Newsletter
Week of April 29-May 3
Can you believe it, “It’s Gonna be May” next week! Our learning has bloomed throughout April, and our students are just 20 days away from bring incoming 3rd graders!
SCHOOL SUPPLIES
We know that you have a lot on your plate right now, so in order to make things a little easier for you, we've set up a system through EPI, where you can order your students 2024-2025 school supplies today online or on our printed form which will go into your child's Tuesday folder next week!!! It's that simple!! All printed order forms will be due back into the school no later than May 15th.
ONLINE ORDERS:
Just click here to order an EPI school supply pack by May 21st . Make sure to enter the school ID: CAN043. Your supplies will be shipped directly to Canyon Creek Elementary School and waiting for your child when the next school year starts during Comet Kick off.
Should you have any questions please contact Pam Kuss at pamelacassells@hotmail.com
CLASSROOM NEEDS
We are in need of a few more tissue boxes for the end of the school year! Thanks for your help!
SECOND GRADE SHOWCASE
The second grade students and teachers are excited to invite you to come by your child's classroom on Friday morning, May 17, from 7:20 - 7:40 a.m. for our Second Grade Showcase. As you drop off your child, it is the perfect time to stop by before heading out for your day. Your favorite second grader will be ready to show you some of the great work that he/she has been doing this year! We look forward to seeing you then!
AUTHOR VISIT AND DRAGON DRAWING:
On Wednesday, May 1 we will have the opportunity to meet author Mari Mancusi . Mari Mancusi is the author of over 30 books for kids, teens and adults including Dragon Ops, Frozen: Polar Nights, New Dragon City and more!Dragon City is on the 2024-2025 Texas Bluebonnet State Reading List! If you would like to draw a dragon to be displayed in the library during her visit, please submit your work to Mrs. Bamford by Tuesday, April 30. All appropriate dragons accepted. Perfection is not required, but they should be cut out before being turned in.
PTA VOLUNTEER BREAKFAST
Mark your calendars for the CCE Volunteer Breakfast on May 2nd from 7:20 to 8:00 am in the library. If you have volunteered at CCE this school year, please join us for breakfast!
APRIL READING BINGO is due Tuesday, April 30th. Remember that you need to date and initial each square each night and late bingos will not be accepted.
END OF THE YEAR TESTING
We have started our End of the Year testing. Please make sure your child has his/her headphones at school. They will need them for testing. It is important that your child is present for these tests, as we are limited on time to make up any testing that is missed.
END OF YEAR TRAVEL PLANS
If you will be traveling before the end of the year and your child will not be here on the last day(s) of school, please let us know so that we can say our goodbyes and send everything home with your child.
REFLECTIONS
Congratulations to Samyukta Arvind, Farrin Kashani, Akshat Golla, Valentina Rosenthal Mora, and Myra Marpu who participated in Reflections this year. Samyukta and Farrin advanced to the RRISD Council Level and earned an Award of Excellence and Myra earned an Honorable Mention! The reflection awards of excellence will be broadcasted during Monday morning announcements.
Spelling words:
again
coat
down
each
another
brown
found
house
around
home
If you made it all the way to the newsletter, respond to this email with It’s Gonna be May and your child will earn a ticket.
Important Dates
Apr. 30: Dragon drawings due to Mrs. Bamford
May 1: Mari Mancusi Author visit
May 2: Volunteer Breakfast
May 3: Comet Kick-off
May 6-10: Teacher Appreciation Week
May 17: Second Grade Showcase
May 21: Field Day
May 23: Last day of school
This Week's Curriculum
Language Arts:
Media Literacy - print and digital media, persuasive techniques
Author’s Purpose - to inform, to entertain, to persuade
Vowel Teams: ea /short e/, a /short o/
ABC Order and dictionary skills
Drafting, revising, and publishing our fiction pirate stories
Math:
Identifying and counting coins
Science:
Natural Resources
Conservation
Week of April 22-26
ARRGH! We had such a fun week writing our pirate fiction stories!
SECOND GRADE MUSICAL PROGRAM
We would love to invite you to the parents and families presentation of the program now on Thursday, April 25th at 6 p.m. (immediately following the PTA meeting). There will also be a performance at 1:00 p.m. that day for students and faculty/staff. Each Second Grade student will have an important contribution to make to the program and we hope to have 100% participation.
SCHOOL SUPPLIES
We know that you have a lot on your plate right now, so in order to make things a little easier for you, we've set up a system through EPI, where you can order your students 2024-2025 school supplies today online or on our printed form which will go into your child's Tuesday folder next week!!! It's that simple!! All printed order forms will be due back into the school no later than May 15th.
ONLINE ORDERS:
Just click here to order an EPI school supply pack by May 21st . Make sure to enter the school ID: CAN043. Your supplies will be shipped directly to Canyon Creek Elementary School and waiting for your child when the next school year starts during Comet Kick off.
Should you have any questions please contact Pam Kuss at pamelacassells@hotmail.com
SECOND GRADE SHOWCASE
The second grade students and teachers are excited to invite you to come by your child's classroom on Friday morning, May 17, from 7:20 - 7:40 a.m. for our Second Grade Showcase. As you drop off your child, it is the perfect time to stop by before heading out for your day. Your favorite second grader will be ready to show you some of the great work that he/she has been doing this year! We look forward to seeing you then!
PTA VOLUNTEER BREAKFAST
Mark your calendars for the CCE Volunteer Breakfast on May 2nd from 7:20 to 8:00 am in the library. If you have volunteered at CCE this school year, please join us for breakfast!
APRIL READING BINGO is due Tuesday, April 30th. Remember that you need to date and initial each square each night and late bingos will not be accepted.
END OF THE YEAR TESTING
We have started our End of the Year testing. Please make sure your child has his/her headphones at school. They will need them for testing. It is important that your child is present for these tests, as we are limited on time to make up any testing that is missed.
END OF YEAR TRAVEL PLANS
If you will be traveling before the end of the year and your child will not be here on the last day(s) of school, please let us know so that we can say our goodbyes and send everything home with your child.
Spelling words:
better
monkey
dear
play
between
against
clean
include
green
zipped
If you made it all the way to the newsletter, respond to this email with How I Became a Pirate and your child will earn a ticket!
Important Dates
Apr. 25: 5:30 pm PTA Meeting 6:00 pm Second Grade Musical Performance
Apr. 26: Breakfast Buddies 7:00-7:30 am
May 2: Volunteer Breakfast
May 3: Comet Kick-off
May 6-10: Teacher Appreciation Week
May 17: Second Grade Showcase
May 21: Field Day
May 23: Last day of school
This Week's Curriculum
Language Arts:
Media Literacy - print and digital media, persuasive techniques
Author’s Purpose - to inform, to entertain, to persuade
Vowel Teams: aw/au/augh
Diphthongs oi/oy, ou/ow
Abbreviations
Brainstorming and planning fiction pirate stories
Math:
2D shapes and 3D solids
Partitioning fractions (1/2, 1/3, 1/4, 1/8, whole)
Perimeter and Area
Science:
Natural Resources
Social Studies:
Public figures
Branches of government
Week of April 15-19
Can you believe that April is already half way done? It’s amazing to think back and remember the abilities of everyone when they first arrived in second grade compared to where they are now. We have seen so much growth! I truly appreciate all you have done, and continue to do, to make school and homework a priority. More success lies ahead and we’re so thankful to have your support.
SECOND GRADE MUSICAL PROGRAM TIME CHANGE
Mark your calendars for the Second Grade Music Program - Friends Forever! We would love to invite you to the parents and families presentation of the program now on Thursday, April 25th at 6 p.m. (immediately following the PTA meeting). There will also be a performance at 1:00 p.m. that day for students and faculty/staff. Each Second Grade student will have an important contribution to make to the program and we hope to have 100% participation. Ms. Pagliai will be sending out more information soon.
KLEENEX NEEDED
With allergies in full swing, we are running low on tissue boxes. If you are able to send any in for our class, we would greatly appreciate it.
PARENT INPUT FORM
As we begin to make plans for the 2024-2025 school year, you are invited to provide input as to how we can best meet your child’s needs at Canyon Creek Elementary. Your input is valuable as class placement decisions are made. If you choose to complete this Canyon Creek Elementary Parent Input Form, please submit by the end of the day, Friday, April 19th.
The information you provide in this form and input from school staff members will assist us in placing your child appropriately. Many variables contribute to the successful placement of children into classes; therefore, requests for specific teachers will not be honored. Please do not name specific teachers on this form. This document will be kept confidential. If you have more than one child, please submit a separate form for each child.
Items to consider when completing this form:
List teacher traits and characteristics that support your child.
What was your child’s best year and why?
Anything you would like to tell us about your child.
2023-2024 ENROLLMENT FORM
Please see the enrollment form link below and check the appropriate statement below for your child's enrollment status for the next year. We need a form returned from all of our current K-4 students, regardless of whether they will or will not attend Canyon Creek. These forms will help us verify our enrollment numbers and enable us to staff accurately. This enrollment form is necessary to make accurate projections. Thank you in advance for completing this form! PLEASE SUBMIT BY FRIDAY, APRIL 19th.
Enrollment form for 2024-2025 School Year
APRIL READING BINGO is underway. Remember that you need to date and initial each square each night.
SCHOOL SUPPLIES
We know that you have a lot on your plate right now, so in order to make things a little easier for you, we've set up a system through EPI, where you can order your students 2024-2025 school supplies today online or on our printed form which will go into your child's Tuesday folder next week!!! It's that simple!! All printed order forms will be due back into the school no later than May 15th.
ONLINE ORDERS:
Just click here to order an EPI school supply pack by May 21st . Make sure to enter the school ID: CAN043. Your supplies will be shipped directly to Canyon Creek Elementary School and waiting for your child when the next school year starts during Comet Kick off.
Should you have any questions please contact Pam Kuss at pamelacassells@hotmail.com
SECOND GRADE SHOWCASE
The second grade students and teachers are excited to invite you to come by your child's classroom on Friday morning, May 17, from 7:20 - 7:40 a.m. for our Second Grade Showcase. As you drop off your child, it is the perfect time to stop by before heading out for your day. Your favorite second grader will be ready to show you some of the great work that he/she has been doing this year! We look forward to seeing you then!
END OF THE YEAR TESTING
We will be starting our End of the Year testing soon. Please make sure your child has his/her headphones at school. They will need them for testing. It is important that your child is present for these tests, as we are limited on time to make up any testing that is missed.
END OF YEAR TRAVEL PLANS
If you will be traveling before the end of the year and your child will not be here on the last day(s) of school, please let us know so that we can say our goodbyes and send everything home with your child.
Spelling words:
after
start
under
third
little
complete
windmill
twisted
catcher
trudge
If you made it all the way to the newsletter, respond to this email with Buffalo aren’t Bison and your child will earn a ticket!
Important Dates
Apr. 25: 5:30 pm PTA Meeting 6:00 pm Second Grade Musical Performance
Apr. 26: Breakfast Buddies 7:00-7:30 am
May 2: Volunteer Breakfast
May 3: Comet Kick-off
May 6-10: Teacher Appreciation Week
May 17: Second Grade Showcase
May 21: Field Day
May 23: Last day of school
This Week's Curriculum
Language Arts:
Publishing our biographies
Creating and practicing Living Museum speeches
Vowel Teams: ew, ue, ui
Diphthongs oi/oy, ou/ow
Articles
Math:
2D shapes and 3D solids
Partitioning fractions (1/2, 1/3, 1/4, 1/8, whole)
Science:
Parts of a Plant
Plant Life cycle
Social Studies:
Historical figures
Government officials
Week of April 8-12
We have had a very busy and exciting week writing our final copies and preparing for our living museum next week! Next week is going to be very BUSY. We have no school on Wednesday, Living Museum on Thursday, and our field trip on Friday!
LIVING MUSEUM
The Living Museum will come to life on Thursday, April 11th at 8:00 am in the cafeteria. Please make sure your child is at school on time and ready in their outfits when school starts at 7:40.
Parents are invited to join the second grade students as they "become" the famous person they have been researching. I can’t wait to see the creative outfits as they arrive in character. Our program will begin promptly at 8:00am. Please allow ample time for parking and signing in at the office. I appreciate your support throughout this project, and thank you for arranging childcare for younger siblings.
LIVING MUSEUM VISITORS
Please RSVP using this Google Form, so that the office can pre-print your visitor badges. Adult visitors are welcome at the museum; please make other arrangements for younger siblings.
The schedule for the remainder of our project is listed below:
Monday 4/8-4/9: Practice speeches and prepare dolls
Wednesday 4/10: NO SCHOOL
Thursday 4/11: Living Museum 8AM
CROWE'S NEST FIELD TRIP
We are excited for our upcoming field trip to Crowe’s Nest Farm next Friday, April 12th. Chaperones are not needed. However, if you would like to join your child’s class, please arrive at the farm at 10:30AM. We will have lunch until 11:20 and our tour will begin promptly at 11:30. Adult tickets are $9 and can be purchased at the entrance. Here are some reminders for our trip:
Pack a sack lunch with all disposable items labeled with your child’s name
Pack two snacks (one for before the trip, one for after)
Wear comfortable walking shoes
Wear the blue CCE PTA shirt or any blue shirt
SECOND GRADE MUSICAL PROGRAM TIME CHANGE
Mark your calendars for the Second Grade Music Program - Friends Forever! We would love to invite you to the parents and families presentation of the program now on Thursday, April 25th at 6 p.m. (immediately following the PTA meeting). There will also be a performance at 1:00 p.m. that day for students and faculty/staff. Each Second Grade student will have an important contribution to make to the program and we hope to have 100% participation. Ms. Pagliai will be sending out more information soon.
APRIL READING BINGO is underway. Remember that you need to date and initial each square each night.
If you made it all the way to the newsletter, respond to this email with Monday will be TOTALITY awesome and your child will earn a ticket!
