Looking Ahead...

Math- Get out those extra coins!  We are going to be practicing counting change as well as making change.  This is a difficult skill for many children and can be practiced at school as well as at home.  We will be working with clocks and telling time to the nearest five minute mark.

Science- I apologize for the short notice for our next science unit.  I appreciate any donations that you can make.  

Early Release Days- October 22, October 29 and November 12.

November 7- paper making demonstration.

Arundel/MSAD71 will be sponsoring RSU Informational Meetings to answer questions the public may have on the consolidation process and the RSU Plan.  The meetings will be on: Thursday, 10/16/08, 7 PM, Mildred L Day School in Arundel at 7 PM and Saturday ,10/25/08, 9 AM,  Consolidated School Gym, Kennebunkport. On Tuesday, October 21, 2008, 7 PM, at the Kennebunk Elementary School Cafeteria, there will be a Public Hearing. 
For further information go to www.msad71.net. 

Thank you,

Jen Lewia
 

Science, Science, and more Science 

        In preparation for an upcoming science lesson we are asking for help with gathering a few supplies. The supplies will be used to challenge the children’s senses as we map out on a brain diagram the connections being made as they explore.

1.      Fresh Herbs (Parsley, cilantro, mint, rosemary, dill, anise, chives, etc)

2.      Cooking Ingredients ( garlic, ginger, horseradish, cloves, etc)

3.      Unfamiliar fruits ( mango, kiwi, passion fruit, pomegranate, guava, star fruit, etc)

4.      Small re-sealable plastic bags

Please label any herbs, ingredients, and/or fruits you send in!

Please send in items on Thursday, October 23th.

We are settling into a routine here and I am now looking forward to inviting volunteers into the classroom.  I will contact you by phone to schedule a time.

The students are learning about our community and what goods, products and services are relevant to where we live.  On October 2 we will be exploring downtown Kennebunk and visiting some local businesses.   We welcomed the grounds crew of MSAD 71 to our school last week.  They were able to demonstrate the uses of the vehicles used to keep our schools looking neat and also how math and science are an integral part of their jobs. 

 Thank you for taking the time to talk about the math homework at home.  I explained to the students that the math homework is one way to keep parents up to date on what we are learning in each math unit.  This is a great opportunity for you as parents to have a discussion about how math may impact our everyday lives. Everyday Math is a spiraling program so we often revisit similar concepts many times throughout the year. This gives the students many opportunities to learn and relearn important concepts. 

The children are reading a tremendous amount at home.  I will continue to help to guide them with their book choices and remind them that they are always welcome to bring home books from our classroom library. 

Remember that we do have time in the afternoon for a "working snack".  Please send in a small "dry" snack that is easy to eat and satisfying. The students are often very hungry in the late afternoon as we eat lunch at 11:00.

Thank you to Chase and Jacob T. for donating books to our classroom library.  I know we will all enjoy them.

Upcoming events and important dates:

• October 1 - Early Release Day
• October 2 - Walking Field Trip
• October 3 - Picture Day
• October 7 - Emergency Services Field Trip

Sincerely,

Jen 

I am pleased to inform you that we are hosting a guest speaker tomorrow, September 18, who will be addressing the second graders at an afternoon assembly.

Thom Harnett, Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights, Education and Enforcement and Director of the Civil Rights Team Project, will talk to the students about kindness, respect for others, what makes a healthy school community, what it feels like to be left out or mistreated, how we sometimes hurt others without even meaning to, and simple things we can do as individuals to make things better.

This assembly supports our continuing efforts to promote positive behavior and sustain a culture of caring.

Sincerely,

Sara

What a fabulous way to start the year.  Everyone seemed to have a smooth transition into second grade.  The first few weeks of school are dedicated to getting the routine and rules down pat so the children feel comfortable in the classroom.  We are enjoying many activities the help us to get to know each other.  Today we talked about what RESPECT looks like and feels like. 

We have started our Everyday Math Program and are practicing counting coins.  This is often a difficult skill and practice at home is important.  There is no math homework for a few weeks, so the children can enjoy the beautiful weather.  I have not formally introduced the program for reading at home.  We will start this next week.  

I am sending home a note today with a film canister.  Please put 20 Pennies, 5 Nickels, 10 dimes and 4 Quarters in it.  We will use these coins all year long.

I will be starting my volunteer program in a few weeks.  I like to have the kids all to myself for a few weeks.  I will contact all people who signed up to help out.

 Scholastic Book Club  orders will be due on  September 17. 

Schedule changes 

We will be having a small working snack in the afternoon.  The children are hungry at the end of the day.  Please pack a snack that can be eaten easily (crackers, cheese, granola bar). 

Our computer time will still be on Friday but the time has changed to 1:00-1:50. 

I am having a wonderful  time with your children and I can tell this is going to be a great year.

Jen