This classroom handbook provides information for parents of students in Mrs. Ealy's second grade class. It outlines classroom policies and procedures regarding arrival and dismissal, communication with parents, homework, classroom rewards, birthdays, snacks, special events, and more. The goal is to form a team between teachers, students, and parents to help students achieve their personal best.

1. Classroom
Handbook
Mrs. Ealy

2. 2012-2013
Dear Second Grade Families,
Welcome to the second grade! This is an exciting time for
students, parents, and teachers. By working together, we
will make this school year a wonderful experience. I value
parent communication and participation. It is my goal to
form a team between you, your child, and myself. I hope
to work together to allow your student to achieve his or
her own personal best. I find that it is easier to reach me,
as well as get a quicker response, via e-mail because I can
check that from home and throughout the day. If you
have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact
me.
School: 248-684-8085 ext. 5821
Email: ealyk@huronvalley.k12.mi.us
I look forward to working with you to make this a magical
year of learning for your child!
Sincerely,
Kristin Ealy

3. Dismissal Policies
The first bell rings at 9:08 and children will be allowed to enter the building. Classes
begin at 9:13 a.m. School dismissal is at 4:05 p.m.
If there is ever a change in the daily routine for your child as far as afternoon
transportation is concerned, please send a note to me so that I can make sure that your
child ends up in the proper place at the end of the day. For example, if your child
normally rides the bus and you are picking them up, please let me know in a note,
otherwise I will put them on their bus. If you do not send a note, your child will be
directed to take their normal mode of transportation home that day.
Also, if you need to pick your child up from school early, please send a note. Please
remember that it is district policy to allow 24 hours to prepare homework for your child
when they are absent or picked up early. You will also need to sign him/her out in the
office. The office will call down to the room when you arrive and I will send your child
to the office. Please do not go directly to the classroom as this causes unnecessary
interruptions during valuable learning time.
School Age Care
Please inform me, and the office, of your child’s school age care schedule.
Bus Passes
If your child would like to ride the bus home with another child, please do not call the
school. Please call transportation at 248.684.8200 since they are processing all bus
passes. You will still need to send a note to me so that I know where to send your child
at the end of the day
School Safety and Security
To ensure your child’s safety, all of the doors will be locked except the main doors by
the office. All parents and visitors must enter the school through those doors and then

4. sign in at the office before proceeding any further. A visitor’s badge will be given to
you at this time. Walking to their classroom on their own is a responsibility that we want
to instill in the children so please give them the opportunity to practice this
independence.
Green Emergency Cards
Please fill out both sides and return this to school as soon as possible. We need to
have these cards on file in the event that your child becomes ill or hurt during the day.
If there are ever any changes that need to be updated on the green card, please notify
us immediately so that we can make the corrections. Please make sure to note allergies
or other illnesses so that we can make the appropriate accommodations at school.
Parent Parking and Student Pick-Up
When picking your child up after school, please pull up in the parent pick up lot. This lot
is located in the front of the school. It is U-shaped so traffic can flow in easily and
this way you will not interfere with the buses. There is plenty of adult supervision
outside to ensure student safety so you can stay in your vehicle and pull up beside the
sidewalk; your child will then be allowed to enter your car. We do not let unassisted
children cross in front of or behind running vehicles. Please understand that this area
can get very congested if people do not follow the rules and that we have these rules
for your child’s safety. If you do need to park your car, please do so in the parking lot
on the north side of the building or out front in a designated spot.
School Absences
If your child is going to be absent for the day, please call the School Absentee Line at
684-8085. If you forget to call and report the absence you will receive a call asking
about your child’s attendance. If your child is absent, their work will be saved and sent
home on the day they return. Please complete it and return it as soon as possible.
Please try to maintain good attendance throughout the year. 2nd grade is an important
year and what we learn one day will be built upon the next. When your child misses an
excess of school they miss valuable learning that cannot be duplicated at home. I
understand that sicknesses, etc. will occur throughout the year, they will happen to me
too, but please make every effort to have them here every day possible.
Tardiness
Please try to have your child at school on time everyday. Class instruction begins
promptly at 9:13. If your child comes in late, they will most likely miss morning routines
and/or directions. Then they will have to spend time trying to make up what has been
missed and this causes them to start the day out behind the others. Let’s try to start
everyday on a positive note with them all present, on time, and ready to learn!

