Welcome

Mrs. CochranMy teaching philosophy:

•I have very high expectations for my students.

•My goal is to help foster responsible & independent learners in second grade.

•I am very consistent with my classroom routines and procedures.

•I try to be very organized and keep parents informed about what is going on at school.

•I am pretty tough at first! / Firm, but fair!

•I strive to treat all my students the way that I would want my own children to be treated at school.

•If you have a problem, please don’t hesitate to talk to me about it.

Important Info

• Please put your phone number on your check. This is a must when turning in checks.

• We cannot accept emails for attendance excuses. You must write a note and send it in.

• We are a targeted assistance Title I school this year. This is a good thing! The school will get extra money and will be working to get parents involved!

Second Grade Curriculum• Reading & Writing (daily 2.5 hours)

– Harcourt Story Town Series and Authentic Literature

– Phonemic awareness & phonics progression– Frye sight words– Reading strategies– Comprehension & vocabulary– Writing Workshop

• Math (daily 1 hour)– Math Investigations Series– Hands- on / “real world” math – Calendar, daily data, story problems – Building number sense & fluency– Using pictures, manipulatives, & words to solve

problems and explain thinking.

• Science & Social Studies (daily 30 min.)• Lunch (daily 25 min.)• Snack (daily 15 min. while working on

science/social studies)• P.E. (daily 30 min.)• Recess (daily 15 min. weather permitting)• Art, Music, & Computer (weekly 30 min.)• Library & Guidance (twice a month 30

min) • Handwriting (15 minutes daily)

7 Habits of Happy Kids

“Building Warriors for Life”This year at Creek View we will be focusing on teaching specific

social skills from the Boys Town model to support our school rules and procedures. These social skills will build the foundation to help students achieve success in the classroom and in the community.

The key is empowering students to make better choices and decisions.

The following skills will be focused on throughout the school year:

• Following instructions• Accepting “no” for an answer• Accepting criticism or a consequence • Greeting others• Getting a teacher’s attention• Disagreeing appropriately• Making an apology• Asking permission• Working with others

Traits of a WARRIOR

PersistenceK-Try and Try

Again1-Never Give Up

2-Stamina3-Perservence

Self- DisciplineK-Count to 10

1-Think before you act

2-Self Control3-Poise

RespectK-Caring

1-Considerate2-Value

3-Empathy

PrideK-Doing your BEST

work1-Heart2-Spirit

3-Self-Confidence

HonestyK-Telling the truth

1-Trustworthy2-Integrity

3-Reputable

ExcellenceK-On Target1-Accuracy2-Quality

3-Mastery

CourageK-Brave

1-Fearless2-Fortitude 3-Tenacious

TeamworkK-Working Together1-Unity

2-Collaborative3-Synergy

Homework FolderSchool Notes Pocket

• The school notes pocket will have field trip information, lunch menus, fundraiser information, flyers from the office, etc…

• Please empty this folder daily.

Zipper pouch• Send any money or small notes in the pouch to keep them from

getting lost.• Loose change or cash should still be placed in an envelope or

baggy. Include what it is for.

Reading Homework• Initial it and write the title of the book read each night.• Leave all of the pages intact.

Homework Folder Continued

Fluency• A leveled passage will be placed in the sleeve each week.• Leave the passage in the sleeve. • Do not write on the passage.

Spelling/Word work List• These are the word patterns we will work on for the entire

school year. • Leave the sheets in the sleeve.

Spelling Activities• This sheet should stay in the sleeve all year.

Homework

• Read for 20 minutes nightly and record the title on the paper.

• Read fluency sheet aloud three times nightly.

• Three spelling activities due each week.

• Any other work not completed at school.

Graded Papers

• Sets of papers go home every other week.

• Sign the form on top.• Return the form and the papers the

next day.• Behavior will be included on the form.

Weekly Newsletter

• The weekly newsletter will be e-mailed or sent home in your child’s homework folder.

