Literacy   Night

     A Literacy Night announcement was sent home yesterday.  If you plan to attend, please send back the RSVP at the bottom of that page so plans for food and seating can be arranged.  It will be held April 10 with a Pizza dinner at 5:30 and activities starting at 6:00.

   Our homeroom activity will actually be done in the computer lab during the last session.  We will be talking about how to make a virtual book by using free software that you can download at home.

    We hope you come and find some fun ways to involve your child in literacy.

Earth Day

      Are you going to be doing some spring cleaning soon?  Then, help celebrate Earth day (April 22) and recycle and reuse.  The two requests below offer ideas for recycling and reusing your old things.

Magazines

      We have been using old magazines quiet a bit lately.  We’ve cut out pictures to sort things that will/will not be attracted by magnets.  In math students sorted things as to what unit of measure would be used to measure them. 

       As a result of these activities, we need more of your old magazines that are “family friendly”  with pictures for eyes of second graders.  Old catalogues have worked well. 

Treasure Chest

      Our treasure chest for use with the ACE Award drawing is in dire need of more “stuff.”   If you have toys that aren’t played with anymore please consider donating them to our class treasure chest.

Friendly Reminders

May 16^- Safety City

May 20 – Election Day – No school

May 26- Memorial Day – No school

May 30 – Last Day of school for students

Cut out & fill out this coupon and redeem for 2 ACE Awards

Date ________________

Child Signature ____________________________  Parent Signature __________________________

Safety City Again

Due to the approaching weather last Friday, the Safety City Instructor recommended that we schedule for another day hoping for more sun than rain. So as you already know, we still didn’t go to Safety City.

     At the writing of this newsletter we were trying to confirm the date of May 16^th.  If that date doesn’t work then it will be May 22.

      As we approach that date, please be on the look out for yet another permission form to be signed for that date.

Grade Cards

       The new date for grade cards to be sent home is March 26th. 

Jump Rope for Heart

 Due March 21.

Steel Band

     The Arts Department at ACE is asking that every child contribute $1.00 to help bring the UK Steel Band to our school this month. It will be a performance that your child will remember for years. Donations are due by March 21. 

Friendly Reminder

March 31 to April 4, 2008. -Spring Break

May 20 – Election Day – No school

May 26- Memorial Day – No school

May 30 – Last Day of school for students

Cut out & fill out this coupon and redeem for 2 ACE Awards

Date ________________

Child Signature ____________________________  Parent Signature __________________________

Valentine’s Day

       Our class will be provided time to exchange Valentine Cards.  Please encourage your child to make their own Valentine Cards and use their writing skills which provides something they have written from their heart. 

The students in our class include:

Prashanta                    Emma

Larissa                        Kali

Joseph                        Mary

Beau                            Greg

Hope                           Jaxon

Saben                         Michael

Alexis                         Desiree

Trey                           Tatsuya

Savanna                      Kaelynn

Drew                          Kevin

Ashley                       Blake

Kana

Agenda

    Parents/Guardians, please remember to sign your child’s agenda every night.  Are they getting their spelling homework done and turned in? 

Field Trip

    Please find attached to this week’s papers a permission form to fill out for our Field Trip to Safety City on

February 21st.  There is no cost for this field trip.

Friendly Reminder

There WILL be school

February 15, 2008.

That will be a make up day for a snow day we’ve had this year.

There will be no school on February 18, 2008 to observe President’s Day.

Cut out & fill out this coupon and redeem for 2 ACE Awards

Date ________________

Child Signature ____________________________  Parent Signature __________________________

Scissors

Last month the following request was made. 

   Some of the scissors bought at the beginning of the year have fallen apart.  We would appreciate donations of new scissors for our class.

  We only got one pair of scissors.

Reading Logs

     Look for reading logs to change in the near future.  Students will be required to answer specific questions. 

    Please keep up the good work.  Remember it’s 20 minutes of reading each night.

Respecting Property

     I bought baskets at the beginning of the last school year for students to keep supplies on their tables.  All of the baskets made it through the year last year.  However,  so far this year, 3 of the baskets are already fallen apart where students have taken scissors and cut them apart.   Rule number 3 in our class is to “Treat self, others, and property with respect.”  We hope students learn this school rule which is a very important rule in life.    

Spelling Homework

    Please notice that small spelling assignments have been added to the homework agenda.  Students should be familiar with how to do these assignments since we have been doing them in class.

