Brown

May Newsletter

                                                                                                May 2009

 

Book Reports

The poems were very cute.  I have really enjoyed the creativity and effort that has gone into book reports this year.  I hope this will encourage everyone to try new a genre once in awhile.

 

 

What We are Studying

2 digit mult/Div

Data

Fiction/Poetry

Narrative Writing

Conservation/recycling

Thurgood

Marshall

Lyndon B. Johnson

Cesar Chavez

Personal Safety

 

Calendar

5/4 Career Centers

5/4 Book Fair

5/8 All library books due

5/8 Pond Celebration

5/12-13 In school field trip

5/13 Volunteer’s Brunch

5/13 Author’s Tea

5/10 Powder Springs Library Program

5/20 Field Day

521 Awards Day

5/22 Last Day of School

 

 

CRCT Week

CRCT Week went great.  We enjoyed the snacks and a little down time in the afternoon.  Thanks for all of the donations.

 

Awards Day in Third Grade

Third Grade Awards Day will be May 21.  The awards that will be given out during that time are as follows:

Perfect Attendance w/o tardies

Perfect Attendance w/ tardies(3)

Citizenship

All E’s

 

We will have classroom awards at a different time.

 

Blog

My plan is to put as much as possible on the blog but of course that doesn’t always work.  I will send a hard copy if I cannot get the blog to work. 

 

 

 

Registration Forms

Thanks for sending back the registration forms with the stamped envelope.  They are going to a new form next year so they are being very picky about the information.  If you did not send in an extra stamp for the big envelope, please try to do that before the end of the year.  We usually send home CRCT and other information that you would like to have before 4th grade in that envelope. 

 

Happy Birthday!

5/6  Alden

 

Summer Birthdays!!

7/31  Andrew

8/1   Kalen

New Attendance Program

 

 

 

 

 

 

                     

Varner Attendance Stars Program

 

Beginning March 9, 2009

Varner

Elementary School

is excited to launch their 2009 Attendance Incentive Program-Varner Attendance Stars! (Facilitated by the school social worker and counselor with the support of the PTSA) The purpose of the incentive program is to encourage daily and timely school attendance.  The program will operate as follows:

 

·        Each week the class with perfect attendance (absences only) will receive a star that will be posted on the wall outside of their classroom (tardies will be used as tie breaker). At the end of each month the class with the most stars will be selected as the “Varner Attendance Stars”. The winning class will receive a special classroom celebration! The winning class will also be highlighted during the morning and afternoon announcements; have their name placed on the marquee outside of the school and the teacher of these wonderful students will receive a restaurant gift certificate!

 

·        At the end of the school year every student with perfect attendance (no absences or tardies) since the inception of the attendance incentive program (March 9^th) will have their names entered into a drawing for a Wal-Mart Gift Card.  Also, all students with perfect attendance since the beginning of the school year will have their name entered into a drawing for a brand new bike!

 

·        Notices will be given to each teacher to send home and a message will be sent via the “all-call” phone system, informing parents of the launch of the new attendance program.

 

·        Program facilitators will obtain attendance numbers and determine the winner each week and month.  The star will be delivered and hung by the school administrator-who will congratulate the class on a job well done!

March Book Report

March Newsletter

                                                                                                March 2009

Book Reports

The Historical Fiction reports were great.  Everyone seemed to pick another book the he/she would like to read after hearing about tThis month is “Your Choice”   Students can pick the Genre and the project for sharing their book.  I will put the format on line for all to see.  

What We are Studying

-Fractions/decimals/

Measurement/Area/

Perimeter

-Two digit Mult/Div

-Persuasive writing

-Magnets

-infectious diseases

-Fiction books/stories

-Franklin Roosevelt

-Eleanor Roosevelt

Calendar

3/2  Wellstar

3/3  Early Release

3/5  PTA

3/11  Pictures

3/12  Dental Program

3/19  Report Cards

3/27  Books for Breakfast

3/31  Book Reports

CRCT Practice

We are a few weeks away from the CRCT.  Don’t forget that there are practice tests online that will help the students become familiar with the format.  The major problem that most of the students seem to have is reading “long” passages.  That is why I am asking students to read at least one chapter in their book every night.  Practicing taking the AR tests will build confidence too.  I want the test to be “a piece of cake”.

