Stonebridge 2nd Grade Handbook
Welcome...
Dear Parents/Guardians,
The three of us would like to welcome you to our Grade 2 community!
We want you to know how thankful we are for the opportunity to work with you and your child and how dedicated we are to providing each family with a meaningful second grade experience.
We are looking forward to getting to know each second grade family this coming school year.
Sincerely,
DeAnn Deitner
Andrea Higgins
Kristin Larson
Teacher Contact Information
DeAnn Deitner
Phone: (651)351-8740
Email: deitnerd@stillwaterschools.org
Hi! My name is Mrs. Deitner. I live in Stillwater with my husband Jim, daughter Kenzie, son Sawyer, and dog Barley. When I am not at school I enjoy spending time with my family and doing things outside, like hiking, boating, and camping. I love working at Stonebridge and am very excited to work with, and get to know you and your child this year!
Andrea Higgins
Phone: (651)351-8736
Email: higginsa@stillwaterschools.org
Hi! My name is Mrs. Higgins. When I am not at school, I enjoy spending time with my husband Jake, son Henry, and daughter Olivia. I have been at Stonebridge since 2009. I love Stonebridge and I am so excited to work with you and your child!
Kristin Larson
Phone: (651)351-8757
Email: larsonkristin@stillwaterschools.org
Hi! My name is Kristin Larson. I have two sons, Gabe (20) & Josh (18). When I’m not at school, I love spending time with my family and friends. I have been at Stonebridge since 2010 and in the district since 2000. I love working at Stonebridge and am excited to be working with you and your child this year!
Front Office: (651)351-8700
Attendance Line: (651)351-8701
*When your child will be absent:
Enter the absence on PowerSchool OR
Call the attendance line: 651-351-8701
In addition, contacting your child’s teacher directly via email or phone is always appreciated!
Curriculum
Math
Literacy
Literacy instruction consists of reading workshop, writing workshop, and word work. Each day students will receive direct instruction in skills and strategies that lead to proficient reading. They are given ample amounts of time to read high interest, self selected, just right books. During independent reading time, students will meet with the teacher one-on-one or in small groups focusing on skills at their instructional level.
Writing Workshop begins each day with a whole group lesson on a writing skill or strategy. We practice together and then students work independently on their piece of writing. Teachers then meet one-on-one and in small groups with students to give feedback, teach next steps, and monitor students’ writing.
We will use the Letterland curriculum for word work instruction.
Science
Throughout the year we will complete these units: Balance and Motion; Air and Weather; and Plants and Animals. We also have 2 STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) kits called To Get To The Other Side: Designing Bridges and Catching Wind: Designing Windmills. Additionally, we will use the Star Lab to learn about our galaxy. Students use the engineering design process, critical thinking,
problem solving, and collaborative discussions while designing products and processes.
Social Studies
Homework Responsibilities
Multiple studies show little evidence suggesting that homework has a significant effect on student learning at the elementary level. At Stonebridge, our expectation is that kids read (or a parent reads to them) each evening as their homework. Here are some minimum guidelines to follow. • 15 minutes for kindergarten and first graders. • 20-30 minutes for second through fifth graders.
The overarching theme at our school is that we will not be assigning homework other than what is described above. On occasion, there will be some exceptions.
First, we need to look at the difference between homework and schoolwork. Homework is defined as work assigned by the teacher to be completed at home. Schoolwork is defined as work that was unfinished at school, therefore, the child brings the work home to complete it. This may happen if a child has missed school for an illness or on an occasion where the child did not finish the work during the time provided in school.
Homework must be effective if it is assigned and effective homework assignments must be prescribed in a certain way. For example, an effective use of homework would be the teacher sitting down and thinking ‘Ray has trouble with number placement, so I’m going to give him five problems on number placement.’ Then the next day the teacher sits down with Ray and asks, ‘Was this hard for you? Where did you have difficulty?’ Then the teacher gives Ray either more or less material based on what was learned. This type of effective homework is very different compared to all children receiving the same math worksheets to compete on a nightly basis.
