Sunday, August 29, 2010

August 30 Parent Letter

Parents,

What a great first week of school we had. The second graders seem to be adjusting fairly well to the busier workday. Don't forget to call or stop by after school if you have questions or concerns. I seem to be adjusting to the changes in schedule and having three grades for part of the day. Things will continue to improve in the next few weeks while we iron out the wrinkles.

Obviously, it is blazing hot outside, and my classroom gets rather warm in the afternoon. Students are welcome to bring a water bottle to school if they would like water in class.

A few things to remember:

Check the class web page weekly: http://mrseckertsclassroom.blogspot.com/

Be sure and fill in the church and Sunday school page each weekend in the student's folder. If no response is given, attendance will be recorded as 'no.'

I am sending home Scholastic book orders today. If you order books for your child, please make checks out to Scholastic. If at all possible, checks are much easier for me than cash. This month's book orders are due on Friday, September 3. You may also order online. I will attach instructions on how to do that to the order forms. Online orders will also be due by Friday.

We have picked our topics for the Social Studies project and will begin working this week picking out pictures. Next will be printing out information and writing our “bullet points.”

One additional thing: In Monday's folder you will find a star for your child to decorate at home and return with a picture. Also please fill out the All About Me page.

Thanks again for a great first week!

First Six Weeks Memory Verse #2

God is our God for ever and ever, He will be our guide even to the end. Psalm 48:14

Lesson 2 Science Test

1. All snakes are NOT poisonous and deadly to people.

2. The poison some snakes produce is called venom.

3. A poisonous snake’s fangs work much like a syringe.

4. A poisonous snake grows more than one set of fangs in his life.

5. Some poisonous snakes can warn of their presence.

6. If all the snakes died, the rodent population would grow rapidly.

7. One reason some poisonous snakes have bright colors is to warn animals (and people)
to leave them alone.

8. The purpose of venom in snakes is: 1) to help snakes kill prey and 2) to help snakes
digest food.

9. Age and/or size is NOT a good way to tell a poisonous snake from a non-poisonous
snake.

10. Snakes are an important part of the environment.

Monday, August 23, 2010

First Day of School

August 23rd Parent Letter

Parents,

Welcome back to school! I am so happy to be teaching your child. I know that your child will have a successful year of school! There are some things to remember, which will help them to be successful and to learn many new things. Your child needs your help and support. Their work this year will be harder and will require new skills. Please make sure they have all their supplies each day, check that assignments are complete, and study with them before tests. Check their folders daily: homework, graded papers, notes from teacher or principal will be in the folders. The homework log requires a signature each day, even if no homework is assigned for that day. Classwork that has not been completed in class must be returned complete the next day, or no credit will be given.

I am always available to meet or talk with you. Feel free to call anytime. We are occasionally gone in the afternoon or evening, but leave a message, and I will return your call. If you call the school during the day, I’ll return your call at my first break. My number at home is 592-4095 – please do not hesitate to call with any questions or concerns. My school e-mail is: stpaulblue@gmail.com

I reviewed the classroom, hallway, and lunch room procedures and my discipline plan today. I have sent home today in their folder my classroom procedures and discipline plan. Please sign and return the back copy of the discipline plan.

I will send home our classroom schedule next week. I want to try it out before sending it home to make sure no adjustments need to be made.

I will send home a note each Monday alerting you to any extra assignments, tests, or things to return during that week. The student’s folder requires your attention daily. Please take out graded papers daily. In the student’s folder, you will find:

1) TREAT Sheet (needs signature)
2) Homework Log (sign each day!)
3) Church and Sunday School Attendance Sheet (If neither is circled, it will be counted
as ‘NO’)
4) Spelling List
5) Reading List (signature NOT required on this)
6) Writing Topic Assignments – (Coloring the picture is REQUIRED)
7) Religion Memory Verses (once a week – on Friday)

Nightly homework assignments are due the next day – not any time before Friday. They will lose a letter from their TREAT Sheet if their log is not signed AND if their homework is not turned in.


Our class web page will be much the same as last year. I will post my Monday class note each week as well as the week's memory verse. Web sites that may be of interest to you will also be posted, as well as any pictures of special activities. I will post any study sheets here as well. (One change this year is that I will also send paper copies of study sheets home.) It is important that you get in the habit of checking this weekly. This will be a good secondary resource in case letters or schedules are misplaced. I will also need to have an e-mail address – that you check regularly – so that when unexpected things come up I can send a class e-mail rather than a paper note.

Our web page is : http://mrseckertsclassroom.blogspot.com

Since we've added fourth grade this year, second graders will be in my classroom for Language Arts and Math in the mornings, and will report to Mrs. Moerbe's room after lunch.

Reading requirements for trophies will remain the same. Second graders need to read 100 books at or above grade level. Third graders read 100 books at or above grade level including 6 chapter books. Fourth graders read 100 books at or above grade level including 6 chapter books worth 2.0 points or more.

Again, I am thrilled to be your child’s teacher. Do not hesitate to call with any concerns.