Welcome to PARENT LETTERS. Throughout the school year, I will be sending regular emails with homework assignments and other important information. Please check your email regularly!
LETTER SENT TO FAMILIES ON THE FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL:
Dear Families,
Welcome to second grade! This is only the first of many notes we plan to send you this year. We’ll keep you informed about what we’re learning and how you can help at home.
Second graders eat a late lunch—they will be eating at 12:20. It’s hard to learn with stomachs growling mid-morning, so we’ll be having a snack each morning. Please send a nutritious snack from home each day so your children can be at their best for learning. While a half-sandwich would be a great place to start (for example, peanut butter, cheese, or cold-cuts), we also recommend that you include a piece of fruit or some cut-up vegetables since we want to be sure all students have enough to tide themselves over until lunch.
Today we talked about what “nutritious” snacks students could bring and we came up with some additional ideas: nuts, cheese and crackers, hard-boiled eggs, yogurt, etc. Surely you’ll be able to think of more! Please do NOT send “sweets” (like candy, “Fruit Roll-ups”, pudding, Jello, cookies , or cakes) or chips.
Thanks! We’re looking forward to an exciting year with your children.
Sincerely,
The Second Grade Teachers
Dear Families,
Welcome to second grade! This is only the first of many notes we plan to send you this year. We’ll keep you informed about what we’re learning and how you can help at home.
Second graders eat a late lunch—they will be eating at 12:20. It’s hard to learn with stomachs growling mid-morning, so we’ll be having a snack each morning. Please send a nutritious snack from home each day so your children can be at their best for learning. While a half-sandwich would be a great place to start (for example, peanut butter, cheese, or cold-cuts), we also recommend that you include a piece of fruit or some cut-up vegetables since we want to be sure all students have enough to tide themselves over until lunch.
Today we talked about what “nutritious” snacks students could bring and we came up with some additional ideas: nuts, cheese and crackers, hard-boiled eggs, yogurt, etc. Surely you’ll be able to think of more! Please do NOT send “sweets” (like candy, “Fruit Roll-ups”, pudding, Jello, cookies , or cakes) or chips.
Thanks! We’re looking forward to an exciting year with your children.
Sincerely,
The Second Grade Teachers
INFORMATION SHARED AT OUR OPEN HOUSE/ICE CREAM SOCIAL NIGHT (updated 9/4/17):
Ms. Cottingham’s Second Grade Class List 2017-18
(Please keep in a safe place for future reference…especially for Valentines cards)
Frequently Asked Questions
My Grading System--
As I check incoming work, students are asked to correct mistakes and return work to me when those corrections are made (I hope that eventually fewer corrections will be made, necessitating fewer corrections). When all corrections have been made, I put a check in the top right corner of the paper which confirms I have seen it. Often, however, you will see a remark written on the paper which gives more information about the work done. Unless students bring back unfinished work that’s put into their Friday folders at the end of the week, I will probably not pursue unfinished work after the week it is due. However, please know that I ask students for incomplete work frequently. If they don’t do it or don’t make corrections, that is reflected in my grade book. One point goes into the class grade book for work that is correct, a half-point is given for work that is turned in but needs correcting, and a zero remains if no work is turned in. Sometimes children are asked to finish homework while at first recess, and sometimes, if students are frequently not turning work, they are asked to complete work in the room during their noon recess. Report cards will also reflect the delay.
On test papers, and some important worksheets, you will find a score at the top of the paper. A 3 means the student did a good job and understands the expected concept. A 2 means there were some difficulties and the student does not yet understand the concept completely. A 1 indicates the student is having difficulty with the concept. Students who are having difficulties with expected second grade standards, will receive additional help to improve their understanding of those standards.
Birthday Celebrations--
Students are invited to celebrate their birthdays with the class. On that day most students choose to bring a treat (something easy to pass out and to eat--please, no cakes or anything else that I need to cut, and no drinks). If the treat requires napkins, I’d really appreciate it if you’d send enough napkins, too. We have 18 students. On a student’s birthday the class signs a birthday card, and each student also gives a “warm fuzzy”—a compliment--to the birthday person. Both provide more positive reinforcement within our classroom family!