Cut out & fill out this coupon and redeem for 2 ACE Awards

Date ________________

Child Signature ____________________________  Parent Signature __________________________

Friendly Reminder

Remember to sign the agenda every night. J

Scissors

   Some of the scissors bought at the beginning of the year have fallen apart.  We would appreciate donations of new scissors for our class.

Math Tiles

     The math tile session for Friday, December 14, has been canceled due to a school wide presentation scheduled for 8:00 that morning.  

      We hope to see you next year at our first math tile session on January 4^th. 

December Holiday Party

     Our class will be reading books and articles about table manners and how to set a table.  We’ll be decorating our table with 3-D figures we have been studying math.  All of this is to get us ready for our special dinner on December 19^th.  We’ll set up our class tables with table clothes and bring our lunch to the room.  I highly encourage students to buy their lunch that day so they will feel a part of this special event.  Sorry, we don’t have the space for parents and family to come to this lunch event.  If you would like to eat lunch with your child that week, we’d love for you to come on Monday or Tuesday of that week.

     However, we’d like to see the families for dessert time!   We are asking families to bring in a dessert (finger food type) that is traditionally made by your family at this time of the year. 

Reading Homework

    Due to assessments last week and this week, there will not be reading homework.  However, students must still turn in their weekly reading log as usual.

Cut out & fill out this coupon and redeem for 2 ACE Awards

Date ________________

Child Signature ____________________________  Parent Signature __________________________

 Our Social Studies Class Project

     Again thank you for your donations for the Iraqi gift box.  Donations will be accepted through November 20.

      Book Orders

    Finally day to turn in the “Lucky Book Club” order (sent home last week) will be tomorrow, November 20^th. I want to send it off before I leave for Thanksgiving holiday so we can get it back before the December Holidays.

  Web Link Practice

  Check out the new activity links or our class web page.

Parent Conference

     If you haven’t had a conference this semester, please feel free to schedule one.  I am available on most Tuesdays after our staff meeting is over…between 4 & 4:30 and on Thursdays after dismissal duty is over, around 3:00.

Important Dates

November 21-23- Thanksgiving Holidays

      Pilgrim/Native American

     Students are encouraged to dress up in costumes representing Native Americans and Pilgrims Tuesday, November 20^th.  We are wrapping up our Social Studies Unit.

Cut out & fill out this coupon and redeem for 2 ACE Awards

Date ________________

Child Signature ____________________________  Parent Signature __________________________

 Our Social Studies Class Project

     Again thank you for your donations for the Iraqi gift box.  Donations will be accepted through November 20.

      National Young Reader’s Day

    Tuesday, November 12, is National Young Reader’s Day .  We are expecting to have guest readers in our class.  A letter was sent home to parents asking if they would like to attend during the morning literacy time to be a part of the event.  We’d like for you to come and share your favorite book and read with small groups of students.  Please be here around 9:00.

Learning Targets for this Week

I can find key ideas in a written piece.

I can compare the cultures of different Native American tribes.

I can tell others how to do something by writing to them.

I can use paper and pencil strategies to add two and three digit numbers.

I can demonstrate/show understanding of Unit 4 concepts

I can measure to the nearest inch and centimeter.

I can explore area by using color tiles

I am learning to solve two addition problems by using the partial sums addition algorithm.

I can demonstrate and show an understanding of things that have already been taught this year

Special Speaker

     Thanks to Mrs. Masters, we have scheduled a speaker from the Natural History Museum of Lexington to come and speak about the Cherokee culture.  If you have knowledge about this topic, you might want to discuss it with your child before November 20^th.

Important Dates

November 13- Picture retakes for absences, blurred, closed eyes, etc. only

November 21-23- Thanksgiving Holidays

Cut out & fill out this coupon and redeem for 2 ACE Awards

Date ________________

Child Signature ____________________________  Parent Signature __________________________

____ Yes, I am signing my child’s agenda each night. 

Math Tiles

       We had several parents to come and help with math tiles last Friday.  Thanks to the families of Greg, Drew, Kana, Beau, Larissa, Jaxon & Michael.  (I hope I didn’t miss anyone.)  Because we had a lot of folks helping Mrs. Rice and Ms. Buckingham, the children concentrated better and completed several tiles.

        If you haven’t had a chance to come by on Friday mornings from 7:45 to 8:45 to help with math tiles, then give it a try.  It will sure get your day off to a grand start.  It’s really easy but yet can twist your brain sometimes as well.

Our Social Studies Class Project

     A BIG thank-you to Katherine Bessette and Larissa for getting our presentation board together.  Ms. Bessette worked on the board until 2:00 a.m Friday morning.  Wow!

