3rd Grade is Awesome!

Dear Parents,

Thank you for attending our Back to School Night. I hope you left with a good idea of what goes on here each day. It’s a very busy place! Our classroom is buzzing with learning throughout our entire day.

Also, thank you for signing up for a fall conference time! Please click on Fall Conferences to sign up if you have not already reserved a spot. Most of my conferences will take place on Monday, October 8th. This is a student holiday, so I am holding them throughout the day.  Fall conferences are a great time to learn more about how to help your child with reading, writing, spelling, and math. In third grade, the conferences are parent-teacher conferences, so, if possible, please make childcare arrangements for your 20-minute slot.  Your third grader will also be providing input into the conference before the adults get together to talk about his/her goals.

This week, you received a conference goal sheet to complete.  Thank you to those of you who have already returned your form.  If you have not doneso already, please return your completed form, MVP letters and Book Buck Library contributions to me by Friday, September 21, 2018 so that I may prepare for our meeting. I look forward to discussing your child’s goals for 3rd grade!

Many thanks for the donations to our Book Buck Library program! You have been extremely generous, and I truly appreciate it. I will be placing our Scholastic order soon, as I work to stock our Book Buck Library.

Education is truly a partnership between parents and teachers.  Our goal is to produce lifelong learners. Thank you for reading my newsletter.

Enjoying your children,
Mrs. McDonald


                       3RD GRADE AND CCE CAMPUS ANNOUNCEMENTS

MESSAGE FROM THE ATTENDANCE OFFICE
Please refer to the district calendar before making travel plans.   Per the District Handbook, State Law requires attendance unless your child is sick or has a school related absence.   If your child is sick, please use the “Report an Absence” button on the Canyon Creek Elementary website. Doctors notes are requested if your child visits a Doctor or is absent  5 or more days. Failure to comply with Compulsory Attendance could result in Truancy Measures as outlined in the District Parent / Student Handbook (pages 29-31).
https://roundrockisd.org/parents/student-parent-handbooks/

Please call Cynthia Quesnel at 512-428-2802 if you have Attendance questions.

P.E./ WELLNESS NIGHT
Come join us for CCE Family P.E. and Wellness Night September 25th from 6:00 - 7:00 p.m. There will be activities and games to play including Table Ball, Toss & Catch Challenges, a Jump Rope Challenge and others.

COFFEE CHAT  - THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 27th 7:45 - 8:15 a.m.
Mark your calendars (please note the new date) for our Coffee Chat with Mrs. Crawford. You will have an opportunity to visit and meet some of our new staff!

Also, please click on this survey link to let us know what topics you would like to hear about this school year. 

PARENTS INTERESTED IN GIFTED SERVICES (TAG)
There is a district meeting on September 27, 2018, at 6:00 p.m. for parents whose students are NOT currently in the TAG program but are interested in learning more about it. This is an overview of information on services the district provides. Again this is for parents of students that are not in the TAG program currently. The meeting is at Round Rock High School.

HOMEWORK
Planners are completed daily.  Please check and initial your child’s planner nightly.

Students are required to read for a minimum of 20 minutes per night and record a quick response on their reading logs. Signed logs are DUE every Wednesday. Book Bucks are earned with every 100 minutes read. Students can “purchase” books from our “Book Buck Libraries” with 10 book bucks.

Nightly reading is crucial to your child's overall reading success. Reading should be an interactive process, so please remember to initial or sign your child's log before turning it in on Wednesday.

Students should practice math skills 10 minutes nightly.  This could be anything from a free math app, to flashcards or even a series of problems written by a parent.  Once Education Galaxy is set up for your child, he/she will be able to practice math skills at home on that website.  I will send home your child's login info as soon as it is available.  The link below has some suggestions for free math apps. 
Free Math Apps

Each FRIDAY students will receive spelling lists and work. Practice spelling the words correctly and complete the homework packet due each THURSDAY. Spelling Tests will be administered on Fridays. 

UNITS OF STUDY for September 17-21, 2018
Math - 3-4 Digit Addition Strategies
Reading - Using text evidence when answering questions about my reading
Writing - Writing tips to improve our paragraphs, drafting a personal narrative
Spelling - Unit 3
Social Studies - Constitution and Bill of Rights
Science - Changes in Matter

IMPORTANT DATES
Wednesday, September 19th - Bush’s Spirit Night, 4:00-7:00 pm

Tuesday, September 25th - Family PE/Wellness Night, 6:00-7:00 pm

Thursday, September 27th - Coffee Chat for parents, Library - 7:45-8:15 am

Wednesday, Oct. 2-Oct. 31 - Parent Book Study, Room 171