ABCs+of+Second+Grade


 * Attendance – ** Daily attendance is necessary to have a successful first grade experience. The first bell rings at 8:50 and the tardy bell rings at 9:00 and we begin school at this time. School ends at 4:10pm. It is disruptive to our end of the day routines to pull your child out early all the time. Please make sure you have your child at school on time every day, unless he/she is sick. If your child is going to be out, please call the office at 973-6750 to let know why your child is out. Please refer to your school handbook if there are any questions.


 * Backpack – ** Your child needs a book bag for transporting folder, books, etc. to and from school. Please do not send rolling book bags. They are a safety hazard and we don’t have room for them in our cubbies.
 * Book Orders – ** I will be sending home monthly book orders from Scholastic Book Club. If you would like to order any of these, please mark your selection on the order form and send it back with a check for the correct amount plus tax. __Please make your checks out to Scholastic__. An easier way is to order online when the letter is sent home. You save the tax that way.
 * Blog – ** Read the blog often. It will have information for you. You are invited to comment. Your child is invited to comment also. They will learn how to do this in class. Please understand this is a technology skill.


 * Curriculum – ** Our **LA** curriculum is Treasures. The **Math** curriculum is from EveryDay Mathematics. Your child will be bringing home a password and url to play the games at home. This will help them practice the skills we are working on. Please help them to play the games when possible.
 * Discipline – ** Good conduct is vital for optimal learning in first grade! We begin to learn the school rules on the very first day of school. After the first week and orientation, we implement our behavior plan. A referral to the principal will also be made immediately for severe disruptions – threats, bullying, fighting, biting, etc. Our district takes these behaviors seriously and therefore will not be tolerated. The discipline plan is on another page in this wiki.
 * E-mail – ** If you need to reach me at school, you may e-mail me at smock@usd259.net I check my e-mail periodically throughout the day. If you need to call, please call the office at 973-6750.


 * Field Trips – ** We try to take a few educational field trips each year. We invite parents to attend. This is time to spend with your child. You may be asked to oversee a group of students for safety. For this reason younger siblings are not allowed to attend. Focus will be needed on your group.


 * Folders – ** Please return your child’s folder each day. The behavior sheet should be signed each day. This shows me that you are aware of what is going on with your child's behavior. There is a lot of information on this sheet.


 * Homework – ** We have homework almost every night starting __about__ the 2nd week of school. This homework is meant to reinforce what your child is learning in the classroom. It also gives you an idea of what your child is learning. Our math can be somewhat confusing if you are not following along. Good study habits begin now. If you get into a routine of homework - you are setting skills for later grades when they have much more.
 * Headphones – ** We do a lot of work on the computer. Each child will need to have a set of headphones or ear buds before they can work on the computer. This is to help keep down the lice population in our classroom.


 * Illnesses – ** If your child is sick, please keep him/her home. We love to share in first grade, but we don’t want to share our germs. **__It is important to tell the office__**. If there is a case of lice, strep, flu, chicken pox or other childhood illnesses, our nurse will send out a notice to all class parents warning them so they can watch for signs.


 * Journals – ** We will begin journal writing on the first day of school. By the end of the year, you will be amazed at the stories your child will be able to write on his/her own. At the end of the year, we will send these journals home with your child, so you will have a journal of their writing skills from first grade.


 * Keep Updated- ** Check your child's folder, behavior sheet, and blog for information you will need. If you believe you did not receive something, email me or write a note and I will get you a copy.


 * Library – ** We will go to library once a week. Your child will be able to check out one book. We will work on picking books we can read. Library days which are Monday, will be noted on the behavior sheet. If the book is not brought back on that day, they will be unable to check out another book until they do. If the book does not come back you are responsible for the cost of the book.


 * Medicine – ** If your child requires medicine to be taken at school, it must be taken to the nurse in its original container. She will give you the necessary paperwork to complete. No medicine will be given to your child without signed permission. Cough drops and tums need to be given by the nurse as well!


 * Newsletter – ** I will send home a newsletter twice a month. This will let you know of any upcoming events, and donations we would like. The behavior sheet will inform you of the skills and themes we will be working on that week. The blog will give you other information.

