Dear Parents and Students,
Welcome back! I hope you had an enjoyable summer. It went by too quickly! My name is Mary Ann Cunningham, and I am your child’s third grade teacher. I’m looking forward to teaching your child and working with you throughout this year to make it a rewarding and exciting one.
Although some of you may be apprehensive about your child starting third grade, I will be working with you to make your child’s year both successful and memorable. My goal is to help each child develop to his or her fullest potential. I hope to build a relationship with each child in an environment that supports his or her learning style. As an elementary school teacher in the Cupertino Union School District for the past 25 years, I have taught grades kindergarten through eighth grade, including three years as an English Language Development teacher. I believe children will rise to the occasion if they are challenged, yet supported in a positive manner.
During the first couple of days of school, our class will be engaged in activities that will allow us to get to know one another better. In addition, we will establish procedures and outline expectations for the school year, including reviewing the school wide program called PBIS and our Panda Promise, Be Safe, Be Respectful, Be Responsible, and Be Kind. Furthermore, I have planned many STEM activities to help the students develop a “growth mindset.” Also, I’ll start to get an idea of each child’s likes, dislikes, strengths, and weaknesses, or areas on which to focus. My goal is to help each child feel valued and successful at their level of learning and emotional development.
Below is some information to help you become acquainted with a few general procedures of the class, as well as a list of suggested materials. Also, you can find out more about our class and school at our class website: https://sites.google.com/site/mscunninghamspandas/
Classroom Norms: We will set our classroom norms or rules of conduct together. But truly, the way we act comes down to one word, respect. Students will be expected to treat each other with respect, our classroom with respect, our school with respect, our community with respect, and our world with respect. We will focus on taking personal responsibility and on celebrating each other’s strengths, while helping each other improve our weaknesses. To meet that end, students will be encouraged to develop norms that will make our class a safe, caring, and productive place for everyone.
Suggested Materials: Stocklmeir will provide all necessary supplies for the classroom including pencils, crayons, erasers, glue sticks, paper, notebooks, folders, 1” white binders, 3” white binders, pencil cases, and other items required for learning.
Students may choose to bring their own materials from the above list if they have a preference for a specific item. However, students are limited to soft pencil cases or pouches since the boxes will not fit in their cubbies. They may have one pouch for art materials and one for work materials.
Students are encouraged to leave at home those items, especially the latest gimmicky fidget toys, erasers, pens, pencils, or spinners that may distract them from their work or clutter their cubbies. Leave toys at home. Third grade students are working on organization. The less they have, the easier it is to be organized. Think need, versus want.
Voluntary contributions and donations of the following items are accepted, but not expected:
Kleenex
Disinfecting Wipes (Green Works)
Gallon Ziploc Bags
Quart Ziploc Bags
4 Square Ball (class)
Assorted Colors Fine Tip Sharpie Markers (not black)
Headphones in a labeled Ziploc.
No rulers! Students will be supplied with rulers when needed.
Additionally, if you would like to contribute to grade level funds for supplemental learning experiences, enrichment activities, and art projects, voluntary monetary donations will be accepted, but not expected. A suggested amount per child is $30, although any amount is okay. Please write a check made payable to Stocklmeir Elementary School with ‘3rd grade donations’ written in the memo line. Cash and gift cards are also accepted. : )
“While state law does not allow school districts to charge fees to students for educational materials/activities, our program relies on financial contributions from participating families. Please know that a donation is not required to participate, but families that choose to contribute may do so at any amount. However, the suggested donation of the school supplies will help sustain our program at its current level.”
Weekly Folder: The Panda Folder will go home every Thursday. The purpose of the folder is to keep you informed of your child’s progress on a regular basis. Please remove everything from the folder and be sure to take a few minutes to examine your child’s work with him or her. Remember to sign the sheet on the inside of the folder. If you need to write a personal comment, please have your child hand me your note, or better yet, email me. Please return the Panda Folder on Fridays.
Your support is greatly appreciated. I’m looking forward to meeting you at Back to School Night, on Wednesday, August 27th, from 5:40-6:10 P.M., in Room 46. At Back to School Night, I will share more detailed information regarding classroom procedures and curriculum. If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact me at school at any time. You may send a note through Parent Square, leave a message at (408) 263-3363, ext. 81246, or email me at cunningham_maryann@cusdk8.org.
Sincerely,
Ms. Cunningham