Welcome Back Newsletter

Dear Parents,

Welcome!  This newsletter is just a brief source of information concerning Third Grade happenings.  I am excited by the opportunity to spend time with your child this year. If you should have any questions regarding your child’s work or progress, please send a note or leave a message at school for me to return your call.  I can also be available to meet with you at a mutually acceptable time. My phone number at school is 616-796-2329.  My email address is michellecentilli@dogrschools.org. 

Transportation

Please be sure to make me aware of any changes in your child’s transportation home from school.  A quick note would be very helpful to me at dismissal. If it is a last-minute change, please call the office with this information and they will relay it to me.  I will be checking my messages often, but won’t always have time to do so during the school day when working with the children.

Birthdays

We will be celebrating Birthdays briefly at school.  Since this is a very exciting and important day for your child, feel free to send a small treat for the class if this is your tradition.  Cookies, brownies or fruit would be great. Save the cakes and cupcakes for your home party. If your child’s birthday occurs during a vacation or over the summer, just choose another day and let me know so that we can celebrate.  You are asked not to send red or purple juice because they stain the carpet.

Lunch Orders and Money

Students will be able to order lunch from the school menu or bring it from home.  If you do send money to school with your child, please place it in a sealed envelope with your child’s full name on the front.  The children will have their own lunch card that will be scanned in the lunchroom.   Lunch orders are taken in the morning. If you know your child will be late and needs to order lunch, please call the office or send me an email with the lunch choice.

Lockers

Children will have their own locker to use.  We will work together on keeping it clean and organized.  Please remind your child not to place stickers or other items that will be difficult to remove.  In the third grade, they will be responsible for learning their locker combinations. They will have to open their lockers every morning and will be able to leave them open during the day.

Library

We would like to teach the children the correct procedure for borrowing books from the library and the responsibility it involves.  Please remind your child about the proper use of books and the necessity of returning them on the due date.  

Labels/Toys

Please put your child’s name on everything he/she brings to school.  It can become confusing when students have similar looking jackets, boots, and snow pants.  Please remind your child to leave toys and other valuables at home.

Snacks

In Third Grade, students bring their own snacks.  The children really appreciate a snack in the morning.  Please send something healthy and nutritious. Please avoid sending any kind of nuts.  Our classroom will be a peanut/tree nut-free zone.  This is a very important request.  Students are not allowed to share snacks as they may not be aware of the allergies of other students.  If your child is not a breakfast eater, a healthy snack will help them get through the morning. They are also allowed to bring a snack for the afternoon.

 

Homework

There will be a variety of homework assignments during third grade.  Our main goal will be to read at least 30 minutes a day and practice math facts for 5-10 minutes daily.   This year they will be learning their multiplication tables and daily math fact practice will help them to commit these to memory.  There will also be a spelling test on Fridays and daily math homework. The spelling list will be included in the newsletter that is sent out on Fridays and on the website under the homework tab.

Gym Shoes

Students will need either keep a pair of gym shoes in their lockers or bring them to school on physical education days.  They do not wear them to school all day as they did in the past years. We will be changing into our shoes before their physical education class begins.  This year, we will have physical education class on Tuesdays.

Home Folders

Students will bring home a folder on a daily basis.  The folder will contain assignments your child has completed in class as well as any homework for the night and their spelling list for the week.  I ask the students to keep their spelling list in their folder all week, this way they are able to study at home as well as at school. Friday Folders will be sent home containing information from the office.  This may include flyers, forms or other important information.  Please return these folders to school on Monday.

I am looking forward to our time together as we team up with your child to experience the joys and challenges of learning.  Please let me know if you have any questions or concerns.