Follow the clues to a fantastic year!

Who am I?
I would like to take this opportunity to tell you a little bit about myself.  My name is Tara Stroup and I will be starting my 9th year of teaching this year.  My husband’s name is Chuck and I have 2 children, Riley (4) and Lincoln (21 months).  I am looking forward to working with you and your child in reaching his or her potential this year.  We have many wonderful experiences to learn and grow in the days ahead.

Communication
Communication is the key to a great parent-teacher relationship.  Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions or concerns at any time.  You can choose to write a note and send it with your child, you can email me at tarastr@leeschools.net, or can call me at school at 995-3600.  Each night your child will bring home his or her agenda with the night’s homework and how their day went.  By looking at the current date in the agenda, you will be notified of any rules your child may have had difficulty following that day.  The agenda must be initialed every evening and sent back the following school day.

Policies
 Homework
I touched a little on this in the communication part, but I want you to understand that your child will have homework Monday through Thursday of each week.  They will be expected to copy their assignments in their agenda each afternoon before dismissal.  It is their responsibility to bring the agenda home, complete their homework, have you initial it, and return to school with it the next day.  I will be checking for both the agenda initials and completion of homework each morning.  AR will also be part of their homework each night.
Here are few tips that may help homework time go more smoothly in your home.
1. Encourage your child by showing interest in what they are doing.
2. Provide a noise free place for them to work.
3. Establish a regular homework time each day after school for your child to complete their ....assignments.
4. Encourage your child to ask for help when they don’t understand something.  Just like teachers, ....parents can’t help if they don’t know there is a need.
5. If necessary take a break if the assignment becomes too frustrating.

 Dismissal
Please notify me if your child will be going home a different way than we have established at the beginning of the year.  If you do not write a note then I have to send them home their normal way.  

 Attendance/Tardies
It is very important that your child be in class before the 8:00 bell each morning.  What we do in class involves active participation and I do not want them to fall behind due to excessive tardiness or absences.  I do realize that sickness, family emergencies, and doctor’s appointments do occur.  Please send a note to school with your child and the reason he or she missed.  Whenever possible, your child’s schoolwork will be saved for him/her to complete upon their return to school.

 Volunteers
Becoming an active part in your child’s class can enrich your child’s experience.  Whether it is reading a story to the class, volunteering in the classroom, chaperoning a field trip, or participating in class parties your attendance would be appreciated.  You will need to follow our school’s visitor procedures.  Please notify me if this interests you.

 Steps to Success
Steps to Success is the 3rd Grade Behavior plan.  Your child will have copy of it in his or her agenda the first day of school for you to review with him or her.