Absences

If your child is absent from school, I will send home all make up work when he/she returns.  A student has the number of days he/she was absent to complete the work. If you would like for me to send home the work with a sibling, please leave a message for me in the office by 10:00 a.m. Then, depending on my planning schedule for that day, I will try to have it ready to send home.  All make up work will be sent home in a folder.  Please return all work in that folder on the date due.  Five points will be deducted from your child's grade each day the work is past due. 

Accelerated Reader

Students choose, read, and take computer quizzes on books that match their independent reading level.  The AR program provides children with a fun and exciting way to boost reading skills as well as an assessment tool for me to monitor both the quantity and quality of reading practice that the students are engaged in.  Students must score an 80% to earn points.  Most books are work 0.5 to 1.0 points.  Students track their progress on our "We Treasure ARRRRR!" display.  Students will have a monthly reading goal and I will send home their AR Quiz Reports in their Tuesday Folders for you to see.  You do not need to send the reports back to school.  Children will read AR books in class but will also read at home nightly.

Agenda Books

Agenda books are required for second grade.  If  you did not purchase one at final registration, you will need to purchase one from the office.  Your child is responsible for these agenda books daily,  The agenda book will contain your child's daily homework, weekly spelling words, and notes from me.  You will need to read your child's agenda book each night and initial.  If your child forgets their agenda book, they are responsible for copying the day's assignments on paper.  If this happens frequently, you will be notified. 

Birthdays

Birthday treats are welcome.  Your child will be allowed to share treats during our recess time.  Please notify me several days in advance if you wish to send treats.  Invitations to parties can only be passed out in school if everyone is invited (or all girls if it is a girl party, all boys if it is a boy party).  Children this age are very sensitive to being left out. 

Book Orders

Scholastic Book Orders will be sent home each month.  If you wish to order, fill out the form and send a check made out to Scholastic Book Clubs.  PLEASE DO NOT SEND CASH!

Classroom Traveling Buddies

We have two classroom traveling buddies.  Michael Bear and Melissa Bear.  Each Friday, Michael will go home with one of the boys in our room and Melissa will go home with one of the girls.  Each bear has a journal.  Your child will need to write about all the adventures they had with the bear over the weekend.  They will return the bear and journal on Monday and share the journal entry with our class.  

COMMUNICATION

One thing I enjoy about teaching (besides, of course, the kids!) is the relationships I have built with parents.  I believe that communication between school and home is essential to your child's success at school.  Therefore, I will be sending home notes, emails, or making phone calls regarding your child's progress-successes as well as any problems.  Please check your child's agenda, Tuesday Folder, and Daily Folder for any notes.  The Politte Post, our weekly newsletter, will come home and inform you of what is happening in our class.  

Conferences

 We will have one scheduled parent/teacher/student conference after the 1st nine weeks.  However, I would be happy to meet with you at any time to discuss your child's progress.  I can meet before school, after school, or during my planning time.  Just send me an email, note, or call the school office to set up a time.

   *Establish a calm, orderly, and safe environment for learning.
   *Foster an appreciation for the roles of rules in school.
   *Help children develop self-control and self-discipline.
   *Teach children to be responsible, contributing members of a 
     community.
   *Promote respectful, kind, and healthy teacher-student and 
     student-student interactions. 

Discipline is a subject that can be "taught." Rather than being teacher directed, rules are created by the teacher and student working together during the early weeks of school.  Our classroom rules for 2008-2009 will be posted as soon as they are decided. 

Logical consequences are used to help children learn from their mistakes, rather than punishing them.  They help children regain self-control, reflect on their mistakes, and make amends for them.

Eight Expectations for Living

Just like in the "real world," students have rights and responsibilities in the classroom.  These are explained and discussed at the beginning of the year and throughout.  Below are our Eight Expectations: 

  1.  We will value one another as unique and 
      special individuals.

  2.  We will not laugh at or make fun of a 
      person's mistakes nor use sarcasm or 
      putdowns. 
  3.  We will use good manners, saying "please,"
      "thank you," and "excuse me," and allow 
      others to go first. 
  4.  We will cheer each other to success. 
  5.  We will help one another whenever possible.
  6.  We will recognize every effort and applaud 
       it. 
  7.  We will encourage each other to do our 
      best. 
  8.  We will practice virtuous living using the 
      Eight Expectations. 

Facts

Math facts (addition, subtraction, multiplication) are very important this year!  Your child will bring home a math fact sheet most nights.  Please help your child study these each night and initial that you have checked their paper in the space provided.  Subtraction facts will not come home till the second semester and multiplication facts will not come home till fourth nine weeks. 

      A     93-100
      B     85-92
      C     75-84
      D     70-74
      F     Below 70

Conduct, Handwriting, Science, and Special Classes:

      E     Excellent
      G     Good
      S     Satisfactory
      I      Improving
 check      Needs Improving
      U     Unsatisfactory

Homework is an important part of your child's second grade experience.  All homework is a reinforcement or extension of class instruction.  Your child will have some kind of homework Monday through Thursday.  Daily assignments not completed at school will also be considered homework.  If daily work comes home on a regular basis, this might indicate there is a problem, or that your child is not using classroom time wisely.  Supporting good work habits is a joint effort.  I will support your child and encourage good work habits at school.  Your child will benefit greatly from your support and encouragement at home.  Your child's homework should not take more than 30-40 minutes.  However, not every child is the same and it may take some children longer to complete their work.  If your child is showing signs of frustration, please let me know.  Please go over your child's homework nightly to make sure he/she understands and that it is completed properly.  I consider home reading, studying spelling words, and math facts standing homework assignments.