Important Dates
Apr. 8: Solar Eclipse
Apr. 10: NO SCHOOL
Apr. 11: Living Museum at 8am
Apr. 12: Field Trip to Crowe's Nest Farm
**updated**Apr. 25: Second Grade Musical Performance
This Week's Curriculum
Language Arts:
Biography editing, revising, and publishing
Vowel Teams: oo, ew, ue, ui
Prefixes and suffixes
Math:
2D shapes and 3D solids
Science:
Patterns in the sky
Types of Weather
Week of April 1-5
We have had a very busy and exciting week learning and preparing for our living museum! The class has been fascinated by all the interesting facts they are learning about the person they've chosen. Thank you for supporting their research at home! Next week we begin transferring our rough drafts into our final. This is such an exciting project! I cannot wait to see everyone's presentations and costumes!
SPRING BOOK FAIR: Gold Medal Readers!
CCE's Book Fair kicks off today, March 28. The book fair will be open from 3:00 PM - 7:30 PM with the K-4th grade art show and 3rd grade performance! Book fair sales will run through Friday, April 5. Click here for more information and to volunteer!
LIVING MUSEUM:
The Living Museum will come to life on Thursday, April 11th at 8:00 am in the cafeteria. Please make sure your child is at school on time and ready in their outfits when school starts at 7:40.
Parents are invited to join the second grade students as they "become" the famous person they have been researching. I can’t wait to see all of the creative outfits as they arrive in character. Our program will begin promptly at 8:00am. Please allow ample time for parking and signing in at the office.
Please RSVP using this Google Form, so that the office can pre-print your visitor badges. Adult visitors are welcome at the museum; please make other arrangements for younger siblings.
The schedule for the remainder of our project is listed below:
Monday 4/1-Thursday 4/4: Writing final copies (editing will be done daily at home with parents)
Friday 4/5: Write speeches (Students should be practicing speech at home and preparing costume for Living museum on Thursday 4/11)
Monday 4/8-4/9: Finalize speeches and prepare dolls
Wednesday 4/10: NO SCHOOL
Thursday 4/11: Living Museum 8AM
CROWE'S NEST FIELD TRIP
Our field trip to Crowe’s Nest Farm on Friday, April 12 is coming up soon! Here are some reminders for our trip:
Pack a sack lunch with all disposable items labeled with your child’s name
Pack two snacks (one for before the trip, one for after)
Wear comfortable walking shoes
Wear the blue CCE PTA shirt or any blue shirt
SECOND GRADE MUSICAL PROGRAM TIME CHANGE
Mark your calendars for the Second Grade Music Program - Friends Forever! We would love to invite you to the parents and families presentation of the program now on Thursday, April 25th at 6 p.m. (immediately following the PTA meeting). There will also be a performance at 1:00 p.m. that day for students and faculty/staff. Each Second Grade student will have an important contribution to make to the program and we hope to have 100% participation. Ms. Pagliai will be sending out more information soon.
Spelling Words:
their
sizzle
pledge
coldest
stretching
birthday
through
quick
muddy
remember
If you made it all the way to the newsletter, respond to this email with Salt in His Shoes and your child will earn a ticket!
Important Dates
Mar. 28: Art Show/Book Fair opens 3-7pm
Mar. 29: NO SCHOOL
Apr. 1-5: Book Fair
Apr. 5: CometFest 2023+Magic Show 5:00-7:00 pm
Apr. 10: NO SCHOOL
Apr. 11: Living Museum at 8am
Apr. 12: Field Trip to Crowe's Nest Farm
**updated**Apr. 25: Second Grade Musical Performance
This Week's Curriculum
Language Arts:
Biographies and Autobiographies
Drafting a biography
Lesson of the story
Vowel Teams: ie/igh, oo (ooh) or oo (short u)
Prefixes and suffixes
Math:
Attributes of 2D shapes
Science:
Patterns in the sky
Types of Weather
Weather Tools
Week of March 25-29
Welcome back! I hope everyone had a wonderful and relaxing Spring Break! It was so wonderful to see everyone again and hear about everyone's adventures and vacations. We have had a very busy and exciting week learning all about our living museum people! The class has been fascinated by all the interesting facts they are learning about the person they've chosen. Thank you for supporting their research at home! Next week we begin transferring our notes into rough drafts. This is such an exciting project! I cannot wait to see everyone's presentations and costumes!
STAR OF THE WEEK
We will not have a Star of the Week next week due to our 4 day week.
READING BINGO
March Reading BINGO is due next Thursday, March 28th. Make sure each square is initialed and dated. Late BINGOS will not be accepted.
LIVING MUSEUM
All living museum research notes are due Tuesday March 26h. Please follow up with your child and make sure their notes are complete. We will begin writing our rough drafts on Tuesday. Please refer to the timeline below to help stay organized throughout the process.
Monday 3/18: Books selected, permission slip sent home
Tuesday-Tuesday 3/19-3/26: Students will work on reading books, researching and completing notes packet. (This should also be done at home)
Tuesday 3/26: Research notes are due. Students will begin writing their rough drafts in class.
Tuesday 3/26-Thursday 3/28: Rough drafts (rough drafts not complete will be homework)
Monday 4/1-Thursday 4/4: Writing final copies (editing will be done daily at home with parents)
Friday 4/5: Write speeches (Students should be practicing speech at home and preparing costume for Living museum on Thursday 4/11)
Monday 4/8-4/9: Finalize speeches and prepare dolls
Wednesday 4/10: NO SCHOOL
Thursday 4/11: Living Museum 8AM
SECOND GRADE MUSICAL PROGRAM
Mark your calendars for the Second Grade Music Program - Friends Forever! We would love to invite you to the parents and families presentation of the program on Thursday, April 18th at 6 p.m. (immediately following the PTA meeting). There will also be a performance at 1:00 p.m. that day for students and faculty/staff. Each Second Grade student will have an important contribution to make to the program and we hope to have 100% participation. Ms. Pagliai will be sending out more information soon.
SPRING BOOK FAIR
Book Fair: Gold Medal Readers! CCE's Book Fair kicks off next Thursday, March 28 at 3:00 PM - 7:30 PM with the K-4th grade art show and 3rd grade performance! Book fair sales will run through Friday, April 5. Click here for more information and to volunteer!
FIELD TRIP
We are excited for our upcoming field trip to Crowe’s Nest Farm on Friday, April 12th. A permission slip will be sent home in your child’s Tuesday folder next week. These will need to be signed and returned no later than Tuesday, April 2nd. Chaperones are not needed. However, if you would like to join your child’s class, please arrive at the farm at 10:30AM. We will have lunch until 11:20 and our tour will begin promptly at 11:30. Adult tickets are $9 and must be purchased at the entrance. Please note* Students will need to bring a sack lunch for the field trip.
SPRING ART SHOW
Kinder -4th grade students are spending this week picking their favorite artwork to share at the CCE Art Show. Each child has looked through their portfolios and picked the piece they were most proud of. So many choices! Art will be on display from 3-7pm on Thursday March 28th in the downstairs main hallway on the way to the BOOKFAIR! Your student mounted and hung it so they will show where to go. Any questions, please feel free to contact Mrs. Weir. mary_weir@roundrockisd.org
CometFEST 2024!
When: Friday, April 5 from 5pm-7pm
Where: Canyon Creek Elementary
What: PTA’s spring carnival event features an indoor magic show performed by world-renowned magician, Cody Fisher, PLUS outdoor carnival games, fun activities and food.
If you've made it to the end of the newsletter please respond with Jane loves Jubilee and your child will receive a ticket on Monday.
Important Dates
Mar. 23: Canyon Creek Spring Festival @ Trailhead Park 10am-1pm
Mar. 26: Living Museum Notes due
Mar. 28: Art Show/Book Fair opens 3-7pm
Mar. 29: NO SCHOOL Apr.1-5: Book Fair
Apr. 5: CometFest 2023+Magic Show 5:00-7:00 pm
Apr. 10: NO SCHOOL
Apr. 11: Living Museum at 8am
Apr. 12: Field Trip to Crowe's Nest Farm
Apr. 18: Second Grade Musical Performance
This Week's Curriculum
Language Arts:
Biographies and Autobiographies
Research for living museum reports
Vowel Teams oa/ow/oe, ie/igh
Prepositions
Math:
Time to the minute
Elapsed time
Measuring length centimeters, inches, feet, yards, meters
Science:
Patterns in the sky
Week of March 18-22
We made it! Everyone has worked so hard over the last 9 weeks and I know we are all ready for a little break! I hope you all have a wonderful time together and I can’t wait to hear about everyone’s adventures when we return! Happy Spring Break!
READING BINGO
Remember to read over spring break or your reading bingo won’t be completed by March 28th! (Please note the date written in the planner is INCORRECT! 3/31 is a Sunday, sorry for my mistake!)
LIVING MUSEUM
The Living Museum project is one of the most special parts of second grade here at Canyon Creek! Your child will be studying the life of a famous historical figure, writing a research paper to share their learning, and “bringing to life” their chosen person at our Living Museum. Please be on the lookout for more information when we introduce our project on Monday, March 18th. The day of the Living Museum will be Thursday, April 11th at 8:00 am.
CROSSING GUARD VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
Help keep our students safe and volunteer to help as a crossing guard in the mornings. Shifts are quick from 7:15-7:45AM and any time you can give is much appreciated! Sign up HERE!
SPELLING WORDS
There will not be any spelling words the week of March 18th.
If you've made it to the end of the newsletter please respond with Watch out for Ari, Col, and Boo next Sunday and your child will receive a ticket on Monday when we return.
Important Dates
Mar. 11-15: Spring Break
Mar. 28-Apr. 5: Book Fair
Mar. 29: No school
Apr. 5: CometFest 2023+Magic Show 5:00-7:00 pm
Apr. 11: Living Museum at 8am
This Week's Curriculum
Language Arts:
Story elements: plot, setting, characters, traits
Legends
Poetry
Vowel Teams ai/ay, ee/ea
Prepositions
Math:
Time to the minute
Elapsed time
Measuring length with standard and nonstandard tools
Science:
Heat, light, and sound energy
Week of March 4-8
How can it already be March? I'm not sure where February went but we've had so much fun here exploring poetry, Black History Month, and a variety of Presidents and their impacts.
READING BINGO
March reading BINGO is underway. Please make sure you are initialing and dating each evening on the BINGO card. We need to see students are only completing one square per evening and not rushing to complete the entire BINGO in the evening or weekend before the deadline. Also, make sure you are also signing the planner each night. Signing the BINGO card does not count for a parent signature on the planner. Many students keep the BINGO card at home and teachers do not check BINGO cards daily, so please make sure you are also signing planners each evening. March Reading BINGO will be due March 28th.
SPRING BREAK
If your child will not be at school any other days next week, please let me know as soon as possible. We still have assessments scheduled in reading, phonics and we want to make sure your child has completed these assessments before leaving for Spring Break.
LIVING MUSEUM
The Living Museum project is one of the most special parts of second grade here at Canyon Creek! Your child will be studying the life of a famous historical figure, writing a research paper to share their learning, and “bringing to life” their chosen person at our Living Museum. Please be on the lookout for more information when we introduce our project on Monday, March 18th. The day of the Living Museum will be Thursday, April 11th at 8:00 am .
DISMISSAL CHANGES REMINDER
Just as a reminder, if your child is going home with a friend or has a different dismissal location than usual, please send me an email to confirm this change. If I do not respond, please call the CCE Office at 512-428-2800 to ensure I get the message. Teachers are not supposed to dismiss students to other students without parent permission.
CROSSING GUARD VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
Help keep our students safe and volunteer to help as a crossing guard in the mornings. Shifts are quick from 7:15-7:45AM and any time you can give is much appreciated! Sign up HERE!
SPELLING WORDS
probably
smudge
sketch
child
near
write
program
until
anthill
never
If you've made it to the end of the newsletter please respond with Old Elm Speaks, and your child will receive a ticket
Important Dates
Mar. 1: Multicultural Fair
Mar. 7: Kona Ice after school
Mar. 11-15: Spring Break
Mar. 28-Apr. 5: Book Fair
Mar. 29: No school
Apr. 5: CometFest 2023+Magic Show 5:00-7:00 pm
Apr. 11: Living Museum
This Week's Curriculum
Language Arts:
Analyzing poetry
Identifying poetic devices
Capitalization
Reading words with Bossy R (ar, or, er, ir, ur) and vowel teams ai, ay
Writing a 5 senses poem using adjectives
Math:
Telling time to the hour, half hour, quarter hour, five minutes, and one minute
Elapsed time
Word problems with time and elapsed time
Social Studies:
Black History Month
Science:
Light energy
Week of February 26-March 1
Talk about a quick week! We hope you enjoyed your extra day off on Monday. Thankfully, we still managed to squeeze in lots of learning!
FEBRUARY BINGO:
Just a reminder that February BINGO is due next Thursday February 29th. Remember all squares must be individually dated and initialed to be valid. March BINGO will begin the evening of 2/29.
GLUESTICK REFRESH:
Some students are coming to the end of their gluestick supply, and may need 1-3 more to finish out the year. Please check with your child to see if this is the case!
MIDDLE OF THE YEAR SCREENERS:
Recently, our intervention department administered a series of screeners that are mandated by the State of Texas. You received a copy of your child’s results in last week’s Tuesday folder. Unless we reach out to you, please know that there is no cause for concern. These assessments were timed and are only a small piece of information. In class, we cover these skills daily with whole group and small group instruction.
RECESS:
We know that Texas weather can be ever changing and unpredictable! We go outside unless it’s raining or the temperatures are below freezing. Please check the weather with your child each day to make sure they have what they need to stay warm at recess! Also, be sure to check that your child’s name is in their jackets or vests so they can be easily identified.
SPRING BREAK TRAVEL:
March begins next week which means that Spring Break is on the horizon (March 11-15) If your family will be traveling before or after these dates and it will impact instructional time, please let me know. This allows me to move lessons and assessments around, if needed. I appreciate your communication!