Parties--
We will celebrate parties throughout the year—Halloween, Winter Holiday, and Valentine’s Day. I would very much appreciate help from parents for the parties—usually one to three parents plan each party and then come in on the day of the party to set up food, provide entertainment, and clean up. If you would be interested in planning a party, please complete and send in the questionnaire at the end of this Back-to-School packet.
Please note the school rule about Halloween costumes—no blood, gore, or weapons. Please keep costumes worn at school as simple as possible since there is a limited time to change in and out of them. Our Halloween party will take place on Tuesday, October 31st.
Before our holiday break we have a gift exchange among students. Each child is asked to bring a book to exchange with a student of the same gender. I’ll be sending Scholastic Book Club order forms soon—in them you can find inexpensive, good books for gifting! We ask that the price limit be kept around $3.00.
For Valentine’s Day, students exchange Valentine cards with everyone in the class (which eliminates any hurt feelings). A class list has been provided for you on the front page of this packet (see above).
About Myself--
When I am asked to share with parents about myself, there are several things I always mention. One is that I am a military brat—my father was in the Army, and as a result I had the opportunity as a child to live in many states across the U.S. as well as in Italy and Germany. I always loved school, and from an early age intended to teach when I grew up. As an art student, I planned to teach art in elementary school, but when I went to college, art teachers were being cut from most public school programs. I graduated from Central Michigan University with a B.S. in Sociology instead. I started out working as a Children’s Protective Services worker in Berrien County. Two years later, I quit that job to travel in South America with my husband, Dave. When we returned, I worked five years as a probation officer and volunteer coordinator at Fifth District Court in St. Joe. During that time I took heart in the country’s decision to move toward recognizing the importance of public education, and I made the decision to return to college. While continuing to work, I earned an additional Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education so I could teach at the elementary level.
After completing the new degree, I was fortunate to student teach with Jane Barnes in first grade at BES. Following that opportunity I took time off to travel in Australia, returning to BES as a substitute teacher. I was hired the following year to teach Young Fives, and at the end of the year when I was pink-slipped, I was hired in Buchanan. There I taught fourth grade at Ottawa Elementary for a year before being called back to Bridgman where I continued to teach fourth grade for thirteen more years. I switched to second grade fifteen years ago. Over the years I have earned my Master of Science Degree in Elementary Education and have taken innumerable additional courses and educational workshops. In 1998, 2001, and 2002 my family traveled to China (where my daughters were born), and just this past summer I returned to Europe with my daughter, Emily. Learning and traveling are two things I enjoy immensely, and I know I will continue to do both throughout my life. I feel very fortunate to teach in the Bridgman Public School District where I have the opportunity to teach your children!
If you haven't already filled out the forms from Back to School/Ice Cream Social Night, please fill out and return the following form by the end of September!
Parent Assistance Form
If there is something you would like to do to assist this year, please complete and return this form as soon as possible! Thanks!
How You Can Help Us--
Please check any that may apply for you:
______ Typing recipes from our Friday tastes for our end-of-the-year cookbook.
______ Planning and preparing classroom parties
______ Field trip volunteers (background checks will be necessary for all parents
who volunteer to chaperone field trips, as required by Bridgman
School Board policy)
______ Sharing your knowledge (especially firsthand) about, and mementos from, other cultures/countries around the world, or inviting others from those cultures/countries to come in for a visit.
Country (ies)______________________________________________
Names and phone number of possible contact(s)
______ Donating foods (this might mean sending in cooked dishes or uncooked ingredients) and/or supplies for our Friday tastes (plastic cutlery and paper goods—napkins, plates, etc.
______ Typing up the recipes for an end-of-the-year cookbook
______ Helping with special class projects/activities.
______ Something I haven’t thought of?
________________________________________________________________________
Name_______________________________ Phone number___________________
THANK YOU!
