8/24-8/28 Third Grade Highlights

Hello Third Grade Families, 

I hope this message finds you well! The first week of school flew by, and our students learned so much about our classroom routines and expectations. Here’s a look at what’s coming up for the week of August 24–28. Please make sure to read all the important information below to avoid any questions that may already be addressed. If you missed last week’s email, you can find updates on my school blog: /tnhird-grade 

Weekly Newsletter

A quick reminder about the importance of reading our weekly newsletter each Friday.

This week, I received several emails asking questions about information that was already clearly stated in last Friday’s newsletter. I truly try my best to make the newsletters as detailed and helpful as possible, including important dates, reminders, links, explanations, and step-by-step information whenever needed.

I understand that our school year is busy and that it can be easy to overlook an email, but I strongly encourage everyone to take a few minutes each Friday to read the entire weekly newsletter before reaching out with questions. Before sending me an email with a question, please refer to the weekly newsletter first to see if the information you are looking for has already been provided. This will help ensure that everyone has the same information and will also help reduce unnecessary back-and-forth emails.

I also encourage you to use the Band app as an additional resource. Sometimes, other parents may have the same question, and someone in the parent community may be able to help answer it. It can be a helpful place to communicate, share reminders, and support one another.

Of course, if you have a question that is not addressed in the newsletter or Band app, please feel free to reach out. I am always happy to clarify when needed.

Missing Materials

Below is a list of missing supplies for some students. Please send the missing items with your child by Monday, August 24th. Missing supplies will greatly affect our classroom routine if they are not brought in on time.

Please check the list carefully based on your child’s classroom number and make sure your child has the correct notebook and materials.

Please check the list below:

Thank you for taking the time to double-check your child’s supplies and making sure everything is ready by Monday, August 24th. This will help us keep our classroom routine running smoothly.

Completed Forms
 To all students who turned in their completed forms last Friday, I will give out their free dress pass by Tuesday. If you haven’t, kindly submit them on Monday. 

Third Grade Angels book

Please have your child bring their Third Grade Angels book to school next week. We will be using the book in class for our upcoming lessons and activities. Please make sure your child brings their book with them so they are ready to participate.

All About Me Kite project – due on 8/21/26

Today, I sent out the template for our first project, which is due on Monday, August 31^st. 

Medications & Medication Form

If your child needs to have medication administered during the school day, please make sure the required paperwork and medication are brought to the school office on Monday, August 24^th.

Medication Requirements

If your child needs to have an inhaler, EpiPen, insulin, or any other medication available at school, the following must be on file in the school office:

For your child’s safety, medications are not allowed in backpacks, lunch bags, or lockers. All medications must be kept in the school office.

Parents, please also review with your child how and when their medication should be used, so they understand their medication routine.

Reading Assessments (Mon-Fri)

I will be conducting a few reading assessments, OR (Onward Readers) on Monday through Friday this week. It includes Oral Reading Fluency, Vocabulary, Comprehension and Spelling this whole week. These assessments will help determine each child's current reading level and guide my instruction moving forward. 

To help your child do their best, please ensure they come to school well-rested, having had a good night’s sleep and a nutritious breakfast. 

1st Trimester Mass Reflection

I will distribute the Mass reflection folder on Friday, Aug 28^th. Students are required to complete 5 SUNDAY Mass reflections for the 1st trimester with parental guidance. This activity encourages students to attend Mass and engage with the Word of God. The 1st trimester Mass reflection is due on October 26th. 

Non-Catholic students are still required to complete their Gospel Reflection. Students may use the usccb website to complete their reflection. https://bible.usccb.org/ You may also access link through your child’s Google Classroom- Quick Links

Regular Schedule

This week, we will begin our full-day schedule. If we have any short days (noon dismissal) this will be announced in the weekly emails. 

Uniform, Hair, and Nails

Starting this week, students must wear their complete school uniforms. Please refer to the school handbook for detailed guidelines on uniforms, hair, socks, shoes, jackets, and accessories. http://handbook.la-archdiocese.org/schools/08820/chapter-2/section-2-14 

What to Bring to School Every Day

Homework Folder & Planner

Each day, your child will bring home their green homework folder and planner. Please check these daily for important information, forms, study guides, and other documents. Their planner will include daily homework assignments and a behavior chart. Kindly ensure you sign the planner & behavior sheet every day.

Homework

Homework assignments will begin this week! However, since we will be doing STAR testing and Reading assessments, we will only have time for Math homework

Starting next week your child’s homework will include:

*Subject to change* Please always refer to your child’s planner. 
 
 Please follow the schedule provided in the planner and on Google Classroom. I recommend adhering to the daily homework schedule to help your child manage their time effectively.

Multiplication Club: Facts of 1 (Practice at home)
*Math Ninja challenge every Friday. This week focus is Factors of 1 (Students will be given 1 minute to answer all 25 problems)

Tests

We will start our weekly tests after Labor Day weekend. But for your information Thursday and Friday are our assessment days. 

Thursday (Multiple choice tests)

Friday

Behavior Chart *Included in our 3^rd grade syllabus

This year, instead of using a traditional classroom behavior clip chart, students will receive a Weekly Behavior Rubric at the beginning of each week.

The purpose of this rubric is to provide students and families with clear, consistent, and specific feedback about daily classroom expectations while encouraging self-reflection, responsibility, and open communication between home and school.

Each day, students will be evaluated using Yes or No for the following behavior expectations:

Each "Yes" is worth 1 point, for a maximum of 7 points per day. At the end of each week, I will total the points earned. Students can earn up to 35 points during a five-day school week (or 28 points during a four-day week). This weekly total will be used to monitor each student's overall behavior while recognizing consistent positive choices.

At the end of each school day, I will complete the rubric based on the student's behavior and work habits. Parents are asked to review, sign, and return the rubric each day with their child’s planner. There is also a space for daily comments from both school and home if additional communication is needed.

If a student consistently struggles to meet classroom expectations or demonstrates behaviors that significantly disrupt learning or compromise safety, additional interventions may be implemented. These may include teacher-student conferences, parent communication, behavior reflection forms, conduct or effort slips, or administrative involvement when appropriate.

Choice Lunch starts 8/24, (Monday)
Hot lunch service begins on Monday, 8/24/26. Please make sure to place your orders online in advance!

Glass Containers

Please avoid packing your child’s snacks and lunch in glass containers. We have had some incidents with dropped containers causing serious accidents.

Lunch

Please inform your child daily if they are getting choice lunch or if lunch will be dropped off for them. No sodas are allowed with dropped-off lunches.

Drinks

Please avoid sending soda, sugary drinks, Starbucks, and boba to school. We encourage students to make healthy choices.

How You Can Help Our Class

Any contribution, big or small, is greatly appreciated and goes directly toward supporting our students and classroom.
 

Upcoming Events

You can find the school calendar here. https://stanthonygardena.org/school-calendar 

 If you have any questions or concerns, please don't hesitate to reach out. I will do my best to respond as quickly as possible.
 
 Thank you, and God bless!
 
 Warmly,

Mrs. Nicole Martinez-Do, M.Ed. in Urban Education

Third Grade Homeroom Teacher