OUTLINE FOR

ORIENTATION

                                                                                  2EH

Welcome to 2eh! 

MY NAME IS ElAINE HUMES.  I AM VERY EXCITED ABOUT TEACHING YOUR CHILD THIS YEAR IN SECOND GRADE.  I GRADUATED FROM NORTHERN ILLINOIS UNIVERSITY WITH MY BACHELOR AND MASTERS DEGREES AND HAVE MY CERTIFICATIONS IN BOTH SPECIAL AND REGULAR EDUCATION.  THIS WILL BE MY 20TH YEAR TEACHING.  THIS WILL BE MY 5TH YEAR HERE AT HRA.  BEFORE TODD AND I MOVED TO TENNESSE I TAUGHT IN THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS IN DEKALB, ILLINOIS.  I HAVE TWO CHILDREN, SHELBY WHO WILL BE A 7TH GRADER HERE AT HRA, AND TREVOR WHO IS A FRESHMAN AT FATHER RYAN H.S.  AGAIN, I AM SO ANXIOUS TO MEET YOUR CHILD AND START OUR NEW SCHOOL YEAR TOGETHER.

1.  ARRIVAL AT SCHOOL- students may come to the classrooms at 7:30.  Before that, they wait in the dining hall.  They are tardy after 7:45.

2. ATTENDANCE - (TIMES, ABSENCES, EXCUSES AND TARDIES) - all explained in handbook, there are some new guidelines so watch for that.   (*see ATTAchment) for VACATIONS, SICKNESS ETC.- please send note when child is absent for any reason.   In addition to parent note send in a doctor’s note when applicable.

4. CLASSROOM RULES, DISCIPLINE ( *see attachment) - warnings and time outs are the consequences for rule infractions.  I will be using the “give me five” procedure and sound signals to get students’ attention amoung other things.  I am as positive as possible and we use Choice time on fridays and monthly reinforcers (*see attachmentS) to reward good BEHAVIOR. (SATURDAY DETENTION for too many tardies and early dismissals)

5. COMPUTER – The students will be using the computers in the classroom for the following AR, Math Facts in a Flash, Star Assessment, and to learn and follow through with simple research tasks.  AR is our Accelerated Reader Program which allows students to Read a book, take a comprehension assessment on the computer, and track their progress.  Math Facts in a Flash allows students to take timed addition, subtraction and even Multiplication test depending how quickly and accurately they progress from level to level.   Finally, the STAR Reader Reading Assessment tests your child’s decoding and comprehension skills.  They will take this 3-4 times this year. 

6. COUNSELING -Full time COUNSELOR WILL conduct several workshops with our class during the year on different peer issues and strategies.  you may email or phone counselor directly if you have any concerns.  I can pass on any info to her for you also. 

7. DAILY SCHEDULE - MORNING SNACK (MUST BE NUTRITIONAL AND EASY TO EAT).  Remember, we are a NUT TREE FREE school.  Also, please send a small water bottle with your child to have at his/her desk. (hydrated brains work better.)  They will toss it or bring it home on Fridays to be cleaned.   SUBJECTS TAUGHT, SPECIALS, ETC. are listed on the weekly schedule (*see attachment).  they will be given a new spelling list every monday. reading and spelling tests will be on friday. other tests will usually occur mid-week and students will be notified ahead of time.

8.  dismissal – please review dismissal procedure in the handbook.  Look for your 2nd grader by the cafeteria doors on days we do ‘rainy day dismissal’.

Dismissal is at 3:00.

9.  EMERGENCY RELEASE FORMS – NEED TO BE FILLED OUT AND IF THERE’S ANYONE WHO MAY REMOTELY BE ASKED TO PICK UP YOUR CHILD, PLEASE ADD THEM TO THE LIST. ALSO, IF YOUR CHILD HAS A BROWNIE OR CUB SCOUT FIELD TRIP AND WILL BE PICKED UP BY THEIR LEADER, PLEASE WRITE ME A NOTES THAT DAY or a signed list of dates of the meetings. 

10.   FIELD TRIPS - PERMISSION SLIP and money FOR CHILD must be turned in by due date.  (ONE FOR EACH TRIP).  We will use buses for transportation. we will be going on approximately 5 fieldtrips this year.  Chaperones are only needed for 2 of them.  We will let you know more info as it nears each fieldtrip.  if you plan to attend or help with any activity, you must have a profile form on file. We also need profile forms for all parents who want to do anything with the children, including reading or art here at school.  Those forms can be requested from the office.   If you filled one out last year you may need to just do a renewal.  refer any questions concerning eligibility to volunteer to Betsy Morgan in the office.   The kids and I love to have parents to help so if there are any problems with getting a profile or renewal completed I can help.  Just let me know!

