ABC's of Mrs. Klaus' 2nd Grade
Attendance-Regular school attendance is essential for your child to make the most out of his/her education. Please make every effort to have your child at school everyday unless there are appropriate circumstances. If your child is absent, please send a signed note and any excuse information the day he/she returns. School begins promptly at 9:15am. Please try and have your child at school at 8:45am if they are going to have breakfast.
Birthdays- Birthdays are very important to celebrate! In class, we will make every effort to commemorate the special occasion. If you would like to celebrate your child’s birthday please let me know a week in advance so we can set up a time. This is subject to change due to school policy.
Clothes- Due to the varying temperatures of the classroom, you may want to send in a sweater or light jacket for your child keep in their cubby in case they get too cold. Be sure to wear sneakers on PE day or keep a spare set in your cubby.
Communication- Communication is critical for your child’s success in school. Please feel free to contact me any time that you have a question or concern. It is important that we keep our lines of communication open. If you would like to send a note in the daily folder, I will respond to it as soon as possible. If you wish to call the school, the office will take a message and I will contact you as soon as I can. Please understand that during the day my attention is focused on children and learning and I will not be available to address individual issues at that time. I will be happy to meet with you, email or call you.
Discipline- In order for children to learn, they must feel safe and happy. I believe that good behavior is an essential part of a successful classroom. Your child will be expected to follow the school-wide rules and the classroom rules listed below. Please make sure that you review these rules with your child.
1. Follow all safety rules (inside and outside of the building)
2. Listen carefully and follow directions (includes completing all assignments accurately, neatly, and in a timely manner). Always do your very best.
3. Be respectful
4. Work cooperatively and be helpful
5. Keeps hands and feet to yourself
6. Use materials properly
Each student will have a “Weekly Conduct and Work Log” stapled in the back of the Take Home folder. Their conduct and work habits will be marked on Friday for the week. If there have been any problems, I will write comments. Please sign the log weekly and discuss any conduct or work habit issues with your child. If additional communication is needed, your child may have a daily log instead of weekly. We will also have a class and individual incentives (CARY Squares) to reward the students when they do a great job. We will set goals and when the class meets that goal, we will have some type of reward to celebrate their accomplishments. The students will help determine what type of reward they will be working for.
There will be consequences associated with poor behavior choices. Consequences for poor behavior choices may include time out in another teacher’s room, loss of privileges (such as silent lunch, silent snack, missing out on a fun activity, not being able to choose activities during free time), change in seating, behavior contract, and when necessary a referral to the office. Feel free to contact me if you need further explanation.
Emergencies- Please make sure we have the correct emergency information on file for your child. If your phone number or address changes, you can call or send a note so your child's file can be updated!
Field Trips- If you would like to chaperone, please make sure to fill out the clearance form. You have to fill out the volunteer form every year.
Folders- On Monday, your child will bring home their Take Home folder with their homework and important paperwork for the week. On Friday, your child bring back their Take Home folder and I will write about their conduct and work habits for the week as well as check their returned homework. On Tuesdays you will receive a Tuesday folder with school communications. If you have ANYTHING that you want me to see, for example, important notes, transportation changes, money, and information - your child will bring it in and place it in a basket. Please check the folder every Monday and Friday. This is where I will indicate if your student had an exceptional day or needed redirection.
Grades- Assessing student’s learning is important for their progress. Work will be graded according to the scale listed below: P- Practice (no grade was taken), 4- well above grade level, 3- on grade level, 2- below grade level, and 1- well below grade level.
Health Concerns- Please let me know if your child has any health concerns, including any medications, emergency precautions, allergies, etc. The school nurse will assist children if a problem arises at school or if they need to take daily medication.
Homework- Your child will be assigned homework beginning the second week of school. Homework for the week will be placed in the Take Home folders on Monday. There will be a Literacy Packet, as well as a Math Packet (this is subject to change). Please complete one page a night from each packet. In addition to completing the homework page, your child should read or be read to each night for at least ten minutes. Record this in the reading log located in the daily folder. Students are encouraged to keep their homework in their folder. Students will have homework, Monday through Thursday. No homework will be given on weekends unless your child has unfinished work from the week. Homework is a reinforcement of what we are doing in class. It is important to read over the directions to get your child started and review it for accuracy when they are finished. It is your child’s responsibility to bring their homework folder to school each week.
Independence- Independence is a life-long skill that continues to develop in secind grade. I will encourage students to do many things for themselves. At home, please work on dressing, shoe tying, independent work habits, and zipping.
