Absences:
When students are absent, they are responsible for making up the work they missed. I will send a packet of make-up work home on the day that your child returns to school. Students have the same number of absent days to make up their missing work. For example, if Joe misses 2 days of school, she would have 2 days after she returned to school to make up the work. Please bear in mind that a large part of our classroom activities cannot be made up at home (such as group work, experiments, discussions, etc.), so regular attendance is required.
Avoiding Conflict:
• Choices
– Tell them to stop
– Walk away
– Share and take turns
– Ignore it
– Talk it out
– Apologize
– Wait and cool off
• Students must use at least two of these choices before coming to the teacher with the problem. (If there is a serious problem, report it to the teacher immediately.)
• Student will address the teacher and state the choices that have been tried. “Ms. Scott, I tried to ignore it and I told them to stop, but they keep bothering me.”
B
Birthdays
Students may bring in a birthday treat on their birthday. Please note students may only bring in store bought food items. If their birthday falls on the weekend, they may bring a treat in either on the Friday before, or the Monday after their birthday. If your child’s birthday is in August, prior to the start of the school year, they may bring in a treat during the month of August. If your child’s birthday is in June or July, they may bring in a treat during the month of May.
Book orders
Each month your child will bring home Scholastic and Troll book order forms. This is an inexpensive way to acquire books at your child’s reading level. There are always one or two book selections starting at just 95¢. Each time our class places an order, we earn Bonus Points which can be redeemed for free books and other materials for our classroom. To place an order, just fill out the book order form and return it to school in an envelope with a check written to the book club, or cash (please send in the exact amount, as I do not keep change at school). Or you can also go online to place an order.
C
Conferences
The “official” Parent/Teacher conferences will be held at the end of November and at the end of the school year.
D
Displays
Please check out the various displays of students’ work I put on the outside bulletin board throughout the year.
E
Email
You can contact me via my email address at Ruth-Sweet@roundrockisd.org. I try to check my email at least twice a day. If there is an urgent matter than needs to be discussed, please contact the office at 428-2100.
Expectations
Classroom Expectations
• Do your personal best
• Active listening
• Respect yourself and others
• Follow all procedures
Rewards
• Praise
• Good note home/ phone call home
• Red Tickets (Chance to purchase a homework pass, books, seating privileges, and other fun things)
Behavior Plan
• Card System (Consequences begin when cards are flipped to red)
– Green Card – keep going!
– Yellow Card – Slow down and think about what you are doing
– Red – Immediately stops behavior and make positive changes
– Blue - Final Warning
• If cards are flipped to red
– Lose 10 min. of recess (that day if before lunch; next
Day if after lunch)
• If cards are flipped to blue
– Lose whole recess (that day if before lunch; next day
If after lunch)
• If all 3 cards flipped 2 days in one week
– Loss of recess
– Trip to Principal's office
– Phone call home
F
Field trips
We will be taking two field trips this year. For our trips we usually welcome chaperones if there is are no limits on adults.
G
Grades
In second grade, students do not receive letter grades. Grades are determined by mastery/non-mastery of skills. I do NOT grade everything. I believe that students need the opportunity to practice skills before they are graded on them. Anything that I do not grade is gone over in class and used for help/review.
H
Homework
• Homework - Each week a homework packet will come home on Friday. This packet is due on the following Thursday morning.
• Incomplete Work – Students who do not complete their classroom work will be required to take it home for homework. This work is due the next school day. If a student does not complete the assignment, or does not return it to school, I will keep him/her inside from recess until the assignment is complete.
• Math Facts – students need to practice their math facts so that they know them automatically. Quiz your child whenever you have a spare moment.
• Reading - Each night (Mon-Thurs), I require students to read. Nightly reading should be done with a buddy, either a parent/guardian, other adult, or older sibling. After reading, the buddy must fill out the nightly reading log including the book information, and signature. Reading logs must be signed for students to get credit.
J
Journals
Students will keep several journals in class (Daily Journal, Math Journal and Science Journal).Once every 2 weeks students will take a journal home to discuss with you. This
Is an excellent way for students to revisit material we have learned. It is important that you ask questions and make comments.
K
Kindness
We have to remember to be kind to our classmates. We are part of a team and we need to show respect for one another.
L
Literacy Work Stations
Students will take part in literacy work stations 2-3 days per week. According to Debbie Diller, a literacy work station is “an area within the classroom where students work alone or interact with one another, using instructional materials to explore and expand their literacy.” This means that students will be taught skills in a whole group setting, and then will be separated into small groups to practice the skills. There will be several stations visited on these days, including: writing; working with words; independent reading; buddy reading; computers; and an information station. During literacy work stations, children practice skills at the different stations while the teacher works with individual children or small guided reading groups.
Lunch
Our lunch/recess time is from 12:05 a.m. to 12:35 p.m. The cost of a student lunch is $2.05. Please send in lunch money/check in an envelope marked with student’s name, teacher’s name, and labeled lunch money.
M
Materials
Please check materials list and make sure student has all materials for the beginning of the school year. Students will also need some materials at home to complete homework (Pencil, crayons, scissors, and glue stick).
N
Newsletter
Each month, the 2nd grade team sends home a newsletter explaining what is happening in our classrooms. It is sent home in Tuesday's Folder every month. Please look for it each month (in the TUESDAY FOLDER) to keep informed about important events.
O
Open Lines of Communication
Please let me know if you have any special concerns about your child that you feel I should be aware of. If you notice a problem developing, please let me know as soon as possible so we can work on the problem together. If you ever have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact me during the regular school hours,.
