Absences
If your child is absent on a school day, please send an email to me or call the office to let the school and myself know if you will be picking up your child's work, or if we can send it home with someone in the school. I would appreciate notification by 11:30, if possible, to allow time for the gathering of the work. Also, please contact us if your child will be out of school for more than one day.
An excuse note is required for each day that a student is absent. Forms are sent home at the beginning of the school year and new forms can be acquired from the office. You may also write a note with the date of absence, reason for absence and a parent signature if you do not have the form from the school.
Educational Trips
If your family is planning a trip during the school year, you must complete a form for the district to receive approval for the days that your child will not be attending school. A form can be obtained in the Washingtion Elementary office or by contacting me so that I can get one for you. If a form is not completed or does not become approved the absence will be considered unexcused.
Book Orders
Once a month I send home book orders from Scholastic Book Club. If you are interested, look over the form and indicate the book(s) that you would like to purchase. Please write your child's name on the form(s) and attach a check to the order before returning it to school. If you would like to use a credit card or would rather order for yourself online you may do so by going to Scholastic.com. Our class activation code is: GMXQY
http://bcove.me/dg4cisop- a site for a Scholastic Book Club video
Interesting Articles and Books for Parents
http://www.tolerance.org/magazine/number-24-fall-2003/lets-just-play - Article about importance of creative play (no media influence)
http://www.tolerance.org/magazine/number-23-spring-2003/we-dont-use-language-anymore - Article about positive words (bullying)
http://www.tolerance.org/magazine/number-10-fall-1996/bully-trap - Article about identifying characteristics of bullies and victims (includes activity)
http://www.tolerance.org/magazine/number-39-spring-2011/bully-bullied-bystanderand-beyond - Article about roles played in bullying
Nutureshock - Book for parents and the effect of praise, nuturing, and raising responsible children
Our School Behavior Plan
We use the acronym H.A.W.K. as our behavior plan at Washington Elementary.
The letters stands for:
H Have respect for yourself, others and the school
A Always follow directions
W Walk with quiet feet and voices
K Keep hands, feet, and all object to yourself
Students are rewarded with a "Hawk Bucks". Hawk bucks can be turned in for a prize off of the prize cart or can be saved to acquire more bucks for bigger prizes. The prizes are awarded monthly/bimonthly.
Our Classroom Behavior Plan
In our classroom students are rewarded using the HAWK program. However students lose privileges for failure to complete assignments or for disruptive behavior. If a student has been reminded several times about the disturbing behavior and does not correct his/her actions, they will lose privileges and may be asked to contact a parent. Students will have the opportunity to earn a Smile Gram at the end of each week. Students will earn a Smile Gram if they have turned in they have turned in their homework each day and have shown the they are exhibiting self-control by showing good behavior.
Our Homework
Homework in second grade should take approximately 30 minutes each night to complete. Each student is responsible to complete and return the homework each day. If it is not returned the following day complete, the student will miss recess to do the work missed.
Math
Nightly, there will be a math page to complete. This page will include concepts that were taught that day.
Spelling
Nightly, there will be spelling words to study. This page will be required for those students who are having difficulty with spelling. The words will be assessed on the last day of the week.
Math Fact Flashcards
Students are asked to practice the math flashcards at least three times a week. The goal is complete all 100-105 flashcards in a three-minute time period. If a student is not progressing or is not passing the math facts in class, then the student should practice the flashcards nightly to have success.
Vocabulary/Comprehension
Each week the students will be required to use vocabulary words in context that correlate with the stories we are reading. The words will be assessed on the last day of the week. Students are asked to practice these words to ensure that they are familiar with the definitions when they are assessed. Each week the class reads a new story from our reading series. The class reads and discusses the story daily in class. Students are assessed on their comprehension of the reading skills taught that week on the last day of the week.
Reading
Your child is currently assigned independent reading for homework for 10 minutes each night. However, I strongly encourage your child to be in the habit of reading for about 20 minutes a day or at least a few times a week. They should be reading for enjoyment and should not see this as an assignment. I encourage your family to set aside time of all of you to drop everything and read!