New information is in RED.
Q: What does my child need to bring to school each day?
A: It is required that the following items be brought to school:
reusable water bottle.
indoor shoes that stay at school.
Nut free lunch
Zippered large pouch that they will receive in class, folder and agenda.
It is encouraged that they bring these items to school
soft pencil case (hard case shells don't fit as easily in desks)
glue stick, pencils, pencil crayons, thin markers, etc.
small hand sanitizer that can stay in their lunch bag, although using soap and water is best.
1 box of kleenex.
extra socks and pants (in case they get wet or muddy at recess). They can be stored in their locker.
Please label all of your child’s items with his/her name before coming to school.
Q: How much homework should be expected this year?
A: The main homework for this year will be READING and WORD STUDY/UFLI AND SOMETIMES MATH. Your child should be reading for at least 15 minutes each night.
They can read books online, books you have at home or they can borrow books from our classroom library. There is a great selection of books in the class for them to choose from. Our UFLI program will start the third week of September.
Students will be following the school boards' UFLI program which is a phonics based program that helps students decode text. They will be given a duotang on Monday and will need to practice the reading passage each night and return it on Friday.
There may be some math sheets for them to do for extra practice.
They may have any work that wasn't finished in class for homework as well.
Q: Will there be weekly spelling lists and spelling tests?
A: No. I will be giving direct instruction on phonological and phonemic awareness which helps with reading, writing and spelling. Phonics help students understand the relationship between sounds and the symbols that represent them. However, they will be given some spelling dictations in class which will be related to the weekly UFLI passages so it's important that your child practice the weekly UFLI passage.
Q: My child is upset that he/she isn't in the same class as some of his/her friends?
A: A lot of thought and time goes in creating classes. Remind your child that they will make new friends and every experience is an opportunity for them to learn and grow. Your child will likely have at least one or two friends or classmates from the previous year anyway and maintaining a positive attitude about the class they are in will help them have a good year. Also, based on my life experience, God knows what He's doing and there is a reason your child ended up in our class.
Q: Will there be Science, Social Studies and Math Tests?
A: I do not give Social Studies or Science tests. I assess those subjects by observation, checklists, reviewing their Science notebooks or other response sheets. I also take note of their participation in class. Sometimes, I will conference with students to check for their understanding. In addition, students usually complete a "cumulative" task such as a poster or mini project at the end of the unit to demonstrate the learning,
There will be a math test at the end of each unit. While their math test is an important way for the students to demonstrate their understanding of math concepts, I also collect data in other ways. (Chapter Review, review sheets, observations, conferences, etc.)
If your child is sick when there is a math test, do not worry......they can write the test when they return to school. If buses are cancelled on a test date, the students will write the test on the next school day.
I usually mark math tests within a few days and send it home for your child to show you. Please allow your child to learn from their mistakes and to take responsibility for how they do on the test. I do occasionally make errors when I mark it so of course if I've made a mistake feel free to write me a note for me to correct it, but if your child did not do well on the test, remember it is not a reflection on you and sometimes them not doing well motivates them to study more next time.
Q: Will there be a reading program, in which books will come home each week?
A: This year, the main reading practice will be a decodable text (photocopied) that they should practice each night. We call this UFLI. They will also be given another book which will be more for pleasure and practice. I prefer to give children a real book they can touch. This will start at the end of the month.
Q: How will the agenda be used?
A: Each student will receive an agenda. Agenda costs $8.00. You must use school day to purchase the agenda. It should be the first week of school. We will use the agenda to copy any homework, or reminders. Even though the students will have an agenda, I will also post homework/reminders in Google Classroom. If you do write a note in the agenda for me, please have your child let me know. I will read it and initial it...but only if there is a note...otherwise I'm not going to regularly initial the agendas each day.
Your child should keep the agenda in a zippered pouch I will lend them on the first day of school. That portfolio/pouch should come to school each day. Your child will also receive a folder which will also go back and forth from home to school.
Q: How will I know what my child is doing at school?
A: I have created this classroom website with general information. Please review that tab carefully. I will be sending home your child's work about once a month. In addition, your child will be required to join our google classroom. I will post messages and reminders on there regularly since it's a private platform for just our class. It's important that you or your child go on there regularly so they are aware of upcoming events and curriculum focus.
*** Parents please add the google classroom app to your phone so you receive all of my messages. Login with your child's school account, not your account.
Q: When is curriculum night? Do I have to come?
Curriclum Night will be called Open House this year. The date is posted in Google Classroom. Please come! This is a good opportunity for us to meet and for me to answer any questions you might have. You'll also have a chance to see our beautiful classroom and where your child spends most of his/her day. This is not the time to ask me how your child is doing at school since I probably will not know yet. I can also show you how to have your child join our google classroom.
Q: My child has anxiety and doesn't like coming to school. He/She gives me a hard time in the mornings. What do I do?
