ABC's of Third Grade

Important information to use throughout the year

A

ABSENCES

Please call the school and let us know if your child will be absent AND send a note with your child when they return to school.   The school number is 276-821-5770.  If you need to schedule a doctor's appointment, please schedule it for after school hours if possible.  

ACCELERATED READER

Students will be participating in the Accelerated Reading program this year.  It is a self-motivated reading program that can be very beneficial in improving reading and comprehension skills.  Please encourage your child to read as much as possible.

ARRIVALS AND DEPARTURES

School starts at 8:25 a.m. and dismisses at 3:00 p.m.   If you need to pick your child up early from school or bring your child late, please check in or out through the office.   

B

BACKPACKS

We recommended that your child bring a backpack to school everyday.  Important school papers, library books and reading books go home and this allows you peace of mind knowing that school information is getting home to you.  Please LABEL the backpack with your child's name and phone number.

BEHAVIOR

Students are exemplify good behavior at all times.  If a child's behavior needs attention then it will be addressed.  Good behavior will be reward during Fun Friday.  If a does not follow the classroom procedures then one or more of the following may occur:  Silent Lunch, loss of some recess time, Demerit, phone call home, parent-teacher conference, time in the office. 

BIRTHDAYS  

We LOVE Birthdays and they are very special to us!  You may bring cupcakes for the children that will be passed out only during our lunchtime.   Please let us know when you would like to bring the treats and we will let you know how many children we have in class. Parents are welcomed to eat lunch with your child during their special day and also at anytime of the year.   Please ask before sending any items, as we have children with food allergies that need to be considered.  Birthday invitations can be distributed at school as long as ALL the children from our classroom receive an invitation.  Children’s feelings can get easily hurt when they feel left out.

BOOK ORDERS                                           

Throughout the year, I will be sending home book orders.  The book club has some excellent books at very reasonable prices.  It takes about two weeks for the books to arrive after the order has been mailed.  The children love to receive books and this is a great way to encourage your child to enjoy reading. Please make your check out to Scholastic Book Club.  These books also make great Christmas and birthday presents.

C

CLOTHING

Students need to wear appropriate, comfortable clothing and shoes for school.  Please label all sweaters, coats, hats, (lunch boxes too), etc.   In the winter, always wear a coat, hat and gloves so you won't be cold during recess.

COMMUNICATION

Should you have ANY questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to write a note, leave a voice message or call the office.   The school number is 276-821-5770.  Email works best for us!  Messages to the teacher need to be written and not verbally given by the student.  The Agenda will be checked each morning.  Please make special note that changes in transportation will only be honored if requested by a parent in written form.

CONFERENCES

Parent/Teacher conferences are held in October and February. We will be discussing your child's accomplishments, strengths and overall progress.  Please feel free to schedule additional conferences at any time during the year.  

D

DISCIPLINE

Our class models attentive listening, mutual respect, no put downs, and giving appreciations.  We guide the children through each agreement to help them learn self-control, respecting themselves, others and their property.  

DISMISSAL

At 3:00, one teacher will take the car riders to the appropriate location, another teacher will wait with the bus riders.  

E

EMAIL

Email is one of the easiest ways to reach me. You may contact me at school via email at kjames@bvps.org .  I will always reply to your email so you know I got it but please keep in mind that if it is URGENT you should call the main office at 276-821-5770.     

EMERGENCIES

You will be contacted if your child is injured at school by the school nurse or office.  It is very important that you keep your contact phone numbers up to date so we can reach you.

F

FUND RAISERS

Our school PTA participates in one major fund raiser, Fall Festival.  We hope that everyone will come and enjoy and help support the PTA.

G

GUEST

All guests must sign in at the office before coming to the classroom.  Each guest must wear a Visitor Badge while in the building.

H

HOMEWORK

Students will be given the opportunity to complete homework assignment during the Study Hall period.  However, I do feel that reading at home each night should be a priority.  Please try to help emphasize the importance of reading to your child.  Demerits are given when a student does not complete his/her homework.

I

ICE CREAM

Ice cream can be purchased in the cafeteria every Wednesday and Friday at lunchtime for 50 cents.     

ILLNESS

It can be very difficult to decide when your child should stay home BUT please keep your child home from school when they are ill.  If they have a temperature the general rule is not to return to school until the fever has been broken for 24 hours.  It prevents others children from becoming ill and helps to keep the sick child comfortable at home.  

J

K

L

LIBRARY BOOKS

Once a week they will be exchanging their library book for another one.  There is a replacement cost for lost or damage books. They will be learning to choose which books to check out and most often in the beginning it is not at their reading level but that's ok because this would be a book you can read to them.  One of our goals is to make reading enjoyable!  Students will also check out Accelerated Reading books later on in the year.  These may be checked out daily, after a student successfully passes a test on the book.

LOST AND FOUND

We have a Lost and Found bin in the gym.  We encourage children to check the Lost and Found collection for any missing items.  Please label clothing items worn to school.  This will help us return a lost article to its owner.

LUNCH

You are welcome to eat lunch with your child at school.  Please sign in at the office.  You may sit at our table with your child or you may sit at a designated parent table with your child and only ONE friend, please!

M

MEAL MONEY

You may send money each day or each week in an envelope. Please do not send loose change to school!

N

NOTES FROM THE OFFICE

Notes from the office will be sent to keep you informed of upcoming events and important dates.  

O

OPEN HOUSE

Sometime in August or September we will hold an open house so you can come and check out your child’s work, visit the classroom, and tour the school.  

P

PARTIES

We will have seasonal snacks during the school year.   These snack are scheduled around holidays and are shared within the classroom. 

Q

QUESTIONS

Please feel free to contact me at anytime for any questions or concerns you may have.  You can send me a note in your child's Agenda, call me at school or email me.  If you need to discuss something that will take some time please call and we can set up an appointment.  Please know I am always willing to help with any questions or concerns you may have.   

R

REPORT CARDS

Student report cards are given at the end of each six week. 

RESTROOMS

We have a restroom located in the hallway between the two main hallways. Children are encouraged to use the bathroom as needed.  Unfortunately bathroom accidents can still happen and we will handle the incident as compassionately and discreetly as possible.   When a child must use the restroom, they are required to sign out of the classroom noting the time at which they left the room.  Students are not allowed to take writing implements or other materials into the restroom.

S

T

TARDIES

Children will be dismissed from the gym at 8:20 a.m.  School starts at 8:25 a.m. and the children are considered late after that time.  Children who come into school after 8:30 a.m. will need to go directly to the office to pick up a tardy slip.

TOYS and JEWELRY

Students should not bring toys or play jewelry to school.  

TRANSPORTATION

Please send a written note or call the office before 2:30 p.m. if your child will be going home a different way than usual.   Please do not leave a voice message because there are times when we can not check our voice message at the end of the day.   Do not rely on your child to tell us this information, because children often become confused and relay information incorrectly.

U

UNIQUE

Each child is unique in personality and academic development and we do not try to compare them to others.

V

VISITORS

Visitors are always welcome in the classroom.  Please let us know in advance so that we can check our schedule and advise you of any changes.  You will need to always need to sign in at the before coming to our classroom.

W

WEB PAGE

The school web site is on my home page. It contains important information for our parents and community.  Please also check the district website for important information and updates to events.

Z

ZZZZZZ!

Please make sure that your child gets plenty of rest.  Setting and keeping a bedtime routine is a wonderful gift you can give to your child.  It will help them to be alert and ready to learn each day!  A light healthy breakfast is also very beneficial to a successful school day!

Thank you for your support this year!