OCTOBER MCMONTHLY NEWS

HAPPY FALL!

Thank you for a wonderful first month of school!  We are getting into the swing of things with all the new routines at Ox Ridge!

Reading – we are remembering what makes a book Just Right and are thinking about the whole story before, during, and after reading, We continue to tackle tricky words with many word strategies and are remembering how important it is to distinguish between basic short and long vowel spellings.

Word Study – We are so excited to have begun our new Word Study (Spelling) lists.  It’s important to remember the patterns instead of just memorizing words. 

TIP:  At the end of every week, save your words! Keep the words in a journal or place them in an envelope at home.  Keep the envelopes inside of a shoebox and review your old lists, along with your new words. 

You’ll be surprised at how quickly you’ll become an expert at many word patterns!

 

 

Writing – we have been writing stories about small (important) moments from our lives, how to stretch sentences and stories, and what to include in our stories.  We are also setting goals in how to be even better writers than we already are!

We are finishing our first writing unit on Small Moment stories.  We have been setting goals, stretching our sentences, and are beginning to study the craft and technique of amazing authors such as Jane Yolen, Ezra Jack Keats, and Donald Crews.  We’ll try some of their cool stuff in our own writing.  We will also work on learning to make our writing better so others will want to pull it off the shelves and read it – like they do with other favorite authors!

Math – We have beem doing lots of “investigating” with our new Investigations program through lessons, games, and sharing with each other how we figure out the answers.  We’ve reviewed addition and subtraction, odds and evens, tens place, and the tricky fact families.  We are now doing more complex problem solving and have become experts at doubling. 

Science and other News – We made observations outside and noticed how the seasons are changing.   We have begun Spanish in our World Language Program.  We are just beginning to get into our Computer Lab routine.

BIRTHDAYS

 

Mon., Oct. 14:   Sadie Stafford

Mon., Oct. 21:  Caroline Jack

Mon., Oct. 21:  John Caliendo

 

 

REMINDERS

 

 

Mon., Oct. 7:  Scholastic Orders due

Mon., Oct. 14: Columbus Day, no school

 

 

Oct. 15 – Oct. 28:  Fall 4 Math

           (details to come)

 

Thurs., Oct. 31:  Halloween Activities

***You may wear your costume on Halloween (but no masks please)***

 

 

Tues., Nov. 12:  Photo Retake Day

**Please bring your original photos to the photographer on that day.  More payment details at Lifetouch.com



 

 

SPECIAL NOTES

·         I can’t thank you enough for sending in all the supplies in September.  The 2^nd graders have quite a lengthy list, so we appreciate all you have sent in!

·         Thank you for  coming to Open House.  It was pleasure to see the families who were able to attend.  If you were not able to, I certainly understand.  If you did not receive the paperwork, please let me know (and another time, I can show you the children’s photographs!)

A few items I wasn’t able to mention at Open House:

·         Extra lunch choices:  If your child does not care for the main Hot meal or the Alternate, they can always order Salad, Pizza, Bagel, or Deli Sandwich

·         A few students still need to bring in a few family photos for our rotating frame, classroom activity $$, as well as a favorite book from home.

 

·         If you didn’t get a chance to sign up for Conference Week, I will send a reminder with the open slots later this month.

 

·         Thank you advance for volunteering in our classroom.  The students and I are excited that most activities are starting this month, especially with Mystery Guests and our Halloween celebration later this month.

 

·         Continued thanks to our Room Moms, Elizabeth Svedlund and Jane Glassmeyer!

SEPTEMBER MCMONTHLY NEWS

Greetings, Moms and Dads!  We had a great first week of school!  The children really seemed to settle into 2^nd grade quite quickly.  Thank you for all the supplies, emails, and notes. 

The 2^nd grade team does some corresponding with all 2^nd grade families, as we did on our First Day letter.  I will be sending home a monthly newsletter specific to our classroom.  Today’s newsletter will include important dates and info about how our class handles birthdays and some other special events.  Open House is not until the end of the month, so I wanted to be sure to spread the word about a few items ahead of time.

