Dear Students and Parents,
I am excited about the start of this school year, and I am thrilled that you are in my class! We are going to have a great year and are going to accomplish so much as we work together this year! I want to use this letter to give you a little of my background and to make you aware of some of the procedures and expectations in my classroom.
In an effort to keep this information as organized as possible, I have made an alphabetical list. This can also be found on my website (mrscole2ndgrade.weebly.com). I apologize if the amount of information is overwhelming, but please feel free to contact me if you have questions.
Attendance – Regular attendance is crucial to academic success. Please make every reasonable effort to be sure your child is at school when possible. When your child misses school, you must send a note stating the reason for the absence. This note should be received within the first 2 days of your child’s return to school. Absences due to illness and doctor’s appointments are excused. All others, as well as absences without a note, will be marked unexcused.
Behavior notes - You will see the SOAR note on the bottom of your student’s weekly graded work report. I will occasionally make note of any wonderful (or not-so-wonderful) behaviors I notice during the week in that spot. If there is anything pressing, I will email you or a note will come home with your child the day of the incident. You will also get notes when your child has done something awesome!
Birthdays – You may send store-bought treats for your child’s birthday. These will be shared at lunch, in the cafeteria. If you have invitations for your child’s party, they will go home in Monday folders. If you are not inviting everyone in the class, please ask your child not to talk about the party around those who are not invited.
Communication – Communication between parents and teachers is a key component to student success. I will communicate with you on a regular basis through Monday folders, report cards, conferences, and my website (mrscole2ndgrade.weebly.com). Email ([email protected]) is the most efficient way to contact me. You may also send a note with your child or call the school office (919-562-3555) and leave a message for me. Remind is a wonderful texting app I use. Simply text @mrscolewes to 81010.
Dismissal – School dismisses at 3:40 each day. Please limit the number of times you pick up your child early. We are learning until the very end of the day, and your child loses valuable time when he/she leaves early. Per the office: No early student checkout will be allowed after 3:15pm. If you change the way your child gets home at the end of the day, please notify me in writing or call the office as soon as you are aware of the change. Due to safety reasons, we cannot allow a child to go home a different way than usual without prior notification from a parent.
Effort - Effort is a major theme in my classroom. Second grade can be challenging, and students are expected to work hard each day. I realize that not all students will perform at the same level of proficiency, but I do expect all students to give their best effort each day at school.
Email – For most day-to-day communication, email is the most effective way to reach me. I check my messages often. My email address is [email protected].
Field Trips – We have discussed a few different field trips for this school year. Once we have more details, you will receive information including locations, dates, and cost. The number of chaperones needed is usually 2, but you MUST be an approved WCPSS volunteer in order to chaperone. If you need help registering to volunteer, please see the school website or call the school office.
Guests – We at Wakefield Elementary love having our parents in the building to volunteer or to eat lunch with our students. Any time you are in the building, you must sign in at the front office and wear a guest identification sticker.
Homework – Students are expected to read 20 minutes each night, the book(s) in my library will be free for them to choose. There will be a fun reading project due every few weeks. These projects are meant to be fun and allow the child to be creative within their reading goals. I ask students t record what they read in their agenda. I will not assign other homework unless your child has missed completing much of their work in class.
Illness - While we certainly want your child at school whenever possible, please keep your child at home when he/she is sick. Children should be fever and stomach trouble-free for 24 hours BEFORE returning to school. Learning is difficult when your child doesn’t feel well, and we also don’t want to spread the illness to others.
Just give them a chance - Students can often do a lot more than we think they can, and it is important to give them time and encouragement to try things on their own before we jump in to help.
Keeping Updated – The bulk of information I have to share will go home in Monday folders. I will also be using Remind so I can text or email important reminders and updates. Please make sure you keep up with this correspondence so we are both connected and on the “same page.”
Lunch – We eat lunch from 11:45-12:15. You are welcome and encouraged to join your child for lunch – just remember to check in at the front office first to get your visitor sticker.
Math - In most classrooms today, math is taught very differently than it was when we (yes we!) were in elementary school. My classroom is one such place. My goal is math is for your child to become an expert problem-solver; one in which he/she could solve many different types of problems, even very challenging ones. If school is a place where we are supposed to learn skills and gain knowledge that prepare us for the real-world, then children must learn in situations that present them “problems” they will face in the real world.
