Dear 2nd Grade Parents,
There’s always so much to tell you in the beginning of the year! It may help you to save this letter for future reference. Please be sure to check your child’s take-home folder every day for papers from school. Praise and encourage him/her to use the folder and not to just stuff papers into the backpack! You’ll be seeing many notes from school all throughout the year, and I appreciate the time you will spend reading them all. Watch for our 2nd Grade newsletter on the last day of most weeks. It will help you keep abreast of what we’re doing in class, as well as give you other important information. You will receive MANY forms that need to be signed and returned to school this week. I appreciate your promptness in doing so, as I will have to keep sending them to you until I get them back.
ARRIVAL AT SCHOOL:
Students should begin arriving at school by 7:50. This means students have completed their “morning routine” and are in their seat ready to learn at 8:00 when the bell rings. If you ever arrive late with your child, please stop and check in at the office. For the first few days of school I will be waiting for the children outside in front of the building. Beginning August 29th the children will enter the building “on their own” (there are always other staff members outside and along the way to help the children), and I will meet them in our classroom, #103, where I will greet each student at the door.
ACTIVITIES:
Please note that we play outside and participate in other motor activities every day. We will also have gym every Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday. Please wear gym shoes to school on the day we have gym. Sandals may be dangerous when climbing and running and are not always appropriate footwear for motor activities. It may be easier to send your child in gym shoes everyday. Also, please be sure your child is dressed appropriately, wearing jackets, etc for outside play, as the weather gets cooler.
We will go to the library each Wednesday to check out up to 3 books that may be kept for a week. In addition to using the classroom iPads and desktop computers, we will go to the computer lab at various times.
HOMEWORK:
I hope you will read to and with your child every day. They are becoming independent readers, however, 2nd graders still LOVE to be read to! I will be suggesting activities in my weekly newsletter that I hope you will find useful. In addition, math homework will be sent home. You only need to send back those activities that are specifically marked “homework”or “return to school”.
SNACK
This year students will be eating lunch at 11:40 a.m. We will be allowing time for the students to eat a snack in the morning if they would like to bring one. With the allergies we have in our classes we are limiting the choices to fruit, vegetable and cheese. We are not going to have a lot of time for a snack, so we are asking for your help in preparing a quick snack for them to eat.
There will be no exceptions to the theses snack. If your child brings something other than this they will not be allowed to eat it during the designated snack time and will have to save it for lunch.
BIRTHDAYS & HOLIDAY CELEBRATIONS:
2nd Graders will celebrate some holidays and birthdays. A few weeks before each party you may receive a letter asking you to send in something we need for that party, as well as giving you the opportunity to sign up to volunteer for that day. If you do not want your child to participate in any of these days be sure to let me know.
Due to increasing numbers of medical conditions and economic concerns, class birthday treats or trinkets may no longer be brought in to share. In lieu of treats, we will celebrate birthdays by singing to each child and giving them a special birthday wristband etc. Students are also given a special book from the principal and invited to a breakfast during their birthday month!
SCHOOL SUPPLIES:
Please be sure your child has all the necessary supplies at school as soon as possible. Do not put names on supplies such as crayons and glue, as we share these items. Do label your child’s backpack, folders, and all clothing items, such as jackets and boots, with your child’s first and last names. Many children wear the same articles of clothing that can easily get mixed up or lost.
SENDING MONEY TO SCHOOL:
At various times throughout the year you may be sending money to school. Be sure it is in a well-sealed envelope labeled with your child’s name, the amount, what the money is for, and “Mrs. Bank’s 2nd Grade.”
CLASSROOM HELPERS:
We rely on help from our parents, whether on a regular basis, or just for single projects or parties. If you can help, let me know when you’re available – no experience necessary--we’ll train you! Any and all help is greatly appreciated. Because of safety concerns and to minimize distractions, it is school policy that siblings are not allowed in class with parent volunteers. We will have a general volunteer meeting in the next week or so.
WISH LIST:
We can always use and appreciate baby wipes, sandwich sized ziplock bags, gallon sized ziplock bags, multicolor cardstock
HOME / SCHOOL COMMUNICATION:
If you ever have questions or concerns do not hesitate to email, send a note or call. However, I may not get a chance to check my voicemail or email until the end of the day. Often the office can help answer some of your questions or will take a message if time is an issue. When I cannot get back to you during school hours I try to return calls that same evening. You might also check our website to find information and also my email link. Be sure to check our web pages weekly for our newsletter and other important information, as well as photos of our class. You can access it by going to www.d46.org, clicking on the “schools” link, then clicking on the Meadowview icon and go to the teacher web pages. You may also e-mail me directly at [email protected].
BACK TO SCHOOL NIGHT FOR PARENTS:
And finally, don’t forget to mark your calendar for Back to School Night on Thursday, September 7th from 6:30-7:00. This is a night for parents to come to school to learn about our curriculum, as well as a chance to sign up for our November parent-teacher conferences. You will want to arrange for a babysitter on that night.
I’m looking forward to working with you and your child this year in 2nd Grade! It will be full of fun, learning and growth for your child. I know that together we can make this a wonderful school year!
