Mrs. Castilleja’s Second Grade Class 2016/2017Let us begin our meeting with Prayer and with these

beautiful angels in our hearts!

Thank you for entrusting your child to me; My

decisions will always be based on the best interest of

the children. Should you have questions or concerns

about anything during the year, I encourage you to

speak to me before involving the administration.

About me • Eighth year teaching• Teaching is my second career• Bba from uiw• Mba from ollu• I love my job!• Additional Duties here at St. Matthew include:

Spirit squad SponsorMiddle school cheerleader sponsor

CAAC Sponsor teacher-mom, tlc-giver, actress, doctor!!!

• I will prepare your child for two very important sacraments – Reconciliation & First Eucharist

• Married 22 years to my wonderful husband carlos• Huge dallas cowboy fans!• Two beautiful daughters grades 4th and 8th–

Addison & Dallis

Daily Schedule

7:45 – 8:00 – Arrival, Morning Work

8:00 – 8:10 – Morning Prayer & Announcements

Core subjects are taught daily, in addition to the Specials Classes, which vary

daily.

Core Subjects

• Language Arts– Reading– Spelling– Grammar– Writing

• Math• Social Studies• Science• Religion

Specials

• Spanish – Mon. & Thurs.

• Library - Monday• Art – Wed.• Music – Tues.• Computer – Fri.• P.E. – Wed. & Thurs.• Recess - Daily• Mass – Most Friday’s• Guidance – every other

week

Additional information

• Classwork – written, iPad, group work, oral review, group contest, plays, etc…

• Science & Social Studies are taught in rotation

• Incomplete classwork will be documented in Renweb with an I for incomplete and will

generate an email to you. Children will be given 1 week to complete in-class work;

once the work has been completed and turned in the grade will be changed. If the

work is not completed within one week a zero will be given and the work can no

longer be made up.

• Weekly communication will be on my webpage

• Reviews for religion, science, social studies will be completed in class or as

homework, then used as a study guide

• Your child will not have a spelling contract this year

• High Frequency Words & Robust Vocabulary will be taught in class

• High Frequency Words - words that students can read fluently and frequently come

up in books at their level

Additional Information cont.…• Robust Words - meant to expand their vocabulary and the understanding of oral language

• They do not need to know how to spell these words

• They will learn the meanings in order to increase their understanding of more

challenging vocabulary

• The emphasis should be on fluency and reading comprehension; we would recommend

students read twenty minutes every night

• Children earn money for various reasons in class – they are not to take or bring money

from home

• Various incentives and rewards – movies, ice cream, no homework pass, gummies, $$,

etc…

• Accelerated reading program – test taken during class

• Behavior log

• Mass Participation – REVERENCE – even if they sit with you

• Class participation during liturgy – in preparation of Reconciliation & First Communion

• I encourage the children to be confident, question me or anyone else when they don’t

understand. I let them know that I make mistakes and they should always ask for

clarification if they think something is incorrect.

• Helping the children to understand WHY they are learning a certain skill will help them to

become more engaged in learning that skill.

• Frequent restroom breaks – to ensure lesson time is not interrupted; we DO NOT go to the

restroom during Mass or lesson time unless it is an emergency!

• Responsibility, Responsibility, Responsibility!!!

• Snacks eaten during recess or carline

First Communion Banner

Student Responsibilities.First name, last name, date, and student number are to be

written on all work; points will be deducted beginning in

January for missing information

.Correctly write homework assignments in planner

.take home all materials needed to complete work

.Complete all homework

.Follow the dress policy

.Bring all materials to school daily (homework/behavior

folder, daily planner, etc…)

.Turn in homework and all communication in the morning

ClassRules.Follow Directions

.Raise your hand and wait for permission to speak

.Keep hands, feet and objects to yourself

.Respect the rights and properties of yourself and others

.Be honest and polite

.Follow our Cardinal Rules

Parent/Guardian Responsibilities• Please ensure your child has breakfast before they come to

school since snack time is late in the afternoon

• Sending a healthy snack is highly encouraged!

• Students should complete homework on their own

• Provide a quiet area to complete homework

• Homework is due the next day, unless otherwise stated

• 10 points will be deducted for each day the homework is late,

beginning the second quarter

• Review your child's planner each night for homework, quiz

and tests dates – as these may differ from the newsletter

• Review your child’s red folder this is their communication &

homework folder; initial behavior log

• Review graded work & work study skills in blue folder this

will go home every other week (please initial)

• Allow your child to pack and unpack their backpack on their

own and be responsible for their own work

• Attend Mass Weekly as a family

Important Dates• September 2 – Early Release

• September 5- Labor Day - No school

• Sept 15 & 16 - Early Release/Parent

Conferences

• October 7th – Early Release

• October 10 – Columbus Day - No school

• October 14 – 1st Quarter Ends• November 7 – No School

• November 11– Early Release

• November 21-25 – Thanksgiving - No school

• December 21 – Early Release – 2nd

Quarter Ends! (NO AFTERSCHOOL CARE)

• December 22- January 3 – Christmas & New Year Holiday – No School

• January 16 – MLK Holiday – No School

• February 1st @ 6:30 MANDATORY –

Sacramental Meeting in Parish Hall

• February 3 – Early Release

• February 17 – Student Holiday

• February 20 – Presidents Day – No School

• February 23 – Sacrament of

Reconciliation @ 7:00 pm @ Church

• March 3 – Early Release

• March 10 – 3rd Quarter Ends• March 13-17 – Spring Break – No School

• April 13 & 14 – Holy Thurs. /Good Fri. – No School

• April 17 – Easter Monday: No School

• April 19 – First Communion Retreat

– parents join us 12:00 – 2:30

• April 22 – First Communion @ 9:00

a.m.

• April 28– Battle of Flowers - No school

• May 5 – Early Release

• May 29 – Memorial Day – No School

• June 2 – Early Release – Last Day of School (NO AFTER SCHOOL CARE)

-Volunteer Opportunities in the back of the room

-Field Trip