Monday Folders – I will use BRIGHT BLUE Monday folders as a consistent source of communication. You will find our weekly newsletter, graded papers, a behavior report, and other important information in these folders. Papers that need to be returned will be stapled together with a cover sheet. Please sign the cover sheet and return it along with all of the stapled papers in the folder no later than Wednesday each week.
Money – It will occasionally be necessary for your child to bring money to school. Please send it in a sealed envelope or baggie with your child’s name, teacher’s name, amount, and purpose for the money on the front.
Notes – If you send a note with your child, please let him/her know it is his/her responsibility to give it to me. I do not check backpacks, so I will not know it is there if your child doesn’t give it to me.
Open House – Open House/Dinner on the Lawn is a great time for you to learn a little more about what is going on at Wakefield and in our classroom. The date for Open House this year is September 13th. More details will be coming soon.
P.E. – Your child will attend P.E. every week. They will need to wear tennis shoes to P.E. If they don’t have proper shoes, they cannot participate and a note will come home from Mr. Hill. Specials schedules will be posted in your child’s Monday Folder.
Questions - Ask your child questions about what he/she is learning, what they do during the day, who their friends are, etc. It will mean a lot to your child to know you are interested, and it will build their communication and social skills as they tell you about their life at school.
Reading - Reading instruction will take place in several different ways. This year, we will meet for a whole group lesson and then students will work independently or in small groups. We will read picture books, magazine and newspaper articles, pamphlets, postcards, and chapter books. Students will have time daily to read independently and to others. Research has shown over and over again that the single best way to become a better reader is to read.
Recess – Weather permitting, we will have outdoor recess every day. The fresh air, exercise, and free interaction with other students is not only enjoyable, but helps your child focus once we return to the classroom. Please be sure they’re wearing appropriate clothing (jackets/shoes) for playing outdoors.
Scholastic Book Orders - I will send home Scholastic book orders at the beginning of each month. If you wish to place an order, you may do so online and pay with a credit or debit card, or you may complete the paper order form and return it to me by the due date. Our online code is NHC48.
Teacher – That’s me! My name is Emily Cole, and I am beginning my 5th year as a classroom teacher. This will be my first year in second grade after three years teaching 3rd, and I have worked with all grade levels as a teacher assistant in a local charter school. I earned my degree at East Carolina University. On a personal note, I have been married to Mike for 20 years, and we have 2 children (Taylor Anne, 16 and Anderson, 12). I am looking forward to getting to know you and your child this year.
Unexpected – I believe students learn best in an environment of established routines, and I do my best to maintain consistency as much as possible. However, we all know that unexpected things occur occasionally, and we have to do our best to work with them. Changes in your child’s life (loss of a pet or family member, move to a new home, birth of a new sibling, etc.) impact their behavior and academic performance, and it is helpful to them and to me when I am aware of what is happening. Please keep me in the loop!
Vocabulary - Our language arts curriculum will include vocabulary that is tailored to each student’s needs.
Volunteers – We love volunteers, but volunteers must follow the Wake County Public School System policy and register with the district before volunteering. The approval process takes time, so you need to register as soon as possible if you wish to volunteer. You may register in the school’s Media Center. Look for updates on classroom volunteer needs on my newsletter or in remind messages!
Water – I encourage your child to bring a reusable water bottle to school each day, but it must contain water only. I do not want to have a bug invasion or try to clean up a sticky carpet! Water bottles are kept in the cubbies to minimize the risk of spills, and children are given the opportunity to refill them throughout the day as needed.
Writing - Writing is integrated with our language arts curriculum. Your child will be writing a variety of forms this year. They will have free writing, quick writes, and longer pieces.
XIX – We currently have 19 students on our class roster. Please keep this in mind when sending in items to share with the class. This number may change as we get settled in, so please send a quick email to confirm if you plan to send shared items.
You – Yes, you! You are the most important component in your child’s education! YOU are their first teacher, and it is important that your child sees us as a team. Please have conversations with your child about their day every day! Ask if they had trouble understanding something. Talk about who they played with on the playground. Ask what their favorite learning activity was. Also, don’t hesitate to contact me if questions or concerns arise.
ZZZZ - Your child will work hard and play hard at school each day, and will be tired when he/she gets home. Please make sure your child is getting plenty of sleep each night. It is difficult for children to learn when they are tired. Establishing a regular bedtime each night will help your child in many ways. Children at this age require 10-11 hours of sleep per night, so they should be in bed by 9pm so they’re well-rested in the mornings.
This is going to be a great year, and I am looking forward to the growth we will see and the successes we will celebrate together!
