Mom, Dad and/or Guardian…

Please take the time to write me a note on the heart at my desk,

My teacher and I will read it tomorrow!

Welcome to Second Grade

Mrs. Mesa

2015-2016

Areas to be Discussed

Title 1 SAC About Mrs. Mesa Academics Behavior General

Title 1

What is Title I? Title I is the largest federal assistance

program for our nation’s schools. The goal of Title I is a higher quality of

education for every child. The program serves millions of children in

elementary and secondary schools each year. Somerset Miramar is a Title I school.

“What every parent should know about Title I” brochures are available in our front office.

For a detailed description of Title I, please attend our first School Advisory Council meeting in the beginning of September.

How Title I Works The federal government provides funding

to states each year for Title I. The Florida Department of Education

sends the money to the district. The school district identifies eligible

schools (based on the number of students receiving free/reduced lunches)and allocates Title I funds.

Somerset Miramar implements a school wide Title I program. This means that all students receive the benefits of our Title I funding.

School Status and Testing

As part of our Title I compliance, we are expected to reach certain achievement levels dictated by our School Improvement Plan.

We utilize FCAT (grades 5 & 8), FSA (grades 3-8 from this year on), Primary Reading, I Ready and Math tests (grades 1-2), and FAIR tests (grade K) to determine our achievement levels.

Our elementary and middle school are both “A” rated schools for 2014-2015!!

2015-2016 Standardized Test Scores are TBA and Scores will be available in December 2015.

Working together! Title I law requires meaningful involvement of

parents in the decisions made at our school. How we work together is listed in our:

– School Level Parent Involvement Plan; – District level Parent Involvement Plan– Parent-School Compact– Title I Plan (School Improvement Plan)

All information is available on our school website, but the best way you can be involved is by participating in our School Advisory Council. (SAC)

If you have any questions, please contact a member of our administration or our Title I liaison- Ms.Almendarez.

SAC

School Advisory Council (SAC)

Assists in preparation and evaluation of The School Improvement Plan (SIP)

Decides how school improvement funds are spent Assists principal with the school budget Making suggestions relating to the improvement of

the school in all areas SAC meetings are held quarterly Students are notified of SAC meetings by distribution

of flyers, parent link notifications, teacher emails and the Somerset School website.

Meetings are usually held at 6:00 p.m. in the Media Center

2 volunteer hours are given for attending these meetings

Works hand in hand together for the success of the students and the school!

About Mrs. Mesa

All about ME• My background

• Cuban-American born and raised in Miami, FL.• My experience

• This is my 2ndth year teaching at Somerset Miramar. I previously worked at Hallandale Elementary School for 9 Years.

• I have previous experience in Kindergarten and 3rd Grade.

• I love to…• Spend time with my family and friends,

travel, workout and take pictures and go to Disney.

A day in our little world…

We are “family” Work as a team Learn from each other Motivate each other

Academics

Daily Schedule

8:45-9:51 Reading/Language Arts 9:51-10:21 Specials 10:21-10:43 Reading/Language Arts 10:47-11:17 Lunch 11:17-11:37 Recess 11:37-12:05 Reading/Language Arts 12:05-12:35 Social Studies 12:35-2:00 Math 2:00-3:00 Science *Library on Friday 11:30-12:00 *PE on Friday 9:51-10:21

Curriculum

The 2nd grade curriculum consists of Reading, Language Arts, Math, Science and Social Studies. Our curriculum follows the Florida State Standards , providing your child with a well-rounded and complete education.

What are the Florida Standards? On February 18, 2014, the State Board of

Education revised elements of the Common Core State Standards and renamed the benchmarks the Florida Standards. The board voted unanimously to revise the student performance standards in English/Language Arts and Mathematics.

Language Arts Florida Standards (LAFS)

The LAFS consist of Six Strands: – READING STANDARDS FOR LITERATURE– READING STANDARDS: FOUNDATIONAL SKILLS – READING STANDARDS FOR INFORMATIONAL TEXT – WRITING STANDARDS – STANDARDS FOR SPEAKING AND LISTENING – LANGUAGE STANDARDS

*Writing is incorporated within the Language Arts standards. Extended responses and writing will be based on textual evidence.

*The use of digital tools and technology to conduct research and publish writing using keyboarding skills is required.

Mathematics Florida Standards (MAFS)

The MAFS consist of different Domains (varies by grade level)

*Some Common Domains are: –OPERATIONS AND ALGEBRAIC THINKING –NUMBER AND OPERATIONS IN BASE TEN –MEASUREMENT AND DATA –GEOMETRY

Science and Social studies

Science and Social Studies instruction will continue to be guided using the Next Generation Sunshine State Standards. However, we will be incorporating Science and Social Studies content into the Reading/Writing lessons.

