Most of the frequently asked questions I receive during the year are answered in my classroom introduction letter.
Dear Parents/Guardians,
Hello and welcome to room #103! Second grade students in my classroom will be involved in a holistic learning environment. We will focus not only on the traditional 3 R’s (Reading, ‘Riting, and ‘Rithmatic) but also on Science, Social Studies and Character Development. We will exercise our minds and bodies on a daily basis so students will need to wear comfortable shoes (preferably tennis shoes). Our snacks will be nutritious and help us build healthier bodies (Please see attached list of acceptable Friday snacks). Eisenhower is a Health Promotion School of Excellence and our class will be working within that framework. Last year we walked over 50 miles and participated in the Louisville Health Department’s Walk on the Waterfront! Our Classroom goal is to be the best we can be intellectually, emotionally, and physically.
In addition to Parent/Teacher conferences and report cards, you will be kept informed through Weekly Progress Reports, which are sent home every Friday and need to be signed by you and returned every Monday. In the beginning of the year we are in academic review and concentrating a great deal on class rules and behavior. I’ve included our Classroom Behavior Policy in this packet.
The students will also bring a Homework Packet on Fridays. This entire packet is to be completed and turned in by the next Friday. If your child has difficulty completing it by Friday then just send a note indicating that he/she will work on it over the weekend and turn it in on Monday. I realize family schedules are hectic and some nights it may be too difficult to work on homework. This offers you the flexibility and extra time to assist your child with their homework and take-home assignments. Ideally each student will work on homework and/or a related activity (reading with you at bedtime) for 25-30 minutes each night. This would be most beneficial to their learning. Please establish a “safe spot” where homework and progress reports are kept and a routine to help your child remember to bring them back to school. If either is lost, please just send in a note explaining that the progress report was reviewed and/or the homework was completed and they will be excused.
Your child will be sharing a locker with another child in my classroom. Your child’s coat and backpack will be kept in the locker all day. Backpacks are fine but not necessary since only the homework folder will be coming to class with the student. These lockers are not locked and no valuables should be kept inside.
I am a firm but loving teacher and my expectations are very high. I see at work every day “the self-fulfilling prophesy”. If the children are told and believe that they can’t accomplish their goals then often they do not. However, if the children are praised, encouraged and expected to reach lofty goals then often they soar to new heights.
Communicating with me is easiest by sending notes in the student folder, which goes home and returns daily. I hope I will get a chance to meet each of you this year. You are of great importance to your child’s education. They will need you to talk with them, listen to them, and work with them to help them grow. I am looking forward to a great 2009-10 school year with your child!
Classroom Behavior Policy
The Behavior Chart in the classroom has four colors by every student’s name. At the beginning of the day everyone starts on green. If they stay on green all day they earn a star. If they stay on green all week they also earn a treat! When a student earns 20 stars they choose from individual rewards for the day such as free drinks, cut pass, computer time, etc. Stars are also earned by bringing homework in on Friday, returning progress reports on Monday, and for outstanding individual achievement. If the student’s color is changed to blue – due to not following the rules/directions after several warnings – then a star is not earned for that day. If the color is changed to yellow, a star is not earned and he/she must sit out ½ of recess. If the color is changed to red, a star is not earned, he/she must sit out all of recess and I will place a phone call home after school. By the time a student’s color has been changed to yellow or red, he/she has caused serious disruptions in the classroom. This type of behavior where a student reaches yellow or red will not be tolerated in my classroom. I will ask the parent/guardian to come to school for a conference and the child will miss all activities including recess, track parties, holiday parties, field trips, etc. until the behavior has been corrected. I have indicated the color each student has maintained all week on his or her weekly progress report.
Please review their behavior with them at the end of the week as well as asking them daily what color they stayed on. Many parents have shared with me that when their child stays on green the whole week; they get a special reward on the weekend. Conversely, other parents have shared that when their child gets to yellow or red that certain privileges are taken away. This reinforces what I am teaching and allows more time to be spent on academics in the classroom rather than behavior. Please remember to sign the progress report and send it back with the student on Monday. Bringing back a signed progress report is the responsibility of the student; however, having an established routine and “safe spot” for homework and progress reports at home helps the student learn this responsibility.
