Welcome Letter 2016
Dear
Parents,
September 6, 2016
Another
school season is starting as well as other events such as Sunday school, Bible
studies, and various meetings that keep families busy. I hope that you enjoyed
your summer full of rest, holidays, and visiting with friends and family. I am
looking forward to having your child in Grade 2, and consider it a privilege to
be their teacher this year. A blog has been created to ensure that at all times
spelling lists, phonics charts and important notes can be accessed. Please do not comment on the blog site as
there is no privacy there. No last names
or school name will be posted there. To
access, type nevennewsfortwos.blogspot.ca
in your browser. I hope this will be helpful to us all. As well, RCS has a “private” facebook account
where at times some pictures of exciting events may be posted. Watch our weekly bulletin for more
information.
Listed
are some of the routines for the up coming year.
1. Library: Our library day this year is
Friday. Please help your child remember their library books so that they can
borrow new ones.
2.
Phys-Ed: Gym will be on
Thursday’s & Friday's. Students do not need a change of clothes, but they do
need non-scuff inside shoes (running shoes, please) for this.
3. Art: We plan on doing art
a few days/week (Wednesday’s for sure) and as we all know accidents can happen.
Paint shirt’s will be provided and will be worn to cover their uniform.
4.
Spelling: We usually go through one spelling lesson per week. On
Thursday’s students will be asked to copy their words in their agendas under
the column “Words of the Week.” As the
year progresses and more words are added, it will be necessary to “squish” them
in. Our test days are on Friday. Our first test will be on Sept. 9. Each test page will go home in the test
package every Friday. On the back side
of each test will be the list for the next week.
As we
progress through the year, 3 vocabulary words will be included. Additional instructions will be given at that
time. We will be able to access the
spelling word list on nevennewsfortwos.blogspot.ca.
5. Homework: Students will
have reading homework this year. We hope
to use a “Guided Reading” Approach in
the classroom. These reading assignments
are
meant to
encourage stronger reading skills. A
suggested method of doing reading homework is to have your child read over the
material by themselves first. Then sit down together and have your child read
to you. Encourage your child to sound out words that are difficult for
them versus giving them the words.
I
understand families can become very busy at times. So, please, if your child
has a legitimate reason for not finishing a reading homework assignment
just write it in their agenda and reassure your child that these things happen
and their teacher understands.
Make
homework a priority with your child by providing him/her with all the necessary
supplies and an appropriate working environment. Give your child lots of praise
and support when homework is completed responsibly. Contact me by phoning the
school or a note in the agenda if you notice a problem.
Your child
may have homework in other subjects such as math but every attempt will be made
to finish at school without sacrificing recess.
6. Reading
Books: In our phonics/reading program, we use many books. We ask that
special care be given to these books so that they will last a long time. If any book is damaged or lost and requires
replacement, a fee will be charged to
cover the cost of the new book. To help keep all readers protected, each
child will receive a bag to store their readers in. This will help avoid ripped
covers and wet pages.
7.
Agendas: Students are required to write down their homework in their
agenda everyday. If they have no homework, they are to write “No Homework.”
Agendas need to be signed daily (except on weekends) by a parent even on those
days that have no homework. This is also a means of communication between you
as parents and me. Agendas will also
contain changes to assignments listed in the weekly bulletin. We will also
include any events that are occurring such as: library day, pizza day, and so
on. Please feel free to write a question
or a note to me. A small sticker is
given for a signed agenda.
8.
Worksheet Packages: Worksheet
packages will be sent home once a week (Probably on Fridays). Please look them
over so you know how your child is doing. These do not have to be signed or
returned to school unless you have questions or concerns about your child’s
mark. Please send it back with your questions and I’ll get back to you.
9. Extra Clothes: Sometimes
accidents occur during the day (muddy or wet clothes), and clean clothes are
needed. Pleases send a complete set of inside clothes (school colours, if
possible) in a bag that can be folded, labeled and kept in a cupboard.
11. American
Content: As you realize much of our curriculum in the lower grades comes
from USA. We try as much as possible in the classroom to replace it with
Canadian content. Examples of this would be the American coins on a math page
are covered with the Canadian coins, or in spelling, the spelling of “colour”
is taught spelling it the Canadian way and not the American style which would
be “color”. So please remember we are trying our best to replace what we can
with Canadian content. Any American
content pages are done at student initiative only.
12.
Discipline Procedures:
There are a few simple rules, which
are expected to be followed:
1.
During a lesson, raise your hand to speak.
2.
Be busy with something constructive at all times.
3.
Respect each other’s property and person.
Students
are given warnings, name on the chalk board, assigned spelling words, and if necessary, a phone call home
will be used to promote obedience. I hope we have a good school year together.
Please call or leave a note in the agenda if you have any questions or
concerns.
Sincerely,
Mrs.
S. Neven
