Dear Parents and Guardians,

As some of you may know I was treated for breast cancer in 2010. Unfortunately, I was diagnosed with a different type of breast cancer last week. My doctor believes that the cancer is localized and that surgery will take care of the problem. As of today, I am waiting for a surgery date. It may be at the end of next week or the following week. Mrs. Parker has hired Minnette Langley to substitute in my class while I am recovering. If all goes well I should be back at work 4-6 weeks after the surgery takes place.

Mrs. Langley has been a substitute teacher in the primary grades and has come to me with very good recommendations. I will be working with her in the coming days so that her transition will be smooth. I am excited that she has agreed to substitute for me and feel that the class will be in good hands while I recover. It is never a good time to receive such a diagnosis, but it is particularly difficult at the beginning of the school year. I am getting to know your children and absolutely love them and love being in third grade again.

I will introduce your children to Mrs. Langley tomorrow and will explain to them why I will be gone for several weeks. In fact some of the students may already know her. I plan on being at the Parent Orientation along with Mrs. Langley and the rest of the third grade team on Thursday, September 13, unless I get scheduled for surgery before.

If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact me by phone or email. I will return your messages as soon as possible. I also plan on staying in contact with the class as my strength improves. It is going to be a great year. Mrs. Langley has the support of all the third grade teachers and I know the class will not skip a beat.

The third grade students are learning how to use their planners to record their assignments. They are learning how to find the current week and to copy their assignments off the master calendar. Table captains are responsible to check the planners of the students at their tables as part of the responsibilities in which they earn tickets to be redeemed for prizes or special privileges.

Beginning tonight students are asked to read for 20 minutes each night for homework except Friday night and the weekend. Parents please sign your child’s planner after he or she has read. I would like your child to write the name of the book that he or she reads each night in the planner for accountability and for a record of books read.

Also don’t forget your child’s “Name” project is due on Thursday, September 6.