     Then hearts poured out Friday morning as several students brought in donations for our CARE package we are sending the soldiers for their December Holiday. 

       Ms. Nicole Fox Moore has spearheaded this project.  She says the cards the children made for Spc. Joshua are “just precious.” 

      As of now, donations will be accepted until the Thanksgiving Holiday. 

Learning Targets for this Week

I can find key ideas in a written piece.

I can compare the cultures of different Native American tribes.

I can tell others how to do something by writing to them.

I can use estimation to solve problems.

I can add two digit numbers mentally.

I can measure to the nearest inch and centimeter.

I can demonstrate and show an understanding of things that have already been taught this year.

Max & Erma’s

     Please find in the ACE folder tonight a coupon for Max & Erma’s to be used tonight only.  It’s a money maker for our PTA (our school).  So since there is no school tomorrow, why not have a night out at Max and Erma’s with some great food and a pain free way to help our school.

Important Dates

November 6, 2007 - Election Day– No classes for students.

November 21-23- Thanksgiving Holidays

Cut out & fill out this coupon and redeem for an ACE Award

Date ________________

Child Signature ____________________________  Parent Signature __________________________

____ Yes, I saw this week’s packet of work done (or not done.) 

Carnival Help

       Our class will have 3 ways to make money at the Carnival.  Creating a “Basket” and a Class Project both of which will be auctioned, and running a game booth.  Our  class is signed up to manage the Bingo game.  Please see the attached sheet for information about the  Bingo game booth and highly consider signing up to help for a short period of time.  Your volunteer time will greatly be appreciated.   As you will see, you’ll only work for a short period of time and still have plenty of time to have fun at the rest of the Carnival. 

         First returned is first considered for time.  Thank you in advance. 

   Ms. Buckingham

Our Carnival Class Project

The ACE Fall Carnival will be Friday,

October 26 from 5:30 to 9:00.  Thanks

to Nicole Fox, our class is making a piece

of pottery with our student’s finger prints.  

 You’ll have to come to the Carnival to see

this one of a kind piece and place a bid to

buy it.

Family Night Out!

     Our class is also putting together a “Family Night Out Basket” that will be auctioned off on Carnival night.  We are asking for donations to this basket.   Think about something you might do on a night out with your family.  Remember a family can have a “Night Out” at home as well.  So we are thinking of things like:

*movie tickets       *movie rentals

*popcorn               *board games to play at home

*pizza coupons     *free night at a hotel

      Think about whom you know and the business they own or work with and ask for donations to our “Family Night Out” basket. 

    Please send the items to school by Oct. 23.  We have to have the basket wrapped by Oct. 24. Thanks to Kathy Carroll who will be collecting these items  and putting the basket together. 

Cut out & fill out this coupon and redeem for an ACE Award

Date ________________

Child Signature ____________________________  Parent Signature ___________________________

Carnival Class Basket

     So far our class has collected NOTHING for our class basket.  Our theme is “Family Night Out!”  Please, please help us out by donating something for the basket.  Perhaps pick up a gift card to a restaurant or maybe a boxed Pizza with a plastic red & white checkered table cloth.  Just anything that would make a special night for a family.  

     Please send your items by Tuesday.   

Our Carnival Class Project

      Thanks to Nicole Fox, our class project is complete.  You’ll have to come to the Carnival to see it.

Carnival Help

    Thanks to the following people for signing up to help with our Bingo booth at the Carnival.  I’m sorry if you didn’t get your first choice.  We really do appreciate your help.  I think you’ll find out that it will be fun.  Don’t forget your child might be able to help you.

     We still need help for the 8 & 8:30 slot.  Also, we were trying to recruit 2 people per time. 

5:50-6:30  Takeshia Mack

                  Adrien Givens

6:30-7:00  Leigh Carr

                  ___________

7:00-7:30  Nicole Fox

                  Kathy Carroll

7:30-8:00  Monica Ritchie

                  ___________

8:00-8:30  ___________

                  ___________

8:30-9:00  ___________

                  ___________

Cut out & fill out this coupon and redeem for an ACE Award

Date ________________

Child Signature ____________________________  Parent Signature ___________________________

_____Yes I would like to help in the Bingo booth at the Carnival @ ________pm.

Carnival Class Basket

     Thanks to all of you that have donated to the basket.  It’s an awesome basket of games with coupons to various restaurants and theatres.  Katherine Bessette is wrapping the basket and said she will take last minute things Friday morning.   

Our Carnival Class Project

      Expect to see a persuasive letter from your child asking you to buy the plate.   Students have done an excellent job writing this letter.

