Welcome to Second Grade at Sycamore Elementary School

Please locate your student’s area, read their letter to you, and write back to them.

About Mrs. Chiasson

• *I graduated from Our Lady of Holy Cross College with a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education. I earned a Masters Degree specializing in Reading and Literacy through Walden University in December 2005. I earned my graduate degree in Curriculum Leadership from NOVA Southeastern University in 2009. I also have county endorsements in English Language Learners, Teacher Support Specialist, Gifted, and Science.

• *I am married and have two children: Leigh Ann (29) and Andrew (24).

• *I was born and raised in New Orleans, Louisiana.

• *I taught for 6 years in Jefferson Parish. I have been in the Gwinnett County Public School System since 1995.

• *I love to spend time with my family and friends.

About Mrs. Acevedo • From there, I attended Brenau University.

I graduated from Brenau in 2004 with my Bachelor's Degree in Early Childhood Education. I taught first grade for 11 years. This is my 12th year teaching.

• I have been married to my husband, Hector, for 15 years. We have a wonderful 12 year old son, Jacob and a rambunctious 7 year old boy, Matthew.

Second Grade Co-Teaching

• The teachers share in the delivery of the AKS.

• The homeroom teacher is the teacher of record.

• Differentiation

• Collaboration

• Remediation

• Acceleration

Technology in Action B.Y.O.D.

(Bring Your Own Device)

• Student laptops

• Mimio

• Document cameras

• Devices from home

• Tablets

• eclass

LANGUAGE ARTS • Reading (Fluency and Comprehension )

– Workshop Model (comprehension skills) – Guided Reading (small group) – Daily independent, self-selected reading – reading at appropriate level

(AR level or 5-finger rule) – Reading log – Grading: Comprehension, Vocabulary, Reading Level, various reading

tasks and response activities • Writing/Grammar - Workshop Model - Students will practice writing daily-either integrated with other subjects, self-selected topics, or occasional prompts.

– Students will learn to write in the genres of Personal Narrative, Informational, Response to Literature, Persuasive Writing, Friendly Letters, and Opinion pieces.

– Grammar Workshop/Mentor Sentence • Word Study - Daily - Combines word patterns, word analysis, and vocabulary

MATH (textbooks on line)

Math Workshop • Computation • Geometry • Problem Solving • Measurement • Time • Fractions • Multiplication • Numbers to 100 • Graphing

SCIENCE (textbooks on line)

• Life Science – Plants – Animals • Physical Science – Energy, Light, and Heat – Matter • Earth Science - Astronomy – Seasons – Environmental Changes Inquiry Based Approach-S.T.E.M./ P.B.L. Processing Skills

SOCIAL STUDIES (textbooks on line)

– Map and globe skills – Before there was Georgia – Georgia’s beginnings – Famous Georgians

• James Oglethorpe • Tomochichi • Mary Musgrove • Jackie Robinson • Martin Luther King Jr. • Jimmy Carter

– Government and human rights – Personal finance Inquiry Based Approach

Testing Information

• Please do not schedule vacations or appointments on these dates!

• Benchmarks: End of every 9 weeks (dates to be announced)

• CoGAT: September 16-18 • ITBS: October 19-23

DAILY SCHEDULE

8:20-8:50 Morning Work/Arrival/Breakfast 8:50 Tardy Bell-students should be in

their seats ready to learn 9:00-9:45 Math Workshop 9:45-10:30 Specials 10:30-11:15 Math Workshop 11:15-1:00 Literacy Workshop 1:00-1:30 Lunch 1:30-2:10 Bathroom/recess 2:10-2:30 Grammar Workshop 2:30-3:15 Science/Social Studies

3:15 Dismissal

GRADING SCALE

• A 90-100

• B 80-89

• C 74-79

• D 70-73

• U below 70

• Promotion Based on the Mastery of the AKS

Reading Level Expectations

• Grade Level Beginning of the Year End of the Year

• K Level A Level D

• 1 Level D Level J

• 2 Level J Level M

• 3 Level M Level P

• 4 Level P Level T

• 5 Level T Level V

Grading

Grading

Discipline

• School Discipline Policy

• E,S,N,U

• Leadership Links

• White Tickets

Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports (PBIS)

• The PBIS Program will help everyone understand his/her role in creating an outstanding learning environment.