Just Do It! If you ever have a question or idea, please feel free to share it with me.
Kindly label everything that comes to school (jackets, book bags, lunch boxes, school boxes) with your child’s name in permanent marker. (Except the for the reusable supplies on the supply list)
Lunch- Our lunch time is from 12:30- 1:00 (we will be having morning snack provided from home as our lunch time is later in the day). If you have any questions regarding lunch or payments, please call the school’s cafeteria staff. You can help your child make healthy choices at lunch by limiting the number of deserts they can buy by tagging their account. Email the cafeteria for more information.
Lunch Menus: - http://www.wcpss.net/child-nutrition/school_menus.html
Meetings- I will require at least 2 meetings with you this year to discuss your child’s progress (this includes phone conferences). If you want to meet additional days please let me know, I will be more than happy to meet with you and discuss your child’s progress.
New Friends- Your child will have the opportunity to make many new friends this year. Along with having friends comes problem solving. We will discuss how to become “Problem Solvers and Talk It Out” and ways to handle certain situations when they arise.
Ownership- The jump from first to second grade comes with many responsibilities. My job as a teacher is to make sure children develop an intrinsic motivation for learning. Children will continue to be motivated to learn for their own sake, not just because they have to. Students are expected to learn something new every day, in turn taking ownership of their own learning.
PTA- Please join and become involved if you are able. We have a great PTA committee.
Quality Time- Ask your child what he/she learned that day in school. This is great communication practice for your child.
Reading- Second grade is a critical year as students are learning to read as well as building a deeper comprehension within their reading. Not only read to your child, but have them read to you. Book discussions after reading would be beneficial as well. Reading is also a part of your child's daily homework! I ask that they read for 10 minutes. Remember to sign the reading log every night.
Recess- We will go outside for recess every day, weather permitting. Please make sure that you apply sunscreen on your child in the morning to protect their skin from the sun. They may also bring a hat to wear outside. I strongly encourage the students to wear tennis shoes to school every day or at least bring them in their book bag to change into. It is much easier and safer for them to play in tennis shoes.
Snacks- We will have a daily snack every morning that will be provided by the parent. We will not have community snack this year. Parents must send in a snack for their child daily. The school does not provide snacks. Please make sure that all snacks and lunches are healthy and provide nutritional value. I would recommend water for snack time. Water is brain friendly and easier to clean up if there is a spill.
Specials- For PE class, please send them in with appropriate shoe attire. See our specials calendar for what special we have each day as we rotate through our specials. On the days that we do not have a special, the students will be doing another fun activity!
Transportation- It is very important for me to know how your child will be getting home on a regular basis. Please send in a signed note with your child if they are changing their method of transportation. Students cannot ride the bus home with another student. I know this is the age of email, but in the case of chance of transportation I ask that you send in a written note. If I am ever absent, the substitute will not have access to my email and I may not be able to let the school know of the change. If transportation changes midday please call the office. They will inform us of the change.
Tracking In and Out- We will not be tracking in and out of rooms this year. We will be in the same classroom all year this year!
U are the expert on your child. Please share with me any information you feel I may need. This includes any special interests, abilities, likes and dislikes. Please fill out the attached “Student Information” sheet.
Volunteer- I would love for you to volunteer in our classroom this year if you are able to help. To keep things organized, I will make a schedule indicating who can come each day and at what time. This will ensure fewer disruptions during instructional time. We will start using volunteers after our first month together. This will give the children a chance to learn our routines and transition smoothly into second grade. Wake County Public School System requires that all school volunteers register every year. I encourage all parents who plan on volunteering in the classroom or on a field trip to register now. It takes about a few weeks for the clearance to come back.
Website- Our school website is a great place to find information about what is happening at our school! Please visit us at http://carpenteres.wcpss.net/ . You can also visit my website from the Carpenter site.
X-tra supplies- Please make sure that your child has the basic supplies listed on the website. I have included a copy in your packet. If you are able to sponsor a child by providing the school supplies, please reach out to see if we have a need and that would be greatly appreciated. There will also be wish list items on our bi-weekly newsletter as well.
You Can Do It! - EVERY child is capable of learning! Just keep in mind that not all children learn the same way or in the same amount of time. Each child develops differently and at different rates...EVEN when the material is presented at the same time! Some children take longer to grasp a concept than others, but this does not mean that your child is not as smart. Realize your child's developmental rate and encourage without comparing!
Z’s z’s z’s- Children at this age still need 8 to 9 hours of sleep every night. Please make sure your child is well rested and ready to learn everyday!
