Hello Families!
Today was such a special day- Ugly sweaters, a secret reader, and Hour of Code! The students had a blast enjoying the special events today. Next week brings a bunch of new fun activities. Be sure to keep these dates below in your calendar to make sure your student doesn't miss an activity. :) Dates to Remember: Dec 13 Topic 6 Math Test (review test attached) Dec 14 Sock/Cookie Exchange Dec 15 Camelot Giving Tree Gifts Due back to class Dec 16 Christmas Celebration End of reporting Q2 Dec 19-Jan 1 Winter Break Jan 2 Pro Ed – No School for students or teachers Jan 3 Back to School First Annual Second Grade Sock/Cookie Exchange Second grade is coming together to have a fun holiday sock and cookie exchange on Wednesday, December 14th. We ask that each student bring in a pair of new, and fun wrapped holiday socks to exchange with another student in second grade. The hope is that after the exchange that all the kids wear their new socks to school the following day. We have much testing in December, so we are trying to bring a lot of fun into the classrooms the last week of December. In addition, to the sock exchange we will have a cookie exchange. If you would like to donate a package of unopened store bought cookies for the cookie exchange, please donate on Monday, Tuesday, or Wednesday of that last week before Winter break. Camelot Giving Tree For the holidays, second grade is collaborating with kindergarten and fifth grade to sponsor kids for the Camelot Giving Tree. Second grade is focusing on the spirit of the holidays and how important giving back is in the community. We feel regardless of religious beliefs, the message of helping those in need is important for all children to learn. Sign up to bring an unwrapped gift below. All gifts are due back to school by December 15th. www.SignUpGenius.com/go/4090B4DAFA72CA31-camelot Homework Reminder Due to the amount of end of the year testing, we are not taking any more spelling tests or giving any math homework until after the Winter break. We will be giving our students time in the classroom to work on math homework and we will have review centers for spelling. If your child needs extra practice, please take advantage of mobymax.com or xtramath.com for reading, math, and comprehension help. Holiday Program Needs Donations Our Holiday program will be on December 16th, and more information will come at a later date. However, each student is need of one headband and a couple pieces of felt. These materials will be combined to create dog ears to use as a prop in the Holiday program. We are requesting that felt material be in brown, black, or white. Howdy Families!
BURRRRRR! It sure got cold within a few hours! I just wanted to make sure you were aware of everything going on tomorrow... as there's quite a bit. - Tomorrow is Ugly Sweater Day. Uniform bottoms are a must. I can't wait to see what the students will come in with! - There is NO math test tomorrow. We've postponed it until Tuesday, December 13th. Practice tests will go home tomorrow afternoon. - If you need me to pick up the donations for the Holiday Celebration (felt and a headband) please make sure you send in $2 with your child by tomorrow! - Kona ice is tomorrow. If you'd like your student to have this sweet treat send $3-5 in with your student tomorrow. Camelot Giving Tree For the holidays, second grade is collaborating with kindergarten and fifth grade to sponsor kids for the Camelot Giving Tree. Second grade is focusing on the spirit of the holidays and how important giving back is in the community. We feel regardless of religious beliefs, the message of helping those in need is important for all children to learn. Sign up to bring an unwrapped gift below. All gifts are due back to school by December 15th. www.SignUpGenius.com/go/4090B4DAFA72CA31-camelot If you'd like to contribute to the Camelot giving tree, but do not have the time to go out and get a gift, feel free to send in money. I will run to target to fulfilling the remaining items on December 15th. Keep calm, it's almost the weekend! National Ugly Christmas Sweater Day
is celebrated on the third Friday of December each year. In 2016, it falls on Friday, December 16th. However as we have our Annual Christmas Celebration on that day and come to school dressed with our holiday attire – students and staff – will be honoring the National Ugly Christmas Sweater Day on Friday, December 9th, 2016. Hello Families!
