Looking ahead to the week of November 4

Mr. Von Plinsky, a war veteran, visited our class last week to talk about the importance of Veterans Day.  He also answered many questions about the time he served in the military.  Students will use the experience to inspire them to write letters to veterans, which will be handed out at our military breakfast on November 11.

Hello, families!  I hope you all enjoyed your weekend and stayed bundled up with a good book.  Be sure to set your clocks back by one hour this upcoming weekend...  Daylight Saving Time ends!

Picture Day is here!  Students will have their pictures taken Wednesday, October 30.  If you would like to purchase photos, please fill out and return the picture packet, which went home in last week's communication folder.

This week's communication folders:  

• Report cards will be issued this Thursday!  Please take a moment to review your child's report card with him/her.  Now is a good time to reflect on this nine weeks and set goals for the next quarter.  You will also find a self-reflection in your child's report card cover.  Please sign and return only the report card cover.  You may keep the contents of the report card cover.  
• You will also find a brochure for our next "Being HERE Experience!"  Diamond Del will be visiting BRES in two weeks.  You will need to sign and return this brochure.  It gives your child permission to partake in this activity.  If your child would like to bring money to purchase items you see in the brochure, please wait until November 15 (when Diamond Del is here)!

Thursday, October 31 is a half-day.  Students will be dismissed at 11:30.  Lunch will be served.  Please make sure your child wear tennis shoes this day, as they will be attending PE for SAIL.  Also, if your child's transportation changes, please send a note to school, so I may inform the office.

Looking ahead:  Students will test on unit four then will begin studying multiplication factors in math (covering lessons 5-1 through 5-2).  Please continue to encourage your child to practice his/her facts every day!  As historians, students will begin learning about specific explorers and the effects exploration had on Native American nations in South Carolina.  In reading, students will continue studying main idea and enjoy a Common Core research lesson with Ms. Sease in the Media Center.  As writers, they will finish drafting and editing their veterans' letters.

Special thanks to Mrs. Donaldson and Mr. Matt for chaperoning our Lexington County Museum "Being There Experience" last Friday!  Be sure to check out some great snapshots of our trip below!

A note from the Health Advisory Committee:  With Halloween fast approaching, we wanted to take this opportunity to review our policies and procedures regarding this day.  We will not be celebrating this holiday in school; this includes any "party" type of celebrations, costume attire, or treat bags.  Classroom snack choices, for those teachers who generally allow them during the day, will continue to follow our healthy snack guidelines which are found in your child's agenda book and on our website. Teachers are asked to ensure adherence to these guidelines during the day. We appreciate your understanding, acceptance and support of these policies.

Celebrating our Veterans:  Third grade will be celebrating veterans during the month of November, in honor of Veterans Day.  We have chosen to adopt one of our very own Bookman parents, Mr. Kevin Dollar, who is currently overseas serving in Jordan. Mr. Dollar is the father of Alexa Dollar in third grade. We would like to shower Mr. Dollar with items to remind him of "home" in South Carolina while he is away from family and friends. We are asking that students send in non-perishable items such as Gatorade, candy, cookies, etc. Our first care package will be mailed on November 15. Please send your items to your child's teacher by November 14.  We will send other care packages throughout the year. We hope you will help us send "home" to Mr. Dollar!

***We have yet to receive any donations from our class for our third grade veteran, whom we are sponsoring.  If you are able to do so, please send in any items you may have at home!  Thank you for your participation!

Thank you again for all of your support and enthusiasm!  It means the world to me!  Have a great week!

Enjoy some snapshots of our Lexington County Museum "Being There Experience!"  The Museum is open to the public for free on December 8, 2:00 - 5:00, for its annual Open House!  It sounds like it will be a good time and great learning experience for the children!