Please make sure you dress your child appropriately, as the weather changes.
 * Outside time (Recess) – ** Weather permitting, your child will get some time outside during the day. Most of this time is during PE and lunch recess. Your child will go outside unless they have a doctor's note. The high temperature does not come until around 3-4:00. So the morning and afternoon weather can still be cold in the fall, winter, and spring.


 * Parties – ** Lewis calls them “festivals” and limits them to two each year Fall and Friendship. However, there will be other special days when we can share some simple treats. If you would like to be our room parent to coordinate this, please let me know. Birthday treats should be brought towards the end of the day. According to Kansas law they must be healthy snacks. The past couple of years more cupcakes have been thrown away than eaten in my room. A lot of students don't like them. I will let you know if there are allergies when you call to set up a date to celebrate.
 * Popcorn – ** Lewis LCO sells popcorn on Fridays for 25cents. The first time all students are given popcorn. After that your child must pay. It is easy to prepay for popcorn so you do not have to remember to send money. Talk to me about that.


 * Questions- ** If you ever have any questions about our program, please feel free to either call me or e-mail me. I will get back with you as soon as possible. I will always try to respond in a timely manner. Email is the best way to contact me!


 * Reading **** – ** It is my goal for every child to leave my class reading and writing fluently this year. We may be at different levels- but we should all be reading and writing independantly! We will be working hard every day, and you can help so much by reading to your child every night. It is a Lewis requirement that each student read 20 min. per night. Your child will write to whom they read on the behavior sheet each night. Starting in October, Read Around and Book It! start. More information about that later.
 * Report Cards – ** Report cards will be sent home every nine weeks. Conferences are twice a year.
 * Responsibility – ** I know moms and dads love to walk their child to the room and help them get ready for the day. I discourage this after the 2nd week. First grade is all about independence and responsibility. Following routines is very important. If you complete the tasks for them they don't know where they are in the routine. I encourage you to visit the room if you want to but do not do things for your child or give them answers.


 * Supplies – ** Please refer to our suggested first grade list of supplies. If your child runs out of something, we will notify you so that you can send in a replacement. If you would like to donate something to our classroom, we are always in need of the following: paper towels, baby wipes, hand sanitizer,treasures for the treasure chest, Ziploc baggies, craft supplies, etc.
 * Snacks – ** Our day is long. The time between lunch and the end of school is long. If you wish your child to have a snack you may send one for the afternoon. Please try to send healthy snacks that are convenient for your child to eat. Cookies, chips, and other sugary snacks will not be allowed. It is also acceptable to send a bottle of water with your child. Please put your child's name on it. If there is a problem with either the snacks or the water - privileges may be suspended for a week until proper behavior can be used. I will let you know about this if there is trouble.
 * Spelling – ** Spelling lists will be on the back of the behavior sheet. Days for tests will also be listed on the front of the sheet. Be aware that there are some days that the spelling test will be a day late. If your child passes the first test with 100%, they will not need to take the test the second time. Your child will be held accountable for the spelling words once they have been on a list.


 * Toys – ** Please don’t allow your child to bring toys to school. These can become a distraction in our classroom and are often misplaced. I will collect toys and keep them until we meet to discuss the matter.


 * Units – ** We teach many of our skills and concepts through thematic units. We will inform you of the units we will be teaching each month. If you have something to contribute to our classroom regarding these themes, please let us know!


 * Volunteers – ** We love to have volunteers to help us out in the classroom. Your Lewis contract (that you signed) states that you will help out 5 hours a semester. We will also need volunteers who can help us out at home by stapling, cutting, etc. Please let me know if you are interested in these opportunities. We appreciate your support!


 * Web site – ** Our web site for our school is [|www.lewis.usd259.org] They try very hard to keep the information and announcements current. I use this wiki and the blog for my classroom.


 * Word lists – ** On another page are the vocabulary words and spelling words for each unit for the year. The spelling words will also be on the back of the behavior sheet each week along with the sight words to study and the vocabulary words.
 * Excitement – ** It doesn’t actually begin with an x, but there is definitely plenty of __excitement__ in first grade!!!!


 * Year – ** Your child’s first grade year should be a year they will always remember fondly and one that makes them love to learn. This is the year they will make the most progress. This is the year where they take on responsibility and their sense of humor grows.


 * ZZZ’s – ** Please make sure your child goes to bed early each night. We have such a busy day!!