Monday Monday Monday

Hi everyone! Usually I don’t post on Mondays, but one was needed today as we have a field trip coming up on Wednesday and not enough volunteers, as well as a field trip on October 12^th with not enough drivers!  If you or someone in your family (grandparent, aunt, uncle, etc) can come and help we would greatly appreciate it! 

Let me know if you can help by: email, phone call, fax, snail mail, carrier pigeon- as soon as possible!

The following volunteers have signed up to help with our Galt Garden Field trip on Wednesday September 28^th:

       -Christine R.

       -April H.

       -Letisha P.

       -Samah A.

We are still in need of 2 more adults, as this trip requires parents to walk around with small groups. 

The following volunteers have signed up to drive to our Fort Whoop Up field trip on Wednesday October 12^th from 12:30- 2:45:

-Christine R.

-Letisha P.

We will still need drivers for 15 more students!  Even if you are unable to stay for the field trip, if you could help with the transportation that would be amazing!

For the third field trip to the Galt Museum on Tuesday October 18^th, we have enough volunteers (yay!) Thank you in advance to:

-April H.

-Christine R.
-Letisha P.

Of course, as always, anyone else is more than welcome to join. 

Our class earned some fun time for bringing in the most money for Terry Fox out of all the Grade 2s! We voted this morning, and the reward will be a class party complete with music, games, and treats provided by Miss Tsentouros!  Thanks parents for your help with this last week!

..and that's it!

Anna Tsentouros

End of September already?!?!

Hello!   (See the new student challenge!-------> )

I can't believe how hard the students (and parents!) worked in raising money for the Terry Fox Foundation.  Students did great on our walk this morning, and we ended up raising the MOST out of all Grade 2 classes!!  We had a friendly competition between our class and Mrs. Nelson's class, and in two days our class raised almost $300.00!!!  WOW!!  What a difference we can all make- thank you so much for your kindness and generosity.  

Because our students did SO well at this, I asked them to come to school on Monday with 'an idea' of how our class could celebrate.  I made sure to tell them to make their idea 'reasonable', i.e. "Miss Tsentouros taking us all to Disneyland" is not a reasonable reward!! (Despite how awesome I think you all are!)  If you can think of a unique way that we can celebrate (approx. 30 mins), let me know on Monday.  We will collect our data, and graph it with a class vote.  

Speaking of collecting data and graphing it, we are finishing up our first unit in Data Analysis.  To prepare for a math assessment, students will be taking home a Data Analysis review near the end of next week.  Keep an eye out for this in backpacks!

On Thursday your child brought home a note regarding 3 field trips that are coming up in the next few weeks.  The note looked like this:

(don't forget to click and feed the fish! ------->)

Wednesday, September 28th is our first field trip with the Galt Museum.  Museum staff will be meeting us at Galt Gardens to guide us as we view historic buildings and listen to stories of Lethbridge’s fascinating past.  As the Galt provides bussing, drivers will not be needed for this trip, however, I am in need of 5 parents to assist us and help volunteer.  The bus will be picking us up from the school at 12:30 with a return trip of around 2:40ish. Parents are more than welcome to ride with us on the bus, but I’m sorry to say that due to City Guidelines, younger siblings are not allowed to ride on the bus. If you would like to join us in this field trip but have a little one to bring, you are also welcome to drive to Galt Gardens and meet us there.  In either case, please let me know your plans. Weather at this time is unknown so please dress your child in appropriate attire as they are required to be an active participant outdoors.  

(don't forget to click and play some music ------->)

Wednesday October 12^th we will be transporting ourselves down to Fort Whoop Up. Students love this trip as we move from room to room in the Fort and learn even more about the great battle in the river bottom and the history of trading and the Fort in Lethbridge. Our tour begins at 1:00 and ends at 2:30. I am in need of parent drivers/supervisors to and from the Fort. If you are not able to stay for the tour but you are able to drive that is no problem at all.

Tuesday, October 18^th is our second field trip with the Galt Museum at the Museum itself.  The Galt Museum provides busing for their field trips and we will be picked up on Thursday at 12:30 with a return time of 2:40ish.  Parents are more than welcome to ride on the bus with us, but you are also able to meet us at the Museum if you’d prefer.  Due to City guidelines, there are no younger siblings allowed on the bus. 