Sincerely,
Marybeth Bank
Dear 2nd Grade Parents,
There’s always so much to tell you in the beginning of the year! It may help you to save this letter for future reference. Please be sure to check your child’s take-home folder every day for papers from school. Praise and encourage him/her to use the folder and not to just stuff papers into the backpack! You’ll be seeing many notes from school all throughout the year, and I appreciate the time you will spend reading them all. Watch for our 2nd Grade newsletter on the last day of most weeks. It will help you keep abreast of what we’re doing in class, as well as give you other important information. You will receive MANY forms that need to be signed and returned to school this week. I appreciate your promptness in doing so, as I will have to keep sending them to you until I get them back.
ARRIVAL AT SCHOOL:
Students should begin arriving at school by 7:50. This means students have completed their “morning routine” and are in their seat ready to learn at 8:00 when the bell rings. If you ever arrive late with your child, please stop and check in at the office. For the first few days of school I will be waiting for the children outside in front of the building. Beginning August 29th the children will enter the building “on their own” (there are always other staff members outside and along the way to help the children), and I will meet them in our classroom, #103, where I will greet each student at the door.
ACTIVITIES:
Please note that we play outside and participate in other motor activities every day. We will also have gym every Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday. Please wear gym shoes to school on the day we have gym. Sandals may be dangerous when climbing and running and are not always appropriate footwear for motor activities. It may be easier to send your child in gym shoes everyday. Also, please be sure your child is dressed appropriately, wearing jackets, etc for outside play, as the weather gets cooler.
We will go to the library each Wednesday to check out up to 3 books that may be kept for a week. In addition to using the classroom iPads and desktop computers, we will go to the computer lab at various times.
HOMEWORK:
I hope you will read to and with your child every day. They are becoming independent readers, however, 2nd graders still LOVE to be read to! I will be suggesting activities in my weekly newsletter that I hope you will find useful. In addition, math homework will be sent home. You only need to send back those activities that are specifically marked “homework”or “return to school”.
SNACK
This year students will be eating lunch at 11:40 a.m. We will be allowing time for the students to eat a snack in the morning if they would like to bring one. With the allergies we have in our classes we are limiting the choices to fruit, vegetable and cheese. We are not going to have a lot of time for a snack, so we are asking for your help in preparing a quick snack for them to eat.
- All fruits and veggies should be cut and peeled (no whole apples, oranges peeled etc.)
- No fruit cups or applesauce that involve a spoon. Students are allowed to bring in the squeezable fruit pouches.
There will be no exceptions to the theses snack. If your child brings something other than this they will not be allowed to eat it during the designated snack time and will have to save it for lunch.
BIRTHDAYS & HOLIDAY CELEBRATIONS:
2nd Graders will celebrate some holidays and birthdays. A few weeks before each party you may receive a letter asking you to send in something we need for that party, as well as giving you the opportunity to sign up to volunteer for that day. If you do not want your child to participate in any of these days be sure to let me know.
Due to increasing numbers of medical conditions and economic concerns, class birthday treats or trinkets may no longer be brought in to share. In lieu of treats, we will celebrate birthdays by singing to each child and giving them a special birthday wristband etc. Students are also given a special book from the principal and invited to a breakfast during their birthday month!
SCHOOL SUPPLIES:
Please be sure your child has all the necessary supplies at school as soon as possible. Do not put names on supplies such as crayons and glue, as we share these items. Do label your child’s backpack, folders, and all clothing items, such as jackets and boots, with your child’s first and last names. Many children wear the same articles of clothing that can easily get mixed up or lost.
SENDING MONEY TO SCHOOL:
At various times throughout the year you may be sending money to school. Be sure it is in a well-sealed envelope labeled with your child’s name, the amount, what the money is for, and “Mrs. Bank’s 2nd Grade.”
CLASSROOM HELPERS:
We rely on help from our parents, whether on a regular basis, or just for single projects or parties. If you can help, let me know when you’re available – no experience necessary--we’ll train you! Any and all help is greatly appreciated. Because of safety concerns and to minimize distractions, it is school policy that siblings are not allowed in class with parent volunteers. We will have a general volunteer meeting in the next week or so.
WISH LIST:
We can always use and appreciate baby wipes, sandwich sized ziplock bags, gallon sized ziplock bags, multicolor cardstock
HOME / SCHOOL COMMUNICATION:
If you ever have questions or concerns do not hesitate to email, send a note or call. However, I may not get a chance to check my voicemail or email until the end of the day. Often the office can help answer some of your questions or will take a message if time is an issue. When I cannot get back to you during school hours I try to return calls that same evening. You might also check our website to find information and also my email link. Be sure to check our web pages weekly for our newsletter and other important information, as well as photos of our class. You can access it by going to www.d46.org, clicking on the “schools” link, then clicking on the Meadowview icon and go to the teacher web pages. You may also e-mail me directly at [email protected].
BACK TO SCHOOL NIGHT FOR PARENTS:
And finally, don’t forget to mark your calendar for Back to School Night on Thursday, September 7th from 6:30-7:00. This is a night for parents to come to school to learn about our curriculum, as well as a chance to sign up for our November parent-teacher conferences. You will want to arrange for a babysitter on that night.
I’m looking forward to working with you and your child this year in 2nd Grade! It will be full of fun, learning and growth for your child. I know that together we can make this a wonderful school year!
Sincerely,
Marybeth Bank