Welcome to 2nd grade! Second grade is a time to grow both socially and academically, you will see your child make great strides this year. The intention of THE ABCs OF SECOND GRADE is to help familiarize you with the procedures that help our classroom run smoothly.
A
ATTENDANCE-This is taken every morning at 8:10, please have your child in the room by that time so they are not counted as a tardy.
ARRIVAL& DISMISSAL-School begins at 8:10 and ends at 2:10. The earliest your child may get to school is 7:45 and this is for breakfast.
ABSENCES- If you child is absent for any reason, please call the office to report their absence. I am happy to prepare make-up work when you know your child will be out ahead of time.
B
BEHAVIOR- Using the PAX behavior system, students will be responsible for their own behavior each day and every student will follow the same behavior code of our classroom. Please check your child’s behavior calendar each night to find their behavior color for the day as well as any notes about behavior.
BIRTHDAYS- We are not allowed to have birthday parties, but you can send cupcakes or a treat that day for the class to enjoy. Please send them that morning and we will have them at lunch.
C
CLASS DOJO-an app to download that will be a great communication tool in our room to share pictures, videos, messages and whole class behavior.
COMPUTER- We will go to the computer lab once a week and computers will be used in the classroom for various reasons. These reasons include taking quizzes, completing assessments, using RAZ-Kids, practice typing, and various other activities.
CONFERENCES-Conferences are scheduled for the month of November, but if you there is a need to meet at any other time, feel free to contact me. I am available from 7:45-8:00 and 2:30-3:30 for other conferences.
CONTACTING ME-I may be reached by phone at 259-6620 ext. 4002 and by email: danielle.jett@madriverschools.org
D
DISCIPLINE-Our behavior system includes changing to different colors. Every student starts out the day on GREEN. This is considered a GREAT day. If they have to move their number they go to YELLOW, which is still a GOOD day. If they have to move their number again they go to RED, which is not a good day, and they lose 10 minutes of recess. During this time, they walk the perimeter of the blacktop on the playground for the 10 minutes. If they move their number for the third time, they go on BLUE and lose all of their recess. They would walk the entire time. Finally, if they move their number for their fourth time they lose all their recess and have to write a note home and/or you will receive a phone call or short note from me. In the beginning of the year, I will write a short note on their homework/behavior sheet as to why they moved numbers. By the third quarter, I will expect that they can tell you why and if you have a question you can write a short note to me and I will be happy to explain any situation.
DONATIONS: If you did not take a donation apple from the Giving Tree during Open House or sign up for celebration donations and would still like to, please contact me and I will let you know what our class is still in need of.
E
EMERGENCY CARD-Please keep your emergency card updated. If anything changes, contact the office to let them know. Make sure you and your child know the password you picked.
EARLY RELEASE DAYS- We will have various Early Release Days throughout the year. Please ensure that your child knows what to do in this instance. It is important for them to know where to go or who to call.
EARLY PICK UP-If you are picking your child up before 2:10 you must go through the office to check your child out. The office will then call the classroom and I will send the student down to meet you in the office. Please do not come to the classroom to pick up your child unless you have already stopped by the office and have a visitor’s pass.
F
FIRE DRILLS-These will be conducted at least once a month to ensure the children understand procedures in case of fire.
FOLDERS: Each student will have a red folder that goes home and comes back to school each
day. These folders will contain and forms needing to be filled out, homework for the day, newsletters, etc.
FIREFLY JAR (Now known as TOOTLES)-Students will be recognized for good deeds in the classroom and their name will be entered into the jar (now on a bulletin board) by the teacher and other students.
FAMILY-everyone in our class is considered our class family and we will strive hard to maintain an atmosphere of love, respect, and safety in our room at all times.
G
GYM-The children will go to Physical Education on Wednesdays and Fridays from 1:00-1:30, the PE teacher is Mr. Bostick. Tennis shoes need to be worn these days.
GRADES- I try to take at least one grade each week in each subject. Grades for second grade are G (Good), S (Satisfactory), N (Needs Improvement) and W (With teacher help). I also give percentages with tests. Homework will only be graded for completion and will not receive a letter grade.