• Sycamore Students will model 3 rules:

• Be Ready

• Be Respectful

• Be Responsible

Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports (PBIS)

• The advantages of PBIS are:

• School wide expectations are provided for all areas of the building and buses

• The expectations and rules are taught consistently across all grade levels

• Students are encouraged to demonstrate positive and cooperative behaviors

• Discipline referral Processes & Procedures are consistent throughout the school

• Data are used to help track progress and identify areas to target for intervention

• Effective Consequences are developed and used to discourage inappropriate behavior

Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports (PBIS)

• Students that are being role models to their fellow students will be rewarded with paw stamps in their agenda

• Adults in our building all have stamps to reward students as they are observed being role models

• Students can earn stamps from classroom teachers, Specials teachers, the custodial staff, lunchroom staff, administrators, and bus drivers

Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports (PBIS)

• Classroom teacher will implement weekly rewards and monthly rewards for earning stamps

• At the end of each quarter, Husky Heroes will also be rewarded by the administrators with a special celebration of their own

COMMUNICATION • Weekly Newsletter (electronic) • Midterm Progress Reports • Report Cards – 9 weeks • Parent Conferences –2 times per year • Written Correspondence (agendas, email, notes) • Phone Calls • Parent and Student Portal • Remind • E-mail: beth_chiasson@gwinnett.k12.ga.us

PARENT INVOLVEMENT

• PTA - Please take the time to join PTA • Volunteer in classroom • Room Parent Volunteer…anyone? • Volunteer in media center • Promote learning at home

– Read together often – Discuss your child’s day – Review homework – Review papers in Friday Folder – Sign agenda nightly

ACADEMIC EXPECTATIONS

• Complete class work in a timely manner • Daily Agenda initialed/returned • Friday Folders Returned (Mondays) • Attendance • Arrive on time (by 8:50) • Be Ready • Be Respectful • Be Responsible

Homework EXPECTATIONS

• Homework given each Monday and due on Friday

• The result of no homework is the moving of the students’ clip

• Other homework may be assigned if a student does not finish classwork

• Homework will be placed in the pocket of binder and recorded in agenda

• Read nightly for 20 minutes • Possible study guides

SAFETY PRECAUTIONS and SCHOOL RULES

• Sign-in/Visitor’s badge

• Check out procedures

• Transportation Changes

(must be on form)

• Absentee Notes

• Tardies (after 8:50)

• Please read over the rules in the Handbook

The ABC’s of 2ndGrade A is for… Absences: You must provide a written excuse or a doctor’s note for all absences. Absences without an excuse will be counted as unexcused. Agenda Books: This year, your student will have an agenda book. It is used for library check out, and parent communication. Your child must bring his/her agenda book back signed everyday. It is imperative that you help your child understand the importance of being responsible for his/her agenda book. If the agenda book is lost the replacement cost is $10. The binders hold the agenda. Attendance: Perfect Attendance will be recognized at the end of each nine weeks grading period as well as the end of the year. Let’s strive for perfect attendance! Allergies: Please notify me of any allergies your child might have.

B is for… Book bags: Please have your child bring his/her book bag everyday.

Check your student’s book bag every night, take out any papers that should stay home, and sign any papers that need to be signed and

returned.

Birthdays: You are allowed to bring treats for your child’s birthday at lunch time. All birthday treats are distributed at lunch and parents are welcome to come and participate in the fun. If you would like, you

can buy ice cream from the school for your child’s birthday treat. Please let me know in advance if you plan to do that. NO juice, soda, or

treat bags are allowed. We are not allowed to distribute birthday party invitations at school.

Breakfast: It is very important that your child eat a good breakfast every morning. Students have the option of eating breakfast in the

cafeteria. Student breakfast costs $1.50. Your child must be in the cafeteria no later than 8:35 to eat breakfast. If your child does not eat breakfast at school, please make sure he/she eats something at

home. Breakfast is the most important meal of the day.

