Frederick Douglass ElementarySecond Grade

Back to School Information2014-2015

Welcome back to school! This will be an exciting year at Frederick Douglass Elementary. We want to thank you in advance for your dedication to your child’s education. We hope that you find the following information helpful in understanding your child’s second grade experience. If you need to contact your child’s teacher throughout the year, you may send a note, call the school at 571-252-1920 (please leave a message if the teacher is unavailable), or email your child’s teacher. Please understand that we can only discuss academic or behavior issues in person or over the phone, not via email. We are looking forward to working with you and your child!

Ms. Shannon Bedits shannon.bedits@lcps.orgMs. Mary Jo Totman maryjo.totman@lcps.orgMs. Kelly Miller kelly.j.miller@lcps.orgMrs. Brooke Brown brooke.h.brown@lcps.org Mrs. Cindy Case cindy.case@lcps.org

Positive Behavior Instructional Support (PBIS)Frederick Douglass Elementary participates in a positive

behavior support program! The pillars of our PBIS program are:

• Respect Yourself• Respect Others

• Respect Our School (Property)

The students have the opportunity to earn “Stars” for following the school’s rules of Respect!

Classroom ExpectationsIn second grade, we emphasize the importance of

student individual-responsibility. We encourage our students to take pride in all they do, and to be independently responsible for their actions! Students will follow the FDES student commitment and will exhibit star behavior!

Frederick Douglass Elementary SchoolStudent Commitment

I am a Frederick Douglass star. I am a respectful and responsible student.

I want to learn and be the best that I can be. Today is my opportunity to shine!

 

 

Home LearningHome learning is an important and necessary aspect of

education. Our classes will have home learning on a daily basis Monday through Thursday. The students will be transitioned into the second grade home learning schedule. A sample home learning routine is:

Week 1: “All About Me” ActivitiesWeek 2: Reading and one other home learning activity.Week 3: Reading and one to two other home learning

activities.

*Absentee class work and homework will be on the student’s desk when they return to school.

Thursday Folders: These school issued folders contain important school and

PTA papers. The folder must be returned to school the following school day.

Book Orders:Participation in Scholastic Book Club is available at the

beginning of each month. If you wish to purchase books, please return the completed order form with the student’s name and money by the return date to your child’s teacher. Please make all checks payable to Scholastic. Online ordering may also be available!PALS:

The Phonological Awareness Literacy Screening is given to the students 2 – 3 times a year. This screening gives insight to the reading and writing level on which the student is currently working.

DRA:The Developmental Reading Assessment is given to

the students 2 – 3 times a year. This assessment gives insight to the independent reading comprehension and fluency skill levels of the student.

CogAT:The Cognitive Abilities Test is given to the second

grade in the Spring. This test gives insight to the students’ abilities to follow oral directions and decode logical thinking.

Scholastic News:

The second grade team would like to use the magazine, Scholastic News, for Grade 2, to support our curriculum this year. We are asking for your help to provide your child with a subscription to this magazine for classroom use. The subscription costs $5.00 for the entire year, 32 issues. We appreciate your help in bringing this resource into your child’s classroom. We ask that your payment (cash or check) arrive to school by Friday, September 19th. Checks should be made out to Frederick Douglass Elementary School.

Parent Volunteers:Volunteers will be needed for a variety of activities

throughout the year! If you are interested in being a volunteer, please sign up on the volunteer sheet, and the teacher will contact you with a volunteer opportunity.

Field Trips:More information will be provided at a later date.

Supply Donation:Each teacher will have a supply donation request list. If

you are able to donate an item to the classroom, your help is appreciated!

Toys:Please do not send toys or electronics to school.

(Collecting cards, i.e. Pokemon Cards, and silly bands are considered toys.)

Snack:Students may bring one small, healthy snack to eat

during instructional time. Examples of healthy snacks are: fruits, vegetables, crackers, yogurt, pretzels, plain popcorn, and gold fish. Students may also bring a spill proof water bottle to school. Chips, cookies, and candy should not be given as snack! Please check your child’s snacks carefully for nut ingredients and refrain from sending those foods to school due to allergies. Your help is appreciated!

Birthday Information:Loudoun County Public Schools has a policy regarding

birthday treats. If you wish to send in a treat for the class, please consider donating a book or some extra school supplies to the classroom. Please remember that birthday treats must be non-food items and please do not send in “goodie bags.”

Birthday invitations may only be distributed in school as long as the entire class is receiving an invitation. Invitations not intended for all students will need to be distributed outside of school. Participation in the class directory will assist with this!

Communication: A newsletter will be sent home at the beginning of each month, either in email or paper format. The newsletter will be posted on our webpage as well. You can access my webpage through the Frederick Douglass website.

Absences/Tardiness/Early Dismissal: In order to ensure your child does not miss any important academic instruction, please make sure he/she is at school on time each day, by 7:50. If your child does need to be absent please inform the school by calling 571-252-1920. Class work and home learning will be ready for your child when they return from their absence. For changes to dismissal, please do not email the teacher. You may send in a note in the morning or call the office.

Assessment & Grading

Summative assessments (End of Unit Tests) will be scored:

E Exceeds expectations on standard. This grade is given only when a student can independently and consistently exceed, or go beyond, the grade level expectations.

M This is the expected learning target goal for every student. Meets expectations on standard. This grade indicates that a student is performing according to the grade level expectations, and meets grade level appropriate skills and goals.

P Progressing toward expectations on standard. This grade indicates that students are working toward building grade level appropriate skills and goals. Most of these skills and goals will be worked on throughout the school year.

B Below expectations on standard. This grade indicates that a student will need reinforcement from home and school to improve a particular skill or goal.