New School Year PAW PRINTS newsletter

Dear New Cassidy Canine Families,

I am excited to be working with you and your child this school year, and look forward to creating the best learning environment possible.  Together, we can make this 2nd Grade year a fantastic one!

Open House:  You are invited to attend Track 4's Open House Tuesday, August 8th, from 6:00 to 7:00 pm.  I look forward to meeting you!

Specials Schedule: Your child’s Daily Special will be from 1:00-1:45pm Monday through Friday.
Monday – Spanish, Tuesday – Exploration, Wednesday – Art, Thursday – Music, and Friday – PE. 
*Days we have PE, students must wear tennis shoes.

Communication:  A biweekly newsletter will be posted to our class blog, http://cassidycanines.blogspot.com. This newsletter tells you what is happening in our 2nd Grade class. On our class blog you will also find important dates, links to websites, and our class Twitter feed. If you don’t have computer access I can send home a hard copy of the newsletter, please let me know.  Also you can email me at mcassidy@wcpss.net with any questions.

Wednesday Folder:  Your child will bring home their Wednesday blue two-pocket folder each week. Inside you will find school memos and work done by your child.  Please remind your child to show this to you each Wednesday, remove all papers and return it to school on Thursday.

Homework:  Math homework will be assigned daily (except Friday) and expected to be returned the following day.  It is expected that pups will read 15-20 minutes (alone or with a family member) each night and bring a book to share with the class or friend on Fridays.  There is an optional BINGO board reading log to record books read and earn rewards.  Additional materials will be sent home for practice or enrichment as needed.  Periodically, there will be Home/School Connection Projects to bring what we learn in the classroom to "life" at home too.

Volunteering:  If you plan to volunteer in any capacity this year you MUST update your security clearance with WCPSS. This can be done in the Media center.  No parent will be allowed to go on field trips or help with student activities without it.

Cafeteria:  Students will use their student ID number for their lunch account. Please write this number on your check when adding money to their lunch account.  Your child should know their number.   If they do not, please send in a note and I will send it home with your child.  Your child will be eating lunch daily from 11:50 – 12:20 pm.  Feel free to eat lunch with your child just remember to get a Visitor’s Pass at the front office.

Snacks:   We will have a working snack each day. This needs to be something the students can eat while they work at their seats.  About a cupful is more than enough to eat in the allotted time.  To encourage healthy eating, please guide your child in selecting their daily snack. Please remember to send in healthy snacks!

Health:  If your child has a food allergy, please let me know.  If your child needs medication to be given to them during the school day, you must complete a medical form from our Nurse’s Station/Office and have it signed by your physician to be filed at school.  No medication is allowed in the classroom!

Absences:  If your child is absent you may call the office, email me, or send in a note with the reason for the absence.  A student is counted absent if they arrive after 12:30 p.m. or leave before 12:30 p.m.

Signing Out:  If for any reason, you need to pick your child up early from school, please go to the office first and sign him or her out. Students may not be signed out after 3:15 pm (per school policy).  For safety, we also ask that you come to the trailer door to give the sign out slip and ensure that the teacher knows you have your pup.

Transportation Changes:  Please remember to send a note with your child or call the front office (919-870-4080) if there are changes to your child’s daily transportation schedule.  Please DO NOT send messages regarding carpool or bus changes via e-mail.

Classroom Expectations and Citizenship:  All students are expected to show good citizenship and responsibility in our classroom. If there are any concerns or issues regarding student behavior you will be contacted either by phone or email. If you have any concerns about behavior or academics I encourage you to communicate through email or a handwritten note. The class will be able to earn PAWS for class celebrations, individual Dojos for prizes, and table groups may earn cubes for rewards.

I know I have given you a lot of information.  If you need clarification of something I’ve written or if you have any further questions or concerns, please contact me at the school number:  919-870-4080 or email me.  Please don’t hesitate to contact me with questions or concerns.  If there are changes that are occurring in your child’s life, I will be better able to understand and help your child if I am notified as soon as possible.  If you change your address or phone number, please contact the office right away so that we have updated information.  Working as a team ensures your child the best educational opportunity.

I am looking forward to a great year!


Mrs. Cassidy – 2nd Grade Track 4

mcassidy@wcpss.net