SPELLING WORDS:
stage
benches
stuffed
only
ready
they
second
though
while
calling
If you've made it to the end of the newsletter please respond with Looking at Lincoln, and your child will receive a ticket
Important Dates
Feb. 29: Reading BINGO due
Mar. 1: Multicultural Fair
Mar. 11-15: Spring Break
Mar. 29: No school
This Week's Curriculum
Language Arts:
Identify main purpose of a text
Capitalization
Bossy R (ar, or, er, ir, ur)
Revise, editing, and publishing our opinion writing
Math:
Parts of a clock
Time to the hour, half hour, quarter hour, and five minutes
Social Studies:
Black History Month
Presidents' Day
Science:
Heat energy
Light energy
Week of February 19-23
What a week! We started the week with love and kindness as we celebrated Valentine's Day. Thank you to our room parents and all second grade parents for making all of the Valentine fun possible! We’ve also had a great week highlighting acts of kindness in the classroom, at recess, and all around the school.
Don’t forget Monday is a student holiday to observe Presidents Day!
NO SPELLING WORDS THIS WEEK
We will not have a spelling test next week, due to a short week. We will resume the week of February 26th.
MULTICULTURAL FAIR - Last Chance to Sign Up!
Thank you to all the families who have volunteered to host a booth or participate in a presentation for this year's Multicultural Fair. We have extended the entry until February 19th for additional entries! To sign up for a cultural performance and/or host a country booth contact neha.londono@gmail.com for questions.
FEBRUARY BINGO
Just a reminder that February BINGO is due Thursday, February 29th. Remember all squares must be individually dated and initialed to be valid. March BINGO will begin the evening of 2/29.
LIBRARY VOLUNTEERS
Our school library is looking for some extra hands during our library time. Our Library volunteer would be helping out by putting away books, advising/supporting student check-outs, and suggesting books. Our library time is every Tuesday from 12-12:30. If this is something you would be interested in helping out with, please select a day that works best for you. Library Volunteer Sign Up
Please make sure you are a registered volunteer through the RRISD Volunteer registration.
NOISE REDUCING HEADPHONES
Our learning can look a lot of different ways and we have a lot of different learners in our classroom. Sometimes we are working quietly with soft music, sometimes we are working with partners or in centers. This can make the classroom louder or more distracting for some. Currently, I have 2 pairs of noise reducing headphones for students to use as needed, but we have more than 2 students who prefer to use them at various times throughout the day. I have added noise reducing headphones to our class wish list, in the hopes to be able to provide them to more students who wish to use them. These headphones run about $15 per pair or you can buy them in packs of 6 for $40. If you would like to talk to your child and see if they are someone who prefers to wear them, I have included the link to purchase an individual pair. There is absolutely no pressure to do this! I just wanted to share this as an option so that your child would always have access to their own pair whenever they need, without worrying.
6 ct. Noise Reducing Headphones
1 ct. Noise Canceling Headphones
RECESS
We know that Texas weather can be ever changing and unpredictable! We go outside unless it’s raining or the temperatures are below freezing. Please check the weather with your child each day to make sure they have what they need to stay warm (or cool) at recess! Our recess is at 10:20am. Also, be sure to check that your child’s name is in their jackets or vests so they can be easily identified and returned if misplaced.
SPRING BREAK TRAVEL
If your holiday schedule will involve travel before our Spring Break begins, would you please send your child’s teacher an email? This will allow us to work around your travel schedule and still gather the necessary academic data for this point in the year. Thanks for your assistance!
If you've made it to the end of the newsletter please respond with Bossy R *snapsnap*, and your child will receive a ticket.
Important Dates
Feb. 19: Presidents Day, student holiday
Mar. 1: Multicultural Fair
Mar. 11-15: Spring Break
This Week's Curriculum
Language Arts:
Final Stable Syllable (consonant -le words)
Bossy R (ar, or, er, ir, ur)
Identifying 1st and 3rd person point of view
Revise, editing, and publishing our opinion writing
Linking and helping verbs
Verb tenses
Math:
Parts of a clock
Time to the hour, half hour, and quarter hour
Social Studies:
Black History Month
Science:
Heat energy
Week of February 12-16
What a pawsome week in second grade! We had so many adorable Dalmatians show up for class today! Thank you for your part in making this a fun activity for your child!
VALENTINE’S DAY PARTY
We look forward to spreading some love & kindness on Wednesday at our Valentine’s Day Party! A big thank you to our 2nd grade room moms for organizing our upcoming party. If you would like to volunteer to help set up for our Valentine’s Day party, please sign up using the link below. Reminder if you have not registered to volunteer through the RRISD Volunteer website, you must do so before volunteering.
Here is the Volunteer Sign Up for the party: Valentine’s Day Volunteer Sign Up
*Reminder no child care will be provided for this party. Siblings (older and younger) are not allowed in the classroom so you will need to make alternate arrangements.
CLASS VALENTINES
Valentine cards are due Tuesday, February 13th. Please be sure your child prepares a Valentine card for every student in the class. Since Valentine's Day is a party day, your child may attach a small piece of candy or treat to their Valentine cards.
SPRING READING INCENTIVE
Waves of Pages reading logs are due next Friday, February 17th. All students who turn in their reading log can earn a free ticket to Schlitterbahn Waterpark. Remember books, eBooks, audiobooks, and being read to all count! A printed copy of the reading log has already been sent home but here is a digital copy of the Waves of Pages reading log if you need it.
Tickets MUST be used by June 30, 2023.
MULTICULTURAL FAIR COMING March 1st!!
One of the things that has made the CCE MCF so special is learning about our cultures and traditions and realizing how much we have in common! We are delighted to model our vibrant community and present the theme of: Unity of Culture!
The Multicultural Fair will be held at CCE on Friday, March 1st from 5-7:30PM.
CCE CULTURAL PERFORMANCES
To celebrate our similarities, this year's performances will showcase our theme, Unity of Culture.
Each performance must represent 2 or more countries/cultures.
Students will briefly share how the represented cultures are alike.
Time limit: 2-3 minutes
Examples:
-Philippines/India have traditional folk dances involving sticks (garba and tinikling).
-Square dancing has roots in traditional Irish folk dance.
-Cumbia, Colombia's national dance, evolved from an African courtship dance.
CCE COUNTRY BOOTHS
Share about the culture and traditions of your selected country.
CCE PTA will provide 1 table per country.
Country booth presenters must provide all other materials (poster board, tablecloth, extra tables, tape, etc.)
To sign up for a cultural performance and/or host a country booth, please do so here by February 13th!
Contact neha.londono@gmail.com for questions.
SNACK
Snack time is starting to turn into an early dessert for many and we need your help! Will you help us monitor what snack is being brought to school? Your child should have a healthy snack that shouldn't take more than about 5 minutes to eat...something just to satisfy them until lunch. Our snack time is around 9:00-9:30 so please save sticky and sugary snacks, such as fruit roll ups, fruit snacks, cookies, and cakes, for lunch time. We also have a working snack, meaning we do not stop our learning for a snack break. Because of this, please try to send in a snack that isn’t messy and does not require utensils. This keeps our work area and materials in good condition and helps us maximize learning time!
RECESS
We know that Texas weather can be ever changing and unpredictable! We go outside unless it’s raining or the temperatures are below freezing. Please check the weather with your child each day to make sure they have what they need to stay warm at recess! Also, be sure to check that your child’s name is in their jackets or vests so they can be easily identified.
SPRING BREAK TRAVEL
If your holiday schedule will involve travel before our spring break begins, would you please send your child’s teacher an email? This will allow us to work around your travel schedule and still gather the necessary academic data for this point in the year. Thanks for your assistance!
LIBRARY VOLUNTEERS
Our school library is looking for some extra hands during our library time. Our Library volunteer would be helping out by putting away books, advising/supporting student check-outs, and suggesting books. Our library time is every Tuesday from 12-12:30. If this is something you would be interested in helping out with, please select a day that works best for you.
Please make sure you are a registered volunteer through the RRISD Volunteer registration.
Spelling Words
same
before
change
today
stone
mostly
take
wasn’t
many
haven’t
If you've made it to the end of the newsletter please respond with If I had 101 Dalmatians I Would, and your child will receive a ticket
Important Dates
Feb 13: Bring in valentines
Feb. 14: Valentine’s Day party @ 2:00
Feb. 19: Presidents Day, student holiday
This Week's Curriculum
Language Arts:
Identifying the lesson of a story
Reading comprehension
Researching, drafting, revising, and publishing our animal research reports
Open and closed syllables / Long VCC patterns, Vowel sounds of Y
Linking and helping verbs
Verb tenses
Math:
Strategies for 2 and 3 digit addition with regrouping
Social Studies:
Maps and Landforms
Week of February 5-9
Happy Groundhog Day! Punxsutawney Phil rises and declares an early spring! And Happy 100th Day of School!
UIL SHOUTOUT
Congratulations to Kenze and Rithik, as well as Phoebe and Alisa in Mrs. Hildebrandt's class who represented Canyon Creek at our UIL Competition last Saturday. We are so proud of their hard work preparing the last few weeks and for representing CCE! Canyon Creek placed 3rd overall in campus placements. Way to go Comets!
101st DAY OF SCHOOL
It is hard to believe that Monday, February 5th is our one hundred and first day of school! We will celebrate by participating in many fun activities. The children will have many exciting stories to tell you at the end of the day! To celebrate this momentous occasion, we are asking students to wear a dalmatian spotted shirt. This can be done by purchasing a black and white polka dotted shirt, painting black spots on a white shirt, using iron vinyl or any other materials. As always, this is an optional activity. It is just a fun and silly way for us to celebrate all the hard work these kids have done so far. Headwear is not necessary. We will be making ears in class!
Valentine’s Day Party
We look forward to spreading some love & kindness on Wednesday, February 14th at our Valentine’s Day Party! A big thank you to our 2nd grade room moms for organizing our upcoming party. If you would like to volunteer to help set up for our Valentine’s Day party, please sign up using the link below. Reminder if you have not registered to volunteer through the RRISD Volunteer website, you must do so before volunteering.
Here is the Volunteer Sign Up for the party:
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/60B084EACAC23A1F94-47590214-2ndgrade
VALENTINE’S DAY INFORMATION
Valentine cards are due Tuesday, February 13th. Please be sure your child prepares a Valentine card for every student in the class. Our class list was included in last week’s Tuesday folder. Since Valentine's Day is a party day, your child may attach a small piece of candy or treat to their Valentine cards.
We will be making cute Valentine bags that will hold the cards that each child receives so they can easily be transported home after our party.
CLASSROOM DONATIONS REQUESTS
A few things we are needing at this time are pencils and eraser caps. We had an excess of pencils from years past which is why they were not in the supplies list, but we have come upon the end of that supply. I am hoping for 2 packs of the pencils and 1 pack of eraser caps, and will email out again once someone has donated them, to avoid too many people buying them (we have so many generous families!) The kids have been also excited about adopting "pets" (puzzle eraser animals) and we are also coming to the last few pets in our adoption center. If you would like to help out, just 2-3 of these types of sets would be awesome! Thank you in advance!
READING BINGO
February reading BINGO in underway. Please make sure you are initialing and dating each evening on the BINGO card. We need to see students are only completing one square per evening and not rushing to complete the entire BINGO in the evening or weekend before the deadline. Also, make sure you are also signing the planner each night. Signing the BINGO card does not count for a parent signature on the planner. Many students keep the BINGO card at home and teachers do not check BINGO cards daily, so please make sure you are also signing planners each evening.
NEWS FROM THE NURSE:
As "cold and flu" numbers rise in Austin and surrounding areas please take a moment to review RRISD's Health Guidelines on when to keep your student home. A sick child who is unable to participate at school in a meaningful way should be kept home to rest and recover until symptoms resolve.
A healthy school community requires parents and schools to partner with each other. To prevent/minimize local outbreaks of contagious disease, parents must keep children who have an illness that can be spread from person to person at home, and Round Rock ISD nurses will exclude students with symptoms of a communicable illness from school attendance.
COVID-19: Refer to the Round Rock ISD COVID-19 Resources for students who are experiencing symptoms, have tested positive, or have been in close contact with an individual who tested positive.
Fever: A child must remain home with fever equal to or > 100.0° F and may only return to school after they have been fever free for 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medicine such as Tylenol or Motrin.
Diarrhea: A child with diarrheal illness must stay home until they are diarrhea-free without the use of diarrheal-suppressing medication for 24 hours.
If you take your child to a healthcare provider for an evaluation of illness or injury, please be sure to request a written letter stating when your child may return to school and any accommodations required upon his/her return.
Please see the attached link for further information
SPRING READING INCENTIVE: Books Take you to Infinity and Beyond!
All students can earn a free ticket to Schlitterbahn Waterpark by reading 10 hours between Dec 14 and Feb 22, 2024 (parents can estimate minutes read over winter break;). Books, eBooks, audiobooks, and being read to all count! A printed copy of the Waves of Pages reading log was sent home in Tuesday folders.
SPELLING WORDS
about
fire
come
here
morning
away
our
hope
people
there
If you've made it to the end of the newsletter please respond with Alexander, Who Used to Be Rich Last Sunday and your child will receive a ticket
Important Dates
Feb 5: 101st Day of School
Feb. 14: Valentine’s Day party
Feb. 19: Presidents Day, student holiday
This Week's Curriculum
Language Arts:
VCC words with long O and Long I (-ild, -old, -ind, -ost, -olt)
Identifying a lesson
Synonyms and Antonyms
Taking notes and drafting animal research writing
Math:
Strategies for 2 and 3 digit addition with regrouping
Social Studies:
Continents and Oceans
Landforms
Week of January 29-February 2
January sure did fly by and we are ready for all the fun and love that February will hold! Lunar New Year, Groundhog’s Day, 101st day, President’s Day and Valentine’s Day! We love learning about and celebrating all of these fun days!
101st DAY OF SCHOOL
It is hard to believe that Monday, February 5th is our one hundred and first day of school! We will celebrate by participating in many fun activities. The children will have many exciting stories to tell you at the end of the day! To celebrate this momentous occasion, we are asking students to wear a dalmatian spotted shirt. This can be done by purchasing a black and white polka dotted shirt, painting black spots on a white shirt, using iron vinyl or any other materials. A letter came home in last week's Tuesday folder to help you plan for this special day. As always, this is an optional activity. It is just a fun and silly way for us to celebrate all the hard work these kids have done so far. Headwear is not necessary. We will be making ears in class!