A: Based on my 15+ yrs of experience, the best strategy for this is to set the expectation from the first day of school, that NOT going to school is NOT an option. If your child has anxiety, rest assured I will be teaching the students many useful techniques and strategies to deal with this. Also, if you keep your child at home whenever they feel like it, you perpetuate the cycle and then your child will feel even more anxious about having to catch up with what they missed when they return to school.
Q: How does assessment and reporting happen in grade 2 ?
A: I assess my students in many ways throughout the school day. Giving prompt written and oral feedback is an effective way for your child to improve on their work. When assigning report card grades, I am looking for a child’s most consistent level of performance over time, thus the children will have many opportunities to show what they know by doing a variety of tasks – some of which will be ‘paper and pencil’ in nature, and many of which will include discussions and ‘hands-on’ activities. I am watching both for a child’s learning process as well as his/her final level of achievement. Like last year, this year you will see letter grades on the report card. In all subject areas, a mark of B-, B, or B+ indicate that a child has successfully achieved the Ontario curriculum expectations!
Q: What are the classroom rules?
A: We call our ‘rules,’ “Classroom Agreements”, reflecting the fact that everyone agrees to act kindly and responsibly at school. There are 4 Classroom Agreements which encompass all of the rules that anyone would hope a classroom would have. These agreements will be shared with students in an age-appropriate way early in the year, and they will be reinforced all year long. Students will receive much praise and positive attention for following the agreements, and not following them may result in a consequence, such as a ‘time out’ , or completion of a ‘behaviour reflection paper’, which I ask that you would then read, sign, and return to school. Here is a brief overview of the agreements.
mutual respect (i.e. everyone is kind to themselves by doing things to stay healthy, and by trying their best; be kind to others by using the other agreements; be kind to the ‘things’ in the room and school by using them safely and gently so that nothing is damaged and no one is hurt). We are also kind to the planet. We never litter or damage nature no matter where we are. Treat others the way you want to be treated. Use Jesus as your guide. What would Jesus do in this situation?
attentive listening (i.e. face the person who is speaking, look at them with your eyes, listen with your ears, ‘quiet’ hands, ‘quiet’ mouth, try your best to answer questions when asked, raise your hand to take turns speaking)
appreciations / no put-downs (i.e. use manners, only use kind words when speaking to one another, do not let anyone feel left out, never use words or actions that may hurt someone’s feelings)
participation/right to pass (i.e. be responsible & do what you are supposed to do: take turns speaking, try your best in any task, help one another, keep the classroom tidy, have a positive attitude; if you are not ready to share your ideas sometimes, you may decide to ‘pass’ until you are ready)
Q: Where and when is my child to be dropped off/picked up?
A: Grade 2's will be entering and exiting the school by the South Side of the school entrance doors. These are the doors close to the black gates by the bus area. Please ensure your child arrives to school BEFORE the bell rings. They should be in the lineup area by the time the bell rings so I can meet them outside and then bring them inside and walk them down the hallway to our classroom. Having your child be punctual really sets the tone for the day. Thank you for your cooperation!!
Q: When are Physical Education, French, Music and Library days?
A: Physical Education will be on Monday and Friday
Music will be on Fridays.
French will be on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.
Library is on Thursdays.
Q: Can I send treats to school on a special day? (i.e. my child’s birthday)
A: No. However, pencils, erasers or other items are fun for your child to gift to each student in the class for Halloween, Christmas or Valentine's day. Some of our FFM students have allergies so remember it's mandatory to pack nut free foods for your child. Tim Hortons snacks are not nut free.
Q: Will my child have a chance to eat snacks during the day?
A: Yes. They will be given time in the morning and again in the afternoon. Students will be reminded to wash their hands with soap and water before eating. Healthy foods and snacks are encouraged!
Q: Will I be able to participate in a book order program?
A: No. However, it's always a good idea that your child has access to some books at home. The Oak Ridges Library is a great place to take your child to choose books.
Q: What is the provincial code of conduct? I've seen some posters around the school.
A: Click HERE for more information.
Q: Will you preparing my child for their First Holy Communion? How do I sign up my child to receive the sacrament?
A: It is your responsibility to prepare your child to receive the sacrament of First Holy Communion. You will need to contact your local parish and sign them up for the communion classes and a date they will have their communion. Part of the grade 2 religion program does go over some of the prayers they need to know like the Apostle's Creed but the majority of the prepration is to be done at home and through your parish. In May or June there will be a lovely little celebration in the classroom or library where we will celebrate. They will receive a gift and a treat.
Q: How can I contact you?
A: Home-school communication and cooperation is invaluable to supporting student success. The easiest way to contact me is by phoning the school and leaving a voice message (each teacher has a voice mailbox) and then I'll call you back within 2 "business" days. You can also use your child's agenda to write a note for me but please remind your child to let me know you wrote a note in it.