First of all, you may have noticed the beautifully painted Character Tree in our front hallway next to the gym.  A special thanks goes out to our very own Art teacher, Mrs. Brown for sprucing up our hallway.  The tree will showcase the names of students in the building who are showing the characteristics of our word of the month.  Our word this month just happens to be RESPECT.  Our grade level has been designated the “yellow” grade so you will see leaves in that color if a third grader is featured.  I am proud to say James Rios was the first to add a leaf from our class.  Way to go James! The kids are so motivated to show the character word for the month just to see their name on that tree!  I have many others who will be adding their name to our tree very soon! 

Next, I wanted to let you know about our Tiger Pride Assemblies and the changes they will undergo this year.  All Tiger Pride Assemblies will be held on the final Tuesday of the month from 2:30-3:15 instead at the end of each quarter.  (Please remind your students to wear their tiger t-shirts on TUESDAYS this year.)  By going to monthly assemblies, this will allow even more opportunities for students to be recognized for their efforts.  Each teacher will give out awards in the following categories:  Most Improved, Teamwork, Character, Academic, and of course Most Valuable Tiger.   Because of the added assemblies, the number of awards given out each year will more than double allowing for even more positive reinforcement for our students!  Our special class teachers have added traveling trophies for the grade level that earned the most points for that month.  This means we are working as a grade level team to make positive decisions.  I know all the kids would love to see those teeny, tiny, golden trophies proudly displayed outside of our room.   There’s even a teeny, tiny tye-dye t-shirt that will hang outside of the grade level that remembers to wear their t-shirts every Tuesday.  They are absolutely adorable!

Another way we can encourage good character and behavior is through our Lunch Bunch program.  A special shout out goes to our first two Lunch Bunch winners, Jeffrey and Tahj.  These students were selected in a random drawing of students that received a tiger token at some point during the week.  Every time a student receives an individual tiger token they are allowed to put their name into the Lunch Bunch drawing.  Jeffrey and Tahj were able to choose  a friend to sit with at a luxurious table at the front of our cafeteria.  Woo Hoo!  This opportunity is offered every Friday to one lucky winner.  I wonder who will our next winner be?

Yet another way students can be recognized this year is through our morning announcements.  Each morning a different student in the building will be featured for demonstrating our word of the month.  A tale of respect was told this week and our class was the subject!  It was shared on the announcements that my class did an especially fantastic job of keeping our reading area tidy and clean,thus showing respect.  Each day my kiddos go to work putting everything back as they found it.  They were so excited and surprised to hear their names on the announcements. 

As you can see, this year offers so much in the way of positive reinforcement for our kids.  As a school we are working very hard to make sure our kids know the importance of building good character. 

Keep up the great work class!

I also want to thank you for helping your child with their daily responsibility of getting their journal signed each night.   Although it isn’t necessary, feel free to leave a comment for your child or I.  Each morning I will be checking journals and it is a great way to keep communication lines open.  From time to time I will give the kids a “day off” from their daily journal.  If your child tells you this story it is most likely true.  We either lose track of time, or the day went so well I allow them time off from this activity.   Journaling has many beneficial facets.  It gives each child a chance to reflect on their daily behavior whether they made good or bad choices.  It can serve as a way of documenting behaviors should the need arise to discuss them.  Journaling will also help students gain confidence in the structure of letter writing, including the date, greeting, body, closing, signature, spacing, conventions, and purpose for writing.   Each week I have added a new component to the journal entry which is why it is growing little by little.  By second quarter I will require each entry to have all parts including a parent signature in order to get their responsibility sticker for the day.  (AND….it must be done NEATLY!)  At the end of each quarter they can turn their stickers in for rewards such as eating in the room, soda, pizza, snacks, and small prizes.

I will try to do a better job of updating my blog, so please stay tuned for future announcements, class activities, and student celebrations!  There are sure to be many!

Just a few reminders about some upcoming events….

Tuesday, 9/20 @3:00 – Annual Pinwheels for Peace Ceremony and Kick Off Assembly (students will receive their Tiger Pride shirts on this day!)

Friday, 9/23 – NO SCHOOL for students

Saturday, 9/24 @ 9:00 – White Tiger Market Place

Tuesday, 9/26 @ 2:30 – September Tiger Pride Assembly

Wednesday, 9/28 – Picture Day

Saturday, 10/1 @ 6:00- PTO Movie Night

Meet the Teacher Night (August 16th from 6:00-7:00)

1st day of school (August 18th)

Parent Information Night (TBA)

Labor Day-NO SCHOOL (September 5th)

I hope to see you at Meet the Teacher Night.  Enjoy what is left of your Summer!