Dear Parents,
It has been a whirlwind of activity in our class this week. The children have worked to wrap up several activities so we can all leave for the break without thinking too much about school.
As we look towards the coming weeks, I would like to remind everyone to practice his or her multiplication facts each night. While everyone has made progress, these facts are not yet rote for most. Practice each day is the best way to learn these facts.
I hope you and your family are able to relax, and spend time with loved ones during the break. I look forward to hearing about vacations when we return on Monday, January 5, 2015. Thank you for entrusting your children to me each day.
I hope you all have a nice holiday.
Upcoming Events
Monday 12/22- London Brass Rubbing Centre Visit
Wednesday 12/24-Friday 1/2/15- Winter Break
Monday 1/5/15- School Reopens
Monday, December 22, 2014
Friday, December 12, 2014
Friday December 12th Savanna
Dear
Parents,
We
have had a very productive week this week. We were able to finish up our unit on plants and animals on
Thursday, have practiced our multiplication facts in a variety of ways, learned
about line plots, and finally have done some writing and grammar work. All in all, a full and active week of
learning. We also were able to
read the book Snowflake Bentley and learned how Wilson Bentley taught
himself to photograph snowflakes and capture their unique beauty. We then
enjoyed making our own unique snowflakes.
It was a nice way to celebrate the few flakes that fell on Thursday
afternoon.
Last week I mentioned our annual visit from
the London Brass Rubbing Centre on Monday, December 22nd. This program will begin at 9:30
with a 30-minute explanation of the art of brass rubbing and who would have had
a rubbing made for them. From
10-12:00 pm all the children will have an opportunity to make their rubbing as
well as complete several other craft projects. I appreciate the offers I have gotten to lend a hand that
morning. We can always use more
hands if you would like to help out for all or part of this special
project. Just let me know. Please also remember to send in
the $7.00 fee as soon as possible.
I
would like to end this week’s note with a reminder to have your children dress
appropriately for the weather.
This time of year this includes wearing coats, hat and having a pair of
mittens or gloves. The children do
go out everyday and we want them to be warm as they play outside. If you child is missing any of their
outerwear, please check the lost and found.
I hope you all have a nice weekend.
Sincerely,
Mrs.
DiNardo
Upcoming
Events
Monday
12/22- London Brass Rubbing Centre Visit
Wednesday 12/24-Friday 1/2/15- Winter Break
Monday
1/5/15- School Reopens
Friday, December 5, 2014
December 4th Savanna
Dear
Parents,
We got back into the swing of school after
the Thanksgiving break this week.
Everyone shared what they had done over the break, and all the yummy
dinners that were shared with family and friends. We also spent time this week reviewing the rules and
expectations of our class and school.
Once we got reacquainted with classmates it was time to get back down to
our daily routines.
We began our study of multiplication this
week in Math. The children have
been asked to practice their facts for 10 minutes each night. This can be done
with flash cards, on an app or on the computer. I shared the website www.multiplication.com
with the children this week as well.
There are several fun games for the kids to play that will help with
learning their facts. In Language
Arts we worked on determining fact and opinion, as well as learning about
analogies. The children also had
fun rotating teachers for a week of review of homophones, vowel sounds, past
tense verbs, titles within a text and how to use glossaries, indexes and table
of contents. In Science we are
about to wrap up our unit on animal life cycles and physical and behavioral
adaptations. There will be a test
on this unit on Thursday, December 11th.
In the Friday Folders today you will find a
note about our annual visit from the London Brass Rubbing Centre on Monday,
December 22nd. The program
will begin at 9:30 with a 30-minute explanation of the art of brass rubbing and
who would have had a rubbing made for them. From 10-12:00 pm all the children will have an opportunity
to make their rubbing as well as complete several other craft projects. If you can lend a hand for all or part
of this special project, please let me know. Thank you for considering volunteering during this
busy time of the year.
With
the basketball season in full swing, several of the children have asked me if I
can come to their games. I would
enjoy the opportunity to fit some of these in, but will need schedules to
coordinate the dates. If you would
be kind enough to forward me your child’s schedule, I would appreciate it.
I hope you all have a nice weekend.
Sincerely,
Mrs.
DiNardo
Upcoming
Events
Wednesday
12/10- Early Release- 1:26 Dismissal
Monday
12/22- London Brass Rubbing Centre Visit
Wednesday 12/24-Friday 1/2/15- Winter Break
Monday
1/5/15- School Reopens
Friday, November 21, 2014
November 21st Savanna
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 white comment sheet in the envelope on Monday, November 24th.
