Welcome to 3rd Grade!

My name is Mrs. Nelson and I am thrilled to have the opportunity to work with you and your family, during this upcoming school year! This is my 23rd year of teaching, and I have been a Longfellow Bear for all of those years. I look forward to making this an amazing year with all of you!

I grew up in Oak Park, and still live in the community with my family. A few of my favorite things include: Fall weather, iced coffee, checking out fests and community events with family and friends, party planning, shopping at Target, watching the Chicago White Sox, trying new restaurants/coffee shops and returning to old favorites, decorating for various holidays/seasons, and of course: teaching!

I am a District 97 alum and I attended high school at OPRF and then went on to college at the University of Illinois where I earned my bachelor's degree in elementary education. I also earned a master's degree in reading at Concordia University. This school year, I will be continuing to work on some professional development for my portfolio work towards achieving National Board certification in teaching.

I am looking forward to working together to navigate the challenges and celebrate all of the many successes that this school year will bring.

I will be communicating with you frequently so that you will know what is going on in our classroom. So that I can be sure that I am using your preferred email address, could you please reply back to me at anelson@op97.org, just to let me know you have received my first communication and that this is the best email address to use to reach you?

Also, if your child goes by a shortened/different name other than what is on my roster, could you please let me know that as well?

STUDENT Survey

Parent/Guardian Survey

IMPORTANT - click HERE to share your child's daily dismissal instructions

*Tuesday, 8/25: Supply Drop-Off and Meet Mrs. Nelson (2:30 - 3:30 PM) in Room 238

*Wednesday, 8/26: First Day of School (Full Wednesday schedule with a 2:30 PM dismissal)

*Friday, 9/4: PTO Back-to-School Picnic (5:30 - 7:00 PM)

*Wednesday, 9/9: Picture Day

*Thursday, 9/10: Curriculum Night (6:15 - 7:00 PM)

The first day of school will be Wednesday of Week A on the menu.

Here is the third grade supply list:

• Dismissal Reminder: School dismissal is 30 minutes earlier (at 2:30 PM) EVERY Wednesday. Dismissal will occur at 3:00 PM on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday. Our arrival and dismissal door is Door 11W, which is right at the corner of Jackson and Cuyler near the crosswalk. (see picture below) Students should line up each morning in line order (which will be established on the first day of school) on the blacktop near the basketball hoops in line "S" (marked on the blacktop.)

• All items packed in your child's lunch or snack, must be NUT-FREE. Some safe snack items include: fresh fruit, fresh vegetables, dried fruit, apple squeezers, fruit snacks, packaged popcorn, packaged pretzels.

• Sunrise Study Hall and Open Gym will both be available daily at 7:30 AM beginning Monday, 8/31. Students who would like to participate in either of these before school activities should enter the building at the main entrance on Highland.

• Mondays - P.E. (gym shoes needed) & Critical Thinking Skills
• Tuesdays - Music & Spanish
• Wednesdays - Library
• Thursdays - Art
• Fridays - Music & Spanish

Special Area Teacher Contact Information:

• Spanish - Señora Lynch - Lmarinelarena@op97.org
• Music - Mrs. Ablan - mablan@op97.org
• Library - Ms. Shea - Lshea@op97.org
• P.E. - Mr. Sorensen - msorensen@op97.org
• Art - Ms. Raia - jraia@op97.org
• Critical Thinking Skills- Mrs. Scaro - Lscaro@op97.org

Science and Social Studies content is also embedded into the ELA curriculum.

Email: anelson@op97.org
Location: 715 Highland Avenue, Oak Park, IL, USA
Phone: 708-524-3060