Back to School Information Please read the following information and post within your house as a reference throughout the school year. Teacher Contact Information: Ms. Garcia- Teacher s Aide Email Address: sghafari@stcornelius.net School Website: www.stcornelius.net Grade Website: www.edline.net Class Website: www.2ndgradecougars.weebly.com * UPDATED WEEKLY * LINKS TO GAMES TO ENRICH CURRICULUM * IMPORTANT DATES & NEWSLETTERS POSTED Classroom Discipline: Students are expected to: * Follow all School Rules stated in Parent/Student Handbook. * Listen to teachers and others. * Make thoughtful choices and follow the SLEs. * Wait your turn and be polite. * Raise your hand before speaking. * Not disturb others. * Listen when others are speaking * Cooperate with others. * Keep hands and feet to yourself. * Use words to work out problems. * Keep the classroom clean and neat. * Be to class on time. * Be ready for class everyday.
I will begin to encourage your child to take more responsibility for their academics, work habits and behavior. is a transitional year where your child will grow in maturity in their academic capabilities and their decision making. When students make good decisions about their behavior, they are able to learn in a positive, nurturing classroom environment. Students will recognize that there are both rewards and consequences based on right and wrong choices and actions. I will refer to decision making based on right and wrong choices and actions, instead of using good and bad behavior. I encourage you to use the same vocabulary at home with your child. The following steps will be taken for those students who chose to make wrong choices: * First time: Warning * Second time: Note Home on Goal Chart * Third time: Note Home on Goal Chart and Detention * Fourth time: Sent to the Principal and Detention * Fifth time: Meeting with Teacher, Parent and Principal I emailed the Behavior Plan the first week of school. Please refer to this during the year. To track attendance, behavior, classwork and homework habits, students will color their Goal Chart daily. This is a way for us to communicate on a daily basis. Please use this on the tool to better support and encourage success during this academic school year. Sacraments: Your child will be receiving the sacrament of Reconciliation & Holy Communion. This is a journey not only for your child, but also the family. Your support and participation is a crucial factor in your child s spiritual development. I will guide them as well as the family with the information about preparation, retreat and the sacraments. One of the most important support is to attend MASS on a weekly basis.this is not only necessary for building a strong spiritual foundation, but also will be a contributing factor in the continuation of your child s faith formation. Sister Mary and I will prepare the students for their sacraments as a part of the Religion Curriculum. Important dates will be sent home shortly to choose your First Communion Mass date.
Assessments: ENGLISH LANGUAGE ARTS: Second Grade will be assessed on sight word recognition, fluency, vowel blends, consonants pairs, digraphs, syllables, rhymes, parts of speech, synonyms, antonyms, punctuation and vocabulary. In ELA, will be assessed at the end of each selection/story and at the end of each literary theme. Students will be assessed on their reading fluency. Students will be assessed on spelling and vocabulary every 2 weeks. Students will engage in informal writing like daily journal writing, and formal writing assignment that reflect the writing process. Both of these types of writing help me gauge their comprehension and understanding of content standards. * MATH: Students will be assessed on skip counting, addition, subtraction, multiplication (2 s, 5 s 10 s) and word problem application. Students will be assessed at the end of the unit of study. Students also have one-minute math drills (math facts) and math minute that are common core based. * SCIENCE / SOCIAL STUDIES: These subjects are taught in 2 week intervals. During those 2 weeks students will be assessed through projects, group work and assessments at the end of the unit. * RELIGION: Students will be assessed through projects, reflections and performance assessments.* * Students will be expected to verbalize/demonstrate understanding in all content areas through various assessments and activities. GRADES WILL BE UPDATED THROUGHOUT THE TRIMESTER. CHECK EDLINE.NET TO STAY CONNECTED. School and Classroom Library: In addition to homework, you are expected to read to/with your child 25 minutes a day. Students are encouraged to borrow books from the school and classroom library. To keep track of your daily reading, a Be a Star Reader sheet will be sent home every Monday and will be turned in on the following Monday. During Trimester 1, students are expected to complete a journal for their reading log on Wednesdays. Each trimester after that, journaling will increase to 2 days a week, and then 3 days a week.
