Savanna

Dear Parents,

         I would like to thank those of you who were able to attend Back to School Night on Tuesday 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.  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 importantly, 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 one housekeeping items I need your help with.  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

             

Tues. 10/8- Building Museum Field Trip- 9am-12:30pm

       Thur.-Fri. 10/10-11- Parent Teacher Conferences

       Mon. 10/14- Columbus Day- No School for students

        

Welcome to the Savanna- 9-13-13

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 and place value while 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 Tuesday evening, September 17th.  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.Please remember that this event is intended for parents only.

With this newsletter, I have 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 blog.  I will be using this my primary method to keep you up to date on what is happening both in our classroom as well as posting upcoming events.  As I will make updates to the Savanna during the week, I am asking that you visit this blog a couple of times per week to stay up to date on what is happening in our class.

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

                 

         Tues. 9/17- Back to School Night- 7:00 pm

Tues. 10/8- Building Museum Field Trip- 9am-12:30pm

         Thur.-Fri. 10/10-11- Parent Teacher Conferences

         Mon. 10/14- Columbus Day- No School for students

        

          

Savanna 6-14-13

Dear Parents:

            Thank you to all the shoppers who came and supported the businesses of Tuckahoe Town today.  It is always fun to see our hallway transformed into a shopping mall with all the shoppers and this year was no exception.  The children all worked so hard leading up to this big event and did a wonderful job creating all their products and working with their partners.   From what I saw, I think we have several future entrepreneurs in our midst.

            Next week we will be taking time to look back on our year as well as to look forward towards the year to come.  A portion of the week will be spent cleaning up our room, and sending things home for the year (please send in a grocery bag) and bringing closure to our time spent together this year. In addition, I am planning a special luncheon for the children on Friday, so no lunch will be needed. We will take this time to share our memories of the year and our hopes for the summer and beyond.  

            As we turn our attention to summer and all the fun and relaxing activities in front of us, I hope everyone will find a bit of time to read, write and practice math skills.  There will be information coming home about summer reading challenges, and math packets. A few minutes spent each day on these activities will help keep these skills fresh for the fall.

            It has truly been a pleasure being your child’s teacher this year.  They are each very special in their own way and as a class a very caring group.  As I have said before, thank you for sharing them with me each day.  I also want to thank you all for your support and thoughtfulness throughout the year.

 I hope everyone has a great summer.

Savanna- 5-31

Dear Parents:

            The class has officially been turned into Tuckahoe Town.  This week was the kick off to this culminating economics activity. The children have been quite excited to figure out what good or service they will provide, and whom they will work with.  Next week, a portion of our day will be dedicated to production of goods, creating advertising, setting prices and getting ready for the big sale day on June 14^th. 

            Our trip to the new Planetarium on Wednesday was wonderful.  The children enjoyed seeing the newly renovated space as well as viewing the new show “Tilt.”  Please remember that the Planetarium does offer shows for families throughout the year.  This may be a fun summer activity for you and your family.

Next week we will continue our Health curriculum by discussing and learning about safety in and out of school, continuing our economics unit and we will use our math skills with some “shopping” activities, and learning about creating budgets.  The librarians from Westover Library will visit Tuckahoe to share information about the summer reading program with all the students.  On Friday, we will visit the 4^th Grade Colonial Fair.

            As we come to the last three weeks of school, I would like to once again ask for your additional help in making sure your child comes to school ready to learn.  There is a perception that once the SOL testing is over, and the pools open, that school is over.  We have three weeks remaining in our school calendar.  During this time we do have the opportunity to do a few fun special projects along with concluding our regular curriculum. The children and I have been talking about “finishing the year strong” and your help at home reinforcing this is most appreciated.

            I hope everyone has a nice weekend.

