“ABC’s of Third Grade”

**Almost everything you need to know to survive third grade**

A

ATTENDANCE:

Attendance is very important in third grade. Please try to be here everyday. If you happen to miss some days due to illness, please make sure you complete the work. You will have 2-3 days to complete the missing work per absent day.

ARRIVAL AND DEPARTURE TIMES:

School begins at 8:07 a.m., and end at 3:16 p.m.

B

BACKPACKS:

To help your child carry messages and information to and from school, you are asked to provide a backpack. Students will be given an OWL Folder to bring home and return any homework or notes. This is a great way to encourage responsibility for your third grader. Please help your child remove the notes and papers from the backpack and folder to share with you daily.

BIRTHDAYS:

Birthdays are special occasions for young children. If your child wishes, he/she may bring a treat for the class.

BOOK ORDERS:

Every month or two, I will send home book order forms for you and your child to look over. These clubs offer wonderful books at reduced prices- what a great way to build your home library! If you choose to order, please make the check payable to “Scholastic Book Clubs,” and place it in an envelope with “book order,” amount, child’s name, and my name marked on the outside of the envelope.

BREAKFAST:

A school breakfast is served every morning from 7:45-8:07 a.m.. The breakfast menu is on the same paper at the lunch menu that will be sent home each month. Students who want to eat breakfast should go directly to the cafeteria when they arrive to school.

C

CHANGE IN TRANSPORTATION:

Please be sure to let the office know if your child is being picked up, or if there is a bus change. I need to have a note or phone call if there is a change.

CONFERENCES:

Parent/Teacher conferences are held in October and again in February.

D

DIFFERENTATION:
It is my philosophy that every child is unique and learns in different ways. Each child needs to be challenged at their own level. I differentiate my lessons to fit the needs of all students. Groupings change frequently, as students’ levels increase. It is important to know that your child may have different work than another child, but rest assured that everyone is learning the same concept, just in a way that is best for them.

DRESS:
Third grade is a busy place! Please dress your child accordingly. Also, when cold weather comes, we will still be going outside to play. They will also need a coat and possibly a scarf, gloves and hat. Students need to wear tennis shoes on PE every day.

E

E-MAIL:

You can contact me via my e-mail address: gruszynskim@crivitz.k12.wi.us . I will check my e-mail on a daily basis. I will try to return your e-mail the day I receive it. If you need to discuss something urgently, please contact me through the school office.

715-854-2721 ext. 439

EMERGENCY CLOSINGS:

If schools are closed for a snow day or any emergency, local radio stations, TV stations or our school website (www.crivitz.k12.wi.us) will make the announcement.

F

FIELD TRIPS:

We plan our field trip to be both fun and education for the children. Buses are used for transportation. We welcome parent volunteers on the trip. Please return permission slips as soon as possible after they are sent home.

G

GUIDED READING:
We will work with reading groups as well as whole class reading. We will start reading groups in late September, early October. These groups are geared towards your child’s instructional level and learning strategies to boost reading levels.

H

HANDWRITING:
In third grade, we begin writing in cursive! It is very exciting for the children. Handwriting will be taught in class, and students will be expected to be able to write most assignments in cursive later in the year.

HOMEWORK:
Homework will be assigned Monday through Thursday. Students will be responsible to bring their O.W.L. book to and from school each and every day.

I

ILLNESS:
The question of when to keep your child home from school is often a difficult one, especially when decisions must be made first thing in the morning. It is important, however, to keep your child home if he/she is ill. This helps to make them more comfortable and prevents others from becoming ill. Children function more effectively in the classroom when they are healthy. Children should be fever free for 24 hours before returning after an illness.

INDEPENDENT READING:
There will be time set aside throughout the school day for independent reading. Independent reading should also be done nightly. Because children learn to read by reading, they need plenty of opportunities to read independently. Sufficient time and appropriate materials are necessary to develop and strengthen reading abilities. By giving the children time to read both at school and at home, we can work together to provide a literature-rich environment and a life-long love of reading.

J

JOURNALS:

We have a writer’s journal in our class that we will work out of weekly. Our writer’s journal is where we work on the writing process.

K

KINDNESS:

Being kind to one another is very important in our classroom. We need to treat each other the way we want to be treated. Our school uses the Character Education words and we strive to instill these qualities in our students.

L
LIBRARY:

Our class has Library as a special once during the week. Our librarian is Ms. Simpson. Students will be able to check out three books each week. We will have library one day per week for thirty minutes. Please remember to bring back the library books in order to check out another book.

LUNCH:

We will eat lunch from 11:15-12:00 each day. Children may bring a packed lunch from home or eat a school lunch. The school lunch menu is published monthly and sent home with your child at the beginning of the month. You are always welcome to come and eat lunch with your child. Remember to sign in at the office and pay for lunch, if you are eating a school lunch.

