Monday, October 25, 2010

Where did October Go?

What a dreary start to the week!!!!  It is also hard for me to believe that October is almost over!  Wow!! Where did the month go???

I am sure some of you were wondering where my newsletter/post was last week.   Sometimes the week just gets by me and I will not be making a "post" on the blog page while other weeks I will have 2-3 posts during the week.  That's the great part of using a blog page.....you can share information and pictures throughout week.   Last week, I did not have a post as it was a busy week.  That doesn't mean I don't have anything to share, it just means keep checking the blog page for an update.  I will be asking all parents at conferences if they check the blog page via the Internet as I would like to decrease the amount of paper for printing it out. If you don't have the internet or access, that is fine.  I will just be printing my posts out for those parents/students who need it on paper.  Otherwise, keep checking on the Internet.

A few reminders for the week as it is a crazy one:
     1.  Parent-Teacher Conferences will be held this week.  For most of you, they will be Tuesday or   Thursday from 3:00-8:00.  Others have conferences scheduled in the mornings or other days after school.  I am anxious to see all of you again and have lots to share.  Please try to be on time for your conferences as my schedule is pretty full with back to back conferences.  Thank you!
     2.  There is no school this Friday due to teacher compensation for time put into conferences.  Enjoy the three day weekend and prepare for Halloween.  :)
     3.  Report cards will be sent home with your 3B child today.  I like the students to have a look at them before the parents so your 3B child has seen his/her report card.  While I did not go over them individually with each student, I did go over the structure of the report card and the rating system. If they have questions about them, please bring those questions to conferences as well as your questions and comments.
     4.  If your child was writing a report for the "I Love America" essay put on by the VFW, please have that to me by the necessary due date.  I have received a few so that is super.  It was not required, but I would love to have more students participate.  If your child needs a new set of directions, please let me know.
     5.  Book-It for the month of October is due this Thursday or next Monday, either day is fine.  When your child returns his/her Book-It calendar for the month, he/she will be given a certificate for a personal pan pizza from Pizza Hut! I am hoping many students participate because reading at home is very important!!!!!
     6.  If your child is entering the coloring contest for the Fire Station (drawing or printing out a picture and coloring it) please have that to me by the necessary dates as well.

We just finished up our assessments for chapter 2 in math.  I hope to be sharing those, along with various assessments from science, at your child's conference.  I also will be sharing your child's MAPs score from the fall this year as well as their DIBELS assessment results.  As you can see, we are going to have a lot to discuss.

I feel I need to make a comment about last Friday so that you, as well as the students, and myself are all on the same page.  Last Thursday night I flew to Texas for my nephew's baptism and was gone Friday.  (Had a super time but quick trip) I returned Monday to school from my substitute about the behavior of my class while I was gone.  Let's just say my heart was kind of broken by the behavior of some students.  Now, not all students were mentioned and some did behaved as expected, showing great character and respect.  Others....not so much.  We had a big discussion about it this morning during our Morning Meeting and students were very open.  They understood why I was disappointed.....So this week the students will be reviewing Cadet Pride and showing good character.  I know they can do it, as they do it for me, but they need to realize they need to show good character at all times, even when I am gone.  I wanted to mention it on my blog to give parents the chance to talk with their 3B child about the other day and let them know what you, the parents, expect as well when the teacher is gone.  I am rarely sick (knock on wood) but am involved in a lot of committees in which we meet various days during the month.  Students will have a sub once and a while due to the fact I need to be at a meeting.  I would like them to know that we, meaning them as students, the parents, and myself, all expect good character when I am gone.  Thanks for you help with this and have a great discussion with your 3B child. I appreciate it.

Have a great, short week.  Hopefully we will see some sunshine soon.  I look forward to seeing all of you at conferences.

Monday, October 11, 2010

Busy Start to October!!!

Wow!  What a gorgeous weekend!  I don't think the weather in October could get any better than that.  Hopefully you had some time to get out and enjoy the sunshine and beautiful temperature.  I was at a football game on Sunday, and I have to admit, it was a little too hot to be playing football.  But I am not complaining!!!  It was also a super week for Homecoming and a big win for the Cadets last Friday!  Go big blue!!!!

