What's New Newsletter December 17 - 21, 2012

What’s New in One and Two?

Week of December 17 – 21, 2012

*Reminders – Field Trip to the MTYP on Tuesday, December 18                                           

                      - Last day of school – Friday, December 21                                                   

                      - First Day back in 2013 – Monday, January 7

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HAPPY BIRTHDAY!     Alexis – December 26 and Ty – December 27

NO HOMEWORK                                                                                                          

There is NO homework this week.  The only homework over the holidays is to read.

FIELD TRIP                                                                                                                               

I have lots of drivers for the field trip to MTYP on Tuesday, thank you.  My only problem is that I need all the drivers, but because people can only carry 2 or 3 children in their cars, I do not have enough adult tickets for everyone to attend the play.  Is there anyone who is still willing to drive but not come to the play with us? (and go shopping at the Forks instead?)  Please let me know as soon as possible.  Don’t forget to send your child’s booster seat if you want them to use it on the field trip.

MATINEE CHRISTMAS CONCERT                                                                                                      

This Wednesday, December 19 we will be having a Matinee Concert at the school for all of the extended family.  The concert begins at 10:30 and will be held in the chapel area. Please dress your child in EITHER – their blue BSLS t-shirt or fancy dress clothes.

EVENING CHRISTMAS CONCERT                                                                                                             

This Thursday, December 20, we will be having our Evening Christmas Concert at Beautiful Savior Church.  For the evening concert we are asking that the children dress up in fancy dress clothes.  Don’t forget to bring a pair of shoes and the violins.  The children need to be at the church at 5:15 pm.  Only the children will be allowed downstairs at the church beforehand.  Families will need their tickets to get into the door.  This concert begins at 6:00 pm.  There will be goodies downstairs afterwards.

HAMPER DELIVERY                                                                                                                           

Thank you for your help in making our classroom Christmas hamper.  I have enough people bringing gifts for the girls now.  I am still looking for one family to deliver the hamper.  If you are interested in helping us out, there is a sign–up sheet beside our classroom or you can e-mail me.  I would like the hamper food items by Wednesday.

FRIDAY                                                                                                                                                  

This Friday is our last day of school before the Christmas Break.  We will be singing carols around 1:30 pm and having our class parties around 2:15.                                                

Our snack parents are – Dawson, Gabby, Grace and Hadley

HAVE A JOYOUS CHRISTMAS AND A BLESSED NEW YEAR!

What's New Newsletter December 10 - 14, 2012

What’s New in One and Two?

Week of December 10 – 14, 2012

*Reminders – Permission slip for field trip to the MTYP due

                       - Scholastic book orders due on Wednesday, December 12

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HAPPY BIRTHDAY!          NATE            December 16

CHRISTMAS HAMPERS                                                                                              

1) Last week we chose food items to bring for the Christmas hamper that our class is making.  Your child should have brought home a slip of paper with their food choices listed on it.  If your child did not bring one home, please let me know, I do have a master copy.  If you’re are unable or do not wish to participate in this mission project, please let me know and I will make sure that those items come to school.

2) We are also asking for each family to send in a toonie ($2).  We will use this money to buy perishable food items.  (Milk, eggs, margarine, etc...)

3) There is also a sign-up sheet posted beside our classroom door if your family is interested in buying a gift for the two girls in our hamper family.

4) Lastly – We are looking for one family to volunteer to deliver our hamper.  If you are interested in helping us out, please let me know.

Thank you all so much for helping the students at BSLS share the joy of Christmas with a needy family.

CHRISTMAS PARTY                                                                                                                                

Our class Christmas party will be on the last day of school, Friday, Dec 21.                                                                                                              

The SNACK PARENTS for the party - Dawson, Gabby, Grace, and Hadley

What's New Newsletter December 3 - 7, 2012

What’s New in One and Two?

Week of December 3 – 7, 2012

*Reminders – PIZZA HOT LUNCH DAY on Friday, December 7

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HAPPY BIRTHDAY!          KAELAN       DECEMBER 6

OUR COMMUNITY 

We had a very busy week building our community called BOXTOWN.  Thank you for sending in all of the recyclables.  After we finished building our town, a giant guinea pig invaded and destroyed the town (a.k.a. Muffin).  The children took pictures of Muffin on, under and inside of their buildings and we will be writing and putting together a storybook called PIGZILLA! 