M

MULTIPLICATION:

In third grade, we learn our multiplication facts. It’s very important to have our addition and subtraction facts memorized before we begin the multiplication process. You can purchase multiplication flashcards at Wal-Mart or the dollar store. Or children can make their own on index cards. Please review addition, subtraction and multiplication facts regularly to help memorize the facts.

MEDICINE:

In the event that your child might need to have medicine administered at school, you must bring the medicine to the school nurse with a note.

N

NEWSLETTER:

Our weekly classroom newsletter is updated each Friday. This will keep you informed about what is happening in our class- the skills we are learning, special activities and upcoming events. Please take the time to read these, as it will keep you updated on our classroom.

O

OFFICE:

Out front office is run by Mrs. Zeitler and Mrs. Berndt. They are wonderful secretaries and are willing to answer any questions you might have. You are welcome to leave messages with them and they will see that I get my messages each day. The office phone number is 715-854-2721 ext.5.

P

PARENT INVOLVEMENT:

Parent involvement is extremely important to a child’s success in school. Parents can be involved in many ways, whether it’s at home or at school. There will be many ways throughout the year in which parents are encouraged to help out in our class. Information will be sent home when a need arises for parents to be involved in class activities. Third grade uses a lot of copies. If you would like to volunteer to make copies throughout the year, please let me know! Your help would be greatly appreciated!

PTO:

Being involved in our room and our school helps tremendously! Our WPTO meets on the first Wednesday of every month in the elementary library. Your support of our school means a lot!

PARTIES & CELEBRATIONS:

There are three main parties each year, Halloween, Christmas, and Valentine’s. There will be a party committee note coming home in October. All are welcome to participate in the festivities!

Q

QUESTIONS:

If at any time you have any questions about your child or his/her progress, feel free to contact me. You may call my voicemail, write a note or e-mail me. Please allow 24 hours to respond.

R

REPORT CARDS:

Your child will receive four report cards this year. The report card is sent home at the end of each quarter.

RECESS:

The third grade students will play outdoors for about thirty minutes each day after they eat lunch. Please keep this in mind when helping your child to select clothing for the day.

S

SUPPLIES:

Please make sure your child has the needed supplies throughout the year. Our supply list can be found on our school website. Usually, in January, I will send home a note if your child’s supplies are getting low. We wipe down our desks weekly and Clorox wipes are always needed!

 SNACK:

Students have the opportunity to bring a nutritious snack each day to eat during the morning. Nutritious choices include pretzels, fruit or veggies, cheese, crackers, etc. Water is also allowed throughout the day in a water bottle with a lid.

T

TECHNOLOGY:

Our third grade classrooms are lucky enough to have SMART boards! Anything that can be seen on a computer screen can be shown on the SMARTboard. It’s basically a giant interactive computer. Students will also have the opportunity to use the SMART board throughout the year. Students will also visit the computer lab during specials.

TOYS:

Bringing toys to school is NOT allowed for a number of reasons. I cannot be responsible for broken or lost toys. A note will be sent home if there is a special occasion and the students may bring a toy.

TEAM:

Mrs. Morrison and Mrs. Gruszynski “team teach”. Mrs. Gruszynski teaches reading, spelling, writing, and math in the morning. Mrs. Morrison teaches math, science, social studies, and health in the afternoons.

  U

UNITS OF STUDY:

Our science and social studies units will alternate. Each unit will last approximately two to three weeks.

V

VISITORS:

Crivitz Elementary School requires ALL GUESTS to check in and sign in at the office. You must put a visitor badge on which will identify you as a visitor. Crivitz welcomes and encourages family involvement. It is important to remember that while this may seem inconvenient to frequent visitors, it is the goal and responsibility of the school to create a safe learning environment.

VOLUNTEERS:

Volunteers are always needed in third grade! We also need volunteers to make copies, cut papers, assemble materials, etc. If you are available, we can keep you busy!

W

WEBSITE:

Our school district has a website which can be accessed at www.crivitz.k12.wi.us

WRITING:

Writing is huge in third grade! We will be learning how to create strong story beginnings, elaborate on details throughout the middle and extending the ending. Students will be learning how to use the writing process to become excellent writers.

WKCE

Wisconsin Knowledge and Concepts Exam is a new test for third graders. Each year in late October, early November our children are tested on their math and reading skills. Please make sure your child has plenty of rest, and eats a healthy breakfast during this time. Look for notes to come closer to these dates.

x

X-TRA CLASSES:

The special class for our class is PE, Library, Music, Art, and Computer Lab.

Y

YOUR SUPPORT:

Your support helps the children realize that they are special. You support is encouraging your child to take their time on assignments, completing and returning homework, and returning the O.W.L. Book daily,  as well as becoming respectful and responsible children.

Z

ZZZZZZZZZZZZZ:

Your child needs plenty of rest each night. 8-10 hours of sleep are recommended for eight and nine year olds. A good night’s sleep will help keep your child alert and ready to learn!