5. Extended Vacations
I do not encourage extra vacations during the school year However, in the event that it
cannot be avoided, please let me know and we can try to arrange to have the work sent
with you on your trip or it can be saved to be completed when you return.
Leadership Model
Today’s students need the skills and self-confidence to succeed as leaders in the 21st
Century. They need to be able to communicate clearly, to work as a team, to be self-
motivated and analytical thinkers. Students need the organizational and technical skills
to compete in a global society. Building cooperative relationships as well as nurturing
responsibility, kindness, and good judgment are the basis for creating a successful
community of learners.
I believe it is our responsibility to develop our young students as leaders by providing
them with the skills that will allow them to handle themselves in any given situation.
This fall, I will begin to help students put these habits into practice. The following
principles will be embedded in our classroom and school culture as well as guide the
students in building the leadership model. Each principle will be discussed in the
classroom more thoroughly.
 Give Best Effort
 Think First
 Think Win-Win
 Show Respect
 Follow Rules
At the start of the year, students will write about their Hopes and Dreams for the
school year. This helps to ensure that we will build a strong classroom community
allowing everyone to achieve their Hopes and Dreams for the year. Additionally, this
helps students to explore the areas in which they could be leaders.

6. Reward System
To create and uphold a positive learning environment for all students, the children will
participate in a year long classroom economy unit in which they will earn credits and
debits. This activity is cross-curricular since students will be learning major economic
concepts, as well as using math skills on a daily basis.
Throughout each week, students can earn “Ealy Bucks” for any number of
things such as classroom jobs, following rules, showing good character,
putting extra effort into schoolwork, and being responsible. Debits are
given when students break “laws” (classroom rules) in our community of learners.
Each student will visit the classroom bank to trade single bucks for larger bills and save
the money in a personal wallet. At the end of each month, they will be able to shop at
our store with the cash they have accumulated. I would love any donations for this
program. The dollar store would be a great place to find these items. The class store
will be used not only to give students “hands on” experience with money, but also to
teach economic lessons that include decision making, opportunity cost, supply and
demand, and inflation.
Item suggestions:
plastic rings puzzles coloring books
stickers erasers books
decks of cards necklace beads toys
big candy bars note pads gel pens
diaries/journals yo-yos funky straws
fancy pencils
Homework
You and I both want your child to do well in school. Part of this important learning
experience includes homework. Beyond academic growth, many life skills are formed in
these early years. Organization, neatness, responsibility, and integrity are just a few.
Your child would greatly benefit from your support and encouragement of good work
habits at home. You should expect to see some type of homework to do each night. It
will primarily be: Math Home-links, Weekend Writing, and our Book N’ Bag program.
Please observe how your child is doing at home with these assignments. If you are
seeing some difficulty or confusion, please let me know. That information will assist
with my lessons in the future. All homework needs to be signed/initialed by a parent.
This acknowledges that you have reviewed this with your child and are aware of the

7. curriculum being taught at that time. Students will bring home a “Weekly Planner”
which lists behavior for the morning and afternoon and any homework that has been
assigned for the day. Please check your child’s binder each day and initial this form.
Classroom Website
This year I have decided to develop a classroom website. I believe it will be a great way
to have a successful school and home connection. The website will be available to see
upcoming events, newsletters, assignments, and useful websites. I am very excited
about this new addition to our classroom! The website is:
www.ealysclassroom.weebly.com
Book N’ Bag Program
A primary focus of my literacy instruction is to expose students to many different
reading strategies and purposes, as well as different genres. Weekly books will be sent
home on Friday and need to be returned the following Friday. This book should be read
numerous times throughout the week. Although it may occasionally appear easy for your
child, they can always improve their fluency and expression! There will be a homework
page to compliment each book. On Friday, various literacy activities will be taking place,
so it is imperative that everyone is prepared! Additional information will come home
when we launch the program in late October/beginning of November. Later in the
school year, we will alternate this program with a weekend writing assignment.
Spelling
Spelling will be a two-part, multi-level subject this year. Our program will be focused
around two aspects: sight words and spelling patterns. Practice will occur in class. The
words your child is tested on will be at his/her individual level and a pre-test will be
given to figure out that ability level. Your child will bring home a test at the end of the
week to show you their progress.
Book Orders
Occasionally your child will bring home book order forms. They are a great source for
buying quality literature at a very inexpensive cost. If you would like to order books
from a book order, please send either cash or a check made out to the appropriate book
club. Notes will always accompany the order form to help you out with the process.

