We had a great first day in second grade! We spent most of our day getting to know each other. Ask your child what they learned about a friend, their classroom or the teacher today. Below is some more important information about second grade.
- Family and Student Questionnaires and Contact information- If you have not done so already, please send in the documentation I sent with the placement letters. E-mail me if you need a copy.
- Parent Portal- I sent home a letter from the Arlington Public Schools today that gives important password information about access to the parent portal. Please review this letter and let me know if you have any questions. We will discuss this in detail at Curriculum Night.
- Student Health and Emergency Information- Mrs. Benes (school nurse) sent home a purple sheet today to be filled out for her. Please return this to me as soon as possible.
- Snack- We will be having a morning snack. So that all students are safe, the classroom stays clean and snack goes quickly, the snack choices include…fruits, vegetables and dairy items. Fruit cups are one easy option that can be stocked up on. Students may bring any other items for lunch in the cafeteria.
- Lunch 11:40- We will begin with recess again this year. Students will be escorted into the lunchroom at 12:00 for lunch. If your child is buying lunch or milk it would be helpful if you could pre-pay. Details are on the APS Website. If you are available to help students in the cafeteria, this is a great way to volunteer!
- Water bottles- All students may bring “sport top” water bottles to school to keep water easily accessible throughout the day.
- Food & Birthday Policy- Periodically, for classroom events, we may have a special snack. In case of any food allergies, these snacks will be decided upon in advance. The school celebrates each child’s birthday by including this special day in the morning announcements. An announcement will be made in June for summer birthdays. Please do not send in any food items for birthdays.
- Specialist Schedule-
- Monday- P.E. (sneaker day please)
- Tuesday- Music
- Wednesday- Art
- Thursday- Library (remember to return books)
- Friday- P.E. (sneaker day please)
- Folder- Your child’s folder will go back and forth from school to home each day. I have given each student a folder. However, students are welcome to bring their own instead or change them throughout the year. If you make this choice, please label the folder as I have. One side is designated for “Homework” and the other side is for notices and work to be emptied and kept at home. Please check your child’s folder each night. Anything that needs to be returned to school place on the “Homework” side
- Homework- Although your child will not be expected to fill out a reading log, he/she is expected to read for at least 20 minutes every night, including weekends. This reading may happen anytime or anyplace after school. Having reading materials in the backpack or car could help encourage this important activity. During the bedtime routine was always my favorite time with my own daughters. We will discuss homework and reading habits in more depth on Curriculum Night. Please contact me if you need any help implementing reading habits at home. Remember reading at this age includes being read to and reading the pictures to infer meaning!
- Drop-Off- The first bell rings at 8:10 am. All students should be lined up on the playground by 8:05 am, so they can enter the school with their classmates. Students who are late should check in with the office before heading down to the classroom. If your child is going to be tardy or absent, please call the main office (781) 316-3760 and leave a message.
- Pick Up- At 2:30, we will exit the school from the side that leads to the basketball and blacktop area. This is the same area students line up before school. If someone other than a parent or legal guardian is picking up your child from school the school needs to be notified. Either write me a note and send it in their folder or call the office. I will not be able to release your child if I am not notified. If your child is not picked up by the time all other students are, we will go to the main office and call you to make arrangements.
- Pick Up Every Tuesday- At 1:00. Teachers will be required to attend collaborative meetings right after pick up, so unless it is an emergency or occasional exception, I will not be available for meetings or conversations.
- Volunteers- Our class may need a handful of volunteers this year. Think about your special talents and what you could share with our classroom this year. We will discuss this more on Curriculum Night.
- Behavior Policy- As we develop as a community, the children and I will work collaboratively to create guidelines and rules for our classroom. You will receive more information in the first few weeks of school and at Curriculum Night.
- E-mail, Notices & Communication- Most of my notices will be sent as paper at the beginning of the year. At Curriculum Night we will discuss other ways to get information. If you would like to be part of the class email list so that you may receive information electronically, please send me an email with your child’s name stating “add me to the List.” I check my e-mail daily and like to communicate with you this way. However, I am not usually able to respond during your child’s school day. I am available to communicate with you at pick up, except Tuesdays, and through email or appointments. If you need to contact me or let the school know something that needs immediate attention during the school day, please call the school secretary, Mrs. Fischer at 781-316-3753. This is a good number to have in a cell phone.
- Curriculum Night is tentatively scheduled for September 30th
- Picture Day is September 30th
Thank you for taking the time to review this information. Please let me know if you have any questions. I am looking forward to a great year!