VALENTINE’S DAY INFORMATION
A class list came home in last week’s Tuesday folder. You may want to consider getting a head start on preparing their Valentines. We are asking that completed valentines not be sent to school before February 14th. We will be making cute Valentine bags that will hold the cards that each child receives so they can easily be transported home after our party.
SPRING READING INCENTIVE: Books Take you to Infinity and Beyond!
All students can earn a free ticket to Schlitterbahn Waterpark by reading 10 hours between Dec 14 and Feb 22, 2024 (parents can estimate minutes read over winter break;). Books, eBooks, audiobooks, and being read to all count! A printed copy of the Waves of Pages reading log was sent home in Tuesday folders.
READING BINGO
January reading BINGO cards are DUE WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 31ST. Late submissions will not be accepted because February BINGO will go home in Wednesday's planner and begin immediately. Remember that EACH SQUARE MUST be initialed AND dated by an adult and only 1 square can be completed each day.
YEARBOOKS
The last day to order your yearbook is TODAY! Click the link below to order. https://www.balfour.com/texas/austin/canyon-creek-elementary-school
RECESS
Please make sure your child is dressed for the cold/damp weather. We always go outside unless there is heavy rain or freezing temperatures. Please label your child’s coats, jackets, and sweaters with names. (Also label lunch boxes and water bottles, too!) This will prevent our lost and found from filling up. Thank you!
TYING SHOES
We have some friends still coming to school in shoes with laces who do not know how to tie. This is causing them to rely on friends or leave them untied as they travel throughout the school and on the playground which has caused an increase in illness, accidents and injuries lately. As a safety and health precaution, if your child struggles to tie their own shoes, please continue to practice this at home and do not send them to school in shoes with laces until they are more independent with this skill. Thank you so much for your help with this.
ABSENCES & ILLNESS
This is the time of year when we experience many illnesses within the classroom. We appreciate you adhering to the policy of your child being fever free for 24 hours before returning to school. It's always hard to know what is going on with our children and realize that attendance is of importance to many families, however, we want to ensure that we aren't spreading these illnesses within our classroom and on to our own families. Thank you for being mindful of others and if you have questions on whether or not to send your child to school, please reach out to Nurse Weatherbie or visit the district's website that discusses health guidelines.
SPELLING WORDS
sister
these
one
suddenly
like
does
grabbed
each
helpful
begging
If you've made it to the end of the newsletter please respond with Pacific, Atlantic, Indian, Southern, Arctic and your child will receive a ticket!
Important Dates
Feb 5: 101st Day of School
Feb. 14: Valentine’s Day party
Feb. 19: Presidents Day, student holiday
This Week's Curriculum
Language Arts:
Phonics pattern: -ch and tch, -ge and -dge
Fact and opinion
Commas in a sentence, writing dates, opening and closing of a letter, between city and state and city and country, in a date, with a quotation, in a series.
Brainstorming and and selecting an animal for animal research writing
Math:
Strategies for 2 and 3 digit addition with regrouping
Social Studies:
Continents and Oceans
Week of January 22-26
I hope that you and your family enjoyed a wonderful three-day weekend! We spent much of this week learning about Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., in both reading and social studies. I was so impressed with how engaged the students were; how so many of them were angered about the civil rights issues of the past and voiced how they would never make someone feel the way Dr. King and so many others were made to feel. This class is full of so many generous and kind hearted kids who work daily to be good classmates, friends and members of the community.
YEARBOOKS
It’s time to order yearbooks! Find information about ordering yours at this link - https://www.balfour.com/texas/austin/canyon-creek-elementary-school
SPRING READING INCENTIVE
Books Take you to Infinity and Beyond! All students can earn a free ticket to Schlitterbahn Waterpark by reading 10 hours between Dec 14 and Feb 22, 2024 (parents can estimate minutes read over winter break;). Books, eBooks, audiobooks, and being read to all count! A printed copy of the Waves of Pages reading log was sent home in Tuesday folders.
PICTURE DAY
Spring picture day will be next Thursday, January 25th. Please make sure to return both individual and group photo envelopes to school by that day.
RECESS
Please make sure your child is dressed for the cold/damp weather. We always go outside unless there is heavy rain or freezing temperatures. Please label your child’s coats, jackets, and sweaters with names. (Also label lunch boxes and water bottles, too!) This will prevent our lost and found from filling up. Thank you!
ABSENCES & ILLNESS
This is the time of year when we experience many illnesses within the classroom. We appreciate you adhering to the policy of your child being fever free for 24 hours before returning to school. It's always hard to know what is going on with our children and realize that attendance is of importance to many families, however, we want to ensure that we aren't spreading these illnesses within our classroom and on to our own families. Thank you for being mindful of others and if you have questions on whether or not to send your child to school, please reach out to Nurse Weatherbie or visit the district's website that discusses health guidelines.
SPELLING WORDS
next
always
carry
asked
didn’t
friend
close
going
don’t
looked
Looking ahead:
101st DAY OF SCHOOL
It is hard to believe that Monday, February 5th is our one hundred and first day of school! We will celebrate by participating in many fun activities. The children will have many exciting stories to tell you at the end of the day! To celebrate this momentous occasion, we are asking students to wear a dalmatian spotted shirt. This can be done by purchasing a black and white polka dotted shirt, painting black spots on a white shirt, using iron vinyl or any other materials. A letter went home in this week's Tuesday folder to help you plan for this special day. As always, this is an optional activity. It is just a fun and silly way for us to celebrate all the hard work these kids have done so far. Headwear is not necessary. We will be making ears in class!
VALENTINE'S DAY PARTY
We will be having a Valentine's Day party this year. It will be on Valentine's Day, Wednesday February 14. A class list will be sent home in the January 30th Tuesday folder. This will help your second grader add classmates' names to the cards, if they would like. Your child is also welcome to just write his or her own name on the cards and leave the “to” spot empty for easy distribution. We are asking that completed valentines not be sent to school before Monday February 12th. We will be decorating Valentine bags here at school so it is not necessary to purchase or create a box at home.
If you have read this newsletter in its entirety, please respond with I Have a Dream and your child will earn a ticket!
Important Dates
Jan. 25: Picture Day
Jan. 25: STEAM Night, 5:00-6:15 pm
Feb 5: 101st Day of School
Feb. 14: Valentine’s Day party
Feb. 19: Presidents Day, student holiday
This Week's Curriculum
Language Arts:
Phonics pattern: -ch and tch, -ge and -dge
The impact and legacy of Martin Luther King, Jr.
Identifying key facts vs. irrelevant details
Editing, revising, and publishing an informational writing piece
Math:
Composing and Decomposing 2 digit numbers using various strategies for regrouping
Social Studies:
Properties and symbols of maps
How to use a map
Different types of maps
Week of January 15-19
Happy Friday!
We have made it through our first full week of the second semester of second grade. Can you believe it is already January 12th? This week we were doctors for a day and performed contraction surgery, enjoyed the first cold days at recess, and ended the week with reading buddies!
On Tuesday, the report cards for the 2nd grading period (mid-Oct. - mid-December) went home in your child's Tuesday folder. The paper copy of the report card is for you to keep. Please sign and return the outer envelope. I will store it here to use for the next report card that is scheduled to come out after Spring Break. Thanks for your help with this!
Important information for this week:
YEARBOOKS
It’s time to order yearbooks! Find information about ordering yours at this link - https://www.balfour.com/texas/austin/canyon-creek-elementary-school
SPRING READING INCENTIVE
Books Take you to Infinity and Beyond! All students can earn a free ticket to Schlitterbahn Waterpark by reading 10 hours between Dec 14 and Feb 22, 2024 (parents can estimate minutes read over winter break;). Books, eBooks, audiobooks, and being read to all count! A printed copy of the Waves of Pages reading log was sent home in Tuesday folders.
READING BINGO
Thanks for your continued efforts at home to provide additional reading time for your child. We know that, as parents, life is very busy, but your consistency and devotion to this routine will pay dividends in your child’s future. Reading is the access point to all learning and they are working hard to gain proficiency and comprehension skills.
RECESS
Please make sure your child is dressed for the cold/damp weather. We always go outside unless there is heavy rain or freezing temperatures. Please label your child’s coats, jackets, and sweaters with names. (Also label lunch boxes and water bottles, too!) This will prevent our lost and found from filling up. Thank you!
BACKUP SNACKS
A couple of students have forgotten their snack at some point, and some came up with an idea for having "backup" snacks. I will have plain Cheerios for any student who is feeling hungry and has forgotten their snack. To my knowledge, this should not trigger any known food allergies in the class, but please let me know if I missed something and this is something your child is allergic to!
SPELLING WORDS
There will be no spelling word test next due to the 4 day week. Spelling words will begin again the week of January 22nd.
EDUCATION GO GET IT WEEK
January 16-19 will be CCE's Education Go Get It Week, a week to have our students start thinking about education and career opportunities. Below is a list of fun dress up days to get everyone excited for higher education and future careers!
Tuesday: At CCE we work to build a strong educational foundation in preparation for our bright future! Wear your CCE school shirt!
Wednesday: You have to get the education and skills before you get the job you want! Wear your college, military, or post-secondary education t-shirt.
Thursday: You finally landed your dream job! Dress up in your future career gear!
Friday: Retirement is sweet! Dress up in your retirement gear! Hawaiian shirt anyone?
Looking ahead:
101st DAY OF SCHOOL:
It is hard to believe that Monday, February 5th is our one hundred and first day of school! We will celebrate by participating in many fun activities. The children will have many exciting stories to tell you at the end of the day! To celebrate this momentous occasion, we are asking students to wear a dalmatian spotted shirt. This can be done by purchasing a black and white polka dotted shirt, painting black spots on a white shirt, using iron vinyl or any other materials. A letter will be coming home in next week's Tuesday folder to help you plan for this special day. As always, this is an optional activity. It is just a fun and silly way for us to celebrate all the hard work these kids have done so far. Headwear is not necessary. We will be making ears in class!
VALENTINE'S DAY PARTY
We will be having a Valentine's Day party this year. It will be on Valentine's Day, Wednesday February 14. We will be decorating Valentine bags here at school so it is not necessary to purchase or create a box at home. More information will be coming soon from our room parents.
Have a relaxing 3 day weekend and stay warm!
If you have read this newsletter in its entirety, please respond with I wish we had a SNOW DAY and your child will earn a ticket!
Important Dates
Jan. 15: MLK Day, No school
Jan. 18: Barnhill Preserves animal presentation
Jan. 25: STEAM Night, 5:00-6:15 pm
Feb 5: 101st Day of School (details to follow)
Feb. 14: Valentine’s Day party (details to follow)
Feb. 19: Presidents Day, student holiday
This Week's Curriculum
Language Arts:
Compound words
Open and Closed syllables
Summarizing a story
Finding the lesson in a story
Comparing and contrasting two texts
Brainstorming and drafting informational writing text
Contractions
Math:
Math strategies for adding and subtracting 2 digit numbers without regrouping
Social Studies:
Parts of a map
Different types of maps
Week of January 8-12
Happy New Year! Welcome back to school! We hope you had a relaxing and restful break! We are off to a great first week back to school. We had a great week getting back into all of our routines for second grade. We’re taller, we’re sporting new haircuts, and we have lots to say about all the wonderful experiences and gifts we received over the holidays. We are looking forward to new learning discoveries and the start of a wonderful semester.
THANK YOU:
Thank you to our room parents for working hard to make a fun Winter Party possible for our kids before the break! Everything was so well prepared & organized and the kids had a wonderful time making snowmen, dancing, and playing Bingo!
The class gifts were such a kind and thoughtful surprise! I'm so appreciative of generous & supportive parents to partner with this year! I love your children and enjoy each moment of our journey together!
Important information for this week:
Schlitterbahn Waves of Pages
Students who read at least 10 hours between next week and February 22 will receive prizes from the library AND a free ticket to Schlitterbahn in April (read the fine print on the log for valid days)! Reading to your child & audiobooks count! Reading logs went home this past week. Digital copies and more information can be found on the CCE Library Website. Happy Reading!!
Reading BINGO
A new round of Reading Bingo has begun for the month of January. Remember only one box can be completed per day. Each box must be signed and dated by a parent to receive credit. Bingo sheets are due on January 31. Late Bingos will not be accepted. Happy reading!
SPELLING WORDS
Spelling word assessments will begin again next week.
Spelling words for 1/8-1/12
anything
brother
happy
I’m
fine
giving
funny
hold
think
which
STUDENT SUPPLIES
As the second semester begins, some families have sent in new supplies to refresh crayons, gluesticks, and other items that might be running low. If you haven’t already, please chat with your child about what supplies they may need replaced and send in as needed. Thank you for your help!
If you have read this newsletter in its entirety, please respond with Giraffes Can’t Dance and your child will earn a ticket!
Important Dates
Jan. 9: Report Cards go home
Jan. 15: MLK Day, No school
Jan. 18: Barnhill Preserves animal presentation
Jan. 25: STEAM Night, 5:00-6:15 pm
This Week's Curriculum
Language Arts:
Compare and contrast school then and now
Review classroom expectations & our social contract
Discuss New Year’s resolutions and set classroom and personal goals
Cursive writing
Math:
First semester math review
Place value
2 digit addition and subtraction without regrouping
Graphs and data
Ordering numbers
Word problems
Even and Odd
Comparing numbers
Social Studies:
Review classroom expectations and procedures
Introduce and discuss what we already know about maps
Week of January 1-5
We had a great last week of school and a FUN-tastic party! A big thank you to our room parents and all the volunteers who helped put together our end of semester celebration!
Finally, thank you to PTA for the fabulous cookies! It was so wonderful being able to take home a package of delicious cookies!
If your family is traveling over the winter break, be safe and enjoy your destination! I wish you all the best this holiday season ... may your break consist of fun, family, friends and much needed relaxation.
