190 Graylynn Drive Nashville TN 37214 USA 615.883.1108 FAX 615.885.5100
Second Grade Orientation Packet
Second Grade Open House
Mrs. Gallagher’s Class
2-PG
2008-2009 School Year
1. Welcome to My Class!
- My name is Katie Gallagher. I am looking so forward to working with you and your child this year!
- I graduated from Vanderbilt University in Early Childhood Education.
- This will be my 2nd year teaching 2nd grade at HRA. Before moving to Nashville I taught Kindergarten and First Grade in a public school in the New Orleans Area.
- I am thrilled to be starting a new year at Holy Rosary. I especially enjoy teaching the second grade during this sacramental year.
2. Parent Volunteers-
Our Class is in need of…..
1 or 2 room-parents
1-2 assistant room-parents
Volunteers to read to our class
Volunteers to teach art to our class
Volunteers to copy, file paperwork or laminate
Clinic Helpers- Clinic helpers comfort sick children and put on Band-Aids (no experience necessary.)
If you come in the school for any reason, please enter through the front door and sign in at the front office. Students are instructed never to open an outside door to any adult.
All volunteers who plan to work directly with children need to have a profile form at the office 2 weeks before they come in any classroom.
3. Subjects Taught
Language Arts
Reading-Our class will read a variety of fiction and non-fiction. We will learn new strategies to read and comprehend texts. We will read a new Open Court story each week and will be tested on these stories on Fridays.
English- We will study nouns, pronouns, verbs, adjectives, adverbs, punctuation, and capitalization. We will study the break down of words. We will also improve our creative writing, reflective writing (journal), and will learn to write a factual report (dinosaur reports) and a friendly letter.
Handwriting: We will begin learning cursive writing sometime in the fall semester. We will also work on perfecting our print.
Spelling- Students get a new list of spelling words every Monday. Spelling tests are on Fridays.
Math and Science
Math-We will be adding up to three digits, with and without re- naming (carrying). We will do subtraction with and without re-naming (borrowing). We will study place value to 100. We will also study time and money. Please go over addition and subtraction flash cards nightly with your child.
Science-We will learn about animals, dinosaurs, and the planets in our solar system. We will also study the life cycle of the frog and the butterfly. Students will be asked to complete a factual report on a chosen science topic.
Religion and Social Studies
Religion-We will discuss the gifts given to us by God. We will discuss the ways in which we are classed to be good Christians. We will learn the parts of the Catholic Mass and their significance. We will learn several prayers; Hail Mary, Our Father, and Glory Be. We will prepare for First Penance (students will need to memorize The Act of Contrition) and First Communion.
Social Studies-We will study maps, land formations, American Indians, roles in government and significant historic figures. We will also discuss the roles that students have in their families and at school.
4. Homework
We will use the agenda book every day to record any homework assignments. Parents must sign the agenda book every night. Please check to see that your child has completed all homework assignments to be best of their ability. Students will not get a stamp in an unsigned agenda. Thank you, in advance, for your cooperation!
Students receive a homework pass at open house, and another as part of their birthday treat. When a student uses a homework pass, they are expected to complete the assignment by the end of the week. Students will receive 100% homework for turning in their homework each day. Homework passes do not count against 100% homeworkJ.
Spelling lists will be given out every Monday. Reading and spelling tests are on Fridays. All other subject tests will be assigned throughout the week. Students will be required to review for these tests as part of their homework.
Students will be given assignments in 1-2 subjects per night. Homework should not take much more than 20 minutes per night.
5. Weekly Class Folders- Weekly class folders will be sent home every Monday with all of the student’s graded test/class work from the past week. A weekly progress grades will be available online or given on a form attached to the weekly folder. Parents are to read and sign the progress sheet and keep all tests and work at home. Please return the signed weekly progress sheet and return the clean folder on Tuesdays.
“Friday Folders” are separate and will be given, by the office, to the oldest student in a family. These folders have information that is relevant to the entire school community and should be returned on Mondays.
6. Daily Schedule
A copy of my daily schedule is provided and is available on our class website.
Students will have a separate teacher for Music, Library, Spanish, Computer, and PE.
Please provide students with a morning snack (nutritional and easy to eat) and a squirt bottle or bottled water.
Weekly Masses-All classes with attend a primary mass on Wednesday mornings and an all school mass on Thursday mornings. Second Graders take turns reading at mass. A note will be send home in advance if your child is chosen as a classroom reader.
