Savanna 11-22-13

Dear Parents-

The first report cards of the year came home with your child today.  As I have told the children, this is a snapshot of where they are academically today. This snapshot has the ability to change all the time.  I have also told the kids, the most important grade, to me, on this report is their work and effort grade.  Please remember that an “S” and a “C” indicate that your child is doing work at grade level.  Overall, I am pleased with how well all the children are doing.  The blue card included in the envelope goes into further detail about the Arlington County grading policy.  Please sign and return both the blue card and the yellow comment sheet in the envelope on Monday, November 25th

         I hope you and your families enjoy the holiday break and the time together.  I want you all to know how thankful I am to be your child’s teacher.   Each child has touched my heart in a special and unique way. I am grateful to be part of their lives.  To all of you, thank you for sharing them with me each day.

                                                                        Sincerely,

                                                                        Mrs. DiNardo

Important Dates

Wed., Nov. 27-Fri., Nov. 29- Thanksgiving Break- No School

Fri. Dec. 20- Brass Rubbings (more information to follow)

Mon. Dec.23-Wed. January 1, 2013- Holiday Break- No School

Thurs. Jan. 2, 2014- School Reopens

Savanna- 11-15-13

Sorry for this late post of last week's Savanna.

Dear Parents,

        

This week has been one focused on service to others.  On Friday of last week, we discussed how the Veteran’s Day holiday began and how we can honor the men and women who work tirelessly to protect all the freedoms we enjoy each day.  To show our appreciation, the children made cards that were distributed this week to members of the military serving in our area.  I was really struck by the caring words of thanks the children wrote in their cards.  We also finished up our work sorting all the Unicef monies.  We talked about the typhoon that recently struck the Philippines and how the money we collected may help the children affected by this disaster. 

         As we have begun the second quarter the children and I have spent a good amount of time this week discussing how they are feeling about the amount of work both in and outside of class.  In our talks, it was evident that the kids are feeling a fair amount of stress about how they can manage their homework as well as their extra-curricular activities.  I was very impressed with their honesty.  I am going to switch a few things around in the classroom to allow the kids 5-10 minutes at the end of the day, after they have finished writing down their assignments, to begin their homework.  All the children seemed to think this might be helpful. I will be checking in with the kids to see if this change is helping them get their work done. 

We also had several conversations this week about wearing proper clothing to school as the weather gets colder.  Please know we do go outside everyday and that the children need the proper clothing in order to be comfortable as we do so.  Your help with this matter is greatly appreciated.  Also, if your child is missing any clothing items, water bottles, or lunchboxes, there are several tables of unclaimed items in the front of the building.  Please take a few minutes to see if any of your child’s items may be there. 

Below are a few important dates to put on your calendars.

        

Fri. 11/22-Reprot Cards Issued

Wed., Nov. 27-Fri., Nov. 29- Thanksgiving Break- No School

Fri. Dec. 20- Brass Rubbings (more information to follow)

Mon. Dec.23-Wed. January 1, 2013- Holiday Break- No School

Thurs. Jan. 2, 2014- School Reopens

         I hope you and your family have a good weekend.

                                                                        Sincerely,

                                                                        Mrs. DiNardo

                                            

Savanna 11-8-13

Dear Parents,

This week has been full of “teachable moments.”  The Outdoor Lab began our week with hands-on-learning about simple machines.  We had a fun time hiking through the woods to the various learning stations.  Ask your child how many third graders it takes to lift up an Outdoor Lab staff member with a lever.  You may be a bit surprised by the answer you get.  After lunch, the children learned about different animals at the Animal Lab.  We talked about the difference between omnivores, carnivores and herbivores as well as adaptations and camouflage for survival.  Thanks to all of the parents who joined us.  On Wednesday we continued our learning as we discussed representative democracy and how Ancient Greece also used a form of democracy in their city-states. We also spent time talking about Veteran’s Day and made cards to send to men and women who are currently serving our country.  Finally, we continued to collect Unicef boxes and separate the donations into coins and bills and estimating how much money has been collected to date.  All in all, it has been a very good week of learning.

 As you know, Monday was the end of the first quarter.  Overall the children have adjusted to third grade well.  They are taking responsibility for their assignments and their books with ease, and are able to demonstrate what they have learned in a variety of ways.  The pace of our studies will increase (just a bit) during the second quarter. I am confident that the children will be able to meet these new challenges if they keep doing the good job they have done to date. 

         Below are some important November dates to place on your calendars.  If you could please let me know if your child will not be at school on Monday or Tuesday prior to Thanksgiving I would appreciate it. 

Mon. 11/11- Veterans Day Observation- No School

                  Fri. 11/22- Report Cards Issues

                  Wed 11/27-Fri 11/29 Thanksgiving Break

         Enjoy the weekend! 

        

                                                               Sincerely,

                                                               Mrs. DiNardo

Savanna 11-1-13

Dear Parents,

         I want to begin this note with a thank you to Deb Schueren, MarySue Gordon, and Kim McCormick for coordinating a great party after our parade on Thursday.  Thanks also to everyone who contributed to, and joined us for the parade and party.  It was a fun afternoon and the children enjoyed this Tuckahoe tradition. 

 It is hard to believe that Monday will be the end of the first quarter.  The children have made many changes since September which can be seen in all parts of their day.  For the most part, everyone is used to the daily routines, the homework procedures, and done well with test taking.  The pace of our studies will begin to increase (just a bit) during the second quarter. I am confident that the children will be able to meet these new challenges if they keep doing the good job they have done to date.  I would like to remind you to go over your child’s assignments with them when they get home and have them explain what they need to do that evening.  If it is a long term project, use a calendar and help pace out the project.  Once your child has completed their work, review it with them, and then have them put all their work and supplies back in their backpack. 

I would like to remind everyone to let me, as well as Mirna Lopez (mirna.lopez@apsva.us) our attendance secretary, know if your child will be out for the day.  This can be done by email the day they are out.  After your child returns to school, they will have both class work and homework to make up.  They will be given a couple of days to make up any missed work.  If they need a longer amount of time to complete these assignments, please let me know.

         As you know we are headed to the Outdoor Lab on Monday.  Please remember to send your child to school with a bag lunch, including a drink.  There is NO food service at the lab.  Also it is usually 10-15 degrees cooler up on Buttermilk Mountain, so be sure your child is dressed in layers, with closed toe shoes.  We are looking forward to spending the day outside and learning about simple machines.

         Below are some important November dates to place on your calendars.  If you could please let me know if your child will not be at school on Monday or Tuesday prior to Thanksgiving I would appreciate it. 

Sat. Nov. 2- Tuckahoe/H-B 5K and Fun Run

                  Mon. 11/4- Outdoor Lab Field Trip/End of 1^st Quarter

                  Tues. 11/5- Election Day- No School for Students

                  Wed. 11/6- Full Day of School- NO EARLY RELEASE

                  Mon. 11/11- Veterans Day Observation- No School

                  Fri. 11/22- Report Cards Issues

                  Wed 11/27-Fri 11/29 Thanksgiving Break

         Enjoy the weekend! 

        

                                                               Sincerely,

                                                               Mrs. DiNardo