Hi all,

I’ll be posting some optional home lessons. The lessons will be a mix of K-6 so look for the topic and grade for the right fit for your kiddos! If you have any questions, comment or email. I’m here to help!!!

Wow, I can hardly believe next week is our final week of the year! The end of the year is always emotional as I say goodbye to my kiddos but this year is particularly hard! I have absolutely LOVED teaching your children! They’re a very special bunch of kids… and you are a GREAT group of families! I’m sad to say farewell to Sunrise, a place that has been my second home for 10 years, but excited to help build a new school. McGarvey and Sunrise will partner for several events…  so I hope to see you all around the community! Thanks for sharing your kids with me… it’s an honor to be a small part of their journey!

Monday, June 19^th is our final character awards assembly at 9:10. We will celebrate our Students of Character who are being recognized as Super Spartans for all three R’s (Respectful, Responsible, Resilient). We will recognize Emma, Angelica, Kingston, Leonardo, and Kate!

Tuesday, June 20^th at 8:40 AM: Trimester 3 Academic Awards in the MP Room. If your child is receiving an award for attendance, academics, or effort for the 3^rd Trimester, you should have received an email from me this morning (6/14/17).

Tuesday, June 20^th following our academic awards assembly, please join us in our classroom, portable R5, from 9:20-9:50 for “The Solar System Saga”, our final reader’s theatre of the year! It’s going to be OUT of this WORLD!

Wondering what to wear for the “The Solar System Saga”???? Please do not go shopping. Below are suggested colors to wear. I ask that student wear plain shirts, no graphics or writing on their shirts. If you do not have a plain t-shirt,  a shirt can be turned inside out.  Below is just a guideline. Your child knows their assigned part in our performance. Please let me know if you have any questions!

Sun – red, yellow, or orange

Mercury – blue or red

Venus – red

Earth – blue or green

Mars – red

Jupiter – gray or brown

Saturn – tie-die or gray

Uranus & Neptune – blue

Narrators, Pluto, Cres, and Eris – any plain color

Moons and comets – white

Asteroids – brown or gray

Wednesday, June 21^st 9:00-11:15 at Argonaut park: 3^rd Grade Field day. Parent volunteers, please meet at our classroom door at 8:45. Students should wear sunscreen and hats to school as well as clothes they can play and get wet in. If you have signed up to bring a snack or water, feel free to send it in anytime. Thank you!!!

Please be aware, students will clean out their desks and bring home all their desk items on Wednesday — eeekk — they have a lot of stuff! J

Thursday, June 22, will be a fun filled day of MATH! Students will rotate though all the 3^rd grade classrooms playing math games, doing math puzzles, and having a blast with math!

Our last day of school will be Friday, June 23^rd! It is a minimum day, track change day, and school is out at 12:45. We will have a cozy movie morning and celebrate summer birthdays. If you would like to bring a treat for your child to share please let me know so I can plan ahead.

Summer Break:

Keep up the momentum by exercising the brain over summer break! What can you do while off track? Here is a list of optional activities to keep that awesome brain in shape:

• Read, read, and read more, but most importantly read books in your AR level.
• Log in to Think Central for extra Math Reteach & Enrichment practice. I’ve added lots of stuff to their “To Do” list. It’s my understanding students should have access to this over summer.
• Log-in to Moby Max for other learning games. I’ve attached the log-in handout for your reference.
• Mastering Math Facts is a critical skill for success in 4^th grade math. Work on mastering the multiplication and division facts. There are loads of resources available online! I’ve attached the multiplication handout from earlier this year.
• I LOVE Reflex Math. This is a fee based program, I think it costs about $35 per year. It’s a fun and engaging way to help students master their math facts, all operations (add, subtract, multiply, divide). Personally with my own daughter, she has had great success with this program!

I hope you enjoy a fun filled summer break!!! Best wishes in 4^th grade!

3^rd Grade Families,

Thank you for spoiling me for Teacher Appreciation week! Honestly, I feel so grateful I get to be a teacher! Some days are long (LOL) but I feel blessed to do the work I do and it means a lot to have such great students and families. I adore the handwritten notes, but what I treasure the most is being a small part of your child’s journey. Thank you!!!