7. Computer
The students will use the classroom computers to look up information and learn new skills.
The Accelerated Reading Program allows students to track their reading levels and comprehension through the computer.
Math Facts in a Flash allows students to take timed addition and subtractions tests.
The Star Reader Reading Assessment tests your child’s decoding and comprehension skills.
The students also have computer class once a week.
- 8. Classroom Website-
Weekly Parent Information Sheet-Our Classroom Website is
updated at least once a week. I will post a Parent Information Sheet,
which provides information regarding the Language Arts, Math, Science, Social Studies and Religion objectives to be covered during the week.
Spelling words and Reading Vocabulary words will be posted. Flexible test dates will be posted.
Any other important announcements/letters send home will be posted on my website.
I post new pictures all the time on our photographs page.
We are very proud of our website so please visit it often!!
9. Class Rules –Please go over these rules with your children and sign and return the given copy of my class discipline plan.
1. Treat others with respect and kindness
- 2. Take care of our room and school.
- 3. Be a respectful listener.
- 4. Do your work calmly and quietly.
10. Classroom Management
I will be using the “Give Me Five” procedure to get the students attention. (See attached sheet for more information.)
Parents will stay informed regarding daily behavior (stamps in the child’s agenda) and weekly behavior (online progress report or weekly class folders.)
(Please read the attached sheet for more information on my classroom discipline plan.)
Rewards
(See rewards for good behavior sheet for more details.)
-Stickers/good notes home/praise
-Choosing a prize box prize
-Free Choice Fridays
-Extra Computer time
Consequences
2 Warnings and a 5 five minute “time out” are the consequences for breaking a rule.
11. Arrival and Dismissal
Students may come to the classroom at 7:30. Before that, they wait in the dining hall. The tardy bell rings at 7:45. Dismissal is at 3:00.
If a student is absent, a parent must send a note upon return to school. If the student went to the doctor, please provide a parent note and a doctor’s note.
Please review dismissal procedures in the handbook. Students will be brought out to the front parking lot in three loads. Students are to wait with their teacher until they are told to proceed to their cars. When the whistle is blown, all movement stops so that the next load of cars can safely move forward.
2nd graders will be by the cafeteria doors for “rainy day dismissal.”
12. Birthdays
We will celebrate every child’s birthday in our classroom. Each child will receive a birthday surprise as they enter the classroom. Students may come out of uniform, bring a morning or afternoon treat for the class and have a friend sit with them if a parent or guest comes for lunch.
In accordance with school policy, no party invitations may be brought to school.
13. Field Trips
Parents must have a profile form on file to chaperone. Profile forms must be in the office 2 weeks prior to any work with children.
Students must bring back a signed permission slip for all field trips.
We will use busses for transportation.
If you bring money to school for any reason, please put it in a sealed envelope with your child’s name, class, and the reason for the money. (Ex David Smith, 2-PG, lunch money.)
14. Medications -The office has to have a form filled out pertaining to any medications taken at school. All medications must be prescribed by a doctor and taken at the office. Let me know about food allergies as soon as possible!!
15. Counseling-Our school counselor, Katie Romley, will be conducting workshops with our class on different peer issues and strategies on a weekly basis.
16. Emergency Release Forms –Emergency Release Forms need to be filled out at the office. Please put the name of anyone that might need to pick your child up in the case of an emergency. If a person comes to pick up your child and is not on the form, he or she will not be able to pick up your child.
If there is ever any change in your child’s afternoon routine, please email me or write a note and send it with your child that morning. If your child has a Brownie or Cub Scout field trip and will be picked up by their leader, please write a note (or e-mail me) that day.
17. Uniforms-Students need to come to school in full uniform everyday. (See student handbook for more details.) Shirts need to be tucked in with a belt. Tennis shoes for PE are not required or necessary. All girls need to have their uniform skirts to the knee. On a free dress day, students can not wear a sleeveless shirt or one with a capped sleeve.
18. Parent Communication
Please do not hesitate to contact me with any questions or concerns. I prefer to be contacted via e-mail (porterk@holyrosary.edu.) I will reply to all e-mail as quickly as possible. You may also put a note in your child’s agenda, or call me at school. If I do not reply to your e-mail within 24 hours, I did not receive it. Please call or send me a note. I am always happy to meet with any parents to discuss your child’s progress.
I am very happy to be your child’s teacher this year. I am confident that we will have a wonderful year together. Thank you for trusting me with your child!