Mrs. Housley’s 2 nd Grade Class

1. Mrs. Housley’s2nd Grade Class Welcome Parents!

2. Before We Begin • Sign up for a Fall conference • Sign up for volunteer opportunities • Look around the room • Write your child a note

3. Welcome to Room 20! • Introduction • Duquesne University for bachelors and masters • 11th year teaching • Taught 5th grade for 5 years • Sixth year teaching second grade

4. Routines • Morning Procedures • School starts at 7:50 so please make sure your child arrives on time. • If you know your child will be absent please call the absentee line (703-957-4391) or send a note or e-mail in advance. • Meals • Snack - Nut Free 9:00 • Lunch 11:15-11:45 • Dismissal • Buses and most daycares start loading at 2:35. Car riders, CASA and Majest released at 2:40 to the gym. • Please send a note or e-mail about any changes. Please do NOT send an e-mail if the change occurs after school starts just call the office and leave a message. (703-957-4390)

5. Classroom Expectations • Be patient • Treat others as you want to be treated • Be honest and be fair • Leave toys at home

6. School Wide Expectations PBIS

7. 2nd Grade Expectations

8. Consequences • Students are expected to follow the school and classroom rules. • Gentle reminders are given when needed. • Persistent behaviors will be discussed with parents and school administration if necessary.

9. Our Daily Schedule • Academic Blocks (Average Daily Time) • 2-3 hours Language Arts • reading, writing, word study, read aloud, shared reading • 45 mins.- 1 hour Math • 45 minutes for Science or Social Studies • Specials • PE (Mon., Wed. and Fri.)- tennis shoes • Music (Mon., and Fri.) • Library (Tues.) • Computer Lab (Monday) • Art (Thurs.) • SEARCH (EOW Thurs.) • Guidance (EOW Wed.) • Recess (daily for 20 minutes)

10. Curriculum • Virginia SOL’s (web site) • 9 week plans (web site) • Language Arts • Balance Literacy Approach • Readers Workshop: shared reading (poems and readers theater), guided reading (flexible groups), independent reading and read alouds • Writers Workshop: generating ideas, develop independent and fluent writing, editing and revising skills • Word Study: understand patterns and spelling rules, recognize “oddballs”

11. Curriculum • Math • Math centers and manipulatives to improve and extend knowledge • Math To The Moon – math facts • DREAMBOX – computer based program individualized based on student’s level • Problem Solving – math journals • Socials Studies and Science • VA SOL’s drives instruction • 9 week plans • Study guides are sent for tests

12. Grading Policy • Assignments are scored with a 4/E, 3/M, 2/P, 1/B. • 4/E = exceeds standards, 3/M = meets standards, 2/P = making progress towards standard, 1/B = below standard • These letters are not the same as the traditional A-F report card • Effort is scored with O, S, N • O = Outstanding, S = Satisfactory, N = Needs Improvement

13. Grading Policy • Please keep in mind that information about a child’s achievement and development may be gathered in a number of ways. Some techniques are: • Observations • Rubrics • Discussions/conferences • Work samples • Class participation • Formative and Summative Assessments • County wide assessments (PALS an DRA)

14. Sample Rubric Standard: Math SOL 2.4 Learning Target: The student will count forward by 2s, 5s, and 10s to 100 and count backwards by 10s starting from 100, as well as identify even and odd numbers.

15. Report Cards • Report cards are issued 4 times a year. • Conferences are held in the fall and by request. • LCPS uses a standard based report card • Students are assessed on their academic achievement and effort level. • Reading Level (above, on, or below) • Comment section will elaborate on student’s strengths and weaknesses

16. Homework • Look in agenda every night. • Reading (15 minutes nightly) • Word Study (Mon. - Thurs.) spellingcity.com – please see the web site for directions • Math (3 times a week) may use ixl.com • Science or Social Studies (once a week) • Projects – as assigned • Sunshine Math – optional enrichment math which starts in October

17. Communication • Folders • Take Home Folders (blue) • Homework • Notes to and from school • Thursday Folders (black and red) • PTA and school information • Student work • Agendas • Homework - written instructions • Phone Calls • Please leave a message in the office. (703-957-4390) • E-mail Updates • Monthly Grade Level Newsletters (web site)

18. Communication • E-mail - do NOT use for emergencies • Jennifer.housley@lcps.org • Website http://www.lcps.org/arcola • Upcoming Events • Nine Week Plans • Newsletters • Homework Assignments • Classroom Schedule • Grading Policy • State SOL’s • Curriculum Web Sites

19. Birthdays • Birthdays • LCPS does not allow any food or non-food items to celebrate birthdays. • Student’s name will be announced on the morning announcements. • Students cannot pass out invitations at school. • Parents are welcome to donate a book to the Arcola library to honor your child’s birthday

20. Medication • If your child requires medication, please give it directly to our school nurse. The children are not allowed to give it to the nurse. • Children are NOT allowed to have medication in class. This includes cough drops.

21. I’m looking forward to a great year!