Dear Parents or Guardian,

I am very excited to be your child’s teacher this year in third grade. It is my goal to make our classroom a safe, happy, and productive learning environment for all students. Throughout the year I will be stressing "Everyday Values" such as thoughtfulness, kindness, responsibility, trustworthiness, fairness, and helpfulness. The students and I have agreed on the following rules to ensure that our classroom runs smoothly for everyone.

1.  Raise your hand when you have something to share.

2.  Line up and walk quietly in the halls.

3.  Show respect to other adults and children.

4.  Listen to and follow directions.

5.  Follow the Perry School rules in the handbook.

I expect these rules to be followed by every student inside our classroom and when in other parts of the building, on school grounds, or on class outings. We will review these rules often and I will emphasize appropriate behavior through positive reinforcement and praise throughout the school year. However, if a student should break a rule the following consequences will be issued:

1.  First consequence: Verbal warning

2.  Second consequence: Name will go on the board

3.  Third consequence: Time out in the classroom and a note, written by the student, will be sent home.  This note will    need to be signed by a parent or guardian and sent back to school.

4.  Fourth consequence:  Parents will be called and student will serve a 15 minute detention after school.

5.  Fifth consequence:  Student will be sent to the office for a conference with the principal, Mr. Nelson.  If needed a conference will be set up with Mr. Nelson, parents/guardian, and teacher.

(If a severe disruption occurs, such as hitting, kicking, or fighting the student will be sent to the principal immediately and parents/guardian will be notified.)

To further reinforce our "Everyday Values" and good manners, I will be watching for students who are behaving particularly well. For each day a student does not get their name on the board they will be given a fish to put their name on. The fish will be put in a "Caught Being Good" jar and entered into a drawing on Friday. Several names will be drawn and prizes will be given to the lucky winners each week.

In addition to the weekly drawing, we will be participating in an event called "Fun Friday".  Fun Friday is a reward for those students who have followed the rules and completed their daily work and homework all week.  Fun Friday consists of a game, playtime outside, a video, or other fun activity.  If a child does not meet the criteria to participate in Fun Friday, either the other third grade teacher, Mrs. Leese, or I will have a study hall while the other students take part in the activity for the week.  However, a child can get their name off the board by improving their behavior or by completing their work.

Please discuss with your child what your expectations are for him/her in school and try to reinforce what we are trying to do for your child here at school.  Our goal is to make each child a good citizen and a life-long learner.

Your child will be bringing home homework Monday through Thursday in a Take-Home folder.  Most of the homework can be done in a short period of time, but I would like you to supervise your child’s work.  The assignments will be reinforcing skills we have worked on in class.  All homework should be returned the next day in the same folder it was brought home in.  In addition to the Take-Home folder, your child will be bringing home an assignment notebook with his/her homework assignments written in, so you will know what is expected of your child each day.  The notebook should be signed by a parent or guardian each day indicating that your child has done his/her homework and that you have checked it over.  Please help your child get into the habit of putting both the folder and assignment book in their backpack when their work is completed, so it isn’t forgotten the next day.  I will also be sending any notes from the office and myself in the same folder, so please look in it daily. You may also send notes for me to school in the same folder.

Thank-you for helping me teach responsibility to your child.  It is really important that each student keep up on the work in third grade.  The curriculum is much tougher than last year and your child may need some assistance from you at home when doing some assignments.  Your help and interest in your child’s schooling is invaluable.  I consider us a team and would like to keep the lines of communication open.  Feel free to send me a note or call the school (544-9274) if you have any questions or concerns.

Sincerely,

Mrs. Enright

Dear Parents,

Children need a great deal of practice reading.  Whenever someone learns something new, he or she needs to learn new techniques and then practice, practice, practice.  At school, I spend time teaching your child reading skills and there is time to read, but not nearly enough.  It would help tremendously if you would provide a time and place for your child to read at home.  Below are some suggestions about ways you can accomplish reading at home.

Parents are also interested in how to help their child improve reading comprehension by interacting with the story material.  Fetterman (1993) has suggested the following reading activities for parents who read with their children.

Children love to listen to stories, even older children. And it’s fun to read stories to children. You can read books your child has brought home, or you can borrow books from your public library. In any case, it would be good for your child to listen to you read aloud at least three times each week. I have some read-aloud techniques that I use that I think you might enjoy.