Welcome to

Mrs.
Berezowskis
Grade Two Class
Parent Information Night
September 9, 2015

My Teaching
Philosophy
I believe the child comes first, therefore I teach
from the heart- to the heart. When a child feels
safe, secure and welcomed, learning will take
place and success will be guaranteed.

Classroom Expectations
Respect for All - All individuals, big or
small, will be treated with the utmost
respect. All property, whether school or
personal will also be treated with respect.
All individuals contribute to creating a
positive atmosphere by having positive
attitudes.

Nutritional Snacks
The most nutritional food is eaten during
snack time i.e. fresh fruit
Sweets are eaten after they have finished
their lunch.

Water bottles
Water bottles are left at lockers, students
are more than welcome to drink from them
throughout the day. They must be taken
home nightly to be washed.

Classroom Celebrations

We love to celebrate your childs

birthday.
I would appreciate a
days notice of your intention of
treating the class so I can plan for an
special treat time in the day.
I also have 2 students with food
intolerances. Giving advance notice
will allow the parents time to send a
special treat so they can be included.

Reward Systems
Certificates, special activities and Star
Student Awards are rewarded frequently
for good behavior, great effort and
achievements in their work, etc.

Agenda Books
This is the communication tool that I use, if you

have a note please write it in the book and ask

your child to show it to me in the morning.
Please initial so I know you have read about our

day.

Portfolios & Report Cards

Report cards and portfolios will be sent

home in November.
We will have scheduled Portfolio Walks
involving you, your child, and myself.
We will discuss his/her successes and
areas for growth during this time.

R&R
(Rest and Relaxation Techniques)
I have tried creating an atmosphere using a water

fountain, soft lighting, plants, and soft background

music to make my classroom environment more
relaxing and enjoyable. A few minutes is given
frequently for my students to learn breathing
techniques and strategies to assist them through
stressful times of their day. They learn the
importance of clearing their mind and taking time
to relax. This can help them to deal with anxieties
of new activities, playground issues, bullies or
normal challenges, be at school or at home.

Goldie Hawns gift to parents who want to help

their children learn better and live happier lives.
Inspired by the MindUp Program, the book
offers easy-to-grasp insights from current
behavioral, psychological, and neurological
studies to show how our thoughts, emotions,
and actions- including our ability to focus,
manage stress and learn are all
interconnected.

Roots of Empathy
Roots of Empathy is an evidence-based classroom
program taught in grade two at Terrace Ridge. It has
shown dramatic effect in reducing levels of aggression
among school children by raising social/emotional
competence and increasing empathy.
At the heart of the program there is an infant and
parent who visit the classroom every three weeks over
the school year.
Kyla Petrie coaches students to observe the baby's
development and to label the baby's feelings. In
this experiential learning, the baby is the "Teacher",
Kyla helps children identify and reflect on their own
feelings and the feelings of others. Research indicates
significant reductions in aggression and increases in
pro-social behavior.

Volunteers
If you are volunteering, we are asking that you
stop in the office first before coming to the
classroom so you can sign in.
I will also have a form for you to sign that
shares with parents the Code of Ethics
respecting confidentiality, tolerance and
understanding with whom you will be in contact
with.
It is requested that small children not be brought
into the classroom with you at this time.

Special activities / Field

trips
Notes will be sent home in advance to

notify you of upcoming special activities or

field trips. If parental supervision is
required, a form will be attached at the
bottom of the page asking for your
assistance.

Home Reading
Our Home Reading program has already been started.

Each student has been assigned a level where he/she

can achieve success when reading. A book from the
Guided Reading Program will be sent home daily.
Please listen to your child read, sign the form to
confirm he/she has read that night and return the book
to their backpack so it can be exchanged the next day.
If you find the level your child is on is too easy for
them, please write a simple note and I will move them
to the next level. All children benefit from a reading
program. I am thanking you in advance for your
cooperation in helping to make this experience a
success for your child.

Absentees
Please phone the school first thing in the
morning to inform us of your childs absence.
* If you are coming to pick up your child early,
before the end of the school day, please stop
by the office first. They will notify the teacher
that you are waiting for your child.

Scholastic orders
Ordering from Scholastics is optional. The
bonus points we receive go towards adding
new books to our class library. When ordering,
please make your cheque out to Scholastic
Canada Ltd.

Emergency Phone
Fan Out
I require five mothers to volunteer to be my
contact Room Mothers. I will need one mother
to be my main contact and four more to assist
her with the emergency phone fan-out.
This job may involve anything from phoning to
organize food for a class party to phoning in
regards to an emergency situation at the
school.

School Council
School Council is asking for one parent to
volunteer to assist in organizing parents from
our class to host the hot dog sale, Halloween
candy fund raiser, Craft a Gift Day, Luau and
the Movie night, etc.
The continued support of volunteers ensures
school spirit will continue at Terrace Ridge.

Digital Citizenship
At Terrace Ridge School, we believe that our

students need to understand that online choices

have offline consequences. As teachers and
parents, we need to develop a deeper
understanding of the digitally connected world and
what it means to be good digital citizens. To meet
that goal the staff of Terrace Ridge have been
participating in a variety of professional
development activities that have focused on
increasing our awareness and understanding of
digital citizenship.

Web Tools 2.0 for Student Instruction

StoryJumper is an online tool that makes

creative writing fun. The Storystarter

workbook is designed to teach kids 7 steps
to develop a complete story arc in a fun and
interactive way.
StoryBird is another online tool that allows
students to create, read, and share visual
stories. Storybirds are short, art-inspired
stories you can make and share on any
device.

Safety Between Home & School

Please have arrangements for your child to

walk with a buddy to and from school.

Create a code word in your family to ensure

safety when unexpected circumstances arise

and someone else must pick up your child.

child can continue to have a positive

year developing friendships
and progressing academically.

Classroom Phone (403)3414153 Ext. 5092

Cell:
(403)318-4492
****A great new app for
classroom communication is
Remind
Thank-you for working with me to
ensure a successful,
memorable year for your child.
Laurie