We had a great first day of Grade Two! The day started by meeting both of our teachers and making our coat hook name tags.We took some time getting to know our teachers and each other by playing Find A Friend Bingo. We also had our first music and gym class of the year. At the end of the day we had an assembly where we read The Golden Rule. We learned that we should treat others the way that we want to be treated.
Here is our classroom (Room 5):
We are excited for a new year of learning with your child! As we begin the year, there are often questions that parents and students have. Here is some information about a few classroom routines.
Indoor Shoes and Appropriate Clothing
Please send indoor shoes with your child as soon as possible that are labelled with their name. The children participate in physical activities daily, so they need indoor shoes that are appropriate for wearing to the gym (i.e., runners). If you plan on sending laced shoes to school with your child, please make sure that he or she is able to tie them independently. Children are expected to go outside for recess daily and need to be dressed for the weather (which, as we know, can change quickly in Calgary). Please label all your child’s belongings, as there are often 2 or 3 backpacks, lunch bags, coats, etc. that look exactly the same. Labelled items will help your child return home with all their things and save the time-consuming “Lost and Found” hunt!
Snacks and Lunches
Please pack two nutritious snacks for your child. Students will have a morning snack and an afternoon recess snack. If your child is in the lunchroom program, please try to pack both snacks separately from their lunch to avoid confusion and save time. Spill-proof water bottles are recommended in the classroom and should be taken home daily to be cleaned.
Dismissal at 3:50pm
For the first week of school, teachers will stay with the children until approximately 3:55pm to ensure that they are picked up. Starting the second week of school, we expect that children know your meeting spot and can go there independently to meet you. Teachers will also be practising how to walk around to the front office doors with their classes in the event that students are late or arrive at a locked door. We ask that parents please be on time so that the day ends smoothly for all of our students. However, if due to unforeseen circumstances, you are running late, please call the office prior to dismissal so that you can pick your child up in the office. On Fridays, early dismissal will be at 1:00pm.
Plastic Mail Folder
Each grade two student will receive a yellow plastic folder for sending important paper communication back and forth between parents and teachers. This envelope needs to be checked daily and returned to school each morning. If you have anything that you need us to know about (appointments etc.), write a note in the folder or email your child’s teacher. If your child is going to be away, and you know in advance, please phone the student absence line (403-777-6025 ext.1) to let the office know.
Blogs
Each class will be sharing a summary of their day on a blog. Please go to the new school website (http://school.cbe.ab.ca/school/CoventryHills/Pages/default.aspx) to access teacher blogs. Each teacher’s blog can be found under the “Teaching and Learning” tab, then click on
“Classes and Departments”. Be sure to check the blog daily, as it is our primary form of communication.
Home Reading & Spelling Program
Information about our home reading and spelling program will be discussed at Meet the Teacher on September 19th/ September 20th.
Scholastic Book Orders
Scholastic Book Orders will come home with your child. You are not obligated to buy books, but if you would like to make a purchase, please fill out the order form and send it to school. Book orders bring extra books and materials to the classroom. We are unable to accept cash but Scholastic now allows you to pay online or you can send your order to school with a cheque made payable to Scholastic Canada. The due date will be at the top of the book order and it takes a few weeks to receive the order.
Library
Students in grade two will be able to independently exchange their two library books throughout the year, when they are finished reading their books. Books will come home in a blue library bag that has the Coventry Hills School logo on it.
Volunteers
All volunteers in our school must have completed the volunteer security clearance procedure. If you are a registered volunteer, please let your child’s homeroom teacher know at our Meet the Teacher Conferences in September. Please note that if you are planning on attending field trips this year and have not completed a volunteer security clearance, the process takes several weeks so we ask that you begin the process as soon as possible by visiting the office. Volunteers are a valuable resource to our school and we greatly appreciate any help that you can offer.
We look forward to meeting you during Meet the Teacher on September 19th/September 20th. If you have any questions feel free to contact the school at 403-777-6025.
Sincerely,
The Grade Two Team
Ms. Bell (mybell@cbe.ab.ca) and Ms. Lowe (kelowe@cbe.ab.ca)
Mrs. Dunlop (sldunlop@cbe.ab.ca)
Ms. Hager (mmhager@cbe.ab.ca)
Mrs. Kelly (alkelly@cbe.ab.ca)
Ms. McLaughlin (mmmclaughlin@cbe.ab.ca)
Mrs. Riar (ruriar@cbe.ab.ca)
Mrs. Roberge (cmroberge@cbe.ab.ca)