Going Green

Along with the rest of the country, Varner is trying to do their part and reserve resources.  From this point, messages/Newsletters/etc. will be sent by email and/or blog.  I will let you

know when there is a new entry on the blog.

Happy Birthday!

3/10  Jack

3/16

Elizabeth

3/25  Andrue

3/28  Devin

February Newsletter

                                                                                                February  2009

 

Conference Week

I want to thank all of the parents for making a special effort to come to conference week.  I had the opportunity to speak with all.  I know with busy schedules, it is difficult to take that time.  I also know how important your children are to you and I appreciate all you do for them.

(They will too someday!!)

 

I thoroughly enjoyed my “Survival Basket”!  Thanks so much for all of the goodies and treats. 

 

Quick Reminders:

            Read 30 minutes each night

                Practice Multiplication Facts

                Practice “Following Directions”                                                                                                                           

Book Report

We had a great time with our “How To” book reports.  We know how to do all kinds of things now. This month we will read historical fiction books.  Along with our reports, we will do a “Flip Book”. Details will be coming home soon.

 

What We are Studying

Disease Prevention

Growth Development

Persuasive Writing

Fictional

Reading

Fractions/Decimals

Measurement

Habitats and Organisms

Franklin Roosevelt

Eleanor Roosevelt

 

Calendar

2/4 Early Release

2/6 Talent Show

2/16 Student

Holiday

2/17 Performing Arts

2/24 Six Flags forms due

 

Food and Nutrition Services

Due to current status of our economy, we want to make all parents aware that free and reduced meal applications are available.  Please contact the café’ manager for more information

Valentines Centers

Mrs. Wilson would like to have Valentine centers on February 13.   If you would like to help with this, please give her a call.  The students will be exchanging Valentines on that day also.  I will include a list of students with this newsletter.  This is always voluntary, but I ask that if your child is going to bring Valentines, that they bring them for all.

 

 

 

 

November Newsletter

November 2008 Book Report Our book report videos were fantastic! Everyone enjoyed the entertainment. This is quite a creative group. This month we will read nonfiction books. Our extra activity along with the report will be an advertisement (poster). This should be something you might see in a magazine or at a bookstore. Details will be coming home soon.

What We are Studying

Multiplication Division Geometry Habitats of Georgia Informational Writing Informational Reading Nutrition

Calendar

11/3 voting at school 11/4 Teacher Workday 11/6 Bring Your Parents to School 11/19 Nutrition Program 11/19 Thanksgiving Feast 11/24-28 Thanksgiving Holiday 12/1 Stevie B’s (3rd Grade Night)

Thanksgiving Feast Family and friends are invited to join us on November 19 at 11:35. This will be our annual Thanksgiving Feast. More detail will be coming soon.

November 3rd Is election day at Varner!!! Every student will have the opportunity to cast a vote for the President of the United States.

Can Food Drive Varner is collecting can foods to help families who may need a little help. There is a large container by the office. Many of the students have brought things in. Thanks so much!

How can parents help? Continue working with time and money. Drill multiplication facts. Monitor reading for 30 minutes daily.

Supporting our soldiers Varner is also collecting items to send to our soldiers. There are two big boxes in the front hall to collect items.

Happy Birthday!!! Eli 11/17

Field Trip Pictures

October Newsletter

                                                                                                October 2008

Book Report

The story map reports were great!  We all enjoyed the presentations.  This month we will read mysteries and produce our own commercials.  Look for the directions.  I know VHS tapes are very outdated so if you would like to put the commercial on a disc for the computer that will be fine.  I just don’t have a way to play the “little” video tapes.

Fall Festival

I understand that you have heard from Mrs. Wilson regarding the Fall Festival.  She is asking for volunteers and donations.  Please help try to help out.  It all benefits our children.  Thanks.

