Welcome to 3rd Grade! 
A few things you need to know for the year ahead:

•  Homework: You can expect math homework 2-4 times weekly.  Homework should not take more than 15-20 minutes.  If your child is struggling with a specific assignment, or homework is taking longer than 20 minutes, write a quick note on the activity so that I’m aware and have them stop working.  I am a big believer that time spent with family, playing, and reading for fun is important.  I will only send homework that I feel is beneficial to your child’s learning.  Please also help your child prepare for spelling tests.
• Snack: Please send a nutritious snack with your child daily.  Students will be allowed to eat their snacks when they need one; we don’t have a set time.
• Notes:Please send a written excuse every time your child is late or absent.
• Lunch and breakfast are free for all students this year.  However, students will need money for any snacks/ice cream in the cafeteria, as well as milk if it’s not with a meal.
• Notes & Money: Please make sure all notes/money coming to school are placed in your child’s home/school folder as well as any dismissal changes.
• Planners and Folders: Please check planners nightly for homework assignments and folders for any important notes coming home as well as graded work.
• Parent/Teacher Conferences: I will contact you in advance for meeting times.  We will have conferences in November.
• Supplies needed: Please send a pencil pouch, 3 dozen pencils, 4 large erasers, one box of tissues, 2 composition notebooks, 2 glue sticks, 1 box of crayons, one set of earbuds/headphones, and 1 box of 5 oz. cups.
• Contacting me: jpurpura@wgcsd.org or 535-3250
• Grading will be standards based.  Students will receive a 1, 2, 3, or 4 on assignments and assessments. 
• Classes: Students will stay in their homeroom for all academic areas.Students will not switch teachers for various subjects.Once students have been assessed for RTI, some students may work with a reading or math teacher in small groups during that time only.You will receive a letter if your child qualifies for that service.
• Newsletters will be sent home monthly keeping you updated on what students are learning as well as special events/activities.
• Volunteers: we will occasionally need parent helpers for special events, activities, and field trips.  If you’d like to be involved, you must fill out the volunteer form each school year.
• Read: Please encourage your child to read as much as possible.  When they finish a book, they can take an AR quiz at school.  After earning a specific number of points, we will have classroom rewards.
• Classroom rules: I expect students to be prepared, respectful of others and our classroom, to be kind, and to try their best.  Parents will be contacted for any major issues or if students are sent to the planning room.
• Our ELA program is run on a 6 day schedule so that we can give students more time to create writing pieces, and hopefully gain new skills and understanding.  Therefore, spelling test will not always be on Fridays.  Test dates will be on the top of each spelling list that comes home. 
• Wish List: the following are items we can always use in our classroom.  If you are able and willing to donate some, it would be very much appreciated!
  Needed: Pencils, post-it notes, tissues, crayons/colored pencils, chapter books, large erasers, extra snacks