Ms. Havlak’s

Third Grade ABC's

A

Absences-Excessive absences hinder a child’s progress.  If your child is absent, you must send a note to the school when he/she returns.  Please include your child’s name, teacher’s name, date of absence, and the reason for the absence.  These notes are kept in the student’s permanent folder in the office.

Attendance-Regular school attendance is essential for your child to make the most of his/her education.  Please make every effort to have your child at school everyday.

Assessment-We use several instruments to assess students in Third Grade.  Texas Assessment of Knowledge and skills (TAKS) is used two times a year to determine the strengths and weaknesses of your child.  We give benchmarks throughout the year to measure a student’s progress.  This assessment helps identify children at-risk for reading difficulties and helps set learning objectives and develop instructional plans for these at-risk children.  Report card assessment is done every six weeks.

Arrival-Your child should come to school no earlier than 7:30 A.M.   Your child should be dropped off at the front of the school and then he/she walks to the cafeteria.  Third Grade students will be held in the cafeteria until 7:50 A.M.   Teachers on duty will dismiss the students from the cafeteria and they walk with their classmates to the classroom.

Awards Assemblies-Third Grade classes will have one award assembly this year.  I will let you know by parent letter the date and the time of the assemblies.

B

Bus-Bus registration forms must be filled out completely and signed by the parents.  ALL STUDENTS MUST BE REGISTERED TO RIDE THE BUS.  Riding the school bus is a privilege and improper behavior will not be tolerated.

Birthdays-Birthdays are very important to children.  If you would like to bring treats for the class on your child’s birthday, you may pass them out at the end of the day.  Please do not send birthday invitations to school to be passed out unless everyone in the class is invited. 

Book Orders-I will send home Scholastic book orders each month for you and your child to look over.  If you want to place an order, please make checks payable to Scholastic Book Club.  I place all orders online.  It takes about a week for the orders to come in.

Backpacks-Your child’s backpack should be big enough to hold a 2 inch binder.  Backpacks help your child carry folders, notes, projects, and books to and from school.  Please check your child’s backpack DAILY.  Rolling backpacks do not fit in our cubbies, so they will not be allowed.   

Book It-The Pizza Hut Book-It program begins in October and ends in March.  A letter will be sent out in October explaining the program.

Breakfast-Breakfast is served beginning at 7:30 A.M. each morning. Parents are encouraged to pre-pay their meals by sending a check or money to the cafeteria.

C

Conferences-I will be scheduling several conferences throughout the school year.  If you feel the need to contact me at any time, please call the school, send a note, or email me to make arrangements for scheduling a conference.  My conference period is 10:10-11:10

Computers-We have four computers in our classroom.  All of the computers have Internet access.  Your child will be taught the proper way to use a computer and then be taught to use the educational software in our classroom.  Your child will have computer time in Third Grade.

Calendar-A monthly calendar will be sent home to let you know the activities that will take place during the month.

Classroom Web site- Our class has a classroom web site.  We can be found at www.godleyisd.com  Please tell all of your family and friends so that they can see what we are doing in class.

Communication- Communication between home and school is very important.  If you feel the need to talk to me, please call the school, send me a note, or email me.  I will get back with you as soon as I can.

D

Dress Code-Students should be dressed in accordance to the Godley Intermediate dress code. 

Discipline Calendar-Discipline calendars will be sent home daily.  You should sign and return them to school the following day.  These are found in your child’s student agenda.

Dismissal-Dismissal is at 3:25 P.M.  Please do not come to the classroom to pick your child up.  Your child will be dismissed by me and will go to the designated pick up locations with a teacher. 

E

Email-I can be reached by email at my school address mhavlak@godleyisd.net .

Early Dismissal-Several times a year we will have an early dismissal.  You will be notified by a note letting you know the specific day and time of the dismissal.

Emergency Cards-Your child will have an emergency card on file in the Nurse’s clinic.  At least two working phone numbers are required in order to contact parents in case of illness or emergency.

F

Field Trips-We take an educational field trip during the year.  A permission slip will be required anytime that we will be taking a bus for a field trip.  If we do not receive a signed permission slip, your child will not be allowed to go with the class.

Fire Drills-Your child will participate in frequent fire drills throughout the year.  We will practice the procedures before our first fire drill so that your child will be prepared.

Fund Raisers-Our school participates in several fund raisers throughout the year to raise money for various things for our school.  We hope that everyone can participate, but it is not required.

G

Grades-If you have any questions regarding your child’s grades and progress, you can call and set up a conference.

H

Homework-Your child will have TAKS practice homework every night and additional reading.  Homework procedures will be explained at Meet the Teacher night.

