Welcome

Specht Elementary School

Second Grade Orientation2013-2014

School Day• Students arriving before 7:35

a.m. report to gym.

• The morning song and Pledges will begin at 7:35 in the gym.

• Instruction begins promptly following announcements and students are considered tardy at 7:45 a.m.

• Dismissal is at 2:45 p.m.

Our Class Schedule

• 7:45-9:15 Math• 9:15-10:20-ELA/Social Studies• 10:25-11:15 Specials• 11:15-11:45 Differentiation• 11:45-12:15 Lunch• 12:15-12:35 Recess• 12:35-12:40 Restroom • 12:40-1:50- Guided Reading/Daily 5• 1:50-2:40-Science• 2:40-2:45 Pack up/Dismissal

Second Grade CurriculumSpelling

Spelling tests will be given each Friday. Your child’s High Frequency Word list should stay at home to be studied or stay in the Take Home Folder.

MathTimed drills are administered to develop automaticity in addition and subtraction. You can help at home by practicing with flashcards.

Reading / Language ArtsStudents will benefit from guided reading lessons. Guided reading books will be sent home with your child for reading practice starting approx. early October.

Science / Social StudiesWe will alternate science and social studies within each six weeks.

**To access our complete curriculum, please follow the link below. In the Curriculum box, click on the subject area you wish to see. There, you will have access to the Year at a Glance that will show what will be taught and when it will be taught.

http://www.comalisd.org/Curriculum_Academics/

AgendasAgendas are used for home-school communication, which includes behavior, homework assignments, notes, reminders, and other important information.

Using the agenda is mandatory.

Please sign the agenda nightly.

Class AssignmentsClass work is assigned daily and is expected to be quality work. Second graders should turn in neat papers with grade-level appropriate spelling, punctuation, and handwriting.

Homework

• Homework will be assigned Monday – Thursday. (M,W-math; T,Th-ELA). Students are also required to read for 20 uninterrupted minutes each night.

• Please remember homework is the student’s responsibility.

• You can do your part by providing a routine time/place to complete assignments, checking over work, and signing the agenda.

• Your signature in the agenda is verification that you have reviewed your child’s homework and ensured its accuracy, and have viewed any behavior concerns for the day.

Graded Papers• Graded papers will be

sent home in your child’s take home folder.

• Please keep all graded work at home unless otherwise indicated by teacher.

Grading GuidlinesAll Core Subjects (except Language Arts)

• Independent Assessments = 40%• Daily Grades = 40%• Quizzes and CAs = 15% • Homework = 5%m

Language Arts

• Independent Assessments = 40%• Daily Grades = 40%• CA and Published Writing = 15%• Homework = 5%

Failing Test Grades

Students will be re-taught and reassessed. A grade of 70 or the average of the original assessment and the reevaluation may be recorded.

Late WorkDays Late Percent of Grade

Received by StudentExamples

1 Day 80% 100 records as 80(100x.80=80)80 records as 64(80x.80=64)60 records as 48(60x.60=48)

2 Days 60% 100 records as 60(100x.60=60)80 records as 48(80x.60=48)60 records as 36(60x.60=36)

3 or more Days 0% No credit given – grade of zero (0)

Grade EquivalentsA = 100-90

B = 89-80

C = 79-75

D = 74-70

F = any grade below 70

To view Comal ISD’s complete grading policy, please visit the link below and select Grading Guidelines on the right.

http://www.comalisd.org/Curriculum_Academics/

Report Cards

• Report Cards will be sent home at the end of every 6-week grading period.

• Progress reports are sent home in between report cards.

Parent Connection

• You may access your child’s grades by registering for Parent Connection on Comal ISD’s webpage. You will need a Portal ID number which may be obtained from Mrs. Martinez in the front office.

http://www.comalisd.org/Parent_Connection/

Absences• A written excuse must

accompany your child upon returning to school following an absence. Written excuses will not be accepted after two days from the absence. It will then be marked as unexcused.

• Arrival after 9:45 a.m. or leaving before 9:45 a.m. is considered a full day absence.

• Make up work will be given upon the student’s return.

Allergies

• All allergies, food or other, must be reported to your child’s teacher.

• See Nurse Moreno to notify her of any allergies as well.

Water Bottles and Snacks

• Water bottles with sports top are permitted in class.

• No juice, soda, or Gatorade, etc.

• Please send a healthy, non-messy snack with your child, as we take a morning snack break

Birthdays• Birthdays will be announced school wide on

Friday in the gym. Make sure to have your child in the gym by 7:30 on Friday the week of their birthday so they do not miss their special recognition.

• Your child may bring cupcakes or cookies on his/her birthday. We will pass these out at the end of the school day.

• Food items must be purchased from a bakery or store and in original packaging.

Pick Up and After School Transportation

• You may not drop your child off before 7:00 a.m.

• You may drop your child off through the express line or through the bus loop. If you wish to walk your child into the building, you must enter the school from the Overlook Pkwy entrance and park your car.

• Please do not use the handicap spaces as a place to drop your child off.

• A written note, e-mail, or phone call to the office is required if your child will be going home in a different way than usual.

• You must have your yellow card to pick up your child through the express or walker line.

Library• Second grade students may check out two

books.

• Library books should be kept in your child’s backpack.

• They may keep their books for two weeks.

• Students who do not have their library books to return will not be allowed to check out new books.

Accelerated Reader• Students will be held accountable to the Accelerated

Reader program that is organized through the library. • Points will be earned based on the books your child

reads. Students will have an opportunity to earn gold, silver, and bronze medals at the end of the year based on the points they earn. Please be on the lookout for more information soon!

• Curious about how many points a book is worth? Go to the link below to find out!

• http://www.arbookfind.com/UserType.aspx

Visitors• Check in at the office to receive a visitor’s

badge.

• You must have your driver’s license with you to receive a badge.

• You must have a background check on file before volunteering in the school or on field trips. Background checks may be filled out online at the link below:

• http://www.comalisd.org/Volunteer/

Second Grade Newsletter

• Newsletters will be sent weekly via email.

• These newsletters will keep you informed about what we are studying in class and other important news.

Comal Shares

• To receive important news and updates from Comal ISD or Specht Elementary, please register for Comal Shares at the link provided below. Simply click on the Comal Shares icon on the right and follow the instructions.

• http://www.comalisd.org

Conference Time• Teacher conference time is from 10:25-11:15.• You can also reach me via e-mail at

connie.munoz@comalisd.org or via phone at 830-885-1557. My phone will go straight to voicemail. Leave a message and I will return your call as soon as I can.

Q and A