Come join us on September 16!!

Welcome to Grade 2!

Dear Parent(s) and Guardian(s),

My name is Ms. Oksana Jaskolka and I am very excited to be your child’s teacher for the 2017-8 school year. I am committed to helping your child achieve success in their endeavors throughout the year. I am thrilled to have the opportunity to be the Grade 2 classroom teacher this year and to get to know you and your child. Please find below a few basic guidelines and information for the year.

Teacher Roles – I will be teaching Language arts, Math and all Units of Inquiry (UOI). Our room number is 9. I invite you to check out my blog on a daily basis at https://sjajaskolka.blogspot.ca. On my blog you will able to be able to see what your child did that day, homework, weekly spelling words, important dates, the Grade 2 schedule, and other relevant information. I will be updating our blog on a daily basis. French will be taught by Mme. Stella Jimenez, Physical Education will be taught by Ms. Melanie Jans, and Music will be taught by Mr. Oliver Manning.

Agendas – Students will fill out their agendas at the beginning of each day and I will make sure all homework and reminders are listed. I ask that you read and sign the agenda each evening. Please keep in mind that notes written in the agenda can sometimes get missed or do not get viewed until midday. Please email me at ojaskolka@stjudesacademy.com with any messages, updates, appointment/absence notices or concerns.

Homework - I will always give students time in class to complete their work, however, anything that is not finished or needs to be reviewed will be assigned as homework.  If this is the case, please check that work is neat and complete as often as possible. Weekly homework will include Spelling (Monday), Read for 20 minutes every night, Mathematics on most nights, and Cursive Handwriting (Monday and Friday). Any additional homework will be given as necessary. We have a strong commitment to parental involvement and see homework as one way of developing this partnership. Homework is important, it can reinforce and extend the teaching and learning that occurs during the school day.

Program of Inquiry (POI) – Please see the attachment titled “Units of Inquiry 2017-2018” to see our Grade 2 POI for the year. During our first unit of inquiry we will explore student role and contribution in the community, recognizing and meeting the needs of others, and exercising the process of decision making. During this unit we encourage all students to perform action and go out into their community to perform kind acts of service and become agents of change.

Assessment - Student grades will be based on in-class work, class participation, quizzes, tests, group work and assignments/projects. All tests will be sent home to be signed by a parent or guardian and must be returned the following school day; this includes weekly spelling tests (Friday). In the event that a student has been unsuccessful on a test (below 60%), there will be an opportunity for a rewrite.

Behaviour and Respect – As a class, we will create a set of classroom rules. These rules will include:

·       Treat others the way you would like to be treated.

·       Listen when someone else is speaking.

·       Respect your classmates and teachers, as well as their belongings.

·       Use your indoor voice when inside the school.

·       Follow instructions given by the teachers, supply teachers, or other persons of authority.

We will be using a “Stay on Green” system to encourage students to strive for excellent behaviour in their academics and social conduct. The goal will be for students to avoid reaching red and only moving up to gold. I believe that by following this system our classroom will be a happy, safe and friendly environment for everyone.

Punctuality – Please ensure that your child arrives to school on time. This sets the tone for the day. Students are expected to be at school between 8:30am and 8:45am. I understand that in some circumstances lateness is unavoidable (traffic, late buses, personal delays, etc.). Tardiness will be recorded and if it persists daily or is excessive, a letter will be sent home.

Uniforms:

All students must wear full uniform when attending school, when representing the school or when participating in an event organised by the school outside of school hours. This includes day to day uniform and gym uniform. Primary students (JK - grade 3) are to be dressed in the short-sleeved polo shirt (spring/summer) or the long sleeved polo shirt (fall/winter).

On Mondays and Wednesdays students are to come dressed in their gym uniform and on Tuesday, Thursday and Friday in full dress uniform.

Students are asked to have three pairs of shoes at school: outdoors, black indoor dress shoes, and gym shoes (we will be having gym every day).

If your child is violating the school’s uniform policy, they will be given three strikes. Please see the student handbook on pages 14-15 for more details.

