Happy Halloween!

Dear Parents,

Happy Birthday to Lucia on Friday!

Also Congratulations to Aya for being our MVP of the week. We enjoyed learning more about our special classmate when she shared her banner with us on Monday!

Red Ribbon Week was a huge success! We enjoyed celebrating the happiness that making healthy choices brings! 

Thank you 4th Grade PTA for providing lunch for the CCE staff on Friday.  It sure was delicious, and we truly appreciate your hospitality.

The library reading log, "Reading is Fairy Good for EveryGnome!" is due on Friday, November 9th. I am encouraging 100% participation! Congratulations to those who have already completed the program.

This first half of third grade is zooming by! This week promises to keep the busy feeling going with not only all the amazing things we are learning everyday in the classroom, but also we have the excitement of Halloween thrown in there as well. I hope you all have a fun and safe Halloween night and aren’t too tired on Thursday.

Enjoying your children,
Mrs. McDonald

              3rd GRADE and CCE CAMPUS ANNOUNCEMENTS

Character Word for October: ENCOURAGING

COATS FOR KIDS 
Any spare change can be donated to Coats for Kids.  Students that bring money can be on the morning announcements putting their coins in the CCE jar!  Additionally, the grade level that donates the most wins stress squishies! The Coats for Kids program continues to thrive and help keep so many Central Texas kids warm each winter. Please consider donating!

SPOOKY STORY TIME
Canyon Creek Siblings 5 and under, join us on Tuesday, October 30th from 10:30-11am at CCE for Spooky Story Time with our Librarian! Non-Scary Costumes are welcome but not necessary.  Parents must stay with their children. Contact Family Support Specialist Lisette Castaneda at Lisette_castaneda@roundrockisd.org to RSVP. 

TAG PARENT REFERRAL INFORMATION MEETING
For all families interested in finding out more about referring a student (who is not currently identified) for TAG testing. Please join us on November 6, 2018 at 6:00 p.m. in the CCE Library.

ROBOLAB NEWS
Welcome to a new year of Robolab! This fall, 3rd graders will learn about potential and kinetic energy as we build and experiment with a hand generator and a solar-powered Ferris wheel. Parent volunteers help make Robolab even more fun for everyone. Come join your child and see what they are doing! You do not need to know anything about Legos or alternative energy; you only need to ready to encourage the children to solve problems and supervise them while they do experiments with what they build. Thank you for volunteering!

Robolab date for our class is: Thursday, November 1st 
Click here for more information and to sign up for Robolab

Note that you will need to be registered as a volunteer with RRISD in order to participate. The link to register is here.

PICTURE RETAKES
For those who ordered a school picture package, if you are not satisfied with your child's pictures, return the entire packet to school and we will hold onto them until re-takes on November 29th.

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 Education Galaxy, to flashcards or even a series of problems written by a parent.  

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 October 29-November 2, 2018
Math -  Multiplication: 2’s (double), 4’s (double, double) and  8’s (double, double, double)
Reading - Non-fiction Text Structures, Main Idea
Writing - Grammar and Conventions, Expository Essays
Spelling - Unit 9
Social Studies - Communities
Science - Energy

IMPORTANT DATES
Tuesday, October 30th    Silly Spooky Stories for Siblings, CCE Library 10:30 a.m  
                                        Report Cards Go Home
Thurs, November 1st      Mrs. McDonald's Class at Robolab
Tues, November 6th       TAG Referral Meeting, CCE Library 6:00 p.m.
Fri, November 9th          Veterans’  Day Program, 8:00 a.m.
November 12-15             CCE Scholastic Book Fair 
Tues, November 13th     Grade 3 Field Trip to the Performing Arts Center
                                        PTA Meeting 5:45
                                       Gr 5 Musical Performance and Art Gallery, 6:30 p.m.
Wed, November 14th      Thanksgiving lunch at CCE
Fri, November 16th        Kona Ice, after school
November 19th-23rd      Thanksgiving Break, No School

Red Ribbon Week!

Dear Parents,

Congratulations to Luke for being our MVP of the week. We enjoyed learning more about our special classmate when he shared his banner with us on Thursday.

Welcome to the last full week of October and the first week of our second quarter of instruction! This week is a full one, as we look forward to participating in Red Ribbon!

