WELCOME TO OUR CLASSROOM
Find schedules, homework details, classroom expectations, and quick answers—whenever you need them.
A consistent day helps children feel ready to learn
AT-A-GLANCE
Check here for classroom events, field trip forms, items to bring, and approaching deadlines.
Gaenslen School Picture Day is Friday, September 18, 2026. Families may order at mylifetouch.com ↗ using Picture Day ID EVTP8M2TK, or complete the Lifetouch paper form sent home. Online orders do not need to be returned to school.
Some bonus items are available only with preorders. Background choices, specialty products, retouching, and additional packages are available through Lifetouch; review the paper form or website for the exact contents, prices, and terms.
Under Wisconsin Act 42, MPS Board Policy 5136, and the notice sent by Gaenslen School, students in grades K3–8 may not use personal communication devices, including cell phones and smartwatches, during the school day.
Families received a parent form for a voluntary research study evaluating the K–5 Second Step Social-Emotional Learning Program and Bully Prevention Unit. The study is led by Chad A. Rose, Ph.D., and is intended to help researchers understand social skills, school climate, and bullying prevention.
If you consent to your child participating, the form says no further action is needed. If you do not consent, sign the opt-out section and return the form to your child’s teacher. Families may also end participation later without penalty.
Questions about the study may be sent to chadrose@sc.edu. Questions about participant rights may be directed to the University of Missouri IRB at 573-882-3181 or muresearchirb@missouri.edu.
This is a family-friendly summary of the form sent home. Please read and keep the full paper form for the complete consent, privacy, risk, and contact information.
This board is a convenient classroom summary, not an emergency notification system. ParentSquare and current MPS announcements are the official sources for cancellations, schedule changes, and urgent notices.
RECENTLY UPDATED
A new at-a-glance board will highlight current classroom events, forms, deadlines, and important notices. Official school closures and emergency notices still come through ParentSquare and MPS.
Check classroom reminders →OUR SCHOOL DAY
Times may shift for special events, testing, or school-wide activities. Families will be notified when a major change affects the day.
Students eat breakfast and get ready for the school day.
Monday and Friday: Morning Meeting • Tuesday and Thursday: Health • Wednesday: Second Step
Students strengthen phonics, decoding, fluency, spelling patterns, and foundational reading skills.
A short movement and play break before our next learning block.
Ready Classroom Mathematics, modeling, discussion, and hands-on practice.
HMH Into Reading, vocabulary, comprehension, small groups, and writing instruction.
Monday through Wednesday: Science • Thursday and Friday: Social Studies
Students eat lunch with their classmates before afternoon recess.
Students have time for movement, play, and social connection.
Monday through Wednesday: Science • Thursday and Friday: Social Studies
WIN takes place Tuesday and Wednesday. Monday, Thursday, and Friday follow the A/B specials rotation below.
Students pack their materials and prepare for a safe, organized dismissal.
WHAT WE’RE LEARNING
Our third graders learn through modeling, discussion, practice, movement, small groups, and independent work.
Explore all 10 HMH Into Reading modules, stories, word recognition skills, and writing projects.
View the year at a glance →See the major third-grade math topics, from multiplication and division to fractions and geometry.
Explore math learning →Explore our hands-on units in engineering, weather, forces, life cycles, organisms, and fossils.
Explore science learning →Preview our learning about communities, geography, civics, history, and economics.
Explore social studies →Learn about relationships, communication, emotions, decision-making, body knowledge, safety, and privacy.
Explore health learning →Learn how Second Step supports empathy, self-management, relationships, and problem-solving.
Explore SEL learning →CLASSROOM ROUTINES
These are the routines students practice so our room stays safe, calm, inclusive, and ready for learning.
See the nightly routine, what each subject practices, how families can help, and why weekends stay homework-free.
See how homework works →Learn about the 3 B’s, our real-world voice levels, behavior clips, consequences, safety rules, and behavior-based rewards.
See how behavior is supported →Learn when and how to reach me, what belongs on ParentSquare, and who to contact for urgent, transportation, or schoolwide matters.
See how communication works →Learn about MPS bus eligibility, routes, stops, change requests, bus conduct, WheresTheBus, and transportation contacts.
Open the transportation guide →Learn how Chromebooks and approved apps support learning, what students are responsible for, and how families can build healthy screen habits at home.
Open the technology guide →Find practical learning routines, IEP and inclusion support, trusted websites, and free or low-cost Milwaukee experiences for the whole family.
Open the family learning guide →Check the FAQ below, your child’s homework folder, and the latest ParentSquare post. Your answer may already be waiting for you.
NEED A CONVERSATION?
My contract hours are 7:10 AM–2:20 PM. If you would like a family meeting, please choose one of the available appointment times. Call the school office for urgent or same-day needs.
SCHOOL SUPPLIES
Please label personal items with your child’s first and last name. Families should contact the school if help obtaining supplies is needed.
PLEASE BRING
Please do not send liquid glue. Although the general MPS list includes an 8-ounce bottle of washable white glue, our classroom will use glue sticks instead.
This is a convenient classroom copy. The current official MPS Grade 3 list controls district supply requirements; Mr. Acevedo’s no-liquid-glue request is a classroom preference. Supplies may need replacement as they are used. Check the official MPS Grade 3 list ↗
PLEASE LEAVE AT HOME
The school and classroom cannot be responsible for lost, damaged, or traded personal items.
OPTIONAL CLASSROOM SUPPORT
Families and community members who would like to support additional classroom materials can visit Mr. Acevedo’s DonorsChoose page. Donations are always optional. Classroom crowdfunding is subject to school-leader approval and MPS Policy 6605 ↗.
PARENT RESOURCES
Use these official district and school resources to find records, transportation information, forms, support, and important updates.
QUICK ANSWERS
Search by topic or open a question below.
Contact the school office as early as possible. For safety, I cannot make a transportation change based only on a message from a student.
A weekly homework packet goes home Monday. Students complete one page each night, Monday through Thursday, and return the full packet Friday.
Students use ST Math for 15 minutes per school day as math practice. At this time, ST Math is not identified as a Tier 2 intervention program.
Please send a backpack, charged Chromebook when assigned, homework folder, and a refillable water bottle. Label personal items with your child’s name.
Please report the absence to the school office. Missed work will be gathered, but students may receive extra time or an adjusted assignment depending on the lesson.
I teach and reteach expectations first. I will contact families when a pattern develops, a serious safety issue occurs, or your partnership is needed.
Please ask before sending food or treats so we can follow school rules and protect students with allergies or medical needs.
Under Mr. Acevedo’s classroom communication practice, ParentSquare is the best non-urgent option and families should allow up to 72 hours during school days for a response. Mr. Acevedo’s contract hours are 7:10 AM–2:20 PM, and he does not work or respond outside those hours. Weekends, holidays, and school breaks do not count toward the response window. Book an appointment for a family meeting, and contact the office for urgent, same-day matters.
Mr. Acevedo’s classroom practice allows up to 72 hours during school days.