H
HELP AT HOME-I strongly encourage you to read with your child as much as possible.
Read to your child, read with your child, and have your child read to you. You cannot do too much of this…reading should occur EVERY night as well as practicing math facts. These two things will help your child be successful in second grade.
HOMEWORK-Students will have homework most nights. Your child will have an assignment sheet that comes home in their folder for you to sign. This way you know what is expected to be done by your child each night and also what their behavior was on that particular night. You can also find homework assignments on the class website.
I
ILLNESS-Although attendance is very important if your child is ill please do not send them to school. Keep them at home until they are completely well, so we minimize the transfer of germs. Preferably, they need to be free of fever for 24 hours before returning to school.
J
JACKETS-Any jacket or sweater brought to school needs to have the student‘s name written in it. Most days it is cool in our building and a small jacket or sweater would be helpful to keep students comfortable. Students are allowed to keep ONE jacket or sweater in their cubby at all times if they would like to be prepared for the varying temperatures in our building.
K
KINDNESS-Children in the classroom are expected to treat each other with kindness and
respect. This is one of our rules and will be followed by everyone that enters our room.
L
LIBRARY-The children will go to library every Tuesday from 1:00-1:30; the Library teacher is Mrs. Wood. Second grade is allowed to check out two books at a time and must return those books on Tuesday morning of each week.
LUNCH- Our lunch time is from 11:00-11:20 each day. Please make sure your child comes to school with their lunch money or packed lunch. The children get very anxious when they don’t have/ can’t find their lunch money. Please send lunch money in an envelope or baggie with your child’s name on it. Thank you!
M
MUSIC-The children go to music on Mondays and Thursdays from 1:00-1:30, the music
teacher is Mrs. Neukrichner.
MAKE-UP WORK-When students are absent they will have one day to make up work for every day that they were absent. Please contact me through email or let the office know if you are able to pick up your child’s work while they are gone. It can be overwhelming to return after an absence and have to do make up work as well as regular work!
MATH MONEY- For the money unit in math, your child needs to bring in 20 pennies, 10 nickels, 10 dimes and 4 quarters. The coins should be in a Ziploc bag with the child’s name on it. They will be returned at the end of the year.
N
NOTES- If you have a question or concern an email or note is the easiest way to relay that to me. You can also send a Class Dojo message to me. I will be happy to respond to any note as quickly as possible whether it be a note back or a phone call. If you would like me to call you please indicate that on the note and I will call during a planning period during the morning or after school. If the need is not urgent, please feel free to email me and I will check it after school. I truly believe in open communication and believe this is the way that works best in our classroom.
O
OUTSTANDING STUDENTS-Together our goal for the year is to reach the end of 2nd grade with a feeling of accomplishment and pride. I want my students to enter 3rd grade ready for the next adventure. This class is made up of outstanding students and I look forward to their arrival each morning.
P
PARENT INVOLVEMENT-I HIGHLY ENCOURAGE THIS. I want you to be a part of your child’s learning. You are your child’s best teacher. If you need suggestions for activities at home please let me know. I will always send notes home if something is coming up and I need extra hands to get projects going. If you are willing to be involved in your child’s classroom please fill out the parent volunteer sheet at Open House/Meet the Teacher night.
PARTIES- We will have several celebrations throughout the year. If you would like to be a
part of these celebrations and did not already sign up at open house, please let me know.
PBIS- Our school is lucky enough to have in place a behavior system called PBIS (Positive Behavioral Intervention and Support). This is a system (PAX) in which students are taught the positive behaviors needed to be successful in hopes of staying away from negative behavior. Students earn "TOOTLES" notes from any student or staff member. These are positive notes we write to each other when we see outstanding behaviors. Students will also work toward behavior goals of being on green 80% of the 5-6 week period of time. If they reach that goal at the end of the time frame they will be involved in the school wide rewards. Last year some of the rewards were very fun; possible rewards include a games, a day at the park and more! Please encourage your child to be on their best behavior at all times so they can attend these fun events.