Happy Holidays and I'll see you in the New Year ….. 2024!!
WINTER BREAK READING:
Over the Winter Break, the second grade teachers are asking that the students read over break. Reading over the break will help ensure that your child is ready to pick up where we left off. Just like after a break from exercise, it is much harder to pick it back up if they completely stop reading. Please continue and complete their December reading BINGO over the break. BINGO sheets are due January 4th.
Star of the Week:
We will resume our Star of the Week in January when we have a full five day week to celebrate our classmates!
JANUARY SUPPLIES:
It would be helpful if you could ask your child about what school supplies they may need refreshed for the new semester and send them with him or her in January. Some commonly asked for items lately have been new markers, pencils, and glue sticks. Thank you in advance for your help!
SPELLING WORDS:
There will not be a spelling word assessment when students return in January due to the shortened week. Spelling words will be given to students on January 5th to study and prepare for our first assessment of the new year which will resume on January 12th.
From the Library: Schlitterbahn Waves of Pages Challenge is HERE!
Students who read at least 10 hours between next week and February 22 will receive prizes from the library AND a free ticket to Schlitterbahn in April (read the fine print on the log for valid days)! Reading to your child & audiobooks count! Reading logs went home this past week. Digital copies and more information can be found on the CCE Library Website. Happy Reading!!
If you have read this newsletter in its entirety, please respond with Happy Holidays! and your child will earn a ticket!
Important Dates
Dec. 15-Jan. 3: Winter Break
Jan. 4: Students return to school
Jan. 15: MLK Day, No school
This Week's Curriculum
Language Arts:
Completing procedural writing (How to Catch Santa, How to Make the Grinch Grin) and persuasive writing (Elf Application)
Reviewing parts of speech (nouns, verbs, adjectives, adverbs)
Reviewing digraphs (sh-, ch-, th-, -ck), welded sounds (-nk, -ng), and the “floss” rule (-ff, -ll, -ss, -zz)
Making connections to our reading
Making inferences and explaining our thinking using text clues
Math:
Use a variety of strategies to solve addition and subtraction problems
Recall addition and subtraction facts to 20
Science:
Describe magnets and their uses
Social Studies:
Learn about diverse cultural celebrations around the world
Week of December 11-15
It's hard to believe that we are about halfway through our second grade year together! The children have been working so hard! We have lots of fun activities planned for next week as we eagerly make our way to the upcoming break.
MIDDLE OF THE YEAR ASSESSMENTS
We are approaching the end of our 2nd grading period and the teachers are finishing academic units and administering district assessments. If your holiday schedule will involve travel before our break begins on December 15th, would you please send an email? This will allow us to work around your travel schedule and still gather the necessary academic data for this point in the year. Thanks for your assistance.
HOLLY JOLLY DAYS
Next week we have some fun dress up days planned for the kids.
Monday: Jingle in your Joggers= Wear your joggers and sneakers. NO BELLS PLEASE
Tuesday: Party like it’s 2024!- GLAM it up with sparkles and your NYE party attire
Wednesday: Polar Express Day- PJ/Comfy Clothes Day
Thursday: Get TACKY- Wear your best ugly or tacky sweater or shirt
WINTER HOLIDAY PARTY
Our class holiday party is on Thursday, December 14 from 2:00 - 2:50. All parents are invited to attend. Please let me know if you will be attending by Monday afternoon, so that I can have the office pre-print your badge.
If you have not had your driver's license scanned into our system before, you must bring your driver's license or some sort of picture identification in order to enter the building.
Please make arrangements for your little ones. As per our school policy, siblings are not allowed to attend the party.
WINTER BREAK READING
Over the Winter Break, the second grade teachers are asking that the students continue to read and continue to complete their December reading BINGO over the break. December reading bingo is our first day back, Thursday, January 4th.
From the Library: Schlitterbahn Waves of Pages Challenge is HERE!
Students who read at least 10 hours between next week and February 22 will receive prizes from the library AND a free ticket to Schlitterbahn in April (read the fine print on the log for valid days)! Reading to your child & audiobooks count! Reading logs will be in Tuesday folders next week. Digital copies and more information can be found on the CCE Library Website. Happy Reading!!
LOST AND FOUND….GOING, GOING, GONE
Please come take a look at the lost and found items before they are gone!!! Anything not claimed by December 14th will be donated to the RRISD Clothes Closet.
If you have read this newsletter in its entirety, please respond with How to Make the Grinch Grin and your child will earn a ticket!
Important Dates
Dec. 14: Holiday Cookies
Dec. 14: Winter Party
Dec. 15-Jan. 3: Winter Break
Jan. 4: Students return to school
Jan. 15: MLK Day, No school3
This Week's Curriculum
Language Arts:
Using the writing process to create a procedural text about How to Catch Santa, How to Make a Snowflake and How to Make the Grinch grin
Reading and writing adverbs
Asking questions about our reading
Making connections to our reading
Making and confirming predictions to our reading
Reading and spelling one syllable and multisyllabic words with VCe
Math:
Use a variety of strategies to solve addition and subtraction problems
Recall addition and subtraction facts to 20
Science:
Describe magnets and their uses
Social Studies:
Learn about diverse cultural celebrations around the world
Week of December 4-8
We had a great first week back! We hope you all had a relaxing and enjoyable Thanksgiving break. Can you believe we are in the first week of December already? Second grade is flying by faster than Santa's sleigh! These next 9 days are going to be busy! We have lots of fun holiday activities planned leading up to winter break before celebrating with our class winter party on the 14th! Thank you to everyone who volunteered to help prep for our upcoming Holidays Around the World unit. We are excited to learn and celebrate the many cultures and traditions from various countries starting next week!
Important Information
LEAVING EARLY FOR WINTER BREAK
Is your family starting winter break early? Please email me and let them know in advance if your child will not be here any part of the last week of school. This will allow us to make sure any assignments or assessments are completed before they leave.
HOLLY JOLLY DAYS
The next 9 days will be filled with fun activities and dress up days for our staff and students. This is optional as always, but we hope your student will want to join in on the FUN
Monday 12/4 Holidays in the Wild West: Dust off those cowboy boots, grab a cowboy hat on and wear plaid
Tuesday 12/5 Run, Run Rudolph: Bust out those antlers and wear your favorite athletic gear.
Wednesday 12/6 Elf Yourself: Dress up as your favorite elf
Thursday 12/7 Mele Kalikimaka: Say aloha and wear your favorite Hawaiian attire
Friday 12/8 Don’t be a Grinch: Dress as your favorite Whoville character
Monday 12/11 Jingle Bell Run: Throw on those comfy joggers and sneakers and we’ll see who has the most pep in their step. No wearing jingle bells please
Tuesday 12/12 Party like it’s 2024: GLAM it up with sparkles for NYE 2024
Wednesday 12/13 Polar Express Day: All aboard the pajama train
Thursday 12/14 Get Tacky: Pull out that tacky sweater or shirt for our winter party
HOLIDAYS AROUND THE WORLD
Next week, we will be starting our descent to different countries and learning about what they celebrate in/around December. We tried to include as many countries that would be familiar to the students at our school, as well as some they might not be familiar with. We would love for parents to send in any pictures they may have of their child celebrating one of the holidays we cover, or won’t be able to cover before winter break.
WINTER PARTY
Our classroom winter parties will be held on Thursday, December 14th from 2:00-2:45. Our room parents have done an amazing job planning this and are asking for parent volunteers. Please click the link below to sign up and help on the day of the party.
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/60B084EACAC23A1F94-46492245-2ndgrade
BARN HILL PRESERVE
We are excited to bring back Barn Hill Preserves to share some of their different animals on Thursday, January 4th (first day back with students after the winter break). Every student will need a signed permission slip in order to attend the presentation on January 4th. This form also serves as an order form for your child to have their picture taken with an animal or order a souvenir. The permission slip and form are both due NO LATER THAN FRIDAY DECEMBER 8TH. If your holiday will be extended and your child will not be at school that day, please email me to let me know or indicate that on the form and return it back to me.
RECESS
Please make sure your child is dressed for the cold/damp weather. We always go outside unless there is heavy rain or freezing temperatures. Please label your child’s coats, jackets, and sweaters with names. (Also label lunch boxes and water bottles, too!) This will prevent our lost and found from filling up. Thank you!
TAG REFERRAL
The TAG testing referral window is open until Friday December 8th at 4:30 PM. Parents who wish to refer their students for testing must complete the referral form before the window closes. Late referrals will not be accepted! Current TAG students should not be referred using this link. Only students who are NOT enrolled in the TAG program should be referred.
Questions can be directed to melissa_hamilton@roundrockisd.org or erinn_henrichs@roundrockisd.org.
Link to Parent Information Video
Spelling Words:
five
name
because
use
done
getting
please
small
two
would
If you have read this newsletter in its entirety, please respond with I’d be the perfect elf and your child will earn a ticket.
Important Dates
Dec. 1: Holiday Fair 4:30-7:00
Dec. 14: Holiday Cookies
Dec. 14: Winter Party
Dec. 15-Jan. 3: Winter Break
This Week's Curriculum
Language Arts:
Persuasive writing to complete an elf application
Making inferences using text evidence
Possessive Nouns
Math:
Use a variety of strategies to solve addition and subtraction problems
Recall addition and subtraction facts to 20
Science:
Magnets
Week of November 27-December 1
TURK about a FUN week! The children had so much fun today doing the Turkey Trot and the Turkey Tango! Thanks to our Essentials teachers, they had a little friendly competition trotting around the field and had the opportunity to flap their wings and strut their stuff as turkeys!
Thank you to everyone who supported the Scholastic Book Fair this past week!
It is so hard to believe that we are approaching Thanksgiving and have completed 14 weeks of school! I am so grateful for you and your child and the time we've shared together. I wish you and your family a fantastic Thanksgiving break filled with all of your favorite things!!
A HUGE thank you to all the families that contributed to the and pies for the staff today! It was delicious and despite it being a busy time of year, we truly appreciate the generosity of so many and am looking forward to sharing the yummy dessert with my family!
Important Information:
READING BINGO
Please have your child read and continue to fill out their Reading BINGO. Reading BINGOs for November are due Thursday, November 30.
LIBRARY BOOKS
Our Scholastic Book Fair is now over and we will be returning to the library on Wednesday the week we get back from break. We haven't had the opportunity to check out new books in a while so please remember to return the books you have and check out some new ones!
CLASSROOM PREP HELPERS
If you signed up to help me with cutting and preparation for our upcoming Holidays Around the World unit, Thank you so very much for volunteering. As a reminder, all materials need to be returned to me no later Friday, December 1st.
TAG TESTING WINDOW OPEN
The window to refer your student for the TAG program is now open. Referrals must be made by parents. The link to refer your child can be found on the RRISD TAG website until 4:30 pm on Friday, December 8th. Students are eligible to test every year.
Questions can be directed to Melissa Hamilton (melissa_hamilton@roundrockisd.org) or Erinn Henrichs (erinn_henrichs@roundrockisd.org).
CCE HOLIDAY FAIR
The CCE Holiday Fair is coming up on Friday, December 1 and you do not want to miss it!
The event will feature a Holiday Vendor Fair, where you can shop for everyone on your list, while also supporting businesses from our very own CCE community. There will be kids’ activities, holiday crafts and food to purchase throughout the event.
Host a Booth at the Holiday Fair
Register here as a vendor to promote your business or hobby.
Each vendor is responsible for decorating and merchandising their table.
Student Booths: $25
***Early Bird Pricing***
Secure your booth for $50 by registering before Nov.15th.
Our booth price will increase to $60 after that date!!!
If you have any questions? You can email secretary.ccepta@gmail.com
Holiday Fair Sponsors
We are looking for sponsors to make this event possible, as well as funding programs in the classroom.
Event sponsorships are $300 per event and will include:
- Pre event promotions –Event Marketing, Newsletter inclusion, social media promotion
- Inclusion event materials and on website
- Signage onsite (this event brings together over 300 people)
- Possible table onsite (as appropriate)
- Listing on website as sponsor (name + logo)
- Recognition and thank you on social media and newsletter
We appreciate all your support in making this event a successful one, and it is a wonderful opportunity to engage with, and support our local community!!
If you are interested in learning more, please contact CanyonCreekElementaryPTA@gmail.com
CROSSWALK VOLUNTEERS
Please help keep our community safe by giving 30 minutes to help our children, families, and friends cross one of the most challenging intersections in Canyon Creek. Let's keep everyone safe!
Visit this Sign-up Genius for more information
Have a wonderful Thanksgiving break!
If you have read this newsletter in its entirety, please respond with Turkey in Disguise and your child will earn a ticket when we return from break!
Important Dates
Nov. 20-24: Thanksgiving Break
Dec. 1: Holiday Fair 4:30-7:00
Dec. 15-Jan. 4: Winter Break
This Week's Curriculum
Language Arts:
Identifying and using adjectives in our writing
Identifying problem and solution in a text
Answering questions orally and written in complete sentences
Writing a persuasive piece to disguise a turkey
Magic e- Identifying and writing words with vowel-consonant e
Handwriting and cursive letter formation
Math:
Use a variety of strategies to solve addition and subtraction problems
Recall addition and subtraction facts to 20
Social Studies:
The Truth about Thanksgiving
Week of November 13-17
Happy First Week of November! This time of year, as I am sure you do, I tend to reflect more on all that I am grateful for. Your children are something that I am grateful for every day and those who have fought for our freedom! Happy Veteran’s Day to those who have served our country.
THE BOOK FAIR IS HERE!
The book fair will be open next week, November 13-17. Funds raised through the book fair support all CCE students by funding library programs like author visits, campus educational resources such as Discovery Ed & Tumblebooks, Kindergarten & 5th grade gift books, and more! Choosing their own books empowers kids and inspires them to become bolder, prouder, and stronger readers. AND- as always - every book they buy earns rewards for our school. Click here for more information. Remember: BOOKS TAKE YOU TO INFINITY AND BEYOND!
