Classroom Procedures

Dear Parents/Guardians,

Welcome to Second Grade! This is going to be a wonderful year for your child, filled with many special events. I would like to thank you in advance for entrusting your child to me. I will do my best to give all of them a year filled with educational experiences that are exciting and enriching, and a classroom that is conducive to learning.

I have several objectives for this year:

1. Do Your Best- Everyone makes mistakes; Improvement is the important key.

2. Follow Directions

3. Improve Listening Skills

4. Become More Organized

5. Take Responsibility for Yourself

The following information may be useful in helping you to understand some of my routines, policies, and expectations.

Planners and Homework:

Your child should be bringing home his or her planner each evening. Please check it for the homework assignments, the weekly spelling words (given on Monday), and any other special notes. The homework should be checked by you and should be neat and correct. The homework is always a review of work we have covered in class and therefore should not be too difficult. If it proves problematic for them and/or is taking longer then 20-30 minutes to complete, please let me know. It is imperative that students complete homework. The homework assigned reinforces the curriculum learned in class and allows me the chance to see if students understand the material being taught. Also, I do not check planners for signatures, so if you have written a note in the planner please advise your child to show me the note in the morning.

Friday Folders:

Your child will be bringing home a Friday folder each week. Inside this folder will be that week’s corrected weekly assignments and tests. Inside each folder is a parent’s sign off sheet. Please sign it. This will show me that you have reviewed the work. If there is a question or comment please write a note to me or you can enclose it on the lines provided on the sign off sheet.

Science and Social Studies:

Throughout each unit we will be completing a vocabulary chart containing important words from each chapter. I will send this home as a review the night before their test. It is your child's responsibility to bring it back the next day to use it as a "cheat sheet" on their tests. Towards the end of the year, the students will be responsible to know the information without the use of their vocabulary charts.

Math:

The series we use is Go Math. This series is accessible through our Smart Board, which has proven to be very effective with students. The lessons are hands on and enhance visual aides for the students. This series is also accessible from home with many different features to ensure that your child is able to reinforce skills taught in the classroom. The math book and practice book are also accessible from home; please see the attached sheet for further guidance.

In second grade we will be spending much of the year covering 2-digit addition and subtraction with renaming. It is important that your child master the basic addition and subtraction facts. I encourage you to use flashcards at home with your child, as this will help them learn these facts. I will begin giving weekly basic addition and subtraction quizzes soon. These quizzes will not be averaged into math grades, but they will give me an idea of student’s progress and areas that need to be worked on. At the end of the year, we will be covering multiplication and division to help prepare for third grade; therefore mastering basic facts is extremely helpful.

Religion:

This is a very important and special year for your child. We will spend a great deal of time preparing your child for the sacraments of First Reconciliation and First Holy Communion. Please fill out all religion forms you are given and indicate if your child will be participating.

Religion tests: I allow students to use their books on these tests (open book). Please remind your child to pack their book up after he/she has reviewed it.

Reading:

We will continue to use a guided reading program. Along with guided reading, this year we will also be following the Journey’s reading curriculum. Journey’s is a researched-based, comprehensive English Language Arts program developed by literacy experts. This program allows me to incorporated phonics, spelling, reading, writing, listening, speaking, and grammar skills. I will continue to work with students in small groups to ensure that your child is learning the skills they need to excel to the best of their ability. We will have a spelling test and a reading test every Friday. Students will need to complete three spelling activities each week in order to practice their spelling words and review the weekly phonic sounds we are learning. I will send home the reading book every Thursday night so your child can reread the story we have been reading in class before the test.

Each child has a basket in class that contains books that are “just right” for them. When reading with your child, please make sure they are reading books that are “just right” so they can continue working on the skills they are being taught in the classroom and become better readers and writers.

Classroom Management:

The students are encouraged to work together to solve their problems. Each child will be held accountable for his/her own actions. Consequences for inappropriate behavior are designed to be instructional rather than “punitive.” We will use the “stoplight method” which will enable students to monitor their own behavior. Daily behavior will be recorded on a monthly calendar, which will be placed in take home folders. Students will be responsible for recording their behavior at the end of each day. Much time is spent early in the year on teaching the children acceptable behavior. I encourage you to take the time to discuss the importance of our classroom rules and why they should be followed. This is beneficial to you and your child. It also sends a message to the children that we are all on the same page and working together. With this plan, the children have the opportunity to learn about their responsibilities as well as being held accountable for their actions. Your support and reinforcement of this behavioral plan is greatly appreciated.

Absences, Tardiness and Dismissal:

If your child is absent due to illness or late coming to school, you will need to send in a written excuse upon his or her return. Please make sure your child checks into the main office and orders lunch if needed. If your child is going somewhere other than his or her normal routine at dismissal, I need to have a note stating where your child is going. The end of the day can be very hectic and I want to ensure your child goes to his or her correct destination.

If your child is absent from school, all of his/her missed work will be sent home. I ask that this work be returned completed as quickly as possible so that they do not fall behind in the curriculum that we are learning.

If you are planning on going on vacation during the school year and your child will be missing school, I will put together the missed work. I kindly ask that you please give me at least a week’s notice.

Birthdays, Holidays and Parent Volunteers:

I am happy to celebrate your child’s birthday. If you wish to send in a treat, just let me know a day or so in advance. All treats that are brought in this year need to be store bought and cannot be baked at home.

This year, we will be celebrating Halloween, Christmas, and Valentine's Day in our classrooms. More information regarding these celebrations will go home closer to each holiday. As of now, we are planning on having a day of fun-filled holiday activities in our classroom in order to celebrate each holiday!

Star of the Week

Each student will be given a week this school year where they will be chosen as the Star of the Week. During your child’s week, they will complete a Read All About Me poster that will be hung up in our room for the week, they will be the line leader that week, and they will also be able to bring in something special on Friday of their week to share with the class. This can be a picture, trophy, a book to read, or anything else that they can carry that is something special they want to share about themselves with the class. When it is your child’s week, please complete the poster that will be sent home in your child’s Friday Folder. Please also complete the attached paper telling me what your child will be sharing with the class. Every child looks forward to their week and I love spotlighting your child! I appreciate your support and assistance with this activity!

Please remember you and I are a team and our goal is to provide your child with a successful year. The lines of communication between home and school should be kept open. Please don’t hesitate to contact me about any concerns or problems you might be having and we will work together towards a solution. I rely on and appreciate all of the support I receive from parents. I am looking forward to a successful and rewarding year!

School: 465-4539

Email- jsmith@stpius-x.com

Jessica Higgins