Ventura Elementary
Second Grade Information
2015-2016
Dear Families,
Welcome to second grade! We are very excited to have your child(ren) in our classes. Please keep this handy as it contains a lot of important information and will be a good reference throughout the school year. We look forward to working closely with you and your child this year and know that working together will promote a very successful school year.
Arrival
Students may begin to arrive on campus at 8:00 a.m. and proceed to breakfast. For the safety of your child, we ask that you do not drop your child off before that time as there is no supervision. At 8:30 a.m., students may enter their classroom.
Dismissal
Students will be given wrist bands the first day of school. Please DO NOT take them off. Any changes to your child’s dismissal plan must be in writing. Please be sure to send in a note indicating the effective date(s) and be sure to sign it.
Tardies and Absences
Your child must enter the classroom by 8:30 a.m. Students entering the classroom after 8:45 a.m. are considered LATE, and will be marked with an un-excused TARDY. Late arrivals due to OCPS transportation issues are excused and the teachers will be notified by the office. Tardiness prevents your child from being both mentally and physically prepared for their day and may cause them to miss important information. Remember: 5 tardies = 1 unexcused absence. Your child must bring a written excuse on the day following each absence (please write the note on a separate sheet of paper). Even if you choose to call the school office to inform them of the absence, your child will still need to bring a written note from home upon his/her return. Please make sure the note includes: your child’s name, teacher name, reason for the absence, and most importantly, the date(s) your child was absent.
Classroom Management and Behavior Expectations
Our grade level classroom management system is a ladder system that is displayed in each classroom. Each child has a figure with his/her name on it. At the start of each day, each child will start on GOOD START (Green). Based on the behavior choices your child makes, they will have a chance to go up or down the ladder. The highest step is FABULOUS (Purple), then GREAT (Blue), GOOD START (Green), WARNING (Yellow), THINK TIME (Orange), and lastly TIME-OUT (Red).
If your child did not make good choices throughout the day and wasn’t able to turn their day around, it will result in the following consequences: THINK TIME (Orange) = timeout in their own classroom. TIME-OUT (Red) = timeout in a neighboring classroom for a longer period of time to complete a behavior reflection.
If your child ends his/her day on FABULOUS (Purple), GREAT (Blue), or GOOD START (Green) he/she was able to make good choices throughout the day. A reward for blue or purple may be given at the end of the day or week. Rewards may be different in each classroom. The color your child ended his/her day on will be marked in their planner.
SCHOOL-WIDE PAWS RULES:
P Practice school appropriate language.
A Always keep hands and feet to yourself.
W Walk quietly in the hallways.
S Stay on task and follow directions.
Parent Expectations:
1. Read and SIGN planner daily (Monday – Friday)
2. Reinforce appropriate behavior standards and study habits
3. Make sure your child maintains good attendance
4. Encourage self-esteem and self-respect to your child
5. Support Orange County Public Schools and Ventura Elementary School policies
6. Provide a quiet learning space at home
7. Check Progress Book regularly
8. Attend parent conferences
Binder / Behavior Calendar
Your child will be using a binder. Your child is responsible for bringing it to school and home DAILY. Please take a few minutes every evening and review this information with your child. Refer to the Binder Overview located in the binder behind the planner.
Planners
Planners are used as a communication tool for communication between school and home. Once you have reviewed your child’s behavior color and their completed nightly homework assignments (see below) please SIGN / INTIAL in daily box.
Homework
Homework is assigned daily, Monday through Thursday, and will be on a separate sheet of paper. Nightly homework will consist of:
· Read for 20 minutes
· Fluency/Comprehension Sheet
· Spelling Assignment
· Math Practice Sheet
· Practice addition / subtraction facts (use flashcards)
Please remember to check the homework for completion and sign planner.
Grading
Second grade calculations are based on: class work, quizzes, tests, and projects Orange County grading scale and their equivalents to calculate grades for the following subjects:
Reading, Language Arts / Writing, Math, Science, & Social Studies / Percentage / Student Effort, Behavior Art, Media, Music, Physical Education (PE)A / 100% – 90% / O = Outstanding
B / 89% - 80% / S = Satisfactory
C / 79% – 70% / N = Needs Improvement
D / 69% – 60% / U = Unsatisfactory
F / 59% - below / U = Unsatisfactory
Note: Your child will receive 4 progress reports and 4 report cards throughout the year.
ProgressBook
ProgressBook is an online tool for teachers, students, and parents. You and your student will have access to up to the minute attendance and grading information. I will update grades weekly. To access ProgressBook:
1. Go to http://parentaccess.ocps.net
2. Enter your username and password (provided by the teacher)
3. Update your contact information
Volunteers / Fieldtrips
In order to volunteer at the school and/or on field trips, all volunteers must fill out the ADDITIONS form online (http://volunteer.ocps.net). ALL VOLUNTEERS must go through this process, sorry No Exceptions!! When you volunteer:
· You must sign in at the office
· Pick up your visitor sticker, and visibly wear it while on campus
· Prior to leaving, you must also sign out through the office
« Siblings are not allowed in the classroom or on field trips when you are volunteering.
Miscellaneous
· Dress Code – We ask that you follow the school dress code throughout the year. Please make sure your child is wearing appropriate shoes for their safety daily.
· Parties – OCPS approves 2 classroom parties a year, the Winter Holiday party and an End of the Year party. Any food sent in for a party must be store bought in the original unopened packaging to be served to the children. Please know we are NOT permitted to celebrate birthdays in the classroom, as it is a violation of OCPS policy, but you may bring store bought cupcakes during your child’s lunch time in the cafeteria.
· Snacks-Your child may bring one small, healthy snack.
Thanks in advance for your help, support, and cooperation for the upcoming school year. Together we can ensure a fun, exciting, and successful year for your child. If you have any questions, comments or concerns, please call at 407-249-6400.
After reading and reviewing these classroom procedures and expectations with your child, please sign and return the last page to school with your child.
Please Sign and Return
I have read and understand the expectations listed in the procedures letter. I have reviewed the classroom procedures with my child and I will contribute daily to my child’s success.
Parent’s Signature ______
Date ______
Child’s Signature ______