Handwriting-We encourage good handwriting skills. We will start cursive the last six weeks of school. Please practice the correct strokes with your child. 

 I

Illness-Please do not send your child to school if he/she has a temperature.  If your child becomes ill at school, you will be called to come and get your child.  We need at least two working phone numbers at all times in order to contact you in case of illness or emergency.

Internet Projects-We will participate in several Internet projects during the year.  I will inform you of the specific projects throughout the year.

 J

Journal Writing-We spend about 20 minutes writing in our journals.  You should see a growth in your child’s writing throughout the year.

K

Kids-Third Grade is a special time for your child.  I want to make this experience the best possible.  “Kids come first!”

L

Library-We have a scheduled library time every other day. Third Grade students check out books from the library to gain points for accelerated reading (AR).

Lunch-The cost of lunch is $1.50 for reduced lunch.  Our lunchtime is 12:00 P.M. - 12:30 P.M.  You are welcome to come and eat with your child or bring a lunch to him/her.  Please sign in at the office and wait for us in the cafeteria.

M

Moose Binders- The MOOSE Binder is an organizational tool we will use on a daily basis.    By using the MOOSE binder you will know where to look to find out what is happening each day, and your child will be developing good organizational skills.

N

Notes-Look for notes from the office and from me that come home in your child’s Moose Binder. 

Nurse’s Office-Nurse Williams is our school nurse.  She will take care of your child until you can be reached to pick him/her up from school.  She also administers all medications to students during school hours.

O

Outside-Your child will have outside time daily, weather permitting.  Please dress your child appropriately for the weather.

 P

Pledge of Allegiance and Moment of Silence-Each morning we will recite the pledge of allegiance to the United States and Texas flags and observe one minute of silence.

Physical Education-We have a scheduled 30 minute Physical Education class daily.  Your child will need to wear tennis shoes.

Parent Involvement-We love Parent Involvement!  Please be involved in your child’s Third Grade year as much as you can.

Parties-We will have various parties throughout the year.  Our room parent will contact you to help with our celebrations. 

PTO (Parent/Teacher Organization)-All parents are encouraged to join the school’s PTO. 

 Q

Questions-Please contact me if you have any questions or concerns regarding your child’s education.  I will make every effort to meet with you and discuss your concerns.

 R

Report Cards-We are on a six-week grading period.  Your child will receive a report card at the end of each six-weeks. 

Recess-Your child will have recess everyday. 

Rules-We have five rules in Third Grade.

• 1.    Follow directions quickly and quietly the first time.
• 2.    Raise your hand and wait for permission to speak.
• 3.    Keep rude comments, hands, feet, and other objects to yourself.
• 4.    Keep work area clean with necessary materials ready.
• 5.    Walk in a straight line and wait patiently in the hall.

Read-Read to your child daily and let your children see you reading daily. 

Restrooms-We have restrooms outside our room and your child is allowed to go when needed.   

 S

Safety-Your child’s safety is top priority.  I take every precaution when your child is in my care.  Please send a note with your child or call the school if he/she is to go home a different way. 

School Supplies-Sometimes we run out of certain items and I may ask you to replace supplies during the year.

T

Transportation-If your child will be going home a different way than what I have in my files, you MUST call the school or send me a note.  I will not let your child go with another adult or a different way unless you have notified me.

Tar dies- Students late to school (after 8:00 A.M.) are considered tardy.  I keep a record of these tardies and will document them on your child’s report card.

Toys-Toys from home are not allowed.

 U

Units and Themes- Check our class web site for upcoming units and themes.

 V

Visitors-We encourage visitors in our classroom.  Please make sure that you sign in at the office before you come to the classroom.  I will be looking for your sticker when you enter the classroom.

Volunteers-We always need volunteers. If you are interested in volunteering at our school, please contact me or the office staff.  We would love to have you!

 W

Water Bottles-Water bottles are needed at the beginning of school when it is so hot outside.  I want your child to stay hydrated during the day and water bottles are a convenient way to get water quickly.  Water bottles will be sent home everyday to be washed.  Don’t forget to send them back each day. 

Web Site: Our class web site can be reached through the school’s web site.

Wildcats Weekly -Graded papers from the week will go home on Thursday unless Thursday falls close to a Holiday.

X

Y

Yearbook-You will have a chance to buy a yearbook in the spring.  What better way to capture those elementary years than with a yearbook.

Z

ZZZZ’s-Your child should get plenty of rest each night.  Students require 10-12 hours of sleep a day.  It is so important for your child to be alert and ready to learn each day.  Set a bedtime and be consistent.