• The newsletter will inform you about upcoming events and activities that your child will be participating in at school.

• They will also keep you informed about what your child is learning in school.

Conferences

• Will be held before the end of the first nine week period.

• Look over the schedule and fill-in a spot that works for you.

• We will have another conference during the third nine week period to discuss your child’s progress.

• Anytime you have concerns, we can schedule a conference.

Attendance• It is important to have your child at school each day and for them to

arrive on time.

• I believe that success in second grade is strongly related to attendance.

• Please try to plan vacations and appointments around school if possible.

• If your child is absent from school for any reason, please send a note the day he or she returns to school. If a note (parent or doctor) is not received within 3 school days, the absence will be coded as unexcused.

We cannot accept emails for excuses.• Remember that the tardy bell rings at 7:45 and if a child comes in the

classroom after that time he or she will be counted tardy.

• Buses usually arrive at school between 7:15-7:30.

• Car Rider drop off begins at 7:15.

Lunch• Our lunchtime is from 11:44-12:09 each day. You are welcome to eat

with us any time. You can meet us at the benches by the lunchroom doors.

• Your child will be issued a 5-digit lunch number. • Lunch is $2.50 per day and breakfast is $1.25 per day for students. • Lunch checks need to be labeled with your child’s 5-digit lunch

number so that it will be credited to your child’s account. Please do not include any other money with lunch checks.

• Lunch can also be paid online at MyLunchMoney.com. You will need to get your child’s ID Number from me before you can use this tool.

• You may send a simple birthday snack for the class to eat during lunchtime on your child’s birthday if you would like. • Please do not bring fast food items for your child to eat during lunch. (McDonald’s, Arby’s, etc…) • If anyone needs a free or reduced lunch form, please let the office know as soon as possible.

Daily Snack• Please send a healthy snack and juice from home each day.

• Snack needs to be brought in a snack bag or paper sack with your child’s name on it.

• You may want to use a freezer pack to keep cold items from spoiling.

• Please no candy or cokes!

Medicine • Medicine – All medication must be brought to the

school office by an adult. The adult will be required to fill out a short medication form. Students are not allowed to keep medicine in their book bags. This includes cough drops.

• Allergies- Please alert me of any food or seasonal allergies that your child may have.

• Sickness- If your child has been sick please make sure they are fever, vomit and / or diarrhea free for 24 hrs. before they return to school.

Transportation ***** IT IS VERY IMPORTANT TO BE

CONSISTENT *****

•Your child will be given a transportation tag to wear on his or her book bag.

•If you plan to change your child’s transportation for any reason, I must have a parent note so that I can send it to the office to be approved. I cannot send a child home a different way without a note. This is for your child’s safety.

Field Trips and Guest Speakers

• Fall: Nutcracker Ballet (TBA)• Spring: American Village All adults welcome on this trip.

We LOVE to have parent chaperones on our Field Trips!–All students ride on buses–All parents drive in cars–No younger siblings may attend–No check-outs are allowed from the field trip site

Guest Speakers

•4-H Center Herp Journey•4-H Center Birds of Prey

DonationsIf you would like to make a donation to our classroom you might want to consider:

•Purchasing a Gift Card for our classroom. (Wal-Mart, Staples, Parent-Teacher Store, etc…)

•Making a monetary donation to the school. (½ classroom teacher & ½ CVES General Fund)

•Checking the weekly newsletter for items we need in our classroom throughout the year.

•Box Tops – 10 cents each

Do you want to

know what is going on at CVES?

Sign up for NotifyMe!

Remind101

• Get a direction sheet on your way out.

• Will be used as a quick reminder of upcoming events.

• Can be done through texting or emails.

• Your information remains confidential.

How to Contact Me:• Email me at Stephanie.cochran@alabastercityschools.org

• Send a note in your child’s homework folder.

• Call the office and leave a message 205-685-6100.

Thank you for your time and I look forward to working with you and your child.