This year, our class Room Moms are Elizabeth Svedlund (ersvedlund@gmail.com) and Jane Glassmeyer (janiewatson@yahoo.com).  I thank them in advance for this huge undertaking!

MARK YOUR CALENDARS

Thurs., Sept 5^th:                  No school, Rosh Hashanah

Sun., Sept. 8^th:                  Family Picnic, 4:30-6:30

Mon., Sept. 9^th:                  Scholastic Orders due

 (*you can place your orders online, or send the hard copies back to me by 9/9/13)

Mon., Sept. 9^th:                  First 2^nd grade official homework home (due Fri.)

Tues., Sept 10^th:                  Photo Day (class and individual)

Tues., Sept 10^th:                  2^nd Grade Coffee for Parents, 9:30 a.m.

Fri., Sept. 13^th:                  Favorite books and family photos due

Mon., Sept. 23^rd:                  Word Study begins

Thurs., Sept. 26^th:                  Open House for Parents, time to be announced

AUG/SEPT. BIRTHDAYS

Thurs., Aug. 29^th:                  William Bonner

Wed., Sept. 4^th:                  Kate Brown

Sat., Sept. 21^st:                  Matthew Aronsohn

Mon., Sept. 23^rd:                  Lila Debano

SPECIAL NOTES

v

•    The students are doing a great job learning our 2^nd grade routines.  Occasionally, some mail ends up back in our mail slot that has not been seen at home, or it falls out of a mailbox.  If you are missing the following papers, please let me know:
•               pink first day letter from whole 2^nd grade team, with 2-Mc August/September “specials” schedule on the back
•       Birthdays:  I will send a birthday note home a few weeks prior to your child’s birthday, asking if you would like to come to the classroom to help us celebrate.  You are welcome to read a book or play a game (such as 7-up).  You are also welcome to bring clear popsicles, stickers, or other small goodies if you wish, but please don’t feel like you have to.  It’s up to you and your child how you’d like to celebrate!  July and August birthdays will be celebrated in January (just in time for a ½ year birthday celebration).
•     Mystery Guest:  Mystery Guest is a separate visit from birthdays.  When you choose a time for the year, I would recommend choosing a time a few months away from your child’s birthday, to spread out the classroom visits.  Typically, a Mystery Guest will read a few favorite family books, or, if they’d like to show us something they love (such as props from a hobby or job), that’s fine too!  The children will guess who the Mystery Guest is every Tuesday, so please stop at the office before coming to the classroom so the secretary can announce that you have arrived.  Both Birthday/Mystery Guest celebrations are approximately 25-30 minutes. 
•     Superstar Sharing will occur throughout the year.  It’s a chance for a student to be “superstar” for 3 days of the week where they bring in a special treasure and have a short, 5-minute share time.  The rest of us will make a book for the superstar later in the week.  A note will go home when it’s your child’s Superstar week (picked at random on Thursdays or Fridays for the next week.)
•     Regular sharing will be on Fridays on a sign-up basis, so that everyone gets a chance to share a treasure throughout the month if they wish.  In order to share, the sharers should write up a short description of their treasure (2 to 3 sentences).
•     Ox Ridge Snack:  The children have the opportunity to order an afternoon snack from our cafeteria.  I have encouraged the children to talk to their families about how often, and if, they can buy this extra snack.  The snack money will be deducted from the students’ lunch accounts.  (This snack choice is different than extra snacks in the cafeteria that students are allowed to buy at the end of their lunch shift.)
•     If you still have your child’s summer reading journal, please send it in to class this coming week, so we can send along the good reading news to the Library!
•     Photo Day is this coming Tuesday, September 10^th.  Please take a peek at the photo packet that comes home this week.
•     Please check our blog periodically for class updates and photos.  (I never put names with the photos, but if you don’t wish me to post your child’s photos, please let me know.)
•     Please feel free to call me at school with any questions or concerns (655-2579, ext. 1142).   You can also email me at cmcgettigan@darienps.org; I will respond as quickly as possible, but sometimes, due to our class schedule, duties, or meetings, I might not be able to respond until the end of the day.
•     I hope to see you all at the Open House evening when I will explain in more detail about our schedule, curriculum, homework, and class routines.  Please bring your calendars, as I will have our Conference sign-up sheet available that evening.
•     I have included a list of our amazing students (that you'll see with Tuesday's newsletter that goes home)! I hope you have a chance to attend the Class Coffee next week.  If you cannot attend, please let our Room Moms know so they can let you know about our volunteer schedule for the year. 

