Happy Monday!

You should have found a class list in your child’s backpack on Friday. This is a list to be used for Valentines. We will be celebrating Valentines on Tuesday, Feb. 14 from 1:00-2:30 with the other 2nd grade classes.

Report cards were also sent on Friday. I found these reports to be a bit daunting as I marked them. As always, I would be glad to answer any questions or clarify anything you might need. If you would like to chat, send me a quick email. I can respond by email or a phone call.

It’s important to note that students are considered ‘at grade level’ in reading if they are reading an “L” or above.  The report lists the level the child started at and ends at his or her current level. This was confusing to me, so do not hesitate to ask questions!

My students have PE on Wednesdays and Thursdays. It is important your child has gym shoes to participate. Mrs. Bradley has extra shoes in the gym but some students are spending 30 or minutes looking for a pair of shoes to wear. which means the entire time is spent looking for shoes.

Michigan weather is fickle! Please be sure your child has snow pants and boots EVERY DAY! Even if there is no snow, the playground is wet and muddy. I spend a lot of time trying to find clean/dry clothes for my students. This can be avoided with snow pants.

Our next FIELD TRIP is Friday morning, Feb. 17. We’ll be heading to the Ford Museum. I’d love to have you come along to help with the kids. A background check is needed….More information will be sent later. 

Finally, tomorrow night is the Roller Skating Party at Terry Hall (6:00-8:00) and Friday night is movie night at Alpine Elementary (7:00pm). 

Hello Families~

I can’t believe it’s that time~ Christmas holiday where I won’t see the children for what seems like a long time. We all need a break but it doesn’t mean I won’t be thinking about them and wondering what everyone is doing. I always feel like your child is my own child so thanks for sharing your child with me!

Although there’s only a few more days, we are very busy. 

Wednesday is our trip to celebrate Holiday Traditions Around the World at Fredrick Meijer Gardens. We’ll be leaving right away in the morning (don’t be late!) and will be back in time for lunch at school. Adult chaperones will meet us at the Gardens about 9:30~ I’ll be in contact with those adult chaperones soon.

Thursday is our last day before break! You are invited to attend a school wide sing along, beginning at 1:15 in the gym. After the sing along, the students will have a recess time before returning to our classroom. I’m low key when it comes to classroom parties. I’m planning on a snack for the children and maybe a little craft. The children all enjoy free time/playing with each other, too. So I will probably offer the choice of playing  (Legos/board games/etc.) or completing a craft. So it is very, very low key!

If you plan on attending the sing along, you may take your child home with you or you can leave him or her with me!

I only sent one homework math sheet to complete this week! Celebrate!

As always, let me know if you have any questions, concerns or suggestions!

Happy Monday!

Our field trip to Post Family Farms on Friday was a blast! Be sure to check out our class Facebook page for the fun pictures, “Alpine Brinks”. If you have trouble finding it, let me know and I’ll add you to the page. 

Picture Retakes are Wednesday!

Thursday is also PILLOW DAY! Mrs. Meulenberg finished sewing about 100 pillows and now they are ready to be stuffed. Look for pictures to be posted on our Facebook page. 

HALLOWEEN DETAILS: Alpine Halloween Parade will be held at 2:30 on Monday. The children are aware that clown costumes are not acceptable this year. I’m sure you are aware of the Creepy Clown Craze, which has spread to Alpine, too. 

“There were rumors and speculations going on recently about the

“clowns.” I am very proud of our district administration, students,

parents, and teachers for creating a safe environment. I would like

to respectfully ask that all students, at least for this year, avoid

clown costumes for our Halloween parade. As in past years,

please refrain from costumes that are violent or gory and

remember to leave other accessories at home (swords, staffs, etc.).

I would like our focus to be on our students and the fun of the

holiday.” Mr. Snyder

As always, contact me if you have any questions or concerns.

We are having another great week of learning in Room 24! Living and Non-living things have been the topic of our science conversations and the subject always finds its way into our other subjects as well. It’s been a blast to have conversations with the children and play off from their excitement! Second graders are curious little learners, always asking questions and sharing their learning.

As part of our unit of study, we’ll be going to Post Family Farms on Friday. If you haven’t done so already, please send in $5.50. We’ll be leaving school about 10:30 and returning around 1:30. The weather looks great!

Thursday is our Kenowa Learning Knights at Alpine. This is a time set aside to celebrate learning with families. Bring your child back to school in the evening between 6:00-7:30pm. I’ll be hosting a session on reading at home.

As part of this learning night, Meijer will provide family meals (in a bag for later use). We are inviting all students to wear hats tomorrow (Thursday) for a $1.00 donation.  This will help offset the cost of the Meijer Meals.