WOW! This week after Thanksgiving has flown by! December is upon us, which means we've got lots of fun activities for the next two weeks. Mark your calendars with the fun events we have this month. Dates to Remember: Dec 8 Santa Workshop sponsored by PTO Dec 9 Topic 6 Math Test; Kona Ice Dec 14 Sock/Cookie Exchange Dec 15 Camelot Giving Tree Gifts Due back to class Dec 16 Christmas Celebration End of reporting Q2 Dec 19-Jan 1 Winter Break Jan 2 Pro Ed – No School for students or teachers Jan 3 Back to School SAT 10 SAT 10 testing is underway and will end on December 8th. It is vital that students are on time to school, and present in the mornings during testing. If you can, please schedule any doctor appointments in the afternoon. Thank you in advance. Homework Reminder Due to the amount of end of the year testing, we are not taking any more spelling tests or giving any math homework until after the Winter break. We will be giving our students time in the classroom to work on math homework and we will have review centers for spelling. If your child needs extra practice, please take advantage of mobymax.com or xtramath.com for reading, math, and comprehension help. Holiday Program Needs Donations Our Holiday program will be on December 16th, and more information will come at a later date. However, each student is need of one headband and a couple pieces of felt. These materials will be combined to create dog ears to use as a prop in the Holiday program. We are requesting that felt material be in brown, black, or white. First Annual Second Grade Sock/Cookie Exchange Second grade is coming together to have a fun holiday sock and cookie exchange on Wednesday, December 14th. We ask that each student bring in a pair of new, and fun wrapped holiday socks to exchange with another student in second grade. The hope is that after the exchange that all the kids wear their new socks to school the following day. We have much testing in December, so we are trying to bring a lot of fun into the classrooms the last week of December. In addition, to the sock exchange we will have a cookie exchange. If you would like to donate a package of unopened store bought cookies for the cookie exchange, please donate on Monday, Tuesday, or Wednesday of that last week before Winter break. Camelot Giving Tree For the holidays, second grade is collaborating with kindergarten and fifth grade to sponsor kids for the Camelot Giving Tree. Second grade is focusing on the spirit of the holidays and how important giving back is in the community. We feel regardless of religious beliefs, the message of helping those in need is important for all children to learn. Sign up to bring an unwrapped gift below. All gifts are due back to school by December 15th. www.SignUpGenius.com/go/4090B4DAFA72CA31-camelot If you have any questions, comments or concerns, please feel free to email me. I will do my best to help. :) Dear 2nd Grade Parents,
Can you believe we are to Thanksgiving break? There is a lot going on and we want to update you on important dates and events that will take place after break and in our remaining three weeks before Winter break! Most importantly second grade will begin taking the SAT 10 tests beginning Thursday, December 1st and ending on December 8th. It is vital that students are on time to school, and present in the mornings during testing. If you can, please schedule any doctor appointments in the afternoon. Thank you in advance. In addition, we will be administering our mid-year testing to see the progress in student reading levels and how many words per minute they can read. Due to the amount of end of the year testing, we are not taking any more spelling tests or giving any math homework until after the Winter break. We will be giving our students time in the classroom to work on math homework and we will have review centers for spelling. If your child needs extra practice, please take advantage of mobymax.com or xtramath.com for reading, math, and comprehension help. For the holidays, second grade is collaborating with kindergarten and fifth grade to sponsor kids for the Camelot Giving Tree. When we return from Thanksgiving break, we will be putting up a tree in each of our rooms that will have “ornaments” that you as a family can remove from the tree. Each ornament represents a child in need and has their wishes for the holiday season. Second grade is focusing on the spirit of the holidays and how important giving back is in the community. We feel regardless of religious beliefs, the message of helping those in need is important for all children to learn. Our Holiday program will be on December 16th, and more information will come at a later date. However, each student is need of one headband and a couple pieces of felt. These materials will be combined to create dog ears to use as a prop in the Holiday program. We are requesting that felt material be in brown, black, or white. Second grade is coming together to have a fun holiday sock and cookie exchange on Wednesday, December 14th. We ask that each student bring in a pair of new, and fun wrapped holiday socks to exchange with another student in second grade. The hope is that after the exchange that all the kids wear their new socks to school the following day on December 15th! We have much testing in December, so we are trying to bring a lot of fun into the classrooms the last week of December. In addition, to the sock exchange we will have a cookie exchange. If you would like to donate a package of unopened store bought cookies for the cookie exchange, please donate on Monday, Tuesday, or Wednesday of that last week before Winter break. Lastly, we have been reviewing the scores on the last Unit test for reading and as a grade level we decided to use this test as a learning opportunity for our students. We are teaching our students about explicit and implicit questions, how to read directions, how to reread their answer to see if it matches the question being asked, as well as, teaching them the importance of slowing down. All students will be given their tests back and given a chance to correct any mistakes. Thank you for your patience and understanding in the delay of returning these tests. We will be entering the scores, and returning the tests after break; however, please, understand it will not be Monday. We have students who are absent and still need a chance to correct their tests. After the new year, we will no longer be giving students chances to retake their tests because we have to realistically prepare them for third grade. We wish you a wonderful Thanksgiving and we hope that you have a marvelous break with your children. Hello Families!
