It has been a fun and successful 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 a fun 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.  Please send your child in with a healthy snack and drink (please try to avoid red or purple juices).  The students are often hungry by mid-morning and snack time provides them the energy needed to continue working hard.  Students are also allowed to bring in water bottles for quick drinks throughout the day.

Lunch:  The cost of lunch is $2.50.  You may also send in a check or go on-line to put money on your student’s lunch card.  If writing a check please make payable to Town of Madison Lunch Program.  Milk is $0.40 if purchased separately.  Please send all money in an envelope, pouch, or baggie with your child’s name on it.

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 from the Media Center in the 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 generally arrive within 1-2 weeks. Please make checks out to Scholastic Books or you may order on line with a credit card.  Check the back of the order form or the website 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 or professional resources.  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 his/her homework it is expected the following day.  You will receive a notice that your child was missing their homework, please sign it and return it to school with the completed homework.  If your child forgets the homework after the “1 day grace period”, they are to do their homework during free choice time.  Please help me instill this important responsibility in them.

Conferences:  Parent conferences will be held in December.  Information and reminders will be sent home beforehand. Conferences may also be held anytime during the year if you 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. You can call 245-6450 during school hours, but calls are (usually) sent to my voice mailbox. My voicemail extension is 7236.  Please be advised that I check voicemail either first thing in the morning or immediately after school.   I usually can respond faster via email as I check it frequently throughout the day at school.  My email address is perillod@madison.k12.ct.us

I look forward to seeing all of you at Open House on September 17th.

Thank you,
                   Deana Perillo