    

Drop-off & Pick-up: Please indicate on the slip below who will be bringing your child to and from school. [The SJA office has already asked for this information, however, I like to have it for my own records as well. Thank you!]. I understand that pick-up may vary from day-to-day, this is just to give me a general idea of who to expect, particularly at dismissal. Pick-up time will be between 3:30pm and 3:40pm in the cafeteria. After this time, students will be signed into After Care.

Please note that afternoon Kiss and Ride has been canceled. The new dismissal procedures can be found in the SJA Parent and Student Handbook attached to this email. The new procedures will also be explained at the orientation evening next week.

Daily early dismissal procedures have been canceled. Parents will still be able to pick up their child/ren for appointments. Please notify me as these events occur.

Student Handbook – I have attached the Student Handbook in this e-mail. Please read the student handbook with your child, print off the last page, sign the last page, and return the signed copy of the last page by Friday September 15, 2017.

Peanut Policy – We are a peanut and nut free school, therefore please do not pack any nut products with your child. Please reference page 10 and 11 of the Student Handbook for more information.

Hot Lunch Program - Our hot lunch program is back online and ready for you to place your order for the month of September. Please know that the website closes off end of day Aug 31st and is unable to reopen for September ordering. Please ensure you get your orders in as soon as possible! We have some new options featured on our menu please keep your eye out for those! Lunch payments are due to homeroom teacher or reception no later than September 8th, 2017.

Below are the instructions for returning families:
*if you have a sibling joining SJA this year please keep in mind you can only use one email per child.

Step 1: Logon to website http://mydigitalmailroom.com/sja - if you forgot your password or email used please contact bsmith@stjudesacademy.com
Step 2: Across the top menu bar you will see several options, please scroll over MY ACCOUNT, Change grade and teacher to reflect new year. Select SAVE
Step 3: Across the top menu bar you will see several options, please scroll over MANAGE LUNCH, a drop-down menu will appear, select ADD NEW LUNCH FORM
.
*Don’t forget to select payment method BEFORE ordering
Below are the instructions for new families:
**If you have more than one child you will need to use different email addresses for each child. Only one child can be registered and ordered for under a single email address.

Step 1 Go to website http://mydigitalmailroom.com/sja
· Select register an account
· Select grade
· Select class
· Select teacher
· Enter in student information
· Accept terms and conditions and select Register
Repeat for additional students.
Step 2: Across the top menu bar you will see several options, please scroll over MANAGE LUNCH, a drop-down menu will appear, select ADD NEW LUNCH FORM.
*Don’t forget to select payment method BEFORE ordering

Below are the instructions for new families:
**If you have more than one child you will need to use different email addresses for each child. Only one child can be registered and ordered for under a single email address.
Step 1 Go to website http://mydigitalmailroom.com/sja
· Select register an account
· Select grade
· Select class
· Select teacher
· Enter in student information

· Accept terms and conditions and select Register
Repeat for additional students.
Step 2: Across the top menu bar you will see several options, please scroll over MANAGE LUNCH, a drop-down menu will appear, select ADD NEW LUNCH FORM.
*Don’t forget to select payment method 

Orientation – Please remember to join us on orientation night on Monday August 28, 2017 from 5-7pm. From 5-6pm we will be in classroom 13 and then will be in the auditorium from 6-7pm for the general session. You will able to purchase key fobs on this night with a $40 deposit.

Important Dates -

Aug. 28th - Orientation Night 5-7pm

Sept. 6th - First Day of School

Sept. 8th - Spirit Day - Dress in your house colours!

Sept. 16th - Fall Fiesta

Sept. 27th - Terry Fox run

Sept. 28th - Casual Day

The Parent Guild is excited to invite all families to the “SJA Back to School Kick Off” BBQ. This is a great opportunity to meet other families, socialize, and have fun!

When: September 16th from 11am-3pm.
Where: St. Jude’s Academy
Price: $30 (includes food, drink, games, cupcakes, etc…)

Contact Information - Also, please include at the bottom the best number (s) to reach you and your preferred email address. 

I want to thank you in advance for all of your support. I am confident that together we will have a fun and productive year. I am very excited about the year ahead and look forward to having the privilege of teaching your child!

Warm Regards,

Miss. Jaskolka