Please contact me with any questions:
[email protected] School 919-462-6780
I look forward to working with you and your child. We are going to have an awesome year!
Mrs. Klaus
Birthdays- Birthdays are very important to celebrate! In class, we will make every effort to commemorate the special occasion. If you would like to celebrate your child’s birthday please let me know a week in advance so we can set up a time. This is subject to change due to school policy.
Clothes- Due to the varying temperatures of the classroom, you may want to send in a sweater or light jacket for your child keep in their cubby in case they get too cold. Be sure to wear sneakers on PE day or keep a spare set in your cubby.
Communication- Communication is critical for your child’s success in school. Please feel free to contact me any time that you have a question or concern. It is important that we keep our lines of communication open. If you would like to send a note in the daily folder, I will respond to it as soon as possible. If you wish to call the school, the office will take a message and I will contact you as soon as I can. Please understand that during the day my attention is focused on children and learning and I will not be available to address individual issues at that time. I will be happy to meet with you, email or call you.
Discipline- In order for children to learn, they must feel safe and happy. I believe that good behavior is an essential part of a successful classroom. Your child will be expected to follow the school-wide rules and the classroom rules listed below. Please make sure that you review these rules with your child.
1. Follow all safety rules (inside and outside of the building)
2. Listen carefully and follow directions (includes completing all assignments accurately, neatly, and in a timely manner). Always do your very best.
3. Be respectful
4. Work cooperatively and be helpful
5. Keeps hands and feet to yourself
6. Use materials properly
Each student will have a “Weekly Conduct and Work Log” stapled in the back of the Take Home folder. Their conduct and work habits will be marked on Friday for the week. If there have been any problems, I will write comments. Please sign the log weekly and discuss any conduct or work habit issues with your child. If additional communication is needed, your child may have a daily log instead of weekly. We will also have a class and individual incentives (CARY Squares) to reward the students when they do a great job. We will set goals and when the class meets that goal, we will have some type of reward to celebrate their accomplishments. The students will help determine what type of reward they will be working for.
There will be consequences associated with poor behavior choices. Consequences for poor behavior choices may include time out in another teacher’s room, loss of privileges (such as silent lunch, silent snack, missing out on a fun activity, not being able to choose activities during free time), change in seating, behavior contract, and when necessary a referral to the office. Feel free to contact me if you need further explanation.
Emergencies- Please make sure we have the correct emergency information on file for your child. If your phone number or address changes, you can call or send a note so your child's file can be updated!
Field Trips- If you would like to chaperone, please make sure to fill out the clearance form. You have to fill out the volunteer form every year.
Folders- On Monday, your child will bring home their Take Home folder with their homework and important paperwork for the week. On Friday, your child bring back their Take Home folder and I will write about their conduct and work habits for the week as well as check their returned homework. On Tuesdays you will receive a Tuesday folder with school communications. If you have ANYTHING that you want me to see, for example, important notes, transportation changes, money, and information - your child will bring it in and place it in a basket. Please check the folder every Monday and Friday. This is where I will indicate if your student had an exceptional day or needed redirection.
Grades- Assessing student’s learning is important for their progress. Work will be graded according to the scale listed below: P- Practice (no grade was taken), 4- well above grade level, 3- on grade level, 2- below grade level, and 1- well below grade level.
Health Concerns- Please let me know if your child has any health concerns, including any medications, emergency precautions, allergies, etc. The school nurse will assist children if a problem arises at school or if they need to take daily medication.
Homework- Your child will be assigned homework beginning the second week of school. Homework for the week will be placed in the Take Home folders on Monday. There will be a Literacy Packet, as well as a Math Packet (this is subject to change). Please complete one page a night from each packet. In addition to completing the homework page, your child should read or be read to each night for at least ten minutes. Record this in the reading log located in the daily folder. Students are encouraged to keep their homework in their folder. Students will have homework, Monday through Thursday. No homework will be given on weekends unless your child has unfinished work from the week. Homework is a reinforcement of what we are doing in class. It is important to read over the directions to get your child started and review it for accuracy when they are finished. It is your child’s responsibility to bring their homework folder to school each week.
Independence- Independence is a life-long skill that continues to develop in secind grade. I will encourage students to do many things for themselves. At home, please work on dressing, shoe tying, independent work habits, and zipping.
Just Do It! If you ever have a question or idea, please feel free to share it with me.
