St. Mary's Catholic School - Third Grade

WELCOME TO THIRD GRADE!

My name is Kathy Murray, and I’ve been teaching 3^rd grade at St. Mary’s School since 1989. I feel very blessed to be teaching at a school that feels like a really big family to me, with Jesus as the head of our school family.

I am very dedicated to caring for your children spiritually, emotionally, and academically. I’d like to share my philosophy of teaching children with you.

Ø I believe that every child is a special gift from God. I pray each day for His strength, patience, guidance, and wisdom in teaching your children.

Ø I believe a child’s self-esteem should be nurtured tenderly.

Ø I believe children deserve respect.

Ø I believe children should not be humiliated, hurt, or embarrassed.

Ø I believe it’s important to listen to the ideas of my students. They can be great teachers!

Ø I believe if you are treated as a smart individual, you will believe it.

Ø I believe mistakes are something we learn from.

Ø I believe that learning should be fun!

Ø I believe that modeling is a very powerful way to affect a child’s learning. Both teachers and parents should model their love of learning.

I’m thrilled to be teaching such a wonderful group of students this year! I thank you for the opportunity to spend each day with them. I welcome any questions, comments, or concerns you might have. You can contact me in the following ways:

Send a note with your child or write in their assignment notebook which I check first thing in the morning.
Call the school at 663-2804 and leave a message.
E-mail me at kmurray@stmarysgreensburg.com.

I will get back with you at my earliest convenience. Thank you for visiting my webpage!

God Bless!
Kathy Murray

I feel that homework is an important part of your child’s education. It increases retention of what is being taught in class and helps to develop responsibility! Third grade students should have 20-30 minutes of homework each evening. The following is a typical week for us:

Monday- spelling workbook page, study spelling and vocabulary words, math timed test

Thursday- study for spelling and vocabulary tests on Friday, math timed test

In addition to this, your child will also need to study for chapter tests from time to time. They will usually be given 3-4 days notice so they can begin to study.

Homework assignments will not be given on weekends unless it is a long term assignment, or a student needs to finish an assignment that should have been completed during that week. Please help your child develop responsibility by stressing the importance of completing homework on time. If your child does not turn in their homework, you will receive a note informing you of this. Please sign the note and send it back to school the following day.

Students are expected to have their homework completed each day. Making students responsible for this work done outside of class can be quite a job sometimes! Please check your child’s notebook daily in order to help them with this task. For the first several weeks of school I will initial the date box to show they have the assignments written down correctly. I ask that a parent initial the same box to show they have completed their homework. Students can use the check-off boxes as they complete each assignment.

Your child will bring home their graded papers and newsletters on Fridays. Please look over the papers with your child, make any corrections if noted, sign the parent form, and return to school each Monday morning. When these papers come home, let your child know that you’re proud of his/her efforts and accomplishments! When the going gets tough, offer encouragement. This will give your child the confidence needed to persevere.

The third and fourth graders will have their prayer services on Tuesdays this year. If your child has a reading or a part to practice it will come home on Monday night. By the time they get to third grade they need less practice time. We do go over the parts a couple of times in class on Monday and again on Tuesday before the prayer service. I’ve attached a copy of our schedule so you will know which weeks my class will plan them. It’s also located on the menu each week. Please come and join us whenever you can!

A menu should come home with your oldest child every Friday. If you find that this is not the case, please let me know so I can correct that right away. I find it to be a wonderful way to keep important dates and reminders handy!

1^st Offense The teacher will give the student “the eye” or a verbal warning. They may say the student’s name or move closer to the student.

2^nd Offense Loss of green card on the honor chart. The student and teacher will set a time to meet.

3^rd Offense Loss of yellow card on the honor chart. Student will choose a consequence from the classroom consequence card to complete.

4^th Offense   Loss of red card on the honor chart. Student will fill out a
                    responsibility form with the teacher and a parent signature will be
                      required.

6^th Offense The student will complete a Discipline Referral form and meet with
the principal.

** If a student repeatedly chooses not to follow the rules day after day, step in the cycle may be skipped.