Novels: Literacy plays an important role in your child s development. There will be 2 novels to purchase this year. They are listed on the class website. There is also a children s bible to purchase. ALL BOOKS DUE SEPTEMBER 24TH, 2014. I encourage you to read aloud chapter books to your child each night. This will help enhance their vocabulary development. Homework: Students will be given homework assignments on a daily basis Monday through Thursday. Homework is expected to be completed the following day and turned in. Parents are expected to guide their children not to do their homework. All work should be written neatly based on your child s level of penmanship. Students must write their first and last name on all assignments and date. Homework is a reflection of what is being taught in class, so completing homework is a vital part of your child s academic growth. All homework and Goal Chart must be placed in the Homework Folder. Students may turn in late homework ONLY IF PARENTS have communicated with me in verbal or written forms. Homework is a way for 2nd graders to become more active in their education by taking responsibility of what needs to be completed. * IXL.com -Login & password information will go home in September. Students will be expected to to complete 20 minutes a week using this program once passwords go home. * SpellingCity.com- Students will be expected to go onto spellingcity.com to practice vocabulary and spelling words using the various games online. Spellingcity.com will notify me of weekly usage, however it is up to the parents to make sure practice is completed. Homework is be tracked on Goal Chart and is equated into points for Homework Grade. Green homework is worth 5 points, blue is worth 4 points, and red is worth 3 points. Birthdays: Students are able to wear free dress on their birthdays. Students may bring individual treats to share with the class. We have 39 students. Please be mindful, that a few of our classmates have a peanut allergy.
Journals: Students will have 3 different journals they will work on throughout the whole school year - * Daily Journal - Students will have a different topic to reflect on each day. Students are expected to write and draw based on their topic. * Spelling/Vocabulary Journal - Spelling/Vocabulary Tests will be taken on alternating Fridays. Students will be able to take their journal home and share their grade with their families. Journals must be returned the following school day and signed by their parents. * Homework Journal - Students are expected to write sentences according to the directions stated in the daily homework newsletter. Work in Progress Box Class work, flip books and any other assignments that will be used again in class will be kept in this folder. Students will leave this in their desk for easy access. Homework & Monthly Newsletters Every day, reminders of upcoming information will be stated in the Homework Newsletter stapled to the top of the homework packet. I will be emailing Monthly Newsletters and Calendars. The purpose of these newsletters is to inform you of all the main topics and areas of learning being covered in class, as well as extra curricular obligations, classroom and school-wide events. Homework Newsletters serve as a guidance for parents to help better meet the needs of their child and keep parents aware of what is being taught in class and what work will be given to complete each night. Parent Student Handbook Please make sure to familiarize yourself with the Parent Student Handbook on the school website. Student Supplies Your child should have ALL of their school supplies EVERY DAY of class. It is important for each student to come prepared to class with all the supplies stated on supply list. Please be mindful that all student books and technology are property of St. Cornelius and should be treated with respect.
Absences & Tardies Tardies - Children need to be at school no later than 8:00am. Tardy will be a BLUE on Goal Chart. Absences - If students arrive to school after 10:00am, or leave school before 2:30pm, they will be marked half a day absent. Absence will be a RED on Goal Chart. Extra Classroom Activities: * Music - Mondays * Library - Tuesdays Books are checked out on Tuesdays every week and need to be returned back to school by Tuesday before Library. Children will be checking out 3-5 books a week. Students who do not return books will be charged a late fee. * P.E. - Wednesdays ( wear P.E. uniform to school). * Computers - Thursdays * School-wide Mass - Fridays at 8:15am. (see calendar for specific dates) 2nd grade will lead a school mass in May. Communication is key between families and teachers. If you have any other concerns regarding information not listed please feel free to speak to me. I am here to help you guide your children and help them receive the education they deserve the BEST! #
Student Learning Expectations 1. A well prepared student who: a. has excellent study skills, including note-taking b. is academically and socially prepared for the next grade level c. develops an awareness of and an appreciation for literature d. meets or exceeds educational standards in all subject areas e. can research and write a formal report f. experience cultural enrichment in the areas of music, art & drama g. is emerging as a life-long learner 2. An effective communicator who: a. writes clearly and creatively b. uses vocabulary which enhances both written and oral expression c. can speak confidently, and present projects, before an audience d. has neat legible penmanship e. utilizes technology, including the internet, to maintain good communication with others 3. An integrated self-aware person who: a. has good self-esteem and recognizes his/her own God-given talents b. displays self-respect, and accepts responsibility for his/her own actions c. develops self-confidence and leadership qualities 4. A faith-filled, active, Catholic Christian who: a. loves and trusts God b. is able to choose right over wrong c. treats others as they want to be treated, and is a good example to others d. understands Catholic traditions and teachings 5. A responsible world citizen who: a. respects all living things b. is honest, kind, and caring c. helps others and participates in service projects d. works cooperatively and collaboratively e. seeks social justice for those in need