Welcome to 3rd Grade!

Teacher Introduction
My name is Kim Kunst (pronounced koonst German for art) and I will be your childs third grade teacher for the
2017-18 school year. My husband and I are originally from Long Island, NY but have lived in GA for the past 21 years.
We have 3 daughters Libby (17), Meg (14), and Kate (11) and live locally in the Hickory Springs subdivision.

This will be my second year at Ford Elementary but my 22nd year teaching (time flies!). I have taught K-4 during that time
as well as 2 years teaching in the education department at Kennesaw State University. My undergraduate degree is in
English and Early Childhood Education from James Madison University; my MEd is in Reading Instruction from University
of Georgia; and my EdS degree is in Language and Literacy from Georgia State University. As Im sure youve now noted,
reading is a passion of mine and it is my hope to pass that on to each and every student.

I truly look forward to sharing in the life and education of your child. Its going to be a great 3rd grade year!

Class Schedule (subject to change)

7:15-7:50 Student check-in/unpack; write assignments in agenda; morning work

7:50-8:00 Pledge of Allegiance; Ford Mustang News

8:00-8:15 Morning Meeting (review morning work, class news and announcements, plan for the day)

8:15-9:00 Writers Workshop

9:00-9:45 SPECIALS

9:50-11:00 Guided Reading and English Language Arts*

11:00-12:00 Math

12:00-1:00 LUNCH & RECESS

1:00-1:30 Number Talks / Math Facts Practice

1:30-2:00 Science or Social Studies (Units of study will alternate between these two subjects and also be
incorporated into reading and writing lessons during other parts of the day.

*Computer Lab rotates among 3rd grade, 10-11 a.m. (every 6th day) and will likely cause changes in that days schedule.

Specials Schedule (9:00-9:45)

Day 1 PE Day 4 Art

Day 2 STEM Day 5 PE

Day 3 PE Day 6 Music

Lunch (12:07-12:37)
*Please note: Our class has peanut and tree nut allergies. Please avoid sending these items.*
Lunch menus http://www.cobbk12.org/centraloffice/FoodServices/indexMenus.aspx

Lunch prices http://www.cobbk12.org/centraloffice/FoodServices/mealPrices.aspx

If your child forgets his or her lunch, it can be brought to the office and they will put it on a special table in the
lunchroom where your child can retrieve it when we go.

If you plan to eat lunch with your child, please sign in by the office, get a visitor sticker, and wait for our class outside of
the cafeteria. You are permitted to sit at our table with your child, space allowing.

Snacks (9:45)
We will make time for a snack each day. Please allow your child to bring something small, relatively healthy, and easy to
eat (no utensils needed) each day. A water bottle is also encouraged and your child will have opportunities to refill as
needed. No drinks other than water will be permitted in the classroom. **If your child has any food allergies that I need
to be aware of, please let me know ASAP!**

*Please note: Our class has peanut and tree nut allergies. Please avoid sending these items.*

Communication
Email: Email (Kimberly.kunst@cobbk12.org) is the best way to get in contact with me. I check my email each
morning and afternoon, so it is as sure thing! I cannot promise to get to it during the school day (Im teaching!)
so PLEASE do not rely on it for time sensitive information / emergencies. NO TRANSPORTATION CHANGES CAN
BE MADE VIA EMAIL.

Agenda: Your child will transport the agenda back and forth daily. I will check this each morning so please use
this for transportation changes and notes as well as recording your childs reading here each night.

Blog: mrskunst.weebly.com is the url for the class blog. It will be updated weekly with information about class
happenings, reminders, and upcoming events. Homework will NOT be posted here daily. Your child will be
writing homework in his or her agenda at the start of each week. Our online resources can also be found
through a link on the main screen of our blog. These resources can be used at any time for extra practice and
will also be used for homework at times.

Homework
Reading: Read and record book and 20+ minutes each night. Typically, this reading will be free choice but if a particular
reading is assigned, it will be written in the agenda and can take the place of some or all of other reading.

