Welcome to 2 nd Grade! 2018-2019

1. Welcome to 2nd Grade! 2018-2019 Becky Bennett Amanda Hatter Michelle Hawkins Rita Spencer Christy TidwellVictoria White Lauren Ziolkowski

2. Communication • Communication between home and school is essential to student success! • Email is the easiest and fastest form of communication, but we also welcome scheduled conferences. • Our grade level page is updated regularly with important information.

3. Arrival and Dismissal Car Riders: • Arrival- • Can not be dropped off before 8:10. • Dismissal- • Must be picked-up in the car line (not the lobby, sidewalk or front parking lot). • Are taught to cross ONLY at crossing areas. • (video)

4. Transportation Changes • Because the safety of all students is our priority, early dismissals must take place prior to 3:30.   After 3:30 staff members are preparing dismissal procedures, and students may not be signed out.   If you have an emergency situation, please contact the office. • ANY CHANGE MUST be in the form of a written note or fax. We are not allowed to accept changes made via e-mail.

5. Absences • The policy is available on the county website www.ccboe.net . • Send a note/ email with the reason for the absence within 5 days of returning to school. • The policy states that you can have 5 excused absences per semester. • Please let us know in advance of planned absences.

6. Homework • In 2nd grade we have suggested practice activities that will be included in the weekly newsletter in your child’s Communication Folder. • These suggestions are to reinforce skills that have been taught at school, when needed. • In 2nd grade students should spend no more than 45 with these activities.

7. Daily Folder • Our Daily Communication Folder or “Take Home” Folder, should be brought back and forth to and from school each day. • We put notes and classwork in the folder each day, so please empty the folder daily. • Graded papers will come home in the folder on Tuesdays. Please sign and return these papers.

8. Birthdays!!!! • Birthdays are such a special time for your children and we definitely want to honor that! • Parents may send or bring individual treats for birthdays during our lunch time in the cafeteria. Healthy treats are encouraged! • Party invitations will only be passed out at school if everyone in the class is invited. (OK for boys to invite all boys and girls to invite all girls)

9. Dress Code • Shorts must be at least fingertip length.  (Athletic shorts typically do not meet this guideline.) • No halter tops or spaghetti straps. • No backless shoes. • No t-shirts with inappropriate language.

10. PBISPositive Behavioral Intervention and Support • Teaches positive social behaviors • Reward positive behavior with cardinal coins, pictured below • Cardinal’s nest is on Fridays

11. Standards Based Report Card • Level 3 (Meets the Standard)– This is a “Yes!” • Level 2 (Progressing toward the Standard) – This is an “Almost.” • Teacher and parents need to discuss options for extra help. • Level 1 (Does Not Meet Standard) - This is a “No, not yet.” • Teacher and parents need to discuss immediate interventions to help the student improve. Please note: The levels should not be equated with numerical grades!

12. Curriculum Highlights

13. Language Arts • Consists of: • Reading Comprehension Skills (main idea, author’s purpose, inferring, characterization, predicting, sequencing, summarizing) • Reading Fluency • Spelling/ Phonics Patterns • Grammar (nouns, verbs, pronouns, adverbs, adjectives, punctuation marks, synonyms/ antonyms, homophones/ homographs) • Writing- narrative, informational, and opinion

14. Writing

15. Non-Negotiable Writing Expectations for Second Grade Students In all Subject Areas • These expectations are skills that should have been mastered in first grade. • Name on paper and date when applicable • Proper spacing of words and letters • Correct ending punctuation • All sentences must have a naming and telling part • Capitalizes proper nouns and at the beginning of sentences • Writes a complete sentence • Writes clear and effective sentences • Spells unknown words phonetically • Correctly spells words that are included in the assignment • Uses word walls to correctly spell high frequency words

16. Math • Some of the skills that will be covered this year include: • Addition and Subtraction Strategies (including regrouping) • Graphing • Place Value up to the thousands place • Measurement: Time, Length, & Problem Solving with Money • Introduction to Multiplication and Division

17. Social Studies

18. Gifted Testing • Gifted Testing occurs twice a school year: 1st Semester (August) and 2ndSemester (January) -1stSemester Testing is reserved ONLY for students NEW to Columbia County. The results from this testing arrive close to the Holiday Break in time for eligible students to begin the program in January.-2ndSemester Testing is open to all students grades K-5. Results from this cycle of testing arrive in May (usually the last week of school), with eligible students beginning the program the following school year. * Please talk to your child’s teacher if you are new and would like to refer your child for 1st semester testing.

19. WeLOVEour Volunteers! • We always welcome help from our wonderful volunteers! Some of the ways you can help out are: • Coordinating class parties • Helping with activities within the classroom • Helping with things from home *See your child’s teacher for specific opportunities in her classroom

20. STC Volunteer Training • Parent Volunteers help our school run more efficiently and provide opportunities to meet the needs of students. In order to participate as a school volunteer in Columbia County, all adults who spend time with students must complete a volunteer information form that will be kept on file in the front office. We ask that volunteers observe the following guidelines:

21. Volunteer Guidelines • Sign in at the i-pad and wear the visitor sticker at all times. • Complete required child abuse awareness training and notify principal if a student reveals any sensitive information regarding their safety. • Contact the school if you are unable to come at the arranged time so that the teacher may adjust instructional plans accordingly. • Don’t plan to bring siblings or non-STC children as this is not allowed under our safety and insurance regulations • Be professional when interacting with students – please avoid being overly harsh or affectionate. • If you are volunteering near dismissal time and plan to take your own child with you when you leave, you must follow regular procedures for early check out and sign them out in the front office.

22. And Most Importantly • Confidentiality is important to staff and parents, so please refrain from discussing any information about student health, behavior, or performance outside of the school setting.

23. Useful Websites • www.sraimagineit.com (reading series) • www.xtramath.org(individualized math fact practice) • www.spellingcity.com (spelling practice)

24. Thank YOU! • We want to thank you for coming tonight! We appreciate your support and we look forward to working together to make this your child’s best year yet! • Please don’t hesitate to contact your child’s teacher if you have any further questions.