Here are a few quick reminders for the remaining days before Thanksgiving break. Veterans/Oxi Day celebration is this Friday, November 11th from 2:00 until 3:00 p.m. Students must wear school uniform. Second grade is requesting that students wear either their white or blue school uniform polo on Friday. Please remember you will sign out your child when the performance is over and then pick your child up from the classroom. The school wide canned food drive is taking place now and will end on Wednesday, November 16th. Second grade is working together to collect more cans than any other grade level to earn a donut party! A friendly reminder that Kona Ice will be here on Friday, November 18th! Also, we will be starting the book, "Sarah Plain and Tall" next week and will finish the book after Thanksgiving break. All students were asked in the beginning of the year to supply a copy of this book. If you have not sent your copy in, we are kindly requesting that you send your copy by Monday, November 14th. In addition,the book Who was Sojourner Truth?, was also requested at the beginning of the year and we will be reading this book in December. Please send in a copy of this book by December 5th. I look forward to seeing you at the performance on Friday. Have a great day. Salutations Families!
It's November! I can't even believe how fast time is flying by. Thanks to all of the families who shared their students Halloween costume photos with me! We showcased them as a class and the kids were excited to talk about their costumes together. November begins the season of school-wide and classroom events. Be sure to mark you calendars, or print this email and leave it on the fridge to keep up with all of the amazing events and opportunities we will have at school. November dates to remember Friday, November 4th- Spelling Test (Students will take this on iPads); Fall Festival 6pm-9pm Monday, November 7th- Canned Food Drive Begins; Unit 2 Language Arts test (3 Days) Wednesday, November 9th- Topic 5 Math Test Friday, November 11th- OXI and Veterans Day Celebration; Mid-Terms sent home Tuesday, November 15th- Fall picture Re-takes Wednesday, November 16th- Great American Teach In Friday, November 18th- Kona Ice ($3-$5); Thanksgiving Reader's Celebration 1-3pm Monday, November 21-15- Thanksgiving Break (No School) What are we learning this week? Math- We will continue our math topic 5, learning various strategies for subtracting double digit numbers. Knowing addition and subtraction facts is paramount in mastering this topic. For practice in math facts, I encourage students to practice xtramath.org for 5 minutes each night. Topic 5 test will be on November 9th. Language Arts- This week we are reading "I wanna Iguana" from our text collections and studying the ways that authors state their opinions and reasons why. We will also be writing our own opinion pieces. Unit 2 Language Arts Assessment will be November 7-10. We spread it out across 4 days to ensure student completion. We will have a spelling Test will be on November 4th. Be sure to study the words and complete the activities on Spelling City. This week, all students will take the spelling test on their iPads. Social Studies- This week begins our unit on Explorers. Students will learn why people came to the United States throughout history and about the various contributions of African Americans, Hispanics, Native Americans, veterans and women. Students will have the opportunity to research an explorer and learn more about their contributions. Science- This week we will finish up our lesson on identifying and measuring properties of objects. Students will practice measuring objects using inches, centimeters, and feet. Health- Students will be able to explain why household products and medicines can be harmful if misused. Character Education- November begins citizenship month. Citizenship is defined as... (1) Being involved in trying to make the world a better place, engaged in big and small ways in helping others. (2) Actions and attitudes which reflect pride in being part of a community; showing good citizenship means being law-abiding and involved in service to school, community and country.
