Today was Kylie’s last day of 3rd grade. I can’t believe how fast the school year went. Kylie has had a great academic year that has seen some much-needed improvement in her math skills. She came a long way during the year it that subject and is now pretty much back on track. We couldn’t be more happy with this particular turn around. All of her other subjects remained strong throughout the year. I was also able to take part in the WatchDOGS program this year, and that was an interesting day. Hopefully I will get to participate again next year, but we will have to wait and see what my availability is with work. Hard to believe she is going to fourth grade already!
Tag Archives: 3rd Grade
A Night of Song
Kylie had a school choir concert tonight, and she did great! Kylie really enjoys singing and watching her have so much fun is very enjoyable for me. The concert lasted for about an hour and all the kids did a really good job. Watching Kylie grow and improve at the things she enjoys makes me very proud and I hope she continues to follow her heart and dreams. I know we will all support her along the way. I do wish my Mom was able to stay one more night though, so she could have witnessed this event as well. Obviously with us being so far away she doesn’t have the opportunity to see things like this for a number of her grand-kids. We do try to send her videos when we can, but it’s not the same as seeing it live.
Donuts with Dad
Tonight was my second Watch DOGS meeting, and it was titled Donuts with Dad. All the fathers (and father figures) who had already been Watch DOGS or who have signed up to be, were invited to come in with their student(s) and have some donuts. This was also another recruitment meeting where interested fathers could learn more about the program and hear from others of us who had already participated to learn more about the program. It was a nice time, and of course, Kylie loved having the donuts. I’m still not sure if I am going to be able to be a Watch DOG another day this year, but I would like to do it again at some point. I know Kylie really enjoyed having me there last time as well.
Parent Teacher Conference
Today Tiffany went to Kylie’s parent teacher conference, and we got some great updates on Kylie’s progress. At this time Kylie is above average in Spelling and Social Studies and is performing at level in everything else! Including math! In fact Kylie has improved so much, and is performing so much better in math specifically, that her teacher thinks continuing with tutoring at Sylvan at this point is a waste of time and money. Her teacher is so confident in Kylie’s ability to continue performing at this level, and to not have a relapse of any issue, that she said if Kylie does need additional help that she will tutor her for free! This is some awesome progress for the first three months! We are looking forward to what the rest of the year will bring.
WatchDOGS Day
Today I got to surprise Kylie by showing up at her house bright and early to pick her up for school, because today was my day to be a Watch DOG! Kylie had no idea that I was going to be a Watch DOG today, so when she came out from brushing her teeth to see me standing in the living room with my Watch DOG shirt on, she was very surprised, and that made for a great start to an awesome day! 
When we got to her school we went to the office in order for me to sign in and get my schedule and an introduction to the program. Then, once that was complete, I got to join Kylie in the library to participate in the morning announcements. The announcements are televised throughout the school and Kylie got to introduce me as the Days Watch DOG, and she was very excited to be able to participate in the announcements. After the announcements we had our picture taken together to place on the schools Watch DOG hall of fame board, then the day began.
After that my day consisted of moving from one assigned class to another, starting and ending with Kylie’s class. While I was in these classrooms I helped out in whatever way the teacher needed. This ranged from helping students with their work, to taking a few students at a time out into the hall to work on individual lessons. I also helped out during all of the lunch sessions; helping kids open their containers or getting them additional milks, and coordinating the different shifts of students coming in to eat.
During the day I got a lot of high-fives and hugs from the kids, who all seemed to be really excited to have a Watch DOG in their class or even just passing them by in the hall. At the end of the day I had the opportunity to provide some feedback on the program along with any ideas or suggestions I had on making improvements. This was a very exciting and fun filled day. I am not sure if I will be able to take another day to participate in the program again this year, but if the opportunity presents itself I will be sure to jump at the opportunity as it was a great experience!
WatchDOGS Intro
Kylie’s school is starting something new this year, it’s called WatchDOGS. The “DOGS” is an acronym that stands for “Dads Of Great Students” and the introduction meeting was tonight. The program is an attempt to get more Father figures involved with their students. As part of the program participants sign up for a day that they can spend at school with their student. They will assist around the school going from classroom to classroom and providing aide to the teach and class, monitor halls, help at lunch, play with the students at recess, and other various activities. The day is typically scheduled in advanced and the program organizers for the school work in conjunction with the school and teachers to ensure the WatchDOGS’ day is planned out to allow for maximum benefit. From the WatchDOGS website:
WATCH D.O.G.S. (Dads of Great Students) – Engage men, inspire children, reduce bullying and enhance the educational environment at your school.
WATCH D.O.G.S. (Dads of Great Students) – Is the father involvement initiative of the National Center for Fathering that organizes fathers and father figures in order to provide positive male role models for the students and to enhance school security. Today, more than 3,793 active programs in 46 states participate in the WATCH D.O.G.S. Program.
Who are WatchDOGS? Fathers, grandfathers, step-fathers, uncles, and other father figures who volunteer to serve at least one day a year in a variety of school activities as assigned by the school principal or other administrator.
I have signed up to participate in late November, and I am really looking forward to it. Kylie doesn’t know though, and I am hoping to keep it a surprise!
First Day of Third Grade
Another first day of school has arrived and this one finds Kylie heading in for the start of third grade! This year Kylie did not experience any of the nervousness that she felt at the beginning of second grade. This year she was rather excited and confident, and really looking forward to seeing all of her friends and starting off another school year. Maybe it is because the school routine will add some much needed structure for her, something steady and constant. Kylie is more nervous about some rather large changes that are going to take place in the coming months, that of Mommy and Neil’s wedding. While she is very excited for the occasion, she is also unsure of what changes it will bring so returning to school and dealing with a new teacher, a new classroom, and possibly even new friends seems like a rather small change to deal with. Additionally Kylie still really enjoys school, just as Mommy and Daddy did all through their grade school years, so going back is exciting. She says she is looking forward to science this year and really hopes they will learn about rocks! She has always liked rocks, maybe she’ll be a geologist when she grows up? Hopefully that won’t be too soon though! Here’s looking forward to another great year!
Pre School Checkup
Today was Kylie’s yearly back to school check up and the numbers are looking just as good as last year’s. This year she measures 51.25 inches tall (4’ 3.25”) which means that since last year she has grown 2.25 inches. I know I said this last year as well, but it seems like she has grown more than that. Maybe it has to do with the continual development of her personality, vocabulary, and the evolution of her own style that makes her seem even bigger. She weighed in at 79.5 pounds today which is only 10.5 pounds more than last year. So compared to last year she appears to have had an overall smaller growth spurt, but that is ok with us as we don’t want her growing up too fast anyway. Her blood pressure this year was 98/60, and that is still good for her age. She is now all set to start third grade, even if we aren’t fully prepared for her to be this old yet!
Third Grade Bound
It’s official Kylie has passed second grade and is going to third grade! This year had it’s rough patches and we are still working on the math issue, but all in all it was a fantastic year. We are looking forward to what next year brings, and hopefully we can get the math issue back on track some before then! Kylie is very excited as are we; in addition to being very proud of her.