It was so nice to see so many parents at our Holland School Open House. It was wonderful to meet all of you and to have a chance to talk about your wonderful children. For those parents who were unable to attend, I sent a folder of documents and contact information home with your child.
Yesterday was a difficult day for the students, with many poor behaviors demonstrated. Although I do not like to take away their activities, several students were not only on a RED card, they continued behaving poorly even after getting a RED card. For this reason, I kept them from swimming. I will be emailing those parents whose children had a difficult day, and I know that they will come refreshed and ready to learn on Monday. Because I had to sit with the children who did not go to swimming, I was unable to prepare Friday Folders. I apologize for any inconvenience.
I am continuing to do beginning of the year testing with children, and once I know their reading levels I will send this information home. For students who are reading below level, reading every day is critical. To increase your child's reading fluency (speed), parents should have their child read one page to them three times, each time trying to read it faster. If this is done every day for ten minutes (after they have read for 20 minutes) you will definitely see an increase in reading fluency and comprehension (understanding).
As I mentioned at open house, many children are bringing toys and other items such as glitter, makeup, lip gloss and mechanical pencils to school. These items end up being distractions and take away from learning time. I am requesting that you do not send any items from home. I have all the school supplies that your child will need, and that way I do not have to take them away.
A few reminders:
Thank you again for your continued cooperation. I am lucky to have a wonderful group of children with involved and caring parents. I look forward to working with you this year.
Enjoy your weekend ~ Stacy Mark
Yesterday was a difficult day for the students, with many poor behaviors demonstrated. Although I do not like to take away their activities, several students were not only on a RED card, they continued behaving poorly even after getting a RED card. For this reason, I kept them from swimming. I will be emailing those parents whose children had a difficult day, and I know that they will come refreshed and ready to learn on Monday. Because I had to sit with the children who did not go to swimming, I was unable to prepare Friday Folders. I apologize for any inconvenience.
I am continuing to do beginning of the year testing with children, and once I know their reading levels I will send this information home. For students who are reading below level, reading every day is critical. To increase your child's reading fluency (speed), parents should have their child read one page to them three times, each time trying to read it faster. If this is done every day for ten minutes (after they have read for 20 minutes) you will definitely see an increase in reading fluency and comprehension (understanding).
As I mentioned at open house, many children are bringing toys and other items such as glitter, makeup, lip gloss and mechanical pencils to school. These items end up being distractions and take away from learning time. I am requesting that you do not send any items from home. I have all the school supplies that your child will need, and that way I do not have to take them away.
A few reminders:
- Uniforms are mandatory this year, with the exception of Fridays, and your child has to be in full uniform each day. If you need help getting uniforms please contact me.
- School starts at 7:20 a.m. Please have your child in his/her seat and ready for our math lesson at 7:30 a.m.
- Dismissal is at 2:05 p.m. Please pick up your child promptly. Thank you.
- We will begin using the laptops on Tuesday for Khan Academy. Please send back the permission form on Monday so that your child may participate.
- Many children are coming to school very, very tired. Third graders need at least 10 hours of sleep each night. This means they should go to bed no later than 8:00 p.m. to get a full night's rest.
- If you need books so that your child can read his/her 20 minutes each night, please send an email and I will send allow him/her to take books home.
- I love receiving a gift of tissues! We have a lot of stuffy noses right now and we are going through a box a day. Thank you to those parents who already sent some in - I truly appreciate your kindness.
Thank you again for your continued cooperation. I am lucky to have a wonderful group of children with involved and caring parents. I look forward to working with you this year.
Enjoy your weekend ~ Stacy Mark