I look forward to seeing everyone at conferences. They are coming up soon (Halloween week!). Go online to schedule your conference. If you have other children, schedule the conference sooner than later to ensure you can get back to back conference slots. If you are unable to make the conference time due to scheduling or transportation, let me know. 

http://www.ptcfast.com/schools/Alpine_Elementary

Thank you!

As I write this note on this beautiful Sunday afternoon, I can’t help but think about my students and their families. I am incredibly grateful for this opportunity to help your child grow and learn.

I’m happy to report that our MAP/NWEA testing is complete. I’ll have reports ready to share at conferences in November. This was initial testing, providing me with important information as to what your child knows and what is yet to be learned.

Monday will be our first day of Neighborhoods, for both reading and math. Students are placed in Neighborhoods according to skill and where we think they will learn best. Although they may a different teacher for reading and/or math neighborhoods, I will still be responsible for materials taught. Neighborhoods are a great way of providing additional support to those students who might need it while, at the same time, providing extensions to those children who already understand the material.

I have been rethinking my homework policy and decided to make a change. I’ve found there are many students who really need some extra practice on skills learned at school.  Every student has a ‘homework folder’, which was given to them at the start of the year. Although most students return those folders to school, there are some who do not. Keep these folders in your child’s backpack so I can put important papers in the folders and you will know where to look for school information. 

Beginning on Monday (today!), look for 2 math homework sheets sent home and they will be due on Friday. In addition, I am inviting all students to participate in the Pizza Hut Book It Reading Program http://www.bookitprogram.com. Another note explaining the program was sent home. Return the reading calendar at the end of the month and your child will receive a certificate for a free personal pan pizza from Pizza Hut.

Don’t forget that Wednesday is a 1/2 day for students!

On a final note, Friday is POPCORN DAY. Students may purchase a bag of popcorn for $.50. 

Happy Monday! The children in Room 24 have been quite busy making new friends, learning procedures and reviewing some first grade concepts. I’ve been busy benchmarking my students, which means reading with each student to check for fluency (how they sound) and comprehension(what they understand). All of the children have been assessed on spelling and spelling patterns so I know exactly what each child already knows and what they need to yet learn. It’s been fun for me to get to know your child personally!

This week is the beginning of MAP/NWEA Testing for all students. My students will be testing on Wednesday and Friday morning this week. This is a test to get a grasp of what your child already knows.

Tomorrow is PICTURE DAY! I made an appointment for my students to have all photos completed in the morning before they go outside to play.

FUNDRAISING ORDERS should be turned in tomorrow, if you haven’t done so already.

Finally, our big PILLOW PROJECT is coming up. Earlier I sent a note asking each child to bring in fabric and stuffing by this Friday. I do have a lot of extra fabric so if you are unable to purchase fabric, your child will still make a pillow. Please continue to send in pillow stuffing!

Volunteer Opportunity:  If you are able to cut some fabric squares from home, let me know. I’m fortunate to have someone donate extra material. 

HOMEWORK~ At this time, I will not be sending weekly homework. The children will have plenty of opportunities to practice concepts during the school day. I also provide a reading time for the students to work on reading. **I will notify you if your child must complete unfurnished work at home or if they need extra practice.

Welcome to another great week! I’m hoping, along with the children, that this week won’t be so hot! We made it last week, but it was rough in the heat! 

This week I hope to begin a lot of pre assessing the children in the areas of reading and language arts. The goal is to know exactly where each child is in his or her learning progression. With that information, I’ll be able to know the child’s strengths and weaknesses, building on the strengths and strengthening the weak areas.

It’s PILLOW TIME!

Making pillows is a 2nd grade tradition that started with Mrs. Meulenberg, a retired 2nd grade teacher. She continues to return each year to make the pillows with the students. Each child with need to have qt 4 pillow squares, 9 x 9 inches. We’re also going to need a lot of pillow stuffing! The pillow squares can be all the same. The children will trade squares with their friends, allowing them to get different patterns. The pillows will go home with your child at the end of the year or whenever their last day at Alpine Elementary would be.

I put some pictures on the Facebook page. Take a look!

FALL FUNDRAISER

Fundraising packets were sent home on Friday. All products are 15.00, with half of that money going to Alpine Elementary for field trips and other fun events. All orders, along with the money collected are due on September 19, with delivery on October 18.

HOMEWORK

I will send homework home as needed. If your child does not complete the work at school or if he or she needs additional practice, homework will be sent and you will be notified.

Reading is encouraged every night. To motivate students, my class will participate in Pizza Hut’s Book It Program. Look for the information to be sent home soon.