***Please be sure to look for the link below for our classroom newsletter, The Thursday Times*** 

***This week in Science is posted at the bottom of the webpage***

Welcome to Mrs. Kutsch's

Spectacular Second Grade Classroom!

I am looking forward to all of the new and exciting things we have planned for second grade!  The following information lists some important details for you and your child.  If you have any questions, you may reach me before school between the hours of 7:30-8:00 and after school from 3:15-3:45.  My e-mail is mkutsch@stmb.org.  You can also leave a message for room 213.  I will return your call as soon as possible. 

As your child's teacher, I embrace the idea of having a classroom community of learners.  We come together to learn, to help, to share, and to grow in God's love.  Parents are also key in our community, as you were your child's first teacher.  Together, I am looking forward to working with you and providing a safe and flourishing community for your child.  May God Bless.

Specials:

Monday:  Library 9:30-10:00           Gym 10:00-10:45 (An extra pair of gym shoes are needed)

                 ***Please make sure your child returns his/her library book on Monday morning

Tuesday:  Music 11:45-12:15            Spanish 1:00-1:30

Wednesday:  Music 8:30-9:00         Art 2:00-2:45

Thursday:  Gym 10:00-10:45            Computer 12:00-12:45

Friday:  Computer 1:45-2:15

Homework:

All of your child's homework assignments will be recorded in their assignment notebook.  Please be sure to sign their notebook nightly and have your child return it the next day.  I do look for neatness in their work and expect them to try their best.  You can encourage this at home by establishing a quiet spot in the house for them to complete their assignments.  I strive for children to take pride in their work!

Transportation Home:

For your child's safety, please let me know as soon as possible, of any changes that your child may have on how they are going home.  A note, phone call, or email must be provided, or your child will go home the way that I have originally.

Math:

Throughout the year, I will be sending home parent letters to keep you informed on the Math units we are studying.  At the end of the unit, I will also send home a checklist of the skills we have been working on.  This will let you know how your child is doing with each skill.  At any time throughout the unit, if your child is having difficulty in a certain skill, I will let you know and also provide some extra reinforcement activities for you to work on with your child.  He/She will also be bringing home "Home Links."  These need to be completed and returned the next day.  This is important, as the information from the Link is often a reinforcement of work we did in class or will be incorporated in the next day's lesson.  Also, please make or purchase addition and subtraction flashcards for your child and review the cards daily for just a few minutes.  Memorizing the basic facts now will make Math easier for your child as we progress to more difficult math operations later in the year.

Star Student:

Your child will have a special week that he/she will be our star student.  I will send home a notice on when their week will be.  Here is a schedule of special events that will help us learn more about your shining star!

Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday:  Bring in provided biography sheet, pictures, and special items or treasures to share with the class.  Your child will share these items on the above days to the class.  Your child will also be helping with our class jobs.

Thursday:  Estimation Jar (provided) You decided what to fill!  Don't forget to tell me how much on a separate sheet!

Friday:  Pick a friend and have lunch with Mrs. Kutsch.  (Dessert will be provided)!

***On your child's birthday, you may also provide a treat.  We have 22 students.

***If you are handing out invitations, I would appreciate it if you would follow these guidelines:  Girls would be inviting all the girls in class, boys would be inviting all the boys in class, or all of the children in our class are invited.  If only a few children are being invited, please send the invitations an alternate way, separate from school, so that we can avoid any hurt feelings.  Thank you for your support.

Water Bottles:

Your child may bring a water bottle to school.  Please make sure that your child's name is on the bottle and that it has a squirt-type drinking top (the regular bottles with the screw cap often spilled over desks and papers).  If the water bottle does become a distraction, it will be moved to the back counter.  They will also need to go home daily for sanitizing purposes.

Folders:

We will be using two different folders that willl be coming home on a regular basis.  The "Homework Folder" will come home daily.  Any notes and/or homework will be in this folder.  Also, if you have anything to send to school, please put it into this folder.  Any money must be put in an envelope and marked with your child's name and what the money is for.  Please be sure to go through this folder daily.

On Thursdays, the "Thursday Folder" will come home.  The assignments and projects that we have done in the classroom throughout the week will be in the folder.  Please be sure to go over these with your child and let him/her share with you all of their wonderful accomplishments.  Please sign the enclosed form and have your child return the folder on Friday.  Also, important correspondence from the school will be included.  Our newsletters will be posted on our website on Thursday, but a hard copy will be in the folder if one has been requested. 

Important Upcoming Dates:

November 9, 2009:   Parent Reconciliation Meeting with Father Bob. 

This week in Science with Mrs. Ferlindes