This is always my favorite week of the year with First Communion and our last second grade Mass.  They did such an amazing job and received many compliments from adults!  Congratulations, second graders! 

We are learning about habitats in science class.  The students have an option of making a poster about a habitat that is very different from habitats in MN.  They can make/draw a list of animals and plants that live in that habitat.  This is optional! 

If you have an ice cream bucket and/or old rags lying around that we can use to clean the classroom-please send them in!  We will send them back home when we are done cleaning. 

On Monday the students can be out of dress code and wear RED for hearth health to support a school family who recently had a baby who was born with some heart problems.  

On Tuesday they will wear their family group color for field day.  I sent home a piece of paper with their family group color yesterday.  

There will be no spelling test next week.  Next week's Bible verse: "There will be great joy for those who are ready and waiting for His return." Luke 12:37

• We will be having our final math test on Monday. Study guides were sent home Friday. 

• Our 6th grade buddies made us breakfast!  They made decorations for the tables and gave each second grader a gift.  Thanks 6th graders! 

• Wednesday, May 8th is our second grade mass.  They should wear their First Communion clothes. If they are not receiving their First Communion, they should still dress their best! They can bring out of uniform clothes to change into after Mass.  Please continue to practice mass parts at home with your child. 

• Congratulations to all the kids receiving their First Communion this weekend! Such an exciting time for them! 

• Next week's bible verse: "Turn from sin, and turn to God, for the Kingdom of heaven is near." - Matthew 4:17

We had another busy week!  We took our NWEA math and reading tests.  I was so excited to see how much they have grown! We have been getting ready for First Communion.  We also have been enjoying our plant unit in science.  Our math books will be completed on Monday so we are excited to do some fun math projects/activities next few weeks. 

Next week's Bible verse: "If you are friendly only to your friends, how are you different from anyone else?" Matthew 5:47

The First Communion Retreat is tomorrow from 9-12. First Communion is on May 4 and 5.  May 8 is our second grade mass.  They should wear their First Communion clothes.  They can bring clothes to change into after Mass.  If they are not receiving their First Communion, they should dress their best! After Mass, the kids can change into out of uniform clothes!  Mass parts were sent home today.  Please practice at home.  

NWEA testing is next week.  We will test on Tuesday and Thursday.  Please be sure they get plenty of sleep! 

We will test prayers next week.  A checklist will go home today so that you can see if they have any prayers left to recite.  

Thursday, May 2 is the spring concert.  We will have the living rosary that morning at 9:00.  After the rosary, guests will go to the gym for coffee.  The students will go back to their classrooms to get ready for the concert.  The concert starts at 10:00.  The evening concert will be at 6:30 in the evening. Please see the email from Mrs. Gorr about how to dress for the concert.  

Be sure to check Seesaw/social media to see the fun pictures from our camping day! 

Next week's Bible verse: "You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." John 8:32

April 20 is the First Communion Retreat! First Communion is on May 4 and 5.  

Thursday, May 2 is the spring concert.  We will have the living rosary that morning at 9:00.  After the rosary, guests will go to the gym for coffee.  The students will go back to their classrooms to get ready for the concert.  The concert starts at 10:00.  The evening concert will be at 6:30 in the evening. 

May 8 is our second grade mass.  They should wear their First Communion clothes.  They can bring clothes to change into after Mass.  If they are not receiving their First Communion, they should dress their best! 

We have a fun surprise planned for next Thursday, April 18 for the second graders.  Please send a small blanket, pillow, and flashlight.  :) 

Next week's Bible verse: "God is ready to give blessings to all who come to Him." Luke 4:19

Bookorders were sent home yesterday.  They will be due on April 12.  This will be the last bookorder of the year so if you are looking for books for summer break, now is your chance! 

The retreat for First Communion is on April 20 from 9-12.  

Our field trip is on Friday.  Please make sure to get those permission slips in.  

Next week's bible verse: "Do for others what you want them to do for you".  - Matthew 7:12

We had lots of fun programming and learning with the robots this week!  

The Starry Night Auction is tomorrow night. The students made lists of the items they'd like for you to bid on. These lists were sent home today.  

We are still collecting personal care items for the Peace Center.  Please send those in by March 20.  Thank you! 

Next week's bible verse "Your heavenly Father will give the Holy Spirit to those who ask for Him." -Luke 11:13 

It was great to see you all at conferences!  