Ms. Cottingham’s Second Grade Class List 2017-18
(Please keep in a safe place for future reference…especially for Valentines cards)
- Lily 8. Carson 15. Delaynie
- Ronan 9. Mia 16. Connor
- Wyatt 10. Jenna 17. Nora
- Hannah 11. Adan 18. Ashton
- Tyler 12. Matthew 19. Bennington
- Claire 13. Ezra 20. Xavier
- Alana 14. Abigail
Frequently Asked Questions
My Grading System--
As I check incoming work, students are asked to correct mistakes and return work to me when those corrections are made (I hope that eventually fewer corrections will be made, necessitating fewer corrections). When all corrections have been made, I put a check in the top right corner of the paper which confirms I have seen it. Often, however, you will see a remark written on the paper which gives more information about the work done. Unless students bring back unfinished work that’s put into their Friday folders at the end of the week, I will probably not pursue unfinished work after the week it is due. However, please know that I ask students for incomplete work frequently. If they don’t do it or don’t make corrections, that is reflected in my grade book. One point goes into the class grade book for work that is correct, a half-point is given for work that is turned in but needs correcting, and a zero remains if no work is turned in. Sometimes children are asked to finish homework while at first recess, and sometimes, if students are frequently not turning work, they are asked to complete work in the room during their noon recess. Report cards will also reflect the delay.
On test papers, and some important worksheets, you will find a score at the top of the paper. A 3 means the student did a good job and understands the expected concept. A 2 means there were some difficulties and the student does not yet understand the concept completely. A 1 indicates the student is having difficulty with the concept. Students who are having difficulties with expected second grade standards, will receive additional help to improve their understanding of those standards.
Birthday Celebrations--
Students are invited to celebrate their birthdays with the class. On that day most students choose to bring a treat (something easy to pass out and to eat--please, no cakes or anything else that I need to cut, and no drinks). If the treat requires napkins, I’d really appreciate it if you’d send enough napkins, too. We have 18 students. On a student’s birthday the class signs a birthday card, and each student also gives a “warm fuzzy”—a compliment--to the birthday person. Both provide more positive reinforcement within our classroom family!
Parties--
We will celebrate parties throughout the year—Halloween, Winter Holiday, and Valentine’s Day. I would very much appreciate help from parents for the parties—usually one to three parents plan each party and then come in on the day of the party to set up food, provide entertainment, and clean up. If you would be interested in planning a party, please complete and send in the questionnaire at the end of this Back-to-School packet.
Please note the school rule about Halloween costumes—no blood, gore, or weapons. Please keep costumes worn at school as simple as possible since there is a limited time to change in and out of them. Our Halloween party will take place on Tuesday, October 31st.
Before our holiday break we have a gift exchange among students. Each child is asked to bring a book to exchange with a student of the same gender. I’ll be sending Scholastic Book Club order forms soon—in them you can find inexpensive, good books for gifting! We ask that the price limit be kept around $3.00.
For Valentine’s Day, students exchange Valentine cards with everyone in the class (which eliminates any hurt feelings). A class list has been provided for you on the front page of this packet (see above).
About Myself--
When I am asked to share with parents about myself, there are several things I always mention. One is that I am a military brat—my father was in the Army, and as a result I had the opportunity as a child to live in many states across the U.S. as well as in Italy and Germany. I always loved school, and from an early age intended to teach when I grew up. As an art student, I planned to teach art in elementary school, but when I went to college, art teachers were being cut from most public school programs. I graduated from Central Michigan University with a B.S. in Sociology instead. I started out working as a Children’s Protective Services worker in Berrien County. Two years later, I quit that job to travel in South America with my husband, Dave. When we returned, I worked five years as a probation officer and volunteer coordinator at Fifth District Court in St. Joe. During that time I took heart in the country’s decision to move toward recognizing the importance of public education, and I made the decision to return to college. While continuing to work, I earned an additional Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education so I could teach at the elementary level.