Books for class If you did not purchase and send in the books from the supply list Sarah, Plain and Tall or Who Was Sojourner Truth, please have those to class by November 14th. We will begin Sarah, Plain and Tall on November 14th and Who Was Sojourner Truth on November 28th. OZOBOTS! I am pleased to let you know that PTO has graciously decided to gift our class with a classroom kit of 18 Ozobots. I am so excited to get working with these wonderful classroom tools. The students will have the opportunity to use them during coding and math centers. THANK YOU PTO! Door Decor If anyone is interested in decorating our door for the month of November, please let me know. I was hoping to have the door decorated with a new design by November 4th or 7th. Please let me know if this is something you're interested in. As always, if you need anything... feel free to stop by or send me an email and I'd be happy to help. :) Hello families!
It finally feels like fall! The weather this weekend was perfect! I hope you all spent a lot of time outside and with your families. We've got lots of great things in store this week... including a field trip! Dates to remember Tuesday, October 25- Report Cards Distributed; Cyber Bullyinf Presentation for parents at 6pm RSVP needed. Friday, October 28- Field Trip to Tampa Bay Watch Monday, October 31- Halloween Celebration from 1-3 pm (no costumes) What we're learning this week Math- This week we will begin topic 5. In this topic we student will learn various strategies to subtract numbers under 100. To be successful in this topic, student should be fluent in their math facts. To practice math facts at home, use xtramath.org and practice a few minutes each night. Language Arts- This week we will continue Unit 2: Making decisions. We will continue reading Money Matters and identify features of non-fiction text. Students will practice asking ans answers questions to comprehend non-fiction text.In writing, students will begin writing opinion pieces- I can't wait to see what they come up with! There will be no spelling test this week. **If your student left their text collection book at home, please return it to school as soon as possible. We will need them all week during language arts. Science- We will continue through our science unit where students will learn how to observe and measure properties of objects. Students will use various science tools to explore the properties of classroom objects. Practice measuring items at home using inches, feet and centimeters. Social Studies- In social studies this week, we will continue to learn about digital citizenship. Students will practice using technology to locate information about historical topics. Health- This week begins our unit on stranger safety. In this unit, students will learn the basics about personal safety and what to do in an emergency. Character Education- The character trait of the month of October is cooperation. Cooperation is working with others to accomplish a common purpose. Help encourage cooperation by discussing and practicing it with your child. Stay in the loop! Be certain to check my class webpage. This is where I will post photos of classroom activities, reminders, volunteer opportunities, and lots of other pertinent information. The web address is http://rushmel.weebly.com Great American Teach In It is that time of the year where are students and educators are looking forward to GATI. The Great AmericanTeach-In - GATI, is a special opportunity for you to visit Plato Academy and share what you know with the new generation and our future young leaders. Come share your knowledge or occupation with different grade levels or just one. The event is scheduled for Wednesday, November 16, 2016. Opportunities are available from 9:00 a.m. to 3:10 p.m. The amount of time you volunteer is determined strictly by what your schedule permits. Whatever the length of your visit, you can make a difference. This is a truly rewarding experience for everyone involved. Let me know if you're interested! :) Field Trip to Tampa Bay Watch On Friday, October 28th, our class will be going on a field trip to Tampa Bay Watch! Tampa Bay Watch's Estuary EDventures program engages students in hands-on educational experiences through marine creature encounters, species collection and identification, and interactive habitat sessions. All participants need to be appropriately dressed with closed-toed shoes and clothing that can get wet. (absolutely no Crocs or sandals—old tennis shoes, water shoes, or dive boots work best). Students should bring a towel, change of clothes, dry shoes, and a plastic bag to put wet items in. All students must also bring a bagged lunch to enjoy during our lunch time. Halloween Celebration As you know, our class will no be participating the the school-wide Halloween celebrations, as we will be on a field trip. In lieu of this, we will have our own classroom celebration on Halloween. We will use our math and science reasoning skills to solve Halloween critical thinking problems. We will also be conducting an investigation about fall gourds. At the end of the day we also have a surprise in store. Please sign up to bring in some supplies for this special day. www.SignUpGenius.com/go/4090B4DAFA72CA31-halloween3 Need Volunteer Hours? I am in need of a volunteer to cut out laminated papers. Please let me know if this is something you're interested in and I can send this home with your student today. Keep an eye out Please keep an eye out for a large skeleton to use in the classroom. Throughout the course of the year, we learn many different bones in our body. When we learn a new bone, I'd love to be able to label it on a skeleton in the classroom. I am hoping we can snag one at a great price during these Halloween sales! ***Quiz your student! Here are the bones we know so far.... cranium, mandible, clavicle, humorous, phalanges, femur, patella, scapula. As always, if you have any questions, comments, or concerns, please feel free to email me and I will do my best to help. Hello families!
