September 2, 2016
Nuts and Bolts
This newsletter
contains some of the nuts and bolts of the classroom. I am hoping that it will
answer some of your questions for the start of the school year. If you
have any other questions, please let me know.
OUR SCHOOL DAY – Our day begins at 7:50 and ends
at 2:35. Students come into the classroom and prepare for the day
by passing in folders, lunch cards, getting pencils and chairs, going book
shopping, and greeting their classmates. Most of our classes and
small groups begin at 8:00. Children arriving after 7:50 will be marked
as Tardy. It is important for students to be on time in order to be ready
for academics. If your child is going to be late due to appointments,
please be sure to email me and our
school secretary, Pam Preston, ahead of time, if possible. If your child
is going to be absent, please call or email Pam Preston.
COMMUNICATION: I encourage you to call me at school or email me
any time if you have any questions or concerns. I will get back to
you as soon as I am able to, usually within 24 hours. The easiest way
to communicate with me is via email.
CURRICULUM INFORMATION – I will be sending Parent
Letters home at the beginning of new Math and Writing Units. Be sure to read through them as they often
give helpful suggestions and learning expectations. For more information on our
District Curriculum, please click on the following link: Curriculum
(see my blog for the link).
BLOG: Please check out my blog for
pictures as an informal way to see what we have done the past week in the
class. I am hoping that my Blog will be used as a means for you and your
child to talk about what they have done in class that week.
I have added a subscribe feature to my Blog that will automatically let you
know when my blog has been updated.
SCHEDULE: Our Specials schedule is on your
child’s Home School Folder. Please take note as to when your child has
specials so that they may have the necessary items for that day.
SNACK: We take a snack break
every day around 9:00.
Our school has snack available to purchase. If your child does not have a
snack, I will remind them that they may
purchase a snack from the lunchroom.
Letters have been sent home regarding our policies regarding snack.
Snacks need to be peanut and tree nut free and packed in a different bag from
lunch. Also, check the ingredient label to be sure your child’s snack was
not processed in a facility that produced peanuts/tree nuts.
If your child’s snack is packed with their lunch and/or is not
labeled peanut/tree nut safe, your child will eat his/her snack in Mrs. Preston’s
office. We do have children with severe allergies in our school.
Please help me keep them safe.
BUS NOTES and AFTER
SCHOOL PLANS: If your child is taking a
different bus, getting off at a different stop, or going home with a
friend or a different adult, we need a note telling us of the details.
You can either phone the school or email me and Pam Preston
(preferably before 12:00) or send
a note in your child’s Home School Folder. This saves your child from
anxiety and the school from having to make often last minute phone calls to confirm where your child is going. If your child is leaving school early, please
inform the office and me as well so that we can have your child ready to go.
BOOK ORDERS: You can
order books through me ANYTIME online by going to my school webpage and
Blog. I will also be sending home book orders every 4-6 weeks or
so. Directions for ordering online will be sent home with each book
order. Ordering books through Scholastic is easy and an affordable way
to add to your child's collection of books and helps your child develop a love
of books and reading. Additionally, buying books through Scholastic
gives me points to buy more books for our classroom library!
HOMEWORK usually starts in October.
Homework is sent home on Monday and due on Friday. This allows you and
your child to plan around other after school and evening activities. The
general rule is that second graders should spend no more than 20 minutes a night on homework. This includes reading.
I will not be sending homework home on weekends, short weeks, during
conferences and/or Report Card time or vacations. (You’re welcome! J)
I may send occasional project home as well
BIRTHDAYS: Due to our policy regarding no
sharing of snacks, we will not be sharing a birthday snack. I have a
special day planned for your child on his or her birthday that includes a singing
of “Happy Birthday” and other fun activities! Please do not send
invitations to school to be delivered.
TOYS: Children are not allowed to bring
toys to school. Toys should stay at home.
VOLUNTEERS: If you are interested in helping out there are several ways to
help. We always need a Room Parent to help organize parties. UID is always in need PTO and Four Winds helpers. Volunteers will be needed with field trips and during our Adopt a Family craft making. If you are interested in helping out at Reading or Math, please let me know. Be sure to note the policies about
volunteering in the handbook.
SCHOOL SUPPLIES: All school supplies are provided by the school. If you have
bought supplies, they will be very handy to have at home for homework projects.
Please feel free to
call or email me if you have any questions.
Have a wonderful weekend!
Mia Coulombe
