1. 2nd Grade – Camino Grove 2nd Grade Teacher Team: Mrs. Ellen Lloyd Ms. Helen Simmons Mr. Todd Weber Mrs. Wanda Yee Camino Grove Website: http://www.ausd.k12.ca.us/camino/ http://www.ausd.k12.ca.us/camino/

2. First and foremost, I want your child to feel successful and cared about. I make it my daily purpose to encourage and motivate them to grow academically and socially. My Teaching Philosophy

3. I pledge to create a classroom environment built on respect and rigorous academic content, so that your child will achieve their goals and feel they can do just about anything. (Shown in photo is Satchel, Ms. Simmons’ bowling corgi.) My Pledge

4. 2 nd Grade Team Strategy As a professional learning team of teachers, we provide differentiated instruction to serve the needs of learners at all levels. At our collaboration meetings, which occur every Wednesday after early dismissal, we discuss student needs, as well as student work and teaching strategies that have brought student success.

5. Common Core is here! Our AUSD Common Core transition plan began two years ago, first with Language Arts California Academic Standards, and then with Math. As educators, we will continue to be trained by our district on Common Core. There will be 7 training days throughout this year, where students are dismissed at 11:40 a.m..

6. Where to get Academic Content Standards and more detailed information on Common Core This year, the District Office will not be printing class sets of the Academic Content Standards documents. Documents are available on-line in English, Chinese and Spanish on the district website. Directions to access the standards online: - Go to our district website – www.ausd.netwww.ausd.net - Click on “Curriculum Standards” on the left-hand column - Click on whichever standard it is that you wish to view Some additional pages containing Common Core information have been added to the standards documents this year (English Language Arts; Mathematics; and Literacy Standards for History/Social Science, Science & Technical Subjects). If you don’t have Internet access and want a copy of this information, let me know.

7. Parent Communication  SNAP Folders (Student News and Progress) -- sent home about once a month to notify parents of overall student behavior and progress, key test and project scores, important upcoming projects, or school events. Parents need to sign and return the SNAP folder each time it is sent home.  Report Cards -- distributed three times a year. Student-Led Conferences - held twice during the year, Fall and Spring. The Spring conference is needs based/optional. Class Website – go to the district website and then click on “Classrooms/Grade 2/Simmons”  Email me at hsimmons@ausd.net – I will get back to you within 24 hours.hsimmons@ausd.net  Phone me through the school office, before or after school hours or leave a voice mail message. Please sign up as soon as possible for your Fall Student- Led Conference, if you could not sign up at Back-to-School Night.

8. Parent Volunteers We welcome parents to visit our classrooms and sign up for volunteer opportunities. We share our parent volunteers’ skills, talents, and willing spirits to meet the needs of the grade level as a whole. Please fill out our parent volunteer form that you will receive in your family packet tonight and have your child return it to me. TB Test Required. Parents must have a current TB test result (no more than 4 years old) on file with the school office, if they want to volunteer in the classroom, chaperone a field trip, or help at a classroom party or special event. If you are able to donate an item posted on my BTSN “Giving Tree” and/or listed in my BTSN packet, I would greatly appreciate it. Donations are strictly optional.) I thank you in advance for being an important part of our teacher-child-parent partnership!

9. Classroom Management Community Building Marble Jar: marbles are earned for whole class cooperation, earning special rewards each time the marble jar becomes full. Table Marble Jars: tables compete by demonstrating learning behavior to earn prizes. Classroom Jobs: used to foster responsibility and classroom management.

10. Birthday treats are not permitted, in alliance with our district-wide wellness (healthful eating) policy. However, parents may join their child for lunch on their child’s birthday as a special treat. They just need to obtain a visitor’s pass from the school office. Birthday Party Invitations - must be all inclusive, if distributed in the classroom. Birthday Celebrations Policies and Suggestions

11. Roadrunner Recognition Award: (awarded every trimester) Awarded to 2nd graders who receive no Life Skills checks and no unexcused tardies (excused tardies are okay). 2nd Grade Academic Award Opportunities

12. 2nd Grade Homework Policy Daily homework includes 20 minutes of practicing concepts we have learned in class. In addition, we require at least 20 minutes of self-selected reading. Math Homework: assigned daily, Monday through Thursday. Weekly Language Arts Packet: assigned Monday and due Friday. Students are expected to consistently turn in homework and are given a life skills grade on homework consistency.

13. 2nd Grade Writing Standards Formal Writing Assessments: 3 district writing assessments – once each trimester Writing Focus for 2nd Grade 6 Traits of Writing 3 Writing Genres: Narrative, Opinion, and Informational/Expository

14. Roadrunner Reading Club Each trimester, 2nd graders earn a “Game Day” reward if they reach their Accelerated Reader Program reading goal. For each book read, students receive credit, if they pass an AR test. Tests can only be taken at school. Accelerated Reader reading goals are as follows: 1st trimester – pass AR tests on 4 books at reading level; 2nd trimester – 8 books at reading level; 3rd trimester – 12 books at reading level. We encourage students to read at their own personal reading level –- all genres, including fiction, fantasy, fables, fairy tales, science fiction, adventure, mystery, and non-fiction. Home reading is key! Most importantly, read about what you love and read, read, read!

15. Core Plus Reading Program Groups are flexible, allowing students to flow from one group to the next as they attain specific skills, or find they need more help in reinforcing particular competencies. Groups are taught by our four 2 nd grade teachers and our reading intervention specialists. If you have any questions on the progress of your child in their group, please feel free to contact your child's homeroom teacher. The program will begin in October. Our “Core Plus” reading program helps us meet the special needs of all students. Set up into 5 skills-based reading groups, the program focuses on comprehension, reading fluency, asking meaningful questions, prediction/inference, summarizing, and more.

16. REMINDERS E-mail Ms. Simmons at hsimmons@ausd.net to sign up for your Fall Student-Led Conference, if you haven’t already.hsimmons@ausd.net Make sure to return Ms. Simmons’ Parent Communication form and Parent Questionnaire form to Room 14, as soon as possible.

17. Thank you for taking the time to look at this power point. I look forward to working with you to make this a great year for all of our students. Just like my pets, we all have different needs to be met. I am committed to helping your child get what they need to reach their full potential this year. Welcome to Room 14! T hank you and closing thoughts