8. During the school year you may also receive orders for different magazines and book
clubs. I do not expect you to order from all of these but many times even a “not
interested” response that is returned to school entitles the class to free gifts. So,
please return all forms with your signature.
Birthdays
Everyone loves to celebrate their special day! If you wish to bring in a birthday treat,
that’s great! We will always make time, but bringing the treat in the morning is very
helpful. If your child was born on a date outside of the school year, they can celebrate
during their week as Star Student. Please send in any plates, napkins, cups, etc. that
are necessary to serve the snack.
Student of the Week
We will be having a star student bulletin board. A special poster will come home the
week before your child is star student to decorate our display. Your child will have a
special spot to sit at during this week!
Snack Time
Each day we will take one short snack break in the morning. As part of our health
curriculum this year, the children will be learning about healthy eating. It is for this
reason that the snack your child brings into our classroom needs to be a healthy,
nutritious snack. Items such as carrots, celery sticks, fresh fruits and vegetables,
cheese and crackers, pretzels, and popcorn are great choices!! Unhealthy snacks will
be taken back home and a healthy snack will be provided. Our classroom is carpeted
so please do not send juice boxes for snack time, water will be the only drink allowed in
the classroom. Your children are allowed to have their own water bottle to keep on
their desk, but please make sure that the lids fit on tight. 

9. Meal Schedule
The doors will open at 8:55 for those students who would like to eat breakfast at
school. If your child rides a bus and would like to eat breakfast at school, please just
let the bus drivers know via a note about that plan so that they know to let your child
off the bus early. Lunch and recess are scheduled from 12:35-1:20 each day.
Breakfast $ 1.00
Hot Lunch (including milk) $ 2.50
Milk $ 0.50
* The cafeteria encourages you to prepay for your student’s lunch as it helps them move
through the line quicker and allows more time for eating. To do so, send in a check or
cash with the amount you want added to your child’s account. A note will be sent home to
you when the account is running low.
*If you’re sending money to school, please send it in an envelope, zip-lock baggie, coin
purse, or any other safe way you can think of. Please be sure to write your child’s name
on it. If your child should forget or lose their lunch money, they are to let the lunch
supervisor know and they will be given a hot lunch; a charge for that lunch will be added
to your account.
Popcorn
Every Friday is Popcorn Day! Your child will have an opportunity to purchase a bag of
popcorn for 25 cents a bag. A teacher always sponsors these Popcorn Days and the
proceeds go toward supplies for their classrooms. If you’d like to volunteer to help pop
popcorn, look for the sign-up sheets at Parent Night!
Specials Schedule
Monday – PE
Tuesday –Art
Wednesday – PE and Music
Thursday – Music and Library

10. Friday – Wellness
**Computer lab time is still to be determined**
Weekly News
Every week I will be writing a classroom newsletter to help keep you aware of
everything that happens in our classroom. In the newsletter I will summarize what has
been learned during the week, notify you of upcoming events, and let you know if special
classroom materials are needed, etc. This year I will be going paperless with
newsletters and posting each week on our classroom website. If you are unable to
access our website, please let me know and I will send home a paper copy.
Parent Night
Oxbow’s Parent Night is scheduled for September 13th from 6:30-8. This is a time for
the parents to come in and learn about the curriculum. Each teacher provides two
sessions in case you have two children at Oxbow. You will also be able to sign up for
conferences and party donations during Parent Night.
Parent/Teacher Conferences and Report Cards
Parent/teacher conferences are scheduled for Wednesday, October 17th and Thursday,
October 25th. If you have any questions before your conference I would be more than
happy to talk or meet with you. Please call and leave a message or send a note in with
your child. I will return the call or note as soon as possible.
Like last year, the district will no longer be printing report cards. Families will be able
to view their child’s report card via Family Access. If you are unable to access the
internet, a hard copy will be available upon request only.
If there is anything else that has not been covered in this handbook, watch for it in my
weekly newsletters.
Mrs. Ealy 