Welcome to room 403’s
2nd Grade Class!! 
Taught by Miss Sommers
Ladera Elementary School
2515 Rawlings Road
Tustin, CA 92782
(714) 730-7505 x 67403
msommers@tustin.k12.ca.us
September 2014
Dear Parents,
I am very excited to be teaching 2nd grade this year. I have loved teaching at Ladera the last thirteen years,
and know this is going to be another great school year! I have had the pleasure of meeting many of you
already, and am excited to meet those of you whom I have not yet met. As your child’s teacher, I would like
to extend my warmest welcome to our class!
Now, for a little about me… I live in Rancho Santa Margarita. My parents live in Laguna Niguel, and are
volunteers in my class. My brother and sister-in-law live in Maryland and have a nine year old boy, Jack, and
a seven year old girl, Lily. I have two spoiled rotten cats, Bailey and Oreo, and two equally spoiled golden
retrievers, Mac and Nala. (As I am sure you have guessed by now, I am an animal lover.) I volunteer
weekly at the Mission Viejo Animal Shelter and the Golden Retriever Rescue. I love traveling, sports,
reading, and spending time with family & friends.
I received my bachelor’s degree in Human Development from UC Riverside, my teaching credential from
Chapman University, my CLAD certificate from UCSD, and my master’s in reading with a language arts
specialist credential from Cal State Fullerton. I taught first grade for two years in the Chula Vista district.
Since Ladera opened, I have taught grades kindergarten through fourth, including multiple combination
classes (K/1, 2/3 & 3/4).
The 2nd grade teaching team will be working very closely to ensure that every student’s unique needs are
met. Our goal is for students to master the second grade standards and to be well prepared for the next grade
and beyond. It is important for you to know that I firmly believe that if a student has mastered a concept, it is
a misguided use of their time to belabor it. We extend upon the concept, and then move on. If a student is
experiencing difficulty in any area, I will use every resource to ensure the student’s mastery.
For language arts, students will receive instruction using the Houghton Mifflin language arts series,
Reading Workshop, Writing Workshop, Daily Grammar, Wordly Wise, and Accelerated Reader. For math,
students will receive instruction using the Houghton Mifflin math series and a Common Core math warm-up
program. For both Reading Workshop and math, students will be working in groups with peers with similar
abilities. A student may move from one group to another, as his/her instructional needs change. This will
allow every student to receive instruction appropriate to his or her ability level. Students will also
receive instruction in social studies, science, art, and physical education.
The importance of your interest in your child’s education cannot be over-emphasized. Parents are an
essential part of our program, and communication between home and school is vital. There also are an
endless number of ways you can help, both in the class, at the school, and at home. My door is always open,
and I love parent volunteers!
Please pay close attention to the things your child brings home, and visit our 2nd grade Haiku page weekly
so that you do not miss important information. Talk daily with your child to find out how the day went. Sit
down each evening to read with your child and look over homework assignments. I encourage you to visit the
classroom and keep in contact by e-mail, notes, and/or phone. I am available before and after school, with
advanced notice, to provide any additional help your child may need, and to answer any questions or discuss
any concerns you might have.
Please take time to read, fill out, and return the following pages. I am looking forward to a wonderful
school year. I hope you and your child are as excited as I am, and I look forward to seeing you at Back to
School Night tomorrow night!
Sincerely,
Miss Sommers
Arrival & Dismissal: School begins at 8:30. Every morning a member of the student council will
lead the school in the Pledge of Allegiance and give morning announcements. We will sing a
patriotic song each morning in class. On Friday mornings, there is an all-school flag ceremony held
on the blacktop. Dismissal is at 2:35. Modified Wednesday dismissal is 1:26.
Bell Schedule: You may access the bell schedule on the Ladera website. Please note that there is a
longer time between morning snack and lunch, so please pack a healthy, substantial snack for
your child each day and remind him/her to eat it during snack break!
Attendance: Regular attendance is of great importance for your child to reach his/her academic
potential. One day’s lesson is a building block for the next. Please do your best to schedule doctor
and other appointments after school or during vacation. If you are aware of an absence in advance,
you may request the schoolwork and homework beforehand. If not, your child will receive make-up
work upon his/her return.
Class Numbers: Each child will be assigned a class number. The intent of using a number system is
not to create an impersonal environment. It is simply a classroom management system. Each child is
special and has much to add to the class, and the number system does nothing to interfere with that
focus.
Supplies: School supplies brought in by students will be kept in the classroom throughout the year.
If there is a need to replace or replenish supplies, a notice will be sent home.
Homework: Approximately forty to fifty minutes of homework (20 min. of reading included) will
be given Monday through Thursday. Homework will include reading, Common Core language arts,
math, and fluency activities, and Houghton Mifflin math.
Parent/Teacher Communication: I am available before and after school, unless I am in a meeting,
on duty, or have an appointment. You may always contact me through e-mails, phone calls, and
notes.
