Welcome to 2nd Grade

Ms. McCollum

25-26 School Year

Raptor Way

mission

The mission of Rock Creek Elementary School is to develop kind, safe, and respectful lifelong learners who strive to be their best.

Be Kind, Be Safe, Be Respectful, and Be Your Best.

Click on Raptor to visit the Rock Creek website and stay updated on school happenings.

A few tidbits about me...

I am excited to be your child’s second- grade teacher this year! This will be my 17th year in education. I have taught 1st, 2nd, and 3rd grade and served as an instructional coach for four years at Harrison Elementary School. I have taught in Colorado, Arizona, and Idaho. I graduated with a master’s in elementary education from Regis University in Denver, CO. I also am certified in instructional design.

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I have two children named Isaac and Alissa. We moved here from Holbrook, AZ, seven years ago, and now we call Idaho home. Since my children are older, I spend a lot of time with my two dogs, Loki and Trent, and my cat, Pippy. They are the inspiration for many of my classroom stories I share with my students. I love all things fall, sunflowers, nature, spending time with friends and family, and traveling. I strive to live by the philosophy that laughter can solve many issues, and a good night's sleep brings fresh perspectives.

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I look forward to partnering with you to get the most out of your child’s educational journey. Please let me know if you have any questions or concerns throughout the year. Happy 2025-2026 school year! 

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Students in second grade build upon the foundational skills learned in first grade, focusing on reading, writing, and math, with an emphasis on developing more advanced skills and concepts. Additionally, in 2nd grade, social-emotional (SE) development focuses on building crucial skills for navigating social situations and managing emotions. Students learn to understand their own emotions, develop empathy for others, foster positive relationships, and make informed, responsible decisions. This development is essential for academic success, overall well-being, and future social interactions.

What we do in 2nd Grade:

Academics

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As an educator, I teach students 2nd-grade standards in all content areas of reading, math, writing, social studies, science, and SEL. All of these skills go together to help your child have a well-rounded education. There are many standards and skills that students need to acquire in second grade, and it is imperative that they are on time and present. If you are interested in what  standards students are required to know, you can click on the state of Idaho to direct you to Idaho department of education.

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Social Emotional Learning (SEL)

We start the day off with a morning meeting, which is a positive check-in with students. During this time, mini SEL lessons are conducted, discussions are held, or community-building activities occur. Additionally, learning classroom expectations and making responsible decisions are valuable parts of this. SEL lessons are also conducted during the week in our specials classes on Monday. Lessons include what makes a trustworthy friend, saying kind words to one another, bullying, being respectful, being safe, and more.

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Tues. - Fri.

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• 8:00-8:20 Morning Meeting
• 8:20-9:10 ELA
• 9:10-9:55 Reading Intervention and Enrichment
• 9:55-10:10 AM Recess
• 10:10-11:05 Math
• 11:05-11:35 Math Intervention and Enrichment
• 11:35-12:10 Lunch and Recess
• 12:10-12:55 ELA
• 12:55-1:25 Writing
• 1:25-1:40 Afternoon Recess
• 1:40-2:05 Science and Social Studies
• 2:05-2:50 Specials (PE, Library, Computers, Music)
• Prep to go home/Release

Mondays

Early out each Monday at 2 pm

Schedule

Specials

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Monday: Rotating Specials Each Week

Tuesday: Computers

Wednesday-Music

Thursday-PE

audio-visual room

Friday-Library

If your child does not finish something I will send it home with them. Please have them return it the next day.

I do not assign homework.

Additionally, please do your best to have your child read 20 minutes each night at their reading level. If you need assistance identifying their reading level, I would be more thanhappy to helps you.

Homework

Classroom Expectations

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Classroom management is the process in which I run my classroom to ensure a community of engaged learners. This process includes the ways we transition between activities, interact with one another, stand in line, follow emergency procedures, walk in the hall, sit at the carpet, and everything in between.

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The beginning of the year is a time set out to learn procedures, routines, and expectations. We spend a lot of time practicing and setting up a cohesive community .However, we all have difficult days. It is bound to happen. If I notice a student not following classroom or school expectations, I follow a three-step process. I will give student a warning about behavior so that they can correct it. If it continues, I discuss the behavior with student and ways to solve the problem. If the student continues to disregard that warnings, I will contact their home.

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Build relationships with students as a community

Teach classroom expectations

Practice expectations.

Positive reinforcement with the student

Warning about negative behavior if it occurs

Discussion and problem-solving

Call home to make a plan together if an issue arises

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How I Teach Expectations and Discipline

"Lucky Duck" evokes a sense of nostalgia and innocence, often associated with childhood experiences. "Lucky Duck" can refer to a person who always seems to find themselves in fortunate situations or possesses an enviable amount of good luck. This term is often used playfully and affectionately among friends or in a community setting. I hand out Lucky Duck tickets in class as a positive incentive. At the end of the day, I will pull two Lucky Duck tickets to identify the classroom helpers for the following day. I teach extensively what it means to be a ¨Lucky Duck" and who it is that someone in our classroom community can depend on.

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I also distribute brag tags in class, which provide more specific feedback. To name a few, they include courage to learn, a well-thought-out answer, great problem solver, being a great friend, wonderful classroom citizen. Each student has a Brag Tag necklace that they get to add their tags to when they receive them. Each Friday, they we wear our brag tags with pride.

Lucky Duck and Brag Tags

• Take-home folders will go home every day. Please check them and return them the next day.

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• Any unfinished work with a stamp needs to be completed at home.

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• Any mistakes you find in your child’s work you are welcomeme to help them understand the concepts.

Communication Folder

Birthdays

Birthdays are celebrated during the last 15 minutes of the school day.

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Please bring store-bought, individually wrapped treats.

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We also enjoy celebrating summer birthdays. If your child has a summer birthday, please let me know.

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Please notify us before school if your child will be absent. You can call the office at (208) 732-7565 or Class Dojo before school. It is difficult to make up work in 2nd grade, but I will send home any worksheets that your child missed if they are absent for two or more days.

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• If your child is ill, please keep them at home to prevent exposing other students.

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• According to school policy, students are not allowed to stay in during recess unless they have a doctor’s note.

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• We will get in touch with you to set up a time to pick up your child if they get sick at school.

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attendance and being sick

• Students may choose between hot lunch or bringing a cold lunch. To add money to your child’s hot lunch account, please speak with the lunchroom staff.

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• If you plan to eat lunch with your child, please let me know in the morning so I can include you in our lunch count.

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• If your child brings a cold lunch, they are responsible for their lunch box.

• Students are encouraged to bring a water bottle to class.

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• Please send only water—no soda or juice.

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• Ensure the water bottle has a leak-proof lid.

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water bottles

weather

Please check the weather daily to ensure your child is dressed appropriately for the conditions.

Class Dojo

For our classroom, I send 99% of information through Class Dojo. This will include class-wide information, school announcements, and communication with individual parents.

I have found that using Class Dojo is the quickest way to communicate throughout the day, as it allows me to avoid filtering through the daily emails I receive and ensures I don’t miss any important messages from families. I check it regularly!

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If you have not yet received an invitation to join our class, please rest assured that you will receive one soon. You can also use the QR Code and directions and sign up now.

Contact me:

Ms. McCollum’s Class Dojo (Always the Best Method)

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Email: mccollumca@tfsd.org

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Rock Creek Phone number: 208-732-7565

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Thank you

Please let me know if you have any questions or comments!