P
Parties
We have 3 class parties per year at Fern Bluff. They are on/around Christmas, Valentine’s Day and end of the school year. The room parent organizes these events, coordinates volunteers, and donations.
Portfolios:
A Portfolio is a collection of your child's work that is kept throughout the grading period. This work showcases your child's ability in terms of what he/she has learned and what he/she needs to work on. Artifacts in your child's Portfolio might include assessments, daily work, and projects.
When can I view my child's Portfolio?
There will be two different scheduled conferences dates for you to come in with your child to discuss the contents of his/her portfolio. Also, you are welcome to make an appointment to view the portfolio anytime throughout the school year.
Procedures
Morning Procedures
• Enter the room quietly
• Empty items out of your backpack and put them on your desk.
• Hang up backpack
• Choose your lunch choice
• Make sure you have 2 sharpened pencils
• Use the restroom
• Work on morning assignment
• Be in seat and actively listen to announcements
Hallway Procedures
• Walk in a straight line
• Respect others
• Do your personal best
Classroom Jobs
• Jobs will be rotated at the beginning of the week.
• Students will hold their job for 1 week.
• Students are responsible for making sure their job is done on a daily basis.
• Remember, each job is very important to our classroom community.
Intercom
• As soon as you hear the intercom, FREEZE.
• Look at the intercom
• ACTIVELY listen to the announcement
• If it isn’t meant for you, please continue working quietly.
Restroom
• Make sure to use the restroom before school starts, we will go again 2 times before lunch,
and 1 time after lunch.
• If you have an emergency, please quietly raise your hand and wait until I come to you.
• In the restroom
• Use the restroom quickly and quietly
• Wash your hands and dry them on the paper towels
• Do not leave any garbage on the ground – If you make a mess, please take care of it.
Getting the teacher’s attention
• Stay in your seat
• Quietly raise your hand
• Wait for the teacher to call on you
• Politely ask your question or give your answer.
End of Day Procedures
• Clean up your area
• Desk
• Floor
• Take out any homework that you may have and sit it on the corner of your desk.
• When your group is called, quietly stack your chair, go to your mailbox, take out all the
papers and return them to your desk.
• Get your backpack and any other personal items.
• Place all take home materials in your backpack.
• Sit quietly on your desk until you are called to line up.
Q
Questions
If you still have some unanswered questions, please feel free to contact me by phone (428-2100), email (ruth-sweet@roundrockisd.org), or in person.
R
Room Parent
When I have received a list of all parents who would like to be considered for Room Parent, I will draw a name to choose who the Room Parent will be. This person will be responsible for organizing our classroom parties.
S
Specials Schedule
Monday – P.E. Please make sure your child wears sneakers that day.
Tuesday – Music
Wednesday – P.E.
Thursday – Art
Friday – P.E./Music or Art
Star Cub
Each Friday, I choose a student to be the “Star Cub” of our classroom. When a student is chosen, I send home an “All About Me” sheet that should be filled out and brought back the following Monday. Also, students can bring in 5-7 pictures of themselves and their family/friends on a poster. These will be put on display for the entire week. On Friday of that week the student will present his/her poster to the class. He/she can also bring in items that are important to him/her. Parents are also invited to come in and read to the class that week. During the week, students receive special privileges. (Please note: All students will have the opportunity to become a Star Cub at least 1 time during the school year.)
T
Toys/Trading Cards
I strongly discourage your child from bringing toys and trading cards to school. If they do decide to bring a toy/trading cards, they must put it in the lunch tote to be taken outside for recess. If a student is playing with the trading cards or toys in the classroom, I will take them away until the end of the day. If it happens a second time, I will keep the item until a parent can come in to pick it up.
Tuesday Folders
Every Tuesday your child will bring home a folder; inside you will find school newsletters, fliers, and other important materials. Please make sure to check contents of folder, sign and return the next day.
Trimesters
The school year has been split into trimesters. This means that students will receive a report card 3 times this year.
V
Visitors & Volunteers
Please remember that Fern Bluff School policy requires that ALL GUESTS (including familiar faces) must check in at the school office and obtain a visitor’s badge. This must be done upon entrance to the building.
W
Website
Be sure to check out our classroom website at http://www.teacherweb.com/TX/FernBluffElementary/MrsSweet/apt1.stm. On it you will find information about our classroom, great academic websites for students, and informative websites about what to expect of a typical 2nd grader. I hope that you find it useful! I also like to put pictures of students doing different classroom activities on the website. I do NOT label pictures with student names. At the end of this handbook, you will find a permission slip for the use of your child’s picture on our classroom web.
Wish List
Throughout the year we sometimes need supplies above and beyond our classroom materials (such as baby food jars or empty toilet paper rolls). These needs will be posted in the class website. Extra items that you think we might be able to use are always welcome!
X
XX
We have twenty children in our class. Please keep this in mind when sending in things to be distributed to the whole class.
Y
You
You, the parents, are very important to us and we want you to be as informed as possible on all aspects of your child’s education. It is our hope that you will find this handbook insightful and helpful. Your comments are always welcome!
Z
Zzz
Sleep is a necessary ingredient for your child if he/she is to participate fully in the day-to-day activities and lessons provided for them at school. Your child will be asked to participate in all activities throughout the day, which can be difficult without a good night’s rest! Make sure that your child gets plenty of rest. Setting and keeping a bedtime is a wonderful gift you can give to your child. It will help them to be alert and ready to learn each day.