Another great week in second grade!  I am really enjoying this class.  We are working on using our time wisely.  They may be coming home with some homework sheets here and there while we work on this skill.  We do have time at the end of the day on Friday to catch up on unfinished work.  If they are all caught up, they go to free choice.  

We got 3rd place for marathon this week.  We will have a hat day on Monday! Great work!!

This week's Bible verse: "Come to terms quickly before it is too late." Matthew 5:25

Ask me about cue: the four types of sentences, the names of the three divine persons in the Blessed Trinity

What a busy week! 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 how God created everything out of nothing.  

Mass dates- Our first feast day will be October 1.  Students should wear their white polos to school.  I will add the other feast days to the calendar.  The second graders will lead mass on October 22. 

Dozinky- Feel free to send candy for the parade to the office.  The parade is next Saturday, September 20.  Wear a red SWS shirt and bring a bucket if you want to hand out candy! Please send in any candy donations beforehand as well. 

Ask me about cue- 99 math, Saving Fred

Next week's Bible verse: "Your care for others is the measure of your greatness."  Luke 9:48

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.   This is such a great class! 

Picture Day is Tuesday.  Please get those forms in if you want to order.  They can be out of uniform for their picture and dress their best! 

Grandparent Interviews- If they are able to interview their grandparents about what it was like when they went to school, that would be so great!  Please send those interviews back in with your child when they finish and they can share their answers with the class.  

September Homework Choice Board- I am sending this home today.  This is COMPLETELY optional.  They can complete as many as they can and turn it back in at the end of the month for a small treat or prize of some sort.  

Marathon- We got second place this week for the marathon collection.  We get to have an extra recess next week!  Great work second grade!  Keep collecting!! 

6/7th Grade Buddies- We met with our buddies this week.  We will meet up with them once a month.  

Ask Me About Cue- 6/7 grade buddies

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 better.  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!  

WIshlist- Thanks to all who have donated from our wish list.  There are many packages that were not marked with a name, so I just want to thank you all!  

Lifebooks- You will see that their homework is to write in their lifebook.  I sent home a letter about this and they did an example of a writing entry today in class.  They will do this every weekend.  If they have a busy weekend, they can get it in during the week sometime.  We use these for our morning meetings and sharing.  

Picture Days- Picture day will be on September 9 or 10.  Once I know when second grade is going I will let you know.  They can dress their best (no uniforms) on this day.  

I can't believe next week is our last week together! Here are some reminders for the remainder of the year.

• NWEA scores went home this week.  

• The kids are out of uniform all week next week.  Monday is Glow Up day. Please send them in any neon colors or white!  It's going to be a fun day! 

• We will have a picnic outside on Thursday and will be playing outside all afternoon.  Please send water bottles and sunscreen for your child.  

• Report cards will be on Sycamore.  Please check the rubric on my website to help understand the scores.  

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! 

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, they will wear their family group color for field day.  I sent home a piece of paper with their family group color today. 

Bible verse for next week:   Turn from sin, and turn to God, for the Kingdom of heaven is near.  Matthew 4:17

• Our 6th grade buddies made us breakfast!  They decorated and made is super special.  Thanks 6th graders! 

• Wednesday, May 7th 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: "If you are friendly only to your friends, how are you different from anyone else?" Matthew 5:47

Mrs. Soderlund's last day was on Thursday.  We were so blessed to have her in the classroom and will miss her! 

Tomorrow is the First Communion retreat.  Please be in the gym at 8:30.  It will go until noon.  

On Monday our 6th grade buddies will be making us breakfast to celebrate their upcoming First Communion.  They should come to school with a big appetite! :) 

Our Spring Concert is May 1. We will have the living rosary at 9:00.  We will follow that with the concert at 10:00.  The kids can be out of uniform and should dress their best.  Doors will open at 6:00 in the evening for the 6:30 performance.  Please pick your child up in the classroom after the evening performance.  

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

NWEA testing starts next week.  We will have our math NWEA test on Thursday.  If you want to review, please check in with them to see if they can count coins, tell time to the 5 minutes, measure objects to the nearest inch, and add and subtract 3 digit numbers (which I believe they all have down).  

Mrs. Soderlund's last day is next week Thursday.  We will have a surprise celebration for her at the end of the day.  The kids don't know about this yet.  Thanks for all of your donations for her gift/celebration.  I will send pictures next Thursday.  We have been so lucky to have her in our room this semester! 

 I hope you all have a wonderful Easter break!  

