Ms. Rzepnicki’s
Class Handbook
All You Need to Know From A-Z
Welcome to third grade! I am very excited to have your child in my class.
Our theme for this year is Superheros! We will be building a community within
our classroom and experiencing what it feels like to work hard, learn new things,
and become independent learners. Each child will experience what it feels like to
find their inner “superhero” as we explore and navigate through the third grade
curriculum. Your child will build on their prior knowledge and discover new and
exciting things about themselves and school. I look forward to being a part of your
child’s educational journey and to our partnership throughout the year!
Communication between parent, teacher, and student is very important
and this handbook will help answer many questions you may have throughout the
coming year.
Agenda
 Your child will write daily homework assignments and reminders in their
agenda, which is provided by the school.
 I will check the agenda every morning for a parent signature. It is the
students’ responsibility to show you their agenda each night. Please be sure
to sign in the appropriate spot.
 Any notices of dismissal changes need to be written on a separate piece of
paper since these notes need to be sent to the office.
Assessments
 DRA (Developmental Reading Assessment) is given up to three times a year
(fall, winter, spring). This assessment gives valuable information regarding
the reading comprehension and fluency skill levels of your child. It also is
used as a factor in determining your child’s reading level.
 PALS (Phonological Awareness Literacy Screening) can also be given up to
three times a year. This screening gives insight to your child’s knowledge of
important literacy fundamentals.
 SOL (Standard of Learning Test) is given in May. This year, students will be
testing in reading and math only. This is a change from years past. The SOL
is an untimed test and reviews concepts learned since Kindergarten in
these areas.
 Student will be assessed throughout each unit, however, the final
assessment will be a unit test. Students can use their interactive notebooks
as a study tool. Students will graph their grades and store their unit tests in
the data notebook. Grades will be sent home in a timely manner, in their
data notebooks. Students and parents should both sign the graph sheet,
then return the notebook to school the following day.
Birthdays
 Your child’s birthday is a very special time for them. You are invited to
donate a book to the classroom library or come into the classroom to read
a special story to the class. The Liberty handbook states that parents may
not bring in treats for the class. I appreciate you respecting this request.
Benchmarks

Benchmarks are core content assessments given twice a year throughout
Loudoun County. The tests will not be sent home, however scores may be
discussed at conferences.
Contact
 The best way to contact me is through e-mail. My e-mail address is
abigail.rzepnicki@lcps.org. I typically respond to any questions or concerns
within 24 hours. If it is an urgent matter please contact the office.
Data

This year third graders will be keeping data notebooks as part of our
cooperative learning and goal setting initiative. Students will keep track of
important test grades as well as charting growth throughout the year. Data
notebooks and graded tests will be kept in the binders in the classroom
throughout the school year. You are welcome to come in and view these
binders at any time.
Field trips
 Field trip information will be sent home at a later date.
Fun Friday
 Every Friday from 2:05-2:20, students have the opportunity to participate in
Fun Friday. In order for a student to attend, all work for the week has to be
completed and turned in. Also, the student must have four dollars for the
week.
Grading
 Students will receive number grades on their classroom assessments.
4 Exceeds standard
3 Meets standard
2 Progressing towards Standard
1 Below standard
The grading system for the report card is as follows:
 A- Outstanding
B- Very Good
C-Satisfactory
D- Needs Improvement
F- Not Performing
Letter grades will be given in the core subject areas on the report card,
however they will receive number grades on all class assessments. A
student who is meeting the state standards will receive a 3 on their
assessments. In order to receive a 4 students must be able to go above and
beyond the state standards/learning target. They must be able to apply
more complex concepts of a level 3. Students will also be able to earn
“pluses” on their classroom assessments (ex. 3+), which means they are
between levels.
Homework
 Homework will be given most nights and should take the child no longer
than thirty minutes to complete. If your child has been diligently working
on the assignments for over thirty minutes, feel free to use your judgment
and stop their work. Please make a note on the paper alerting the teacher
to this decision.
 Students are also expected to read 15 minutes each evening. Please make
sure your child is reading a “just right book” (not too hard, not too easy)
and they are practicing the current reading strategy.
Interactive Notebooks
 In the content areas students will receive an interactive notebook. The
purpose of the interactive notebook is to help students learn and
remember important concepts. The interactive notebook uses the right
and left brain hemispheres to help students sort, categorize and be creative
with the content they are learning. Notebooks will often be sent home as a
study guide to review material or prepare for tests. Parents are more than
welcome to come in to class to view these notebooks at anytime.
Interims
 Interims will be sent if your child is in jeopardy of receiving below a 2 or a D
in one or more areas for the upcoming report card. If no interim is received
you can assume your child is performing at or above grade level
expectations.
Lunch
 Lunch is every day from 12:20-12:50 PM.
Money
 Please send all money to school in an envelope.
 Mark the envelope with:
o Your child’s name
o The amount of money
o Purpose of money (lunch, field trip, book order)
o My name
o If writing a check, make sure your student’s school ID number is
written on the memo line
 This helps me and the office staff. It also reduces the likelihood of errors.
Quarter sheet
 Each student will have a weekly quarter sheet glued into their agenda.
Students will lose or gain quarters based on behavior. Parents should
review the agenda and initial the quarter sheet each night.
Scholastic
 Scholastic book orders are a great way to add to both your child’s home
library and the classroom library. Book orders are sent home monthly and
will be marked with the due date for that month. Only checks made out to
Scholastic will be accepted.
Snack
 Students are responsible for bringing their own daily snack. Extras will not
be provided.
 Snacks need to be healthy. Yogurt, fruit cups, carrots, or celery sticks are all
great items to bring. If the snack requires a spoon, please make sure it is
included. Students should be able to open and eat their snack
independently.
 ***Please do not send any snacks that include nuts or have been
processed on machines that could have come in contact with nuts! ***
Specials Schedule
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Monday: Art 10:10 – 11:00 & PE 1:40 – 2:10
Tuesday: PE 10:10 – 10:40 & SEARCH on “A” Weeks 9:15 – 10:00
Wednesday: Library 10:10 – 10:40 & Music 10:40 – 11:10
Thursday: Music 10:10 – 10:40 & Guidance every 3 weeks 1:15 – 2:05
Friday: Computer Lab 1:00 – 1:40 & PE 1:40 – 2:10
Thursday Folders
 Each Thursday your child will bring home a red Thursday folder (issued by
the school).
 The blue folder will contain important school, PTA, along with any notes or
newsletters from myself or the third grade team, and community papers.
 Please return each Friday.
Website
 Please check the third grade Liberty website for monthly newsletters, nine
week plans, and educational resources. To reach the third grade section of
the Liberty website go to the homepage at
http://cmsweb2.loudoun.k12.va.us/liberty/site/default.asp , highlight the
tab labeled classrooms and select third grade. Additional learning links and
SOL resources can be found by highlighting the tab labeled for students and
selected either 3-5 learning links or SOL Preparation.
Weekly Updates
 Weekly Updates will be e-mailed at the end of each week. The updates will
include information on current units and provide dates for upcoming
quizzes and tests. Please inform me if you need a paper copy.