It's Time to Shine in 2nd Grade

                                                   August 17, 2015

Welcome to 2nd Grade!!
This year is going sparkle!!

Dear Parents,

The day we have all be waiting for is here--the first day of the 2015-16 school year!  I'd like to thank everyone that was able to come to Back to School Night last Thursday.  It was great to meet so many parents!  I would also like to express my thanks for all my helpers over the past week.  So many parents were willing to take on projects, not only in Room 17 but all around the school.  It was truly amazing to see the power of volunteers in action!

Our main focus of the first week of school will be working on the day to day routines that are so important to establish.  Time spent on routines early in the year make the rest of the year run very smoothly.  Even though we will be working hard on our routines our academic work will begin as well.  We will begin switching for reading with Mrs. Loop starting on Tuesday.  Our first writing assignment will also be started this week.  We will also begin our first project of the year, which will focus around the Tribes Agreements of Mutal Respect, Attentive Listening, Appreciations, No Put-Downs, and the Right to Pass.  It's going to be a busy week!!

Remember, it's a long day for 2nd graders!  Going to school until 4:00 PM is a big transition from last year!  When you take a longer school day and add on activities such as soccer, football, or dance; there is bound to be an adjustment period.  Please make sure that your child has a second snack for the afternoon.  They will definitely be tired, be sure to establish bedtimes that ensure that your child gets enough sleep.  

As we move into this new school year, Ms. Garcia and myself will not be sending home assigned math homework until Wednesday.  For both Wednesday and Thursday students will bring home a worksheet.  IXL homework will begin next week.  We will be teaching classroom routines and beginning some informal assessments.  We suggest that you practice your homework time routine on Monday and Tuesday evening by spending 20 minutes reading with or to your child.  It is our hope to ease your 2nd grader and your family into the new school year.

Sincerely,
Anne Bloomfield