2nd Grade Newsletters
Dear Families,
I'm excited to send out our first official monthly newsletter! I apologize for the delay; I wanted to ensure I had a solid system in place before committing to a regular schedule.
Starting October, you can expect a newsletter on the first of every month. If the first falls on a weekend, I'll send it out the previous Friday.
Each newsletter will include a brief update from me, a review of learning objectives we've covered, upcoming events, and important reminders.
I'm also reaching out for your help! I'd love your support with volunteering for holiday and class parties. Over the years, I haven't been able to dedicate as much time to these special occasions, and I believe they can be incredibly memorable for our students.
Additionally, we're seeking snack donations. Please keep in mind that our classroom is nut-free (including tree nuts) and that healthy snacks with a good shelf life are preferred, as we don't have a refrigerator.
A friendly reminder to check your child's backpack every Friday. I send home various resources to support learning outside of school. These materials align with what we've discussed in class and are intended for practice and review.
I'll also be sending home your child's Google login information so they can access Clever at home. Please refrain from using DreamBox or iReady at home; these resources are primarily for in-school use and are typically used for benchmark assessments.
As always, please don't hesitate to reach out if you have any questions or just want to chat.
Thank you for your patience as we adjust to our new systems and tools.
--Dear Parents and Guardians,
Happy Monday! I completely forgot to remind students to take home their Friday folder materials such as practice work and flyers with important upcoming events. You can expect those at home today.
I realize my last newsletter wasn't very clear about volunteering for our class celebrations. To make it easier, I've created a sign-up sheet where you can choose to help with planning, preparation, celebration, or cleanup. Please click on the link below to sign up:
https://www.signupgenius.com/Once I have a better understanding of who can volunteer, I will send out a follow-up email with more details about planning and preparation. I encourage you to share your ideas and suggestions for activities or themes that would be meaningful to your children and our class community.
I'm excited to work together as a team to create memorable experiences that celebrate the diverse cultures and traditions of our students. If there are any holidays or celebrations that you'd like to incorporate into our festivities, please don't hesitate to reach out to me by email or in person.
For our winter holiday party, I'm hoping to host a family-style potluck. This is a great opportunity for us to share our favorite dishes and create a warm, welcoming atmosphere. I encourage you to bring a dish that reflects your family's traditions and heritage.
Thank you again for your continued support. I look forward to a wonderful year of celebration!
Sincerely,
Ms. Alexander
Dear Families,
Happy (Almost) October!
Please take a moment to review the attached newsletter, which highlights our academic focus and activities we worked on this past month. As you know, our days are packed with learning opportunities, and regular attendance is crucial for your child's success. Our approach to education emphasizes explicit instruction, collaborative practice, and individual assessment, making it challenging to provide make-up work.
I've received a few questions about the work students have in their Friday folders. The only required homework is daily reading for 20 minutes. My newsletter also provides additional writing suggestions. I also have tons of awesome resources to support at home learning. If you are interested, please reach out! Everything sent home with students is either work we've used in class or practice materials to reinforce learning. I encourage students to create their own "classrooms" at home to store these materials, whether it's a binder, bin, or desk.
Be sure to help your child unpack their Friday folders, as they may contain forms, flyers, or small slips of paper regarding upcoming events.
Attached, you'll also find a sign-up sheet for class holidays and celebrations. Please don't hesitate to reach out if you'd like to suggest adding or removing any events. https://www.
For those who have signed up to help with the Halloween party, I'll be sending out a follow-up email on Friday to schedule planning and preparation meetings.
Thank you all for your continued support and for volunteering your time to make this a wonderful second-grade year!
Best regards,
--Dear Families,
I apologize for the late notice regarding the parent-teacher conference sign-up. Please click on the following link to sign up: https://www.signupgenius.com/
Our conferences will begin with a general celebration of your child's accomplishments. We will then delve into their data and discuss potential next steps. Of course, I am also eager to hear about any specific concerns or topics you would like to address.
I am looking forward to meeting with each of you. There is so much to celebrate!
Speaking of celebrations, Halloween is just around the corner! Due to our school's participation in a field trip to Escalante Middle School on October 31st, we have adjusted the date for our class Halloween party. The new date is Wednesday, October 30th, from 1:45-2:50 PM.
If you are interested in helping with the party planning, we will be meeting on Friday, October 25th, from 3:00-4:00 PM. Following the planning meeting, I will send a follow-up email to all families with detailed information about the party, so you can decide how you would like to participate.
Thank you for your understanding and I look forward to meeting with each of you soon.
Hi Team,
Here's a more detailed breakdown of tomorrow's class celebration:
Schedule:
- 1:45 PM: Arrive and check in at the front office. Then head down to the classroom.
- 1:50 - 1:55 PM: Review expectations
- 1:55 - 2:40 PM: Rotational activities. There will be 3 stations, with 15 minutes spent at each one.
- 2:40 - 2:50 PM: Closing circle
- 2:50 PM - 3:00 PM: Dismissal
How You Can Help:
- Bring snacks and drinks: Please ensure they are nut-free.
