Welcome to

Second
Grade!

2nd Grade Parent Handbook

Hale Kula Elementary
Ms. Tanaka B-1
SY 2015-2016
Contact Information
Ph. #: (808) 305-3465
E-mail: msatanaka@gmail.com

July 29, 2015

Aloha,
Welcome to an exciting year in second grade! The
Common Core Language Arts and Math standards are
rigorous and relevant. Our goal is to teach the standards in
a fun, hands-on approach. We have developed units in
science and social studies that actively involve the
students.
We believe that students working along with their
parents and their teacher make it possible for much
growth and success. We created this handbook and hope
this information will be beneficial to you. Please sign and
return the response form on the last page.
Mahalo,
The Second Grade Teachers
Mrs. J. Blakely
Ms. J. Gamiao
Mr. M. Gomez
Mrs. H. Lyman
Ms. F. Takeuchi
Ms. A. Tanaka
Ms. K. Uyehara
Mrs. L. Woods

Classroom Management
Classroom expectations will be established on the first day of school and we
periodically review them with the class.
Tribes: Our school is a Tribes school. Tribes is a philosophy of building a
community of learners by including everyone. The Tribes process establishes
a caring environment for cooperative learning and positive interaction for all
groups. A Tribes community functions under four
basic agreements:
Attentive Listening
Mutual Respect
Appreciations/No put-downs
The Right to Pass/Right to Participate
Each day, your child will bring home their Student
Planner, which may have notes about any behaviors
that occurred throughout the day. Below is the
behavior tracking system that I will be using to
monitor your childs behavior. All students begin their
day on green. As a class, we work on making good choices. We learn about
the consequences, both positive and not so positive, that happen based on
our choices.
Class Dojo: Class Dojo is a classroom app used via website and/or cell phone
to keep track of student progress and behavior throughout the day. The
behavior management program is based on a point system. You will be given
a Parent and Student code in your Wednesday folder to connect to your
childs account.
1. Download the free Class Dojo app to your smartphone or sign
up on your home computer at www.classdojo.com/student.
2. Click the green sign up button
3. Enter your student account code, then create your account!

Students are expected to follow the General Learner Outcomes (GLOs) and
are graded quarterly on their performance in each area.

General Learner Outcomes

GLO

#1: Self-Directed Learner I am responsible for my own learning.

I come to school on time, ready to learn.
I set goals for myself and work to achieve them.
I am a responsible learner.

GLO

#2: Community Contributor I work well with others.

I follow school and classroom rules and the Tribes agreements.
I consider and respect the feelings of others.
I collaborate with others and actively participate in class.
I make positive contributions to my school and my community.

GLO

#3: Complex Thinker I think of different ways to solve socially and academically.
I use prior knowledge and apply it to new situations.
I think of and try different strategies to solve problems.
I evaluate the outcome and make needed adjustments

GLO

#4: Quality Producer I recognize and produce quality work.

I identify and understand the criteria for quality performances and products.
I complete my work to meet or exceed the standards and learning targets.
I persevere to complete quality work.

GLO #5: Effective Communicator I communicate effectively through a variety of

means.
I communicate through a variety of means.
I actively listen to the opinions and ideas of others and use information effectively.
I read for understanding and use the information for various purposes.
I make inferences and draw conclusions based on observations.
GLO #6: Effective and Ethical User of Technology I use the computer and other
learning tools effectively and ethically to discover and share my learning.
I use materials and tools properly.
I use technology to communicate, collaborate, create, and think critically.
I am a digital citizen.
I understand the impact technology has on our world.

Parent-Teacher Communication
Student Planner: The Student Planner is an open line
of communication between parents and teacher. If
you have any questions or concerns you may write a
note in your childs Student Planner. Make sure your
child shows the note to his/her teacher first thing in
the morning. If the matter is urgent you may call the classroom directly
at 305-3465. Please be sure to check the Student Planner daily to review
assignments and student behavior. Parents are expected to initial Student
Planner EVERY DAY to foster responsibility in your child.
E-mail: You are more than welcome to email me at anytime at
msatanaka@gmail.com with any questions or concerns. I will also be using my
email to let you know of any upcoming events, important changes, or simply
just to keep you updated with what is going on in our classroom.
Classroom Website: The classroom website is another line of communication.
Please bookmark it on your mobile device and/or personal computer so you
can stay current with whats happening in our classroom. You will find
announcements, reminders, our weekly newsletter, an electronic copy of the
handbook and more! Our classroom is b1eagles.weebly.com.
Class Dojo: Class Dojo is also a great app for communicating between home
and school. Their messaging tool is as convenient as text messaging. Feel free
to message me anytime and I will respond as soon as possible.

