Hello 3rd Grade Families,
I'm so excited to welcome you and your child to the 3rd grade! This is a year of wonderful growth, new friendships, and exciting challenges. By working together, we can make it a happy and rewarding experience for your child.
I hope this newsletter answers a few of your initial questions and helps you prepare for the year ahead.
A Little About Me
My name is Jen Ramras, and I've been a teacher for over 30 years, having taught in both Needham and the Washington D.C. Public Schools. I am absolutely thrilled to be teaching 8 and 9-year-olds; the tremendous growth they experience academically and emotionally at this age is a joy to watch. We will have a lot of fun this year—learning happens best with plenty of laughter and play!
On a personal note, I'm also a mom of three grown children (ages 25, 24 and 22). My husband and I live right here in Needham, so you'll likely see me around town!
How to Reach Me
Email: Jennifer_Ramras@needham.k12.ma.us
Class Website: www.mrsramras.com
Email is the best way to reach me with any questions or concerns. I check it before and after school and will always get back to you promptly.
Staying Connected
Strong communication between home and school is key to your child's success. Here are the two main ways we'll stay in touch:
Class Website: This is your go-to source for information! I update it every week with our academic schedule, important dates, and classroom news. I will email you a direct link to the site every Sunday.
Daily Communication Folder: Your child will receive a folder on the first day of school. This folder will travel between home and school each day and will contain important papers. Please help your 3rd grader get into the habit of checking it daily, removing corrected work, and putting any "return-to-school" papers back inside. A little reminder to pack it in their backpack each morning is a great help!
Your Back-to-School Checklist
Please complete these forms before the first day of school. They help me get to know your child and ensure a smooth and safe start to the year.
Dismissal Plan Form: Please fill this out so I know how your child will be getting home.
Parent Survey: This helps me learn more about your family and your 3rd grader.
Student Survey: Please help your child fill this out so I can learn about their interests and strengths directly from them!
Upcoming Events
Meet & Greet + Supply Drop-Off - Tuesday, September 1st from 2:30 to 3:00 PM
You are invited to visit our classroom (Room 11), say hello, and drop off school supplies. It’s a great way for your child to feel comfortable before the first day. You can find the Link to School Supplies here. If you can't make it, please don't worry! I'll be happy to help your child unpack and get settled on the first morning of school.
First Day of School - Wednesday, September 2nd
On the first day of school students will gather in the playground to meet their teachers. I will be holding a sign so your child can easily spot me. Soon after the bell rings at 8:20AM, families will say goodbye and students will proceed into the building. If your child arrives by the bus or driveline, staff members will assist them in locating our class.
Third Graders are dismissed at 2:45. If your child is a "walker," a great meeting spot is a specific state on the USA map on the blacktop. We'll be in California on Wednesday! If you child attends NEDP or takes a bus, extra Mitchell staff members will help students with the end of day transition to ensure everyone has a safe and stress-free dismissal.
Daily Routines
Arrival: School starts at 8:20 AM. Students may enter the building beginning at 8:05 AM. The kitchen is open for breakfast from 8:05 AM to 8:15 AM.
Dismissal: Dismissal is at 2:45 PM. If you are picking your child up, I will dismiss them from the red door near the Kindergarten classrooms on the playground.
Snack Time: We will have a 10-minute snack and "brain break" around 10:00 AM each day. Please send your child with a simple, healthy snack and a water bottle.
Our Goals for the First Week
From the moment your child walks through our door, my goal is to give them instant ownership of their classroom. The first week is all about creating a warm, safe, and happy environment where every child feels known, liked, and important. We will focus on getting to know our classmates, learning our daily routines, and exploring the classroom together. We'll set our expectations for how we will learn and grow as a community this year, ensuring everyone feels comfortable and ready for a fantastic year of learning!
I am looking forward to partnering with you this year.
Warmly,
Jen Ramras