Red Ribbon Week:
CCE will focus on ENCOURAGE-ing each other to live healthy. Below is information about the festivities:
Theme Days:
Monday: We are "RED-y" to live a healthy life! Wear red.
Tuesday: Say “PEACE” to living healthy. Wear peace signs or tie dye!
Wednesday: DON’T MATCH UP to an unhealthy lifestyle!  Wear mismatched clothing.
Thursday: RUN AWAY from unhealthy things! Wear sports clothing.
Friday: Be a CCE SUPERHERO! Pledge to live healthy!  Wear superhero related items.

Thank you for your support as many of you have made your donation to our classroom fund for our parties and various activities throughout the year.  Please return your form as preparations for 3rd grade activities are underway. Forms are due by October 24th. I truly appreciate your generosity!

Enjoying your children,
Mrs. McDonald

            3rd GRADE and CCE CAMPUS ANNOUNCEMENTS:

FROM THE COUNSELOR
Character Word for October: ENCOURAGING

LIBRARY READING INCENTIVE
Keep Reading! The library “Reading is Fairy Good for EveryGnome!”  kick off is in full swing. Students have until November 9th to read 6 books from different sections of the library. I am encouraging 100% participation! Kuddos to those who have already turned their form in. 

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITY 
We are looking for volunteers to assist with the upcoming PTA sponsored CCE Family Fun Run on Friday, October 26, 2018 at 6 pm.  Each grade has been asked to decorate the trunk of a car for a post-run Trunk or Treat. We are asking for volunteers to:
--assist with decorating the trunk of the 3rd grade car before the race
OR
--donate candy to hand out during Trunk or Treat (nut-free candy required).  Drop off is in the third grade hall!
OR
--hand out candy as the kids come by after the race.
If you would like to volunteer, please use the SignUpGenius link below.
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/30E0D49A5A92EAAF94-trunk

TAG PARENT REFERRAL INFORMATION MEETING
For all families interested in finding out more about referring a student (who is not currently identified) for TAG testing. Please join us on November 6, 2018 at 6:00 p.m. in the CCE Library.

ROBOLAB NEWS
Welcome to a new year of Robolab! This fall, 3rd graders will learn about potential and kinetic energy as we build and experiment with a hand generator and a solar-powered Ferris wheel. Parent volunteers help make Robolab even more fun for everyone. Come join your child and see what they are doing! You do not need to know anything about Legos or alternative energy; you only need to ready to encourage the children to solve problems and supervise them while they do experiments with what they build. Thank you for volunteering!

Robolab date for our class is: Thursday, November 1st
Click here for more information and to sign up for Robolab
Note that you will need to be registered as a volunteer with RRISD in order to participate. The link to register is here.

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 include Education Galaxy, another math app/game, flashcards, or even a series of problems written by a parent.

​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 October 22-26, 2018
Math -  Multiplication: 2’s (double), 4’s (double, double) and  8’s (double, double, double)
Reading - Elements of Poetry
Writing - Crafting Poems
Spelling - Unit 8
Social Studies - Communities
Science - Energy

IMPORTANT DATES
October 22nd-26th - Red Ribbon Week
Friday, October 26th - PTA Run Wild Fun Run, 6:00 p.m.
Tuesday, October 30th - Silly Spooky Stories for Siblings, CCE Library 10:30 a.m.
Thursday, November 1st - Mrs. McDonald's Class at Robolab
Tuesday, November 6th - TAG Referral Meeting, CCE Library 6:00 p.m.
Friday, November 9th - Veterans’  Day Program, 8:00 a.m. 
Tuesday, November 13th - Grade 3 Field Trip to the Performing Arts Center
                                  PTA Meeting, 5:45 p.m
                                  Gr 5 Musical Performance and Art Gallery, 6:30 p.m.
Wednesday, November 14th  - Thanksgiving lunch at CCE
Friday, November 16th - Kona Ice, after school
November 19th-23rd - Thanksgiving Break, No School

Autumn is in the Air!

Dear Parents,

A HUGE shout out to our class! They earned 50 compliments! Friday afternoon, the class voted to bring stuffed animals on Monday as their reward.  I am so PROUD of them!  Please remind your kiddo to bring a small stuffed animal Monday morning!

It was nice to get to sit down and chat with each of you to discuss your child’s accomplishments so far this year and the goals we will be working on in 3rd grade. The school year has really started off great, and I look forward to seeing how much your third grader learns and grows this year.

