September Newsletter

Grade 3C
Welcome to Grade 3! My name is Miss Hailie Carnegie. I am very
excited to be back in Westlock to start my second year as a teacher at
Westlock Elementary! I am looking forward to working with your child
and helping him / her to achieve their best this year!

Important Dates

September 7 No School
September 10 Picture Day
September 18 Scholastic September Book Orders Due
September 23 Early Dismissal
September 30 Picture Retake Day

School Agendas

Communication (via school agendas) between home and school is

important for students, parents and teachers.
All students are
provided with a school agenda. I ask that parents initial the agendas
on a daily basis. I will do the same. If you have any communication
that you need me to be aware of, please write it in the agenda. This
includes changes to your childs afterschool routine. Also, please feel
free to email me at hailie.carnegie@phrd.ab.ca, or call me at the
school 780-349-3385.

Absences

Please phone the Office first thing in the morning if you know your
child will be away that day, or write a note in your childs agenda in
advance for absences you know will be occurring.

Microwaves / Lunches

Students have access to our classroom microwave to heat up warm

lunches on a daily basis. Students have 20 minutes to heat up their
lunches AND eat before classes begin. Each student is responsible to
bring their own forks or spoons to eat their lunches with, as I do not
provide them for students.

The Den
The Den will be open Tuesdays through Friday (closed Mondays).
The Den will be open and operating as of September 1st. Den passes
can be purchased for $20. Grade 3 students are responsible for the
safe keeping of their own Den passes. Milk can also be purchased
directly from the Den.

Home Reading Program

Students will be asked to read 10-15 minutes on a daily basis. After
reading, students will be right read in their agenda on the
appropriate day. Students will be receiving class incentives for doing
their home reading (see below).

Classroom Incentive Program

Students will be given a punch card on the first day of each month.
Students who do their reading homework (10-15 minutes daily) and
bring their day planners to school signed by their parents, receive a
punch on their card for each of these required tasks. Each card holds
14 punches. When their first card is full, I hand out a second card.
Additional punches are earned for being on time to class, working
quietly and productively, showing respect and handing work in on time.
If a student has 28 punches (2 full punch cards) on the last day of the
month, they earn Preferred Activity Time (PAT time).
Preferred
Activity time may include activities such as additional free computer
time, board games, outside free play, movies, etc. Those students that
do not successfully fill their cards by the end of the month will work on
unfinished work during these activities. It is very easy to earn
preferred activity time (PAT) so long as students do their homework,
get day planners signed and take responsibility for their learning. In
turn, they are rewarded! I look forward to seeing each and every
student succeed!

School Supplies
WES charges $35 per student to go towards school supplies that are
provided by the school. All supply fees need to be paid in full ASAP. If
you need assistance in this area, please call the school office and we
will be glad to make a payment plan that is suitable for everyone.

Scholastic Book Orders

Scholastic Book Orders will go home on a monthly basis. Ordering is
optional. September book orders are due on or before September
18th. No late orders will be accepted. Please have your child turn in
their money directly to myself.

Library

Grade 3C has regularly scheduled library block on Friday. During this

time students are allowed to checkout two books from the library. It is
their responsibility to take care of these books and ensure that they
are returned on time (by the next library block).

Water Bottles
Water bottles are welcome in grade 3C, as long as they do not become
a toy and / or distraction. Students drinking water during class need to
be responsible to use the washrooms during the regularly scheduled
breaks. Water bottles will be removed from the student if they become
a distraction to their learning or to the learning of those around them.

Spelling Tests
We will have weekly spelling tests starting Friday, September 11 th.
Students will copy spelling words into their school planners on Monday
morning. We will do a few activities at school throughout the week to
prepare for the spelling tests. It is important to practice the words at
home too. I will also be challenging the students with words linked to
their learning in math, language arts, science and social studies. After
each spelling test, we will add the words to our classroom word wall.
Spelling tests will always be on the last day of the week. Your childs
spelling mark will be written in their day planners once they have been
marked. If your child has missed school and did not get the spelling
words copied down, you can find them on my teacher page under
Spelling Words.

Curriculum Updates
Math
We will be beginning the year by exploring patterns using pictures, as
well as numbers.
Language Arts
We will be beginning the year by doing some reading and writing
instruction so that I can get a better understanding of where each
individual student is at. I will be testing each student individually to
identify their current reading levels so that small group instruction can
be determined appropriately.
Social Studies
The focus of the grade 3 curriculum is to investigate life in four diverse
communities around the world. We will start the unit off by learning
basic mapping skills as well as develop an understanding of quality of
life.
Science

We will be beginning our studies by exploring and learning about Rocks

and Minerals.
Music
Grade 3 is taught Music by Mr. Fraser.
I look forward to working with your child this year! If you have any
questions or need further clarification on anything, please do not
hesitate to contact me.
Sincerely,
Miss. Carnegie