Hello Explorer Families! 

It's been a wonderful week of learning and exploring the Valentine's Store!  Students have been earning money (and occasionally getting fined), purchasing Valentine supplies and toys, decorating their "Mail Bag", working as cashiers, store keepers, and reporters. Today, we enjoyed opening and reading Valentines from classmates and a wonderful Valentine Party!  Thanks to our wonderful Parent Partners!!  Check out these PHOTOS! We've also been learning challenging phonics concepts (ask your child about the "Schwa!") and the incredible, heart-breaking history of the Civil War. Next week, we will continue two digit addition and subtraction and start a fascinating unit on Fort Collins History. 

Pay it Forward!  Parents, everything in this year's Valentine Store was provided by last year's parents.  I'm asking that you help pay it forward so next year's 2nd graders also have a wonderful experience.  Once the 75% off sales start, could you purchase a few items to "restock" our shelves?  Popular items are small toys, glitter, small stuffies, letter sticker pages (for names), costume jewelry, etc.  Thanks SO much!

Cognitive Abilities Test (CogAT).  The CogAT will be given to 2nd graders next week.  This assessment is part of the body of evidence  for students to be given an Advanced Learning Plan (formerly GT) in 3rd grade.  The rest of the evidence includes the MAP assessments and teacher recommendation. 

FIELD TRIP!  Our first field trip will be Friday, Mar 6 to the Fort Collins Museum of Discovery.  Please let me know if you would like to chaperone a group of 4-6 students at the museum. 

Hail and Farewell.  We welcome Henry and his family to Traut, as they join us next week!  And we wish all the best to Kendrick and Remi and their families, as they continue 2nd grade in a new school.  Your wonderful children wrote encouraging notes to both boys to send them off (we miss you already!) and some sweet welcome notes to Henry. 

Keep exploring!

Mr. Langford