Next week we will be going to Reconciliation.  We will review how to go to Reconciliation beforehand.  We will also be going to mass on Wednesday and Friday next week.  Friday is a formal uniform day.  We will wear green on the 14th for St. Patrick's Day! 

Some of the kids were so excited about the I love to read month challenge that they asked for another one!  We sent home an optional reading challenge for the month of March. 

Please check your email for information about ordering a yearbook. 

Just a reminder that there is no school on Monday, March 11.  

We are collecting personal care items for the Peace Center.  Please send those in by March 20.  Thank you! 

Next week's Bible verse:  "If you have ears, listen! Be sure to put into practice what you hear." Mark 4:23-24

Our class will be singing in mass on Wednesday, March 6th. 

On Monday, we will be reading to our 6th grade buddies. If you ordered the class book "If I were the Principal," please have your child bring it back to school on Monday. 

Please have your child finish up their February reading challenge this week. Sign it and send it back to school by Wednesday, Feb. 28th. 

Thank you to all of our mystery readers this month!  The kids are really enjoying finding out who the reader will be and they have loved the book choices! 

We will not have a bible verse or spelling next week due to the short week. Our next spelling test will be on Friday, March 8th.

Wednesday (2/21) is our second grade mass.  

Friday (2/23) is our Read and Feed day. Students may bring in something for a class trail mix. This is optional! We will snack on this during independent reading time!

You still have time to be a Mystery Reader in our classroom! Please let me know if you or someone you know would be interested in coming in!

Conferences are Thursday, Feb. 29th. I'm excited to meet with all of you again! Here is the sign up link:

https://signup.com/go/tFojWPQ

Next week's bible verse: "God will take care of your tomorrow. Live one day at a time." - Matthew 6:34

We had lots of fun during Catholic Schools Week last week!  Skating, bowling, meeting with family groups, watching the teachers vs 8th graders volleyball game, special guest day, etc.!  It was a busy week!  

We are excited for our Mystery Readers.  Send me an email if you would like to be a Mystery Reader in our classroom.  We also send home a reading challenge for I love to read month.  They can turn that in at the end of the month for a treat.  

Next week's Bible verse: "Praise the Lord, for He has come to visit His people and has redeemed them."  Luke 1:68

Catholic Schools Week kicks off on Sunday with mass and a pancake breakfast! Thanks to those who have signed up to sing at our 8:30 mass. Please drop your child off in the music room at 7:45 that morning. They will warm up and together head over to mass. After mass, please also pick your child up from the music room. Students should be dressed in their best school uniform (polos with new logo) for mass. Thanks! 

Skateville is next Friday. I understand that a lot of 2nd graders don't know how to skate.  There will be SkateMates (walker-like helpers) available to rent for $5.  Please send the money for this as soon as possible so we can have those ready for the kids.   

Valentine's Day- Since Valentine's Day is on Ash Wednesday, we will celebrate Valentine's Day on February 13. The kids can wear red, white, or pink.  They can bring in treats to share. 

Class Basket/item for the auction- We are collecting money for our class basket/item for the auction.  The committee is requesting that each child brings in $5-10.  We will decide on an item or type of basket as a class.  THANK YOU!! 

The month of February is I Love to Read month!  We have lots of fun activities this month.    

February 2- Snuggle Up and Read- Bring a blanket to snuggle up with for independent reading. 

February 9- Buddy Read- Bring a stuffed animal in to read for independent reading. 

February 16- Read in the Dark- Bring a flashlight from home to read in the dark during independent reading. 

February 23- Read and Feed- Bring in something for a class trail mix to snack on during independent reading. (optional)

Mystery Readers- I'm looking for some Mystery Readers. If you would like to be a Mystery Reader in my classroom this month, please let me know and send me a few dates that work for you. Keep it a secret from your child! 

Don't forget to check out the calendar to see all of our upcoming events for Catholic Schools Week! 

There will be no spelling next week. 

Next week's Bible verse- "Praise the Lord, for He has come to visit His people and has redeemed them."  Luke 1:68

• Catholic Schools Week is almost here! Please send both field trip forms in by Jan. 25th. We will be going bowling on Monday, Jan. 29th and Skateville on Friday, Feb. 2nd. Please check folders tonight for your child's family group color. We will be wearing these colors on Feb. 2nd. See photo for more details and dress up days. 