Our student of character this week is Danny!!! Thank you for being a respectful Spartan!

Below are a few important dates to mark on your calendar:

May

• Friday, May 12^th is PFO’s Jamba Juice sales after school.
• Please join us in the Sunrise library on Tuesday, May 16^th for a PFO general board meeting at 3:00.
• Our May character awards assembly will be on Wednesday, May 17^th at 9:10. We will recognize Andreya, Tommy, & Danny as our students of character for RESPECT!
• Open House: Please join us on Thursday, May 18^th 5:00-6:00 PM in our classroom! Please be aware, I need to leave at 6:00 sharp so I can make it to my daughter’s school for her Open House. The Sunrise Art Gallery will be open for drop in between 5:00-6:30. PFO will also host a dinner night out. A flyer will come home soon with the location.
• Friday, May 19^th is College T-shirt Day!
• Tuesday, May 23^rd is a minimum day, track change day, and the spirit day is 80’s day (like totally RAD)! School is out at 12:45.
• Monday, May 29^th is a holiday – no school. Happy Memorial Day!
• SBAC Testing  May 30, 31 & June 1, 5, 6, 7, and 8. Please do not plan any vacations or appointments that would take you child out of school during this window.
• June
• June 8^th, PFO will host a dinner night out. A flyer will come home soon with the location.
• Friday, June 16^th is PFO’s Jamba Juice sales after school.
• Monday, June 19^th is our June character awards assembly at 9:10. We will recognize our Students of Character who are being recognized as Super Spartans for all three R’s (Respectful, Responsible, Resilient)
• Trimester 3 Academic Awards will be Tuesday, June 20^th at 8:40 AM. You will receive an invitation if your child will be receiving an award for the 3^rd trimester.
• On Tuesday, June 20^th following our academic awards assembly, please join us from 9:20-9:50 for “The Solar System Saga”, our final reader’s theatre of the year! It’s going to be OUT of this WORLD!
• 3^rd Grade Field day will be Wednesday, June 21^st 9-11:15 at Argonaut park. Students should wear sunscreen and hats to school as well as clothes they can play and get wet in.
• Our last day of school will be Friday, June 23^rd! It is a minimum day, track change day, and school is out at 12:45. We will celebrate summer birthdays on this day so if you would like to bring a treat for your child to share please let me know so I can plan ahead.

Have a GREAT weekend and Happy Mother’s Day to all you amazing moms!!!!

Happy Friday Spartans,

Our student of character this week is Andreya!!! Thank you for being a respectful Spartan!

I hope to see you all at the Sunrise Carnival this afternoon!!!

Below are a few important dates to mark on your calendar:

I can hardly believe it’s almost May! We have a very busy two months!

May

• Please be aware, I will be off campus for a training May 1-4, and May 10, 2017. Mrs. Holt will be here to sub.

• Friday, May 12^th is PFO’s Jamba Juice sales after school.
• Please join us in the Sunrise library on Tuesday, May 16^th for a PFO general board meeting at 3:00.
• Our May character awards assembly will be on Wednesday, May 17^th at 9:10. We will recognize our students of character for RESPECT!
• Open House: Please join is on Thursday, May 18^th 5:00-6:00 PM in our classroom! Please be aware, I need to leave at 6:00 sharp so I can make it to my daughter’s school for her Open House. The Sunrise Art Gallery will be open for drop in between 5:00-6:30. PFO will also host a dinner night out. A flyer will come home soon with the location.
• Friday, May 19^th is College T-shirt Day!
• Tuesday, May 23^rd is a minimum day, track change day, and the spirit day is 80’s day (like totally RAD)! School is out at 12:45.
• Monday, May 29^th is a holiday – no school. Happy Memorial Day!
• SBAC Testing  May 30, 31 & June 1, 5, 6, 7, and 8. Please do not plan any vacations or appointments that would take you child out of school during this window.

