1. New School Year

Parents, first I would like to welcome you to a new school year. As we prepare for another year I would like to invite you to review my website to better understand what is expected throughout the year.

2. Back to School Night -

I believe it is very important for the teacher, parents, and children all to have a close working relationship. It will take all three of us to make this a successful year. Tonight, I would like to share a little about myself and then discuss the class procedures, rules, curriculum, weekly schedule, homework policy, grading policy, class events, celebrations, and book orders. 

Class Procedures: The students are expected to behave appropriately and the following will occur if they choose not to follow the rules:

In addition to verbal praise and notes, students have received a “Pearson Express” card. Students receive signatures for good behavior and classroom jobs. The Express card is used like a real credit card; it can purchase privileges or items from the “Pearson Store.”  

Classroom Rules: As a class we have decided on five main rules in class and each one of us have signed to them. 

Homework Policy: It is important for the students to continue learning after school hours. Homework is an extension of what they learned in class. Each night they will have comprehension, math, spelling, and sometimes a social studies or science assignment. They will also be responsible for reading a minimum of 20 minutes each day and write a response to their reading in their Reading Log. They may also need to work on projects. Each day in class students will copy their assignments from the board into their planner. All daily assignments are due the next day. Reading Log’s are due on the first day of the month. I expect all homework to be turned in on time and be completed to the best of the student’s ability. If they have trouble with an assignment, please attach a signed note to the assignment. To help students understand all concepts, daily class work and homework assignment will be graded during class. At this time students will receive additional reinforcement for completed work.  

Daily Folders Each child has been given a plastic red folder. This folder is designed to enhance parent-teacher communication, and it also provides a safe place for important papers like homework etc. Because of this, it is important that this folder goes back and forth from home to school daily (except Friday).

What goes into the folder?

1. Weekly newsletter (front cover)
2. Any important notes from parent or teacher (left side – clear pocket)
3. Homework papers (left side – “Return to School”)
4. Graded papers ready to go home (right side – “Keep At Home”)
5. Unfinished work (leftovers) that need to be completed at home (left side – “Return to School”)
6. Completed homework taking back to school (left side – “Return to School”)
7. Misc. important stuff that needs to be turned in like: book orders, checks, surveys, field trip permission slips, papers for the office etc.

Grading Policy: As many of you are aware we have switched to standard based report cards. Your students will no longer receive a letter grade or percent on their assignments. It is very important to understand that the numbers on the new report card cannot be converted to letter grades. The report card is based on essential standards that can be found on the district benchmarks. The report card does not address all areas that we will be covering throughout the school year. The standards listed on the report card are what your child should understand and be able to apply by the end of the school year. You will receive three report cards throughout the school year.

All lessons and objectives for this class are strictly aligned with the Content Standards for California Public Schools, third grade. You can access these standards online at www.cde.ca.gov/standards. Some items that will be covered this year are:

Parent Involvement/ Communication:1/3 student + 1/3 parent + 1/3 teacher = 1 whole learning experience Your child’s success depends on the involvement of you, your child and me. You may help out with class activities or if you have a special interest or hobby you’d like to share with the class, please let me know. If at any time during the year you wish to discuss your child’s progress or have a concern, please feel free to contact me by email (donald.pearson@sesd.org), or send a note with your child. You may also leave a phone message for me in the office. I will be happy to set up an appointment that will work with both our schedules. There will also be a newsletter going out weekly on Mondays. Please be sure to ask your child about completed assignments, they go home on a weekly basis. There is also a class website that will soon be linked to the school website. The homework is listed along with spelling words, vocabulary words, and the class calendar has all major tests, projects, and fieldtrips. There is also links to useful websites and other information. Be sure to check it frequently, as it is updated on a weekly, sometimes daily basis. The website is: http://www.cherrychaseschool.com/pearson/index.html 

Class Events:

Celebrations: Birthdays are a special day for everyone. Each student will be recognized on his or her birthday in the class. There is a new wellness policy in place for the state; we can no longer allow students to bring in sweet treats for their birthday. They are welcome to bring a healthy snack or fun school supply. Please plan ahead and let me know if you plan to do something for your child’s birthday. 

Book Orders: Book orders will be going home with your child throughout the year. You have a week to look it over and choose books with your student. If possible, please send a check rather than cash. The books your family orders help support the classroom. I receive points to purchase classroom items from each order placed.