Week of August 17 - 21

Dear Families,

Welcome back to school! As hard as it can be to get back into the school routine, the excitement of a new school year usually helps shift the mindset of both students and teachers. I couldn't be happier to be back at Rio with the unique opportunity to move up a grade with the kids. As many of you might know, I taught third grade last year and because of rotations, PE time, and grade level activities I had the pleasure to meet many (if not all) of last year's third graders. They have all become fourth graders and I am excited to make the jump with them.

I try to use this blog weekly to communicate with all of the families. It's a chance to keep you in tune with what's going on in Room 10. I know many of you are excited to help in class and on field trips and I can't wait for anything you can offer. For those of you who can't make time for class visits please use this blog as a way to get an inside look on our class. I will post specific class details like homework, math concepts, spelling lists, and other important information. I will also use the blog as a way to share fun website links, photos of the kids, and a music player that lets you groove to our class playlist. Also, there is a class wish list that will let you know how you can help your child's class. Please check it out!

Please use the first few weeks of school to help get your child back in the swing of things. I am sure I will meet all of you at the Back to School Night on August 27th and we can use that time to discuss some specifics if you have any questions. Unless they are burning questions you can save them all for that night. If you ever have any quick questions that might need a quicker response please feel free to e-mail me at patrick_mcmillan@pvusd.net.

I hope many of you have e-mail and I would love to communicate with you that way. I am going to send a note home with your child's first homework asking for two things: Your e-mail address (whatever address you check the most is the one I want) and permission to post photos of your child on my blog.

I look forward to another great year at Rio! Please let me know if you have any questions or concerns.

Thanks so much,
Mr. McMillan