August 2016

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power. Put on the full armor of God.
Ephesians 6:10

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Dear First and Second Grade Moms and Dads,
Welcome to the new school year. This is going to be an exciting year! I am very excited to
begin the year together and I know the children are also.even though they may not as readily
admit so! The beginning few weeks of school are usually filled with much apprehension and
concern by both parent and child. In order to help avoid some of this, here are some items of
which you should be aware:
Each Monday, memory work will be assigned to be recited on Friday. Later in the year, it may
become a fill in the blank test. Memory work will be printed at the top of each weekly
assignment sheet. (Details to follow).
As we begin spelling tests, the Spelling list will be assigned in the same manner as memory
work. Even though we will be practicing spelling and memory work in class, and computer class,
extra and regular practice at home is essential. Both First and Second graders will begin spelling
tests at the beginning of the school year.

Our Classroom rules are as follows:

Be kind to one another

Raise hand to speak
Follow directions
Children will earn a sticker on a chart for appropriate classroom behavior each. This chart will be
placed in your childs red folder and will be sent home each evening for you to see. If for some
reason, your child did not earn a sticker that day, a short explanation will printed on the reverse
side of the chart.

Each morning the children will have snack. Families will receive a monthly snack calendar before
each new month begins. Your family will have assigned days on which your child will be
responsible for supplying a classroom snack. (No drinks required as the school supplies milk.)
Please try to make every effort to send healthful snacks rather than sugary ones. Suggestions
include: popcorn, mixed nuts, fresh fruit, cheese and crackers, cheese and sausage, granola

bars, yogurt covered raisins, gogurt, dry cereal, etc. Families will be notified during the first
week of school of possible classroom allergies.

Regretfully, because we are all born into sin, there are times the following will be used to
maintain classroom management:
First Consequence: Non-verbal or verbal warning given to the child by the teacher
Second consequence: Childs name on the board and 5 minutes of time out from recess.
(Depending upon classroom circumstances, most often, children will be given the opportunity to earn
the privilege of erasing their names from the board and thereby dismissing the time out. This privilege
is earned by being quiet, completing an assignment, remaining in seat, following directions, etc)
Third consequence: A check is placed by name and 10 minutes off recess and the student will go to
another area to complete the assignment. No sticker earned on the daily chart. A note will be written
home.
Fourth Consequence: 15 minutes off recess and a parent/child/teacher conference will be scheduled
for the following school day. No sticker on the daily chart.
Fifth Consequence: Parent/child/teacher/principal conference scheduled. No sticker
on the daily chart.
At the time a child reaches the third consequence, s/he will be responsible for writing a note to
parents notifying them of his/her inappropriate behavior. A photocopy of the note will be made
and filed. The note must be signed by parents and returned to school the following school day. If
for some reason it is not, the photocopy will be sent home the following day.
As a class, we will discuss all this and each student will be aware that s/he is responsible for and
aware of the consequences of inappropriate behaviors.

Each Monday, your child will receive a weekly homework packet. This is to be returned with the
completed assignments the following Monday or first day of the following school week.
For each day of the week, there will be listed assignments to be completed by the student at
home. KEEP ALL THESE ASSIGNMENTS at home and return together the following week on the
first day of school. Due to hectic schedules with various after-school activities, your child will
receive the assignments for the week and will be able to complete any assignments ahead of
schedule for those evenings s/he may be busy. For each day, there is a box for a parent
signature, thereby stating you were aware of the assignment and its completion.
In addition to the daily homework assignment, there may be various additional assignments as a
carry-over from our classroom work. THESE will be due the following school day. All
assignments are designed to reinforce concepts taught within the classroom and to help your
child develop good study habits. Included in the weekly homework packet you will find a weekly
letter informing you of various classroom happenings.
Our class will have P.E. class two days . (Those days will be announced the first week of school)
Please be sure your child has a pair of athletic shoes on those days.

A school bag/backpack and your childs daily chart should be brought to school each day.
If your child will be going home with other than his/her usual ride, please notify me or the school
office via a written note or email.
No medications will be distributed in school without written parent permission. ALL medications
should be should be submitted to the classroom teacher and then the classroom teacher will
deliver medications to the school office. All medications will be stored and distributed through
the school office. Although medications should be submitted to the classroom teacher, no
medications are stored in the classroom for safety reasons.
YES, birthday and/or baptismal treats are welcome in class. Please notify Mrs. Harper in
advance. We have 13 children in our classroom. PLEASE, NO items which require refrigeration or
cutting. If you send a cake or large cookie, please precut it before sending it to class. This
saves LOTS of time in our classroom and helps keep our room free of crumbs.
I hope this answers any questions. If, at any time, you have something you are unsure of, or
have a question, please feel free to contact me. The key to success for your child is teamwork.
May our Heavenly Father grant us a blessed and joy-filled school year together walking in His
light!
In Christ,
Mrs. Patti Harper
School: 478-4278
Cell: 402-319-7604
pharper@stpaulsarlington.org

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so
that you can take your stand against the devils schemes. For our struggle is not
against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the
powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly
realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes,
you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.
Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the

breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness
that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of
faith,with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the
helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

And pray

in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind,
be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lords people. Ephesians 6:10-18