As we are in the second quarter, the
children and I have discussed the need to take pride in the work they are
doing. This includes always putting
forth their best effort on all assignments.
I will be holding the children accountable for reading the directions
carefully and to follow them throughout any assignment. Taking the time to be sure words are spelled
correctly, punctuation is correct, and work is legible and neat, are all part
of this effort. In addition, homework
assignments are to be handed in on time.
If an absence occurs, the make-up work (including class-work) also needs
to be completed within a couple of days of coming back to school.
As a gentle reminder, I would also like to
ask that you let me know of any changes in dismissal in a note, particularly if
your child needs to leave class early. Having information about early dismissals in the morning allows your child to get all their assignments, books and other supplies into their backpack prior to leaving. Any help you can lend in this regard is most appreciated.
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.
Important Dates
Wednesday
11/26- Friday 11/28- Thanksgiving Break- No School
Wednesday 12/24-Friday 1/2/15- Winter
Break
Monday 1/5/15- School Reopens
November 14th Savanna
Dear
Parents,
This week I have a couple of housekeeping
matters to share with you.
1.The children need to wear proper clothing
to school (coats, hats, mittens etc) 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.
2. If your child is missing any clothing
items, water bottles, or lunchboxes, PLEASE CHECK THE LOST AND FOUND. There are many items that have gone
uncollected. Please take a few minutes
to see if any of your child’s items may be there.
3.
If your child forgets books, binders or assignments at school, please
help them to come up with a plan to make up this missed work. Remember it is their responsibility to pack
there supplies up each night and bring them back the next day. These are the baby steps towards becoming an
independent worker/learner that we stress with the children all year long.
Below are a few important dates to put on
your calendars.
Friday
11/21- Report Cards Issued
Wednesday 11/26- Friday 11/28-
Thanksgiving Break- No School
Wednesday 12/24-Friday 1/2/15- Winter
Break
Monday 1/5/15- School Reopens
Sunday, November 9, 2014
11-7-14
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 democracy and how the
voting process works in our country.
It was nice to hear that so many of the children went to the polls and
watched as you voted.
Finally, we collected Unicef boxes, opened them, separated the donations
into coins and bills and estimated how much money was collected in one
night. 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. Areas of
particular focus as we move forward will be reading and following all
directions, spelling, capitalization and neatness of work. I am confident that the children will
be able to meet these expectations 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.
Tuesday
11/11- Veteran’s Day- No School
Friday
11/21- Report Cards Issued
Wednesday
11/26- Friday 11/28- Thanksgiving Break- No School
Wednesday
12/24-Friday 1/2/15- Winter Break
Monday
1/5/15- School Reopens
Enjoy
the weekend!
Friday, October 31, 2014
Halloween Savanna
Dear Parents,
I want to begin this note with a thank
you to Liz Fuchs for coordinating a great party after our parade today. 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 that 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 everyone that homework and remembering all supplies is
your child’s responsibility. If your
child forgets something at school, help them figure out a plan to make up the
work. These small mistakes ultimately
will help your child develop strong problem-solving skills and take
responsibility for their work. I would
still encourage 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 the 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.
Important Dates
Saturday
11/1- Tuckahoe 5K Run
Monday 11/3- Outdoor Lab Field Trip
9am-3pm
Monday 11/3- End of the First Quarter
Tuesday 11/4- Election Day- No School
for Students/
Teacher Work Day
Tuesday 11/11- Veteran’s Day- No School
Friday 11/21- Report Cards Issued
Wednesday 11/26- Friday 11/28-
Thanksgiving Break- No School
Enjoy the weekend!
Monday, October 27, 2014
10-24-14 Savanna
Dear Parents,
We
have covered a good amount of ground this week. We have wrapped up studying the
Scientific Method in Science, Addition and Subtraction of larger numbers as
well as Place Value in Math, and will be testing these units out next
week. We are just about finished
learning about maps and globes as well.
In Language Arts we focused on sentence structure, including correct
punctuation and capitalization. We also
spent time this week reviewing how to study for the upcoming tests. The children should spend about 15 minutes
per night leading up to a test reviewing vocabulary, and big ideas for the
Science and Social Studies tests. In
Math, they should also review the vocabulary, and practice some larger addition
and subtraction problems. As I have told
the children, they are ready for these tests and there will be nothing on the
test they haven’t learned about.
