Getting to know me Pam OLoughlin Married to

Getting to know me…. • Pam O’Loughlin • Married to Brian for ten years • We have two beautiful children • • Connor – 2 nd Grader at St. Patrick Caroline – 1 st Grader at St. Patrick Parishioner at St. Patrick for 5 years 1 st year teaching 2 nd Grade 3 years teaching in JCPS as a long-term substitute Received 2 Bachelor of Arts Degrees from Indiana University • Currently in graduate school at Bellarmine University

Mission Statement I am committed to the education of the spiritual, moral, emotional, academic, and social development of each child. • To guide each child as they learn to be more like Jesus. • To strive to create an atmosphere that values the uniqueness of each child. • To make a positive difference in the life of each child. • To challenge each child to reach his/her potential.

Curriculum – Language Arts • Incorporates the “No Child Left Behind” legislation and is supported by the Reading First Initiative. These areas focus on various aspects of communication including reading, writing, listening, speaking, grammar skills, and handwriting. These activities are done through whole class instruction, small group and in Literacy stations.

Math The Houghton Mifflin series is used. Lesson activities include: • Hands-on learning in such content areas as numeration; fractions; measurement; geometry; probability; data analysis, and multiplication and division. • Context themes are used to connect math to the real world.

Science Module units taught using the SRA Science series. Topics include: --plant and animal habitats --using natural resources and recycling --rocks and minerals --earth and moon phases --friction and magnets --heat and light --dental health and nutrition The science curriculum includes a lot of hands-on participation and involvement using the scientific method of predicting, observing, drawing conclusions and communicating.

Social Studies We use the Harcourt Brace series Making A Difference. The themes and ideas allow students to integrate major understandings and skills that will help them exist in a changing, interdependent world. Such topics include: • Geography, map and globe skills • Civics and government • Economics and culture. • There will also be in-class projects to enrich and enhance understanding of these very broad topics.

• • • GRADING The grading scale is as follows: 93 -100 – A 84 -92 – B 75 -83 – C 70 -74 – D Below 70 – U Grades are determined using daily work, homework and tests to determine a final grade. The weights are as follow: Class work and homework – 25% each Tests & projects – 50% Final grades in each area are combined, weighted and a percentage grade is determined. Report cards are distributed three times over the course of the year. Additionally, you will receive a progress report at each conference.

Discipline • During the first week of school, the class developed a list of rules to follow. • A verbal reminder will be given prior to asking the child to write a reminder in our book. • If a student writes two reminders in a day or four reminders in a week, a discipline notice will go home that day. • Notice should be signed and returned the next day.

PROJECTS Projects already determined for the year include: • State Report (September) • Mystery Theatre (October) • Native American study and Thanksgiving feast (November) • Christmas Around the World (December) • President Report (February) • Fantasy Book Report (March) • Good-bye to Second Grade (May)

Reminders • • Please send a healthy snack with your child each day. Students are also allowed the use of a personal water bottle. The temperature in our room varies tremendously. Please have you child keep a uniform sweatshirt or sweater in his or her locker. If you child’s transportation will be different than usually, please send a note on your child’s folder or contact the office. Per the student handbook, notification of transportation changes should not be made via email. If your child will be attending sport practices or play practices, you may send one note with all of the dates.

I’m looking forward to a great year! • • • Ways to contact me: Voice mail E-mail – poloughlin@stpatrick-lou. org Home number 253 -9414 Note in your child’s folder