General Information

• School Day - The school day begins at 8:15 and ends at 2:50 p.m. Please plan your arrival time between 7:50 and 8:00 a.m. so that the children have time to settle before the start of school.
• Birthdays - Parents should arrange a date with the teacher to bring a simple treat, such as cupcakes, to be shared with the class. Please do not send invitations or thank you notes from parties outside of the classroom to school for distribution.
• Lunch - Second grade lunch time is scheduled from 11:40 to 12:10. Children may bring a full lunch from home or purchase lunch. They have the option of bringing a portion of their lunch and purchasing another part of their lunch. Parents are welcome to join their children for lunch.
• Snack - Please send a healthy snack with your child each day. These snacks are eaten mid-morning.
• Parental Involvement - Parents, grandparents and other adults are welcome to initiate or help with class projects such as crafts, science reading stories or sharing experiences that are related to study topics.
• Absence and Lateness - A written excuse from a parent or guardian is required whenever a student is absent from school. Children who arrive late should first report to the Lower School Office and then report to the classroom.
• Changes in Transportation - It is very important that the teachers have a written note for any changes in the regular arrangements. If a child is going home with another child, both children need notes. The school district buses will not permit friends to ride on buses with children from other districts. The teacher cannot deviate from the normal transportation arrangement without a note or other notification. An emergency change in transportation requires a phone call to the Lower School Office.
• Clothing - The Dress Code will be strictly enforced. Details are available in the Parents Handbook under the heading "Uniforms." Please note that beginning in second grade, children wearing pants with belt loops MUST wear a belt. Please label all clothing! There is a Lost & Found box in the Lower School Office.
• Phone Calls to Teachers - Teachers will return phone calls as quickly as possible. Messages may be left on the teacher's voice mail. Urgent calls should be directed to the Lower School office.
• Phone Chain - The phone chain will be used for emergency messages and last minute changes in class related activities. Please make sure spouses know that the chain must be continued if you are not available. If you are one of the "contact families" and your family has planned a vacation, please arrange for someone to make your calls.
• Medical Concerns - Any medical problem or concern should be reported to the school nurse, ext 225.
• Information Changes - If there are any changes to your emergency or Contingency cards, please contact Barbara Buckley immediately.
• Calendar - Please consult your G.A.on-line calendar for the various important events throughout the year (i.e. Conferences, Halloween Parade, Holiday Program, Field Day, Grandparents' Day, etc.).

Dates to Remember

• Halloween Parade - October 31, 2007. All lower School children parade around the Quad dressed in their costumes. Parents are encouraged to attend. Bring your cameras! Afterward, the children change back into their uniforms. Halloween poetry.
• Winter Program - December 21, 2007. Second grade participates in the Lower School Winter Program. Dismissal is immediately following the program.
• Grandparents' Day This is a very special day, which occurs every other year. The children invite their grandparents' or special adults to share a school morning with them. The morning begins at 9:00 am with a musical program in the Arts Center. After the program, our special guests will join the students in their classrooms. Grandparents leave at the end of the morning activities. The students continue on with the school day unless other arrangements are made in writing.
• Field Day - May 23, 2008. The Lower School is divided into two teams - Red and Blue. Students will keep the same color throughout their years at G.A. Children wear a white shirt, and shorts of their team color. Parents are encouraged to attend this spirit-filled morning. Dismissal is upon completion of the games, which is around noon.

This web site is maintained by the second grade teachers of Germantown Academy, Barbara Cipolloni, Nancy Jones, and Paul Savering. Site design and technical assistance furnished by Carol Siwinski, Curricular Technology Specialist.

Updated September, 2007