• We are still looking for 2nd and 3rd graders to sing at our Catholic Schools Week mass on Sunday, Jan. 28th. Please follow the link to sign up:

https://forms.gle/HfZv1Qi3N6SKWpfD6

• We are collecting donations for our silent auction. We are asking that each student brings in $5-$10. Thanks to those who have already brought money in! 

• Report cards and NWEA scores will be sent home with your child next week. You can also find grades on the parent portal. 

• Next weeks bible verse: "I came to bring truth to the world. All who love the truth are My followers" -John 18:37

We finished our NWEA tests this week.  Some of the second graders will receive the sacrament of Reconciliation this weekend.  They are ready!!  We also wrapped up our first semester.  Report cards will be mailed home.  The rubric for the report cards can be found on my home webpage.

Field trip forms for CSW are going home today.  They will be going bowling and to Skateville.  Please check for these and send them back with your child.  

We are collecting money to purchase a class donation for the silent auction.  The committee is asking that each child brings in $5-$10 in by the first week of February.  We will decide as a class on what items we want to purchase with the money for the auction.  

January 17 or 23 – First Eucharist Parent Meetings- parents must attend one 6:15-7:30 in the Faith Formation Office

Please send all winter gear every day with your child. 

Next week's Bible verse: "Never criticize or condemn-- or it will all come back on you." Luke 6:37

We have been working hard preparing for our First Reconciliation.  Father Gifford came in today to talk with us about it and answer any questions that the students had.  Just a reminder that there is a Reconcilation retreat on January 10 from 6-7:30.  First Reconciliation is on January 13.  They are ready!  

We will take our Reading NWEA tests on Thursday.  They did really well on their math NWEA this week!  

Next week's Bible verse: "If anyone wants to be a follower of mine, let him take up his cross and follow Me."  Matthew 16-24

Happy Friday! One more week before Christmas break!

• We will have Pajama Day on Monday (12-18). They can bring a snack to enjoy. 

• Our concert is on Tuesday (12-19). We will have a performance at 12:30 and again at 6:30 that evening. Please have your child dress up (no jeans please) for both concerts. We will be meeting in our classroom at 6:00 before our evening performance. That is also where you will pick your child up afterwards. 

• On Thursday (12-21) students may be out of uniform and instead wear green and red. We will make ginger bread stables, watch a Christmas movie and have a hot chocolate bar. It is going to be a great day!

• I posted photos of our book publishing party on Seesaw! Make sure to take a look! Class books were sent home today, so please check backpacks if you ordered a copy!

• There will be no bible verse or spelling test next week. Students will get their new list of spelling words when they return from break!

We have a lot of fun activities coming up these next few weeks.  We will be having a "publishing party" with our class books while enjoying some cookies and juice.  We will be making gingerbread stables the last week of school.  We will be having a Christmas party on the last day with some movies and a hot chocolate bar.  Please see the link below if you would like to donate for some of these fun events! 

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C094FA4AD28A3FDC43-46741976-2ndgrade

On December 15 they should wear a Christmas sweater or red and green.  

Next week's Bible verse: "Though all heaven and earth shall pass away, yet My words remain forever true." Luke 21:33

We will be having mass on Friday, Dec. 8th instead of Wednesday, Dec 6th. This is to celebrate the feast of the Immaculate Conception. Please make sure students are dressed in their nice school uniforms on Friday. 

Our class will be going to the Santa's Secret Shop on Thursday, Dec. 7th. Flyers were sent home earlier this week. Please fill out the planning sheet and send in money with your child by then.

Please check folders tonight for Math homework to complete over the weekend. Please remind your child to fill out their Lifebooks every weekend as well. 

It is starting to get cold out, so please make sure to start sending snow pants, boots, hats, gloves and jackets with your child every day. Students will not be allowed to go out for recess if they do not have all of these items on. 

Next weeks bible verse: "Love your neighbor as much as you love yourself." - Matthew 22:39

We have had a busy month so far!  We did some creative writing about what would happen if turkeys could talk.  We finished our second unit in math class and started a new unit on measurement.  We finished our first science unit and have started learning about properties and materials.  We have been talking about the Ten Commandments in religion class.  Our food drive was a success.  We collected 800 pounds of food for the Peace Center!   

