September Newsletter

I am happy to report that we are off to a fantastic start in 2^nd Grade. We spent the past week getting acquainted with the 2^nd grade routine. The children picked up on the routine very quickly!  We also have been busy testing. Yep – Tests during the first week of school. Can you believe it? Anyhow, each child has been tested this week in the area of Reading. I will then use these results to determine what areas your child will need to strengthen over the course of the school year. I do share these results with you at conference time. However, since parent – teacher conferences are not until November, the results are available at any time. If you are interested you may stop in after school or before school and I can share those results with you. All I ask is that you send me a quick note letting me know what day you will stop in. That way I can have all of the paperwork ready for when you stop by. 

          Attached to this newsletter you will find several IMPORTANT papers. At the beginning of every month your child will bring home a “monthly packet.” Included in this packet are: (1) Sight Word List – the children will be required to pass this unannounced test with 100% accuracy (2) Math Facts Test (0 and 1) – the children will be required to pass this test with 100% accuracy. Please do not return this paper to school. This is for you to keep at home using as a study guide. (3) Reading Log – Each child is required to read at least 15 books at home each month. Each book they read must be recorded on the reading log. After each book has been read and recorded on the reading log, a parent must initial it. (4) Book Report - This should be completed at home and returned to school anytime before the end of the month. (5) Checklist – I have included a checklist to keep at home. This is to keep track of all of the monthly assignments at home and does not have to be returned to school.  All of these monthly assignments must be returned to school by: TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, 2008.  I understand that this may be confusing. I will discuss this in greater detail at Open House. However, if you have any questions regarding this please contact me.

          Hopefully, your child has informed you of our football program. Again, I will discuss the details of this program at Open House. Until then, I just wanted to let you know that you should be expecting a “Score Card” at the end of each week. On this “Score Card”, you will find if your child has scored a “touchdown” that week. Basically, everyday your child comes to school and follows the routines and rules of 2^nd grade they will “gain a yard.”  If your child earns a yard every day they will then score a touchdown on Friday!  At the end of the week, your child will bring home a Score Card informing you if they scored a touchdown. If they didn’t score a touchdown, they will bring home a score card informing you of how many yards they earned during the week.  Please sign this and return to school on Monday. I will explain this in detail at Open House.  Until then, the children have all been great! Lots of touchdowns already!!!!

          I know this a lengthy newsletter, but since we have a while until Open House I wanted to make sure that you are fully aware of some of the policies of 2^nd grade. Please don’t hesitate to contact me if you have a question or concern about anything. I look forward to working with you this year!