Here’s what you need to know about the Fair:
Shopping Days: Monday, Nov 13, 2023- Friday, Nov 17, 2023
Hours: 7:20 AM - 3:30 PM
Late Night Hours: Thursday, Nov 9, book fair OPENS at 3:00 PM (Book fair CLOSED during PTA meeting (5:30-6:00) so staff & families can attend. Open again 6:00(ish) - 7:30PM
CLASS MATERIALS PREP HELP WANTED
As we are approaching the holiday season, Second Graders will be "traveling" around the world to learn about different customs and celebrations. I am looking for some parents to help with the cutting, folding, and gluing of some of the pieces as it is a more involved preparation! The link to sign up is below and I will send you materials and one completed example.
Holidays Around the World Preparation Sign Up
CCE THANKSGIVING FEAST
We hope to see you on Wednesday, November 15th for our Thanksgiving Feast!
Students will eat during their regular lunch time. The meal price is $5.00 for all guests (exact dollar amount is greatly appreciated). If you RSVP’d to eat, please be sure to bring cash to pay for your meal. If we have already scanned your ID this year, you can avoid waiting in line and have your badge pre-printed. Click on this form and CCE will have your badge ready! If you did not RSVP for the lunch but want to attend, you are welcome to bring a sack lunch and join us!
TAG TESTING WINDOW IS OPEN
The window to refer your student for the TAG program is now open. Referrals must be made by parents. The link to refer your child can be found on the RRISD TAG website until 4:30 pm on Friday, December 8th. Students are eligible to test every year.
Questions can be directed to Melissa Hamilton (melissa_hamilton@roundrockisd.org) or Erinn Henrichs (erinn_henrichs@roundrockisd.org).
CLOTHES CLOSET
Clothes Closet is a district wide effort to provide donated clothes to families of school-aged children in RRISD who are in need of these items.
Below is the first clothes drive for the school year.
What: Clothes Closet Collection
When: Starting Monday, November 6th– Friday, November 17th
Where: Drop off new, unopened packages outside of the school main entrance door or send
unopened packages with your child to drop off at a marked donation bin in the school lobby.
Items Needed: * Clothing All sizes (Greatest need is ALL elementary sizes, especially smaller sizes 3T-8).
Winter Jackets
*New Underwear (Mens boxer briefs are always needed)
Socks
Any questions please contact Jessica Kirker Contact 512-632-2133
CCE HOLIDAY FAIR
The CCE Holiday Fair is coming up on Friday, December 1 and you do not want to miss it!
The event will feature a Holiday Vendor Fair, where you can shop for everyone on your list, while also supporting businesses from our very own CCE community. There will be kids’ activities, holiday crafts and food to purchase throughout the event.
Host a Booth at the Holiday Fair
Register here as a vendor to promote your business or hobby.
Each vendor is responsible for decorating and merchandising their table.
Student Booths: $25
***Early Bird Pricing***
Secure your booth for $50 by registering before Nov.15th.
Our booth price will increase to $60 after that date!!!
If you have any questions? You can email secretary.ccepta@gmail.com
Holiday Fair Sponsors
We are looking for sponsors to make this event possible, as well as funding programs in the classroom.
Event sponsorships are $300 per event and will include:
- Pre event promotions –Event Marketing, Newsletter inclusion, social media promotion
- Inclusion event materials and on website
- Signage onsite (this event brings together over 300 people)
- Possible table onsite (as appropriate)
- Listing on website as sponsor (name + logo)
- Recognition and thank you on social media and newsletter
We appreciate all your support in making this event a successful one, and it is a wonderful opportunity to engage with, and support our local community!!
If you are interested in learning more, please contact CanyonCreekElementaryPTA@gmail.com
CROSSWALK VOLUNTEERS
Please help keep our community safe by giving 30 minutes to help our children, families, and friends cross one of the most challenging intersections in Canyon Creek. Let's keep everyone safe!
Visit this Sign-up Genius for more information
SPELLING WORDS:
she
that
not
keep
too
upon
now
walk
white
want
If you made it to the end, thank you! Please email me with the word "A Plump and Perky Turkey" and your child will receive a ticket!
Important Dates
Nov. 13-17: Book Fair
Nov. 15: Thanksgiving Feast
Nov. 16: Kona Ice
Nov. 17: Turkey Trot during Essentials
Nov. 20-24: Thanksgiving Break
Dec. 1: Holiday Fair
This Week's Curriculum
Language Arts:
Retelling story elements such as characters, setting, problem, solution
Describe character traits using actions, words, and thoughts from the text
Learn true facts about turkeys
Publish a procedural text
Identify and use pronouns accurately
Reading, writing and spelling words with Magic E (vowel+consonant+e)
Math:
Use a variety of strategies to solve addition and subtraction problems
Recall addition and subtraction facts to 20
Science:
Heating and Cooling
Social Studies:
Identifying and describing various Government services
The important of Election Day
Remembering and honoring our veterans
Week of November 6-10
Hate to be corn-y, but autumn is in the air! We've enjoyed the cooler temperatures, especially at recess! In the classroom, we've been hard at work diving deeper into texts and building up our math strategy toolbelt, as well as being critical thinkers in planning science investigations.
BOOK FAIR IS HERE!
We will kick off this year’s book fair on Thursday, November 9th. There will be after school shopping from 3:00-5:30 and again from 6:00-7:30 before and in between the PTA meeting and 5th grade Veteran’s Day performance. The book fair will be open the following week, November 13-17. Funds raised through the book fair support all CCE students by funding library programs like author visits, campus educational resources such as Discovery Ed & Tumblebooks, Kindergarten & 5th grade gift books, and more! Remember: BOOKS TAKE YOU TO INFINITY AND BEYOND!
CCE THANKSGIVING FEAST!
We hope to see you on Wednesday, November 15th for our Thanksgiving Feast!
Students will eat during their regular lunch time. The meal price is $5.00 for all guests (exact dollar amount is greatly appreciated). If you RSVP’d to eat, please be sure to bring cash to pay for your meal. If we have already scanned your ID this year, you can avoid waiting in line and have your badge pre-printed. Click on this form and CCE will have your badge ready! If you did not RSVP for the lunch but want to attend, you are welcome to bring a sack lunch and join us!
CLOTHES CLOSET
Clothes Closet is a district wide effort to provide donated clothes to families of school-aged children in RRISD who are in need of these items.
Below is the first clothes drive for the school year.
What: Clothes Closet Collection
When: Starting Monday, November 6th– Friday, November 17th
Where: Drop off new, unopened packages outside of the school main entrance door or send
unopened packages with your child to drop off at a marked donation bin in the school lobby.
Items Needed: * Clothing All sizes (Greatest need is ALL elementary sizes, especially smaller sizes 3T-8).
Winter Jackets
*New Underwear (Mens boxer briefs are always needed)
Socks
Any questions please contact Jessica Kirker Contact 512-632-2133
CCE HOLIDAY FAIR
The CCE Holiday Fair is coming up on Friday, December 1 and you do not want to miss it!
The event will feature a Holiday Vendor Fair, where you can shop for everyone on your list, while also supporting businesses from our very own CCE community. There will be kids’ activities, holiday crafts and food to purchase throughout the event.
Host a Booth at the Holiday Fair
Register here as a vendor to promote your business or hobby.
Each vendor is responsible for decorating and merchandising their table.
Student Booths: $25
***Early Bird Pricing***
Secure your booth for $50 by registering before Nov.15th.
Our booth price will increase to $60 after that date!!!
If you have any questions? You can email secretary.ccepta@gmail.com
Holiday Fair Sponsors
We are looking for sponsors to make this event possible, as well as funding programs in the classroom.
Event sponsorships are $300 per event and will include:
- Pre event promotions –Event Marketing, Newsletter inclusion, social media promotion
- Inclusion event materials and on website
- Signage onsite (this event brings together over 300 people)
- Possible table onsite (as appropriate)
- Listing on website as sponsor (name + logo)
- Recognition and thank you on social media and newsletter
We appreciate all your support in making this event a successful one, and it is a wonderful opportunity to engage with, and support our local community!!
If you are interested in learning more, please contact CanyonCreekElementaryPTA@gmail.com
CROSSWALK VOLUNTEERS
Please help keep our community safe by giving 30 minutes to help our children, families, and friends cross one of the most challenging intersections in Canyon Creek. Let's keep everyone safe!
Visit this Sign-up Genius for more information
Spelling Words:
any
came
been
face
buy
hand
gave
made
pull
make
If you made it to the end, thank you! Please email me with the word "Rough Faced Girl" and your child will receive a ticket!
Important Dates
Nov. 4: Daylight Savings Time ends (Fall back 1 hour)
Nov. 7: Fall Picture Retakes & Make up
Nov. 9: Book Fair open 3:00-5:30, 6:00-7:30
Nov. 9: PTA Meeting in Cafeteria (Book fair closed)
Nov. 10: No School/Student Holiday
Nov. 13-17: Book Fair
Nov. 15: Thanksgiving Feast
Nov. 16: Kona Ice
Nov. 17: Turkey Trot during Essentials
Nov. 20-24: Thanksgiving Break
Dec. 1: Holiday Fair
This Week's Curriculum
Language Arts:
Visualizing and creating mental images while reading a text
Comparing and contrasting 2 texts
Writing a rough draft of a how-to procedural text
Distinguish between common and proper nouns
Reading, writing, and spelling words with Magic E
Math:
Use a variety of strategies to solve addition and subtraction problems
Recall addition and subtraction facts to 20
Science:
Heating and Cooling
Social Studies:
Identify and describe government services
Week of October 30-November 3
It's been a fa-BOO-lous week of learning! We had so much fun celebrating the fun Red Ribbon dress up days this Week!
PUMPKINS
Pumpkins will be sent home on TUESDAY. Please send a bag or make sure your child is able to safely carry their pumpkin home after school.
FIELD TRIP
Monday will be our first field trip to Inner Space Caverns. Please send your child in the blue CCE shirt or any blue shirt and not any kind of Halloween attire. Also, please send your child a sack lunch, disposable water bottle and closed toed shoes. We ask that you pack your child 2 snacks, so that one can be the usual morning snack, and one for the afternoon after returning from the trip.
READING BINGO
is due Tuesday, October 31st. Remember that EACH DAY must be initialed AND dated to be counted. No late bingos will be accepted. Our November reading bingo will be sent home that same day to start.
REPORT CARDS
Thank you for keeping the contents of your child's report card and for signing/returning the envelope in a timely manner. Many families have already done this and it's greatly appreciated, so I have those on hand to use at the end of the next nine week grading period.
COOLER TEMPS
Next week, we will see much chillier temperatures at recess. Please make sure to send your child to school with a jacket each day. Many families have found it helpful to label the tag with the child's name in case it gets lost!
Spelling Words:
along
fiind
had
are
from
big
must
sing
should
pick
If you made it to the end, thank you! Please email me with the word "We’re Batty for 2nd grade," and your child will receive a ticket!
Important Dates
Oct. 30: Field Trip to Inner Space Caverns
Nov. 9-17: Book Fair
Nov. 20-24: Thanksgiving Break
Dec. 1: Holiday Fair
This Week's Curriculum
Language Arts:
Identifying nonfiction text features
Respond through writing
Write information learned about bats
Plural nouns
Reading and writing words with ng, nk, ch, wh, sh, ph,
Learn new high-frequency words (would, could, should)
Handwriting and cursive letter formation
Math:
Wrapped up place value 3-4 digit numbers
Science:
Heating and Cooling
Social Studies:
TX Symbols
Week of October 23-27
Thank you so much to the parents who cheered us on for our pumpkin parade this morning! The kids loved seeing the crowd outside. When we came in we had a great time sharing our pumpkins and stories. They are now on display in the library for other classes to see. They will be sent home on Halloween!
REPORT CARDS
On Tuesday, the report cards for the first quarter will go home. Please remember that this is a 37-week journey through second grade and we've only finished week 10.
In your child's report card envelope you will find a letter included to give you guidance on understanding the RRISD primary report card. Thank you for reading over this as you review your child’s report card. There is a place for your signature on the outside of the envelope. Please sign and return the envelope by Friday October 29th. The contents are yours to keep at home.
As you look over your child’s report card, please remember that a “Level LP” can have two meanings. It can mean that your child has had adequate exposure to the skill and is struggling to independently show mastery. Or, a “Level LP” can mean that the skill is multi-faceted and grows across the school year. These skills are much broader and will need time to build the depth and complexity needed for a strong, balanced foundation. In this case, the LP means that your child is progressing as expected on a long journey to gain the necessary depth, complexity, and independence. If I did not mention concerns at our conference and have not contacted you through email, written note, or a phone call, please do not worry about the “Level LPs” that you see on the report card after the first grading period. It is exactly where the children are at this point in the school year for MANY of the areas.
RED RIBBON WEEK
Red Ribbon Week is here! Please refer to the chart attached to the email to organize for each dress-up day! Flyers also went home in your child’s last Tuesday folder. It should be a fun week celebrating a healthy life!
TAG TESTING REFERRAL PARENT INFORMATION NIGHT
Thursday, October 26th at 6:00pm
Please view the video and slideshow linked below prior to the meeting- we will answer questions at the virtual meeting.
Click here to access the video
Click here to access the informational slideshow
Click here to access the virtual meeting on 10/26
Proud to be a CCE Comet!
Mrs. Henrichs
HOLIDAY FAIR
The CCE Holiday Fair is coming up on Friday, December 1 and you do not want to miss it!
The event will feature a Holiday Vendor Fair, where you can shop for everyone on your list, while also supporting businesses from our very own CCE community. There will be kids’ activities, holiday crafts and food to purchase throughout the event.
Host a Booth at the Holiday Fair
Register here as a vendor to promote your business or hobby.
Each vendor is responsible for decorating and merchandising their table.
Student Booths: $25
***Early Bird Pricing***
Secure your booth for $50 by registering before Nov.15th.
Our booth price will increase to $60 after that date!!!