Reading Journeys Series• Whole Group • Centers (differentiated)• Individual• Shared / Buddy Reading• Assessments (i.e. weekly story test, quizzes,

cold reads, Accelerated Reader/STAR tests, I-Ready)

Math Go Math! Series

Homework Homework is assigned Monday through Thursday. Your child’s blue folder is their homework folder.

Your child’s homework folder must come to school on a daily basis.

Please remember HW goes home on Mondays and is due on

Fridays.

Spelling activities and Math Workbook pages correlated with

our weekly lessons

Reading: 15-20 minutes per night

Weekly Writing & Comprehension

Participation in special assignments and projects

Students will receive a grade for each subject. Students are expected to complete ALL class work during the allotted time in the school day. Students have sufficient time in class to complete assignments; therefore, incomplete work is NOT given for home learning unless otherwise specified. Weekly assessments are administered on Fridays or when the skill/concept has been taught..

90% - 100% A 80% - 89% B 70% - 79% C 60% - 69% D 0% - 59% F

Grading Scale:

Grading

Behavior

Classroom Rules

*Follow directions the first time given. *Raise your hand to walk and talk. *Keep your hands and feet to yourself. *Show respect for school, teachers, and peers. *Always keep a positive attitude and try your best.

Behavior SystemColor Chart system.

Six Colors

Students have a chance to redeem themselves during the day.

Color will be in planner each day.

Classroom Expectations

This year we will be focusing on building important life skills such as working hard and participating.

How else can we work together?

Check Planner, class website and e-mail regularly.

Keep me updated on how your child is doing at home.

Encourage the life skills we are working on in class outside of school.

Celebrate wonderful classroom moments at home :)

Let me know how I can be most helpful!

Rewards Verbal praise and recognition Student of the month. Class Coupon Compliment Party Treasure Box Lunch Bunch Group Point System

Compliment System

Our Macaroni jar is used as our compliment system.

A scoop will be added each time a compliment is received around the school from adults.

Teacher/office staff compliments= 1 part Administrative compliments= 2 parts Upon filling the jar, the students will receive a

party of their choice.

General Items

Communication Folder Check every night for notes/letters and

homework (Blue folder). Initial each day in the planner Return to school the next day

Ask your child every night about what we did

today.

Communication

Parent involvement and constant communication between us is essential for your child’s success.

The best way to communicate with me is through email or via folder.

My email address is below. Send me a quick hello (now )

emesa@somersetmiramar.com

Class Webpage All important generic information

regarding my class is always on my class website.

www.schoolrack.com/mrsmesa

Lunch and Birthdays

Lunch and breakfast can be prepaid by check. $3.50 Birthday celebrations will take place during our lunch

break. Cupcakes, napkins and juice boxes are encouraged. Please notify me ahead of time so that we may plan accordingly.

Also, when choosing a treat, please know that we have students with peanut allergies and dairy allergies in class.

Birthday invitations will not be passed out in class unless ALL children are invited.

Planners Planners are $5.00 The planner must go home and

return to school on a daily basis. Please check your child’s planner

every day for important information. You will find your child’s spelling words and behavior updates in here.

Money Procedures

Please make sure that all money is in the blue communication binder. Please write what the money is for.

No checks are accepted under $20.

Volunteer Hours

As parents you are required to complete 30 volunteer hours.

If your child has a sibling in  middle school you will be required a total of 40 hours.

In order to complete your hours you have the choice to volunteer your time or purchase items from our classroom wish list (look for our wish list in my webpage).

Please keep all receipts for items purchased and complete the appropriate form. Please keep track of your own hours and staple all receipts to the volunteer form.

Without the receipts, you will not receive volunteer hours. NO EXCEPTIONS

Volunteer Opportunities Celebrations (coordinate celebration

activities/arts & crafts/door decorating/bulletin decorating)

Photographer (take & develop photos) Print Copies Field Trips Donate from Wish List Help with Centers

Attendance

Be here everyday! Doors open at 8:30. Students are marked tardy if they arrive

after 8:45. If a student is absent the

parent/guardian has 48 hours to excuse it through a note or e-mail. After 48 hours you must have a doctor’s note.

Dismissal Carpool pickup is from 3:00-3:15 p.m. Students who are not picked up by 3:15 will be

signed into the office. If you pick-up from the car lane: Please place

colored decal on the right of your dashboard and make sure to include your child’s name using a dark permanent marker.

If there is a change in the way that your child is getting home the best way to notify me is by sending a note or calling before 1:30 pm.

Conferences

Given by appointment In person or by phone Twice a year (fall and spring) or if

there is a concern

Fieldtrips

Only registered volunteers will be allowed to attend.

Other Information Water bottles Jackets

Ways to Stay In Touch

Send in a note in our communication folder.

Class website E-mail emesa@somersetmiramar.com

Thank You For Coming!

We’re going to have a great year!