Carnival Help

Please see the schedule below to find the time you are working.  I hope no one was overlooked and I’m sorry everyone didn’t get their first choice.  From my heart thanks to those that have volunteered.  JB

5:50-6:30  Takeshia Mack

              Adrien Givens

6:30-7:00  Leigh Carr

              Tracey Couch

7:00-7:30  Nicole Fox

              Kathy Carroll

7:30-8:00  Monica Ritchie

              Ben Lutz

8:00-8:30  Nancy Sutton

              Alexis Makayla Lutz

8:30-9:00  Eddie Mesta

              Kay Hazelwood

Cut out & fill out this coupon and redeem for an ACE Award

Date ________________

Child Signature ____________________________  Parent Signature ___________________________

_____Yes I will try to sign my child’s Agenda each night and check for completion of homework.

Specials Schedule

October

  Note: The order of the specials creates the acronym PSALM   which means song.  

What are we doing?

Math – Number facts and the different ways of learning them.  Practice, practice, practice.  Also working on reading problems that require addition or subtraction.

Reading and Writing – Informational Reading – text features such as captions, labeled pictures, bulleted lists & bold letters.  The purpose of informational reading is to read for facts.  A fact is a statement that cannot be changed.

    Several students are still finishing their personal narrative.

Social Studies – Culture and life of the Inuit Tribe.  More tribes to be studied later.

    Be sure each night to check Agenda and ACE folder for work sent home.  

    Also, check our class website for some links to activities that supplement our lessons.

Important Dates

          October 1- 5 - Book Fair  

          October 11 – School Pictures

          October 18 & 19 – No school for students.

          October 22 – Grade cards go out

          October 26 – Fall Carnival

Cut out & fill out this coupon and redeem for an ACE Award

Date ________________

Child Signature ____________________________  Parent Signature ___________________________

Math Tiles

      Our schedule is finally coming together.  It looks like we are going to be able to have Math Tiles 7:35-8:30 on Friday mornings.  Since the other second grade classes and maybe others are having Math Tiles at that time there may be a problem with parking which means we might have to change our time.  Hopefully, having it first thing in the morning will save a trip thus save fuel.  We’d love to have anyone to come and help us out during this time.  Math Tiles is a fast pace program all students seem to love!  They especially love it when you someone they know comes in to help.  We hope to see you.

Homework Folders

     The red homework folder has gone home every night this week.  Please check it every night for important information from the school, finished work that needs to stay home (usually with a check mark) and work or forms that need to be returned.  When/if your child brings back unfinished work that they finished, please remind them to put it directly in the basket for me to check.  Students do know where this basket is located.  Other homework will not be turned in at this time but rather at the time of the lesson. 

     Next week we’ll be sending home books to be read every night along with a reading log to be filled out each night and turned in at the end of the week.

Important Dates

      Monday, September 4 -There will be no school due to the Labor Day Holiday.

      October 18 & 19 – No school for students.

Agendas/Planners/Homework Notebook

     Not sure what to call these but we’ve had a few students to forget to bring these to school each morning.  When that happens, students will write necessary information on a piece of paper and take it home and copy it into the Planner.

Cut out & fill out this coupon and redeem for an ACE Award

Date ________________

Child Signature ____________________________  Parent Signature _______________________________

Math Tiles

      There will be no school Friday, September 27, 2007 so there will be no math tiles.

Volunteers

     If you’ve thought about being a volunteer for our school and haven’t done so yet, please check with the office to find out what you have to do to become a volunteer.  We’d love to have your help.

    In our classroom you will find a “Volunteer Folder” that provides some tips, instructions and a to-do list.  You’ll find this folder as you come in the room. 

Important Dates

October 18 & 19 – No school for students.

Election Day, November 6, 2007 – No classes for students

Class Website

       Emma, one of our class members, has suggested that we post the poems we have read in class on our website.  What a great idea!  Hopefully, that will be done soon.

       We’ve also had several students to spend spare time writing poetry.  Why not post those on our class site as well? 

         As always, you’ll find the address for our website at the top of this newsletter.

Cut out & fill out this coupon and redeem for an ACE Award

Date ________________

Child Signature ____________________________  Parent Signature _______________________________

Math Tiles

Correction about Math Tiles Time.

     The last newsletter stated math tiles would start at 7:35.  The time should be 7:45. After the pledge, we can start distributing the boards and tiles.  Attendance and other morning chores will have to be taken care of by the teacher but parents and teachers can start working immediately.  The students really love this activity and they love to share this time with someone from their family.  Thanks to Mr. Carroll at the last session for offering some strategy tips for completing the tile puzzles.  

