New Second Grade Math Teacher

Happy New Year!  I hope you have enjoyed the extra time with your children.  I know I have missed them and can't wait to see their smiling faces next Monday.

Hopefully you all read the note that went home in the Thursday folders explaining that there was going to be a schedule change after vacation.  I realize that the note was vague.  That was because, at the time, we were still ironing out the details.  We have put a lot of time and effort into making this switch as painless for the students as possible.  Our goal is, as always, to give our students the best education possible.

We have been trying to figure out a way to give the students more teacher/student instructional time.  The problem being that Ms. G and I already are with a group of students the entire day.  Ms. G (and most of the math teachers) teach 2 grades.  That is 4 groups of students.  That made it impossible for her to spend as much time as I did with the second grade.  We also felt that the students needed more time to work on their writing skills.  Our solution is that, starting in January, GPS will have one math teacher per grade.  This will give them more time with the students and minimize the lab time the students currently have.  The math teachers will continue their math program just as it was in the past, but will also meet with their students a second time to support ELA with writing, spelling, and vocabulary.  We feel this will give your students the extra time and instruction that they have been lacking.

As a result, some teachers have moved into new positions.  I will continue to be the second grade ELA teacher, but Ms. G is moving the third grade.  We are going to miss her, but our second graders can look forward to having her again next year.  We have a new teacher starting GPS after vacation.  She will be our new second grade math teacher.  Ms. G and I both helped in selecting the new teacher and are very happy with the results.  Ms. Nguyen is very much looking forward to joining GPS. I know you will all make her feel welcome.

Because Ms. Nguyen is setting up a new classroom (in room 2), she is in need of supplies.  Wouldn't it be great if we all brought her a little something to stock up her classroom on Monday?  I know she would greatly appreciate a package of whiteboard markers, a bottle of hand sanitizer, or a box of tissues.  It would be a great way to welcome her to GPS.

Here is our new schedule.  Please take a minute to go over it with your student before Monday.

Sharks Schedule

8:10-8:30 Silent reading  (room 6)

8:30 – 10:00 Reading Centers (room 6)

10:00-10:20 recess

10:20 – 11:50 math (room 2)

11:50 – 12:30 lunch

12:35 – 1:30 Writing (room 2)

1:30 - 2:30 ELA (room 6)

2:30 - 3:00 AR or PE (TH)

3:00 - 3:35 Music (M,T), Science (F) AR (TH)

Stingray Schedule

8:10 – 8:30 Silent Reading (room 2)

8:30 – 10:00 Math (room 2)

10:00 – 10:20 recess

10:20 – 11:45 Reading Centers (room 6)

11:50 – 12:30 lunch

12:35 – 1:30 ELA (room 6)

1:30 – 2:30 Writing (room 2)

2:30- 3:00 Music (M,T), Science (F), AR (TH)

3:00 – 3:35 AR or PE (TH)

As always, if you have any questions or concerns, please contact me.  Have a great last few days of vacation and I will see you all again on Monday.

Thank you!

I spent today cleaning my classroom up from a wonderful first half of the school year.  I had a Christmas special playing on my Apple TV as I did all of those things I don't have time for during the school week.  I cleaned up our pet turtle's cage and prepared her for a month or two of hibernation.  I freshened up the focus walls and put away the book we have used so far this year.  I also opened and admired all of the Christmas gifts and warm wishes from all off my little Navigators.  I can honestly say that I am truly blessed.  Not just for the candy, candles, cards, and other goodies I received, but because you so generously lend me your children each day.  Their smiles and hugs bring me so much joy.  I am so proud of the growth they have shown this year.  So, thank you for all of the Christmas gifts and cards.  Thank you for helping and donating whenever we have a need.  And thank you for choosing to have your children at GPS.

I hope you all have a wonderful vacation.  And I look forward to seeing you all next year.

Christmas Tree Art

Party Needs

Thank you to all of the parents that volunteered to bring things for our party.  We are still in need of cocoa mix and a way to heat up the water.  Please let me know if you can help.

Unit 2 Testing

GPS is in the process of administering end of the unit tests.  In room 6, we did the bulk of our testing at the end of last week.  As a whole, the second grade did phenomenally well in ELA.  I am so proud of these kids.
I will send the tests home in your next Thursday folder.  Do keep in mind that the paper copy is kind of like a scratch paper.  They prove and disprove questions on it, but they input the answer on the computers.  This paper is not marked by me (other than I wrote the final grade on it).   Students will also often catch a mistake and  change their answers when inputing (I love it when that happens!).  I realize that this makes it somewhat harder for you to analyze how they are doing, but it does give you a very clear picture on what is being tested.  Anyone that would like to come in and go over their child's test is more than welcome to request a meeting.

Holiday Party

This went home with the kids today.  Sorry, the one that went home had a typo.  The party is on Friday, December 19th.

Stamping Wednesday! Thanks for the ink pads Parent Club!

Room 6 Needs White Board Markers

Room six is in desperate need to white board markers.  If any of you care to donate some thin black white board markers, the kiddos and I would be most appreciative.