1. Welcome to Our Schoolnotes Website!
2. Welcome to Our Second Grade Class!
3. Welcome to Bristow Run Elementary!
It is definitely my pleasure to welcome you to our class. This is going to be an exciting year in the lives of your children. Second grade is such a wonderful grade! I know we are going to learn a lot and have fun doing so. I will update this website as often as I can (preferably once or twice a month.) Or whenever deemed necessary.
I can hardly wait for Tuesday to come. I want to begin the week getting to know your children. Therefore, we will begin with a lesson called Brag About Me. Please read below the details about this lesson:
Brag Bag About Me
Please bring your favorite bag (ballet bag, gym bag, decorative bag, brown bag, shopping bag, etc… Please fill the bag with things that describe you! This bag can be simple or elaborate, just include items that you would like to share with our class. These items should be special to you. We will share 5 – 6 bags per day until all of the bags have been shared. I look forward to seeing all of the wonderful things that describe you and or things that are special to you. I will bring my favorite bag, too! Be ready to share and discuss the items in your bag the week of Tuesday, September 2nd.
Listed below is our class schedule and encore schedule:
Mrs. Lewis 2nd Grade Class Schedule
8:50 – 9:00 Morning Practice
9:00 – 9:40 Core Extension
9:45 – 11:40 Language Arts w/snack
11:45 – 12:25 Social Studies or Science
12:25 – 12:40 Recess
12:40 - 1:10 Lunch
1:15 – 2:40 Math
2:45 – 3:30 Encore
3:30 - Dismissal
For the week of September 2, 2008 - Encore Schedule
Tuesday - Day 1 – Science Lab
Wednesday - Day 2 – Computer Lab
Thursday - Day 3 – Art
Friday - Day 4 - PE 1
For the week of September 8, 2008 - Encore Schedule
Monday - Day 5 - Library
Tuesday - Day 6 - Music
Wednesday - Day 7 - PE 2
Thursday - Day 1 - Science Lab
Friday - Day 2 - Computer Lab
SPECIAL NOTES: Parents, please be mindful that our classroom is a peanut/nut free classroom. We have several students who are allergic to nuts. Therefore, when sending in snacks, please carefully read the labels for products processed in plants with nuts. For example: pretzels and granola bars are two products that are sometimes processed with nuts or contain nuts.
Listed below are the ABC's of our classroom. I will go into greater detail about these ABC's on the night of our Back to School evening. Please be mindful that I reserve the right to change/update/delete information contained in the ABC's. But I will keep you informed at all times.
The ABC’s of Our Classroom
Awesome/Attendance
Our Class is Awesome! They’re bright, funny, cute, eager, and exciting!!! So, please make sure your child attends school everyday! Of course, if your child is sick, please care for him/her at home. If your child is absent, please wait until he/she returns to collect the assignments. All assignments should be completed and returned to school within three (3) days of the absence(s).
Behavior
All students are expected to maintain appropriate behavior in and outside of our classroom. We have high standards for behavior and conduct. Students are reminded daily to make good choices. It is my expectation that each student will show he/she is responsible for his/her own learning, as well as being response-able to the success of our class. By doing so, students will work hard to do their best, be kind, show good character and behave like a quality student. A quality student will be determined by our class. Each student will begin the day on green. They should end the day on green by remembering their responsibilities. Students may also earn a purple when they go above and beyond by showing extraordinary behavior for that day. If a student does not show quality student behavior then a color will not been given. I will encourage students with compliments, praise, stickers, and compliment rewards. However, if a student chooses not to demonstrate acceptable behavior, I provide time to reflect and record his/her thoughts, additional encouragement, and or re-direction.
Birthdays
I know celebrating your child’s birthday is special and important. Therefore, if you want to send/bring a snack to school to celebrate, please feel free to do so. However, please understand that this is not a request and it is not mandatory. If you decide to celebrate your child’s birthday, please send in a note. All celebrations will be held in the cafeteria during our lunch time (12:40 – 1:10) Also, please be mindful if you decide to send in a special treat with your child, make sure it is something that your child can distribute/pass out to the students in the cafeteria. Cupcakes, cookies, chips, goodie bags are easy to hand out. Cakes that require cutting are not so easy and will require your assistance.
Class Rules
Our class rules will be made by our students. Once we create them I will post them on our schoolnotes.com website.
Conferences
Please sign up for a conference, sign up sheets are on the table. Also, if you can not attend on the date listed, let me know and I’ll be glad to work out something with you (i.e. early morning, after school or telephone conference.)
Correspondence
The best way to contact me is email. My email is lewisma@pwcs.edu or mlewis_bres@hotmail.com. However, if you do not have access to email, please feel free to write me a note or call me at 703-743-7741. I am normally here at school by 8:00 a.m. until 4:00 each day.
