Today we had our first Social Thinking session with Mrs. Henry. We heard a great story about "Listening Larry". Listening Larry showed how us how to listen with our brain, heart and whole body. When we use whole body listening we show we are good friends.

Everyone looks great today! I was able to take a quick photo before/after the professionals did today.

Second graders are working on our telling time. Consider providing your child with an analog watch to help develop this skill.

Our class has been playing "Collect 25 Cents". This game is helping to develop our money and addition fluency skills. (Thank you for your coin donations.)

Ask your child about our newest math BINGO game called "Plus 1 or 2 BINGO".

Tomorrow is our first PRIDE assembly.  Wear green to show your Stratton PRIDE!

I hope you are enjoying your weekend! Brendan and I are at Fenway to cheer on our Red Sox!

Dear Second Grade Families,
 
                  We have just completed our first day of grade two. It was filled with routines, directions, and prospects of great things to come!  Below, I have included some important pieces of information about our upcoming year in second grade.  Additional information will be provided during our school curriculum night. 
 
School Hours
Drop-Off- The first bell rings at 8:10 am. All students should arrive in the cafeteria each day.  Students who are late must check in with the office.  If your child is going to be tardy or absent, please call the main office (781) 316-3760 and leave a message.
 
Pick Up
 At 2:30, we will release the students in the field area via the bridge stairs.  If someone other than a parent or legal guardian is picking up your child from school we need to be notified.  Either write me a note and send it in your child’s  folder or call the office. Please do not send dismissal notes to me via email during the school day as it is not a guarantee that I will see them prior to dismissal time. 
 
Every Tuesday
At 1:00 teachers are required to attend collaborative meetings right after pick up, so unless it is an emergency or occasional exception, I will not be available for meetings or conversations.
 
Snack
We will have a mid-morning snack each day.  Please provide a healthy snack and drink.  Due to students in our class with life-threatening food allergies, please send in nut-free snack choices.  I encourage fruit, vegetable or dairy items. 
Water bottles- Students are encouraged to bring in “sport top” water bottles each day.
 
Lunch 11:20- We will begin with recess. Students will be escorted into the lunchroom at 12:00 for lunch. If your child is buying lunch or milk it would be helpful if you could pre-pay. Details are on the APS Website. If you are available to help students in the cafeteria, this is a great way to volunteer!
 
Homework
Although your child will not be expected to fill out a reading log, she/he is expected to read for at least 20 minutes every night, including weekends. This reading may happen anytime or anyplace after school. Having reading materials in the backpack or car could help encourage this important activity. During the bedtime routine is always my favorite time with my own children. We will discuss homework and reading habits in more depth on Curriculum Night. Please contact me if you need any help implementing reading habits at home. Remember, reading at this age includes being read to and reading the pictures to infer meaning!
 
 
Room Parents/Volunteers
If you are interested in being a Room Parent, please let me know.  We usually have two Room Parents who assist in a variety of ways which include:
 

• school-wide communications
• coordinating classroom celebrations

 
We will also ask for volunteers for projects and field trip chaperones. 
 
Birthday Policy
If you choose to celebrate your child's birthday in school, I ask that you do so with non-food items.  In the past, children have donated favorite books to my class library in honor of their birthdays.  Other children have brought in small goodies such as stickers or pencils.  Please let me know if you would like other ideas.
 
Specialist Schedule:
Monday                                  Library  (please return any library books)
Tuesday                                  Music
Wednesday                            PE              (sneakers required)
Thursday                                Art
Friday                                      PE              (sneakers required)
 
Scholastic Book Club Orders
Each month we will send home Scholastic Book Club catalogs.  There are many genres and reading levels to select. Each time you order through Scholastic Book Clubs, you will earn a FREE Book Pick for our room. There is a Book Order link on our class website.  Our class activation code is: LN2NV
 
PTO Supplies Program-
The PTO has been working hard to get students supplies. If you have not sent a check payable to the Stratton PTO, and are able, please do so at your earliest convenience. The Second Grade amount is $25.
 
Class Communication
Please contact me with a note sent to school or by e-mail. Depending on my schedule, the times I check emails may vary.  If there is an urgent matter, please call Marie Fischer at 781-316-3753.  Notices of up-coming events will also be sent home. If you would like to receive classroom information electronically, please send an e-mail with your child’s name stating “add me to the list”.  I try to blog a few times each week about classroom happenings.  Please visit our class website for more information: www.grade2rocks.com
 
Picture Day is September 26th
Curriculum Night is scheduled for September 29th
I am looking forward to a wonderful year of learning!
Julie Barth
jbarth@arlington.k12.ma.us

I am so excited for the first day of school! In these photos, the Barth Boys show off our new class!

Grades 1 and 2 will meet in the cafeteria at Stratton iin the morning.
I look forward to seeing you on Tuesday morning!