A lot of kids did their Bible verse early!  But here is next week's Bible verse: "God is ready to give blessings to all who come to Him." Luke 4:19

April 26 is the First Communion Retreat! Please check your email that I sent today for information on that and First Communion.  

Thursday, May 1 is the spring concert.  We will have the living rosary that morning at 9:00.  After the rosary 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 7 is our second grade mass.  They should wear their First Communion clothes.  They can bring clothes to change into after Mass (out of dress code).  If they are not receiving their First Communion, they should dress their best! 

There will be no Bible verse or spelling next week! 

Next week we will be going to Reconciliation.  We will review how to go to Reconciliation beforehand.  

The retreat for First Communion is on April 26 from 8:30-12.  

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 have been having lots of fun programming and learning with the robots!  

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.  

Yearbook sales have started! Order yours here now! More information below. Contact Joan May with any questions. 

We will wear green on the 17th for St. Patrick's Day! We will wear fun socks on March 21 for World Down Syndrome Day!

We are still collecting personal care items for the Peace Center.  Please send those in by April 11.  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!  

Just a reminder that there is no school on Monday, March 10.  

We are collecting personal care items for the Peace Center.  Please send those in by April 11.  Thank you! 

Ask me about cue: Volcanoes

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

Please have your child finish up their February reading challenge this week. Sign it and send it back to school by Wednesday, Feb. 26th for a small treat. 

Thank you to all of our mystery readers this month!  I think this is the most mystery readers that I have ever had! 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.  

March 17 is our next second grade mass.  

Conferences are Thursday, Feb. 27th. I'm excited to meet with all of you again! Please let me know if you cannot make it that day and would like to meet the week prior.   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, watching the teachers vs 8th graders dodgeball game, the talent show, 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 sent home a reading challenge for I love to read month today.  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 mass. Students who are singing should arrive 15 minutes early and find Ms. Shimota.  She will help them with where to go.  They should wear their school uniform.  Out of dress code passes will be given out on Monday to all students who attend in their uniform on Sunday! 

• Skateville is Monday. 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 in a seperate envelope so we can have those ready for the kids.   

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

February 7- Snuggle Up and Read- Bring a blanket to snuggle up with for independent reading. 

February 14- Buddy Read- Bring a stuffed animal in to read for independent reading. 

February 21- Read in the Dark- Bring a flashlight from home to read in the dark during independent reading. 

February 26- 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. All you would do is show up with a book to read to the class.  If you would like to be a Mystery Reader in my classroom during the month of February, please let me know and send me a few dates that work for you. Keep it a secret from your child! Grandparents, relatives, etc. are welcome as well! 

• 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- "We must worship God, and Him alone.  So it is written in the Scriptures."  Luke 4:8

We finished our NWEA tests this week. I will share these with you at conferences.  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 on Sycamore by Tuesday. You can log in by going to the school website--current families--parent portal.  The rubric for the report cards can be found on my home webpage. Just a reminder that 2s at this point are ok!  We are aiming for 3s by the end of the year. 

Parent meeting for Eucharist; Choose which date you will attend; 

Wednesday, January 29 OR Thursday, February 6 at 6:30 pm in the Faith Formation Office. At least one parent must attend one of the meetings for your child to receive their First Eucharist. 

We had so many auditions for the talent show and I cannot just choose a few. While I will still need to choose a few for the whole school show, we will have our own classroom talent show as well so that we can show off all of our wonderful talents!  We will do it at 1:30 on Tuesday of Catholic School's Week.  

We are still looking for singers at our Catholic Schools Week mass on Sunday, Jan. 26th. Please follow the link to sign up: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0844A5AA2EA7F4C43-54243702-catholic.

Ask me about cue: Martin Luther King, Jr. 

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

Field Trips- Permission slips went home for Catholic Schools Week Trips! Please fill those out and return them to me.  

Mass Readings- If your child is doing a reading on Tuesday, please practice with them at home!  

Tuesday, January 14- Second Grade Mass- FEAST DAY!

Wednesday, January 15- Reconciliation Retreat 6-7:30- Parent and child should attend.

Saturday, January 18, 2024 ~ Reconciliation ~ 8:30 or 9:45 am in the St. Wenceslaus Church. If your last name begins with letters A-L, you can come at 8:30 am. If your last name begins with M-Z, your time will begin at 9:45 am.  If there are any conflicts with this, please let me know.  

Ask Me About Cue- Our new student teacher! 

Tuesday, January 14- Second Grade Mass

Wednesday, January 15- Reconciliation Retreat 6-7:30- Parent and child should attend.

