Newsletter

OCTOBER NEWS COMING THIS FRIDAY 10/12. STAY TUNED!

September 2012

[|Friday Note from Mrs. Knox]

 * Dear Families, **

Our school year is off to a great start! We are working hard on getting to know each other and adjusting to a new classroom. Your children seem happy to be here. I am delighted to be your child’s second grade teacher. We will have a very special year together.

Please check the Wiki regularly. I will send out brief classroom updates to keep you in the loop. If you do not have internet access, please let me know, and I will provide you paper copies.


 * __ Classroom Routines: __**
 * Snack: ** Students have an opportunity to eat a snack every morning. Each student must bring his/her own snack. It is eaten at recess.

Children who have summer birthdays will be assigned a special day in June to celebrate in school.
 * Birthdays: ** Children are invited to share their birthdays with the class. Students can bring in a special treat as long as it is not food. Please let me know ahead of time so I can plan for it. We have 17 children in our class this year.

Each night students should read for at least 10-15 minutes. This time should increase to 15-20 minutes as the year progresses. A **Home Reading/Math Practice Log** will be sent home each week for students to record their reading and the math facts that they practiced. Please help your child to fill in his/her Home Reading/Math Practice Log **each night** and **send it back to school on Friday signed.**
 * Homework: ** Your second grader will have homework on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday nights for the rest of the year. **Homework for the week will be sent home on Monday and will be due back each Friday**.

A math facts practice sheet will be sent home with students. Students can practice the math facts any way that works best for them during the week. The math facts sheet should be returned each Friday.

In addition to reading and math facts, a double-sided **math** sheet will be sent home on Mondays and is due back each Friday.


 * Spelling ** homework won’t start for a few weeks. A list of spelling words will go home on Mondays for your child to study at home. We will also be reviewing the words in school. A spelling test will be given every Friday.

Throughout the year, there may be short assignments or special projects in other academic areas as our curriculum changes. **If your child has been focused and diligent when completing homework and has not finished it after 30 minutes, please send me a note. I will help your child complete it during the school day.**


 * Please note: To help your child (and you) keep track of homework assignments, there will be a weekly assignment sheet found on the back of your child’s Home Reading/Math Practice Log. Please look it over with your child on Monday night to make sure that your child has brought home all homework papers he/she will need for the week. If your child is missing any papers, please encourage him/her to ask me for another copy. **


 * Friday Fun: ** Each Friday we have some earned extra fun! Students earn time by working hard and following classroom rules. Homework and class work must be completed each week to participate in Friday Fun. If homework is not returned to school by Friday, students will be required to complete their homework during this time.


 * After School Destinations: ** A destination sheet has been sent home with your child. Please let me know where your child is going after school. If your child is going home a different way for a play date or a special event, please send in a note. **__Your child may not change plans without a note from home.__**


 * Volunteers Welcome! ** Help is always welcome in out classroom. Once I finalize our schedule, I will send home specific days and times that we would love help. Here is an idea of what we need:


 * Reading Assistant: ** This person might be listening to children read or he/she might be reading to them.


 * Writing Assistant: ** This person would help students participate in the writing process.


 * Math Stations Assistant: ** This person would be in charge of one math station and help children complete the activity.

Throughout the year, we will also need chaperones and volunteers to help with classroom parties and special events. Room parents will assist me in finding volunteers for these.
 * Important: Any parent who wishes to volunteer in the classroom or chaperone a class trip must complete a CORI form. These forms can be found in the office. If you are interested in chaperoning a field trip or volunteering in the classroom this year, please complete a CORI form as soon as possible. **

If you have any questions or concerns you can call the office and leave a message at school or you can e-mail me at Gretchen_Knox@wayland.k12.ma.us. I’m looking forward to working with all of you!