Thank you for your support as many of you have made your donation to our classroom fund for our parties and various activities throughout the year.  Please return your yellow form as preparations for 3rd grade activities are underway. Forms are due by October 24th. I truly appreciate your generosity!

Enjoying your children,
Mrs. McDonald

3rd GRADE and CCE CAMPUS ANNOUNCEMENTS

FROM THE COUNSELOR
Character Word for October: ENCOURAGING

LIBRARY READING INCENTIVE
The library “Reading is Fairy Good for EveryGnome!”  kick off is in full swing. This awesome program started Tuesday, October 2nd and ends on Friday, November 9th. Students need to read 6 books from specific sections of the library. I am encouraging 100% participation! Please talk to your child about what books they will be selecting. They can use those books to read as part of their Reading Response homework, too. Please let me know if you need an additional purple recording sheet.

EDUCATION GALAXY
We are super excited that Education Galaxy is available for Math & Reading practice!  Students have their login information in their planners! Each child will have a program designed to fit their math and reading needs.  Please take advantage of this program.

SILLY, SPOOKY STORIES FOR SIBLINGS
We would like to invite CCE Siblings 5 years of age and under to join us on Tuesday, October 30th from 10:30-11:00 am in the Library. We will have Story time with their future Librarian, Mrs. Bamford! Non-Scary Costumes are welcome but not necessary.  Contact your Family Support Specialist, Lisette Castaneda, to make your reservation by Friday, October 26th. Parents need to stay with their children!

THANKSGIVING LUNCH AT CCE
Our annual Thanksgiving meal is Wednesday, November 14th. This is always a special occasion at CCE where we get to share a traditional Thanksgiving meal with our families. We need to have an idea of how many people will eat. An invitation came home with your student this week. Please give us an idea of how many guests will join us. You will pay for yourselves and other family members that day. The cost is $3.65 per guest. Please send the completed form with your student by Friday, October 19th.

TAG PARENT REFERRAL INFORMATION MEETING
For all families interested in finding out more about referring a student (who is not currently identified) for TAG testing. Please join us on November 6, 2018 at 6:00 p.m. in the CCE Library.

HELP US HONOR OUR VETERANS!
Please help our CCE 5th Graders honor our VETERANS during the CCE Veterans Day celebration scheduled for Friday, November 9th at 8:00 am AND during their musical "We Will Not Forget" scheduled for Tuesday, November 13th following the 5:45 pm PTA meeting.  We would like to create a video montage honoring VETERANS in our CCE Community as we sing the song "We Will Not Forget" to close our program, AND with Mrs. Weir's (Art) leadership, the 5th graders will be creating a remembrance wall in the main CCE hallway using these photographs.

Please scan a photo of a VETERAN and include their name and branch of the service on or under the photo. Veterans can be family members, neighbors and/or friends. We would prefer a digital photo, but we are able to scan photos for you if needed. Please email your photos to Debbie Martin (Music) at Debbie_Martin@roundrockisd.org ASAP!  We must have all photos by Friday, November 2nd for them to be included in the presentation. Thank you for helping our CCE 5th graders honor our Veterans! We hope you will join us for the programs on Friday, 11/9 at 8:00 am and Tuesday, 11/13 following the 5:45 pm PTA meeting.

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.  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 October 15-19, 2018
Math -  Introducing Multiplication: 2’s, 5’s and 10’s
Reading - Elements of Poetry
Writing - Crafting Poems
Spelling - Unit 7
Social Studies - Communities
Science - Mixtures

IMPORTANT DATES
Wednesday, October 17th - Bush’s Spirit Night, 4:00-7:00 p.m.
Friday, October 19th - Kona Ice After School
Monday-Friday, October 22-25 - Red Ribbon Week
Friday, October 26th - PTA Run Wild Fun Run, 6:00 p.m.
Tuesday, November 6th - TAG Referral Meeting, CCE Library 6:00 p.m.
Friday, November 9th - Veterans’  Day Program, 8:00 a.m.
Friday, November 1st  - Robolab
Wednesday, November 14th  - Thanksgiving lunch at CCE

Two Day Holiday for Students!

Dear Parents,

Congratulations to Reid for being our MVP this week! We enjoyed learning more about our special classmate when he shared his banner with us on Monday.

Reading buddies started on Friday, and we are so excited to have a new Kindergarten friend to read with each week. Ask your child about his/her new Kindergarten reading buddy!

