Savanna 9-28

Dear Parents,

            It is so good to have had the feel of fall in the air this week!  We are well into our routines and the children are all working hard to keep up with their responsibilities.  I am very pleased with their (and your) efforts to date.  Remember this is a process and perfection is not expected, rather trying your best.

            This week we began our study of maps and globes in Social Studies.  The children also began to learn how to organize their work in their notebooks.  In Math we continue to work with place value, how to identify numbers in a variety of ways as well as adding larger numbers.  In Health we began to discuss our emotions and how to manage stress. All in all we are well on our way and working hard in the classroom.

            I appreciate all the offers of help that I received at Back to School Night.  I will be reaching out to those of you who signed up over the weekend to confirm and work out the specifics of the different jobs.  This also goes for those of you who showed an interest to chaperone our field trip to the National Building Museum.  I will also be working on the Parent Teacher Conference schedule this weekend and will have it posted on the blog as soon as possible.

            I would like to remind everyone that the children might need a sweater or light jacket when they come to school as the temperature begins to fall.  This will also mean reminders to bring these items home each evening.  Please remember that we do go outside everyday, and we would like for your children to be dressed appropriately for the weather.  Also, we are beginning to see the first colds in the classroom.  When assessing your child’s ability to come to school with a cold, please remember that we ask if your child has a fever that they stay at home, and not return until they have been fever free for 24 hours.  If your child is sick and not coming to school, please call the Attendance Line (703-228-8320) and report your child’s absence.  Please know that in the classroom the children are being reminded to wash their hands several times a day, as well as to wipe down their desks a couple of times a week.

I hope everyone enjoys a relaxing weekend.

                                                                                    Sincerely,

                                                                                    Mrs. DiNardo

                                                                                    kim.dinardo@apsva.us

Upcoming Events

Mon. 10/8- Columbus Day- School Holiday

       Fri. 10/12- Building Museum Field Trip- 9am-12:30pm

       Thurs./Friday 10/18-19- Parent Teacher Conferences

       Fri. 10/26- Harvest Fest 6:30-9:30PM

       Thurs. 10/31- Halloween Parade        

          

Housekeeping Matters

Good Afternoon Everyone,

There are a couple of housekeeping matters that need your attention this week.

1. Thursday, September 27th is PICTURE DAY.  Please send your order and payment to school with your child as soon as possible.

2. Visiting author Ralph Fletcher will be visiting the school on Thursday, September 27th.  We will be hearing him speak from 1:00-1:45pm.

3. Innisbrook Gift Wrap orders are to be turned in by Friday, September 28th.  Please know you can continue to order gift wrap online throughout the year.

4. Scholastic Book orders are to be placed online by the end of the school day Friday, September 28th. Thank you to those who have already placed their orders.

5. If your child will be leaving school early, please let me know as soon as you can.  This will help me adjust class schedules if needed.  Also, if you could please let me know what time you will be picking your child up and if your child will be returning to school, this will help me have them as prepared as I can for their early dismissal.

I appreciate your time and attention to these matters.

Mrs. D.

Savanna- 9-21-12

Dear Parents,

         I would like to thank those of you who were able to attend Back to School Night on Wednesday evening. It was so nice to meet you all.  I realize there was a lot of information shared in a short period of time, however I do hope you came away from the evening with a bit of an understanding about the year ahead.  While it is a year of change and transition for your child, remember, it is a process and there will be a lot of baby-steps along the way.

It is amazing to me that three weeks of school are under our belts.  We have accomplished quite a lot this month.  All of the beginning of the year assessments are complete and have been reviewed.  In Reading we are learning how to look for important words in non-fiction text, and to “read” the pictures for information.  In Math we have been reviewing number value and place and working with groups of ten and hundred.  Assignment notebooks and binders are now more familiar and papers are where they need to be for the most part.  Most important is that we are enjoying each other’s company and learning to work together as a community of learners. Looking back there are many successes to celebrate. 

         I do have a couple of housekeeping items I need your help with.  First, if you have not sent in your child’s emergency forms or other First Day Packet information, please do so by Monday.  Second, Picture Day is Thursday, September 27^th.  You will need to send back the picture form and a check for your child’s picture to be taken.  Third, if your child is playing a fall sport, please send me their schedule.  I do like to get out over the weekend and catch a game or two. As always, thank you for all you do to send your child to school excited and ready to learn.  Enjoy the weekend.

                                                                        Sincerely,

                                                               Mrs. DiNardo

                                                               kim.dinardo@apsva.us

Upcoming Events

             

Thursday 9/27- Picture Day

Thurs. 9/27- Visiting Author Ralph Fletcher

Mon. 10/8- Columbus Day- School Holiday

       Fri. 10/12- Building Museum Field Trip- 9am-12:30pm

       Thurs./Friday 10/18-19- Parent Teacher Conferences

       Fri. 10/26- Harvest Fest 6:30-9:30PM

       Thurs. 10/31- Halloween Parade

Word Study Homework this evening

Good Evening-

I told the children I would let you all know that the assignment to find the definitions for the last seven words could be done either with the use of a dictionary or using an online dictionary site like www..dictionary.com.

Hope this information is useful.

Mrs. D.

Scholastic Book Online Ordering

Good Afternoon Everyone-

We will be ordering Scholastic Books on-line this year.  I will send home the paper flyers each month, and you will have the ability to order from these catalogues on-line.  All orders for the month will need to be placed no later than the 28th of each month. 