                                                            Sincerely,

                                                                        Mrs. DiNardo

Dates to Remember

June 4- Book Swap and Ice Cream Social-7pm

June 11- Rising 4^th Grade Parent Orientation- 7pm

June 14^th- Tuckahoe Town/Class Picnic (Information to follow)

June 19^th- Early Release

June 21^st- Last Day of School- Early Release

SOL Testing Dates-

Tuesday, June 4- Reading- Part 1

Wednesday, June 5- Reading-Part 2

Savanna 5-24-13

Dear Parents:

            “Confident”, “Ready”, “Nervous but ok”, “Relaxed.”  These are some of the words that the children used to describe themselves moments before they began the Science SOL test Monday morning.  Their positive attitude helped as they followed all the testing protocol and finally got down to answering the actual questions.  All in all, everything went well on both the tests this week, and the children are to be commended for the job they did. With the first tests behind us I am confident that the children’s success will continue as they take the Math and Reading assessments during the next two weeks. 

            While we are coming to the final weeks of school, there is still much to be done.  Below are several important dates to place on your calendars.  I hope everyone enjoys the Memorial Day weekend.

                                               

Calendar of Events

May 27- Memorial Day- No School

May 30- Math-A-Thon Ends

June 4- Book Swap and Ice Cream Social-7pm

June 11- Rising 4^th Grade Parent Orientation- 7pm

June 16^th- Tuckahoe Town/Class Picnic (Information to follow)

SOL Testing Dates-

Thursday, May 30- Math

Tuesday, June 4- Reading- Part 1

Wednesday, June 5- Reading-Part 2

Savanna 5-17-13

Dear Parents:

            I would like to thank everyone for all the lovely treats I received last week.  The cards and letters were so sweet, and the flowers and chocolate were both beautiful and yummy.  I am so fortunate to teach such a caring group of children.

This week have been spent discussing probability in Math, Economics in Social Studies, reviewing measurement in Science, and writing in Language Arts.  In addition we have spent time using the computers to practice SOL tests on the computers.  I can assure you that the kids are all ready to begin these assessments next week.  I have been asked what can be done this weekend to make sure the kids are ready for Monday.   Please make sure your child stays on as regular a schedule as possible.  This includes getting plenty of exercise, sleep and a good breakfast each morning.  We will begin testing at 9:15 am each testing day.  Please make sure your child is at school on time on these days.  We cannot allow a late child to enter the testing room once a test has started.  As I noted above, I am confident that all the kids are prepared and will do their best. 

            While the homework will be light next week please know that we are not done and students will be learning and working hard through the very last day of school.  I appreciate your continued support and reinforcement in encouraging them to keep up with their homework and school duties.  Certainly, there will be lots of fun coming up in the next month but we must not lose sight of our day-to-day responsibilities.   I am proud of them all and I have no doubt that we will end this year with enormous success!

            I hope everyone has a nice weekend. 

           

                                               

Calendar of Events

May 18 House and Garden Tour

May 20- Math-A-Thon Registration Ends

May 27- Memorial Day- No School

May 30- Math-A-Thon Ends

June 4- Book Swap and Ice Cream Social-7pm

June 11- Rising 4^th Grade Parent Orientation- 7pm

SOL Testing Dates-

Monday May 20- Science

Thursday May 23- Social Studies

Thursday May 30- Math

Tuesday June 4- Reading- Part 1

Wednesday June 5- Reading-Part 2

St. Jude Mathathon

Good Afternoon Everyone,

As you may have heard, Tuckahoe students have the opportunity to participate this year in the St. Jude’s Mathathon.  Proceeds from the Mathathon go towards funding research of St. Jude doctors and scientists who work to eradicate childhood cancer and other childhood diseases. Students received the Mathathon registration form today along with the Mathathon Funbook.  If so desired, students can ask family members, neighbors, and friends to sponsor them in completing math problems in an effort to raise money for St. Jude’s.  Problems can be done in the paper copy of the Funbook OR online (please see the registration form your child has for more information). 

This event is not at all obligatory but we did want to make you aware of the opportunity to reinforce curriculum at home while raising money for a charitable organization.

For more information, please visit the Mathathon website at: http://www.mathathon.org/ , which can also be found as a link now on the Tuckahoe webpage.

Many thanks,

PS If your family chooses not to participate, we’d ask to have you send the paper Funbook back to your child’s homeroom teacher so they can be returned to the organization.