Parent/Teacher conferences will continue this Monday. Please click on Sign up Genius to confirm your time. Conferences are such a wonderful opportunity to visit with parents. I have already had many meaningful conversations and have learned so much more about my students. I love knowing that we are working together to help your child reach their full potential. I appreciate you taking the time for this meeting. If we haven’t already met, I look forward to meeting with you in the coming days. 

We know there is A LOT going on at school so thanks to all those parents who have already turned in your forms/donations to our Room Parents for the 3rd grade class activities. Forms are due on October 24th.  If your form has been misplaced please feel free to email me. We are really looking forward to a fun year together. Thank you!

I am delighted to partner with you in your child's education.  Communication is our greatest tool to ensure your child's success. Please do not hesitate to contact me at any time!  

Enjoy your extended weekend,
Mrs. McDonald

3rd GRADE and CCE CAMPUS ANNOUNCEMENTS

FROM THE COUNSELOR 
Character Word for October: ENCOURAGING 

EDUCATION GALAXY
We are super excited that Education Galaxy is available for Math & Reading practice!  Most students have their login information in their planners. Each child will have a program designed to fit their math and reading needs.  Please take advantage of this program. 

*MENU CHANGE FOR NEXT WEEK*
On Wednesday, October 10th in place of Fruit, Cheese and Yogurt Plate, a Sunbutter and Jelly Sandwich will be served. Thursday, October 11th, in place of the Sunbutter and Jelly Sandwich, the cafeteria will serve a Ham and Cheese Sandwich.

S.T.A.R.S. MENTOR PROGRAM
Parents, if you want to make a potentially life changing impact in our RRISD campuses, consider becoming a S.T.A.R.S. Mentor (Supporting, Teaching And Reaching Students). Mentoring a student is a way for community members and businesses to volunteer to positively impact a student’s academic and personal life trajectories. For more information on the program, please visit this website or contact our Family Support Specialist Lisette Castaneda.

SILLY, SPOOKY STORIES FOR SIBLINGS
We would like to invite CCE Siblings 5 years of age and under to join us on Tuesday, October 30th from 10:30-11:00 am in the Library. We will have Story time with their future Librarian, Mrs. Bamford! Non-Scary Costumes are welcome but not necessary.  Contact our Family Support Specialist, Lisette Castaneda, to make your reservation by Friday, October 26th. Parents need to stay with their children!

HELP US HONOR OUR VETERANS!
Please help our CCE 5th Graders honor our VETERANS during the CCE Veterans Day celebration scheduled for Friday, November 9th at 8:00 am AND during their musical "We Will Not Forget" scheduled for Tuesday, November 13th following the 5:45 pm PTA meeting.  We would like to create a video montage honoring VETERANS in our CCE Community as we sing the song "We Will Not Forget" to close our program, AND with Mrs. Weir's (Art) leadership, the 5th graders will be creating a remembrance wall in the main CCE hallway using these photographs.

Please scan a photo of a VETERAN and include their name and branch of the service on or under the photo. Veterans can be family members, neighbors and/or friends. We would prefer a digital photo, but we are able to scan photos for you if needed. Please email your photos to Debbie Martin (Music) at Debbie_Martin@roundrockisd.org ASAP!  We must have all photos by Friday, November 2nd for them to be included in the presentation. Thank you for helping our CCE 5th graders honor our Veterans!  We hope you will join us for the programs on Friday, 11/9 at 8:00 am and Tuesday, 11/13 following the 5:45  pm PTA meeting.

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 (including Education Galaxy), to flashcards or even a series of problems written by a parent. 

On 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 October 8-12, 2018
Math - 3-4 Digit Addition and Subtraction Strategies 
Reading - Poetry
Writing - Crafting Poems
Spelling - No Spelling this week
Social Studies - Communities
Science - Mixtures

IMPORTANT DATES
Monday, October 8: Student Holiday – Parent/Teacher Conference Day
Tuesday, October 9: Student Holiday – Staff Development Day
Friday, October 12th - PTA Movie Night, 5:30-7:30 p.m.
Saturday, October 13th -  Green Team Work day, 10:00 a.m. 
Wednesday, October 17th - Bush’s Spirit Night, 4:00-7:00 p.m.
Friday, October 19th - Kona Ice After School
Monday-Friday, October 22-25 - Red Ribbon Week
Friday, October 26th - PTA Run Wild Fun Run, 6:00 p.m.
Friday, November 9 - Veterans Day Program, 8:00 a.m.