Our classroom has limited space for storage so I find it easier to send home requests for donations of tissue and paper towels throughout the year, as needed.

It is really helpful if the children keep a supply of wipes in their desks. Our classroom does not have a sink and the wipes are handy for washing hands and cleaning up after snack.

The children are allowed to have a bottle of water to keep on their desk during the day. A simple bottle is less distracting then a fancy thermos.

You cannot imagine how some children go through pencils! Even though I have a supply at the beginning of the year, I am constantly replenishing them. Please be aware that pencils are not all the same! The old fashioned Ticonderoga brand is a good one, especially for children who tend to use a lot of pressure and struggle with neatness. It has a good eraser which is rare among other brands. Be aware of all the fancy pencils with cute erasers. They don’t work well! For children who tire more easily during writing, I try to keep a supply of mechanical pencils.

We celebrate birthdays during snack time. Let me know which day you plan to send in a special snack for the class. Please don’t forget to include plates, napkins, and cups, if necessary. Of course, if we have children with specific food allergies, it might be necessary to change this policy. Unfortunately, in second grade we are not able to invite guests in for this occasion. Although we do allow extra time to celebrate, our busy schedule makes it difficult to plan really special parties. We will celebrate the summer birthdays at an end of the year party in June.

** I need to request that invitations to individual birthday parties not be sent to school for distribution, UNLESS ALL CHILDREN in the classroom are invited. **