June

• June 8^th, PFO will host a dinner night out. A flyer will come home soon with the location.
• Friday, June 16^th is PFO’s Jamba Juice sales after school.
• Monday, June 19^th is our June character awards assembly at 9:10. We will recognize our Students of Character who are being recognized as Super Spartans for all three R’s (Respectful, Responsible, Resilient)
• Trimester 3 Academic Awards will be Tuesday, June 20^th at 8:40 AM. You will receive an invitation if your child will be receiving an award for the 3^rd trimester.
• On Tuesday, June 20^th following our academic awards assembly, please join us from 9:20-9:50 for “The Solar System Saga”, our final reader’s theatre of the year! It’s going to be OUT of this WORLD!
• Our last day of school will be Friday, June 23^rd! It is a minimum day, track change day, and school is out at 12:45. We will celebrate summer birthdays on this day so if you would like to bring a treat for your child to share please let me know so I can plan ahead.

Happy Friday Spartans,

Our student of character this week is Nathalie!!! Thank you for being a responsible Spartan!

Below are a few important dates to mark on your calendar (this is not a comprehensive list):

April

• Pokemon basket donations due Friday, April 21^st. Thank you for supporting one of our VERY important school fundraisers! We’ve received only 2 donations so far for our Pokemon basket. Can you please consider sending in an item to add to our class basket by next Friday? THANK YOU!!!
• Fieldtrip: Monday, April 24, 2017: Sheldon High’s Theatre performance of Untitled Robin Hood Project
• Wednesday, April 26^th is a minimum day, track change day, and the spirit day is WESTERN day! School is out at 12:45.
• Sunrise Carnival & Book Fair: Friday, April 28^th 5:00-8:00!

*COME HAVE FUN!  Buy wristbands and food truck meal tickets NOW at www.sunrisepfo.org

*VOLUNTEER!  Be a Carnie for a ½ hour or hour!  Sign up to volunteer for an hour at https://m.signupgenius.com/#!/showSignUp/4090449a9aa23a4f85-community

*BE A VENDOR!  Visit www.sunrisepfo.org to host a booth.

May & June

• Please be aware, I will be off campus for a training May 1-4, 2017. Mrs. Holt will be here to sub.

• Open House: Please join is on Thursday, May 18^th 5:00-6:30 PM!

• Tuesday, May 23^rd is a minimum day, track change day, and the spirit day is 80’s day (like totally RAD)! School is out at 12:45.
• SBAC Testing May 29, 30, 31 & June 1, 5, 6, 7, and 8. Please do not plan any vacations or appointments that would take you child out of school during this window.

• Please join us for “The Solar System Saga”, our final reader’s theatre of the year! It’s going to be OUT of this WORLD! Date and time: coming soon

• Trimester 3 Academic Awards: Date and time: coming soon

• June Character Awards Assembly: Date and time: coming soon

• Our last day of school will be Friday, June 23^rd! It is a minimum day, track change day, and school is out at 12:45.

I wish you all a Happy Easter! Have a great weekend!

Welcome back!

I’ve missed my SUPER Spartans and hope you’ve had an amazing month off!  See you all tomorrow, Thursday, April 6^th, at our red dot #10 at 8:10. During April 6^th – June 23^rd we are assigned to Portable Room R5 and Red Dot #10. A lot has been going on at Sunrise while we’ve been off so here are some important reminders:

The Sunrise CommUNITY Carnival is one of our largest fundraisers of the year. All proceeds will be split equally between Sunrise and McGarvey! Please help by making a donation to our class basket!

Sunrise CommUNITY Carnival Raffle Basket

3^rd Grade – Track A

Mrs. Ambrose and Mrs. Casey

Theme: POKEMON!

Please bring in all donations by April 21^st

This year, Mrs. Ambrose and Mrs. Casey have the fun of putting together a POKEMOM basket for the CommUNITY Carnival being held on Friday, April 28^th.

We hope to create a fun basket full of Pokemon goodies sure to be a big hit with Pikachu fans!

Some donation ideas include:

• Pokemon cards
• iTunes Cards
• Pokemon Plush
• Posters
• Clothing/Hats
• Pokemon Go Figurines And anything else you can think of for a Pokemon fanatic!

COME HAVE FUN!  Buy wristbands and food truck meal tickets at www.sunrisepfo.org

VOLUNTEER!  Be a Carnie for a ½ hour or hour!  Sign up to volunteer for an hour at https://m.signupgenius.com/#!/showSignUp/4090449a9aa23a4f85-community

BE A VENDOR!  Visit www.sunrisepfo.org to host a booth.

Our SBAC Testing Dates are scheduled for…

May 29, 30, 31 & June 1, 5, 6, 7, 8

Please do not plan any vacations or appointments that would take you child out of school during this window.

SBAC Assessment

Dear 3^rd Grade families,

Please be aware that students in 3^rd-6^th grades will be taking the Smarter Balanced assessments (SBAC) this spring. In schools across the country, teachers have been implementing Common Core standards that provide consistent guidelines in English and math at each grade level and help prepare students to graduate high school ready for college and the workplace. These benchmarks challenge students to develop a deeper understanding of subject matter, learn how to think critically, and apply what they are learning to the real world. To help parents, teachers, and school leaders know whether students are on the path to success, states joined together to develop improved tests of student achievement. Administered online, the SBAC assessments will adapt to each student’s ability, giving teachers and parents better information to help students succeed.

Our SBAC Testing Dates are scheduled for…

May 29, 30, 31 & June 1, 5, 6, 7, 8

Please do not plan any vacations or appointments that would take you child out of school during this window.

You can help at home by allowing your child to work on their keyboarding skills. Most importantly, your child will be ready to show their best effort on the test when you help him or her to:

• Go to bed by 8:00 PM – a rested brain and body works best!
• Eat a healthy breakfast – hungry children do not perform well!
• Get to school on time (8:10) – start the day off right!

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me.

Families,

Today’s performance was amazing! I very much enjoyed watching the students perform, present, and teach all of you what they’ve learned about America Indians of California!

• Tomorrow (Friday) is our last day before we track off! Friday’s spirit day is Book Character Day! Dress as your favorite book character!
• Since I will be off campus tomorrow, I am sending report cards home today.

To my Amazing Super Spartans,

It’s our turn to go off track – again! You’ve worked extremely hard growing your brain this trimester! I’m very proud of YOU! We go off track March 6 – April 5, 2017. See you all on Thursday, April 6th. When we return, we will have a new classroom and red dot!

April 6^th – June 23^rd: Portable Room R5 (Red Dot #10)

Please meet at our dot by 8:15.

When we return, we will celebrate our friends with March birthdays!

Happy birthday to Danny (March 4) & Parker (March 18)!!!

Don’t forget that big brain of yours is a muscle and it needs some exercise during off track time! What can you do while off track? Here is a list of optional activities to keep that awesome brain in shape:

• Read, read, and read more… read books in your AR level.
• If you’d like to get a head start on your Trimester 3 goal, the Sunrise Library will be open to take AR quizzes on Thursdays from 11:15 – 11:40.

• Log in to Think Central for extra Math Reteach & Enrichment practice. Students can complete items on their “To do” list. Work on prescriptions (reteach) on your “To Do” list. I also suggest reviewing the Interactive Lessons for chapters: 1, 2, 8, and 9. Directions for how to log on can be accessed on the class blog main page “GoMath Log-in”. I hope you have many exciting adventures with your friends and family. Enjoy some much needed relaxation and fun! When we return, we have a lot more learning to do!

Samantha Casey

Sunrise Elementary

3rd Grade Teacher – A Track

Happy Friday 3^rd Grade Families,

Our character of the week is Angelica!!! She has proven to be a Respectful Spartan! Thank you for being polite, having good manners, listening while others speak, and following directions! She serves as an excellent role model to her classmates!

It’s a VERY busy week our last week of school before we track off! I will be off campus on Tuesday for a Math Leadership day of learning and Friday for a personal day to watch my daughter in her annual school dance performance. Mr. Martin will be here both days as my sub.

Read Across America Week 2017

• Monday, Feb. 27th Fox in Socks Day- Wear your craziest socks

• Tuesday, Feb. 28th Thing 1 & Thing 2 Day- Dress like a Thing or a Twin

• Paperback Book Exchange: March 1-2: details went home in the Sunrise folder last week.
• Wednesday, March 1st Cat in the Hat Day- Wear a crazy hat

• Thursday, March 2^nd Green Eggs and Ham Day- Wear green

• Trimester 2 Academic Awards Assembly in the MP room on Thursday, March 2^nd at 8:40 AM. If your child is receiving an award I emailed an invitation earlier this week.

Calling ALL Families….

You’re invited to our Morning at the Museum! Please join us on Thursday, March 2^nd 9:15-9:55 in room C2 for an interactive learning experience. Please arrive no later than 9:15. We will open our doors and begin right after our morning assembly. We will begin with student performances; arriving on time is greatly appreciated so student do not experience interruptions during their reader’s theatre performance! I hope each student will have a family member to showcase their hard work!

Agenda for Morning at the Museum:

9:15-9:20 – Maidu Fieldtrip song video (thank you Mr. Satish)

9:20-9:35 – Reader’s Theatre Performances

9:35-9:50 – Parent/family participation: Stick Game, Native American Slide Show Presentations

• Friday, March 3rd Book Character Day- Dress like a book character

• Character Awards Assembly to celebrate our Responsible Spartans will be on Friday, February 3^rd at 9:10 in the MP room. We will recognize Abhi, Mya, Kate, and Angelica. All voted by their classmates as Responsible Spartans!
• Friday, March 3^rd is a Minimum Day! We go off track! Reports cards will go home on this day.

Off Track March 6 – April 5, we return on Thursday, April 6^th.

Happy Friday 3^rd Grade Families,

News & Reminders:

Our character of the week is Kate!!! She has proven to be a Respectful Spartan! Thank you for being polite, having good manners, listening while others speak, and following directions! She serves as an excellent role model to her classmates!

Please use the Home Connect feature to track your child’s progress towards reaching their AR goal. The link to Home Connect can be found on the Sunrise Elementary website or use this link: https://hosted17.renlearn.com/286588/HomeConnect/

Would you like to volunteer in our classroom this trimester? If so, please use this SignUp Genius link to sign up: http://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c0f48a4a72fa0fb6-trimester3/

February 2017

• No School on Monday, February 20^th.

• Maidu Community Center Fieldtrip on February 21, 2017: There is rain in the forecast and this is partially an outdoor fieldtrip where students see artifacts in nature. The trip will take place rain or shine.  Students and volunteers should dress for the weather.  They will provide indoor activities if it is too wet or stormy outside but I really hope we can get out and see the Maidu artifacts.
• Tuesday, February 21, 2017 we begin the 3^rd and final trimester of 3^rd grade. New AR ZPD’s and goal will go home in Wednesday folders. The goal deadline for the 3^rd trimester will be June 9, 2017. Each student will need to earn an average of 1 ½ – 2 points per week. If students pace themselves they can definitely reach this goal.

Read Across America Week 2017

• Monday, Feb. 27th Fox in Socks Day- Wear your craziest socks
• Tuesday, Feb. 28th Thing 1 & Thing 2 Day- Dress like a Thing or a Twin

March 2017

• Paperback Book Exchange: March 1-2: details went home in the Sunrise folder last week.

Read Across America Week 2017

• Wednesday, March 1st Cat in the Hat Day- Wear a crazy hat
• Thursday, March 2^nd Green Eggs and Ham Day- Wear green
• Friday, March 3rd Book Character Day- Dress like a book character
• Trimester 2 Academic Awards Assembly in the MP room on Thursday, March 2^nd at 8:40 AM.

• Morning at the Museum: Please join our class for a “Morning at the Museum” on Thursday, March 2, 2017 where the students will be holding a Native American Exhibit. The students have been studying the Native Americans of California and are eager to present some interesting facts and artifacts that they’ve gathered and created throughout their studies. The exhibit will be held in our classroom (room C2) and will be an informal exhibit that will contain a mixture of student presentations, artifacts, and other parent participation activities. 3^rd Grade families are invited to attend 9:15-9:45. We’ll begin after our Trimester 2 Academic Awards assembly and will conclude promptly at 9:45.

• Character Awards Assembly to celebrate our Responsible Spartans will be on Friday, February 3^rd at 9:10 in the MP room.
• Friday, March 3^rd is a Minimum Day! We go off track! Reports cards will go home on this day.
• Off Track March 6 – April 5, we return on Thursday, April 6^th.

April – June 2017 (more dates to come)

• Fieldtrip #3: April 24, 2017: Sheldon High’s Advanced Theatre performance of Untitled Robin Hood Project
• Open House: Thursday, May 18^th 5:00-6:30 PM

I hope you all have a great 3 day weekend!