Dear Parents and Students,

  Hello and welcome!  I’m looking forward to a great year with your child in third grade.

  Since I’ll be working with your child five days a week, I would like to tell you a little about myself.  I am entering my ninth year of teaching at Gossler Park School.  This will be my eighth year in third grade.  I enjoy my time in the classroom as well as coaching the Gossler Park Pep Squad and working on the school’s website.  In my spare time I enjoy spending time with my family, reading, scrapbooking and going for walks.

  Every Wednesday your child will bring home an envelope with completed work from the week and any notices.  Please review these papers with your child, sign the envelope and return it to school on Thursday. This is a great chance to see your child’s accomplishments and any school activities.

  Homework will be given Monday through Thursday.  Any unfinished classwork also becomes homework.  Every child will be given one agenda and is expected to write their homework assignments in it everyday.  PLEASE check with your child on a daily basis about their homework and sign the agenda every night when the work is completed.  I will also use the agenda as a form of communication between home and school.  Thank you in advance for your cooperation. 

  In addition to homework, I will also assign book reports every month.  Directions and due dates will be sent home on a monthly basis in the Wednesday envelope. These projects are a great opportunity for families to work together.  Students are able to borrow library books to use for their book reports.  The librarians are happy to help your child select an appropriate book. If you plan on helping your child choose a book, use the five finger rule to see if it is appropriate for your child’s reading level.  Open the book to a full page in the middle of the book.  Your child begins reading.  If he/she doesn’t know a word, put one finger up and continue reading in the same manner.  If all five fingers are up, the book is too hard for now.   Encourage your child to try the book again later in the year.

  Please make sure your child has a backpack or bag to bring to and from school everyday.  This will help get things back and forth safely. Also, please continue to send in Box Tops For Education which can be found on General Mill products.  These items help us earn money for our school. In addition, please send in a box of tissues and/or Clorox wipes. These will help us get through the cold and sniffles season. Thank you.

  Every week, the students have specials.  On Mondays we have gym with Mr. Kenney (please wear sneakers), Tuesdays, Music with Dr. Albertson, Wednesdays, Art with Mr. Burgess, Thursdays, Health with Mrs. Swisher and Fridays, Library with Ms. Moreau and Mrs. Bezanson (please remember your library book).

  The students and I developed our classroom rules together.  We have discussed appropriate behavior and ways they can receive attention, recognition and rewards for following directions and behaving appropriately.  The students work together to earn marbles for the class.  When a predetermined amount is reached, the class earns a prize.  Children also have the opportunity to earn positive notes home, Gator coupons and other incentives.  However, when a child disrupts others from learning in the classroom or makes unsafe decisions, a consequence is given.

First Consequence:  Warning (Initials on the board)

Second Consequence:  5 minutes away from recess (check next to name)

Third Consequence:  10 minutes away from recess (two checks)

Fourth Consequence:  Lose whole recess and call parents (three checks)

Fifth Consequence:    Lose recess, send to principal and call parents

Severe Consequence: Send to principal for extreme behavior, such as physically fighting.

Last of all and most importantly, please feel free to call before or after school at 624-6327 or write me a note if you have any questions or concerns.   Thank you in advance for your support and I’m looking forward to a great year!

Sincerely,

Mrs. Melissa Sutherland