LIVING and LEARNING KITS                                                                                                  

For the month of December, we will be collecting new items for our Living and Learning Kits.  This month we are looking for packages of crayons and rulers.

CHRISTMAS CHEER BOARD HAMPERS                                                                               

Our school will be collecting food items for the Christmas Cheer Board Hampers.  Each class will have one family to make a hamper for.  The children will be choosing one or two items from the suggested list to bring for our class hamper.  We will send home a note with your child as soon as possible this week.  I will also be posting a sign-up sheet for presents if your family would like to buy gifts for the children in our hamper family.

MTYP FIELD TRIP                                                                                                               

I am sending home permission slips for a field trip to the MTYP.  We will be seeing Dr. Seuss’ – Cat in the Hat on Tuesday, December 18.  We will be leaving the school around 12:20 pm and returning around 2:30 pm.  If you are able to drive and/or chaperone for this field trip, please fill in the middle section of the permission slip.  Thank You

What's New Newsletter November 26 - 30, 2012

What’s New in One and Two?

Week of November 26 - 30, 2012

*Reminders – Hot Lunch Pizza order due by Wednesday, November 28

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RECYCLING

Please send your recycling materials to school this week – Monday and Tuesday.  We will start building our box community on Wednesday.

FIRST TERM CONFERENCES                                                                                       

Thank you for coming out to our first term Student-led Conferences.  The students were very excited and proud to share their work with you.

CHRISTMAS EVE SERVICE                                                                                                   

Last week a letter came home to the school families inviting the students who were able, to share their musical talents during a special Christmas Eve service at Beautiful Savior Church.  The bottom part of the letter asked for your child’s intentions for that evening either Yes, my child is available, or No, my child is unavailable.  Please fill out this intention form and return it to school as soon as possible (Monday, November 26) so that Mr. B. can begin planning for this special service.

REPORT CARD ENVELOPE                                                                                             

Please keep the copy of your child’s report card and return the envelope to school.  We are trying to be environmentally friendly and are planning to re-use the envelope all year.  Thanks!

OUR COMMUNITY                                                                                                                      

We are starting to wind-up our social studies unit about Our Community.  We have learned about people who work in a community, what all communities have in common and what makes ours special. 

What's New Newsletter November 19 - 23, 2012

What’s New in One and Two?

Week of November 19 – 23, 2012

*Reminders – Student-led Conferences are on Tuesday, Nov. 20 and                               Wednesday, Nov. 21

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STUDENT-LED CONFERENCES                                                                                    

When you arrive for the Student-led Conferences on Tuesday and Wednesday, please come on in to our classroom at your scheduled time.  Your child has practiced how to lead the conference and there will also be an agenda for the evening.  There are spaces for four different family groups to be in the classroom during each time slot.  I will be there too, to answer any general questions.  Please try to stick to your scheduled 20 minutes.  At the end of the conference, there is a parent reflection sheet that we would like you to fill out, share with your child and then add to the back of their portfolios.  Your feedback and support is important.  If you have any questions or concerns, please speak to me (or e-mail).  See you on Tuesday or Wednesday! 

LIVING and LEARNING KITS                                                                                                      

This month we are collecting pencils (10 packs), pencil sharpeners and erasers for the Living and Learning Kits that we are making for CLWR (Canadian Lutheran World Relief) this year.  Your child can bring in these items anytime during this month and add them to the blue bin outside of the Grade 5/6 classroom.

RECYCLE ITEMS                                                                                                                  

 I would like to start collecting the re-cycle items for Our Community Project starting Thursday of this week.  Please do not send them until the conferences are finished on Wednesday evening.  I do not have a lot of room in the classroom to store things.  We will be collecting items early next week too.  Thanks!

What's New Newsletter November 12 - 16, 2012

What’s New in One and Two?

