September Newsletter

Friday, September 9^th, 2016

Dear Parents and/or Guardians,

The first week of school was a great success! Thank you for your support in returning all the forms promptly. If you haven’t already, please return your package with completed forms. Also please send the “getting to know you survey” A.S.A.P.  I would like to take this opportunity to explain a few of the routines that will be taking place in our classroom. I would also like to introduce to you the units we have or will be starting shortly.

 Things your child needs to bring to school:

• REMIND APP/AGENDA - I will be using the remind app as a primary method of communication. I will be sending announcements, reminders and homework through this app. Please remember to sign up using the instructions sent home in the communication binder. The agenda will be used for students to write their homework and their daily goals. Once every parent has signed up for remind we will be using the agenda solely for learning goals.
• BLOG - We also have a Grade 3 blog website so please check it frequently at www.3firdps.blogspot.ca
• Indoor/Outdoor shoes - Each child should have one pair of shoes with non-marking soles to be worn in the classroom and during Gym periods to keep the classroom environment clean. The indoor shoes should be labelled and will remain in the classroom throughout the year. Please send a pair of indoor shoes and a spare set of labelled clothing as soon as possible if you have not already done so!
• School supplies will be provided by the school.  If you wish to send your child with any school supplies (pencils, glue, crayons, etc), your child will be responsible for these supplies
• If you could please send a Kleenex box to school that would be appreciated. Also, a reminder regarding binders. If you can please purchase 2 different coloured 1.5’ binder for literacy and math (any colour except red).
• Absences/Appointments- Please call 1-855-203-2994 or go to www.yorkrdsb.schoolconnects.com if your child is ill, going to be absent or has upcoming appointments even if you have written me a note. Please do not call the school office.
• NOTE that we have medical NUT ALLERGIES in our class. Please be extra vigilant about reading snack and food labels when preparing snacks and lunches for school

Mark your calendars for these important dates:

Friday, September 16, 2016-Terry Fox walk
Monday, September 26, 2016- P.D. day -- No School

Thursday September 29, 2016 – Open House

 Curriculum Corner: 

• Math
  Our first unit in math is the Number Sense and Numeration unit where we will be learning about place value, hundreds chart, counting by 2s, 5s, 10s, etc. We will also be reviewing the different math manipulatives and the different uses for them. Please review the upcoming math newsletter for more information.
• Science
  Our first Science Unit will be Structures and Mechanisms (Strong and Stable Structures). Throughout the unit, we will be learning to identify, describe and compare various structures. We will learn about their importance and function and what might affect their strength and stability in our environment.
• Language
  In Writing and Listening/Speaking, we are reviewing sentences (parts of a sentence, parts of   speech, enriched sentences, etc.), through the use of poems. In reading, we are reviewing oral reading skills (reading with expression, fluency, using appropriate intonation, etc.), as well as the different reading strategies. We will also be focusing on the four classroom agreements; Mutual Respect, Attentive Listening, Appreciation/No put-downs and Participation.
• Health
  Our first Health Unit will be about healthy relationships.
• Drama
  The elements of drama will be integrated throughout various subjects

What you can do to help your child: 

• Discuss/review with your child what they have learned at school every day
• Review work that is sent home in the binder
• Read, read, read all books that are sent home
• Make use of the public library to sign out books, videos, DVDs and CD’s
• Encourage your child to watch French television
• Skype or call a classmate to talk in French
• Explore the online French websites and games on the internet on our class website: www.3firdps.blogspot.ca
   

During this first month of school we as a school are focussing on building a sense of community and getting to know each other. A monthly newsletter will be posted on our blog which will keep you up to date about what your child is learning in class.
 

If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to call me at school or by sending me a REMIND app message.

HOMEWORK EXPECTATIONS:

1-Remind app: Please initial the reading log every night so that we know you are aware of your child’s homework. If your child is struggling with a task and takes more than 15 minutes of focussed time to complete please message through Remind so that we may be able to help them with the concepts during class, recess or lunch time.

 

2-Homework: Homework will begin on Monday, September 12th.

The students will be expected to do homework Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday evenings (with a break on Friday nights and the weekend unless there is a specific assignment to prepare for). Every afternoon, the students will write down what their homework is for the night in their agendas and I will send a Remind message.

 

The expectation is that each student will read daily for 15 minutes (10mins a pleasure read, 5 guided reading once we begin the program), attempt to complete unfinished work that they didn’t complete at school and/or work on reviewing concepts taught/work they did at school.

Reading Log folder

In your child’s communication binder, you will find a reading log. Your child should be reading in French every night for 15 minutes and having an adult sign the recording sheet. French books are available through your local library, our school library or individual classroom libraries, as well as Scholastic Books.

The children who read daily will receive a certificate for their accomplishments at the end of each month.

Please make sure the homework/reading log is sent back to school the following morning initialed by parent.