Mrs. Sandford’s Third Grade Class
2020 – 2021 year
Dear Third Grade Families,
My name is Mrs. Ashley Sandford, and I am so excited to be your child’s Third Grade teacher and look forward to working with each of you to create a fabulous 2020-2021 School Year! I am originally from Jacksonville, Florida and attended University of Florida for my undergraduate degree. I then went to law school and practiced family law for three years before realizing working with and teaching children was my true calling. I became certified while I lived in Corpus Christi, Texas at Texas A&M University as an elementary teacher. I previously taught 6th and 7th grade and this is my second year at Blessed Trinity teaching third grade. I cannot wait to begin the school year with this third grade class and dive into a fun and challenging curriculum of learning!
I aim to bring an open mind, a positive attitude, and high expectations to the classroom each day. I also strive to bring consistency, diligence, and warmth to my job in the hope that I can ultimately inspire and encourage present and future leaders.
I know that there may be some apprehension for the coming school year. Please know that Blessed Trinity and I are committed to making the school as safe as possible. With this in mind, please make sure social distancing, hand washing and other sanitary routines are discussed with your student so they are ready for the school year. We will be reinforcing this every day in the classroom as often as possible as well as sanitizing our school environment repeatedly throughout the day. Please also make sure that your student has a clean face mask every day for school. (see school handbook/e-mails for requirements on masks) We have installed individual cup holders to each of our student desks as to avoid having to use a shared water fountain. Please provide your student with a water bottle each day no larger than 2 1/2 inches in diameter for their personal use. We now have a refilling station for these bottles that the students will use when needed. With our combined efforts in educating our students and keeping a clean environment, we believe we will have a safe and successful school year.
Routines
We will spend time the first few weeks organizing materials and establishing classroom routines. One such routine requires the students to write all assignments, tests and project due dates in the Student Planner in an effort to work on our organizational skills and becoming responsible learners. The students have been asked to obtain your signature in the Planner every night. Your time to review and sign the Student Planner is helpful in keeping everyone on track. I check Student Planners each morning for your signature, as well as any notes or comments you may have written. The Student Planner will be placed in the yellow folder every day, along with graded papers and any letters/flyers from our School Office. Please empty these papers out and sign any necessary forms and return those in the blue folder.
Each student will be allowed to utilize an iPad as a learning tool in the classroom throughout the year. Students will be expected to comply with the school wide rules and expectations for technology use.
Homework
Students will have homework Monday through Friday. Your student will bring it home in his or her take home folder. Inside you will find a pocket for papers to be kept at home and a pocket for papers to be brought back to school. Take home folders should be brought back to school daily. Students will be given at least 30 minutes of homework daily. This includes, but is not limited to, math skills practice and studying for their weekly spelling/vocabulary test. In addition, they are also expected to read between 20-30 minutes a night. Homework gives students the opportunity to practice the skills they learned that day while also providing guidance to me on how I may need to modify my instruction for future lessons based on their performance. I appreciate your help in encouraging your students to complete their assignments. Missed assignments due to an absence from class are expected to be made up in accordance with the school handbook.
P.E.
PE will be on Monday afternoon and Tuesday morning. On these days, students will be allowed to wear their P.E. uniforms to school for the entire day. Please remember: NO JEWELRY (except small post-style earrings) on P.E. Days! Lastly, please be sure all of your child’s belongings are clearly labeled!
Opportunity (Help) Sessions for Grade 3 are held on Tuesdays from 2:50-3:30 for students struggling with Math and/or Reading. Please write a note in the Planner if you would like your student to attend. Opportunity Sessions will begin Tuesday, August 25.
I am excited to have your child in class and look forward to working as a team. I value your input and insight as parents and hope you will feel comfortable sharing any questions or concerns you might have throughout the year.
As always, feel free to contact me for any reason, through the Student Planner or e-mail sandford@blessedtrinitycatholicschool.org.
2020-2021.Schedule
2020.2021.WBT.Discipline System
Sincerely,
Ashley Sandford
“I have the strength for everything through him who empowers me.” – Philippians 4:13
News and Notices
Science Test on Energy – 05/06/21
Unit 5, Lesson 1 (Reading/English/Spelling) Test – 05/10/21
Last Day of Help Session – 05/11/21
Unit 4, Lesson 1 Quiz Social Studies – 05/12/21
Chapter 11 Math Quiz – 05/13/21
Heart Challenge Non-Uniform Day – 05/19/21
Spirit Day – 05/20/21 (wear PE uniform)
Class Party – 05/21/21 (need $5 by 05/18/21 if child is having lunch)
3 Accelerated Reader tests (80% or better and on their level) – completed by 05/14/21
Last Day of School – 05/28/21 (half day) (No extended care provided)
Unit.5.Vocab.Spelling.words
The following websites are available for additional practice:
Religion: religion.sadlierconnect.com *click on We Believe Grade 3
Math: www.sadlierconnect.com *scroll to “Student & Family Resources”; *click “Let’s Go!” in the purple box; *click Sadlier Math Grades K-6; *click Sadlier Math Grade 3 (green text)
Vocabulary Workshop: www.sadlierconnect.com **scroll to “Student & Family Resources”; *click “Let’s Go” in the purple box; *click Vocabulary Workshop Grades 1-12; *click Vocabulary Workshop “green”
Everything: www.khanacademy.org
ARBookFind.com
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Updated 05/07/21
UNIT-4.vocab_.spelling.list_ (1)
