on the sidewalk and they don't know their teachers’ names. All SRE staff report to classrooms at 7:30 am. After this time, your child is your responsibility due to no available staff supervision.


Families, please check your child's backpack and school items each morning to make sure they have everything that they need. There have been many forgotten items brought to campus after instruction has begun. Here are some tips to support with this:


  • Have backpacks packed every night
  • Use sticky notes as reminders
  • Have students complete an inventory checklist- backpack, snack, water bottle, lunch, etc.
  • Have your child develop a routine of organizing items to ensure that nothing gets left behind


TRAIT OF THE MONTH

RESPECT

Treating someone or something well

Students have been learning how to practice showing respect with their words and behaviors at school. Teachers and students discuss what respect looks like, sounds like, feels like between:

*teacher to student*, *student to student*, *student to self*, and *student to school*


You can help your student practice respect at home by expecting words and behaviors that reflect how you as an adult want to be treated. Modeling respect is the first step!



Important Information:

TRANSPORTATION:

If you need to make a transportation change for your student, you MUST 
e-mail: srestransportationchanges@libertyhill.txed.net, by 1 pm in order to make that change.  Teachers will not be able to accept written notes, emails, or phone calls for transportation changes.