Dear Parents,

Welcome to our Third Grade Class!  This will be a very exciting and busy year for your child!  I am looking forward to guiding your child toward being a more independent learner and student.

School Supplies

Attached is a note with a list of suggested supplies for our classroom. Many of the items on the list your child will be storing in their locker until needed.

Arrival and Dismissal from School

In light of societal worries, Lindbergh has put improved security measures in place for arrival and dismissal from school.  Your complete cooperation and respect of these measures is greatly appreciated and ensures the safety of students and staff.  Our class will line up when the bell rings at 8:35 a.m. on the Upper Elementary black top.  I will be coming out and we will wait as a class to enter the building through the door at the back of the school.  Only the students and I will be entering through those doors. If a parent wants/needs to enter the building, they must enter through the front doors of the school on N. Waverly, sign in at the office, receive a name badge and then proceed to our classroom.  Upon leaving the school you will need to sign out at the office.  At the end of the day, I will walk the class to the door that we entered in the morning and dismiss the class on the Upper Elementary Black top. If your child is meeting another child/or you at another door they must walk to that door via outside. I will wait outside until each child is picked up. Siblings in lower grade classes will be waiting with their own teachers until picked up by a sibling or adult.   If your child is not picked up by 3:45 p.m., I will walk them to the office to call home or wait for a parent or person on the emergency card to pick them up. As you will find through the year, I take safety very seriously and will try to the best of my ability to keep your child safe while in my care.  Thank you in advance for respecting these measures.

Attendance

Attendance will be taken promptly at 8:45 as the students enter the classroom. Late arrival into the classroom will result in a marking of tardy on your child’s attendance.   If your child is going to be absent or late or need to leave early please make sure you contact the school office at (313)827-6300.  Please note that absences for vacations will be marked as unexcused.

Classroom Discipline

As a school we have adopted the PBiS (Positive Behavior in School) framework.  You will be receiving a note today with our school wide behavior matrix that you need to read over with your child. You will need to read over the Matrix with your child, sign and return the signature portion of the Matrix to school as soon as possible. This Behavior System is based on rewarding good behavior.

Language Arts

This year 3rd grade has been selected by the district to pilot the new ELA programs Ready Gen and Benchmark Advance. These programs will encompass the writing, reading, grammar, and spelling curriculum that we will be using within the classroom. Since we are piloting two separate programs each third grade class will be using different materials. Therefore assignments will not be the same for each class.  We are very excited about this new opportunity, however we all will be learning together. If at any time you have questions, comments, or concerns please feel free to reach out to myself. 

In addition, I will be sending home a parent letter and survey with more specific information about our program.  Please make sure to check for these letters in your child’s communication folder.

Math

We will continue to use Everyday Math as our math model.  Math will be done in a workshop approach with the homework component being available on line. Your child will receive a log in and password so that they may access activities and games on line.

Science

We will be exploring four areas of Science this year; 1)Forces & Interactions; 2) Weather and Climate Patterns and natural hazards; 3)Interdependent Relationships in Ecosystems; 4)Inheritance and Variation of Traits: Life cycles and traits.

We will be doing many in class experiments and explorations.  At times your child will have a project due that represents one of these concepts.  In addition to classroom assessments, we will be taking a district common assessment in the computer lab at the completion of each unit.

Social Studies

We will be exploring our great state of Michigan this year. Our units will consist of Michigan Geography, Economy, Early History, Growth, Government and Public Issues Facing Michigan Citizens.

Homework

Homework will be assigned daily, your child will also be required to Read and/or Write each night for 15 to 20 minutes and turn in a monthly log.  There will be times your child will receive homework more than reading/writing they may receive Math, Sci, and or Social Studies Unless stated otherwise, homework is due the following morning upon your child’s arrival in the classroom.  Homework will be marked and considered late if not turned in on time.  A note from me will be written in your child’s planner that homework was not received.  The planner will need to be signed by a parent.  The late assignment and planner will need to be returned to me the next day.

Requests for work in advance

I know that at certain times families choose to take vacations on days that school is in session.  On those occasions, requests for class work prior to being out must be made no later than 2 weeks in advance.  All work is due on the day that your child returns to school.

Homework Folders/Planners

Your child should have a folder for homework the first week of school.  This folder will come home every night that homework is assigned.  Notes from the school and me will also be in this folder.  Planners will be filled in and checked by me at the end of every day.  Please take the time to have your child share both their homework folder and planner with you daily.  Planners need to be signed by you, the parent, on a daily basis.  It is your child’s responsibility to make sure that homework is returned and that planners are signed each night.  With your child, designate a place in your house where folders and planners can be located by you the parent.

Tests/M-Step

Tests will be announced to students with a 3 to 4 day notice.  You can also check my blog for upcoming reminders about tests.  Test will be graded and returned to your child within a day or two that it was taken.  If your child receives below 80% on the given test, the test will need to be signed by you and returned to me.  Retests will be arranged by me.  If you have a question or concern about a test grade or answer please contact me via email to set up a short conference either by phone or in person.

This is the first year that your child will be taking the M-Step.  Our dates for taking this state assessment are still being determined.   I will be sending home more information to you as the dates draw closer.

Snack

We will be having our snack time in the morning each day with the exception of Late Start Wednesdays (snack will be in the afternoon on those days).  Please encourage your child to bring in a healthy snack such as fruit, pretzels, veggies, cheese and crackers etc.  Please save snacks such as chips, Cheetos, etc, for lunch.

Birthdays 

Birthdays are always fun to celebrate!!! This year in lieu of sending edible treats, students can bring in a non-food item such as a goodie bag, or a book donation to the classroom or Media Center. Summer birthday celebrations can be scheduled as well. Please contact me at least a day in advance to make arrangements.

Class Celebrations

We will have four classroom celebrations throughout the year.  They will be for Halloween, Holiday in December, Valentine’s Day and End of the Year.  These parties will be one hour in length and at the end of the day that is chosen. With the exception of Valentine’s Day which is celebrated as a Breakfast Party first thing in the morning. I ask that alternate arrangements be made for any younger siblings if you are volunteering for a party.

Classroom Blog and How to contact me

I believe open communication between home and school is very important.  Please check my blog  frequently to keep current on classroom happenings. Please log into my blog and subscribe to it so that you can receive the emails alerting you to a post on my blog.  Please subscribe to my blog, if you are unable I can subscribe for you, just send in your email in your child’s planner.  If you need to contact me, I can be reached by email robeym@dearbornschools.org or by calling the school office at (313)827-6300 and asking to be put into my voice mail.  Because I am teaching your child during the day, answering emails and calls will take place after school or in the evening.

Volunteer/Driver Information Form

If you are planning to volunteer in the classroom (parties included), drive for a field trip, you must fill out a Volunteer/Driver Form in the school office.  We would like all forms to be filled out and submitted.  You must present a valid driver’s license and proof of car insurance (if driving).  If you filled out a form last year, please let me know a.s.a.p. so that I can verify your form.