It has been a wonderful start to the school year! We’ve enjoyed getting to know each other better by doing many fun activities. The first few days of school we had the opportunity to interview new friends, hear about summer activities and brainstorm ideas together. We talked about many topics during these first two weeks including respect, trying hard and listening. I look forward to an exciting and rewarding school year. Below you will find some important information about our school day and classroom routines. I hope you find the information helpful.
Arrival: Our school day starts at 8:50. Upon arrival the students will immediately start the day with morning work so please try to avoid being tardy as this disrupts the class and takes away instructional time.
Specials
Snack: We will have a snack in the morning around 10:30. Please send your child in with a healthy snack and drink.
Dismissal: If your child will be picked up by you or another person, please send a note stating who will be meeting your child at school. Pick-ups are in the hallway of our portable classrooms. All pick-ups must be signed out. Please bring your wallet as you may be asked to show identification when signing out your child. If your child has to be picked up earlier than the regular dismissal time of 3:25, please go to the office. Mrs. Davis, our school secretary, will notify me by intercom and I will send your child to the office to meet you.
Book orders: Each month I will try to send Scholastic book orders home. Book orders offer you children’s books at discount prices. The books will arrive within 2-3 weeks. Please make checks out to Scholastic Books. Check the back of the order form for the due date. All books purchased allow the teacher to accumulate bonus points. I use these accumulated points to purchase books to expand our classroom library. If you are ordering books for a gift, please send me special instructions as the children love to “dig in” once the order has arrived.
Homework: The Madison Board of Education policy for second graders is 20 minutes of homework three times a week. Second grade will receive homework Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday evenings. The goal for second grade homework is to establish a routine where the student works independently to reinforce topics already learned in school. Another goal for the students is to feel good about themselves and their ability to complete their homework independently. Please reinforce this routine by setting a specific time when homework is done, provide a quiet place to work, check to make sure they have followed the directions, and that they put their work back into their homework folder and into their backpacks. Homework is collected the next day. If your child forgets to do homework it is expected the following day. You will receive a notice that homework was not returned to school. If your child forgets the homework after the “1 day grace period”, the homework will be done during free choice time. Together we can help to instill this important responsibility in your child.
Conferences: Parent conferences will be held in December. Information and reminders will be sent home beforehand. Conferences may also be held during the year if you (or I) have concerns. It is better to make an appointment rather than just catching me before or after school so that I can give you my full attention and discuss your concerns thoroughly and privately.
I hope you have found this information helpful. Please feel free to contact me with any questions, comments or concerns. I will collect notes from home daily or you can email me at barnikowm@madison.k12.ct.us
Thank you,
Maria Barnikow |
Mrs. Barnikow's Class News 
