Third Grade Orientation

2011-2012

3rd Grade Expectations

• Huge difference between 2nd and 3rd grade– More responsibility

• Writing homework down daily

• Packing book bag

• Returning completed homework

• Returning necessary forms

– More Independent• Working independently

• Being prepared for all tests

– Pass CRCT in order to advance to 4th grade

160 School Days means…

• Less days, but longer days…

• More instructional time, YES!

• More recess time, NO!

• More homework, NO!

School Time

• Students will begin to go to the classrooms at 7:15. We will begin morning routines at this time, so morning visits need to be brief.

• The tardy bell is at 7:35.• Pick up will begin at 3:05. This will be in the gym area

(the same as last year). You MUST have a pick up card to get your child.

• Buses will begin loading at 3:00. • Front doors will open at 8:00.• Aftercare will begin at 3:45 and end at 6:00.

– $5.00 each day

Attendance

• School attendance is crucial to academic success.

• If your child is not here by 7:55, a school representative will call to check on your child’s absence.

• Post cards, regarding your child’s attendance, will be sent to you when your child has reached 3, 5, 7, and 10 excused or unexcused absences.

• If your child will be leaving school differently, BOTH parties must send a note to the teacher. (This includes both bus and pickup.)

Absences

• If your child is going to be absent, please contact the school by 7:45 or email your teacher.

Morning Drop Off

• Please remember that buses and car drivers have switched ONLY for the morning.

• Car drivers should take the driveway in the back of the school, take a right turn, and make the big loop.

• Pull your car up to the awning before you let your child out on the right side of the car.

Pickup/Drop off

• Extra pickup cards can be picked up on Tuesday morning in the office

• Each family can get 2 cards. Each additional card will be $1.00.

• Please hold pickup card outside window so the name(s) can be seen.

• Please stay in line, be patient, do not pass others in line. This is for the safety of your children.

• If you park, students must be escorted in and out of the building. They CANNOT walk across traffic without an adult.

School Breakfast

• Grab and Go Breakfast• Students will receive and eat

breakfast in the classroom. • Orders for breakfast will be taken

on the previous school day.• Reduced breakfast price is $0.30• Regular breakfast price is $0.75

School Lunch and Snack

Student Lunch $1.55

Reduced Lunch $0.40

Adult Lunch $2.75

Please place lunch/breakfast money in an envelope with your child’s name and lunch number.

Class Activities

• Science with Bishop• Weekly Reading, Spelling, and

Language tests. • Math tests will be given upon

completion of chapter. Multiplication tests may be given weekly.

• PE – Wear tennis shoes! Your child’s teacher will let you know what days your child will attend PE.

• Computer Lab – 1 day a week

Social Studies Study Guide Folder

• Social Studies – Weekly Tests – Please review the weekly study guide with your child.

• Please keep in a safe place for weekly reviews.

Weekly Newsletters

• Weekly newsletters will be sent home every Monday.• Please review this information with your child to help

them succeed on weekly assessments.• Reading passages will be copied on the back of each

newsletter. Please do daily timed readings with your child.

• Please complete and sign the timed readings and return for a homework grade on Friday. Newsletters returned will result in 100. Failure to return will result in a 0.

• Third graders are required to read 120 words per minute by the end of the year. However, the earlier this goal can be reached, the more successful your child will be.

Math Fact Fluency

• Helping your child learn addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division facts is extremely important to your child’s success in third grade.

• 3rd graders must be able to recall the fact within 5 or less seconds after the problem is given.

• Ideas to help:– Make flash cards with index cards– Buy flash cards– Play a game with your child to see if they can produce the

answer before you can retrieve the answer on a calculator (Beat the Calculator)

– Internet games (see Coker’s Student Activities (Practice Your Facts)

Medication

• If it is necessary for your child to take medication, we must have a signed medication form. The medicine must be in the original container with the dosage and times. The school nurse or designee will administer the medication.

• If your child has special medical needs, please make your child’s teacher aware of them.

Coker’s Messenger Dog Text Alerts

• It is our goal at Coker to keep parents and students as informed as possible! In an effort to better enhance our communication, we will be implementing a text messaging system.

• Upon registration, you will receive direct notification regarding things such as School Closings, Parent Meetings, Report Card Reminders, etc.

• HOW DO I REGISTER? • Simply text “CokerAlert” to 82672• You will receive a “THANKS” message. REPLY “YES” to the

message• You will then receive a “WELCOME” message to confirm you

are registered!

Don’t Forget…

• Please sign up for the Bi-Lo Booster Card to help our school earn free money.

• Please sign up at Ingles for an Ingles Card to help our school earn free money. – If you already have an Ingles card, please fill out

the sheet with the card number at your teacher’s table.

• Become a member of Coker Cub Club– Membership starts at $5.00

• We are looking forward to a great year. If you ever have any questions please feel free to send a note, email, or call.

• Please call before 7:20 AM or after 3:30 PM, unless it’s an emergency. School phone – 706-695-0888

Forms Needed Today

• Enrollment Card• Student Information Sheet• How your child will get home

– Bus, pickup, etc.

• Transportation Form• Volunteer/Parent Involvement• Health Form• Free/Reduced Lunch and Aftercare (if it

applies to you)*Sign in on the Title 1 Orientation sign in

sheet.*

Speaker to Promote Graduation

• If you would like to volunteer to speak to our class or multiple classes about your job and the skills it requires, please sign the Parent Speaker sheet.

• We would like for you to discuss how the math and reading skills third graders are learning are important for your job and your everyday life.

• We would also like for you to discuss why you feel graduation is important.

Classroom Volunteer

• If you would like to volunteer in the classroom, please sign the volunteer sheet.

The Title I Program

Federally Funded programfor your child, you, and your teachers

What Is Title I ?

• The largest federal assistance program for our nation’s schools• Schools with 40% of students who qualify for free or reduced lunch

qualifies to be a Title I school• All of Murray County schools qualify as Title I schools• Federal funding can be combined with state and local funds to

improve school programs

What do Title I programs offer?• Smaller class sizes• Additional training for staff• Additional instructional time for students in

Before/Afterschool programs• A variety of teaching materials• Technology resources-ActivBoards and Software

Schedule

• Lunch- 11:15-11:45

• P.E. – 1:50-2:35

The Title I School works to:

• Identify students in need of educational help• Set goals for student improvement• Measure student progress• Develop programs that add to regular classroom

instruction• Involve parents in their child’s education

Parents…here is how you can help!

• Show your children how important they are to you• Help evaluate the Title I Schoolwide Plan by participating on the

Title I Planning Team.• Work with your child at home-and even at school as a volunteer• Review and sign the Title I Compact• Read the Parent Involvement Policy, provide suggestions for

revisions.

Parents as Partners

• Attend school events• Visit your child’s classroom• Volunteer• Attend parent/teacher conferences• Keep teachers informed about pertinent information

about your child

Here are some ways our Title I dollars have been spent:

Activ Activ BoardsBoards

Library Books

Technology Lab