Saturday, January 18, 2024 ~ Reconciliation ~ 8:30 or 9:45 am in the St. Wenceslaus Church. If your last name begins with letters A-L, you can come at 8:30 am. If your last name begins with M-Z, your time will begin at 9:45 am.  If there are any conflicts with this, please let me know.  

Parent meeting for Eucharist; Choose which date you will attend; 

Wednesday, January 29 OR Thursday, February 6 at 6:30 pm in the Faith Formation Office. At least one parent must attend one of the meetings for your child to receive their First Eucharist. 

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

We had such a fun week!  I hope you all have a Merry Christmas! 

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

Happy Friday! One more week before Christmas break!

• We will have Pajama Day on Monday (12-16). 

• Our concert is on Tuesday (12-17). 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 Friday (12-20) 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!

• Our class books are here!  Please keep them in their backpacks if they brought them home.  We are going to share them with our buddies on Monday! 

• We did our marathon service project this week.  The second graders decorated 90 Christmas cards for the residents at Mala Strana.  

• If anyone wants to be a follower of mine, let him take up his cross and follow Me.  Matthew 16:24

Thanksgiving Day Mass- Singers needed!  Here is a link to sign up to have your child sing at the Thanksgiving Day Mass at 8:00.  There is just one rehearsal the day before Thanksgiving from 6:00-6:30. https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0F4BA5A723A3FDC61-53242762-thanksgiving

Adopt a Family- Our class will be participating in the Adopt a Family program.  If you would like to donate, please let me know and that will determine how big of a family we can choose. 

Class Book- The order forms went home yesterday.  Please return this by Monday even if you do NOT want a book.  Just check no on the bottom of the form and sign it.  If all forms come back we will get a class copy for free.  

Food Drive- Please send in any food drive items by next Wednesday, November 20.  You can send them in any time.  

Bible verse for next week-  "Love your neighbor as much as you love yourself." Matthew 22:39

Ask me about cues- Class book, the continent song

Second graders voted this week!  They registered for voting, read Grace for President, watched a video about voting, and cast their ballots! 

We had our marathon pizza party today!  What a fun celebration! Way to go second graders! 

Our second grade mass is this week.  Mass is at 8:00 if you would like to join us!

Bible verse for next week:  "Oh, how I praise the Lord.  How I rejoice in God my Savior." Luke 1: 46, 47

Marathon reward- We will do our class pizza party on November 8.  We will do this at the end of the day so they will still have school lunch that day. 

1st/2nd Grade Mass- Our Mass is on November 13.  If they have a reading part or gifts, they will know by the end of the day today. I will post the next mass date for second grade as soon as I know when it is.  

Religion- Father Gifford is coming on Mondays to explain the different parts of the mass to the kids.  They loved our first meeting with him! 

Ask me about cue- The Monster Mash, our class book

Bible verse for next week- "If you are filled with light within, then your face will be radiant too." Luke 11:36

I can't believe we are almost into November! 

Conferences- I look forward to talking to all of you!  If you need a different time slot, I am available before and after school on Monday as well! Otherwise I will see you on Tuesday! 

Pumpkins- We will start our book reports next week.  Please have pumpkins in by Monday.  We do have a few extra as well.  

Halloween- They can wear orange and black on Halloween.  We will change into costumes in the afternoon.  The costume change needs to be quick and easy.  Please don't send anything too complicated.  There WILL be a dance again this year from 1-2.  

Feast Day- November 1 is a feast day.  Please have them wear their white polos.  

Ask me about cue- our ships

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

We went to the Cathedral on Monday.  Their faces were priceless.  Their jaws dropped as we walked in and it was so awesome to see their reactions.  

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 to write our class book.  More information will come home as we get closer to our publishing date.  

In the STEM lab will be  working on building ships that can sail when blown by wind.  

Since next week is a short week, there will be no spelling test.  We did send out the words for the following week.  There will also be no Bible verse to memorize. 

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

We got to meet with our Family Groups this week!  They are looking forward to meeting with them every month.  

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!  We also finished up our DIgital Citizen lessons.  

On Monday we will be going to the Cathedral for the rosary.  Just a reminder to send them in their white polos.  They will wear their blazers and cardigans to the Cathedral.  

Next week's Bible verse: Be prepared for you don't know what day your Lord is coming.  Matthew 24:42

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.   In Science class we built models of some landscapes in the STEM lab.   We ended our week with the Homecoming parade. Go Trojans!

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