Mr. Thoma's Virtual Classroom

Welcome to Fourth Grade! My name is David Thoma. A little about myself. I was raised in Yonkers and both of my parents taught in the Yonkers Public Schools. My wife is also a 3rd grade teacher in Yonkers and we have two children in elementary school at this time. I coach travel baseball as well as little league. I love to read, learn, play sports and spend time with my family. Yonkers is a very special place for our family. I am looking forward to working alongside you to make this a wonderful year for your child. We will educate them, keep them happy and most of all healthy together. 

I hope you enjoyed your summer and spent lots of time reading. I'm sure you are as excited as I am to return to school. 

We will spend our first days together getting aquainted and learning routines. This is an exciting time but there is much to learn and remember. Please help me by making sure your child knows their bus stop, address and phone number for the first day of school.

Just a few housekeeping items for the first week to help make the transition easier for all of us. 

If your child takes the bus, there will be someone to greet him/her as they arrive at school. The procedure will be for fourth graders to enter through the side door. 

Please send a note or call the main office for any changes in dismissal. Do not send a message on classdojo or email. I may be teaching and not get to them on time. If something changes and it's an emargency just call the office and I will be notified. 

All personal items should be clearly labeled like coats, sweaters and backpacks. Supplies such as tissue boxes, wipes, paper towels, soap and sanitizer do not need to be labeled. Please place them in a seperate bag to be kept in the class. Any other supplies such as pencils, crayons, scissors, glue should be labeled and kept in a pencil case or ziplock baggie.  Send a water bottle to school every day. Make sure the water bottle is labeled so there's no confusion if there are duplicates.

The children will bring home a communication folder every day. Please check this folder every day as many items that go home may need to be returned. Left side of the folder should be for items to be left at home such as completed assignments. The right side of the folder should be reserved for forms that need to be returned back to class such as emergency cards/permission slips.

Now you are ready for the first day of school. I can't wat to meet your children and you at open house this September. I will send the offical date through classdojo. You will recieve a text message or email to join classdojo. That will be our best place for class updates and to communicate thoughout the school year. See you soon! 

PS: Please see the link labeled supply list for classroom supplies.

Email: dthoma@yonkerspublicschools.org

You never know unless you try!

Grit is passion and perseverance for very long-term goals. Grit is having stamina. Grit is sticking with your future, day-in, day-out. Not just for the week, not just for the month, but for years. And working really hard to make that future a reality. Grit is living life like it’s a marathon, not a sprint.
Dr. Angela Lee Duckworth