If you have any questions? You can email secretary.ccepta@gmail.com
Holiday Fair Sponsors
We are looking for sponsors to make this event possible, as well as funding programs in the classroom.
Event sponsorships are $300 per event and will include:
- Pre event promotions –Event Marketing, Newsletter inclusion, social media promotion
- Inclusion event materials and on website
- Signage onsite (this event brings together over 300 people)
- Possible table onsite (as appropriate)
- Listing on website as sponsor (name + logo)
- Recognition and thank you on social media and newsletter
We appreciate all your support in making this event a successful one, and it is a wonderful opportunity to engage with, and support our local community!!
If you are interested in learning more, please contact CanyonCreekElementaryPTA@gmail.com
YEARBOOK PHOTOS
Contribute to this year's Yearbook! Share your student's CCE photos with us!
Email ccetxyearbook@gmail.com & include your student's grade in the subject line!
Spelling Words:
drink
who
them
thank
with
then
left
ate
ear
four
If you’ve made it to the end of the newsletter, please respond to this email with Pumpkin Parade and your child will earn a ticket.
Important Dates
Oct. 23: Red Ribbon Week Oct. 24: First Grading Period Report Card to come home
Oct. 26: Reflections due
Oct. 30: Field Trip to Inner Space Caverns
Nov. 6-9: Book Fair
Nov. 9: PTA General Meeting
Nov. 15: Thanksgiving Lunch
Dec. 1: Holiday Fair
This Week's Curriculum
Language Arts:
Consonant digraphs ng, nk
Writing nonfiction text about bats using research
Identify and use verbs
Math:
Determine, compare, and show different forms of 3 digit and 4 digit numbers
Social Studies:
TX Symbols
Week of October 16-20
Happy Friday! What a wonderful week it was in second grade! Fall is here and we can FINALLY feel it in the cool morning air and on the playground!
We want to say a HUGE thank you to all of the parents who donated items and helped create our incredible bat cave! All the students loved walking into it each morning and it made them so excited to begin our bat unit! We truly appreciate your hard work and the time you took to help make our learning fun!
Important Information for this week:
PUMPKIN PARADE
Our pumpkin parade will be on Friday October 20th. We will begin promptly after our morning announcements at approximately 8:00am. The parade will be outside. We are asking you to please line up on the perimeter of the school beginning in the front. Students will proudly carry their pumpkin and show off all of their hard work to parents and family members.
FIELD TRIP PERMISSION SLIPS
We are so excited about our upcoming field trip to Inner Space Caverns, Please turn in your permission slips and money no later than October 18th. Please note* Students will need to bring a sack lunch and disposable water bottle for the field trip.
FIELD TRIP PARENT VOLUNTEERS
We have had many parents reach out to volunteer and join us at Inner Space Caverns. Any parents that will be joining us will need to pay the adult entry fee of $17.00 and you will need to pick up a badge at the office before meeting us there. We will be leaving campus around 9:30. The first tour will start at 10:30. Each second grade class will be going in at different times. Please note, there is only room for 30 people allowed per tour. Our class has room for only 8 parents, please let me know if you plan on attending (if you indicated this on the comments line in the field trip form, I have already marked you as one of our 8 adults). The first 8 parents to let me know attending will be allowed to join our tour.
If you plan to join us, please make sure you have registered as a RRISD Volunteer.
Lastly, we will need two coolers to help transport our class lunches. If you are able to provide a cooler, please let us know if you can drop it off and if you are able to help transport it to Inner Space Caverns.
COGAT TESTING
Next week our second graders will be taking the CogAT exam on Tuesday and Thursday morning. Please make sure your child gets a good night's rest and arrives to school on time in preparation.
UIL FOR SECOND GRADERS
Hello CCE Parents!
We are excited to get things going for this year's UIL competition and we'd love to have 2nd grade students sign up to compete in either Creative Writing or Storytelling. If your child is interested in either of these events, please complete this form by Friday, October 20th at 3:00pm. Sign ups will close at that time so we can begin making selections and you will be notified either way.
Thank you for considering this learning experience and commitment!
Karen Ogle
First Grade
Canyon Creek Elementary
(512) 428-2840
karen_ogle@roundrockisd.org
DIGITAL CITIZENSHIP WEEK THEME DAYS
October 16-20 is Digital Citizenship. Join in the fun by participating in the following dress up dates with us.
Monday: Rep your favorite sport to celebrate
Tuesday: Dress up as a superhero
Wednesday: Wear orange, which represents standing up to cyberbullying
Thursday: Wear wacky socks
Friday: Wear a “Thinking hat”
TRUNK-OR-TREAT!
It’s time to dust off your candy bucket and pick out your Halloween costume! CCE Trunk or Treat is coming up on Friday, October 20 from 5:00pm to 6:30pm. Students can wear (non-scary) costumes for the Trunk or Treat and some fun photo ops. Trunks will be set up in the parking lot facing Boulder for students to visit.
If you would like to Host a Trunk!
We are hoping to make Trunk or Treat even bigger this year, so we are looking for families, students and staff who are willing to host a trunk! Please be creative (and not too spooky). Your trunk can be themed after a favorite book or movie, a toy or a board game, or something festive for the season. Your students can participate by handing out prizes or treats and running Trunk activities. For more information and to sign up to host a trunk, click here
SPELLING WORDS:
were
when
turn
once
first
where
could
girl
thing
graph
If you’ve made it to the end of the newsletter, please respond to this email with Stellaluna and your child will earn a ticket.
Important Dates
Oct. 16-20: Digital Citizenship Week
Oct. 18: Permission Slip and $10 Due
Oct. 20: Pumpkin Character due and Pumpkin Parade
Oct. 20: Trunk or Treat 5:00-6:30 pm
Oct. 23: Red Ribbon Week (info to come)
Oct. 24: First Grading Period Report Card to come home
Oct. 30: Field Trip to Inner Space Caverns
This Week's Curriculum
Language Arts:
Problem and Solution
Sequencing events in a story
Editing and publishing our "When I was Scared" writing
Identifying and using nouns correctly
Math:
4 Digit Place Value
Social Studies:
US Symbols
TX Symbols
Week of October 9-13
We are hoping it will soon begin to feel more like fall outside of our classroom window! Inside our room, procedures and routines are humming along. We feel connected as a classroom family and friendships are blooming.
Thank you to the parents that I've already conferenced with regarding your child's strengths and yearly goals. It feels great to connect and partner to discuss your child's progress and set goals for them as we navigate this school year together.
REMEMBER, Monday, October 9th is a student holiday.
Important Information for this week:
SPELLING WORDS
We ran out of time to write down next week's words in our planners, so please refer to the list below if you would like to have your child get the words ahead of time.
am
cold
eyes
help
grill
jump
last
goes
long
what
PLANNER & READING BINGO
I wanted to quickly clarify procedures for planners and Reading BINGO, as they are different from each other as well as those of first grade.
Planners: The daily expectation for students is to be writing the homework and/or reminders from class in the planner and showing parents at home each night. The parent initials are to confirm that your child has shown you their planner, so you know what your child needs to work on that night or prepare for the next day. When your child brings the planner and sets it on their desk for me to check the next morning, I award a ticket, not for doing the reading homework (though that is good!), but for being responsible and building the habit of regular communication between school and home. They do not need to write how many minutes they actually read or the book title, though that is something they can do if they'd like.
Reading BINGO: The reasoning for the parent initials and date on each box is to ensure that kids aren't marking the boxes without parents knowing or doing it all on one day. Most kids would not do this, but this is just our grade-wide policy to ensure that the sheet is being completed correctly.
PARENT-TEACHER CONFERENCES
Thank you to the parents that I've already conferenced with. It feels great to connect and partner with you to discuss your child's progress and set goals for them as we navigate this school year together. I look forward to speaking with many of you next Monday, October 9th. Please check the schedule to make sure that you remember our meeting time. Many of my meetings are back-to-back and for this reason, I will need to stick tight to our timeframe. We ask kindly that you do not bring your child to the conference. We strive daily to build their confidence and since we will be discussing their strengths and areas for growth, we don't want to hinder that in any way. Thank you for your understanding. I look forward to visiting with you soon!
PUMPKIN PARADE
As a way to share our boo-tiful work, we hope you will join us for our outdoor pumpkin parade on Friday October 20th immediately following morning announcements and lunch count (approx time 8:00). Parents will need to stay on the outer perimeter of the car dismissal sidewalk. Only students who use a plastic pumpkin will be able to participate.
TRUNK OR TREAT
It’s time to dust off your candy bucket and pick out your Halloween costume! CCE Trunk or Treat is coming up on Friday, October 20 from 5:00pm to 6:30pm. Students can wear (non-scary) costumes for the Trunk or Treat and some fun photo ops. Trunks will be set up in the parking lot facing Boulder for students to visit.
If you would like to Host a Trunk!
We are hoping to make Trunk or Treat even bigger this year, so we are looking for families, students and staff who are willing to host a trunk! Please be creative (and not too spooky). Your trunk can be themed after a favorite book or movie, a toy or a board game, or something festive for the season. Your students can participate by handing out prizes or treats and running Trunk activities. For more information and to sign up to host a trunk, click here
If you have read the newsletter, please reply to my email with "On the Road with Transitions." Thank you!
Important Dates
Oct. 9: NO SCHOOL/Parent Conferences
Oct. 11: Westwood Homecoming Parade
Oct. 13: End of First Grading Period
Oct. 13: Pumpkin Character Report due
Oct. 20: Pumpkin Character due and Pumpkin Parade
Oct. 20: Trunk or Treat 5:00-6:30 pm
Oct. 30: Field Trip to Inner Space Caverns
This Week's Curriculum
Language Arts:
Use the nonfiction text features to learn more about volcanoes
Identify and write using conjunctions
Learn new high-frequency words
Blend and spell words with -all, -oll, -n,-ng, -wh,-w,-ph,-f
Using transition words in our writing
Drafting a beginning, middles and end for our personal narratives about a time we were scared
Math:
Use objects and pictorial models to determine place value
Social Studies:
US Symbols
Science:
Changes in Matter
Week of October 2-6
Fall is in the air! We are excited to enjoy the cool and breezy weather at recess that is hopefully right around the corner.
It is so much fun to see the BINGO cards that the students brought back. They were very excited to hear that they will get one each month to complete (October BINGO cards will be sent home next Monday). I also appreciate that you are initialing their planners each night. They have done a wonderful job so far of bringing them back each day. Happy Reading!
Important information for this week:
FALL CONFERENCES
Thank you for taking time to sign up for a fall conference. At this meeting, we will discuss your child’s strengths and create goals for the school year. This particular conference is a parent and teacher conversation; your child’s attendance is not necessary.
Please check the schedule to make sure that you remember our meeting time. Many of my meetings are back-to-back or are touching instructional time. For this reason, I will need to stick tight to our timeframe. Thanks for your understanding. I look forward to visiting with you soon!
TUESDAY FOLDERS
Please continue to check your child’s backpack on Tuesdays for work from the previous week or important notes from the office. This is an excellent way to spend quality time with your child, and gain an insight into what and how he/she is doing at school.
PUMPKIN PARADE
As a way to share our boo-tiful work, we will be holding an outdoor pumpkin parade on Friday October 20th immediately following morning announcements and lunch count (approx time 8:00). Parents will need to stay on the outer perimeter of the car dismissal sidewalk. Only students who use a plastic pumpkin will be able to participate.
PUMPKIN PROJECT
We hope you are off to a great start on the pumpkin project! As a reminder, this is a 100% AT HOME PROJECT. Please make sure to read the introduction letter, planning page and report in its entirety. When deciding which book to use, make sure to use the project questions as a guide. If you can answer the questions about the main character, then your selection is appropriate. When your child brings in their completed project, they will need to bring in 1) the pumpkin, 2) the book the character is from NO MOVIES and 3) the pumpkin project packet FILLED OUT BY THEM. We have given your child 3 weeks to complete this project so please do not feel overwhelmed or rushed. Please do not send in projects before 10/20. We do not have room to store them before this date.
VOLUNTEER APPLICATION
If you plan to be a volunteer on campus, go on a field trip, help in the classroom, or work with students, it is required that you first complete this volunteer application AND receive approval. Please go ahead and complete it now. Generally it takes about 3 days to process, but during busy times it can take up to a week. If you completed an application last year, you will still need to complete a new one for the current school year.
Spelling words:
Off
And
Both
Car
Dog
Fast
Dress
Full
Has
Will
We hope you have a wonderful week!
The Second Grade Team
If you’ve made it to the end of the newsletter, please respond to this email with The Day I said OUCH and your child will earn a ticket.
Important Dates
Oct. 2: Orange Parent signed Pumpkin Parade slip due
Oct. 4: Walk/Bike/Roll to School Day
Oct. 5: WATCH D.O.G Pizza and Q&A Kick Off 5:30-6:30 PM
Oct. 9: NO SCHOOL/Parent Conferences
Oct. 11: Westwood Homecoming Parade
Oct. 13: Pumpkin Character Report due
Oct. 20: Pumpkin Character due and Pumpkin Parade
Oct. 20: Trunk or Treat
Oct. 30: Field Trip to Inner Space Caverns
This Week's Curriculum
Language Arts:
Describing characters
Comparing and contrasting texts from the same author
Brainstorming and drafting our second personal narrative
Complete and Incomplete Sentences
Consonant Digraphs (wr, wh, kn, qu)
Printing and Cursive letters (l,t,i,j)
Math:
Place Value
Social Studies:
US Symbols
Science:
Changes in Matter
Week of September 25-29
HAPPY FALL Y’ALL! September is JAM packed and we are loving it! This is one of our favorite times of the year in second grade with so many fun activities headed our way!
Important information for this week:
CONFERENCES
Parent Conference Day is October 9th. A Conference Signup form was included in last week's newsletter. We have several dates and times outside of October 9th to make sure we have a time that works for you! A parent conference form went home in your child's Tuesday folder this week. Please complete and return at your earliest convenience so that I may prepare for our meeting! Under the “P” section (parent) of “Areas of Strength”, place a check mark by 3 areas that best describe your child. Under the “P” section of “Areas of Improvement”, place a check mark by 3 areas that need strengthening. Thank you for providing your input .