Email
I would like to go GREEN! You can help me do this by providing me your email. I can send you our weekly newsletter via email (instead of sending a hard copy.)
Grades
We use S+, S, S- & N.
(See attached grading rubric)
Homework
All students must read 15 minutes each night. Also, students are responsible for periodical Math assignments (as deemed necessary) and daily Word Study activities whereby, you as the parent will decide which activity would be most beneficial for your child to focus on. Homework must be returned the next day and reading logs should be recorded in nightly. If your child misses a homework assignment, I will have your child to write a brief note explaining why the assignment was not completed. All students will be given a Deadline Extension Certificate to be used whenever a homework assignment is turned in late.
Incredible
Our Parents are Incredible! You are helpful, caring, skilled, thoughtful and supportive! The students need your help with staying organized, completing homework, projects, maintaining school supplies, healthy snacks and quality time reading. Thanks for all you do!!!
Interims
Mid-way through the grading period, students will receive an interim. The interim tells the parents where the student areas of opportunities are and highlights areas of progress and or success. These must be signed and returned in the appropriate envelope.
Mission
Through the Business Model: Baldrige, we will create a mission statement. Our mission may state something like: "Our mission is to be good thinkers, follow the rules and do our best as second grade students at Bristow Run Elementary School." I will update this portion as soon as we write our Mission statement.
Panther Daily Review
This form is used to reflect on 1 thing that was learned and about how the student met the school/class expectations. It also serves as a record for your child’s daily behavior and encore schedule. Please read, initial and return it in the Panther Folder each day. It may be kept as of the end of the school day on Fridays.
Panther Folder
This is the white folder with the parent and student information recorded in the inside pockets. The reading log and Panther Daily Review should be inside of this folder. Please initial both forms and make sure the forms remain in the folder. The Panther Daily Review sheet may be taken out on Friday evenings. Please remove all papers, notes, and flyers on a daily basis. The Panther Folder should be returned to school each day.
Philosophy
I believe all students are entitled to a quality education. All students should be encouraged, engaged and given experiences to learn new material, learn from their mistakes, expound on their past experiences and create new experiences. Students should feel safe, valued and given new opportunities to make good or better choices. Our students are our future, let’s educate them to succeed!
Reading
I will assess each student to determine their reading levels. We will begin Guided Reading Groups in October. Our small guided reading groups will consist of students reading on the same or nearly the same reading level(s). Students will read in small groups, independently, with reading buddies. Also, students will have the opportunity to use the Accelerated Reading program, which allows leveled reading and comprehension tests
Scholastic Books
Students will be given a Scholastic book order form each month. If you choose to order books, please ONLY send in a check, made payable to Scholastic Books for the total amount purchased, tax is not required. Our class will collect points for each dollar spent, these points will be used to purchase books for our classroom library. Thank you for your support!
Schedule
Our schedule is concrete and most times it does not change. However, there are times, when we will have a schedule change due to assemblies, parties, fire drills, field trips, etc… I have attached our schedule.
Snacks
We will have a snack each day in the classroom around 11:15. Although, it is not mandatory, I do strongly encourage you to send a snack, because many of the students are hungry well before our lunch time (12:40).
Spelling
I will provide each student a list of words and a practice test on Fridays. I have attached a list of spelling activities that parents and students can choose from to help with .Also, I Each Thursday, we will have a spelling test from the word list. The word list consists of about 20 words. The spelling
Student of the Week
Beginning, September 24, 2008, we will highlight a Student of the Week. I will begin assigning that student by alphabetizing the student’s last names. This permits every student the opportunity to become the Student of the Week. I have attached a calendar listing the dates for each child’s week. Please look for a reminder letter the Friday before your child is named as Student of the Week. This letter will provide you with details about the week.
Supplies
On occasions, our supplies will become low. When this happens, I will send a note home to parents for a donation of the items needed.
Vision
Our class will write a Vision statement in conjunction with the Baldridge Business Model. Our vision statement, could say something like, “We will become Top Quality Second Grade Students at Bristow Run Elementary School.” Once we write our vision statement I will update this portion.
Weekly Newsletter
Each week (usually Friday via email if possible) your child will receive a weekly newsletter. This newsletter should include important dates, reminders, honorable mentions as well as a general idea of what we’re doing in our classroom.
Wonderful
Our Administrators, Teachers, Staff and Volunteers are Wonderful! It takes a team to make things happen and function properly. Hats off to everyone who devotes their time in making sure we do what is best for all of our students.
We are going to have a fabulous school year!
Sincerely,
Mrs. Lewis
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