- Volunteer at a station: Assist with giving instructions and maintaining a safe and positive environment.
- Stay after 2:50 PM: Help with classroom cleanup.
- Simply join the fun: Spend time with the kids and enjoy the celebration!
I'm really looking forward to celebrating with the class and hope to see you there!
Dear Families,
Happy first of November!
A Month of Learning!
Take a moment to check out our monthly newsletter for a recap of all the amazing things we accomplished in October. We wrapped up our second units in reading, writing, math, and science. It's been incredible to witness your child's growth, and we're excited to see what November brings!
Supporting Learning at Home:
Several resources can help your child continue practicing familiar skills at home.
- Friday Folders: Look for practice materials your child already knows and has practiced in class.
- Organization is Key: Encourage them to create their own "classroom" or "library" at home to keep these materials organized (a great executive functioning skill!).
- Digital Resources: On Clever, your child can use:
- Prodigy for math or reading practice
- Keyboarding Without Tears for typing practice
- Book Creator for writing their own books
- Canva for creating posters or presentations
- PebbleGo for reading practice and research
- GoNoodle for social-emotional learning and movement breaks
Important Notes on Assessments:
Please avoid using i-Ready or DreamBox math outside of school. These platforms are used for formative and summative assessments, and I need accurate data on what your child can do independently.
Fun Math Exploration:
https://www.lovemaths.me/games offers fun and easy math games for additional practice. Additionally, encourage your child to explore math in everyday situations like grocery shopping, buying things, using clocks, sorting, counting, etc.
Colorado Academic Standards:
Curious about the high expectations for second grade and the importance of attendance? Visit the Colorado Academic Standards online and explore the expected knowledge and skills for second graders by the end of the year. https://www.cde.state.co.us/
Need Help? Let's Chat!
If you ever have questions or need assistance, please don't hesitate to schedule a meeting with me. I have a wealth of resources, both academic and behavioral, that I'm happy to share with you.
Our Class Thanksgiving Celebration!
Mark your calendars! Our class will be celebrating Thanksgiving soon. We'll be having a potluck-style meal, and your family and/or child will bring a dish or two to share with the class. I encourage you to bring a dish that is traditional to your family. I'll send a reminder and sign-up sheet a week before the event to ensure we have enough food for everyone.
Looking forward to continuing to learn and celebrate together!
Hi team second grade!
I am excited to announce our class holiday party is this Friday from 1:45 PM to 2:50 PM.
Here's a breakdown of the party:
- Icebreaker and Expectations: We'll start by discussing the party plan and expectations. Your support in reinforcing positive behavior during the party will be greatly appreciated.
- Gingerbread House Challenge: Students will receive cardboard pieces to create their own unique gingerbread house. It could be a mansion, a castle, or anything they imagine! We'll provide cotton balls and markers for decoration.
- Project Presentations: Students will share their creative projects in small groups.
- Cleanup: We'll work together as a class to tidy up before the end of the day.
Volunteer Opportunity:
I'll be leaving at 2:30 PM for a doctor's appointment, so another staff member will help with dismissal.
Here are a couple of ways you can help:
- Donate: You can donate cardboard, cotton balls, or decorations for the buildings (buttons, fuzzy balls, ect.) We will not use glitter.
- Cut out at the school: You're welcome to come to my classroom on Thursday before the party to help cut out pieces. We do have reading groups until 1:45 so students will be working while you do this.
- Work on cut-outs at home: You can also work on cutting out pieces at home and then bring them to school on Friday.
- Clean up: Please help make sure the room is clean and left nicely for the custodians over break.
Please let me know if you can assist by replying to this email. Even if you just plan to join the fun!
Thank you for your support and I look forward to seeing you soon!
Dear Families,
I apologize for the recent silence regarding newsletters. The past few months have been incredibly busy with trainings, assessments, and new projects, but I'm thrilled with the growth I've seen in our class so far this year!
To ensure we're all on the same page and that your child continues to flourish, I'd like to schedule some time to review their middle-of-year (MOY) data with you. I feel it's important to do this soon, while the information is still fresh and relevant. Click this link to sign up or contact me if there is not a time that works for you https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0E4CAFAA22A7F9CF8- . During these brief meetings, we will review current data, discuss areas of strength, and provide you with information and resources to support their growth in any areas where they might need a little extra help. This will allow us to proactively address any needs and maximize their learning potential.54881444-moydata
Then, when we have our official parent-teacher conferences in March, you can come prepared with any updates, questions, or concerns you may have, and we can discuss any new practice materials that might be beneficial. I believe this two-step approach will help us support even greater growth by the end of the year and set your child up for success in the upcoming grades.
In addition to data discussions, we're also starting to plan our class Valentine's Day party! Click this link to sign up https://www.signupgenius.
Thank you all so much for the tremendous support you give to your children and our school. I hope to make this year as memorable and successful as possible for each and every student.