Frequently Asked Questions: This page contains answers to common questions of students and parents.
- What is the best way to contact you?
- Are there any routines at school that I can help remind my child about?
- May I send in treats for my child's birthday?
- What is the best way I can help my child in school?
- How much help should I give my child with their homework?
- What school supplies are used most often?
What is the best way to contact you?
You can contact me directly on my classroom phone by dialing 630-894-4260. I
am usually in my room from 7:45 a.m.-5:00 p.m. If I'm not there, please
leave a voicemail and I'll return your call as soon as I can. You can also
reach me by e-mail at lmcgrath@esd20.org.
Are there any routines at school that I can help remind my child about?
Yes. PLEASE remind your child to put their name and number on EVERY
assignment. This helps collecting assignments and grading go SO much more
smoothly. Thanks!
May I send in treats for my child's birthday?
Yes! We love treats!You may send in anything that is prepackaged, or if you
prefer, you may bake a treat. Just make sure it is put into individual
baggies for each student. You may also send in treats like pencils, erasers,
etc... Children with summer birthdays may celebrate their half-
birthdays or wait until the end of the year. Please have your child check
with me before bringing in treats. We usually pass them out toward the end of
the day.
What is the best way I can help my child in school?
It is important that your child reads at least 100 minutes each week. This is
a required homework assigment that is due every Friday (Reading Log). This
helps with their reading fluency, comprehension, and helps increase their
vocabulary-- which are very important skills in all subject areas. Please
encourage your child to read different types of literature such as
non-fiction or poetry, rather than just fiction books. Also, it is SO
important for your child to learn (memorize) the addition, subtraction, and
multiplication facts as these facts will be used daily in the
many math skills they will be learning in fourth grade.
How much help should I give my child with their homework?
Please encourage your child to work independently on their homework. Then
check it over with them. If they make a mistake, have them correct it. We all
learn from our mistakes. It's better for them to have tried on their own
first. Then if they need help, you can assist them. Homework should only
take about half an hour, unless they are studing for a quiz/test. If your
child is spending too much time on homework and is experiencing frustration,
please contact me. We don't want them to loose motivation and the desire to
learn.
What school supplies are used most often?
The most important supplies needed are erasable black or blue pens, pencils,
colored pencils, plastic-coated folders, a highlighter, clipboard, and
scissors. Please check with your child from time to time to see if they need
these supplies at school. I also highly recommend that your child has these
same supplies at home to help with homework/projects.