11.  HOMEWORK - We will use the AGENDA books every day.  This must then go home and be signed by the parent and returned to school the next morning.  Please check that your student has completed their HOMEWORK, (including reading the stories, etc.) to the best of their ability.   If there is no homework, that will be written in the agenda. (*see attachmentS)  All Homework is due the next day unless otherwise stated in the agenda.  Each child will receive a “hungry Dog” Homework coupon at the beginning of each quarter.  They will be allowed to use this coupon once per quarter.  Students will receive 100% homework if all homework is turned in on time each day.  Homework coupons do not count against 100% homework. J

12.  Items forgotten at home – Please, let’s make this a team effort to work on this with the children.  This is a responsibility for them both at home and at school.  I discourage parents from bringing forgotten items to school later in the day.  Once is a nice thing to do for your child, after that let’s work together and make them responsible and allow them TO EXPERIENCE the natural consequences.  We will be working on this responsibilty at school too.

13. Label personal items – Please do so, especially school items such as the blue hoodies etc.   Any money or forms brought in to school by your child must be in an envelope marked with your child’s name, 2EH, and what it is for. 

14. MEDICATIONS- office has to have form filled out. a doctor’s form for an Inhaler also needs to be in the office, although the inhaler may be in the classroom.  Let me know about food allergies as soon as possible!  Remember, we are now a nut tree free school. 

15. PARTIES, INVITATIONS, ETC. - party INVITATIONS AND thank you’s may not be passed out at school.

We will celebrate every child’s BIRTHDAY IN our classroom either on their birthday or another date chosen by parent and the teacher.  On this day students my come out of uniform (not on fieldtrip days), bring a morning OR afternoon treat for the class, and have a friend sit with them if a parent or guest comes for lunch. 

16.  REPORT CARDS (INTERIM GRADES)   All dates are on the calendar.   We will be using Power School this year for you to monitor how your child is doing in each class.  You will still receive a hard copy of the report card every quarter.  (*See attachment for grading procedures)

17. uniforms – Students need to come to school in full uniform everyday.  Make sure they have their belt on if wearing pants or shorts and that their socks fully cover their ankles.  (see handbook for all detalis) Tennis shoes are not required or necessary for pe.  All girls need to have uniform skirts to the knee.  On uniform break days, students can not wear sleeveless shirts or one with a capped sleeve.

18. visiting school  - if you come to have lunch, or to read or do art, make sure that you sign in at the office and get a visitor’s tag. also, be sure to come in the front door by the office. our students are not allowed to open the doors to anyone – even their own parents.

19.  Volunteering and sign up sheets – on table – please sign up to be a room parent or a helper, a reader, or to do an art project.   Another sign up sheet is for clinic helpers – no experience necessary – we just need someone to comfort sick children and put on bandaids.

Please be thinking about Field Days and the 2nd grade ‘end of the year’ fieldtrip too!!

20.  web site –   a hard copy of a Weekly ‘newsletter’ will go home every friday to keep you informed on upcoming events, next weeks spelling words, upcoming tests, etc.  This will eventually be put on the web page.   I will use the web page for many different resources.  my web page is ‘under construction’ right now.  my page will be up and running soon and i will let you know when i have done so.  if you do not want your child’s picture on my page please let me know asap.  thanks!

21.  Weekly folders - THESE will go home on Mondays with the weeks work, any notes, etc.  please review the front of the folder with your child(conduct grade etc.), take all the papers out (these should stay at home and be kept through each quarter just in case your child needs to go back to any) and sign the front of the folder and have your child return the folder on monday.    If there are any papers with a check mark on them they should be corrected by the stuident and returned with the weekly folder on mondays. 

22.  communication – Please do not hesitate to contact me with questions and/or concerns or information.    E-MAIL me (not to be used as a conference only quick things and to schedule a conference if necessary), write in your child’s agenda, or call me at home (between 6:30 – 7:00 PM) 889-4358.  I will return any messages as soon as possible.  my email address is humese@holyrosary.edu  .   Emailing me is the best way to contact me.  that being said, If I do not respond to your email within 24 hours, I did not receive it.  Please try and NOT leave any voice mails for me.  I do not check my voice mails. I am very happy to be your child’s teacher this year.  I believe that communication between parents and teacher is of utmost importance and will contribute to our having a wonderful year.  Thanks for trusting me with your child.