ALL Team Players WELCOME!
Mrs. Ludlow’s Back to School Packet 2008-2009
Dear Parents and Students,
Welcome to Third Grade! I am extremely excited about getting to
know each and every one of you and I am looking forward to a wonderful
year! I would like to take time to share some valuable information with you
that will help put us all on the same page.
This year we will be on a block schedule, meaning all of our subjects and
specials are at the same time each day.
Our schedule will be as follows:
From-To Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday
9:00-9:45 Class Meeting Core Extension Core Extension Core
Extension Binders &
Fun Friday
9:45-10:30 Science Science Science Science Science
10:30-11:15 Specials Specials Specials Specials
Specials
11:15-12:45 Language Arts/Centers Language Arts/Centers Language
Arts/Centers Language Arts/Centers Language Arts/Centers
12:45 - 1:10 Recess/Math Recess/Math Recess/Math Recess/Math
Recess/Math
1:10-1:40 Lunch Lunch Lunch Lunch Lunch
1:45-2:45 Math Math Math Math Math
2:45-3:30 Social Studies Social Studies Social Studies Social
Studies Social Studies
Our specials will rotate on a 7 day cycle:
Day 1: Music
Day 2: Library
Day 3: PE
Day 4: Science Lab
Day 5: Art
Day 6: PE
Day 7: Computer Lab/Math
FIRST DAY FORMS
In the Panther folder your child received at open house or on the first day
of school there is a variety of important information. Please be sure to
return any paperwork that needs to be filled out or signed as soon as
possible. (especially the emergency card!) You may keep the rest of the
information at home.
PANTHER FOLDER
Each student will receive a Panther Folder by the first day of
school. After you have looked over all of the information inside, please
return the Panther Folder with your student. This folder will then become
your student’s Friday Folder and will contain your student’s graded work and
important papers. This folder will come home every Friday and will need
to be returned each Monday. Please remember to look at this folder each
Friday and clean it out before returning it on Monday.
HOMEWORK
This year our class will be using agendas. Each day we will have a
time set aside for copying down the night’s homework and any important
announcements or upcoming tests. It is your child’s responsibility to copy
down the assignments correctly and to make sure that they pick up any
necessary worksheets at the “homework” time of the day. Homework should
include 20 minutes of reading as well as any worksheet/studying assigned
that night. Please return the homework folder and agenda to school
everyday.
MISSING HOMEOWRK
Homework is an important part of your child’s education and therefore there
are consequences for not completing it. Students who miss 7 or more
assignments in a quarter will earn an N for work habits on their report
card.
MONTHLY READING CALENDAR
At the beginning of each month I will send home a monthly reading
calendar. Each student is required to read for 20-30 minutes, 5 nights a
week. Please record your student’s time and your initials each night that
they have read. These calendars will be collected at the end of the month,
and will be part of your child’s reading grade. Calendars that are not
returned are an F in the grade book. This is a school wide policy. If you
misplace your reading calendar you can download a new one from my website.
MAKE-UP WORK
The morning your child returns to school after their absence, they
can pick up a make-up work folder from me. The due date for their work will
be written on their “While You Were Out” sheet and will be based on how long
they were absent. If you know your child will be absent, please let me know
ahead of time so I can prepare the work they will be missing for them.
BEHAVIOR MANAGEMENT SYSTEM
Together as a class we will create our classroom goals for the
year. All students will need to display characteristics of a Quality
Student each day. These characteristics will be determined by the students
themselves. This year Bristow Run will be using a new “color system” that
encourages positive reinforcement and student reflection time. Students who
display Quality Student behavior will earn a “green” for the day on their
Panther Pride Behavior Chart. “Green” behavior will earn the student one
point for the day. Students who go above and beyond throughout the day to
display exceptionally Quality Student behavior will be rewarded with
a “purple” for their chart and 2 points. Students who are unable to stay
on “green” for the day will fill out the reflection part of their chart to
help them think about what they could have done to show better Quality
Student behavior and how they can work towards that behavior for the next
day. Students who go off green will have the chance to earn it back
throughout the day. At the end of each week students who stayed on “green”
or moved to “purple” will participate in our Fun Friday activities and will
have a chance to spend their points at our prize box. Students who had
difficulty staying on “green” for the week will spend this time reflecting
on their behavior and ways to improve for the next week. As a parent it is
your responsibility to sign your child’s Panther Pride Behavior Chart each
night and discuss your child’s choices (both positive and negative) with
them. Please encourage your child to find ways to show characteristics of a
Quality Student each and every day.
GRADING SCALE
Prince William County’s grading scale for grades 3-5 is as follows:
A 93-100
B+ 90-92
B 84-89
C+ 81-83
C 74-80
D+ 71-73
D 65-70
F 64 & below
Students who do not turn their work in will receive a ‘0’.
BIRTHDAY TREATS
Birthdays are always something wonderful to share. We welcome birthday
cupcakes or other treats on your student’s birthday. We will pass the
treats out at lunch. If your child has a summer birthday, I would like to
celebrate on their half birthday so they can celebrate with the whole
class. If it is an issue to bring in a treat, let me know and we will work
something out. Please be advised that there is a student with a peanut
allergy and we will need to refrain from products containing peanuts and
other nuts.
SNACKS
We have lunch at 1:00 this year. Because it is late in the day I
will allow students to bring in a healthy snack to eat during a designated
time.
VOLUNTEERS
Volunteers are always welcome in my classroom and are greatly
appreciated. It is with your help and effort that this year will be a
success for your student. Attached is a volunteer form that you can fill
out and return with your child
DONATIONS
Throughout the year I will be sending out requests for donations for
classroom use. I will be asking for items that relate to a project we are
working on and items for the students to buy with the play money they earn
through our behavior management system. This is not a requirement but it
would be very helpful to the class.
EARLY DISMISSAL
If you need to pick up your child early from school, please remember to stop
in the office first. The secretary will call up to my room to have your
child sent to the office.
WEBSITE/NEWSLETTER
I believe communication is extremely important in order for this
year to be a success. You can find out news for our class on my website.
http://www.teacherweb.com/VA/BristowRunElementary/MrsLudlow
I will be updating the website weekly and will include spelling words and
the homework incase your child misplaces their spelling list or agendas at
anytime throughout the week. I will also be sending home a TEAM Ludlow
newsletter each week with upcoming events, quizzes, and tests.
CONTACT ME
The best way to reach me is by emailing me at school. I check my email
frequently and can respond much faster that way. My e-mail is
ludlowja@pwcs.edu
In addition, the school phone number is 703-753-7741.
We have an exciting year planned and I know it will be a memorable
experience for all. Third grade is quite an adjustment from second, so if
there are any concerns please feel free to contact me. I am always open for
ideas and suggestions for our classroom and especially to further your
student’s success.
Thank you for all of your support,
Mrs. Jennifer Ludlow