Birthdays: Each student’s birthday will be recognized by me in class. Additionally, the room parent
(s) will be dividing all the birthdays among our four class parties. Parents will then be invited to
provide items for the one party where their child’s birthday will be celebrated.
Star of the Week: You will be given a poster at Back-To-School Night for your child to complete.
As students bring their posters in, we will draw numbers to select each week’s star. Students may
bring parent approved sharing items in on the Monday of their week. Please have your child practice
what he /she is going to say, as it helps to make the class presentation more enjoyable for all.
2nd Grade Haiku Page: In lieu of a class website, we will have a 2nd grade Haiku page (Interactive
website that allows for greater student, parent, and teacher collaboration). Students and parents will
be able to access instructional activities/extensions that piggyback on what we have been learning in
class. Parents will also be able to view updates on what is happening in class, access class
documents, and view calendars of upcoming events and volunteer schedules. As this is relatively
new for me, please be patient as I am sure there will be hiccups along the way. Additionally, any
feedback you have throughout the year about using Haiku would be most welcome. I will email
invitations shortly after the start of school giving you the log-in information.
Water Bottles: Your child may bring a water bottle to school. The “sippy” top bottles are preferred
as they prevent major spills. No liquids besides water are allowed, unless there is a medical reason
that has been made aware to me in advance by letter, phone, or in person.
Class Rules: Quite simply, we follow the Golden Rule; Treat others the way you want to be treated.
Discipline Policy: In the classroom, we have a behavior management chart. Students begin each day
on “ready to learn” and may move up or down throughout the day based on their behavior. Students
may earn or forfeit privileges or classroom incentives as they move their clip, and if necessary, may
be issued an “oops” card or discipline referral form which will need to be signed at home and
returned the following day. Each day your child will be given a clean slate. Please take a moment
each day to discuss with your child how the day went.
Incentives: The students earn table team points on a weekly basis, and class rewards. Students also
earn classroom dollars, which can be used to shop at our class store at the end of each month.
Additionally, there are many opportunities for students to receive verbal praise and other forms of
recognition. These systems are in place to encourage and excite students.
I appreciate your time spent reading this and discussing it with your child. If you have any questions
or concerns, please feel free to call or e-mail me at school, or drop by the classroom. Again, I am
looking forward to an exciting and productive year.
Please sign and return the bottom of this sheet by Wednesday, September 10. Thank you!
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------I have read the welcome letter and discussed the contents with my child.
Child’s name______________________________________
Parent’s name__________________________
Parent’s signature_____________________
HELP WANTED
I would love to have parent volunteers for our classroom to help make our school
year a big success. Please take a few minutes to complete this form and return it to me by
Wednesday, September 10. Thank you for your participation! 
Name: ___________________________Best Phone # :__________________________
Child’s Name: ____________________________
___
How often are you available to volunteer?
___
Several times a week
___
Once a week
___
Once a month
___
As needed for special projects
___
I would like to be involved in the following classroom activities:
___
As a room parent
___
Correcting papers
___
Art Masters
___
Preparing Friday Folders
___
Class photographer
___
Photocopying, getting materials ready, etc.
___
Working with students: ___ Math Groups
___ Reading/RTI Groups
___ JGB (Junior Great Books)
___ Computer Lab
___ Library
___
The following days/times are most convenient for me:
___
Monday
___ A.M.
___ P.M.
___
Tuesday
___ A.M.
___ P.M.
___
Wednesday ___ A.M.
___ P.M.
___
Thursday
___ A.M.
___ P.M.
___
Friday
___ A.M.
___ P.M.
___
I’m not able to come into school, but I would like to help at home by:
___
Correcting papers
___
Get materials ready
___
I’m not able to volunteer right now, but I will let you know if my schedule changes.
Comments:
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
Dear Parents,
On occasion it may be necessary for your child or me to get in touch with you during
school hours. I will be using the information below to create a class directory and email contact
list for my personal use. (There is a section at the bottom regarding a class directory for
parents.) Please complete this form and return it to me by Wednesday, September 10.
Thank you!
Miss Sommers
Please print all information clearly:
Child’s name ___________________________ Birthday ________/________/_______
Address ________________________________________________________________
Home phone # (
) ______________________________
Father’s name ___________________________ Work # (
Cellular phone # (
) __________________________
Mother’s name __________________________ Work # (
Cellular phone # (
) ___________________
) ___________________
) __________________________
E-mail address (es) _________________________________________________________
Other caretakers (e.g. babysitter, nanny, CDC) _________________________________
Phone # (
) _________________________________
Emergency contact if unable to reach those already listed:
Name ______________________________ Phone # (
) ______________________
Name ______________________________ Phone # (
) ______________________
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------________Yes, I would like to be included in class directory for parents. (Information included:
Child’s name, parents’ names, contact number, email address, child’s birthday & at which class
party it will be celebrated)
________No, I prefer not to be included in the class directory. (Only child’s & parents’ names
will be listed)