Mrs.

Duhoskis

Second Grade Class Handbook

Index
Topic
Behavior Policy
Birthdays and Holidays
Family Celebrations
Field Trips
Friday Folders
Homework
Schedule, Daily
Supplies
Volunteers

Page
1&2
2
2
2
2
3
4
4
5

Behavior Policy

Our School Rules:

Be Respectful, Be Responsible, and Be Safe

We will discuss further what respectful, responsible, and safe behavior looks like in all areas and
activities at school. These will be compiled into our Code of Cooperation, which all students will
have a part in creating as a classroom community during the first week of school and the
expectation of following during the school day and at all school related activities. In the event
that a student has difficulty following our classroom Code of Cooperation, there will be four
steps that will be followed to help the student manage his or her behavior. The steps are
outlined for students on a flowchart posted in the classroom. Throughout the flowchart, students
are prompted to reflect on their behavior and their ability to begin following the Code of
Cooperation.
1. Verbal Discussion-Students will be asked to discuss his/her behavior with the person it is
affecting or the teacher. The student will be encouraged to identify which part of the
Code of Cooperation he/she is having a difficult time following and solutions to improve
behavior.
2. Reflection-If the student continues to choose not to follow the Code of Cooperation, they
will need to complete a reflection sheet, conference with the teacher, and create a plan
which will enable them to effectively follow the Code of Cooperation. Teachers may

assist the student in creating a plan to lead to successful behavior, and the reflection
sheet will be sent home for parents to sign.
3. Call Home-If the student does not follow their plan, they will call home and explain their
behavioral choices and create a new plan with family and/or teacher.
4. Office Referral-Once the student has completed all of the steps above and still chooses
not to follow the Code of Cooperation and their plan, they will receive an office referral.
*Please refer to the JKL Parent and Student Handbook for additional information, including
examples of minor and major infractions. Individualized Behavior Plans may be necessary
for some students, and major offenses or repeated acts of minor offenses may lead
immediately to an office referral.
The sense of belonging to our classroom community is a skill we will encourage throughout the
entire year. Students will share in celebrating the accomplishments of our team and lend
support to classmates to accomplish all academic and behavioral tasks. To encourage random
acts of responsible, respectful, and safe behavior, students may earn special activities
throughout the year and be awarded PBIS tickets.
Birthdays and Holidays
We love celebrating birthdays and holidays in our class and welcome students to bring a treat to
share with their classmates. Most birthday treats brought to class will be served in the
afternoon, however, please contact the teacher to set up a time. Invitations may be distributed if
one is available for all 22 students. In addition, a note will be sent home to families who signed
up to bring a treat for holiday celebrations. Family members are invited to celebrate all special
events with us. If students have a summer birthday, they may choose any day to celebrate their
birthday during the school year.
Family Celebrations
Throughout the school year, students will have the opportunity to invite family members to our
school and classroom to celebrate and show what we are learning. Some events specific to
second grade are Holiday Crafts, Family Movie Night, Poetry Party, and author celebrations.
Flyers will be sent home prior to the event and students may also mail invitations.
Field Trips
Field trip information will be sent home prior to field trips. Parents/guardians are welcome to
attend field trips. However, limited space is available and parents/guardians may need to make
their own transportation arrangements. The benefits of having extra adult supervision and
interactions are beneficial for everyone. It allows parents/guardians the opportunity to spend
more time with their student, a safer environment, a first-hand experience of what we are
learning, and a springboard to communicate with their student about school experiences.
Please contact the teacher prior to the field trip to determine space availability.
Friday Folders
School work, newsletters, notes, etc. will be sent home Fridays in a Friday Folder. Please be
sure to go through your students Friday Folder with your child, and return it on the following
Monday.

Homework
Homework will be assigned daily and expected to be returned the following day.
1.

Homework Folders
Students will have a homework folder Monday-Thursday. The schedule below
outlines the subjects covered daily, which is a school-wide requirement. These will
be printed on green paper.
Monday-Reading Log
Tuesday-Math Response
Wednesday-Reading Log
Thursday-Literacy Response/Individualized Practice
Students will bring home a book bag on Monday with leveled readers specific to
their reading level. These books should be used to complete the required reading
on Monday and Wednesday, and then returned Thursday. If students would like to
trade their books after reading them on Monday, they may return their bag and we
will re-fill it for Wednesday. Students will select their books and may choose one
that has already been brought home. Please take advantage of this opportunity to
encourage fluent reading. Additionally, if students have books at home they would
rather read, please allow this. All logs must be initialed by parents.
In addition to the homework listed above, students will also have Math Home Links
sent home frequently. They will also be due the following day, unless noted on the
assignment (projects which may require additional time).
Please help your student read the directions and complete work, if needed.
Families are encouraged to ask students to explain their work and check to see
that it is completed accurately and neatly. If you feel your student needs additional
practice with the skill, please write a note and we can assist your child at school
and/or send home additional practice. In addition, teachers understand family time
is limited
and special circumstances arise. Please contact the teacher if homework is

unable
to be completed. Arrangements at school or additional time at home may be
provided.
2.