November 12 – 16, 2012

*Reminders – Scholastic Book orders due Wednesday, November 14

   - NO SCHOOL on Friday, November 16

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HAPPY BIRTHDAY!              HADLEY         NOVEMBER 13

REPORT CARDS                                                                                                              

The first term report cards will be coming home on Thursday, November 15.  Don’t forget to sign up for a Student-led conference on the front hall bulletin board (or you can call Sandra in the office).  They will be held on two days – Tuesday, November 20 and Wednesday, November 21.  If you would like to meet with me privately, please wait until after the Student-led conferences and we can arrange a later meeting time.

OUR COMMUNITY                                                                                                                 

We are continuing our new social studies unit about “Our Community”.  We talked about belonging to a family and belonging to the bigger community of Winnipeg.  We looked at some recognizable places in Winnipeg.  Don’t forget to save some of your recycling for us.  We will be building our own mini-community in a few weeks.

WINTER’S HERE                                                                                                                    

 It looks like winter will arrive in Winnipeg this week-end.  The children go outside for recess everyday (unless the wind chill is very low -30*) and they need warm clothes and boots.  Please make sure that the children can put on and fasten their own outside clothing and boots independently.  It is also a good idea to send extra clothes like pants, socks and mittens, in case they get wet and need to change.  Thanks!

What's New Newsletter November 5 - 9, 2012

What’s New in One and Two?

Week of November 5 – 9, 2012

*Reminders – NO SCHOOL on Friday, November 9 (Administration Day)

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FALL SUPPER                                                                                                                  

Thank you to all of the families who helped out at the Fall Supper and Auction this past weekend.  It was fun, delicious and very well attended.  I’m sure that PIP raised quite a lot of money for the new playground!

REMEMBRANCE DAY                                                                                                     

Our Remembrance Day Service at school will be held on Thursday, November 8 at 11:00 am.  The entire school will be meeting in the chapel area for a short service.   Parents are always welcome to join us.

REPORT CARDS                                                                                                         

Our first term’s report cards will be sent home next Thursday, November 15.  The sign-up sheets for Student-led Conferences are already posted on the front hall bulletin board, across from the office.  There is space for four families to sign-up in each time period.  The students will be leading the conferences and sharing their learning portfolios with their families.

SOCIAL STUDIES                                                                                                                     

We are beginning a new social studies unit called “Our Community”.  We will be working on a project in a few weeks and will need smallish cardboard boxes and recyclables (cereal, granola bars, paper towel tubes, etc…). Can you please start saving some of your recycling packages for us now?  I will let you know when they are needed at school.  Thanks!

What's New Newsletter October 29 - November 2, 2012

What’s New in One and Two?

Week of October 29 – November 2, 2012

*Reminders – Fall Supper coming up on Saturday, November 3

                       - HOT LUNCH Pizza Day – Friday, November 2

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HAPPY BIRTHDAY!               AVA                       October 29

                                                  MAYA                   October 31

PUMPKIN PARTIES                                                                                                                       

Our Pumpkin Party is on Wednesday, October 31 in the afternoon.  If your child would like to dress in costume, please send it to school in a plastic grocery bag.  The children will be changing into their costumes after lunch recess at 1:00 pm.   Please remember that the costumes need to be appropriate – no weapons, blood, scary masks…                                                                                                                        

The snack parents for this party are - Alexis, Annabelle, Ava, Chinh     

Also remember that our school is Nut Safe - Thanks!

MEASURING MUFFIN                                                                                                     

Last week we traced around Muffin and counted how many squares she covered on a piece of grid paper.  She was very patient with us as she was traced 20 times.

PUMPKIN GLYPHS                                                                                                                       

We made some pumpkin glyphs of ourselves last week.  A glyph is a symbol or a code that means something else.  We choose symbols for whether we were a boy or a girl, in grade one or two, how many people are in our family, our hair colour and our favourite colours.  Come and check out the pumpkin glyphs in the hallway, read the codes and see if you can figure out who made which pumpkin.

What's New Newsletter October 22 - 26, 2012

What’s New in One and Two?

