WELCOME2nd GradePARENTS!

Ms. Rupard’s Class2015-2016

You may begin filling out

paperwork if you would like!

ALL ABOUT ME!• My name is Devon Rupard.

• I graduated from Old Dominion University with a Master’s Degree in Elementary Education and a Bachelor’s Degree in Interdisciplinary Studies.

• I am a Sterling native and a Loudoun County Graduate.

• This is my second year teaching at Potowmack Elementary. I am very thrilled to be working at such a beautiful school and to be a member of such a wonderful teaching team!

• I am a lifelong learner and truly enjoy learning new things, exploring different concepts and sharing knowledge with others.

 

MY GOALS FOR THIS YEAR

To give your student the academic and social skills they need to progress to third grade. To provide a supportive and fun classroom environment. To help your student make new friends and discover new interests. To create a love for learning in all students in order to foster life long habits for success.

CLASSROOM EXPECTATIONS1. BE the STAR STUDENT you wish to see in ALL of your

CLASSMATES.2. Do as you are ASKED, when you are ASKED, in order

to always STAY ON TASK.3. Keep all of YOURSELF to YOURSELF.4. RESPECT ALL members of this classroom, ALL the

time.5. Be HONEST and take RESPONSIBILITY for your

ACTIONS or INACTIONS.6. RAISE YOUR HAND but never raise your voice.7. CLOSE YOUR MOUTH when others are speaking, but

NEVER CLOSE YOUR MIND.8. Be READY TO LEARN, with an OPENED and EAGER

MIND.9. Give the TEACHER the RESPECT and EFFORT you

expect to RECEIVE in return.10.When in doubt, ASK QUESTIONS! There should be NO

FEAR in asking.

BEHAVIOR MANAGEMENTIn our class, we will be using a variety of behavior management strategies that combine to create a system that affords every student the opportunity to manage his/her own behavior. These strategies include:

•Clip-Chart (Individual)o A Clip-Chart Calendar will be sent home to

be signed daily

•Ticket System (Individual)•Star Student (Individual)•Mr. Potato Head (Whole Class)•PBIS (Whole School)

MATH CURRICULUM• Addition & Subtraction• Measurement • Number Concepts • Graphing & Probability • Problem Solving • Money • Geometry

SCIENCE CURRICULUM• Living Systems • Life Processes • Matter • Force, Motion, and Energy • Weather • Earth Patterns, Cycles, and

Changes • Natural Resources

SOCIAL STUDIES CURRICULUM• Maps and Globes • Famous Americans • American Indians • Economics • Jamestown • China • Egypt • Mexico • Canada

LANGUAGE ARTS CURRICULUM

Balanced Literacy Program:o Independent Readingo Read-Aloudso Guided Readingo Word Studyo Writer’s Workshop

WORD STUDY• Students are placed in flexible

groups based on skills needed.• Students will receive words on

Monday and will be assessed 2 weeks later on Friday.

• Students will be required to complete nightly word study activities at home

HOMEWORKHomework is important, as it is an extension of the learning process that takes place at school.•Your child’s homework will be written in their planner each day, by your child. •You can expect your child to have approximately 30 minutes of homework every night Monday-Thursday.

o Generally, this homework will consist of MATH and WORD STUDY assignments.

•Homework will be checked every morning and should be turned in through your students PURPLE folders EVERYDAY.

GRADING / PHOENIX

Your child’s grades and assignment status can be accessed through the PHOENIX portal which is the new LCPS online grading system. You can find the parent access link for this site on our schools webpage.

IMPORTANT: Please make sure that your contact information in Phoenix is up to date, as I will be using Phoenix as a regular tool to communicate important information with you.

COMMUNICATIONAs your child’s teacher, it is my goal to have an open line of communication with you. This will be done through a variety of outlets such as:

o Purple Take Home Folderso All important notes, documents and homework will be sent through

this folder. It is important that your child brings this folder with them to school EVERY DAY and that you look through it with them EVERY NIGHT.

o Student Agendaso Weekly Clip Chart Calendar

o Students will record their daily behavior on this calendar and it will be check by me each afternoon and will require a parent signature every night.

o PMK Class website o Monthly Class Newsletters/Phoenix Blastso Class Twitter Pageo Emailso Phoneo Notes/Flyers sent home

OUR SCHEDULE

SNACK & WATER

• Students will have a designated time for snack every afternoon as we have an early lunch time of 10:30am. Please send in a healthy snack with you child if you would like them to have one. NO PEANUT PRODUCTS PLEASE!

• Students may also have a water bottle to keep at their desk if they would like.

STUDENT BIRTHDAYS• When it is your child’s birthday, their name will be

announced on the morning announcements and they will receive a Birthday pencil from the office. I will also be providing students with a happy birthday sticker, card & book mark.

• Students may only bring invitations to school for distribution if ALL students in the classroom are invited.

• Per LCPS guidelines, food treats will not be shared for classroom birthday celebrations.

• Some suggestions for your child’s birthday treats:o Fun pencils or stickerso Fun bookmarkso A board or card game for the class to share

DISMISSAL PROCEDURES• Be sure to fill out the “How do I get home?” form for your

child before you leave tonight• Please send in a written note that explains any changes in

dismissal from school. Please DO NOT email these changes.

• Changes to dismissal procedures can be assured if received before 12 noon.

• Changes received by phone after 12 noon will not be accommodated unless it is an emergency.

• Students will not be dismissed during the last 30 minutes of the day unless arrangements have been made before 12 noon.

• All students must be signed out and dismissed through the main office. Students can not leave with parents/guardians directly from the classroom.

GET INVOLVED!• Parents (and grandparents) are encouraged

to volunteer in their child’s classroom.• Please be sure to sign up for volunteer

opportunities before you leave.• Also, please feel free to take an apple from

our WISHING TREE if you are able to donate to any supplies to our classroom.

QUESTIO

NS???????

BEFORE YOU LEAVE… Sign in on the clipboard at the front of the room

Sign up for Fall Conferences on one of the back

computers

Sign up for volunteer opportunities at the CIRCLE TABLE

Fill out & turn in important papers to the MACARONI

TABLE

Leave a note for your student for them to read on their

first day!

Check out our Wishing Tree

WELCOME TO OPEN HOUSESUPPLIES TO PUT IN YOUR DESK (IN YOUR SUPPLY

POUCH):•Crayons•Markers•Erasers

•1 Highlighter•1 Red Pen

SUPPLIES TO SORT IN THE BINS ON THE CARPET:• Glue Sticks

• Scissors• Pencils

• Dry Erase Markers• Sharpies

• Extra Red Pens• Extra Highlighters

SUPPLIES TO PUT ON THE ROUND TABLE:• Tissues

• Plastic Baggies• Loose Leaf Paper