TUESDAY FOLDERS
Please continue to check your child’s backpack on Tuesdays for work from the previous week or important notes from the office. This is an excellent way to spend quality time with your child, and gain an insight into what and how he/she is doing at school.
PUMPKIN PARADE
As a way to share our boo-tiful work, we will be holding an outdoor pumpkin parade on Friday October 20th immediately following morning announcements and lunch count (approx time 8:00). Parents will need to stay on the outer perimeter of the car dismissal sidewalk. Only students who use a plastic pumpkin will be able to participate.
PUMPKIN PROJECT
We are excited to kick off our Pumpkin Project! Pumpkin Project planning sheets will go home in next week’s Tuesday folder. Please make sure to read the introduction letter, planning page and report in its entirety. When deciding which book to use, make sure to use the project questions as a guide. If you can answer the questions about the main character, then your selection is appropriate. When your child brings in their completed project, they will need to bring in 1) the pumpkin, 2) the book the character is from NO MOVIES and 3) the pumpkin project packet FILLED OUT BY THEM. As a reminder, this is a 100% AT HOME PROJECT which is why we have given your child 3 weeks to complete this project so please do not feel overwhelmed or rushed. Please do not send in projects before 10/20. We do not have room to store them before this date.
VOLUNTEER APPLICATION
If you plan to be a volunteer on campus, go on a field trip, help in the classroom, or work with students, it is required that you first complete this volunteer application AND receive approval. Please go ahead and complete it now. Generally it takes about 3 days to process, but during busy times it can take up to a week. If you completed an application last year, you will still need to complete a new one for the current school year.
We hope you have a wonderful week!
The Second Grade Team
If you’ve made it to the end of the newsletter, please respond to this email with When I Was Young in the Mountains and your child will earn a ticket.
Week of September 18-22
Thank you to everyone who joined us at Parent Information Night last night. It was lovely to see so many faces there. Thank you to those who have donated items from our class wish list! Your generosity is truly appreciated! Temperatures are starting to cool down, make sure your child has a sweater or light jacket for our morning recess and chilly classroom.
Important information for this week:
Picture Day QR Codes
Yesterday was picture day and everyone looked great!. In your child’s planner, in the back plastic pocket where we keep reading bingo is a QR code where you can order your child’s photos if you didn’t do so before picture day.
Grading
Weekly assessments are now underway. While number and letter grades do not appear on the second grade report, it is helpful to see where your child is in regards to skill retention and mastery. Remember that all work that has a check minus or grade below a 70, needs to be signed, corrected and returned in the Tuesday folder on Wednesday morning.
Homework
Practicing spelling words and nightly reading BINGO have begun. Students will be given next week’s spelling words in their planner today. Please make sure you are practicing spelling words at home to prepare for Friday’s test. Students are also given a sentence to write. This skill shows comprehension of previously spelled words rather than memorization of words for just that weekly test. As the school year progresses, the sentences will become longer and students will need to identify parts of speech. For now, students are graded on capitalization, punctuation, and correct spelling. The 10 spelling words and the sentence are added together for a total score. Students are also given a challenge to spell each week but are not penalized for misspelled challenge words.
If you’ve made it to the end of the newsletter, please respond to the weekly email with Eat your lima beans and your child will earn a ticket.
Week of September 11-15
This week was one to write about!
We wrote our first piece of writing, a personal narrative about ourselves using the entire writing process! We saw great improvement in our routines and procedures this week! Thank you for supporting our expectations at home. Many students have mentioned feeling cold in the classroom with the AC running, so please make sure your child has a light sweater or jacket for the classroom, and later for recess, as the weather cools down (hopefully very soon!)
Important information for this week:
Parent Information Night
Our Parent Information Night is coming up on Thursday, September 14th from 6:30-7:00 so you can learn more about second grade in general and ask any questions that you may have.
Picture Day
Picture Day is Thursday, September 14th. Picture forms were sent home in Tuesday folders. Please return forms to me or purchase online prior to picture day.
Grading
Weekly assessments are now underway. While number and letter grades do not appear on the second grade report card, it is helpful to see where your child is in regards to skill retention and mastery. Remember that all work that has a check minus or grade below a 70, needs to be signed, corrected and returned in the Tuesday folder on Wednesday morning.
Homework
Nightly reading BINGO has begun. Students were given next week’s spelling words in their planner today. Our first spelling test will be next Friday. Please make sure you are practicing spelling words at home to prepare for Friday’s test. Students are also given a sentence to write. This skill shows comprehension of previously spelled words rather than memorization of words for just that weekly test. As the school year progresses, the sentences will become longer and students will need to identify parts of speech. For now, students are graded on capitalization, punctuation, and correct spelling. The 10 spelling words and the sentence are added together for a total score. Students are also given a challenge to spell each week but are not penalized for misspelled challenge words.
Star of the Week
Star of the Week will begin next week with Sam!
Each week, we will have a new classmate that we get to focus on and get to know more about. Each day, the students will bring/share with the class something that tells us more about who they are.
Here is a reminder of what each day will be:
Monday—8 favorite pictures
Tuesday - Sharing Sack (4 favorite items that must be able to fit in backpack)
Wednesday—Letter from Parent (special things about your child, favorite memories, or words of encouragement)
Thursday—Lunch with parent
Friday- The class presents the student with a friendship poster
If one of the days does not work for you, please let me know and we can arrange a schedule that works for both of us.
Spelling Words
Next week we will begin our first week of spelling words! On Mondays we will write the words in our planners and provide fun ways to practice at home. On Fridays, we will be doing a weekly spelling test including the 10 words as well as a sentence that reviews previously learned words. There will also be a challenge word each week for a bonus! I will include the list here in case any families want to get a head start on practicing.
also
best
can
end
far
fly
get
him
let
old
If you’ve made it to the end of the newsletter, please respond to this email with Boot Camp Writing here we go….. and your child will earn a ticket.
News for September 4-8
It was another great week in second grade!! Thank you for your continued partnership!
We are still continuing to establish our routines and procedures in second grade! It is very helpful to have continued reminders and conversations at home about classroom expectations specifically about talking at the appropriate time, listening and following directions the first time and not talking during transitions. We are losing precious class time with the amount of talking that is taking place. We hope to establish good habits that will set us up for a successful year. Your help at home is appreciated. Our “classroom family” friendships are strengthening each day! It is fun to see a classroom community come together and see new friendships being made.
Important information for this week:
Parent Information Night
Our Parent Information Night is coming up on Thursday, September 14th from 6:30-7:00. We look forward to seeing you and getting you more acquainted with the ins and outs of second grade and answering any questions that you may have.
Reading BINGO
In the back of your child's planner is their September reading BINGO. We discussed at great length today the ins and outs of it, but wanted to make sure you knew as well. Reading BINGO is a fun way to incorporate the 20 minutes of nightly reading we expect in second grade. In order for students to earn credit for a completed bingo sheet, each completed box must be dated and initialed by an adult. Students may only complete 1 box per evening.
On the last day of the month, students earn 1 ticket for every row completed, initialed and signed with a maximum of 12 tickets earned! Late BINGOs are not accepted unless a student is sick. The next month's bingo is given out that same day to begin. We reviewed the September boxes and the students seemed very excited to get started! I hope this makes your nightly reading more enjoyable!
Bingo sheets are due on September 29th; late Bingos will not be accepted. Happy reading!
Tuesday Folders
Remember that Tuesday folders are sent home each week. Graded work will begin being sent home next week. While number and letter grades do not appear on the second grade report, it is helpful to see where your child is in regards to skill retention and mastery. Remember that all work that has a check minus or grade below a 70, needs to be signed, corrected and returned. Please review the contents with your child. Then please sign the front of the Tuesday folder on the dated line and return Wednesday morning.
Homework Folders
Your child should have a green folder in his or her backpack. THIS IS DIFFERENT FROM THE TUESDAY FOLDER. This folder needs to go home and come back daily. It may contain unfinished work or important information that needs to be addressed outside of the Tuesday folder timeframe. Please continue to check your child’s backpack on Tuesdays for work from the previous week or important notes from the office. This is an excellent way to spend quality time with your child, and gain an insight into what she/he is doing at school.
Library Books
We visit the library every Wednesday. Students are allowed to check out 3 books. At least one book needs to stay at school in their bookbox for independent reading. The other 2 may be brought home to enjoy. Students are only allowed 1 graphic novel per week. Please make sure library books are brought back to school for the library every Wednesday morning.
If you’ve made it to the end of the newsletter, please respond to this email with Writing Process Here We Go and your child will earn a ticket.
News for August 28-Sept 1
We have made it through our first full week of second grade! We love seeing everyone’s personalities bloom and new friendships being formed. It was an exciting week diving into our second grade curriculum while also reinforcing procedures and expectations. Thank you for taking the time to read this weekly. There is always important information about what we have learned, upcoming events and anything essential you or your child may need for the upcoming week!
Important information for this week:
Tuesday Folders
This week began Tuesday folders. Tuesday folders are sent home each week. Please review the contents with your child. Any work that has a check minus or grade below a 70, needs to be signed, corrected and returned. Then please sign the front of the Tuesday folder on the dated line and return Wednesday morning.
Library Books
This week was our first visit to the library. We visit the library every Wednesday. Students are allowed to check out 3 books. At least one book needs to stay at school in their bookbox for independent reading. The other 2 may be brought home to enjoy. Please make sure library books are brought back to school for library Wednesday morning.
Planners
As a reminder, planners should go home, be reviewed and initialed and returned each day. Please do not initial in advance for the entire week and please do not allow siblings to sign. Important information will begin to be communicated through the planner soon and we want to make sure parents and guardians are seeing this. We want to ensure daily consistent communication between school and home and ensure that homework is being completed each evening.
2023-2024 Software/Apps Permissions Form
Throughout the year, we will utilize online applications to enhance your child's learning and support and reinforce the concepts we teach in class. Before using these applications, we want to make you aware of federal laws and regulations that apply to the use of technology to support classrooms and require parental consent in order to be most effective.
In order for RRISD Educators to use these online tools with students, records or other information that could be personally identifiable, the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) requires that I obtain your consent due to the possible exposure of your student’s information to the website’s operator or to other participants.
After reviewing these sites, please electronically sign and submit this form. This will serve as your permission for your student to have access to the online apps, as well as your permission for the teacher to upload your student’s information into the applications. This also gives permission for your child’s teachers to use apps that require parent permission for students 13 and under. Failure to return this form within 10 days of receipt will be considered permission for all apps/software listed.
PLEASE COMPLETE ONE FORM FOR EACH CCE STUDENT.
2023-2024 Software/Apps Permissions Form
Breakfast and Lunch
We offer breakfast and lunch here at school. Both meals do cost money. Please let me know if you do not want your child going to breakfast. In addition, students have the option to order double entrees. This is a popular choice on chicken nuggets and pizza day. Again, there is an additional fee for this. If you do not want your child getting doubles or only choosing doubles on specific days, please let me know.
If you have made it to the end of this newsletter, please respond to my email with "Llama Tell You About My New Friend." Thank you :)
News for August 21-25
Welcome to Second Grade!
We have had an amazing first week of second grade! It has been so much fun getting to learn about all of our new classmates and friends through their All About Me bags. We have been busy learning second grade expectations and procedures. Everyone is adjusting to being back to school well and already learning so quickly. We are looking forward to an outstanding year!
Communication is very important to us. We are committed to keeping you informed about what the students are doing in the classroom. If you need to be in touch with us, you may send a note to school with your child, call, or write an email. That being said, if you need to change your child’s after school transportation plans for that school day, please contact the main office (428-2800) before 2:00. Teachers may not always have the chance to check email and voicemail before dismissal.
Jessica Hildebrandt 428-2835 jessica_hildebrandt@roundrockisd.org
Emily Jee 428-2840 emily_jee@roundrockisd.org
Anna Thurin 428-2841 anna_thurin@roundrockisd.org
Each week you will receive an email alerting you to our latest newsletter posted on our website. In order to make our communication easy to access, all school newsletters can be accessed through the CCE webpage. Please be sure to visit each page on the website to become familiar with second grade, and then read the newsletter weekly. It is essential that you utilize this valuable resource for important classroom information. If you have any questions, please ask your child’s teacher. This will be our valuable means of communication with you throughout the year.
Important information for this week:
Student Information Form: If you have not completed the Student Information form that was linked to the Second Grade Information form that was in your Meet the Teacher packet, please do so as soon as possible. We would like to know all about your child, in addition to we will be putting together a class directory for your convenience to arrange playdates, birthday parties, etc.
Headphones and Chromebooks: We will begin our beginning of the year testing next Tuesday, please return Chromebooks that were at home for the summer and send in a pair of headphones (not earbuds) in a gallon ziploc baggie with your child’s name on it no later than Tuesday. These headphones will stay at school for the entire year for learning. They will not go home daily.
Birthdays: We have lots of birthdays coming up. We celebrate birthdays at the end of the day. We pass out birthday treats as students are being dismissed. All birthday treats need to come to school already individually bagged or packaged and ready to be sent home, Teachers do not have time to separate and package cupcakes, cookies and bulk treats into Ziploc baggies. Thank you for your help expediting this process.
Lunch Menus: Please remember paper lunch menus will not be sent home this year. You can access weekly menus here and will be included in our weekly menu. The prices of meals are:
Breakfast: $1.50
Lunch: $2.80
**Please note that double entrees cost extra.
Water bottles: August temperatures are soaring high! Thank you for sending your child to school with a reusable water bottle. Please label it with your child’s name for easy identification.
Teacher Wish List: Thank you to those who have donated items from our wishlist or inquired about our needs. If you are interested in helping our classroom with donations, here are some items that would be helpful:
Sticky Notes
Hand sanitizer (small pump bottles)
Small class "store" items (fun pencils, stickers, small squishies, etc.)
We appreciate your patience as we begin our new school year. We hope you have a wonderful week and look forward to a fantastic year!
The Second Grade Team