Week of October 22 – 26, 2012

*Reminders – Annual Fall Supper coming up on Saturday,

                        November 3                                    

                        Tickets are available to purchase, auction items still needed

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TOUCH BOOKS                                                                                                                       

Last week I sent home a pink note asking parents to help their child find 6 small items at home and then bring them to school in a Ziplock bag labeled with their name.  If your child did not bring their items to school last week, please do so ASAP.  Thanks.

CLASS REP’S                                                                                                                        

Each of the classrooms in the school have a parent representative.  These parents are responsible for phone call reminders about up-coming events for the PIP.  Our classroom does have one parent already but they are looking for another.  If you would be interested in volunteering for this position, please contact the PIP or Sandra in the office.

MISSION PROJECTS                                                                                                                  

 An information letter was sent home to the school families regarding a new mission project we are working on this year for CLWR (Canadian Lutheran World Relief).  We are collecting items to fill a “Living and Learning” kit to send to needy children.  Each month we will be collecting one item for the kits.  This month, October, we are looking for SCRIBBLERS (Hillroy - any size).  Please DO NOT send coiled booklets, they are difficult to pack and ship.  Thank you for your help and support!

PUMPKIN PARTY                                                                                                                                                       

This year our Halloween Pumpkin Party will be held on Wednesday, October 31 in the afternoon.  The children can dress up if they wish but we ask that the costumes be appropriate. (NO – weapons, blood, scary masks, etc…)

What's New Newsletter October 15 - 19, 2012

What’s New in One and Two?

Week of October 15 – 19, 2012

*Reminders – Field Trip to MTYP on Tuesday, October 16 – afternoon

                       - NO SCHOOL on Friday, October 19 – Teacher In-service

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MUFFIN MATH                                                                                                                                                         We have a new friend in our classroom.  Her name is Muffin and she is a 3 month old guinea pig.  We had a vote last week to choose a name for her.  We had lots of suggestions (Obiwonkinobi, Mario, Lego, Chocolate, Cookie, Sunshine, Fox, Bob, and many more.)  In the final vote, Muffin won.  We are getting to know each other and will be using math to find out all about guinea pigs.  How many blocks long is she, how much does she weigh, how much does she grow?  We have also been sharing little bits of our lunch with her and finding out what she likes to eat (carrots, apple, celery, cucumber, and her favourite so far … grapes!)

FEELY BOOKS                                                                                                                                                                                         I am sending home a letter today about a little book that we are making in class about the sense of touch.  Please read the pink note and help your child find their items at home.  Please send the feely items to school this week (next Monday at the latest) because I would like to make our books next week.  Thanks!

CLASS PARTIES                                                                                                                                                 Each year our class has a number of parties to celebrate the holidays.  I usually divide up the class alphabetically between the holidays and ask each family to bring treats for one of the parties during the year.  If that day does not suit you, perhaps you can trade with another family.  Don’t worry, I’ll put reminders in the newsletters.  Please let me know if this plan does not work for you.

What's New Newsletter October 8 - 12, 2012

What’s New in One and Two?

   Week of October 8 – 12, 2012

*Reminders – NO SCHOOL on Monday, October 8 – Thanksgiving

                    - Permission slips for MTYP Field Trip on Tuesday, October 16

                    - Scholastic Book orders due on Friday, October 12

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HOMEWORK                                                                                                                                      The homework will be coming home today instead of the usual Monday.  The children only have four days to complete it this week.  It is due on Friday and the grade two spelling test is on Friday as usual. 

SPELLING 

The spelling lists that we have been working on so far should be review words from grade one (sight words and word families).  At the end of October we’ll look at how each child has done and start some students in a more challenging spelling program, depending upon where they will be most successful.   

READING                                                                                                                                   I know that many children (and parents) are eager move up the alphabet into harder level books as quickly as possible.  Trying to read books that are too challenging does not help your child learn to read but instead causes problems.  A “just right” Goldilocks book is one that your child can read with at least 95% to 98% accuracy to start with.  Reading is more than just de-coding words.  They also need to be able to re-tell the story with details, answer comprehension questions, and make personal connections to the story.  As well, they need to work on reading aloud with expression, fluency, correct phrasing, rhythm and following punctuation.  They also need to enjoy and comprehend what they are reading.  Please read and re-read the small beginner books on more than one night to practice the other important reading skills.