Kindly label everything that comes to school (jackets, book bags, lunch boxes, school boxes) with your child’s name in permanent marker. (Except the for the reusable supplies on the supply list)
Lunch- Our lunch time is from 12:30- 1:00 (we will be having morning snack provided from home as our lunch time is later in the day). If you have any questions regarding lunch or payments, please call the school’s cafeteria staff. You can help your child make healthy choices at lunch by limiting the number of deserts they can buy by tagging their account. Email the cafeteria for more information.
Lunch Menus: - http://www.wcpss.net/child-nutrition/school_menus.html
Meetings- I will require at least 2 meetings with you this year to discuss your child’s progress (this includes phone conferences). If you want to meet additional days please let me know, I will be more than happy to meet with you and discuss your child’s progress.
New Friends- Your child will have the opportunity to make many new friends this year. Along with having friends comes problem solving. We will discuss how to become “Problem Solvers and Talk It Out” and ways to handle certain situations when they arise.
Ownership- The jump from first to second grade comes with many responsibilities. My job as a teacher is to make sure children develop an intrinsic motivation for learning. Children will continue to be motivated to learn for their own sake, not just because they have to. Students are expected to learn something new every day, in turn taking ownership of their own learning.
PTA- Please join and become involved if you are able. We have a great PTA committee.
Quality Time- Ask your child what he/she learned that day in school. This is great communication practice for your child.
Reading- Second grade is a critical year as students are learning to read as well as building a deeper comprehension within their reading. Not only read to your child, but have them read to you. Book discussions after reading would be beneficial as well. Reading is also a part of your child's daily homework! I ask that they read for 10 minutes. Remember to sign the reading log every night.
Recess- We will go outside for recess every day, weather permitting. Please make sure that you apply sunscreen on your child in the morning to protect their skin from the sun. They may also bring a hat to wear outside. I strongly encourage the students to wear tennis shoes to school every day or at least bring them in their book bag to change into. It is much easier and safer for them to play in tennis shoes.
Snacks- We will have a daily snack every morning that will be provided by the parent. We will not have community snack this year. Parents must send in a snack for their child daily. The school does not provide snacks. Please make sure that all snacks and lunches are healthy and provide nutritional value. I would recommend water for snack time. Water is brain friendly and easier to clean up if there is a spill.
Specials- For PE class, please send them in with appropriate shoe attire. See our specials calendar for what special we have each day as we rotate through our specials. On the days that we do not have a special, the students will be doing another fun activity!
Transportation- It is very important for me to know how your child will be getting home on a regular basis. Please send in a signed note with your child if they are changing their method of transportation. Students cannot ride the bus home with another student. I know this is the age of email, but in the case of chance of transportation I ask that you send in a written note. If I am ever absent, the substitute will not have access to my email and I may not be able to let the school know of the change. If transportation changes midday please call the office. They will inform us of the change.
Tracking In and Out- We will not be tracking in and out of rooms this year. We will be in the same classroom all year this year!
U are the expert on your child. Please share with me any information you feel I may need. This includes any special interests, abilities, likes and dislikes. Please fill out the attached “Student Information” sheet.
Volunteer- I would love for you to volunteer in our classroom this year if you are able to help. To keep things organized, I will make a schedule indicating who can come each day and at what time. This will ensure fewer disruptions during instructional time. We will start using volunteers after our first month together. This will give the children a chance to learn our routines and transition smoothly into second grade. Wake County Public School System requires that all school volunteers register every year. I encourage all parents who plan on volunteering in the classroom or on a field trip to register now. It takes about a few weeks for the clearance to come back.
Website- Our school website is a great place to find information about what is happening at our school! Please visit us at http://carpenteres.wcpss.net/ . You can also visit my website from the Carpenter site.
X-tra supplies- Please make sure that your child has the basic supplies listed on the website. I have included a copy in your packet. If you are able to sponsor a child by providing the school supplies, please reach out to see if we have a need and that would be greatly appreciated. There will also be wish list items on our bi-weekly newsletter as well.
You Can Do It! - EVERY child is capable of learning! Just keep in mind that not all children learn the same way or in the same amount of time. Each child develops differently and at different rates...EVEN when the material is presented at the same time! Some children take longer to grasp a concept than others, but this does not mean that your child is not as smart. Realize your child's developmental rate and encourage without comparing!
Z’s z’s z’s- Children at this age still need 8 to 9 hours of sleep every night. Please make sure your child is well rested and ready to learn everyday!
Please contact me with any questions:
[email protected] School 919-462-6780
I look forward to working with you and your child. We are going to have an awesome year!
Mrs. Klaus