After completing the new degree, I was fortunate to student teach with Jane Barnes in first grade at BES. Following that opportunity I took time off to travel in Australia, returning to BES as a substitute teacher. I was hired the following year to teach Young Fives, and at the end of the year when I was pink-slipped, I was hired in Buchanan. There I taught fourth grade at Ottawa Elementary for a year before being called back to Bridgman where I continued to teach fourth grade for thirteen more years. I switched to second grade fifteen years ago. Over the years I have earned my Master of Science Degree in Elementary Education and have taken innumerable additional courses and educational workshops. In 1998, 2001, and 2002 my family traveled to China (where my daughters were born), and just this past summer I returned to Europe with my daughter, Emily. Learning and traveling are two things I enjoy immensely, and I know I will continue to do both throughout my life. I feel very fortunate to teach in the Bridgman Public School District where I have the opportunity to teach your children!
If you haven't already filled out the forms from Back to School/Ice Cream Social Night, please fill out and return the following form by the end of September!
Parent Assistance Form
If there is something you would like to do to assist this year, please complete and return this form as soon as possible! Thanks!
How You Can Help Us--
Please check any that may apply for you:
______ Typing recipes from our Friday tastes for our end-of-the-year cookbook.
______ Planning and preparing classroom parties
______ Field trip volunteers (background checks will be necessary for all parents
who volunteer to chaperone field trips, as required by Bridgman
School Board policy)
______ Sharing your knowledge (especially firsthand) about, and mementos from, other cultures/countries around the world, or inviting others from those cultures/countries to come in for a visit.
Country (ies)______________________________________________
Names and phone number of possible contact(s)
______ Donating foods (this might mean sending in cooked dishes or uncooked ingredients) and/or supplies for our Friday tastes (plastic cutlery and paper goods—napkins, plates, etc.
______ Typing up the recipes for an end-of-the-year cookbook
______ Helping with special class projects/activities.
______ Something I haven’t thought of?
________________________________________________________________________
Name_______________________________ Phone number___________________
THANK YOU!
LETTER TO PARENTS September 7, 2018:
Dear Parents,
It was wonderful to meet so many of you at last week’s Back to School/Ice Cream Social and to begin to get to know your children this week! I look forward to working with you throughout the year as together we nurture your children's love of learning and pick up where first grade left off in our goal to ready them for the world.
Our first days together have been busy ones as we've spent quite a bit of time learning about and settling into new classroom routines, working together to set up classroom rules, and discussing necessary consequences. We’ll be spending quite a bit of time on these basic areas over the next few weeks, as we pave the way for a smooth year and plenty of exciting learning to come. I believe it’s important for you to know about our classroom rules, so that you may help reinforce them at home. I strongly believe that involved families are key to a successful year, and in advance I thank you! I’m looking forward to your support to make this the best year possible for us all.
First and foremost I want our classroom to be a safe place where everyone can learn. Rules are set with this goal in mind and they follow our school standards of safety, responsibility, respect, and quality. Students are to be responsible for themselves and their work. They are to respect their own right to learn, the right of others to learn, and my right to teach. When problems occur, a student will first be quietly reminded, then warned, and ultimately, if the offense continues, sent to time-out which is an isolated desk near my “office” in the classroom. There the offending student sits quietly watching and listening as others learn appropriately, before deciding to return to his/her seat and follow our rules. If problems continue, the student will be asked to return to time-out and write about the problem and its solution. When serious, as with bullying, name calling, or violence, a Responsibility Note will be written and the student will be sent to the office. Please note, too, that toys are not to be brought to the classroom since they get in the way of learning. If a toy is not taken home after a warning, it will be kept until the end of the year. Necklaces, bracelets, and other jewelry can become toys and may also be taken away if they get in the way of learning. Know I will seek your assistance should any problems continue. Both your insight and involvement are invaluable!
Student homework folders have already been put to good use carrying notes home almost daily and they are also being used for Friday papers. Homework folders are to go home every day and be returned to school every day. Along with important papers in the inside pockets, yesterday you found the Daily Reading Log slipped into the pocket on the back of the folder--please be sure your child either reads to you or you read with him/her every day for at least fifteen minutes and log in with your signature. As I tell students, becoming a good reader takes LOTS of practice!
