1. Welcome to Second Grade Parent Orientation 2016-2017 Mrs. Meagan Holt

2. About Ms. Meagan: n This is my 6th year of teaching at MES. I have taught 3 rd grade and 2 nd grade. n I am married to Grayson. n I received my teaching degree from Freed-Hardeman University.

3. Class Mission Class Mission n For students to feel like school is their “home away from home”—a place where they can feel loved each day when they walk through the door. n I like to make learning FUN for my students! n We focus on doing the RIGHT thing.

4. Your Child’s Planner n Your child’s planner is an important communication tool between parent and teacher. Please use your child’s planner to communicate with me of dismissal changes, if your child will be leaving early, or notes if your child will be absent. Please sign it daily. n This is where your child will write down homework for the entire week, and any other important things parents need to know.

5. Our Class Website & Facebook Page : n On the class website you will find announcements, useful websites, and important dates you will need to remember. n Go to www.gcssd.org/mes www.gcssd.org/mes n go to faculty n click on my picture n click on my picture n Facebook: another great way for us to stay in contact! Check often for pictures, announcements, etc.

6. Absentees Absentees n It is very important for your child to be in school. Therefore, we ask that when your child is absent to please send a doctor’s excuse or a parent note when your child returns to school. A parent has 5 parent notes to use when a child misses without seeing a doctor for a child to be excused. After those absences and without a doctor’s note a child will be unexcused. n Please notify school before 8:00 if your child will not be at school that day or will be late. Calls will go out at 8:30 this year if your child is absent.

7. LATE Policy: LATE Policy: n If your child arrives in the classroom after the 7:50 bell, he/she will be considered tardy. A child can be tardy twice each six weeks. After the second tardy, a note will be sent notifying parents that if a child is tardy a third time that six weeks, the child will have detention. n It may be best for you to drop them off by my classroom.

8. Inclement Weather Inclement Weather n Ms. Mary Beth will have the automated calling system to inform parents that school is dismissing early. n Because we are an outside classroom, PLEASE SEND YOUR CHILD WITH AN UMBRELLA/RAIN JACKET WHEN IT IS RAINING!

9. Birthday Parties & Snacks n You must check in through the office for birthday parties. Please let me know if you plan to come for a birthday celebration before the day of so we can schedule a time. n Remember: any birthday party treats must be individually wrapped. n The students will have a morning snack. Snack machines sometimes don’t work, please remember this when sending money. n You may send a water bottle with your child’s name on it. Please, ONLY water.

10. Sending Money Sending Money n Lunch: $2.25 n Please send lunch money in an envelope with your child’s name on it. We do not count the money. We send it directly to the cafeteria. n Ice cream is $0.50—your child can bring ice-cream money in each day, but he/she will be responsible for keeping up with the money. n The Planner Fee is $6.00 and our Weekly Reader Fee is $7.00— for auditing purposes, PLEASE write checks separately.

11. Homework: MUST HAVES n Homework assignments for the week will be written daily in your child’s planner. n You will need to read the current story with your child. Please ask comprehensive questions to review for the test. We will also test on vocabulary, grammar, and a phonics skill each week. n Weekly Folders: Graded papers will be sent home in a folder every week. Please keep the papers, sign and return the empty folder. If you have any questions about grades, please ask. n Homework Folder: These folders will stay in your child’s backpack. If I need to send something home on a day other than when Weekly Folders go home, it will come home in the Homework Folder. Check it each night for homework assignments, school-related event flyers, etc.

12. Discipline n Everyone starts on “Ready to Learn” each morning. Your child will have the opportunity to move up the chart (good choices). Your child will be rewarded for his/her good choices with BRAG TAGS, positive notes home, and other positive incentives. n If your child misbehaves, he/she will move down the chart: –Verbal Warning –Think About it – Loss of 10 Minutes of Recess –Teacher’s Choice – Loss of 20 Minutes of Recess –Parent Contact – Loss of All Recess and I will contact you.

13. Lunch Room Rules n NEW LIGHT SYSTEM: Stop light to signal when students are too loud and need to quiet down. n Tables will work for points each day to win prizes.

14. Reading Update: n Journey’s: Weekly Story & Phonics n Weekly “Trade Book” Story: Grammar, Vocabulary, Comprehension, Writing n Small Group Time, Group Work, Individual Work

15. Subjects & Grades: n Math Grades come from math practice sheets, math facts, and written assessments that will be completed in class. n Social Studies and Science Grades come from in class comprehension lessons, projects, and tests. n ELA Grades come from 4 different tests: story comprehension, vocabulary, phonics skill, language arts skill.

16. Make-Up Work n If a student is absent, he/she will have one day for every day missed to complete work. n Generally the student can catch up on the work they miss in class. n If you know your child will miss a few days, I will have make-up work for you to pick up so that they can work on it at home.

17. Incomplete Class Work n If a student is unable to complete class work in a given time, he/she will complete this work during other times during the day or at home. n I am very fair on time limits for class work. Please encourage your child to complete work in a timely manner. n I will let you know if this becomes a problem.

18. Accelerated Reader: AR n Students are encouraged to read and to take AR tests on the books they read. n If you would like to be updated on your child’s AR progress, please send a note in the planner and I will print out your child’s report. n POINT CLUBS: In library with Ms. Kellie and in my classroom, students can work to become part of a “point club” and are rewarded for their hard work!

19. Sending Medications From Home If under exceptional circumstances a child is required to take oral medication during school hours and the parent cannot be at school to administer the medication, only the school nurse, principal, or principal’s designee will administer the medication in compliance with the following regulations: Medications will be given one (1) day with written instruction signed by the parent that include: 1. Child’s Name 2. Name of medication 3. Time to be administered 4. Dosage 5. Prescription drugs to be given must be authorized by the child’s physician. 6. ALL medications must be in the original box with the ingredients listed. After the first day, a medicine sheet MUST be filled out for the medication to be continued at school. A medicine sheet will be sent home with your child after the first day that the medicine is given at school.

20. Change of Phone or Address n If your phone numbers or address changes during the year, please contact the office or send me a note as soon as possible so we can make changes on all lists.

21. How and When to Contact Me n You are always welcome to call me at school and I will call you back as soon as possible. n I check my school e-mail several times a day. I might not have time to reply immediately, but I WILL respond ASAP. n You can reach me on my cell at 731-345-9780. n Please call before 7 P.M. n Please sign up for Remind 101 if you haven’t yet!

22. Daily Schedule: n M – Computer Lab/Art n T- Music n W – Guidance n Th – Library n F – P.E.—must wear tennis shoes!

23. Classroom Wish List: n Clorox wipes n Tissues n Hand gel n Ziploc bags n Dry-Erase Markers n GLUE STICKS n Paper Towels THANK YOU FOR SENDING ITEMS IN!

24. Dismissal: n Must have a car tag. (GYM) n I must have a note of changes. n Always ride with younger siblings. n 2 nd grade line is in the main parking lot. We will dismiss from the music room.

25. Volunteers Welcome: n If you are able to volunteer at certain times or would like to be a Room Parent please let me know. n I will NOT ask you to come in all the time. n Mystery Reader

26. Any Questions?????