Welcome to Second Grade!
It my our pleasure to welcome you and your child to Holland Elementary’s second grade! We are looking forward to a very exciting year filled with many opportunities for learning and fun! Below are topics that you might like further information about to help your child be as successful as possible in 2nd grade.
Daily Schedules:
Each class has different schedules, however some activities are shared. Electives and PE, as well as our teacher conferences, are 2:00-3:00 Electives for second grade are computer lab, where they will learn typing, Spanish, and STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math). They will rotate through these one week at a time. Second grade lunch is 11:25 – 11:55. Please note on our schedule that their main ELAR (reading) and Spelling times are in the afternoon. Please keep this in mind when scheduling doctor’s appointments and such. W.I.N. Time is also an important part of the school day because this is when they are able to work on what they need to improve or be challenged.
Absences/Tardies:
Students are considered tardy if they arrive after the second bell rings at 8:00 and must report to the Elementary office before going to class, so that they will not be counted absent for the day. If your child is absent, please send an excuse note with them when they return to class.
If you need to change how your child is getting home for the day, please call the office.
Behavior Expectations:
A well-planned year begins with success-driven behavior expectations and a positive classroom climate. We like to encourage our students to meet behavior standards by giving lots of praise and rewards of various kinds for positive behavior. If a student does not make good choices, we talk about the choices he/she has made and how to improve upon those choices. Each teacher’s reward/incentive plan will be a little different to meet the needs of students in their homeroom.
At the end of each nine week period, second grade has a “Star Party”! A Star Party might include things like free time to play games, extra recess, or watching a movie! For the first few weeks, we are all working toward learning and practicing the classroom and school rules. Students who work to show responsibility, and work diligently to follow classroom rules and expectations get to participate in the Star Party. More information on behavior and expectations will be coming home soon!
There are, of course, consequences for misbehavior, such as the loss of a privilege or activity. Consistent, daily misbehavior or severe misbehavior will call for more severe consequences and/or parental contact. These consequences may include: loss of recess time, visit with the principal, loss of special event privileges, loss of field trip, etc. These are designed to make consequences more meaningful and effective for individual students.
Accelerated Reading (AR):
AR not only gives your child the opportunity to better his/her reading skills, but is a great tool to monitor that success as well. 45 minutes of class time each day is dedicated to AR. Students are expected to take a minimum of 2 tests each day over books they have read.
Each student must read a book 2 times (excluding chapter books) before taking a test on a book. (Each child will take home 2-4 books a day; they will read books once at home and once in class.) If a student fails an AR test, he/she will conference with the teacher about the book and problem solve how to do better next time.
Parent/Teacher Communication:
Teamwork and communication between parent and teacher is very important for the success of each child.
Please feel free to contact your child’s teacher about any concerns or questions you may have. Class Dojo or email are both great resources to stay in contact with the teacher. Should the need arise for a conference, please schedule through the Elementary office (254) 657-2525.
Thank you for your cooperation and for the opportunity to work with both you and your child! I am looking forward to a great year and hope that you are as well!