Thank you to those who
contributed to the fall food drive. This
was a way for the children to help other children and families in Arlington. In addition to helping those here in
Arlington, the children are also being given the opportunity to help children
throughout the world through “Trick or Treat for Unicef” this Halloween. The children are bringing home a letter from
Mrs. Brown today, outlining the program.
They will bring home their collection box next week. I would like to encourage all the children to
bring their boxes with them as they go trick or treating and collect for
children around the world. In the past
Tuckahoe students have collected more than $10,000 in pennies, nickels and
dimes.
There are several “housekeeping” items I would
like to bring to your attention. First,
I would like to encourage everyone to reach out to Liz Fuch’s (Will’s mom) to
see how you might help with the Halloween party on Friday. We will need some help with costume changing
around 1:30 pm and setting up the party.
The parade is at 2:00 pm and we should be back in the classroom around
2:45. This is a fun afternoon for the
children and your help is greatly appreciated.
Liz’s email is elizabethmetzfuchs@gmail.com.
Our field trip to the
Outdoor Lab is Monday, November 3rd.
The Lab has asked that we limit the number of chaperones to five per
class. As I want to keep things as fair
as possible, and to give as many parents a chance to chaperone on a trip as
possible, I ask if you came with us to the Building Museum, that you sit this
trip out. Also, please know that in an effort to keep things as fair as
possible I take requests to chaperone on a first come basis. I appreciate your help and understanding with
this.
Below are some important
October/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.
Friday
10/24- Harvest Fest 7pm
Friday 10/31- Halloween Parade- 2pm
Saturday 11/1- Tuckahoe 5K Run-
Monday 11/3- Outdoor Lab Field Trip
9am-3pm
Monday 11/3- End of the First Quarter
Tuesday 11/4- Election Day- No School
for Students/
Teacher Work Day
Tuesday 11/11- Veteran’s Day- No School
Friday 11/21- Report Cards Issued
Wednesday 11/26- Friday 11/28-
Thanksgiving Break- No School
As
always, I want to thank you for all you do at home to ensure that your child
comes to school each day ready to learn.
Good luck to anyone running in the Marine Corps Marathon!
Monday, October 20, 2014
Early Release this Wednesday
Just a reminder that this Wednesday, October 22nd is an EARLY RELEASE WEDNESDAY. This means school will be dismissed at 1:26 pm. Please mark your calendars, and make child care arrangements if necessary.
Friday, October 17, 2014
Friday October 17th Savanna
Dear Parents,
I would like to begin this week with a big thank you to the
parents whom accompanied us today to the National Building Museum. From the hum of excited voices as we left,
through the morning of instruction and building everyone seemed to enjoy the
day. The city we built was both fun and
functional. Who knows, maybe the next
generation of city planners will include one of our students!
With Parent Teacher Conferences over, and the two shortened
weeks coming to an end today, we are working to get back into our normal
routine. As you may know from your
child’s assignment notebook, we continue to be learning about collecting data
and how to present it in Science. We are
reviewing subtraction of larger numbers and how to borrow and regroup when
needed in Math. In Language Arts we have been working in our Word Study Groups,
and discussing how to put together sentences using subjects and predicates
along with adjectives.
I would again like to remind everyone to take a few minutes
each evening to go over the assignments your child has for the evening. They should be able to complete these
assignments with little assistance from you, but a bit of help from you to go
over the pacing of the work will help. I
will say for the most part assignments are coming back on time and well
done.
The
leaves are beginning to change outside out window and the temperature is
fluctuating with early signs of Fall.
This signals me to take a moment out to remind everyone that the
children do need to be dressed appropriately for the weather each day. The children do go outside each day for
recess and we want them to be warm enough to enjoy their time on the
playground.
Below you will find a list of some of the upcoming events at
school. There are several flyers about these activities in your child's Friday folder as well. Please mark the dates on your
calendars.
Friday
10/24- Harvest Fest 7pm
Friday 10/31- Halloween Parade- 2pm
Monday 11/3- Outdoor Lab Field Trip
9am-3pm
Monday 11/3- End of the First Quarter
Tuesday 11/4- Election Day- No School
for Students/
Teacher Work Day
Tuesday 11/11- Veteran’s Day- No School
Friday 11/21- Report Cards Issued
Wednesday 11/26- Friday 11/28-
Thanksgiving Break- No School
As always, if you have any questions, please
let me know.
Mrs. D.
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