Thank you so much!  I look forward to working with your children during this exciting, second grade year!    - Cathy McGettigan

FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL LETTER

August 26, 2013

Dear Parents,

Welcome to the second grade community at Ox Ridge!  We hope you all enjoyed the summer and are excited about a new school year.  We have been collaborating over the summer to get ready for the start of school and will continue to plan together throughout the coming months to make this a terrific year.  We are providing some initial information for you today and will continue to keep you apprised of our grade level news going forward.

Enclosed is a specials schedule.  Please make note of scheduled PE days so your child will have appropriate footwear.  Library books should be returned on the day we have library.  Also, please send in a smock labeled with your child’s name, which will be kept in the classroom for art.  (An old shirt would be great.)

We will be having snack on a daily basis (parent provided, or students may sign up to buy snack from the cafeteria).  Please be sure to send in a snack every day or let your child know if he/she has permission to buy snack.  Remember, healthy snacks will give our students the energy to be the best that they can be.  Due to specific food allergies of students in our classroom, please speak with your child about not sharing snacks at school because of health concerns.

If there is a change in your child’s transportation home, please be sure to send in a note that morning.  We also require a note if your child will be picked up, attending after school activities, etc.   Please send in a note as soon as possible confirming your child’s bus number that he/she will take home from school.

To cover the cost of special activities and projects throughout the year we are requesting that each student contribute $15.  This money will be allocated for Time for Kids Magazine, special craft supplies, etc.  If you have questions or concerns regarding this contribution please let us know.  Cash is preferred.  If you need to send a check please make it payable to CASH or your child’s teacher.  Please place the contribution in an envelope marked with your child’s name.

In the near future, we’ll send an explanation about homework.  Homework will begin the week of September 9^th and we will add in the word study component starting the week of September 23^rd.

We are so excited that our year has begun.  We look forward to helping your children grown in academic strength, as they take on greater responsibility.  At our Open House on Thursday, September 26^th we’ll be discussing curriculum and daily routines.  We are looking forward to a great year together!

Sincerely,

Mrs. Frawley, Mrs. Johnson and Mrs. McGettigan

UNDER CONSTRUCTION

Dear 2nd Graders,

Welcome to second grade!

Please pardon our website. 
Since Mrs. McGettigan's classroom moved, the website is still under construction.

Thank you, and please check back soon!

SPRING CLEANING!

Greetings, and Happy Spring!
The 2nd grade bloggers became extremely busy this winter, so we are sorry for the lack of updates.

Hopefully, some spring photos will make up for lost time.

Before we share our recent happenings, here are a few important reminders you may have noticed in the McMonthly News:

• Friday, May 24th:  all-school Patriotic Day
• (wear red, white, and/or blue combos for honoring Memorial Day)

• Friday, May 31st:  2nd Grade Musical at 2:30pm "Sing Me A Story"  
• (All Family members welcome!  Come early for good parking!)

• Wednesday, June 5th:  Field Day from 10:00 - 11:30 
• (All family members are welcome!)

• Thursday, June 13th:  2nd Grade Breakfast at 9:15am 
• In cafeteria for Moms and Dads with their children;
• Same day - Memory Share 9:45 - 10:30 in 2-Mc classroom  (All family members are welcome!)
• * You are welcome to come to both events on Thursday, June 13th 
• (or you can come to one if you wish - whatever your schedule permits !)

• Friday, June 14th:  all-school Tropical Caribbean Day: 
• Students, please wear "island" type clothing.  Bring a beach towel for some outdoor lessons!

