Welcome to Mrs. Dragel’s
Third Grade!

Here are the answers to all the little questions about
our classroom schedules and procedures.

As a class, we follow 3 simple rules.  They are to be followed at all times.  The following rules are posted in the classroom:

1.      Be Honest.

2.      Be Respectful.

3.      Be Responsible.

 At the beginning of each day, all the children begin on a “Green Light”.  If all of the children follow our class rules during the day, the class will earn a “Green Light” sticker.  After accumulating 20 green light stickers, we will celebrate by enjoying a “Green Light Lunch” together.

 However, if a child chooses NOT to follow the class rules on a given day, certain consequences will result.  After a warning, the child will lose 1 recess.  S/he will move his/her marker from the “Green Light” to the “Yellow Light”.  At recess the student will fill out a behavior journal listing the rule broken.  Your child will also list ideas for improving his/her behavior.  This "Behavior Journal" will need to be signed by the parents and returned the following school day.

 If the inappropriate behavior continues, the child will receive a “Red Light Alarm”.  This means s/he will miss an additional recess.  A phone call home will be made.  A “Red Light Alarm” ticket will also be sent home.  It will need to be signed by the parents following a discussion with the child and returned the following school day.

 "Take Home" Folders
In your child’s backpack, you will find a TAKE-HOME FOLDER. Please look through and empty it daily! This folder will contain important information, such as handouts, notes, completed work, and homework. Every other week it will contain the “Grade 3 Newsletter”.  This newsletter will keep you updated on our classroom activities and inform you of upcoming events.

HOMEWORK
Palos East Homework Policy for third grade: (Approximately 30-45 minutes/night)
• Assigned or Independent Reading 15 minutes per night/5 times a week (75 minutes per week)   (THIS IS A MINIMUM!)
• Spelling (Monday through Wednesday night) 
• Drill Math Facts 5 -10 minutes per night/5 times a week 
• Social Studies/Science, study of tests & various projects
• Book Reports (as assigned)

Each school day, your child will bring home an assignment notebook.  It will list all the assignments that need to be completed at home.  Please to be sure to check it each evening and return it with your child each school day. 

Please do the following each night to ensure that assigned homework is completed:
1.  Have your child share with you the contents of his/her “Take Home” folder.

2.  Review your child's assignment notebook, important notes, and homework.
3.  Provide assistance to your child with homework only when necessary.
4. Check to see that assignments are completed and returned to the take-home folder.
5. Please check to make sure your child returns the Take Home folder to his/her backpack.

Assignment Alert!
Each child is given 2 "Oops coupons" a quarter.  If your child forgets to bring an assignment he/she may turn in an "Oops coupon" and turn the assignment in the next day.  However if this happens more than twice in the same quarter; and no other arrangements have been made, the student will stay in for recess to complete and "Assignment Alert!" form and the missing work.  The "Assignment Alert!" is used to let you know what assignments are missing.  It should be signed and returned to school the next day.  It should include the missing assignment if it was not already finished during recess.  If for some reason your child cannot complete an assignment (ie. illness, family reason), simply write me a note.  Then, your child will NOT miss recess. 

Reading Logs

Unless otherwise noted, EACH NIGHT, your child is required and expected to: 
1) Read for (at least) 15 minutes a night, (at least) 5 days a week.
2) Record the number of minutes that your child reads each day.

READING LOGS SHOULD BE RETURNED TO SCHOOL ON MONDAY MORNING with a parent signature and the number of minutes totaled. Please be sure to total your child’s minutes each week.  Each student is required to read a minimum of 75 minutes a week outside of school

Specials, Recess, Lunch, Birthdays, Person of the Week

Music - Wednesday 11:05 – 11:45

Art -     Thursday 11:05 – 11:45

P.E. –   Monday,Tuesday & Friday 11:05 – 11:45

             It is important that all children have gym shoes at school on the days that we have gym.

Media Center - Tuesday 2:35 – 3:15

Students will also be given the opportunity to “Free Flow” (return & checkout books from the Media Center).  All books (no matter what the due date) will need to be returned or renewed on Tuesdays (our class Media Center day).

 Recess
M-T-W-TH-F: 10:45 - 11:00
W & TH: 1:35 - 1:45
If your child is feeling under the weather/overcoming an illness, and you wish for him/her to stay inside, you must write a note.  Otherwise, your child will be going outside (weather permitting).  PLEASE DRESS ACCORDINGLY!!!  If you wish for your child to stay in for more than one day, a doctor’s note is needed. 

Lunch
Daily:  11:45-12:25 (includes recess).  A hot lunch with milk can be purchased for $2.30.  Milk only is $0.30.  Salad Bar is available every week.  Money for tokens should be turned in when needed in an envelope with your child's name on the front and labeled “lunch token money”.

Birthdays
Your child is welcome to bring in a small treat to share with the class (we currently have 21 students) on his/her birthday.  Please do not send extra treats for the office or other teachers.  The children will only be allowed to share treats with his/her Room 146 friends.  Some families prefer to donate a book to the classroom library in honor of a child's special day.  He/she is welcome to read/share the book on the day we celebrate.  Both choices are optional.  Summer birthdays are celebrated towards the end of the school year, or if you like, you can celebrate your child's “Half-Birthday.” 

It is very important for us to work on developing self-esteem and a sense of self worth in our classroom. If your child has invitations to his/her birthday party and IS NOT inviting either the entire class or “just the boys” in class or “just the girls” in class, then PLEASE do NOT  send them to school to be passed out.

Weekly Rock Star
Each week a "Weekly Rock Star" will be chosen.  Students who have been working hard on following the Palos East Character traits of being honest, respectful and responsible will be selected.  A student may earn the privilege more than once.

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Last updated: October, 2007
Web page designed and maintained by: 
Deb Balayti and Marcy Basch

Written for:
Palos Community Consolidated School District 118