Classroom Information 2024-2025
Newsletters & Communication: A class newsletter will be emailed frequently and will contain information about what we are learning in class. This is also a great resource to learn about special dates, events, small homework projects, etc. If you do not have daily access to email, please let me know so that we can arrange another form of communication.
Please feel free to contact me with any updates, questions or concerns. The best way to do that is by email, stspillan@dcsdk12.org. I will respond to emails within 24 school hours. If you would like to talk at length about a specific issue concerning your student, please allow time for us to schedule a meeting.
Thursday Folders: Your student will bring home a folder every Thursday. Please remove all the papers, read the information and return the folder to school on Friday. If you need to send anything to school (permission slips, papers for the teacher or office, etc.) put it in the folder and I will get it on Friday.
Change in Routine: Please, please, PLEASE be sure to let me know if there are any changes in daily routines for your student. If there is a change in transportation, please contact the front office and they will notify me as I do not always see my email in time. The front office and I will work together to make sure your student gets where they need to be. Please let me know of any changes that may affect your student (death in the family, changes at home, loss of a pet, etc.) as these changes often affect your student at school. I want to support your student at school as best I can through any of these changes and the better informed I am, the better I am able to support them!
Drop off and pick-up procedures: There are a few options to drop off and pick up your student each day. School starts at 8:35 a.m., but everyone opens their doors at 8:25 a.m.to ease the crowding at the beginning of the day. School ends at 3:30 p.m.
*No visitors are allowed to enter through our classroom door. This rule has been established for the safety of all children. All visitors must go to the front office to sign in before coming to our classroom.
Classroom: If you are walking to/from school OR parking your car to walk your student in, please meet at the outside door of our classroom. I will open the door at 8:25 a.m and 3:30pm.
Bus: If your student rides the bus, they will walk the short distance from the bus to the classroom door.
Car Loop: If you are picking up or dropping off your student in the car loop please DO NOT get out of your car. There are staff members at the curb who will help your student exit and enter the car (on the curb-side) in the designated drop off/pick up zone. For safety reasons, please do not talk on your cell phone while in the car loop.
Speedsters/B.A.S.E.: If your student attends our before and after school education program (BASE), they will walk to the cafeteria to check-in with Speedsters/BASE.
Lunch: Students will eat lunch from 11:00-11:20 with recess beforehand from 10:40-11:00. Your student may order a lunch from the cafeteria or bring a lunch from home. If your student orders lunch at school they can choose from a few different options, depending on the day. These options can be found on the NRE website. Please remind your children that students are not allowed to share food with others at school. This rule has been established for the safety of all children with food allergies.
Snacks: We have two snacks each day. One in the morning and one in the afternoon. Both of them will be eaten inside our classroom. Please send a small healthy snack that your student can open and eat independently. We only have a short 15 minute period for snack.
Water Bottles: Water bottles are encouraged but MUST have a flip top, or slide top to avoid spills. NO screw tops please! All bottles will be sent home daily to be washed and refilled. WATER ONLY PLEASE. Frequent water breaks will be given to students throughout the day.
Specials: Our specials time is from 12:40-1:20 and 1:20-2:00. This schedule was sent home in the folder you received at supply drop off. It is also available on both the NRE website and the classroom website. Please make sure students wear TENNIS SHOES on P.E. weeks.
Library: We visit the library every Monday afternoon to check out books. Please help your student remember to return their library books and to keep their books safe when transporting them to and from school. 2nd graders can have two books out at a time. If your student forgets their book(s), they may not check out another book until one book is returned. If the book is lost, please reach out to Mary Peck, our librarian.
Toys From Home: Please do not allow your student to bring toys, electronic devices, Pokemon cards, stuffed animals, or any other items that may cause a distraction in the classroom to school. If an item is brought to school and becomes a distraction, the student will be encouraged to put the item in their backpack. If they choose not to put the item away, then I will take the item until the end of the day when it will then be sent home. Occasionally we will have opportunities for Show and Tell, bring a stuffed animal to school, or other events where home toys are welcome. I will let you know about these events/opportunities in advance.
Birthdays/Class Parties: Birthdays are very exciting for all students. They are celebrated all day and get to be a special helper in the classroom. We focus on school celebrations and request that no birthday treats or goodie bags are given out at school. This is because of allergies and to provide an equitable school environment for students of all backgrounds and current situations.
If your student is having a birthday party and they want to invite every child in the class, then I can help them pass out invitations or if they are a boy and invite ALL the boys, or if they are a girl and invite ALL the girls, then I can help. If there are only some students invited, then they cannot hand them out at school. This is a schoolwide policy to avoid hurt feelings. Summer birthdays will be celebrated towards the end of the school year. We have a fall, winter, and Valentine’s Day party that all families are invited to attend.
Homework: Reading every day is the single most important activity that your student can do to facilitate their growth as a reader. Reading will be the only homework that is required. Students should read 5 times per week for 15-20 minute sessions. Students may read a book from our online reading program, RazKids, or they may choose a book from home. I will contact parents individually if your student may benefit from some additional practice at home. Throughout the year, I may have some small class projects for students to do at home and bring to school.
Volunteer Opportunities:
This was sent out at the beginning of the year. Please download and print this page if you need an additional copy. Send it with your student and I will reach out.
Click here for volunteer page.
Field Trips: This is an exciting part of our 2nd Grade curriculum! We have a fall and a spring field trip. In order to make field trips safe and successful, chaperones are needed for most field trips. We will strive to make sure that each field trip will be an adventure that supports the learning environment for our class.
I am looking forward to partnering with you this year to give your student a year full of discovery and growth. Please feel free to contact me with any questions or concerns.
Warmly,
Sara Spillan
2024/2025 School Schedule
8:25-8:35 Soft Start
8:45-9:00 Unpack/Morning Meeting
9:00-10:40 ELA (Reading & Analytical Writing)
10:40-11:00 Recess
11:00-11:20 Lunch
11:20-11:50 Flood or combination learning
11:50-12:40 Math
12:40-1:20 1st Special or additional class time
1:20-2:00 2nd Special
2:00-2:20 Health Break
2:20-2:35 Snack
2:35-3:20 Science/Social Studies/Integrated learning
3:20-3:30 Pack up
Library on Monday @ 3pm