September 12, 2005

 

Dear Second Grade Families,                         

 

Welcome to a new school year at Terminal Park!  This is a great place for children to learn. One thing I have learned about Terminal Park is that here we all work together in the best interest of your children. 

 

My name is Jeanette Brunelle, and I will be your child’s second grade teacher.  Because I will spend a great deal of time with your child, I would like to take this opportunity to tell you a few things about myself.  

 

I am a native of Washington and think our state is beautiful, especially the view of Mount Rainier.  I received my BA in Education from Central Washington University and have since taken many classes and workshops in this field.   I am married and have 4 children.  Two are grown and two go to school here in Auburn.   When I am not watching my children play sports or teaching, I like to read, ride my bike, and go to the movies.  Most important I love being a teacher and am excited to be teaching your child. 

 

I have planned a great year for my students.  We will be doing a walk to read, where the students will receive instruction in small groups to best meet their reading needs. I will also teach reading to the whole class using the second grade reading series.  In the Everyday Math Program we will be learning about big numbers, measuring, geometry, telling time addition and subtraction facts and problem solving.  We will also work on writing a paragraph. I will keep you updated on all this with a monthly letter. 

 

As a parent you are the most important person in your child’s life, and we need to work together for your child’s benefit.  I need your support for the homework assignments, academic goals and classroom discipline I have set for the students.  I will keep you informed about your child’s progress.  With school and home working together, I know your child can have a successful year. 

 

I look forward to meeting you and your child.   

 

Sincerely,

 

 

Mrs. Jeanette Brunelle

 

 

 

 

 

Homework:  Homework will come home as a packet on Mondays and is due on Friday of that week.  This will include some math, spelling, language arts and reading. Reading is a very important part of the homework.  Read at least 15 minutes every night and sign the front of the packet.   The more your child reads the better reader he/she will be.  Take time to help your child study the spelling words, as there will not be much time to learn them in class. 

 

Birthdays:  If you would like to bring a treat for your child’s birthday please let me know the week before.  Cookies work great with a little juice.  Or something else that is not messy. 

 

Library:  Our class library day is Friday, 1:40 – 2:10.  Please keep the library books in a safe place at home.  You will be asked to pay for any lost or damaged books.  Send the books back on library day, your child cannot check out if he does not return books. 

 

P.E:  Our class P.E day is Tuesday at 12:55-1:40.  Send your child to school wearing appropriate clothing please.  (Gym shoes, pants, no loose clothing or too tight clothing.)  Proper clothing will help a sure your child has a good experience in gym class.  This year Mr. Greer will be teaching P.E. to the second grade classes. 

 

Discipline:  Terminal Park Elementary has adopted a philosophy of student guidance called “Love and Logic”.  The staff has learned effective strategies through a series of videotapes and the book Teaching with Love and Logic, by Jim Fay and David Funk.  Love and Logic is an approach to working with students that:

 

·        Puts teachers in control

·        Teaches kids to think for themselves

·        Raises the level of student responsibility

·        Prepares kids to function effectively in a society filled with temptations, decisions, and consequences.

 

 

Attached are our class guidelines and a student-planning sheet that I will use in my classroom.  If a student receives more than 3 checks for behavior during a day, he/she will take this form home to let you know what is going on.  Please sign and return it the next day.  Also, call if you have any questions. 

 

Volunteers:  Volunteers are a vital part of our school community.  They may help students, teachers, on field trips, or on a special project.  All volunteers must have a State Patrol check done before they can volunteer in the school in any way.  If you think you may want to help in our classroom please get a form from the office ASAP.  Also, if you are interested in helping please fill out the attached form and send it to me.   Remember to check in the office for current State Patrol check forms. 

 

Sharing:  I think sharing items from home is an important part of second grade.  It gives students practice in talking in front of the class and expressing themselves.  We will do sharing during lunch time.  Your child may bring an appropriate item on the following days.  BOYS – ODD NUMBERED DAYS     GIRLS – EVEN NUMBERED DAYS

We will start on Monday, Sept. 26th.  There will be times when we will take a break from sharing and watch a movie during lunch.  I will let the children know when this is. 

 

 

I will send information and student work home on Wednesdays.  But sometimes the office sends things that need to go home right away, so please check your child’s backpack or take home folder regularly. 

 

Each student needs to have one take home folder that stays in the backpack to bring to and from school.  Every child had one last week, now some do not.  Please make certain your child has the folder in the backpack.  If you don’t have one I can give one to your child. 

 

During class it is important that the students are giving their attention to the teacher and learning.  Toys and some jewelry can get in the way of this.  Any item brought for sharing will stay in the backpack until sharing time and will go back in after sharing.  Please check to see that your child is not bringing any other toy to school.  Jewelry should be worn only if it will stay on all day.  It becomes a problem if it is taken on and off and played with. 

 

 

 

Open House is coming next week, Tuesday September 20th, 6:00 to 7:30.  I hope you can come as the children love to show off their classroom and any special work they have done.  It is important to them for you to see where they spend their day.  I look forwarding to meeting all of you. 

 

 

Please feel free to call me if you have any questions or concerns.   931-4978

 

 

 

Mrs. Brunelle