Curriculum

In our classroom, I use a variety of research-based programs to help your child grow academically and socially. UFLI helps build strong foundational reading and phonics skills so students become confident, fluent readers. Wonders supports reading comprehension, vocabulary development, and writing through engaging texts and meaningful discussions. EnVision guides our math learning with hands-on activities and real-world problem-solving. ThinkSRSD teaches students to organize their ideas and write with clarity and purpose. Sources of Strength helps us focus on social-emotional growth, resilience, and building a positive, supportive classroom community. I also use the Building Thinking Classrooms approach as a foundation for my math lessons, encouraging collaboration, critical thinking, and deeper understanding. Together, these programs and strategies create a well-rounded learning experience that supports each child’s academic and personal growth.

Expectations

In our classroom, we work together to make sure everyone feels safe, respected, and ready to learn. We follow these expectations every day:

Be Kind – Use kind words and actions with everyone.
Be Respectful – Listen when others are speaking and take care of our classroom and materials.
Be Responsible – Follow directions the first time, stay on task, and do your best work.
Be Safe – Keep hands, feet, and objects to yourself and move safely in the classroom.
Be a Learner – Stay curious, try new things, and persevere even when it feels tricky.

By following these expectations, our classroom will be a place where everyone can grow, feel included, and have fun learning together.

Classroom THINGS TO KNOW

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 and Snacks

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.

Birthday and 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/ Check Your Understanding

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.

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.

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.

Library

We visit the library every Thursday morning 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.

Specials

Our specials time is from 12:40-1:20 and 1:20-2:00. It is also available on both the NRE website and the classroom website. Please make sure students wear TENNIS SHOES on P.E. weeks.