I hope that all of you had an enjoyable winter break with your families.  I was lucky enough to teach Acceleration Academy last week, and I had a wonderful opportunity to meet and work with students from other classrooms.  

We are about three weeks away from our ELA MCAS examination, and so we will continue working hard to prepare your students for this important test.  Students are receiving daily practice with complex texts and poems to increase their confidence and ability to tackle the questions they will be asked. We are working on open response writing and strategies for finding our answer in the text.  You can help your student to prepare by getting him/her to school on time every day, making sure they get a good night's sleep and and ensuring that they read each and every night for at least 20 minutes.  I want to thank the parents that sign each and every night to tell me that their child finished their reading minutes.

To ease some of the anxiety about next year's transition to UP Academy, I have begun using a merit system in the classroom that I understand is similar to the system to be used next year.  Students will receive 10 merit points every Monday.  They will receive one extra point every time they are a Superstar Student.  Students will receive a demerit (lose points) for every flipped card.  Students will have an opportunity to "buy" items or activities with their points on Fridays.  Examples of activities are:  board games, computer time, crochet lessons, photography lessons, water color paints, sloppy science activities, making/playing with clay, and learning chess.   Students without points will be asked to read quietly at their desk.   Please email me if you have any questions.

Enjoy your last few days of February :)  ~ Mrs. Mark

Dear Parents,

Hello everyone,

I would like to post another reminder that your students should be in their seat by 7:30 a.m.  As per the policy sent home at the beginning of the year, students who arrive late may not eat breakfast after 7:20 a.m. The only exception to this rule is for students whose bus arrives late.  I will be going to the cafeteria each morning from this day forward to move students along at 7:20 a.m.

As you learned from the note sent home last week, Unlocking Potential will become the Reciever of the Holland next year.  Many of my students have voiced concern that my job is uncertain for the remainder of the year.  I have let the children know that they need not worry and that I will be their third grade teacher for the rest of this school year.  If you have specific questions regarding the upcoming changes, you can contact Unlocking Potential by email at info@upacademyholland.org.  

Your child may have told you that we are using the Rocket Math system for learning the multiplication facts.  It is the expectation that your child know all of the fact tables from 1-10 by May 1st.  Since there are still a few children who are not progressing with their facts, I will begin adding multiplication homework for those children not past level M.  You can help your child by practicing the facts with him/her at night or by allowing him/her to go on Xtra math on your phone or computer to practice.  

As always, please feel free to contact me with any questions or concerns.  ~ Mrs. Mark