• Thursday, June 20th:  Last day of school for students (1:30 dismissal)

Whew - That's a lot of info!  And now, please enjoy ....

Earth Balloon

 

Team Work in the Garden

Antics in the Classroom

Selleck's Woods Nature Preserve

 

Reader's Theater

New Year Resolutions

I can help my little brother and sister have school lessons, and be the coach for my brother’s football camp. – JB

Earn a million dollar and donate it to people who need it.  I will also grow my hair super long, and then cut it short to donate the locks to other who need it. – BC

I will give a piece of fruit or some money to homeless people in NYC. – DP

I will try to practice sports a little more and read more than 20 chapter books in a year. – CB

I will play football with my little cousin a little more. – MH

I know a little science and I want to learn more! – ACM

I will try to play a little more sports.  – MM

I will help my brother with the things that are tricky for him in school.  – AFM

I will make a fake school with my brother and help him learn more. – OS

I will pass down my too-small clothes to people who need clothes. – KP

I will help my dad crack the ice on our driveway. – CL

I will help my dad put up the ice rink and play less video games. – BB

I will stop fighting my brothers. – AK

I will say less often that my sister is annoying. – RA

JANUARY MCMONTHLY NEWS

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

 

It’s so nice to be back with the children again!  This month, we will delve into studying the science principles of Matter.  In Social Studies, we will focus on our own classroom community as we begin Superstar of the Week and learn new tidbits about one another.  We will also continue promoting STAR traits and will start “catching” people doing random acts of kindness in our classroom as well as the whole school.  We will also soon start community projects by investigating….Darien and coming up with our ideal community!

LANGUAGE ARTS

 

This month, we begin some non-fiction reading and writing.  We will be able to share our writing on topics in which we are “experts.”   Later, with our Book Club groups, we will research other topics and share and listen with other 2^nd graders.

MATH

 

We have really been stretching our thinking with math concepts by concentrating on the many tools we can use to reach our answers, in addition to the many strategies we can use.  We will continue with double-digit addition and subtraction, including regrouping. 

 

JANUARY BIRTHDAYS 

Tues., Jan. 22:  Charlie Hughes

Sun., Jan. 27:  Annie Melich

 

REMINDERS

 

Fri., Jan. 11: High Touch High Tech “Matter” Enrichment

Fri., Jan. 11:  Scholastic orders due

Wed., Jan. 16:  Darien Library visit us about “Communities”

Mon., Jan. 21: Martin Luther King Day/No School

Thurs. Jan. 31:  Activity Afternoon

SPECIAL NOTES

• Since the cold weather has returned, please label any extra gear, such as boots, snowpants, mittens, and hats.    
• Thank you for sending in the monthly supplies.  They are most appreciated!
•  “Box Tops for Education” are being collected by the Student Council.  You will see the red and white rectangular shapes on certain types of packaged food boxes.  Please check the expiration date, cut them out, and send them in with your children so they can help earn $$ for our school or a worthy need connected to Darien Public Schools.
• Thank you, Volunteers, especially during our busy month of December!  Thank you in advance for this exciting, second part of the year!
• SUPERSTAR OF THE WEEK  is a chance for the students to have a week that is special for them, so the rest of their classmates can honor them (and perhaps learn something new about their friends).  The students are picked at random the week prior and a letter will be sent home that describes what it’s all about.  Basically, it’s a chance for them to bring a treasure or two from home to school for 3 days of a week.  It’s a good idea for the Superstar to have 2 or 3 reasons why it’s a special treasure (perhaps a notecard will help, but they don’t have to do that, nor do they have to do a poster.) 
• Regular Friday sharing will only take place if students write out a few sentences on their treasures.
• New Year Student Tip to Build up Vocabulary and Word Study Patterns:  Keep track of your words by writing them down in a notebook at home and then reviewing old words as each new week begins.  You will feel proud of all you know!

• I feel very proud of your children!  They work hard, and they are kind, compassionate students!