Hi, I’m Mrs. Handy. I’m so excited to be your child’s teacher! This is my second year here at Syracuse. I have been teaching for 13 years and I love second grade. I live in Syracuse with my husband and two daughters.

Homework Daily reading of at least 15 minutes (preferably 20) each night, five days a week is required. A weekly reading log will come home on Friday and is to be returned the following Friday with a parent’s signature. Each Friday I will send home a fluency passage for your child to read nightly. This is a timed reading that should be practiced each night and returned on Friday. A spelling list will be sent home on Friday and should be practiced as needed. Math homework will be sent home Monday through Thursday and should only take about 5 minutes. It is intended to reinforce the lesson taught in class each day. Watch for a math box to come home. This is where your child will store math games learned in class and flashcards I send home. Math games and flash cards should be played as needed to achieve fluency with facts. Homework should be done daily and returned in the homework folder the following day.

Attendance It is vital to your child’s education that he/she attends class daily. Many of the discussions and activities your child will participate in during class cannot be simulated at home through a worksheet. Many components of the literacy and math program require the child to be present in class in order to receive the full benefit. School begins promptly at 8:50 a.m. Your child may come in the building at 8:40 when the first bell rings. The second bell rings at 8:50 and your child will be marked absent. If your child will be absent please contact the school.

Library, P.E., Computers, and Music Our class library day is Tuesday. Library books must be returned each week in order to check out another book. If it is not returned you will need to pay for the cost of the book. A permission slip will come home in the Tuesday folder and needs to be returned before your child will be able to check out a book. Monday-Art/Music Tuesday- Library Wednesday- Computers Thursday- P.E.

Class Rules/Procedures 1.Follow directions quickly 2.Raise your hand for permission to speak 3.Raise your hand for permission to leave your seat 4.Make smart choices 5.Keep your dear teacher happy Watch for notes to come home indicating your child has moved up our Super Improver Wall. Each child will start the year as a Beginner and aspire to reach Genius level.

Discipline Every child has the right to learn in a comfortable, non-threatening atmosphere. Each child in my class is expected to follow district, school, and classroom rules. Courtesy is expected toward any school adult regardless of location or assignment within the school. This includes custodians, secretaries, student teachers, lunch helpers, librarians, playground aides, and all faculty members. Failure to follow the rules will result in the following procedures as needed: Warning Receive a practice card and the opportunity to practice the broken rule during recess. A note sent home requiring a signature after discussing the rule that was broken. Conference with parent/guardian, student, and teacher.

Show & Tell- Your child will be assigned a day of the week to participate in show & tell. Each month there will be a theme. Please help your child prepare and practice for their show & tell. This fulfills part of the requirement for speaking skills. September- Favorite Photograph October- Book November- Something Your Child Has Made December- Hobby or Collection January- Hidden Object February- Poem (Try to Memorize) March- Joke April- Something your Child Written May- Choice

Other Book Orders-Book orders will be sent home 3-4 times this year. Please send all money in a check or money order made out to Scholastic. You may also order directly from the Scholastic website and pay with a credit card. Birthday- Your child is welcome to bring a treat for the class on his/her birthday. We currently have 25 students. However, this is not necessary or required. It is district policy that all treats sent to school must be wrapped in packages and purchased from a store. Summer birthdays will be celebrated on your child’s half-birthday.

Supplies Any of the following donations would be greatly appreciated throughout the school year. 2 nd grade donations per student- pencil box (5x8), old sock (to be used as an eraser), folder with pockets, composition book, spiral notebook, Class donations (to be shared)- pencils, glue sticks, bottles of glue, stickers, Clorox wipes, tissues, Ziploc bags (sandwich size), small toy prizes (rewards)

Classroom Info/Contact Syracuse Elementary Please do not hesitate to contact me via or phone at any time.