Reading Homework and Logs

Reading Logs started going home last week.  This week each student got a new log on Monday.  There are 5 spaces, one for each night of the school week.  That means students are to bring it in on Monday and pick up a new one for the week. 

Please encourage your child to read at least 20 minutes a night.  Have your child write a statement or comment about what they read.  This week some of the comments from students have been very insightful.  Remember statements such as, “I like the book,” do not really show the book has been read. 

Some students, depending on their reading group have brought home some reading homework.  This can count as the 20 minutes of reading or as extra reading.  You can be the judge. 

Important Dates

September 20 –

Curriculum night for parents.

October 18 & 19 –

 No school for students.

New Homework Folder

   We’ve just received new school folders for students to transport homework and papers to home.  We’ll keep the red folder at school.

     It is important that an adult at home check their child’s Homework notebook and school folder each school night for important information and school work.  Please initial the date in the homework notebook to show you looked at it.  Ace awards will be given occasionally to students who have asked parents to initial their notebooks.

ACE Class Treasure Chest Donations

We draw ACE awards for each day.  Winners get a prize from the treasure chest.  The number of prizes is getting low.  One of the most fun things we’ve done in the past is using the old saying “What is someone’s junk is someone else’s treasure.”   Take a look at your small toys at home and decide what you don’t want any more and consider donating it to the class treasure chest.  You might be surprised that someone else would like to have your old toy you don’t play with any more.

Cut out & fill out this coupon and redeem for an ACE Award

Date ________________

Child Signature ____________________________  Parent Signature _______________________________

Snack Time

Our first snack experience involved Cheeto finger prints on papers, and sticky pencils.  We have to take care of our books, papers and supplies.  It seems that students are beginning to adapt to the 10:50 lunch time.  Eating a complete healthy breakfast will help students make it to lunch time. 

Gentle Reminder

      A few people need to turn in the $13 for the agenda and news magazine.

    Also, if you still have not turned in signed forms, please do so as soon as possible.

Homework Folders

     Homework folders went out today.  Notice one pocket is marked “Keep” and one for “Return.”  Papers that have been checked and don’t need to be signed should be in the “Keep” pocket. 

Homework

Next week’s homework will be 20 minutes of reading each night of the school week.  Students may read from books they take home or something they have at home.  Encourage reading from a variety of sources. 

     To find out why we here at ACE believe in 20 minutes of reading each night.

     Recess and Weather

     We haven’t been able to have outdoor recess as much this week due to the rain or very hot weather.  When we can’t go outside, we try to do something that has the children up and moving around in the room.  If you have any ideas for indoor activities, especially donations of toys, we would appreciate hearing from you. 

         Pop top water bottles have really come in handy when returning from a hot recess and not having the time to stand in line at the water fountain.  Students have been very responsible with their water bottles.  Remember we are only filling them with water.

Off to a Smooth Start!

A Word from Ms. B

     Students are picking up quickly on routines as they are introduced and practiced daily.  We are using a program called CHAMPS to help students know what type of behavior is expected of them in the learning environment at ACE. 

     Room 187 has been blessed with special, precious children.  They are all eager to learn and ready for our mission to be the top in the school, district and even state. 

     Everyday they have acquired class compliments from people in the hall as they show themselves to be the best behaved in the school and they truly ARE the best behaved. Parents/Guardians/Grandparents would be so proud if they could see how well their child is behaving.  I know I gleam at how they make me look.  Of course we know who gets the credit for a well behaved child..........Parents/Guardians.  Job well done.  

 Thanks, Ms. Buckingham

Gentle Reminder

      If you haven’t turned in all your paperwork, please do so as soon as possible.

Homework Folders

     Homework folders have been acquired.  We’ll probably start using them next week.

Snack Time

     I understand that traditionally second grade has a mid morning snack time.   Your child is invited to bring a snack to keep in their book bag until snack time is announced.  Sorry, we won’t be able to share snacks for hygiene reasons and possible food allergies. 

      Also, because the water fountains are really busy in the afternoon with long lines, your child is invited to bring a water bottle with a pop up top to keep on their desk.  However, if the water bottle causes the student to miss a lot of class time because of extensive trips to the bathroom, the water bottle may be limited for that child.  Because children will have water and we want to keep our books and papers clean, we won’t be having other beverages during snack time.

ACE Birthday Sponsored by PTA

       There will be an ACE birthday party at Jacobson Park at 6:30 Thursday night, August 16, 2007.  Take a picnic lunch and have a great time.