Next week's Bible verse: "Oh how I praise the Lord.   How I rejoice in God my Savior!" Luke 1:46-47. 

I hope you all have a blessed Thanksgiving.  I am so thankful for each and every student and all of you amazing parents!  

This week we worked on our marthon service project.  We made cards for Baptismal boxes that are given to babies when they are baptized at St. Wenceslaus Church.  We also wrote letters to a Veteran who is in the currently hospitalized and away from his family.  

Thank you so much to those who signed up to donate an "Adopt a Family" item! Please send all items to school by Wednesday, Nov. 22nd. The slots filled up very fast and I know some of you still wanted to donate.  We will have another winter clothing drive in the near future. More details coming soon.

There is no Bible verse or spelling test next week.  

These weeks are just flying by!  We have some second grade pen pals from another school in MN.  We received our letters from them and wrote back.   This is always exciting! We also wrote letters to Veterans today.  They may be bringing their letter home to give to someone they know.  

We started a new unit in science.  We are exploring the different properties of materials.  We love going outside for science class! 

Next week's bible verse: "If you are filled with light within, then your face will be radiant too." -Luke 11:36

We had a great week this week!  They have been working very hard.  We ended the week with our sixth grade buddies.  

Since next week is a short week we will not have spelling. They do have their spelling words so they can start studying early! 

Halloween

The kids can wear orange and black on Halloween.  They can bring their costumes to school.  We will change into them after lunch.  This must be something that they can do quickly and on their own.  They may bring in prepackaged treats to share/exchange.  If they want to bring one for their 6th grade buddy, we will get it delivered!  We will be having an all school Monster Mash dance in the gym from 1:00-2:00.  You are welcome to come in costume.  Please check in at the office when you arrive and we will meet you in the gym.  Please ltet me know if you have any questions. 

Next week's Bible verse: "Go home to your friends and tell them what wonderful things God has done for them." Mark 5:19

This week is Fire Prevention Week.  We started our week off a fire drill.   We wrapped up our first unit in religion. We will start talking about the commandments.  We also finished our first math unit.  Unit two moves into two and three digit addition.  We are starting our class book.  More information will come home as we get closer to our publishing date.  

In the STEM lab we worked on building ships that can sail when blown by wind.  We also had our field trip to The Works Museum this week. 

Since next week is a short week, there will be no spelling test.  We did send out the words for the following week.  

We have our first second grade Mass on Wednesday, October 18.  

Bible verse for next week: "Your strong love for each other will prove to the world that you are my disciples." John 13:35

This week Father Gifford visited our classroom.  The students were able to ask questions and learn a little more about Father.  What a great way to start the week! Math is pretty challenging this week.  We are solving word problems with missing information, extra information, and even two step word problems!  They are doing great!  

The marathon is tomorrow! Here is the link for donations. http://saintwenceslaus.ejoinme.org/marathon2023

Next week's Bible verse: "Live in peace with each other." Mark 9:50

We continue to practice writing equations in math.  We wrapped up our chapter in religion and will begin talking about Baptism.  We started reading centers this week.  We get to combine with some students from Mrs. English's class for guided reading.  In Science class we built models of some landscapes in the STEM lab.   We ended our week with the Homecoming parade. Go Trojans!

Keep bringing in those marathon donations!  Here is the link. https://saintwenceslaus.ejoinme.org/marathon2023

We have a lot going on!  We got to meet our family groups for the first time this week.  We will continue to meet with them once a month.  It is so fun to watch them build these relationships. We went to the STEM lab and did an activity called Saving Fred. We have been working hard in math with math mountains and learning about even and odd numbers.  In science class we are learning about landforms.   We have also been working hard at building up our reading stamina.  In our religion class we are talking about the gifts God has given us.  At the end of the week we met with our sixth grade buddies.  The best part was welcoming a new classmate to second grade! 

Another great week in the books!  We are starting to get used to all of our routines and starting in on all of our classes.  We celebrated our first Mass this week.  This is such a great class! 

• Picture Day is Tuesday.  Please get those forms in if you want to order.  

• Parent information night is Tuesday from 6:30-7:00 in our classroom. Please let me know if you cannot attend.  

We had a great first week of school!  We learned all of the routines and expectations of second grade.  We had lots of fun getting to know one another.  We talked about our hopes and dreams for the year and what we need to do to make them happen.  This is going to be a great year!