C is for… Car Riders: If you choose to drop off or pick up your child please use the car rider line on the side of the school. The front entrance is strictly for buses. Please make sure you are in the car rider line by 8:20. The announcements start at 8:50, and your child needs to have time to complete his/her morning work. If a student is going to be a car rider for a day or one particular reason, a note is needed. In the afternoon the car rider lane is open from 3:20-3:45. Car riders will dismiss from the gym first in the afternoon. Celebrations: We are allowed to have two celebrations each year. We will have a party to celebrate winter holidays and the end of the school year. Look for more information as we approach the dates for those occasions. Checking out a child: If you need to check your child out of school, you must go to the office with your ID. Please pick up your child no later than 2:55 as it interferes with the buses. Computer Lab: Students go to the computer lab weekly. Students have access to many different programs such as Class Works, Kid Pix, Kidspiration, Accelerated Reader (AR) and many other educational websites. Each child needs his/her own set of headphones. Conferences: We have two scheduled conferences this year. The first will be September 23 and 24. The second will be February 24 and 25. Conferences are scheduled on a first come first serve basis. When the conference form comes home, please return it as soon as possible. I am available for additional conferences at your request. Custodians: We need to do our part to help take care of our school. If we keep our classroom, restrooms, and cafeteria clean, then we will help the custodians. Please join me in stressing to your child the importance of picking up after him/her self and being considerate of others as they use our classroom bathroom and the hallway bathrooms.

D is for… Daily Reading: Students are expected to read at least 20 minutes per day at home, either silently or out loud, or a combination of both. I have sent home a reading log. It can also be found on our class website.

E is for… Early Arrivals: Our school doors open at 8:20 for students. Teachers and other staff are preparing for class, in meetings, or having conferences before this time. Do not drop your child off before 8:20. Email: You may contact me via email to address concerns, ask questions, or even to let me know that your child may not be feeling well. My email address is beth_chiasson@gwinnett.k12.ga.us. Please know I will check my email at the beginning of the day and at the end of each day. I will always respond as soon as possible. Please allow a 24 hour response time.

F is for… Friday Folder: On Friday, your child will bring home his or her Friday Folder. Please check the folder for papers to sign or notes from me. Field Trips: Our grade level has plans to go to High Touch High Tech and the Fox Theater.

G is for… Gum and Candy: Please do not send candy or gum to school with your child.

H is for… Homework: In addition to 20 minutes of reading, homework assignments will often be given Monday and due on Friday. Husky of the Week: This is student recognition given to the student who shows good conduct and a positive attitude on a weekly basis. This is a special award, and students must earn it. Their names will be called over the announcements and will receive a special pencil and sticker.

I is for… Ice Cream: Ice cream is sold every day. Ice cream costs one dollar ($1.00). Please put this money in a Ziploc bag in your child’s agenda. I will not go through your child’s backpack to look for ice cream money. In the event your child does not turn in their money on time, they will have to save it for the following day.

J is for… Jackets: Please make sure that you check the weather forecast before sending your child to school. Students who do not have a jacket may not be permitted to go outside for recess, depending on the temperature. Please make sure you put your child’s name inside the jacket.

K is for… Kindness: All children at Sycamore Elementary will be treated with kindness. We encourage the children to treat friends with kindness.

L is for… Late Arrivals: After 8:50 a student is considered late and must be signed in by a parent at the front office. Please park your car and walk your child into the office and sign him/her in tardy. Students will be issued a tardy slip to enter class. All the doors will be locked at 8:50 and only the front door is open. If you drop your child off on the side of the building, he/she will not be able to enter the building. This is a very upsetting and scary situation for a child. Lunch: Lunch is served daily in the cafeteria and costs $2.25 (adults $3). You may send in money daily or prepay on a weekly or monthly basis. Students have four or five choices every day. Our lunch starts at 1:05. You are welcome and encouraged to come eat with your child in the cafeteria. Know that when your child expects you to come, he/she gets extremely disappointed when you do not appear. Sometimes it may work out better to let it be a surprise! There is a $5.00 limit on charging food. If a student is above $5.00 they will receive a peanut butter and jelly sandwich and a milk.