Lastly, we’d love to see kids get the opportunity to play with family and friends, take the dog for a walk, help out around the house, and get outside as a part of their nightly routine.
I truly appreciate the support of the community of Stonebridge, not only outside the school but within. Families are so welcoming and supportive of the children and the sense of "family" really shines through in this school. I love the involvement with teachers and parents – wonderful!PARENT COMMENT
- Grade 2 Communication
- Daily Schedule for Grade 2
- Calendar
- Important Dates
- Birthday Celebrations
- Snacks
- Recess
Grade 2 Communication
Daily Schedule for Grade 2
8:45 Wake-up Work
9:00 Morning Meeting
9:15 Literacy
9:55 Specials (Gym, Art, Music, or Media)
10:35 Math
11:42 Deitner Lunch
11:44 Higgins Lunch
11:46 Larson Lunch
12:02 Read Aloud
12:15 Literacy
1:15 Recess
1:45 Quiet Time
1:55 Literacy
2:10 Science/Social Studies
2:40 Bonus Break
3:00 Closing Circle
3:15 Dismissal
Calendar
Important Dates
Birthday Celebrations
Snacks
You are welcome to send in a healthy snack each day with your child. Please remember all snacks need to be peanut free. We also encourage students to bring a water bottle labeled with your child’s name as well. Students do not have access to a drinking fountain. There are touchless water bottle filling stations around our building.
Recess
Arrival and Dismissal Procedures
Parents can assist by following arrival and dismissal procedures listed below. These procedures can be found on the Stonebridge website under the Parent Resources section.
Classes begin at 8:45 a.m. with dismissal at 3:15 p.m.
All Students: 8:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m.
School Patrol: 8:15 a.m. and 3:35 p.m.
We have no supervision outside of these times.
There are four types of dismissals at Stonebridge:
Walkers: Students who walk home. If you are meeting your child at school, please wait outside or in the vestibule.
Bus: Students who ride the bus.
Carpool: Students who are picked up in a vehicle.
Adventure Club: Students who attend on-site child care.
Students are released in a gradual manner to facilitate safety in the hallways. Adventure Club students go to the cafeteria. Walkers and bussers go out first. Carpool students wait in the gym until busses have left the parking lot, which is no later than 3:25 p.m. Carpool students are escorted outside to meet their rides.
A.M. Traffic Reminders
Our morning busses drop off on Owens Street south of the school entrance and arrive at approximately the same time. This results in some of our busses waiting where the carpool lines up north of the school entrance. It is important for parents to wait behind the busses and be signaled in by our traffic controller. We have had a number of near accidents with cars taking a right turn in front of the bus in order to get into the school entrance. This will be a temporary delay as the busses will move forward as soon as the space is available.
- Once into the school parking area, proceed towards the school entrance following to the right.
- Stay in line, pull ahead to the marked carpool sign.
- Pull away promptly to keep the line moving.
P.M. Traffic Reminders
Afternoon announcements are made at 3:15 p.m. Messages for students should be called into the office no later than 2:45 p.m.
The end of the day can be very hectic. We are asking you to make appointments outside the school day. If you need to pick your child up early, plan on some extra time. Park your car in the parking lot without blocking other vehicles and be mindful of the handicap spots and crosswalks. You will need to activate the intercom upon arrival and one of our office staff will sign your child out. Your child will meet you in the vestibule.
- All Stonebridge students need to exit the building at the end of the day from the main front entrance doors.
- Students are not allowed to meet vehicles in the parking lot.
- Parents need to use the carpool line.
- You will not be able to make a left turn when the traffic controller is in the intersection.
Carpool/Pick Up Vehicles
- Line up on the west side of Owens street (along the curb), just north of the school’s entrance.
- Wait for our traffic controller to signal you in.
- Please do not block driveways or crosswalks.
- Once into the school parking area, proceed towards the school entrance following to the right.
- Stay in line, pull ahead to the marked carpool sign.
- Pull away promptly to keep the line moving.
