October 4 Winds

Last Wednesday, we had our second 4 Winds! We learned all about life in the dirt. During the puppet show, Wiggle and Woggle worm helped us learn about what worms need to survive, and how they break down organic matter, like leaves and grass, into things that plants can use. Ask your child if they can remember the 4 things worms need to survive. 

Wear Red or Pink

Tomorrow is the Fun Run!!

If your child has something at home that is red or pink, please have them wear it to school tomorrow. Ideally, a sweatshirt, long sleeve, or jacket to wear as an outer layer. This will help me to be able to more easily identify which kids on the field are in Room 8.

Thanks so much,

Ms. Novotny

Busy Week Ahead

Tuesday, October 23rd: Pasta Dinner 

I hope to see you at the pasta dinner and book fair this evening. The book fair will be open all week long in the Learning Center before and after school.

Friday, October 26th: Fun Run 

Friday is our annual Fun Run! Our class will be outside running from 2:00-2:30. If you are able to volunteer to help at the Fun Run, please make sure you have completed the district wide volunteer form as well as the sign up genius. 

Kindness Challenge and Picture Re-Take

Good Afternoon 2nd Grade Families! 

October is National Bullying Prevention Month. Today we read a story about bullying and friendship called Stick and Stone by Beth Ferry and Tom Lichtenheld. We had a class discussion about the lesson the author is trying to teach us and how we can spread kindness at home, at school, and in the community.  

       
                              

In your child's backpack tonight you will find a "Kind Acts BINGO" game sheet. Students have been asked to complete as many of the acts of kindness on the game board as they can during the month of October. If they bring it back with at least 5 in a row completed by October 31st, they will earn a small prize of their choice. If they get 5 in a row quickly, they are encouraged to complete as many as they can for the remainder of the month. Please reach out if you have any questions or concerns.  

Wednesday, October 17th is Picture Re-Take day. We will also have our class picture taken on Wednesday. 

I look forward to meeting with all of you at conferences! 

Best,
Ms. Novotny 

Happy Friday!

Curriculum Updates 

In Social Studies, we have been learning all about different types of communities, including urban, rural, and suburban. Today, we began researching community helpers that we would like to be when we grow up!  Ask you child what community helper they chose to research. 

We are wrapping up our first unit in math- all about adding and subtracting within 20, solving word problems and showing our thinking, and identifying numbers as odd or even. 

Coding and Chess 

At Summit Street School we are very fortunate to work with talented and creative staff members who provide us with enrichment opportunities. We had our first day of Coding with Mrs. Duggan and Mr. Davidson today. Ask your child about what Coding is and what they learned how to do. 

We also had our first Chess lesson from Mr. Mills. Two of the most important things to know about Chess is that it is a quiet game and a thinking game. We are already well on our way to becoming Chess masters!  
  

Important Dates

• Picture Retake Day: Wednesday, October 17th 
• Parent Teacher Conferences: October 18th (please reach out if you do not have a time confirmed slot yet) 
• Book Fair Week: October 22nd-October 26th 
• Pasta Dinner: October 23rd 5:30-7:00 

Meet Gerald!

In case you have heard about Gerald and are wondering who he is, he is our take home class pet! Gerald will go home with your child on a Friday and must be returned to school no later than the following Wednesday. Gerald will come in a clear zippered tote bag along with a book and a journal. While Gerald is at your house, your child's job is to read to him and write about all of the adventures they had with him during their time spent together. I have done the first entry as an example of the types of information that might be included in a journal entry. They may write on more than one page. Feel free to add real photographs or your child can draw pictures to accompany their writing. If your child has not signed up for a weekend, they will receive Gerald on the next available date. I will let you know a week or so in advance in case there are conflicts with a particular weekend. Please feel free to reach out if you have any questions or concerns! 

P.S. Gerald is machine washable and will be washed between visits, however please do your best to help keep him safe while he is in your home.