ABCs of 2nd Grade

ABSENCES: Much of our learning takes place together in class. We do lots of hands-on activities and group work. Please plan to attend school every day, except in cases of illness or emergencies. If your child will be absent, please call COK-SM at (843) 884-4721.

ARRIVAL at school begins at 7:40 a.m., although the bell does not ring until 8am. I prefer that arrival take place no later than 7:50 a.m., as it takes most students 5-10 minutes to get organized for the day.

BIRTHDAYS: If you would like to send a treat with your child on or near his/her birthday, please feel free to do so. These treats will be eaten during our snack time or after lunch. If your child has a summer birthday, you may send in treats on his/her “half-birthday.” Please do not send birthday party invitations to be distributed at school unless all children in our class receive an invitation. 

COMMUNICATIONS FOLDERS help keep us organized. This 3-pronged red folder houses our weekly newsletter, homework, and other important information that assists with communication between home and school. They should be taken home and returned to school DAILY.

CONFERENCES: I am available to conference as needed; however, we will need to schedule a time convenient for both of us.

DISMISSAL: Students are dismissed at 2:45 p.m. If there are any changes in home transportation, a note from home is required.

EMAIL is my preferred method of communication because of the quick turn-around. If you have an email address that you check regularly, please provide it to me to maximize our communication.

EMERGENCY CARDS should be on file in the office. If your address, or any of your phone numbers change, please inform the office (and me!).

FIELD TRIPS: We will be taking field trips this year. Details will be announced in our Weekly Newsletter.

HOMEWORK: Homework is an important part of your child's school experience.  Supporting good work habits requires a joint effort.  15-20 minutes of reading and math fact practice is expected daily to develop fluency and automaticity in these areas.  Other homework will provide a brief review of skills. Homework that is completed on time, earns a homework point.   These points do translate to a letter grade and may affect overall grades.   If homework is a struggle or seems to take too long, please contact me.   Please send a note if homework is not complete because of a family emergency.

INDEPENDENCE is a goal for students because it builds self-esteem and self-confidence. Second graders are very capable of doing many things on their own and I encourage them to do as much as they can for themselves in the classroom. Please encourage them to think through and problem-solve in everyday situations.

JOURNALS (or composition books) are used in every subject area. They may be taken home as needed for the purposes of studying or sharing, however, they should be brought back to school as they are used frequently.

KEEP INFORMED by reading our newsletter every week and checking the Communications Folder daily for notes and information. Also, please check out my blog. I plan to update it regularly to share events, lessons, and photos from our classroom activities.  http://mrszimmermanclass.blogspot.com/

KINDNESS: Students are encouraged and expected to treat all members of our class as well as others, with kindness and respect.

MYSTERY READERS: Would you like to read to the class? Shhhh…keep it a secret and sign up to be a Mystery Reader. Kids love surprises! I will send home available dates – you pick the date(s) that work best for you.

NEWSLETTERS will be sent home every Monday in the Communications Folder to inform you of our focus of the week. I will email it to you, as well. Important information is always included, so please read carefully.

OPEN HOUSE will take place on August 29th at 5:00 p.m. Be on the lookout for invitations with more information.

PROGRESS REPORTS are issued in the fifth week of each quarter.

REPORT CARDS will be sent home every nine weeks. Please consult the COK-SM calendar for specific dates.

TARDIES: Students should be in the classroom, ready to begin, at 8:00.  We begin work after the announcements.  Arriving after this time causes students to lose instructional time and disrupts the rest of the class.

VOLUNTEERS and VISITORS are welcome! There are many opportunities for you to be involved in the classroom this year. Be on the lookout for upcoming info. When you arrive at school to volunteer or visit, please register in the office and pick up a badge instead of coming directly to the classroom. This policy is for the safety of your children.

WATER BOTTLES: Please feel free to have your child bring a water bottle to class. I prefer the reusable, aluminum water bottles with tight fitting lids (fewer spills). Please encourage your child to bring their water bottle home regularly to wash it.

WISH LIST: Post-It Notes in interesting shapes or colors, colored copy paper, computer paper with borders, dry erase markers, top-loading sheet protectors, portable CD players for individual listening centers, cardstock (white and multicolored), multicolored pipe cleaners or Wikki Sticks, gently used games or puzzles for indoor recess or enrichment, toys or treats for our Treasure Box, amazon.com gift card to purchase books and other classroom items.

I am eXcited to work with your family this year.  YOU are your child’s first teacher and YOU play an important role in your child’s education.  Second grade is packed with things to learn.  I feel confident that your child will be successful in mastering these skills if we work together, keep in touch, and reinforce skills at home.  Make sure that your child gets plenty of zZzZzs each night.  It will help him/her to be alert and ready to learn each day.