WELCOME, FAMILIES!

• Sign in by the door!
• You can leave a note for your student to read in the morning!

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ABOUT ME

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• My 4th year teaching!
• Grew up in Columbia County!
• It is an honor to be back in this county and teach your student!
• Elementary school made me so anxious as a child, so my goal is to make learning feel safe to make mistakes, and exciting!
• I want to partner with you to best help your student grow this year:)

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HANDLE WITH CARE

If your student is ever having a hard morning, email or message me, “Student name- Handle with care”

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You do not have to explain anything. I will know that they need “extra,” care this day!

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CONTACT

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• Weekly Email from me (Every Monday and Friday- Reminder Emails sent!)
• Parent Square messages- Any time and I will answer asap!
• Email

kathryn.blumenthal@ccboe.net

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My website through the WES Website is the house for all class information! Click my name!

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CLASS SCHEDULE

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Our specials are PE, art, music, guidance, learning commons.

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We go to PE every other day.

FOLDERS

• Please check your child’s folder nightly and send back!
• Doctor notes, money, and any notes to me can all be sent in this! I check daily!

NEWSLETTERS

• Sent home electronically and paper copy on a weekly basis over email.

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HOMEWORK

• If your child is struggling, please let me know so that we can work together!
• Optional! Great additional practice for at home
• Students will be given piece of candy if it is done:)

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ARRIVAL, DISMISSAL, AND ATTENDANCE

• School is dismissal 3:45 pm (unless after school program)
• No dismissal between 3:15-3:45 pm
• Students may not enter the building until 8:10 am (unless before school program)

• When checking students out you will need a picture ID
• Please send in a doctor’s note or parent note for absences!

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TRANSPORTATION

• The only transportation your child can take home is the one indicated on latest note to teacher/paperwork
• All transportation changes should be made in writing through a note, e-mail, message, or phone call to the front office.
• The car rider card must be presented when picking up your child from the car rider or walker line.

BREAKFAST & LUNCH

• If students are eating breakfast AT school, they should be at school before 8:30 am (If coming in car)
• Please let me know if your child should NOT be eating breakfast/purchasing ‘extras’ at school.
• Lunch money can be added to their account electronically, or you can send in money with your student.

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SNACK

• Snack time will be each day at recess (2:30)
• Students should bring snack items they can easily eat.
• Students may bring in a water bottle filled with water!

What is the biggest difference from lower grades to upper grades?

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• This is the last year (2nd grade) we explicitly TEACH to read. Next year, students READ to learn in class.

• By end of the year, the goal is to read 90 words per minute

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• Main focus of 2nd grade:

-Practice reading more smoothly and understanding it!

-Adding and subtracting by strategies learned instead of “only drawing dots”

Read and time yourself!

1_____ 2_____ 3______

Will come home weekly

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Spelling patterns we are learning are in this passage!

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Great practice at home

CURRICULUM

REPORT CARDS

• Guidance document for families will be included via QR code.

• Math: iReady
• Reading/ ELA/ Writing: HMH
• Science: Stemscopes
• Social Studies: Social Studies Weekly

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Georgia Standards of Excellence:

• Guidelines to our second grade curriculum can be accessed at https://www.georgiastandards.org
• 2nd Grade uses a standards-based report card.

MEDICATION AND ILLNESS

• Medicine taken at school must be taken to the nurse in its original container- Labeled with names!
• Message, email, or send in note if you need medication paperwork!
• No medicine will be given without signed permission.
• Cough drops and Tums need to be given by the nurse
• Students with fevers should remain at home until they are fever-free without medication for 24 hours.

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BEHAVIOR

• Students are reward for positive behavior with a ‘Bear paw’. These can be used to spend to buy prizes on our 2nd Grade Cart every week!
• Students are given three verbal warnings about not following classroom rules. Following the third warning, students will complete a reflection sheet.
• Not keeping hands/ feet to themselves and/or intentionally saying hurtful words to another student will result in a reflection sheet without prior warnings.
• If reflection sheet is completed, I will communicate with you explaining the situation!

WESTY JOURNAL

• Each student will take home the Bear and Journal!
• Write what you did with it over the weekend!
• Add a printed picture or draw one!
• Send it back on that following Monday

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CELEBRATIONS

• If your child has a birthday, you are welcome to send in cupcakes/ a treat. They must be store bought. They will be passed out at recess.
• If your child brings invitations for a party, it must be given to EVERY child in the classroom OR all the boys/ girls.