Welcome to Our Tropical Paradise!

 

Dear Parents,

           

            I would like to express how honored I am to have your child in my classroom this year.  I look forward to a great year of seeing your child learn and mature.  I also look forward to getting to know you, and I hope that we can work together so that your child will prosper during his/her second grade year.

 

            I have completed this parent packet to provide information about your child’s class for the 2006-2007 school year.  If I do not answer your questions in this packet, please refer to the New Center School Handbook—or just ask me!  J

 

Classroom Discipline

            Discipline in the classroom is based on the Character counts program.  If a student chooses not to follow classroom rules or the six pillars of character, he or she will be given 1 verbal warning.  The second time he or she is called down, the students will move their fish to Tank Level 2 and lose 5 minutes of recess.  If the student is called down a third time, they will move to Tank Level 3 and lose 15 minutes of recess.  If the student is called down a fourth time, he or she will place their fish on Tank Level 4, lose all of their recess, and receive an intervention form.  This form will be sent to the assistant principal’s office, where a record of occurrences will be kept.  You will receive a copy of this letter. 

 

Please review and discuss the following classroom rules with your child:

 

1.      Show respect to all others around you.

2.      Keep your hands and feet to yourself.

3.      Follow instructions and procedures the first time they are given.

4.      Keep your things neat and organized.

 

Medication Policy

            For the safety of your child and others, it is most important that you follow the guidelines below if your child must take medication at school.

 

            *Medication must be delivered to the principal’s office or teacher by a parent.

 

            *The medication must be brought to school either in a container appropriately labeled by the pharmacy or physician, or in a manufacturer’s original container and labeled with ingredients listed and the students name affixed to the container.

 

            *Complete written instructions signed by the parent will accompany all medications to include:

                        -student’s name

                        -name of medication

                        -name of physician (prescription medicine)

                        -time to be administered

                        -dosage

                        -directions for administering medication

                        -possible side effects

                        -termination date for administration

 

            I have attached a medication form that you may use if your child must take medicine at school.  Only send enough medication for the day.  I cannot return any unused medicine back home with the child.  Most pharmacies will provide you an extra bottle that you can bring to school.

 

Math Facts

            In second grade, we will focus on math facts in the same way you learned multiplication facts.  Our goal is to move away from using fingers and manipulatives to count, to more memorized answers.  To encourage learning of addition and subtraction facts, students will take timed fact tests.  A math fact sheet is attached to this packet for you to help your child study at home all year long, or until he or she knows them all.  I will try to keep you informed of which level we are on each week.

 

Spelling Tests

            Spelling words will be listed in the weekly newsletter sent home on Mondays.  There will be 10 words, as well as 5 bonus words (these words do not count off, but only add extra points to the grade) each week.  Later in the year we will have 12 words plus 5 bonus words.  We will always take a pretest on Thursday (unless otherwise noted in my newsletter) that will be sent home in the homework folder so that you may focus on words that were missed.  We will take all formal (regular written) and standard (multiple choice) spelling tests on Fridays.  *If your child makes a 105 on the pretest on Thursday, they will not be required to take the formal test on the following Friday. 

 

Lunch Schedule

            I will let you know our lunch time on the first day of school.  It will also be posted online on our daily class schedule.  You are welcome to come eat with your child!  However, you must check in with the main office first to get a visitor’s badge.  * Your child will receive a lunch number they will have to memorize.  They will have to enter this number each time they eat in the cafeteria.

 

Snack

            I will provide a snack time each day for the class, however I will not be providing the snack.  Snack time will be in the morning.  During snack time the child may bring a healthy snack from home to eat.  Please do not send multiple snacks with your child.  They will only need enough to tide them over until lunch.  **However, if you would like to provide a snack for the entire class, that would be very much appreciated.  Just make sure to send enough for at least 20 students.  (Bringing a snack is optional.)

 

Physical Education

            On Monday, I will let you know when we will have gym.  (These dates will also be posted online on our Calendar of Specials.)  In order to participate in gym, your child needs to wear tennis shoes.

 

Book Orders

            I will send book orders throughout the year.  The first book order is included in this take home folder.  These book clubs offer terrific books at very reasonable prices.  If you would like to order books for your child, please fill out the order form, then send it and a CHECK back to school by the date stamped on the order form.  Please pay for these orders with a check, and make it out to the book club.  I cannot accept cash.

 

Sending in Monday

            Many times you will be sending money for different activities at the school.  Please send it in an envelope or Ziploc bag that has your child’s name on it and what the money is for.  The will make money collections much simpler and quicker.  If sending money for a field trip, please make sure you have signed the permission slip too.

 

Homework Folder/ Reading

            A homework folder will be sent home each night with your child’s reading assignment written down.  Math facts, spelling words, and vocabulary definitions are ongoing and will not be written as an assignment.  After your child completes his/her homework, please sign the folder and return it to school the next day.  Please use the folder as a communication tool.  It is an excellent way to send notes and messages.

 

Weekly Progress Reports

            Your child’s work will be sent home weekly.  You will also receive a computer progress report of your child’s most current grades.  Please review the graded papers with your child, keep them at home, then sign the progress report, and return it to school the next day.  I want you to be fully aware of how your child is doing in school at all times.  **If your child scores below on 80 on an assignment, I will staple it to their progress report.  Please review that paper, but keep it attached to the report.  I will file them both, so they will be on record at all times.

 

 

 

 

 

Grading Scale

            For grades 1-8, the following grading scale will be used.

 

A         95-100                        B         85-89              C-        73-74

A-        93-94              C+       83-84              D         70-72

B+       90-92              C         75-82              F          Less than 70

 

Parent/ Teacher Conferences

            Conferences will be set up school wide.  I will notify you of the dates in the weekly newsletter.  Please schedule a time prior to the conference day.  I am much better prepared if I know you are coming ahead of time.  If you cannot meet with me on those scheduled dates, I will be glad to meet with you at a more convenient time.

 

Accelerated Reading

            Students are encouraged to read books everyday at school and at home.  Ever student will have an individual goal for the next six weeks period.  This goal is determined by their reading level.  After reading an AR book, the students will take a test to earn points.  This program challenges the students and serves as a tool to help me help your child become a better reader.  Reports will be sent home to inform you of the progress your child is making in this program.  Every child who reaches their goal will be rewarded at the end of the six weeks.  Children are never punished for not reaching their goal.

 

Ways to Contact Me

 

E-mail address – jamieparton@sevier.org

School #- 453-2123

Home #- 850-6970               **Notes in the homework folder work great too!

 

I appreciate you and the time you will be spending with your child.  Together we can make this one your child’s best years ever!  Please feel free to visit our room, volunteer, or make any suggestions that may help your child.

 

I LOOK FORWARD TO A WONDERFUL YEAR!!

 

My Conviction

A hundred years from now

 

It will not matter

What my bank account was

The sort of house I lived in                                                           Sincerely,

Or the kind of clothes I wore                                                    Jamie L. Parton

 

But the world may be different

Because I was important

In the life of a child