Forest AvenueAcademic Magnet

Second Grade

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Dear Parents,

Welcome to a new school year! We are excited to have your child in second grade and look forward to working with you this year. This will be an exciting and challenging year for you, your child, and us. We look forward to meeting you and getting acquainted with your children!

Enclosed in this Parent Pack are study guides, important information and other helpful materials. Feel free to print a copy of these frequently asked questions for your reference. A hard copy will not be provided.

We hope you are as excited as we are about what is ahead for your child this year. Here’s to a great school year!

Sincerely,Second Grade Teachers

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What is a Forest Avenue Parent?

● Excited and enthusiastic- realizes that this is an academically accelerated program and understands that their child will be challenged. In fact, they want their child challenged; that is why they chose this school for their child!

● Supportive- makes no excuses and supports their child’s teachers, contacting the teachers first and immediately when there is a concern or question.

● Helpful with homework- goes over homework calendar on Monday nights, helps their child keep up with due dates and requirements for projects, field trips, events, etc., and provides minimum help on their child’s projects, if needed.

● Takes no blame (or guilt) and makes no excuses when their child does not have something signed, at school, or on time.

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What are the ACADEMIC expectations for second graders at Forest Avenue?Forest Avenue is an academically accelerated program dedicated to academic excellence. Second graders at Forest Avenue are expected to uphold and maintain a standard of excellence in their work and behavior. We know Forest Avenue second graders are capable of reaching these standards. We expect Forest Avenue second graders to:

● Write neatly and legibly, forming letters correctly. This encompasses both manuscript and cursive, when taught. If letters are formed incorrectly or illegibly, the word will be marked as incorrect or a deduction taken.

● Head their papers as required by the teacher. Missing or incomplete headings will result in a grade reduction. Headings must include first name, last name, date, and student number.

● Spell words correctly on all work when the words are on the page such as in a word bank, in the directions, or in a question. Points will be deducted for misspelled words.

● Check their work carefully before turning it in. Students should take an extra few minutes to read over their work, checking each number to be sure all has been completed and double checking the directions to be sure they have been followed. Not following directions will result in a deduction of up to 5 points.

● Be ready for the day before announcements begin.

● Have their homework each day. Homework is minimal in second grade, but it is to be completed and returned when expected.

● Do their own work on projects and reports. Parents may certainly guide their children, and we encourage this. However, all work should be the student’s creativity, handwriting and language. Students should understand and be able to explain any aspect of their work if questioned. Adult language and phrasing that a student cannot read or explain in his or her own words is not acceptable and points may be deducted.

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What are the BEHAVIOR expectations for second graders?

The person your child becomes is more important than the grades he/she earns.

It is important that children understand excellence in behavior is expected whether in the classroom, lunchroom, hallways, or with specialists. The child’s behavior must be deserving of the grade earned. Good behavior is essential for a positive learning environment. All expectations are aligned with the MPS Student Conduct Manual and Forest Avenue Student Handbook.

What are the grade level expectations?1. Follow all rules stated in the Forest Avenue School Handbook and the MPS Code of

Student Behavior.2. Follow all directions.3. Be prepared for class, having all necessary items at their desks. Students should

not need to go back to their book bags once class has started. 4. Observe “no talking” and “stay seated” times.5. Keep hands, feet, unkind words, and objects to yourself.6. Respect others.7. Use equipment and materials correctly.8. Exhibit appropriate behavior in hallways, in restrooms, in carpool and bus line, and

on field trips.

What happens when students make good behavior choices?

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One or more of the following depending on individual teacher:● Treasure box● Stickers● Caught being good● Stamps● Special treats/privileges

What are possible consequences for non-compliance?

1. Sign name on board.2. Second signing or check by name on the board in same day = signing the conduct

log.3. Second single signing (ex. once on Monday and once on Thursday) in a single week

= signing the conduct log.4. Student-teacher conference.5. Parents informed by conduct calendar/report, note, email, or conference.6. Student may be referred to counseling.7. Student may be sent to the office as explained in the MPS Code of Student

Behavior.

❖ Severe cases of non-compliance may result in an immediate signing of the conduct log.

What happens when students do not make good behavior choices? The ultimate consequence for consistent lack of compliance (breaking rules) is the

lowering of the conduct grade. Appropriate documentation will be kept with the use of a conduct log. Each time a student signs the conduct log, five points will be deducted from the grade.