M is for… Medicines: Medicine can be administered in the clinic to your child only if all of the following conditions are met: Signed permission to administer medicine is on file. A written note accompanies the medicine stating the exact dosage and time the medication is to be administered. The medicine must be in the original container. Money: All money needs to be in a labeled envelope. If it is unlabeled, I might assume it is for lunch. Media Center: students visit the library once a week with their classes. On each visit they may: learn a research or library skill, hear about various authors, and their books, have an opportunity to check out books.

N is for… Names: Please put your child’s name on ALL personal items brought to school (lunch boxes, jackets, backpacks, extra clothes, etc.) Newsletter: Please refer to our class website for news. It will provide you with helpful information about the curriculum,

upcoming events, specials schedules, Husky of the Week, etc. O is for… Office Staff: We have a wonderful office staff and they are dedicated to helping run our school efficiently. Opportunities: The sky is the limit with the opportunities that we have for learning this year! Optimism: Let’s start each day with a good attitude.

P is for… Pictures: Individual and class pictures are taken during the school year. Information will be sent home at the appropriate time. PTA: Please join our PTA! Meetings are held four times a year in the evening. This is a great way to be involved in your child’s school and to get information about upcoming events.

Q is for… Quiet: During the morning pledge and announcements everyone is quiet. This means students, teachers, and parents in the building stop and listen quietly to all announcements before continuing to their destination. Our hallways are also silent, so please help set a good example for our students when you come to visit.

R is for… Respect: We teach the children to respect each other, their parents, their teachers, the classroom, and our school. We show respect in the way that we act, walk, talk, and follow directions. Recess: Students are taken outside for recess everyday when the weather permits. We strongly suggest that your child wear sneakers. Keep in mind that our playground area has mulch beds around the equipment. Water bottles are appreciated on hot days! Report Cards: Report cards are sent home at the end of each nine week period. Please review the report card, keep it at home, sign the report card envelope, and

return it to school as soon as possible. S is for… Safety: Flip-flops, platform shoes, heels, Croc type shoes, or slip-on style shoes are not safe for your children during PE and recess times. Help your child learn to tie their shoes. It is safer. Girls should wear shorts underneath dresses and skirts.

School Hours: Our school day begins at 8:50. Your child will be marked tardy after 8:50 and must be signed in at the front office BY AN ADULT. Car riders are dismissed at 3:15. Buses are called starting at 3:25. School Supplies: Please make sure you send in all of the items on the second grade supply list. Snack: We will have snack daily between 11:00-12:00 on most days. Please allow your child to bring a healthy snack. Specials: Our class will attend specials on a weekly rotation in this order (Innovation, Art, PE, STEM, and Music). During the weeks we have PE, your child must wear tennis shoes in order to participate.

T is for… Toys: Students are not allowed to bring toys to school. Transportation: You must notify me in writing if your child is not going home the way he/she usually does. I will send your child to the front office when they arrive to verify the transportation change. For safety reasons, I can’t accept the word of your child. If I do not receive a note, I will send your child home his/her usual way.

U is for… Unexcused Absences: Any absence without a written explanation or doctor’s note will be recorded as unexcused. Excused absences include illness or a death in the family.

V is for… Volunteers: Volunteers are always welcome! We also need people to help in many areas of our school. Visitor Pass: Anytime you are visiting or volunteering in the school, you must go to the office, sign in, and get a name tag. Please wear this where it is visible. If you do not have one, you will be asked to go to the office to get one. This is for the safety of our students and staff.

W is for… Weather: Please make sure your child is dressed appropriately for the weather. Please put a sweater or light jacket in your child’s book bag in case he/she gets cold in the building. Water Bottles: Your child may bring a water bottle to school, as long as it has a sipper top and is labeled with his/her name.

XYZ is for… I am very happy to have your child in Second

Grade this year. It will be an EXCITING YEAR, and it will ZOOM by!

By working together, we can make this year a productive and joyful learning experience for

your child!