The first paper flyers will be coming home with your child tomorrow September 17, 2012.  When you place your order online, you'll help earn FREE Books for our class and you also get a $5 FREE Book Pick Coupon to use on your next online order!

Ordering online is fast and easy:

•  REGISTER at www.scholastic.com/bookclubs
•  ENTER the Class Activation Code - G2GG2
•  CHOOSE from thousands of print titles, value packs, and Storia eBooks
•  SUBMIT the order to your child's teacher
•  EARN FREE Books for you and the classroom too!

If you have time in your schedule to help with taking apart the catalogues and getting them ready for distribution and/or distributing the books when they arrive at school, please let me know.

Mrs. D

Savanna 9-14-12

Dear Parents,

We have accomplished quite a bit this week.  All of the beginning of the year assessments are complete which the children were quite relieved about. In Math we have been reviewing number value and place and working with groups of ones, tens, hundreds and thousands.  Assignment notebooks and binders are now more familiar and papers are where they need to be for the most part.  Most important is that we are enjoying each other’s company and learning to work together as a community of learners. Looking back there are many successes to celebrate. 

            As we look towards next week I want to bring your attention to Back to School Night on Wednesday evening.  The program will begin at 7:00 pm in the Gym and then move into the classrooms.  I hope you will be able to join us for this evening of information, and opportunity to volunteer both in and outside of the classroom.

In your child’s Friday Folder you will find a permission slip for our trip to the National Building Museum.  Should you wish to join us for this fun morning of learning, please let us know.  Also, please remember to fill out each side completely.

I have recently begun my blog for this year.  You can access it through the main Tuckahoe Website.  Go to the “Classes” tab and click on “3^rd Grade”.  Under my name there is a link to my “Website”.  This will take you directly to the blog.  I will be using this as a way to make updates to the Savanna throughout the week.  Eventually I would like to post the entire Savanna on the blog to be a bit more “paper free”.  I would like your feedback to know if you like receiving information about the class in this manner.

As always, thank you for all you do to send your child to school excited and ready to learn.  Hope you all enjoy your weekend

                                                                                                Sincerely,

                                                                                    Mrs. DiNardo

                                                                                    Kim.dinardo@apsva.us

Upcoming Events

                 

         Wed. 9/19- Back to School Night- 7:00 pm

         Mon. 10/8- Columbus Day- School Holiday

         Fri. 10/12- Building Museum Field Trip- 9am-12:30pm

         Thurs./Friday 10/18-19- Parent Teacher Conferences

September 7, 2012 Savanna

Dear Parents,

 Here we are at the end of the first week of Third Grade!  The children all did a very good job transitioning back from the summer and seemed, for the most part, to be glad to be back at school.

         We spent most of the week doing some icebreaker activities, taking care of housekeeping items, and easing back into the daily routine of school. The children were excited to see old friends, and make some new ones as well. 

         The children spent time this week learning how to fill in their assignment notebooks and had their first assignments.  I am please with how well they picked up on this process.  Each afternoon, for this month, I will be checking to make sure the children have all parts of this completed correctly.  I would like to ask that you sign their assignment notebook when they have completed their homework each night as well.  The children’s binders, and homework are one way I will be teaching them organizational skills and responsibility.  Please do not remove any papers from the binders without asking your child if it is all right to do so.  Many of the papers will be used in class on multiple days and without them, your child will not be prepared for class.

         Speaking of homework, you have three assignments this weekend.  First, I have included a parent survey in your child’s binder and would like for you to fill this out and return it to school on Monday.  I would like to get to know them a bit better, and what better way than with your help.  Please know we will be able to talk more in depth as the year progresses and during Parent Teacher Conferences in October.  Second, I am sending home four tennis balls that will be used on the bottom of our classroom chairs.  I would like to ask you to cut a small 1-1 ½ inch “X” into each ball.   An “exacto” knife works well to make these cuts.  The tennis balls should also be returned to school on Monday.  Third, I would like to remind you to send back any remaining first day packet information, as well as $10.00 to cover the cost of your child’s assignment notebook as well as miscellaneous class expenses.  You can pay either in cash or by check made payable to Tuckahoe Elementary School.  Please put the money in an envelope with your child’s name on it.

         I want to remind everyone of our annual Back to School Night on Wednesday September 19th.  This will be an opportunity for me to share more specifics about the year ahead, and to answer any lingering questions.  I will also have sign up sheets available for fall conferences as well as volunteer opportunities. 

Thanks again for a great beginning to the school year.  I appreciate all you do at home and for sharing your children with me each day. I am looking forward to the year ahead.

                                                               Sincerely,

                                                               Mrs. DiNardo

                                                               kim.dinardo@apsva.us

Upcoming Events

Wednesday 9/19 Back to School Night- 7-9 pm

         Monday 10/8- Columbus Day- No school for students

         Friday 10/12- Building Museum Field Trip- More information to follow

         Thurs/Fri 10/18-19- Parent Teacher Conferences

Welcome to the 2012-13 School Year

I want to welcome you all again to my class this year.  I am excited for all the learning we will be doing together throughout the year. 

If you have any last minute questions about tomorrow, please let me know.  My email address is kim.dinardo@apsva.us. 

Enjoy your day today! Please remember to go to bed early tonight, eat a good breakfast, and I will see you in the morning!