Homework Policy
Homework is a review or extension of concepts that have been introduced in
class. Homework is given Monday through Thursday.
Your child will have D.E.A.R. (Drop Everything And Read) log as daily homework.
For D.E.A.R., your child must read for at least 15 minutes independently or
with a parent/guardian. When they are finished reading, they must fill in one
box in their D.E.A.R. log with quality work.
Students may be required to complete Reading, Writing, Spelling, Math, Social
Studies, or Science assignments as they are assigned. Incomplete homework
may result in the loss of recess. If your child is unable to complete his/her
homework for a legitimate reason, please write a note to the teacher.
Make sure your child shows the note to his/her teacher first thing in the
morning.
Student Homework Responsibilities:
a. Write daily assignments/reminders in Student Planner.
b. Take home and return Student Planner everyday.
c. Turn in homework completed and on time.
d. Take home and return Wednesday Folder.
Parent Homework Responsibilities:
a. Review and sign Student Planner.
b. Assist your child with their homework as needed.
c. Review and remove notices from Wednesday Folder, sign,
and return as soon as possible.

Projects
Several projects will be assigned during the school year that relate to
our social studies and science standards. Turning the projects in on time
helps your child become a self-directed learner.

B-1 Important Information

Morning Procedures for Students
1. Place water bottle on sink counter/lunch bags go in pink bucket.
2. Place backpack on hook outside
3. Place Homework Binder at desk. Wednesday Folder placed in appropriate
basket
4. Check in assigned number magnet in home lunch or school lunch
accordingly
5. Get Book Box
6. Write homework assignments in Student Planner
7. Sit at desk and start Morning Work
Snacks and Water: Students are allowed to bring a snack to eat at morning
recess. Please pack a healthy snack. Students arent allowed to share their
snacks due to any allergies of other students. Students may bring a water
bottle to drink during the day.
Birthday Treats: We want your childs birthday to be a meaningful one, while
at the same time staying in compliance with the State of Hawaii Wellness
Guidelines. You could send your child with a treat for each student (ex.
Pencils, stickers, etc.) or for the class as a whole. Please try to bring
something other than a sugary treat. In addition, please let me (Ms. Tanaka)
know in advance if your child will be bringing in
something.
Field Trips: Field trips are important and they
reinforce our second grade curriculum. We usually
have one field trip per quarter and we encourage
the students to attend these worthwhile
experiences. Cash and signed field trip permission
form, placed in an envelope or zip-lock bag with your
childs name on it, must be turned in to your childs
teacher by 8:00 on the due date. This is a school wide
policy and strictly enforced. Parents who are

interested in volunteering for field trips will need to attend the chaperone
training class.

Resources
Your child will participate in the following resources: Library, Physical
Education, Computer, Hawaiian Studies, and Drama. Your childs teacher will
notify you of resource dates and times.
Library: We will be having Library every other Mondays. Drama will be on the
Thursdays we do not have Library.
Books need to be returned to the library before school on or before
the borrowing day or your child will not be able to borrow a new book.
Your child needs to have their school ID in order to borrow a book.
Have a special place to keep your library book at home.
Physical Education (P.E.): We will be having P.E. every Tuesdays this year
Have your child wear athletic shoes (closed toe)
Wear comfortable clothes.
Bring a water bottle.
Computer: Your child needs headphones to ensure a quiet learning
environment in the computer lab.
---------------------------------------Please sign, cut, and return
B-1 2nd Grade Handbook

I have read, understand, and agree to follow the policies discussed in this
handbook.
Student Name:
Parent Name (Print):
Parent Signature:

Date: