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

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!