Dear Parents,
My name is Mrs. Maria L. Duarte and I am your child’s 3rd grade teacher. It is a thrill to be starting out this new academic year with such a talented and eager group of learners. I know that with your assistance and support, we can make this one of the best years here at John Otis!
Here is some important information to make this an exciting and rewarding year. I cannot stress how crucial it is to come to school on a daily basis and promptly at 8:15 a.m. If your child is ill, please leave a message with the office staff. Dismissal is at 2:35 p.m. on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Fridays through the Kindergarten gate. Early dismissal is on Thursdays at 1:00 p.m. Students can have breakfast starting at 7:45 a.m. Please note that if you’d like to have your child eat breakfast at school; drop them off between 7:45 a.m. and 8:00 a.m. so they can get to class on time.
My positive reinforcement system consists of color-coded cards to determine a student’s behavior. All students will start their day with a green index card. If a verbal warning or two is needed, that student’s card will be changed to yellow. A red card indicates lack of following class rules and verbal warnings. That student will miss a recess period and a note will be sent home to be signed by the parent. Twenty consecutive green cards merits a reward coupon like “No Homework for the Day” or stickers/pencils.
Our “Back to School Night” is coming up soon and I will keep you posted on the exact date and time. I am also enclosing a standard back to school supply list for 3rd grade. Many of these items can be found at your local Wal-mart or Office Depot store. For those students who would like to bring a snack, healthy snacks and water bottles are encouraged. Please make sure to check and sign the daily homework log and notify the office or myself regarding any medical conditions, phone # or address changes. If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to get in touch with me during non-classroom hours or leave a message (unless it is an emergency). Again, I look forward to working together with you to make this a most rewarding academic journey!

Mrs. Duarte Room 6-A 336-7466