Beginning of the Year Frequently Asked Questions

Beginning of the Year Frequently Asked Questions

Welcome to Mrs. Abshire’s 2nd Grade Class! If you are like me, when something new begins, I have lots of questions! Some are big and some are small! I will try to write very short answers to some questions that I feel might be commonly wondered.

Who is the Teacher????

My name is Katie Abshire and I am a new teacher at Creekside Forest this year!  I am a 9th year teacher, Aggie, wife, mother of a one year old boy, dog owner, lover of reading, runner, baker, traveler, lifelong learner, addicted Target shopper.

What is the Teacher’s Contact Information?

Classroom Phone: 281-357-4526 ext. 3886Email:

Class Website Info:

“About Us” “Staff Directory”

What are the New School Hours?

8:10AM Doors open, car riders begin unloading
8:40AM School begins *Students are tardy if they are not in class at this time*
3:00PM Make Transportation Changes by this time
3:40PM Dismissal

When is Lunch?

11:05-11:35

What if My Child’s Transportation Changes?

If you know that your child’s afternoon transportation will be different, please send a handwritten signed note with your child that morning in the Take Home Folder. If you realize during the day that the plans need to change, you must fax a handwritten letter and your driver’s license to the front office fax machine FAX (281-357-4535). Then call to confirm that the fax was received.This is an extensive procedure but it is for the safety of your child, to ensure that he/she goes home the way that you intend. Teachers or the front office are not allowed to accept phone calls or emails as a form of transportation change.

How Many Students are in the Class?

We currently have 19 wonderful students in the class.

Can I Volunteer in the Class?

Yes, please! There will be a sign up form at Meet the Teacher on your child’s desk. The form allows you to choose the opportunities that you are interested in. Please see the “volunteer’ tab of the website for more information. Don’t forget to fill out the proper paperwork on the Tomball ISD website.

Will There be homework?

Yes! I do feel that the afternoon and evenings should mostly be family time, so please let me know if the homework takes too long. Homework is given on Mondays and is due on Fridays. It comes home in the Take Home Folder. Students should also read a book of their choice nightly for about 20 minutes.

When Does the Class Go to PE?

The class goes to PE every day. Therefore, the PE department has asked that students wear closed toed athletic type shoes every day. This is in order to ensure the safety of your child as he/she participates in the activities.

Can My Child Bring a Water Bottle/Snack?

Yes! Students may bring a water bottle, filled with water only and labeled with his/her name. Students may also bring a healthy mess-free snack to eat in the afternoon. Snacks should be something that the child can eat while working.

What it is the Take Home Folder?

The Take Home Folder comes home nightly, should be checked by parents, and then returned to school the next day. It is has places for work to be sent home, notes/lunch money to be sent to school, bag with reading books, area for homework.

What is the Deal With Books in the Take Home Folder?

Students will have books in a zipper bag in their Take Home Folder. These books are/have been worked on by the student in small group or book club. Students may read these books or their library books for the 20 minute nightly reading.

What is the Agenda?

Please send $5 to school to purchase an agenda for your child. On Mondays, the students write down upcoming events and tests. The agenda is where I will make discipline marks. Please initial the agenda nightly.

Agenda Behavior Marks Key:

T = talking at inappropriate times FD = not following directions

OT = off task RP = not respecting property

RO = not respecting others IOC = issue in an outside of our classroom

UP = unprepared (no homework, planner not signed, etc.)

Our grading scale is as follows for each nine-week grading period:
0-5 marks per the 9 weeks = Excellent 6-10 = Satisfactory 11-20 = Needs Improvement 21+ = Unsatisfactory

What is Accelerated Reader?

The Accelerated Reader program is a computerized program that tests reading comprehension. Students select books on their reading level, read independently, and take an independent comprehension test on the computer. Each book is worth a certain number of points based on its length and reading level.

Should I Write My Child’s Name on Items?

You do not need to write your child’s name on school supply items, I have label stickers for them. There are often multiple of the same design of items, so please write your child’s name on his/her lunchbox, backpack, and water bottle. Also, when cooler weather comes, please write your name on your child’s jacket. Thanks!

When Does Graded Work Come Home?

Graded work comes home every Wednesday in the Take Home Folder. Please discuss the work with your child. Your child will create goals for him/herself, so you may want to ask your child about those. Grades can be viewed online. Please see the “Parent’s Link” tab on my website to see how to view those.

When Can I Meet With the Teacher to Discuss My Child?

I will have sign up days/times at Parent Orientation Night on August 31st. I typically like to get to know your child and gather some data before conferencing with parents. Please email me if you would like to have a conference with me before that to discuss any matters that are important to you. My goal is to meet with every parent during the first nine weeks.

What Should I do if I Think My Child is GT?

GT testing for 2nd grade took place last year in 1st grade. Therefore, students cannot be moved to GT this year. If you think your child might be GT and you would like him/her tested, please let me know and I can get information to you about when testing takes place. I differentiate for students as much as possible, regardless if they are GT or not. I want all students to work at their just right level and to feel challenged. If you think your child might be GT, but are unsure you might want to read these quick characteristics.

Is Communication Important to You?

Yes! Yes! Yes! I want this to be a productive, fun, and memorable year for your child. I think that it takes the parents and teacher working as a team to create the best learning opportunity for the child. If you have any concerns, recommendations, or questions please let me know! I answer phone calls and emails within 24 hours. If you do not hear back from me within that time, please assume that I did not get it and contact me again. I also update the website every week, so I hope that most of your questions can be answered there!