Elm Grove Elementary School

Third Grade

ELM GROVE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

PARENTS and STUDENTS- PLEASE SIGN AND RETURN THE LAST PAGE!!

Ms. Lyons’ CLASSROOM HANDBOOK 2013-2014

August 8, 2013

Dear Parents and Guardians,

This will be a year of growth for your child in becoming more independent and responsible in academic areas. This means your child possibly will need to work harder and study longer than previously. My goals this year are to help your child gain a sense of pride in his or her work and to see that learning is fun. The following are things of importance pertaining to your child and his or her third grade experience. Please take the time to read this carefully and, as always, if you have any questions, feel free to contact me. The best time to call the school would be at 8:30 or after 4:00. Your call will be returned as soon as possible. (Elm Grove 650-7400) E-mail is the quickest way to reach me. My e-mail address is [email protected].

Sincerely,

Ms. Lyons

Ms. Lyons’ Class Daily Schedule (Subject to change)

8:50 Arrival/Morning Work 9:20 Eagle Time 10:00 Reading 10:30 Writing 11:00 Social Studies/Science 11:30 Math Fluency 11:40 Specials 12:30 Restroom 12:35 Lunch 1:10 Math 2:10 Afternoon Reading Block 3:10 Recess 3:30 Check Homework/Calendar Math 3:50 Dismissal PLANNER Your child will be provided with a daily planner to record assignments and when they are due. This is also another tool to improve communication between parents and teacher. Planners MUST be signed by parents or guardians each day. (Please sign each day, not all days at the beginning of the week.) It is vital for students to have a planner at school every day.

HOMEWORK We believe homework is important because it is a valuable aid in helping students make the most of their experience in school. Students are given assignments to reinforce concepts being learned in the classroom.

During recess time each day, students may be required to finish incomplete work. I feel that parents are the keys to making homework a positive experience for their children. Therefore, I ask that parents make homework a top priority, provide necessary supplies, set a homework time, and provide a quiet homework environment.

Generally, the only homework students have is work that was started in class but not finished (Math 4 Today and projects are the exception). All homework is due the day after it’s assigned, unless Ms. Lyons specifies otherwise. Extra worksheets are available in the recycling bin, if a student loses his/her work, but it is the students’ responsibility to complete the missing work during recess.

Math 4 Today is always homework and is to be completed and ready for grading each day (for example, Day 1 problems are due Monday; Day 2 problems are due Tuesday, and so on). Students will always receive Math 4 Today sheets the Friday before Day 1 problems are due for Monday. If you and your child struggle with a homework problem on Math 4 Today, please write a note so that I can work with the student in the morning before the problem is to be graded.

ABSENCE Because of a need to minimize disruptions in class, we ask that when your child is absent, you pick up his or her work after school or the next day. One school day will be allowed for each day absent to make up work. Attendance is extremely important. Our curriculum includes many hands-on activities and this makes it very difficult to send home missed lessons. If you know your child will be absent, please call or e-mail me to request homework early so that I have time to gather the work. DISTRACTIONS To minimize distractions, please have your child leave at home all materials other than school supplies (such as collectable cards, toys, sports equipment, etc.). After the first warning, these items will be confiscated and only returned to a parent before or after school.

BIRTHDAYS Birthday treats are always welcome. However, I ask that you observe the following when sending treats:  Please keep treats simple and healthy. (Pre-packaged, wrapped treats are best.) If you bring homemade treats, you must also bring an ingredient list (school district policy).  If parents plan to come up to help with treats, please contact Ms. Lyons in advance to set up a date and time.  Please do not have your child pass out invitations to parties at school unless the whole class is invited. This will avoid hurt feelings, and it is school district policy.

Handwriting Your student will be learning cursive handwriting this year. A sample alphabet and practice paper will be included with this handbook for practice at home.

Token Economy/Class Store: One of my favorite activities each year is our “token economy.” Students will be given plastic money at the beginning of each week as “allowance.” Students can lose nickels or gain nickels depending on behavior, performing classroom jobs (like line leader or feeding the gerbil), and showing poor or great character. At the end of the week, students will pay 25 cents in “rent” for their desks and also settle up any other fees they owe. With the money they have left, students may shop in our class store. The store contains a variety of items, such as pencils, bookmarks, small trinkets, toys, etc… Students may choose to save over several weeks to buy larger items. (I once had a student save $8.00!)

Our Class Pet- Mandy the Gerbil All students will also have the opportunity, at some time during the year, to take care of the gerbil during the school week. Please let Ms. Lyons know if your child has an allergy to small pets.

Please sign this page of the handbook and send it back to Ms. Lyons by Friday, August 16th. Any student who has yet to return this page will miss recess starting the following Monday. Thank you very much for your cooperation.

I have read and understand the policies stated in Ms. Lyons’ Classroom Handbook.

Parent Signature: ______

Student Signature: ______

Date: ______