WELCOME TO SECOND GRADE!
2021-2022
Dear Families,
Welcome to second grade! The beginning of the school year is always exciting, and this year is no exception. Our hope is to create a safe, fun, and engaging environment for all students. We are writing to fill you in on what to expect next week as we begin what we hope will be a wonderful school year.
Arrival and Dismissal:
We will meet your children outside at the front of the school (Ms. Ramgren’s class will line up between the front entrance and the “Springer Way” sign. Ms. McManama’s class will line up between the “Springer Way” sign and the crosswalk. Mrs. Thayer’s class will line up by the chimney and along the front garden. Children should have their masks on. We will come out to greet our class line and then bring them into the building. This will be both the arrival and dismissal spot for each class, for the year. For dismissal, please wait across the driveway in the grassy area, or in the blue zone if prearranged with your child. Once we are back at our meeting spot and see you, we will send your children across the driveway. This will be our plan every day.
Communication:
If you ever have any questions or concerns, please email your child’s classroom teacher directly.
haumessera@newton.k12.ma.us (Ms. McManama)
ramgrenm@newton.k12.ma.us (Ms. Ramgren)
thayerd@newton.k12.ma.us (Mrs. Thayer)
School Hours:
We will greet students outside at 8:10 a.m. and walk them in to unpack and settle in. We will begin morning meeting by 8:20. If you arrive after 8:20, please have your children check in at the office before coming to the room. If your children are not in the room and ready to start the day by 8:20 they will be marked tardy.
On Wednesdays, all students are dismissed at 12:20. On all other days, except for early release days, students are dismissed at 2:50. We will dismiss children from the main doors in front of the school. Please be sure to send in a note if dismissal plans change. We can't always check our email during the school day, so please don't email dismissal plans on the same day.
Backpacks:
Your child should carry a roomy backpack to school every day. Please label your child's belongings. Your child will be bringing home a two-pocket folder for papers, notices, and finished work. Please work to establish a nightly routine for checking the folder and keeping it in the backpack so that it comes back to school every morning.
Masks:
Please send in extra masks for children to keep in their backpacks. They will be wearing masks throughout the day when we are inside the building other than when eating.
Conferences:
We will have parent-teacher conferences in October and November and then again in March and April. Please take some time to fill out the parent questionnaire that will be coming home soon. It helps us get to know your child and your family before we meet in October.
Parent Night:
We look forward to meeting everyone on Tuesday, September 28th for our VIRTUAL Back to School Night. Be on the lookout for an email soon with the link to join.
Snack and Lunch:
We have snack everyday at 9:50 and lunch at 1:15 on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday. Weather permitting, we will be enjoying snack outside followed by a short recess. Children will be very hungry with a later lunch. Please be sure to pack enough healthy snack food to keep them going until lunch. We have several children with food allergies in the room. Do not send in items containing peanuts or other tree nuts. Please pack extra paper towels or napkins for children to use as place mats for snack. This will help us to keep our work areas clean. Children should bring their own utensils for snack. Please avoid sending in food that is easily spilled or becomes messy (cereal, popcorn, crumbly muffins, etc.) Thanks for your help!
Recess:
As a Responsive School, we will be modeling and practicing recess expectations during the first few weeks of school.
Lockers:
Second grade is the first time that students will have lockers. Please do not send in any locker decorations.
Students will not be spending time in the hallway at their lockers other than to put their backpacks away. In addition, the lockers do not have much room for anything other than backpacks.
Parent Questionnaire Regarding Dismissal:
We are including a link to a questionnaire to learn more about your child and his/her/their dismissal plans for the first week of school. Please fill this out and submit it by Wednesday, September 8th, so that we can prepare for dismissal scenarios. CLICK HERE TO COMPLETE THE QUESTIONNAIRE. (I can't find the questionnaire to update it!)
Classroom Supplies:
Finally, if you preordered supplies please send them in with your child on the first day. If you did not preorder supplies, please click on this link (and scroll down to second grade) to see what you need to purchase and send in on 9/9/21 (if you need financial assistance for supplies, please contact Ms. Carbone, our school secretary at carbonem@newton.k12.ma.us. Feel free to send in a small, individual hand sanitizer for your child to keep at her/his seat.
We would appreciate any donations of additional supplies such as gallon sized Ziploc bags.
We are very excited about this upcoming school year and look forward to partnering with you for a successful year.
Sincerely,
Allie McManama
Melissa Ramgren
Donna Thayer