Q
QUIZZES-Depending on your child’s reading level, they will be required to take 1-2 AR (Accelerated Reader) quizzes a week. They will use their school library book to take the first quiz and a book from our class library to take the second quiz. Please make sure that your child is reading their library book when it comes home home on Tuesdays so they will be ready to take their AR quiz on the computer. If your child checks out two AR books from the school library, they can use both of those books to take their quizzes.
QUESTIONS-If you have any questions at any time please send a note in the homework folder or email me. I like to communicate with you so that we are both on the same page. The more we work together the easier our school year will be.
R
READING LOG-Each student will receive a weekly homework agenda to track their reading for that week; these should be filled out daily to assure that your child is reading at home. The title of the book can be written directly on the title line.
RESTROOMS-The class will take 5 restroom breaks together throughout each day; if a student
chooses to go at another time they will have 3 extra visits a week to do that. It is important that students are in the classroom when learning is taking place. Please contact me if you feel your child has a special situation in regards to the restroom.
RULES- Our classroom will have a promise/mission that we create together. This will act as
our set of rules and will closely follow the rules of Beverly Gardens that all students are expected to follow.
S
SUPPLIES-Some items may need to be replaced during the school year. If this happens I will send a note home letting you know what we need.
SNACKS- We will have snack each day around 9:30. Each child is responsible for bringing their own nutritious snack. Due to allergies and other issues sharing snacks is not permitted. Please don’t send in snacks with spoons...they can get too messy!
If you would like your child to bring in a water bottle, that is fine. Please have them wrap the bottle in an old sock on the bottom. This prevents the bottle from “sweating” onto the desk, which in turn will keep all our papers dry!
SWITCHING CLASSES-Students will switch classes many times throughout the year. Our grade level has flexible math and reading groups for portions of the day where your child may see a teacher other than myself. These flexible groups are to ensure that your child is being taught with their specific needs in mind.
T
TOYS- Bringing toys to school is discouraged. It is not only a distraction, but can be misplaced or broken. Thank you for keeping toys at home.
TEXTBOOKS-Any textbook that goes home must be returned the next day. If the textbook is damaged or lost it will need to be paid for.
TESTS- Every 2-3 weeks, at the close of a unit, we will have a math test. We will have a weekly math facts timed test on Friday. We will have spelling tests too, but not weekly. In the beginning, middle, and end of the year we will have a STAR Math and STAR Reading Assessment on the computer. These tests allow us to see the growth your child is making this year. The first tests will not be very good, based on the simple fact that your child doesn’t have many of the second grade skills mastered yet. Each time the test is taken, you will see improvement…yay!
U
UNIQUE-This word is my favorite word to describe children. It is important for us, teachers and parents, to understand that each child is different and unique in their own way. No two children learn the same or need the same interactions as others. It is imperative that we realize this in order to help them be successful.
V
VISITORS-If you plan on eating lunch with us or are visiting the class you MUST check in through the office first. Even if I already know you are coming you still must go through the office. This is very important and is for the security of the children.
VOLUNTEERS-Teaching is a busy job which never seems to be finished. I am very appreciative of any help that I can get. If you are available to help in any way, please make sure you fill out the volunteer form at Open House/Meet the Teacher night.
W
WEBSITE-So that you can stay connected to our classroom learning, I have created a classroom website that I will update weekly. It will contain the week’s assignments, announcements, skills and other special information. Our classroom website is https://www.madriverschools.org//Domain/360. If you do not have the internet available to you please let me know and I will print out the week’s information and send it home on Mondays. The Mad River Local Schools website is: https://www.madriverschools.org
X
eXciting-This year will be new and exciting for your child. Encourage your child to share the exciting activities we do in class each day.
Y
YOUNGER SIBLINGS-During a parent volunteer activity, it is in the best interest of the school and children that you are available without younger siblings. This not only allows your focus to be on the class, but also allows you time with your 2nd grader. Thank you for making arrangements and for your understanding.
Z
ZZZZZZZZZ’s-Be sure your 2nd grader gets plenty of rest, so they are up and ready to learn each morning.
Welcome to 2nd grade! Second grade is a time to grow both socially and academically, you will see your child make great strides this year. The intention of THE ABCs OF SECOND GRADE is to help familiarize you with the procedures that help our classroom run smoothly.