Mrs. Cole
I am excited about the start of this school year, and I am thrilled that you are in my class! We are going to have a great year and are going to accomplish so much as we work together this year! I want to use this letter to give you a little of my background and to make you aware of some of the procedures and expectations in my classroom.
In an effort to keep this information as organized as possible, I have made an alphabetical list. This can also be found on my website (mrscole2ndgrade.weebly.com). I apologize if the amount of information is overwhelming, but please feel free to contact me if you have questions.
Attendance – Regular attendance is crucial to academic success. Please make every reasonable effort to be sure your child is at school when possible. When your child misses school, you must send a note stating the reason for the absence. This note should be received within the first 2 days of your child’s return to school. Absences due to illness and doctor’s appointments are excused. All others, as well as absences without a note, will be marked unexcused.
Behavior notes - You will see the SOAR note on the bottom of your student’s weekly graded work report. I will occasionally make note of any wonderful (or not-so-wonderful) behaviors I notice during the week in that spot. If there is anything pressing, I will email you or a note will come home with your child the day of the incident. You will also get notes when your child has done something awesome!
Birthdays – You may send store-bought treats for your child’s birthday. These will be shared at lunch, in the cafeteria. If you have invitations for your child’s party, they will go home in Monday folders. If you are not inviting everyone in the class, please ask your child not to talk about the party around those who are not invited.
Communication – Communication between parents and teachers is a key component to student success. I will communicate with you on a regular basis through Monday folders, report cards, conferences, and my website (mrscole2ndgrade.weebly.com). Email ([email protected]) is the most efficient way to contact me. You may also send a note with your child or call the school office (919-562-3555) and leave a message for me. Remind is a wonderful texting app I use. Simply text @mrscolewes to 81010.
Dismissal – School dismisses at 3:40 each day. Please limit the number of times you pick up your child early. We are learning until the very end of the day, and your child loses valuable time when he/she leaves early. Per the office: No early student checkout will be allowed after 3:15pm. If you change the way your child gets home at the end of the day, please notify me in writing or call the office as soon as you are aware of the change. Due to safety reasons, we cannot allow a child to go home a different way than usual without prior notification from a parent.
Effort - Effort is a major theme in my classroom. Second grade can be challenging, and students are expected to work hard each day. I realize that not all students will perform at the same level of proficiency, but I do expect all students to give their best effort each day at school.
Email – For most day-to-day communication, email is the most effective way to reach me. I check my messages often. My email address is [email protected].
Field Trips – We have discussed a few different field trips for this school year. Once we have more details, you will receive information including locations, dates, and cost. The number of chaperones needed is usually 2, but you MUST be an approved WCPSS volunteer in order to chaperone. If you need help registering to volunteer, please see the school website or call the school office.
Guests – We at Wakefield Elementary love having our parents in the building to volunteer or to eat lunch with our students. Any time you are in the building, you must sign in at the front office and wear a guest identification sticker.
Homework – Students are expected to read 20 minutes each night, the book(s) in my library will be free for them to choose. There will be a fun reading project due every few weeks. These projects are meant to be fun and allow the child to be creative within their reading goals. I ask students t record what they read in their agenda. I will not assign other homework unless your child has missed completing much of their work in class.
Illness - While we certainly want your child at school whenever possible, please keep your child at home when he/she is sick. Children should be fever and stomach trouble-free for 24 hours BEFORE returning to school. Learning is difficult when your child doesn’t feel well, and we also don’t want to spread the illness to others.
Just give them a chance - Students can often do a lot more than we think they can, and it is important to give them time and encouragement to try things on their own before we jump in to help.
Keeping Updated – The bulk of information I have to share will go home in Monday folders. I will also be using Remind so I can text or email important reminders and updates. Please make sure you keep up with this correspondence so we are both connected and on the “same page.”
Lunch – We eat lunch from 11:45-12:15. You are welcome and encouraged to join your child for lunch – just remember to check in at the front office first to get your visitor sticker.
Math - In most classrooms today, math is taught very differently than it was when we (yes we!) were in elementary school. My classroom is one such place. My goal is math is for your child to become an expert problem-solver; one in which he/she could solve many different types of problems, even very challenging ones. If school is a place where we are supposed to learn skills and gain knowledge that prepare us for the real-world, then children must learn in situations that present them “problems” they will face in the real world.