1 to 2 signings = A 3 to 4 signings = B 5 to 6 signings = C 7 to 8 signings = D 9 to 10 signings = F

What do parents do if they have questions or concerns about behavior or academics?

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1. Email- One or two simple questions can be quickly and easily addressed through email.

2. Conference- Extensive or complex questions should be addressed in a face to face meeting. Parents are welcome to request a conference with their child’s teachers. Conferences may be scheduled by contacting your child’s homeroom teacher.

3. Office involvement- Contact the office after meeting with teachers if your questions/concerns are not answered to your satisfaction.

How are grades calculated?All grades are calculated in accordance with the MPS Grading,

Promotions, and Retentions handbook.Math ReadingMinor Grades – 35% Minor Grades – %35

*Daily Work *Daily Work *Quizzes *Select assessments *Homework *Homework *Timed drills Major Grades – 65% Major Grades – 65%

*Chapter and Mid- *Oral Reading Passages Chapter Tests *Select assessments *Timed Test *Optional AR Project (Making quarter’s

AR points/average)

Science/Social Studies EnglishMinor Grades – 35% Minor Grades – 35%

*Daily Work *Daily Work*Quizzes *Select writing assignments

*Homework *Handwriting

Major Grades – 65% Major Grades – 65%

*Chapter and Vocab Tests *Spelling/Vocabulary Tests*Projects *Poetry Recitations

*Grammar Unit Tests*Select writing assignments

● For each day a project/assignment is late, 11 points will be deducted from the grade. This can refer to in-class writing assignments/projects.

● Additional copies of instructions, requirements, poems, etc. will not be provided.

● Points will be deducted after the first week of school for the following reasons: incomplete heading (first and last name, date, and student number.)

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misspelled word on page (i.e. word bank) or for high frequency word, such as Word Wall words or words that have appeared on spelling tests incomplete answer missing capital letter missing punctuation not following directions incorrectly formed letters/numbers incomplete sentence incomplete work

Other deductions may be added to this list as the year progresses.Grading Scale:

A 90 – 100B 80 – 89C 70 – 79D 60 – 69F 59 - 0

How will I know about homework, major tests, projects, and other upcoming events?

Communication is a vital key in the success of a student here at Forest Avenue.

● HOMEWORK CALENDAR- This is a weekly communication to inform you of not only homework, but upcoming tests, projects, due dates, field trips, and other events and information. Homework calendars will be sent home each week. Please read and follow these calendars!!!

● HOMEWORK- Homework is used to reinforce skills covered in class and should be checked at home.

- Parents must initial each homework assignment. This helps us know that you have reviewed the assignment and helped your child correct mistakes, noting areas where your child is having difficulty.

- Homework will be checked in class. If a child does not have his/her homework, they will receive an Uh-Oh note as an indication of a reduction in the homework grade (minus 5 points per missed assignment). The Uh-Oh note needs to be signed by the parent and returned to school the next day. Both the missing homework and the Uh-Oh must be returned on the next school day.

- Homework must be at school when homeroom ends. There will be no phone calls home for forgotten assignments.

Will I be able to keep up with my child’s grades?

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● Graded papers- These are sent about every two weeks and are a form of communication about your child’s work and conduct. Please review all papers with your child, reinforcing any areas of weakness, and then return the papers on the very next school day.

● Progress reports- These will be stapled to the front of the graded papers and must be SIGNED after reviewing. The report must remain attached to the graded papers.

● INOW - All parents should acquire an INOW password from the school office so that they may check their child’s grades in between times graded papers are sent home.

Second Grade Frequently Asked Questions:Note of Receipt

● Please read and review ALL PAGES thoroughly. ● Please visit the second grade teachers’ website

(FAAM2ndGrade.weebly.com) to become familiar with the required documents available for your child, such as the spelling list, quarterly poem, etc.

● Please understand that paper copies of the frequently asked questions, spelling list, quarterly poems, etc. will not be provided by the teachers.

Your signature below indicates that you and your child have read and understood everything covered by these frequently asked questions, that you are aware of the required documents on the teachers’ website, and

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understand that you are responsible for accessing these items. Please return this entire page with your child’s other first day paperwork.

Student’s name:_____________________

Parent’s signature:___________________

Date:_______________