Welcome Back

Please find below some general information you will find helpful as we begin our year of learning together.

Blog

If you would like to learn more about what we did during our day and receive important information about our classroom and the school such as field trips and special events you can follow my blog at https://macdonaldgr2.blogspot.com/

If you would like to receive e-mail's when a new post is made, please press the subscribe button and enter your e-mail address.

Shoes

Students require two pairs of shoes.  One pair is to be used exclusively for indoor wear and the other for outdoor wear.  Please select shoes that your child can put on easily and independently.  If your child is unable to tie his/her shoes independently, please use Velcro shoes.  Both pairs of shoes should be appropriate for gym activities and running as we participate in daily physical education both indoors and outdoors dependent on weather. Please label your child’s shoes as many children have the same shoes. J

Snacks and Lunch

We set aside time before our outside movement break for students to eat their snacks as part of a classroom community.  We also use this opportunity to discuss healthy food choices and how they impact our energy and learning.  Please pack your child's snack and lunch separately in different containers or compartments so it is easy for your child to know when they should be eating each part. At times students will bring their snack with them outdoors.  Due to the number of children with food and nut allergies, we ask that you remind your children not to share food such as recess snacks with their friends. Please note that there are no microwaves available to heat snacks or lunches.  Grade 2 students will be eating their lunches in the lunchroom during the second sitting at 12:30. Please ensure you label their lunch bags as they sometimes end up in another classroom’s bin. 

Daily Folder

A clear folder will be coming home in your child's backpack. This is their communication folder and we will use it each day to send home notices and important information. If you need to send a note to the teacher, it can also come in this folder. We will check them each day. 

Supervision

Morning supervision begins at 8:55 am.  Please do not leave your children unattended before that time.  Students will also have a supervised morning recess and a supervised lunch recess.

Pick-up meeting spot

Due to the large amount of parents and caretakers picking up students at the end of the day, parents are encouraged to make meeting spots for their child. Some caregivers make their meeting spot on the hill so the student can still see the parent when they're leaving. Other meeting spots may be the coloured basketball nets. Students in Grade 2 know that if they check their meeting spot and their parent or caregiver is not there that they must return to the Grade 2 doors or the office. You can send me a quick e-mail at ammacdonald@cbe.ab.ca and let me know your meeting spot and I will ensure the students head there at dismissal. 

Birthday invites

If your child has birthday invitations to hand out, please instruct them to hand them out during the recess break or put them in the communication folder for me to discreetly hand out. I do not expect that all students be invited to all parties.  We are unable to hand out birthday treats. 

Fridays

Our dismissal time on Fridays has changed to 1:10. Due to this later time we will provide the students with 2 opportunities to eat a snack. If you could ensure that you send your child with 2 large snacks that would be appreciated.

Volunteers

Throughout the year we will be looking for a number of parent volunteers to assist us in the classroom and on field trips. Please see the front office to confirm that volunteer and police clearance information is current. All volunteers must have current security and volunteer clearance before you will be able to volunteer.  These can take several weeks so please do them well in advance

This year, I would like to be intentional and organized in the way that volunteers are managed and implemented, as your time is so very valuable and important to us. Below, please let me know if you are able to volunteer with the school, and what your preferred availability would be (please check more than one if that suits you).

________________________________________________________________________

   (Volunteer’s Name(s))

________________________________________________________________________

   (Child’s Name)     

I am available: ______________________________________________________________

Thank you for taking the time to fill this out. Please send it back in your child’s communication folder at your earliest convenience.