Whale-come!

If there is any paperwork at you child’s seat, please begin filling it out.

Thanks!!!

Ms. CarpenterMy 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 (future) children to be treated at school.

•Once they are mine, they are ALWAYS mine!

•I need parent support! (We are a 3 legged stool)

•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!

Early Dismissal

• Please have a plan ready in case of early dismissal.

• Watch local news stations. I will send an email/Remind as I find out information.

• Everyone will go home the normal way, except CVES daycare. These

children will become car riders.

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 (Being a Writer)

• Math (daily 1 hour 15 min.)– 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 1 hour)• Lunch (daily 25 min.)• Snack (daily 15 min. while working)• P.E. (daily 30 min.)• Recess (daily 15 min. weather permitting)• Art, Music, & Computer (weekly 30 min.)• Library & Guidance (twice/once a month 30 min) • Handwriting (15 minutes daily)

Learning Targets

• These will be incorporated into each subject on a daily basis.

• These are the goals that we want to reach by the end of the lesson.

• We will also have goals (learning targets) for an overall unit of study.

Classroom Rules7 Habits of Happy Kids• Be Proactive-You’re in Charge• I am a responsible person. I take initiative. I choose my actions, attitudes, and moods. I do not blame others for

my wrong actions. I do the right thing without being asked, even when no one is looking. • Begin with the End in Mind- Have a Plan• I plan ahead and set goals. I do things that have meaning and make a difference. I am an important part of my

classroom and contribute to my school’s mission and vision. I look for ways to be a good citizen.• Put First Things First- Work First, Then Play• I spend my time on things that are most important. This means I say no to things I know I should not do. I set

priorities, make a schedule, and follow my plan. I am disciplined and organized.• Think Win-Win- Everyone Can Win• I balance courage for getting what I want with consideration for what others want. I make deposits in others’

Emotional Bank Accounts. When conflicts arise, I look for third alternatives.• Seek First to Understand, Then to Be Understood- Listen Before You Talk• I listen to other people’s ideas and feelings. I try to see things from their viewpoints. I listen without interrupting. I

am confident in voicing my ideas. I look people in the eyes when talking.• Synergize- Together is Better• I value other people’s strengths and learn from them. I get along well with others, even people who are different

than me. I work well in groups. I seek out other people’s ideas to solve problems because I know that by teaming with others we can create better solutions than anyone of us can alone. I am humble.

• Sharpen the Saw- Balance Feels Best• I take care of my body by eating right, exercising, and getting sleep. I spend time with family and friends. I learn in

lots of ways and lots of places, not just at school. I find meaningful ways to help others.

“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

W.H.A.L.E BinderKeep at Home Pocket

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

• Please empty this pocket 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.

Conduct Chart• Initial the date.• Leave all of the pages intact.

W.H.A.L.E Binder… Reading Homework• Reading log: Initial it and write the title of the book read each

night.• Leave all of the pages intact.

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.• Practice Frye words (sight words) as often as possible

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

should be completed in the notebook located inside the binder.

Homework• Read for 20 minutes nightly and record the

title on the reading log.• Read fluency sheet aloud three times

nightly.• Practice Frye words (sight words). • Three spelling activities due each week.

*Please date and keep in notebook. • Math calendar • Any other work not completed at school.

Graded Papers

• Sets of papers go home every other week in the “Graded Papers” folder.

• Sign the front of each seat.• Return the papers the next day.• Spelling tests will also be

included in this folder and will be stored there for the entire year.

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.

• *Note: these will be emailed unless other wise noted. Please sign the paper on my desk stating you need a paper copy rather than email.

Conferences

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

• 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 11:34-11:59 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 MySchoolsBucks.com. You will need to get your child’s ID Number from me before you can use this tool. **Note: this link has changed from previous years.

• 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.

Birthdays • We will celebrate

birthdays! • The students will

receive a special chair cover and the class will sing happy birthday to them.

• If your child has a summer birthday, no worries, we will celebrate their “half” birthday.

• If your child’s birthday or “half” birthday falls on a holiday break or on the weekend, please bring their special treat in on the Friday before or Monday after the break or weekend.

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!

• Sometimes students forget to bring a snack, so if anyone is able to donate a few classroom snacks that would be wonderful. The only food allergy in our class is to fish.

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 (December 10)• Spring: American Village (April 4,5,6) 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

•McWane Super Science Show (October 23)•4-H Center Herp Journey (January 14 or 15)•4-H Center Birds of Prey (April 29)

•Swimming trip to YMCA. Parents can meet us at the YMCA, but cannot ride the bus over there. This trip will occur in second semester.

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

•Choosing a sticky note or two from the easel.

•Purchasing a Gift Card for our classroom. (Wal-Mart, Target, Big Lots, 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

• The direction sheet is on your child’s desk.• Will be used as a quick reminder of upcoming

events.• Can be done through texting or emails.• Your information remains confidential.

Random Info• Each child needs a pair of earbuds to use

throughout the year. • We will have class parties to celebrate certain

holidays and the end of the year. If you do not want your child to participate, please let me know.

• Spirit ribbon money should be turned in on Fridays.

• Ice cream can only be bought on Fridays. 75 cents for normal ice cream and $2 for Dippin Dots.

• Our room mom is Stephanie Moody. She will be in contact with you about class events.

• We will also have a Spanish word of the day each day.

• 2nd and 3rd Grade Club Day

How to Contact Me:• Email me at christyn.carpenter

@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!

**Please make sure that you signed in and put your email on the email list on my

laptop. **If you need a hard copy of the newsletter, please sign the form on my teacher table.