Spelling
Students will begin the year by taking a spelling inventory. Using Words Their
Way,
they will be given word lists based on a targeted skill. They may take their word
sorts home to practice, but no homework is required. Initially, students will all test
weekly. Once they learn the routine, they may test when they feel they are ready.
Once a sort is passed with 80%, they may advance.

3.

Daily Work

Students will always be given enough time to complete daily classwork , unless
they are off task, absent, or need additional or alternative practice with a specific
skill. Classwork may be sent home as homework and due the following day if
work is not completed due to off-task behavior. If a student is absent, classwork
will be sent home with due dates attached. If students are struggling with a skill,
they will receive additional school support and may need to complete practice
activities at home.
Schedule (Daily)
*Schedule tentative
Tuesday
Culture
Daily 5 (1010:30 AR)

Wednesday
PE
Daily 5 (1010:30 AR)

Thursday
Computers

Friday
Music

Daily 5

Daily 5

Recess

Recess

Recess

Recess

Recess

Lunch

Lunch

Lunch

Lunch

Lunch

Writer's
Workshop

Writer's
Workshop

Math

Math

Culture

PE

2:202:30
2:302:45

Snack/Open
Workshop

Snack/Open
Workshop

Math 11:5012:50
Science
12:50-1:30
Social
Studies
1:35-2:15
Snack/Open
Workshop

Math 11:5012:50
Science
12:50-1:30
Social
Studies
1:35-2:15
Snack/Open
Workshop

Math 11:501:15
Math/Comput
ers
Computers
(in library)
1:15-2
Snack/Open
Workshop

Recess

Recess

Recess

Recess

Recess

2:45-3

Read Aloud

Read Aloud

Math
Journaling

3:053:45

Life Skills

Life Skills

Culture

Writer's
Workshop
Library 33:30
Writer's
Workshop
3:30-3:45

3:453:50

Dismissal

Dismissal

Dismissal

8:20-9
9:0510:55
1111:15
11:2011:50
11:5012:15
12:151:30
1:352:15

Monday
Art
Daily 5

Dismissal

Read Aloud
Writer's
Workshop
Dismissal

Students will join Mrs. Jarvie for Social Studies and Mrs. VanderMeer for Life Skills (Michigan
Model Health and Handwriting).
Students arriving after 8:20 must be signed in at the office with a parent/guardian prior to
coming to class. In addition, parents/guardians are encouraged to wait until 3:50 to arrive for
pick-up as it is important to have the attention of all students at the end of the day.

If your child is absent or has a change in dismissal plans, please call, send a note, or email.
When emailing, please email both the paraprofessional and teacher in case one of us are
unavailable.
Supplies
Please be sure to send a backpack with your student daily. PE shoes will also be required and
may be left in your childs locker. Since our room is carpeted, an indoor pair of shoes is
recommended if it is muddy, wet, or snowing outside. PE shoes or any other clean shoes may
be worn at this time. In addition, if students want to bring a water bottle, they may keep it at
their desk. Students will be responsible to change the water daily and bring it home to wash it.
Volunteers
Families are welcome to join our classroom anytime! All volunteers are required to sign in at the
office before entering our classroom and have completed a background check. Family support
would be helpful on an on-going basis on field trips or in the classroom during small group,
independent work time, or special activities. Please notify the teacher prior to the day you or
another adult family member (aunt, uncle, grandparent, etc.) would be available to help. There
are always students who could benefit from your time and attention.
Below are sample activities a volunteer could help with:
1. Reading Support: Work with readers (playing reading games, listening to children read,
or reading to students) individually or in a small group.
2. Writing Support: Listen to children individually read drafts of their writing assignments
and provide feedback for improvement. Share examples of your own writing or explore
books to find strategies that other authors use to make reading and writing interesting.
3. Math Support: Play math games or practice math facts with individuals or a small group.
4. Computer Support: Assist students typing spelling words or writing assignments and help
navigate the internet for research.
5. Other