What We are Studying

Multiplication

Division

Informational Writing and

Reading

Nutrition

Personal Health

Soil

Habitats/Organisms

Paul Revere

Frederick Douglas

Susan B. Anthony

Mary Bethune

Field Trip

We had a great time at the Rock Quarry.  I am sure you enjoyed seeing all of those souvenirs.  Mr. Grullon sent pictures.  I will try to get some of them on the blog soon.

Calendar

10/2 Pep Rally

10/6 Book Fair begins

10/9 PTA

10/10 Fall Festival

10/15 Jump Rope for Heart

10/15 Early Release

10/17 Report Cards

10/24 Books for Reading Breakfast (goal:  1,280 minutes)

OFFICE NEWS

-All students must be checked out before 2:00. 

-Any changes in arrangements to go home should be made before 1:45.   

How can parents help?

-Practice telling time.

-Practice Multiplication flash cards daily.

-Practice counting money.

-Go to the websites on the Science newsletters.

-visiting places in and around

Atlanta

that connect with our studies.

Report Card Information Meetings

We have all seen a lot of news about the new report card.  This doesn’t affect 3^rd grade this year, but it will be in the entire school next year.  If you are interested and want to learn more about it, Varner is offering three informational meetings.

10/2  7:30 a.m.  Breakfast

10/7  11:30 a.m.  Lunch and Learn

10/9  6:30 p.m.  PTA

Thanks for all you do.  Your good work shows every day through your child!!

Happy Birthday!!!

        Kayla   October 1

Field Trip News

                                                              9-10-09

Dear Parents,

       We are so sorry to inform you that our field trip to the Vulcan Rock Quarry was cancelled today. We had an unfortunate transportation issue and had to reschedule for September 30th. We are looking at our new date as a way to celebrate the completion of our third grade testing schedule! We hope all the parents that came to attend this field trip will be able to go with us on the rescheduled date.

                                             Sincerely,

                           Varner’s Third Grade Teachers

September Newsletter

                                                                                                September 2008

Book Report

We will begin our book reports this month.  I will send home the information and during the month, I will give the students an example of what is expected.  Look for the information, please sign it, and return it to school.  I will give the instruction sheet back to your child when I know you have seen it.

Testing

We will begin our CoGat/IOWA testing this month.  Cogat begins on the 17 and the

IOWA

begins on the 22^nd.  More information will be sent home soon..

What We are Studying

Time

Addition/Subtraction

Multiplication

Substance use and Abuse

Responding to Literature

Traditional Literature

Fossils

Roots of Democracy

Economy

Field Trip

On September 10, we will be going to the Vulcan Rock Quarry.  We will leave Varner at 9:00 and should return by 1:30.  Parents are welcome to join us at the Rock Quarry or follow the buses.  We will have a picnic lunch in their rock garden.  If you do plan to attend, just let me know so Vulcan will have an idea of how many people will be there.

Calendar

Sept. 16 Early Release

Sept. 17-19 CoGat Testing

Sept 22-29

IOWA

Testing

OFFICE NEWS

-All students must be checked out before 2:00. 

-Any changes in arrangements to go home should be made before 1:45.      -Any changes to be made for someone different picking up your child must be made in person.

Aquarium

Our class received a 10 gal. aquarium.  After looking around at the different pet stores and talking about it, fish may be our best bet.  For years, I had aquarium material in my basement looking for a good home.  Of course, I have given that away.  Right now, I have a filter and heater.  If anyone has anything sitting around (hood, decorations, etc.), we will be glad to add it to our tank.

Proofreading Work

My class is beginning to realize that I expect all work to be turned in with correct spelling, correct capital usage, and punctuation.  It is a good habit to start right now.  This is looking better every day.

How can parents help?

-Practice telling time.

-Begin practicing Multiplication flash cards.

-Go to the websites on the Science newsletters.

-visiting places in and around

Atlanta

that connect with our studies.

Thanks for all you do.  Your good work shows every day through your child!!