Class+Handbook

**Absences** For the most part, it takes more effort to prepare homework for a one or two day absence, than it does to cover it one-on-one with your child when he or she returns to school. If your child is absent for one or two days, missed work will be made up when they return. If your child is to miss more than 3 days due to illness, I will prepare and send homework home.
 * Class Handbook **

Each student is provided with a student agenda book. These books are used for assignments, spelling lists and communication between home and school. It is expected that your child takes his or her agenda home daily. Please be aware that the agenda should be looked over and signed by an adult each night. I will check the agenda books daily, so if you have any concerns please feel free to write a note in the agenda book. I will also use the books as a communication tool back to the home.
 * Agendas**

**Bathroom Breaks** It is expected that the students use the bathroom during the scheduled break time (recess, lunch, and when the teacher deems necessary). Your child will be allowed to use the restroom during class time on an as needed basis. A special bathroom card is placed on the student’s desk when they leave the room. Only one girl and one boy are allowed out of the classroom at a time. This cuts down on bathroom behavior incidents. If an emergency arises and the cards are in use, I will always give the students special permission to leave.

Birthdays are a special time for each student. I recognize each child on their birthday with a card and a pencil to celebrate the special day. Birthday treats are always welcome but also optional. For those students with summer birthdays, we will celebrate them towards the end of the school year. A note will go home with your child.
 * Birthday Treats**

Book orders will be sent home periodically. School book clubs offer a wide range of books at reasonable prices. **Please be aware that the clubs do not accept cash and you will need to write a check.**
 * Book Order**

Our classroom expectations are as follows: Students will be held accountable for their own behavior throughout the day. A daily “How Am I Doing?” behavior chart is used in the classroom to reinforce positive behaviors. Each student begins the day with his or her card on green.   The goal of our classroom is to practice positive behaviors and respect for self and others. You will be able to help monitor your child’s behavior through the use of daily behavioral charts that can be found in the front pocket of the agenda book.
 * Classroom Expectations**
 * 1) Treat others as you would like to be treated.
 * 2) Keep hands, feet, and objects to yourself.
 * 3) Listen quietly when others are speaking.
 * 4) Choose your attitude—always come prepared to learn.
 * 5) Be the best that you can be!
 * **First Offense:** If a student needs to be reminded of a behavior, a verbal warning will be given.
 * **Second** **Offense**: If the behavior continues, the student will be asked to move their card from green to orange (this is a more stern warning).
 * **Third** **Offense**: When a student is asked to change their card from orange to yellow, it is expected that they will spend some recess time conferencing with me about the choices he or she has made and how they can be changed. This time is also used to practice the classroom behavior that they should be demonstrating.
 * **Fourth Offense:** In the circumstance that the student continues to make bad choices, he or she will be asked to move their card from orange to red. A red card will result in parental notification and possibly a pink discipline slip through the office.

Your child is responsible for all of the materials listed on the school supply list. If your child runs low on a personal supply, I will send home a note in his or her agenda.
 * Classroom Materials**

I have provided you with a business card containing all of my contact information. Generally, I check email in the morning, at lunch, and after school. If you have a specific concern regarding your child’s learning needs, please contact me by phone rather than email. If you need to get an emergency message to your child, please contact the office directly. For general updates of exciting happenings in our classroom and extra copies of handouts that you can download, please check our classroom webpage.
 * Communication**
 * Family Vacations** If you plan on taking a family vacation during a non-scheduled school break, please inform me in writing at least two weeks prior to leaving if you would like school work. Be informed that some instruction in second grade is hands-on therefore teacher demonstration cannot easily be made up. I will always do my best to assure that your child receives alternate instruction on important concepts and content. Please note that you will need to inform the office as well.

20-25 minutes of school-related work each night is very beneficial for second grade students.  **Snacks** We will have a snack break offered each day. It is easier to have the snacks on hand with each child receiving the same snack for that day. I am asking each family to bring in a healthy snack to share with the class. **Our snack supply will run low throughout the year, in which case a note will be sent home asking each family to replenish our cupboard.** Some ideas for a healthy snack include…different types of crackers (animal crackers, graham crackers, soda crackers, goldfish, etc.) pretzels, fruit snacks, or granola bars. Thank you in advance.
 * Homework**
 * <span style="display: block; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; text-align: left;">**Reading:** Reading is a top priority that can only be improved through constant practice. Reading logs will be sent home each Monday. They may stay at home until the following Monday, when they should be returned to school. The sheets will be checked and recorded. **//The best way for students to improve their reading is for he or she to read books that an be easily read independently.//** If a student struggles through a book it is because it is beyond their independent reading level.
 * <span style="display: block; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; text-align: left;">**Math:** We are continuing with the Everyday Math Program in second grade. Math Homelinks are assignments that reinforce the concepts covered in the day’s lesson. Homelinks will always be copied on blue paper. New this year is a hardcover Student Reference Book (S.R.B.). The S.R.B. will go home with your child each time a Homelink is assigned. This book serves as a reference for both you and your child as you work through the assignment together. These books have been covered and are expected to stay covered.
 * <span style="display: block; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; text-align: left;">Along with the homelinks, it is expected that your child practice an additional 5 minutes of math facts (addition and subtraction) each night to master quick recall. Students will be bringing home a set of math fact triangles to keep and use at home. Facts can be quickly practiced verbally at any time, such as in the car, before bed, while making supper, etc. Be creative! Please record the time that your child spends practicing math facts on the math fact log, which will be sent home and returned with the reading log.
 * <span style="display: block; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; text-align: left;">**Spelling:** Weekly spelling lists will be sent home on Monday. Final spelling tests will be given on Friday. The students will take a pretest of the weekly words on Monday to identify the words they already have mastered as well as those that need additional practice. The words that are circled in red in your child’s agenda book are those that your child initially spelled incorrectly on the pretest, and should be those that are given extra attention. The idea is not just to memorize a list of words for a test, but to learn knew spelling patterns and rules which can be applied in everyday writing.


 * Toys, Games, Candy and Gum** Toys, trading cards, candy or gum from home will not be allowed in the classroom unless special permission is given. If any of these things come to school they will be taken away and returned at the end of the day to be taken home. If this becomes an issue, a note will be sent home informing you of this problem.

** Water Breaks ** Students are encouraged to get a drink of water during breaks and free work time. There is a water fountain in our classroom and near the restrooms. Due to sanitary purposes, water bottles will not be allowed in the classroom at this time. However, if you feel that a water bottle is a necessity for your child, please contact me and it can be worked out.