Policies

Welcome to Mrs. McDermond’s 2nd Grade Class!

Policies 

  1. Discipline:

I believe students are best able to learn in a calm, happy, and organized environment.  I encourage good behavior by offering “Freedom” time at the end of the day when the class, as a whole, follows directions, and completes the daily assignments.  The class will participate in a variety of fun activities during “Freedom” time including playing with learning toys and puzzles, playing whole class games, and socializing. On the days when the class behavior was disruptive to learning, then the day will end with story time.

          To encourage individuals to go the extra mile at school, we have a by-weekly drawing for prizes.  The students’ names go into the drawing when they are “caught being good”, or for pushing themselves to grow academically.

          For individual behavior problems, we have a behavior color chart.  A green slip means all is well.  I yellow slip means there has been a problem and the student will owe five minutes of recess, or “Freedom” time to think about a solution to the problem.  A red slip means that the problem was serious, and the student owes ten minutes to think of a solution to the problem.  Students start each day with a fresh, “green” slip.

 

  1. Grading:

Students receive praise (a stamp) for work that is not graded.  On graded assignments students can earn a smiley face with a huge smile for excellent work, a smiley face with a small smile for good work, a straight face for satisfactory work, and a frowning face for unsatisfactory work.  Graded work will come home each week in the Thursday folder.  Students can redo or finish work, and return it to school for a better grade, as long as the assignment is not a test.  You will receive mid-term progress reports, and report cards every term with the grades summarized for each subject.

 

  1. Homework:

Every Thursday there will be homework in the Thursday folder.  This homework should be returned by the next Thursday at the latest. It

          will always include spelling words to study for the week, and sometimes a

reading, math, science, or social studies assignment.  It is also very        important that 2nd graders read every night for at least 20 minutes.  If you do not have appropriate reading materials at home for your child, please let me know and I will send some home with them in his/her Thursday folder, as well.

 

   4.  Communication:

It is very important to me that we have open, and honest communication often about your child.  This year, I will be keeping in close contact with you through many different avenues.  One way we can keep in touch is by phone.  If you need to talk to me about anything throughout the day please call me at school.  The number is (970) 247-4791 ext. 3622.  If you call during class time you will be sent to my personal voice mailbox.  Please feel free to leave a message.  I will check my voice mail several times throughout the day.  If you need my immediate assistance, you can call the office at (970) 247-4791 and have me paged.  If you need to talk to me in the evenings, or on the weekends you may call me at home.  My home number is (970) 884-0165.  You may email me, too.  My email address is dmcdermond@durango.k12.co.us.  Also, you may stop in to the classroom anytime.  I have an open door policy.  Finally, I will send home notes in the Thursday folder on a frequent basis.

 

 

   5.  Volunteers:

I love to have as many parents involved in my classroom as possible.  If you are interested, please contact me and we will work together to find the perfect job for you.  I will need assistance with Communication Folders on Thursdays, working with students on memorizing their math facts, and office/paperwork.  There will also be special events that come up during the course of the year when I will want parent help, and I will send home notes for those, as needed.

 

   6. Field Trips:

The second grade teachers will work hard to incorporate a variety of field trips, which relate to units of study in our classroom.  We will always send home a permission slip with information about location, times, and student expectations.  We encourage parents to volunteer as chaperones and experience these field trips with us.

 

   7. Parties

We will be having fall, winter, and Valentine parties. A third of the class at a time will be encouraged to bring in snacks for these events. I will send home notes about these the parties that include snack assignments.  You are always welcome to help us, and to join us, if you would like.

 

  8. Birthdays:

We love to celebrate birthdays in our classroom.  If your child has a birthday in the summer we can pick a day at the end of the year to have a celebration for those summer birthdays, if you would like.  You are welcome to bring in treats for birthdays.  Please let me know when they will be sent so that we can schedule time in our day to celebrate with your child.

 

9. Toys and Candy, Water:

I do not allow our students to chew gum or eat candy at school (except on rare, special occasions).  Please do not allow your child to bring these to school.  Your child has been given a water bottle to keep at his or her desk.  This will help keep us refreshed; both physically and mentally. It would be great for your child to bring a healthy snack for recess time.  I also do not allow students to bring electronic games, toys, CD players, trading cards, etc., to school.  This is also a school rule, and I will take these toys from students who have them out at school.

 

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