Ms. Polanski ’ s 2 nd Grade Class

1. Ms. Polanski’s 2nd Grade Class Welcome Parents!

2. Before We Begin • Sign up for a Fall conference • Sign up for volunteer opportunities-fill out volunteer form • Look around the room • Write your child and tell them your hopes and dreams for them for this year

3. Welcome to Room 21! • Introduction • University of MN (B.S., M.Ed.) Georgetown (TEFL) Hamline University Urban Learner Certificate • Over 13 years of elementary school teaching • 3rd year in LCPS • Experience teaching Pre-K-6 and adults • Supervised student teachers and literacy coaches.

4. Routines • Morning Procedures • School starts at 7:50 so please make sure your child arrives on time. • If you know your child will be absent please call the absentee line (703-957-4391) or send a note or e-mail in advance. • Meals • Snack - Nut Free 9:15ish • Lunch 11:25-11:55 –Come and eat with your child! • Dismissal • Buses start loading at 2:35. Car riders released at 2:40. • Please send a note or e-mail about any changes. Please do NOT send an e-mail if the change occurs after school starts just call the office and leave a message. (703-957-4390)

5. Classroom Expectations • We will have a calm, open, warm and safe environment so our brains can do their best work. • Our classroom rules are based on ROAR-Respectful, On Task, Act Safely, and be Responsible. • We have ROAR rules throughout the school

6. Classroom Opportunities • Students earn classroom dollars by asking good questions, doing extra research, following directions, offering solutions to problems, repeating something important from the announcements, etc • Students use their classroom dollars for many special things including reading to Arcola staff during DEAR (Drop Everything and Read), creating a flip chart for the class, checking out one of my books, stuffed animals or learning games overnight or for the weekend, teaching the class about a topic they researched, reading to a younger student, going on a mission to an upper grade etc.

7. ROAR Guidelines for Throughout the School • The Hallway • The Cafeteria • The Playground • The Bathrooms • The Bus

8. ROAR Rewards for the Whole School • Will be rewarded when the dragon’s belly is full. • The rewards will be determined by staff and students

9. ROAR Guidelines forSecond Grade • Snack • Centers • Transitions • Carpet • Desk

10. Dragon Bites 2nd grade Rewards • 15 minutes extra recess • PJ Day • Movie • Stuffed Animal Day • Crazy Hair Day • Choose your seat in class day • Show and Tell Day • Board games in afternoon • Free art in afternoon • 15 minutes of Cool Math in the lab

11. Consequences • Students are expected to follow the school and classroom rules • Gentle reminders are given when needed • If a student needs additional reminders they may be fined classroom dollars along with a follow-up discussion when needed • Persistent behaviors will be discussed with parents and school administration

12. Our Daily Schedule • Academic Blocks (Average Daily Time) • 2-3 hours Language Arts • reading, writing, word study, read aloud, shared reading • 1 hour Math • 45 minutes for Science or Social Studies • Specials • PE ( Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday.) - tennis shoes • Music (Wednesday and Thursday) • Library (Tuesday) • Computer Lab (Wednesday) • Art (Friday) • SEARCH and Guidance (EOW Monday.) • Recess (daily for 15 minutes)

13. Curriculum • Virginia SOL’s (web site) • 9 week plans (web site) • Language Arts • Balance Literacy Approach • Readers Workshop: shared reading (poems and readers theater), guided reading (flexible groups), independent reading and read alouds • Writers Workshop: generating ideas, develop independent and fluent writing, editing and revising skills • Word Study: understand patterns and spelling rules, recognize “oddballs” Spelling tests every other week

14. Curriculum • Math • Math centers and manipulatives to improve and extend knowledge • Math To The Moon – math facts • SME – computer based program individualized based on student’s level • Problem Solving – math journals • Socials Studies and Science • VA SOL’s drives instruction • 9 week plans • Study guides are sent for tests

15. Grading Policy • Assignments are scored with a 4/E, 3/M, 2/P, 1/B. • 4/E = exceeds standards, 3/M = meets standards, 2/P = making progress towards standard, 1/B = below standard • These letters are not the same as the traditional A-F report card • Effort is scored with O, S, N • O = Outstanding, S = Satisfactory, N = Needs Improvement

16. Grading Policy • Please keep in mind that information about a child’s achievement and development may be gathered in a number of ways. Some techniques are: • Observations • Rubrics • Discussions/conferences • Work samples • Class participation • Formative and Summative Assessments • County wide assessments (PALS an DRA)

17. Sample Rubric Standard: Math SOL 2.4 Learning Target: The student will count forward by 2s, 5s, and 10s to 100 and count backwards by 10s starting from 100, as well as identify even and odd numbers.

18. Report Cards • Report cards are issued 4 times a year. • Conferences are held in the fall and by request. • LCPS uses a standard based report card • Students are assessed on their academic achievement and effort level. • Reading Level (above, on, or below) • Comment section will elaborate on student’s strengths and weaknesses

19. Homework • Look in agendas on Fridays-Homework is due the following Friday-Students need to bring their homework, green folder and agenda every Friday • Reading (15 minutes nightly) • Word Study (Fri. - Thurs.) spellingcity.com – please see the web site for directions • Math worksheet, ixl.com and Dream Box • Science or Social Studies –part of the packet • Projects – as assigned • Options for extra credit each week

20. Communication • Folders • Take Home Folders (green) • Homework • Notes to and from school • Thursday Folders (yellow) • PTA and school information • Student work • Agendas • Homework - written instructions • Phone Calls • Please leave a message in the office. (703-957-4390) • E-mail Updates-be sure that I have your current email • Students blog

21. Communication • E-mail - do NOT use for emergencies • cathy.polanski@lcps.org • Website http://www.lcps.org/arcola • Upcoming Events • Nine Week Plans • Homework Assignments • Classroom Schedule • Grading Policy • State SOL’s • Curriculum Web Sites

22. Birthdays • Birthdays • LCPS does not allow any food or non-food items to celebrate birthdays. • Student’s name will be announced on the morning announcements. • Students cannot pass out invitations at school. • Parents are welcome to donate a book to the Arcola library or our classroom library to honor your child’s birthday

23. Student of the Week • Each student will have a special week to design a poster with a book and reading focus (provided by me) and bring in items to share with the class. • The poster will be sent home the week they are class Vice President- a week before it is due.

24. Medication • If your child requires medication, please give it directly to our school nurse. The children are not allowed to give it to the nurse. • Children are NOT allowed to have medication in class. This includes cough drops.

25. Please volunteer whenever you have the time-students do better and the teacher can differentiate even more . • Have students read to you for a few minutes in the morning. • Run a center or recess game • Help with our expert unit or special event • Help with logistics

26. I’m looking forward to a great year!