Here are some questions I am asked that maybe you would like to hear the answer I give.
- What can my child bring for a snack?
- Does my child have to ask to go to the bathroom?
- Do you allow siblings to come to the class for special event?
- Do you give homework?
- What are the expectations for second grade?
- What happens to my student's supplies?
- What do I do if I want to reach the teacher?
- How can I get my child's homework?
- What do I need to do for First Communion?
- What if my child is not Catholic?
- Why can my child only use #2 pencils in class?
What can my child bring for a snack?
Do you remember being in school? Do you remember stopping for a snack? Me
either, we must have been malnourished. Well, with that thought on the
table, it has been researched and is the thinking of the time that we do
better if our brain cells are well oiled. Good healthy fruits and vegetables
and water are the primary source of that energy food for our brain. I,
therefore, allow fresh fruit, fresh vegetables, water (any time) and legumes.
Does my child have to ask to go to the bathroom?
Yes. I have been given custody of your child by you. I will honor that
responsibility by always knowing where your child is. I do not take long,
whole class bathroom breaks, however, the children are allowed to use the
restroom upon request. I ask if they can wait until the end of the lesson.
They have a book that they sign that they are out of the room and take our
classroom boy or girl pass with them. Upon returning to the room they just
check that they are back.
Do you allow siblings to come to the class for special event?
It is school policy that siblings do not come to special events or field
trips. You have volunteered to be responsible for up to six children. It is
in everyone's best interest if your full attention is directed to those
children. It is not ment to present a hardship, it is ment to facilitate the
safety of the children you are watching. Talk with other parents in the
class and work out cooperative time watching each others children so that
you can come to class and be with your second grade child.
Do you give homework?
Well, yes. Our math program has built in homework, so that is a nightly
practice. An excellent study skill is nightly review of material covered
during the day. This is a good habit to establish in early grades, one that
should be utilized regularly in upper grades. By high school and college,
this habit will greatly benefit your student.
This is true in middle school, high school, and college. The habit can be
started in second grade. Nightly reivew and/or extension of material being
studied reinforces learning. PLEASE talk with me if your child is
experiencing difficulties with nightly practice. We can work together.
What are the expectations for second grade?
I expect personal and academic excellence and you will see that slogan
hanging in the classroom. I expect every student to respect every other
student. I expect each student to try his or her best. I expect the teacher
to work with each student's abilities and interests. Past that expectation
of excellence, I imagine we will fail sometimes. We will not be at our best
academically or personally. We will love one another enough to work through
these times and go on to try again.
What happens to my student's supplies?
At the beginning of the year I help organize students. All pencils, erasers,
and glue sticks are collected. Each student retains 4 sharpened pencils, 1
glue stick, and 1 eraser. The extras are kept in the closet; so that ,when a
student needs a new pencil or new eraser, they ask Mrs. Murray for the
needed supply and it is retrieved for them.
What do I do if I want to reach the teacher?
During the school day my focus is the children and the lessons I have
prepared for the day. If you need to leave me a message, please use my voice
mail or send me an email. I will, at my earliest convenience, retrieve these
messages and respond. If a conference is needed, we can discuss a mutually
acceptable time.
How can I get my child's homework?
If you are going to be away on a trip, I do not give out homework in
advance. I follow the policy written in the school handbook. Your child may
make up missed work once they have returned. For make up home work a child
is allowed two days for every day they have missed. This is the same for
illness.
What do I need to do for First Communion?
This year we concentrate on First Communion and First Reconcilation. You
must register your child with the Faith Formation Office found upstairs in
the offices of the church. You will have to show their baptismal
certificate. You will recieve instructions through the year what to do when
from the Faith Formation Office.
What if my child is not Catholic?
I am so glad you chose our school. I will do my best to make your child feel
a part of our class. I will honor your child's comments and feelings. I
will, however, be teaching the precepts of the Catholic church as this is
part of my contract. It will be exciting to learn the things we share.
Why can my child only use #2 pencils in class?
I have two electric pencil sharpeners that I allow the students to use in
the morning to sharpen their 4 pencils for the day. Each sharpener costs
$50. Though there are many beautiful and fun decorated pencils, the plastic
coating that is used to hold the design on the pencil cloggs the mechanical
sharpener and will eventually cause it to not work.