1. WELCOME 3rd Grade PARENTS !
Mrs. Norris’ Class

2. ALL ABOUT ME! My name is Colleen Norris.
I graduated from James Madison University with a Master of Arts in Teaching degree.
I taught third grade for the past four years in Prince William County.
I grew up in Sterling and attended Potowmack as a student.

3. MY GOALS FOR THIS YEAR
To provide a learning environment that values, challenges, and prepares students.
To help students make new friends, discover new interests, and have fun.
To involve students in instruction that will help them gain academic and social skills they need to progress to fourth grade and in life.
To create a love for learning in all students in order to foster life long learning habits.

4. CLASSROOM EXPECTATIONS & INCENTIVES
We are a PBIS school, which means our children are learning to SOAR throughout the school with respect, responsibility, and effort.
During the first week of school, the students and I will work together to review rules and incentives for the class.
Our class will use the following incentives:
Whole Class: “Marble” Jar
Individual: Class Dojo and Eagle Tickets
Students can “cash in” their Dojo points at the end of every month
Students can earn Eagle Tickets throughout the school

5. HOMEWORK Homework will be assigned daily.
Please refer to the planner for daily assignments and initial nightly after your child has completed homework assignment.
Students will have the opportunity to earn a “homework pass” to be used when he/she chooses (with my approval).
Homework will focus on reading, math, and word study. Reading logs will not be used. Reading activities will be used in class that reinforce reading at home and check on completion of their reading. Please make sure they are reading nightly. Please see Reading Specialists’ webpage for great information.

6. COMMUNICATION Website Class Dojo
Weekly Newsletter (sent home in communication folder on Friday and posted on website)
Phoenix Gradebook System: Grades updated every 10 days
Assessments/classwork/school information sent home in communication folder
(link on website)
LCPS App-Download from App Store-School and County Information

7. 3RD GRADE CURRICULUM
Objectives/Standards posted on the website (3rd grade page)
Large focus on Language Arts/Reading and Math, as well as Science and Social Studies.
Literacy framework for 3rd Grade: Pathways to Reading and Writing: Building a Reading Life
Project Based Learning – Resolving real-world challenges through exploration using student choice and voice.

8. THE LEADER IN ME
Potowmack is implementing The Leader in Me process school-wide this year.
The focus is on teaching the 7 habits of happy kids.
Students will be learning about the habits and applying them in their daily lives.

9. SCHEDULE
Lunch: 12:30pm The students may bring a small, healthy snack and a water bottle for class each day. Please refrain from sending anything with nuts.

10. IMPORTANT REMINDERS
The school day is 7:50am - 2:35pm. Students may arrive in the classroom at 7:30am.
SOL testing in May- Please make every effort to ensure your child is in school during this time. Dates will be announced later in the year.
Birthday: No food/treats-Loudoun County Policy
NO NUTS! Our classroom is an allergy aware zone.
Absences/Tardies: Do not forget call in or send notes, s, etc. If tardy, students must check in at office prior to coming to class.
Dismissal changes will not be accepted after 2:00 pm.

11. THANK YOU FOR COMING TONIGHT! IT WAS A PLEASURE MEETING YOU!
Don’t forget to:
Sign up for a conference
Fill out and sign forms (by Monday)
Student Handbook- LCPS website (Rights & Responsibilities)