Monday Folders – I will use BRIGHT BLUE Monday folders as a consistent source of communication. You will find our weekly newsletter, graded papers, a behavior report, and other important information in these folders. Papers that need to be returned will be stapled together with a cover sheet. Please sign the cover sheet and return it along with all of the stapled papers in the folder no later than Wednesday each week.
Money – It will occasionally be necessary for your child to bring money to school. Please send it in a sealed envelope or baggie with your child’s name, teacher’s name, amount, and purpose for the money on the front.
Notes – If you send a note with your child, please let him/her know it is his/her responsibility to give it to me. I do not check backpacks, so I will not know it is there if your child doesn’t give it to me.
Open House – Open House/Dinner on the Lawn is a great time for you to learn a little more about what is going on at Wakefield and in our classroom. The date for Open House this year is September 13th. More details will be coming soon.
P.E. – Your child will attend P.E. every week. They will need to wear tennis shoes to P.E. If they don’t have proper shoes, they cannot participate and a note will come home from Mr. Hill. Specials schedules will be posted in your child’s Monday Folder.
Questions - Ask your child questions about what he/she is learning, what they do during the day, who their friends are, etc. It will mean a lot to your child to know you are interested, and it will build their communication and social skills as they tell you about their life at school.
Reading - Reading instruction will take place in several different ways. This year, we will meet for a whole group lesson and then students will work independently or in small groups. We will read picture books, magazine and newspaper articles, pamphlets, postcards, and chapter books. Students will have time daily to read independently and to others. Research has shown over and over again that the single best way to become a better reader is to read.
Recess – Weather permitting, we will have outdoor recess every day. The fresh air, exercise, and free interaction with other students is not only enjoyable, but helps your child focus once we return to the classroom. Please be sure they’re wearing appropriate clothing (jackets/shoes) for playing outdoors.
Scholastic Book Orders - I will send home Scholastic book orders at the beginning of each month. If you wish to place an order, you may do so online and pay with a credit or debit card, or you may complete the paper order form and return it to me by the due date. Our online code is NHC48.
Teacher – That’s me! My name is Emily Cole, and I am beginning my 5th year as a classroom teacher. This will be my first year in second grade after three years teaching 3rd, and I have worked with all grade levels as a teacher assistant in a local charter school. I earned my degree at East Carolina University. On a personal note, I have been married to Mike for 20 years, and we have 2 children (Taylor Anne, 16 and Anderson, 12). I am looking forward to getting to know you and your child this year.
Unexpected – I believe students learn best in an environment of established routines, and I do my best to maintain consistency as much as possible. However, we all know that unexpected things occur occasionally, and we have to do our best to work with them. Changes in your child’s life (loss of a pet or family member, move to a new home, birth of a new sibling, etc.) impact their behavior and academic performance, and it is helpful to them and to me when I am aware of what is happening. Please keep me in the loop!
Vocabulary - Our language arts curriculum will include vocabulary that is tailored to each student’s needs.
Volunteers – We love volunteers, but volunteers must follow the Wake County Public School System policy and register with the district before volunteering. The approval process takes time, so you need to register as soon as possible if you wish to volunteer. You may register in the school’s Media Center. Look for updates on classroom volunteer needs on my newsletter or in remind messages!
Water – I encourage your child to bring a reusable water bottle to school each day, but it must contain water only. I do not want to have a bug invasion or try to clean up a sticky carpet! Water bottles are kept in the cubbies to minimize the risk of spills, and children are given the opportunity to refill them throughout the day as needed.
Writing - Writing is integrated with our language arts curriculum. Your child will be writing a variety of forms this year. They will have free writing, quick writes, and longer pieces.
XIX – We currently have 19 students on our class roster. Please keep this in mind when sending in items to share with the class. This number may change as we get settled in, so please send a quick email to confirm if you plan to send shared items.
You – Yes, you! You are the most important component in your child’s education! YOU are their first teacher, and it is important that your child sees us as a team. Please have conversations with your child about their day every day! Ask if they had trouble understanding something. Talk about who they played with on the playground. Ask what their favorite learning activity was. Also, don’t hesitate to contact me if questions or concerns arise.
ZZZZ - Your child will work hard and play hard at school each day, and will be tired when he/she gets home. Please make sure your child is getting plenty of sleep each night. It is difficult for children to learn when they are tired. Establishing a regular bedtime each night will help your child in many ways. Children at this age require 10-11 hours of sleep per night, so they should be in bed by 9pm so they’re well-rested in the mornings.
This is going to be a great year, and I am looking forward to the growth we will see and the successes we will celebrate together!
Mrs. Cole