Wow! We've been busy bee's this week! From tadpole fun to coding in the classroom we've been learning in so many different ways! Dates to remember Thursday, October 20- PTO General Assembly and Election Meeting Friday, October 21- Kona Ice!; Topic 4 Math Test; Vocabulary Test Tuesday, October 25- Report Cards Distributed Friday, October 28- Field Trip to Tampa Bay Watch What we're learning this week Math- This week we will finish Topic 4. Students will be assessed on the various addition strategies learned during this topic. Topic 4 test will be on Friday, October 21st. A study guide will be sent home on Wednesday to prepare for the test. Language Arts- This week we will begin Unit 2: Making decisions. We will begin reading Alexander, Who Used To Be Rich Last Sunday and study story structure. Students will have a vocabulary test on Friday, October 21st. Use spellingcity.com at home to study for the test on Friday. There will not be a spelling test this week. **If your student left their text collection or Alexander book at home, please return them to school on Monday. We will need them all week during language arts. Science- In our new science unit, students will learn how to observe and measure properties of objects. Students will use various science tools to explore the properties of classroom objects. Social Studies- In social studies this week, students will use learn about digital citizenship. Students will practice using technology to locate information about historical topics. Health- We will continue our class lesson about building and maintaining healthy friendships by reading the book, Rainbow Fish. We will discuss the qualities of a good friendship and how to be a good friend. Character Education- The character trait of the month of October is cooperation. Cooperation is working with others to accomplish a common purpose. Help encourage cooperation by discussing and practicing it with your child.
Stay in the loop! Be certain to check my class webpage. This is where I will post photos of classroom activities, reminders, volunteer opportunities, and lots of other pertinent information. The web address is http://rushmel.weebly.com Great American Teach In It is that time of the year where are students and educators are looking forward to GATI. The Great AmericanTeach-In - GATI, is a special opportunity for you to visit Plato Academy and share what you know with the new generation and our future young leaders. Come share your knowledge or occupation with different grade levels or just one. The event is scheduled for Wednesday, November 16, 2016. Opportunities are available from 9:00 a.m. to 3:10 p.m. The amount of time you volunteer is determined strictly by what your schedule permits. Whatever the length of your visit, you can make a difference. This is a truly rewarding experience for everyone involved. Let me know if you're interested! :) As always, if you have any questions, comments, or concerns, please feel free to email me and I will do my best to help. Good Afternoon Plato Academy Families,
Pinellas County Schools is working closely with Pinellas County Emergency Management and the National Weather Service to monitor weather conditions that may impact our region due to Hurricane Matthew. In the interest of safety for students, employees and families, all Pinellas County Schools, including Plato Academy Schools will be CLOSED on Friday, Oct. 7, 2016. School activities & Aftercare programs for today, Oct. 6, are not cancelled. All school -related activities for Friday, Oct. 7, 2016 are cancelled. All after-school activities (athletics, clubs, parent meetings, etc.) are cancelled for Friday, Oct. 7, 2016. For more information on storm-related online resources please visit: Pinellas County Emergency Management: http://www.pinellascounty.org/emergency/ National Hurricane Center: http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/ Thank you and be safe, Dawn S. Parker Principal Plato Academy, Clearwater 2045 Palmetto St, Clearwater, Fl 33765 Telephone 727 228 9517 www.platoacademy.net |
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