Math: Small practice / reinforcement assignments in math will be given 2-3 times per week. Other nights, your child can
use flashcards, written practice, or websites to rehearse addition, subtraction, and multiplication facts. This drill is
extremely important for automatic recall.

Class Resources (link on main page of blog)

The many websites we use at school (and more that are just great resources) are linked to the Class Resources button
on the blog home page. We will try to keep usernames and passwords to a minimum but some sites assign them so it
can get a little unruly! Each time that a site is introduced and practiced at school, we will add the username and
password to the inside cover of your childs agenda for easy reference.

Transportation
Please be sure to provide your childs standard afternoon transportation on the included Sneak-a-Peek form, including
the bus number. ANY changes made during the school day MUST go through the front office. It is acceptable to write
your childs daily transportation in his or her agenda a great way to go if your child changes transportation frequently
due to activities, custody, or varying work schedules. A child riding a different bus home with a friend must have a note
that cites the other childs name and bus number.
Behavior Management
My primary form of behavior management is the building of a strong classroom community. The majority of infractions
can then be handled the way they would be at home a look, a firm redirection, or a reminder. Please know that if
these looks and reminders are repetitive or constant, you will be notified using the grade level behavior system (Class
Dojo), an email, and/or a note in the agenda. **See attached letter to join the Class Dojo site in order to check in on
your childs behavior.

Cobb County Absence Policy

ATTENDANCE PROTOCOL (Board Administrative Rule JE)

Excused Absences:
Excused absences are defined by law in the State Board of Education Rules (per Cobb

Regulation JB). Absences from school are excused for the following:

When personally ill and attendance in school would endanger their health or the health of others

When there is a serious illness or death in the immediate family

On special and recognized religious holidays observed by their faith

When mandated by order of governmental agencies.

Please note that documentation regarding the reasons for the childs absence must be received

within 3 days. Also, the principal may ask for additional medical or other documentation to

verify that absences are excused, particularly when more than three (3) absences have been

accumulated during the semester. It is always best practice to send in a doctors note IF your child has been out sick AND
has seen a doctor. All absences, including religious holidays, must be accompanied by a note from the parent or
guardian regarding the reason for the absence.

Unexcused Absences:
Please send in a note explaining your childs absence. The notes are given to the childs teacher and then sent
to the office for coding. When no note is received, the absence defaults to UNEXCUSED in our computerized
system after 3 days.
At three (3) unexcused absences teachers will communicate with parents regarding

student attendance via e-mail, phone, parent conference or postcard.

At five (5) unexcused absences each school will utilize computer generated contact

through one of the following: Telephone call, letter, and/or email.

At seven (7) unexcused absences a School Social Work referral will be generated by

principal or principal designee listing specific school-based interventions (telephone

calls, letters, conferences, etc.) that have occurred prior to making the referral.
School Supply List
1 pair of headphones/earbuds (in a labeled Ziploc)

2 pkgs. wide-ruled loose leaf note book paper

3 wide-ruled composition books

24 sharpened #2 pencils

2 Pink Pearl erasers

5 pocket folders/brads (red, purple, yellow, blue, black)

8 glue sticks

1 bottle of Elmers Glue

1 box of crayons

4 Expo dry erase markers

2 packs 3 x 5 index cards

1 pair scissors

1 set of colored pens (no black)

4 Multi-colored Highlighters

2 Black Sharpie Fine Tip

2 Black Sharpie Extra Fine Tip

1 roll of paper towels

2 boxes of tissue

Girls Clorox Wipes and pump hand sanitizer

Boys-Quart size Ziploc bags & Band-Aids

Extras for Our Classroom

Pink Pearl Erasers
Colorful copy paper
3rd Grade appropriate board games (new or gently used)
Decks of cards (for math games )
Playground Kickballs

I hope to see you all at Open House on Tuesday, August 8th at 6pm.

Class Dojo Parent Letter

Family Information Form
Permission for Directory / Directory Information
Movie Permission Form
Inclement Weather
Permission to Photograph
Clinic Card