I will be sending emails (almost) daily noting students’ homework. Please check your email daily once school begins. Please be sure to send in your email address or I cannot send you emails! I will continue to send letters home periodically to update you on what we’re doing in the classroom. In the meantime, should you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact me in the classroom at 466-0305. If necessary, just leave a message and I will return your call. You may also contact me at my school email address: [email protected]. Additional information and occasional photos will be uploaded onto my website as well. The address is acottingham.weebly.com.
I am truly looking forward to getting to know your children better and to our year together!
Sincerely,
Amy Cottingham
P.S. Remember, swimming starts next TUESDAY!
Dear Parents,
It was wonderful to meet so many of you at last week’s Back to School/Ice Cream Social and to begin to get to know your children this week! I look forward to working with you throughout the year as together we nurture your children's love of learning and pick up where first grade left off in our goal to ready them for the world.
Our first days together have been busy ones as we've spent quite a bit of time learning about and settling into new classroom routines, working together to set up classroom rules, and discussing necessary consequences. We’ll be spending quite a bit of time on these basic areas over the next few weeks, as we pave the way for a smooth year and plenty of exciting learning to come. I believe it’s important for you to know about our classroom rules, so that you may help reinforce them at home. I strongly believe that involved families are key to a successful year, and in advance I thank you! I’m looking forward to your support to make this the best year possible for us all.
First and foremost I want our classroom to be a safe place where everyone can learn. Rules are set with this goal in mind and they follow our school standards of safety, responsibility, respect, and quality. Students are to be responsible for themselves and their work. They are to respect their own right to learn, the right of others to learn, and my right to teach. When problems occur, a student will first be quietly reminded, then warned, and ultimately, if the offense continues, sent to time-out which is an isolated desk near my “office” in the classroom. There the offending student sits quietly watching and listening as others learn appropriately, before deciding to return to his/her seat and follow our rules. If problems continue, the student will be asked to return to time-out and write about the problem and its solution. When serious, as with bullying, name calling, or violence, a Responsibility Note will be written and the student will be sent to the office. Please note, too, that toys are not to be brought to the classroom since they get in the way of learning. If a toy is not taken home after a warning, it will be kept until the end of the year. Necklaces, bracelets, and other jewelry can become toys and may also be taken away if they get in the way of learning. Know I will seek your assistance should any problems continue. Both your insight and involvement are invaluable!
Student homework folders have already been put to good use carrying notes home almost daily and they are also being used for Friday papers. Homework folders are to go home every day and be returned to school every day. Along with important papers in the inside pockets, yesterday you found the Daily Reading Log slipped into the pocket on the back of the folder--please be sure your child either reads to you or you read with him/her every day for at least fifteen minutes and log in with your signature. As I tell students, becoming a good reader takes LOTS of practice!
I will be sending emails (almost) daily noting students’ homework. Please check your email daily once school begins. Please be sure to send in your email address or I cannot send you emails! I will continue to send letters home periodically to update you on what we’re doing in the classroom. In the meantime, should you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact me in the classroom at 466-0305. If necessary, just leave a message and I will return your call. You may also contact me at my school email address: [email protected]. Additional information and occasional photos will be uploaded onto my website as well. The address is acottingham.weebly.com.
I am truly looking forward to getting to know your children better and to our year together!
Sincerely,
Amy Cottingham
P.S. Remember, swimming starts next TUESDAY!
Below is the list of Second Grade Common Core Standards that you will see on your child's new "Standards-based Report Card". Each of the standards is listed by topic, number, and definition. These numbered standards are what you will be seeing in math, reading, writing, science, and social studies assessments when they are scored and sent home. Please refer to this chart when you have questions and contact me if you have further questions or concerns. Just click on the icon below.
std_list_gr2_4.xlsx | |
File Size: | 11 kb |
File Type: | xlsx |