Classroom Agreement
The school rule is to treat others the way you want to be treated. Our classroom agreement was formed with students on the first day of school. The students have agreed to try their best to follow all classroom and school rules.
I will...
· be nice to others
· help people when they need it
· listen when somebody is talking
· keep my hands and feet to myself
· cooperate and work together
· don't steal - if I find something, I will give it to the teacher
· be a good sport
· have self-control
· have fun everyday and be my best
Behavior Management
On a board in our room, each child has a car with their name on it. Each day the student starts with their car on the green light, indicating that they are making good choices. If a student does not follow the classroom rules that we made up together, their car may be moved. A car in the yellow light section is a warning and is accompanied by a time out where they can collect their thoughts and start to make better choices. A car in the red light indicates that the student will write you a letter explaining his/her behavior.
At the end of each day, students will shade the color of their car on the calendar. This is your way to know how your child is behaving in the classroom everyday. I ask you to initial the chart each day and return it to school. If there are any serious or on-going issues that need your attention, I will contact you.
Birthday Celebrations
All students are invited to bring in a treat to share with the class on their birthday if they wish. If possible, drop me a note a day or two before telling me that your child is planning to bring in a treat so I may work it into our schedule. A short party will be given for the child at which time we will have a treat and sing “Happy Birthday.” There are 19 students in the class. If a child wants, they will be allowed to bring a treat to their first grade and kindergarten teachers, as well as, Mrs. Graner, our principal.
Snack
We have snack every morning. Please send your child with one, quick healthy snack everyday. Lunch is not until 12:30 p.m. and many of them are hungry much sooner. Our water fountain is currently broken, so if you have a drink you would like to send with your child, feel free to do so.
Lunch Money/Lunch Tickets
Parents and guardians have the option of pre-paying for lunch for your child. School lunches cost $2.25 this year. You can send in a check with your child to add money to your child's account. It is preferred that checks are sent in at the beginning of the week in an envelope labeled with your child's name and teacher. When a child goes to buy lunch, they simply enter their three digit code and the money is subtracted from your account. This way, your child does not have to worry about losing his/her lunch money. If you do send your child with money, please put in a ziplock bag with their name on it.
Change of Dismissal
The school (through me) must be notified in writing if your child is going on a different bus, getting picked up, or any other change of usual dismissal procedure.
Student of the Week
I would like to do the same for my students. At the front of the classroom is a bulletin board that will be our "student of the week" board. Every 6-7 days I will have a new student decorate the board however they would please. They can bring in pictures, magazine clippings, or anything else that can be attached to the board with staples. Students can make the board all about them or all about something they have a great interest in (dinosaurs, cheerleading, soccer, drawings etc.). This will help the class and I get to know that person better and maybe even learn more about topics featured.
I will let you know ahead of time when it is your child's turn to be featured so you have time to gather your decorations. The board is square and 29 inches on each side.
Homework
The students will receive a weekly assignment sheet every Monday. This sheet will include your child’s weekly spelling list. There are 3 main components to the homework. First, your child’s weekly spelling list will be listed. Each list will consist of 15 high frequency words. Monday and Thursday nights your child will complete spelling homework. Second, your child will be asked to read for 15 minutes each night. I have included some reading strategies in this packet that you can utilize with your child at home. These are strategies I will be implementing in the classroom as well. Math is the last component. Tuesday and Wednesday will be designated for math homework. It will correspond to the concept(s) we are studying in class. In addition, the second grade teachers are stressing the important of practicing math facts, both addition and subtraction, with your child throughout the week.
Throughout the year, the second grade teachers will assign projects, book responses, and activities for your child to complete at home. These assignments will be given approximately one or two weeks for completion.
Modifications and Enrichment
During the first weeks of school, the second grade teachers access the students in the areas of math, reading, writing, and spelling. These initial assessments provide us with important information about your child. In addition to this, students will be informally assessed as they complete independent assignments, participate in class discussions, take part in small or large group activities, and as they interact with their peers. I will utilize all of these formal and informal assessments to make modifications that best suit your child’s needs.
In addition to this, I realize that some students may also need to be challenged. I will pre-assess the class each Friday, in the area of Spelling. Students who receive a score of 13/15 or better will have a “challenge” list for the week. Their spelling words will be listed on the weekly assignment sheet in the homework packet.
Your child will also benefit from the many different ways in which I group students throughout the day to complete classroom assignments.
Contacting Me
Please feel free to contact me any time with questions or concerns. You can reach me at school by calling 342-3131. If I am unavailable, please leave a message with one of the secretaries. Also, my email address is JFerrara@vvportlandct.us. I check my email at least once in the morning and once in the afternoon. I will do my best to get back to you as soon as possible! I feel that open communication between home and school plays an important role in your child’s success!
Curriculum
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