We have had a very busy start to October that is for sure.  Deals on Wheels did come around last Thursday to sell little Crestwood items to students who wanted to buy them.  Deals on Wheels is a group of students from the junior high who are supervised by their teacher.  It is a great life lesson on managing money and items.  Starting this week, Deals on Wheels will be coming to 3B at 10:30 every Friday.  If your child would like to purchase something, he/she should bring his/her money on Friday.  This will continue throughout the whole school year.  The items are listed below, but they are the same as the note I sent home last week.
     Magnets:  $0.25
     Pencils:    $0.35
     Tattoos:   $0.50
     Pens:      $0.50
     Wristbands:     $2.00
     Seat Cushions:   $4.00
All items are blue/white for school colors and have some type of Cadet log or name displayed.  The committee also hopes to have Cadet folders and water bottles soon.

The students were disappointed last week when they found out they don't get to go to the fire station or listen to firefighters present about Fire Prevention as they had in grades K-2.  Sadly, that stops in 2nd grade with the big wrap up of spraying the teachers with the fire hose.  I know all of you are aware of the coloring contest they held as well.  In grades 3 and up, the students can still participate in the coloring contest.  It is called the "open division" and includes students in grades 3 and up, faculty, and staff.  All a person would have to do to enter is submit a fire related picture, colored neatly by October 21st.  Each person who does submit a picture will be given a complimentary ticket to the Cresco Fire Department Pancake Supper held November 2nd.  A winner will be chosen from both the 3rd grade and up division, as well as an adult division.  So, if your child would like to participate, he/she should have a fire related picture to me no later than October 21st.  This is not required, but many students still enjoy entering the competition.  Good luck!

I am also sending home information about a writing contest titled "I Love America".  Again, this is a choice the students have and can enter the contest if they please.  The directions are stated on the sheet and entries must follow the directions carefully.  I am not requiring students to enter the contest but hope that many will as I have some very talented writers in 3B.  Students are to have their essay entry to me, Mrs. Kerian, by October 29th as they will be picked up on October 30th.  Remember to follow the activity listed for 3rd grade.

Book Orders - I am sending home book orders for October.  Please take some time to browse through them as there are really great books available.  If you decide to order, remember to send cash or check made out to me so that I can order them online.  Please return any book orders by this Friday, October 15th.

Enjoy the sunshine and have a great week!  Remember that if your 3B child still has his/her science book or picture dictionary at home, I would like them returned tomorrow.  Thanks and keep reading for Book-It!!!

Monday, October 4, 2010

Wrapping up Science Unit and Kicking Off Fundraiser!

Burr!!!!  Suddenly the weather is a lot chillier than before.  I just want to remind everyone that it is colder in the morning than in the afternoon.  Many students are outside before school waiting until 8:20, and today many came in cold!  I would suggest dressing your 3rd grader in layers so that he/she can be warm enough in the morning yet not too warm in the afternoon.  They can always leave the extra sweatshirt in their locker in the afternoon and take it home if it warms up that much.  Thanks you!



Last week we kicked off our fundraiser.  I am sure your child has brought his/her fundraiser packet home already as they were very excited to get started.  There was one change that was made that I wanted to let parents know.  On the envelope it states that each student must sell 35 items to ride in the limo.  That has been changed to 25 items.  Hopefully that will help more students be eligible for the ride in the limo.  Again, if we pass what we sold last year, the school will earn a Mega Party-which is always a great time!!!!  The fundraiser is optional so you do not have to encourage your child to participate, but it does help fill our school piggy bank for fields trips and fun activities.  If you have any questions, feel free to give the school a call or send me an email.

We are wrapping up our unit in science on plant and animal populations this week.  Look for your 3B student to bring home his/her science materials with a study guide to use to study.  I will be doing a big review on Thursday with the students as well.  Our tests covers different learning styles so there is a hands-on component, a visual component, and a critical thinking component.  Please encourage your 3B student to study over the weekend and return his/her science book next Monday.  Everyone has loved this unit and learned a lot.  After this unit, we will be moving into a unit in Social Studies. 

Your third grader should have brought a reading calendar home last Friday to kick off Book-It.  I wrote about it in my last post.  If you have questions, feel free to contact me.  The reading for Book-It must be done out of school hours but can involve reading anything; magazines, books, newspaper etc.  Students can also check out books from our 3B homeroom to read at home as well. 

Just a reminder there is a 3 hour early out this Friday for Homecoming.  It was great to see all the hats today for "Hat Day"!!!  The rest of the week is as follows:
     Tuesday:  Wear your Favorite Jersey
     Wednesday:  Wear work out Clothes (as we will go for a walk for fitness)
     Thursday:  Twin Day
     Friday:  Blue and White Day

The forecast for the week sounds fabulous!  That is an excellent word to describe 3B - FABULOUS!!!!