A reminder for all students please ensure that for Sept. 28th and Oct. 18th students have a packed lunch for school so that we leave on time.  

I have received a few forms from volunteers but we are definitely in need of more.  If you are able to join for any of these trips, please return the green form or email me back to let me know which ones you can attend.  :)

Sasha in our class, kicked off our Star Student/ Special Friday schedule.  She did an amazing power point, and shared her birthday treat as well.  Great job Sasha! The class loved learning more about you, and everyone did a fantastic job writing a page for her book.  A quick note if you are attending Sasha's birthday party tomorrow-the movie you will be watching is The Smurfs and it is to end around 9pm.  

Thanks to those who have donated shoeboxes with lids!  We are still collecting as we need 10 more! Along with shoeboxes with lids, we are also collecting cans- ones that are 540ml!   So Grade 2s, if you're eating any Alphagetti's this weekend, please wash out the can and bring it to school! Thank you thank you thank you!  

Please click HERE for the link to access the MMH School Newsletter:

*NEW FROM THE OFFICE* If you would like this monthly newsletter emailed to your inbox, please let me know and I will forward your email along. If you already get the MMH School Newsletter to your email, and have any feedback for the office, please let me know! 

This year, the West Side Clothing Exchange will take place at Probe Elementary School on Monday October 17 from 3:30-7:30 pm.  Please bring in your gently used clothes by Thursday, October 13.  Bags can be dropped off in the front foyer near the benches.

I think that's it for now! Thanks for a great week 2B! 

Parents, don't forget to mark your calendars for some important dates all the way to the end of October :)

Enjoy the weather! 

-Anna Tsentouros

Important Dates to mark your calendar:

SEPTEMBER

Wednesday 28th- Magazine Fundraiser Assembly @830

Wednesday 28th- Galt Gardens field trip 12:30-2:30

OCTOBER

Tuesday 4th- First After School Skate: 4-5 @ Nic Sheran 

Wednesday 5th- WALK TO SCHOOL DAY 

Wednesday 5th- Character Education Assembly 1:25-1:55

Monday 6th- Thanksgiving Day- No school

Tuesday 11th- After School Skate 4-5 @ Nic Sheran Arena

Wednesday 12th- Fort Whoop Up Field trip 1-2:30

Wednesday 12th- School Council Meeting @ 7pm

Friday 14th- Morgan's Special Friday

Tuesday 18th- Galt Museum Field Trip 12:30-2:30

Tuesday 18th- After School Skate 4-5 @ Nic Sheran Arena

Thursday 20th- Friday 21st- Professional Learning Day for Teachers, No School for Students

Monday 24th- RCMP Guest Speaker for Grade 2s

Tuesday 25th- Picture Retake Day

Tuesday 25th- After School Skate 4-5 @ Nic Sheran Arena

Friday 28th- Brooke T. Special Friday

Monday 31st- Halloween Parade

Grade 2 Coulee Walk!

Some photos from our field trip last week!

*~Blog Update!~*

Hey everyone!

Well, we managed to make it through our first field trip!  Thank you to those parents who were able to join us.  All the Grade 2s would also like to thank Ms. Nevels for doing such an amazing job teaching us about the battle between the Blackfoot and Cree tribes, and students had the chance to sketch out what they thought the landscape looked in the past.  I managed to take a few pictures, but then left my camera cord at home!!  I’ll get them up later tonight I promise! 

Next week, on September 23^rd, we will be joining the whole school in our annual Terry Fox Walk to Nicholas Sheran park. There, we will meet the other 3 west side schools, do a lap or two, and then head back to MMH.  Thanks to Nicole D, Terra T., Jamie W., and April H. who are able to join us right at 8:30am.  If anyone else is able to come, please join!  Younger siblings are welcome to join provided they can keep up!  Or, grab a spot on the grass at the lake and cheer us as we march on. Please have your child wear their MMH T-shirt or school colours (blue and gold) for that morning of the 23^rd.

I just wanted to take a moment to send out a reminder about allergies in our classroom. It is very important to me as I am sure it is you, to ensure safety for all students at school. In our class we have a SEVERE allergy to NUTS.  The same allergy (and others) are also present in other grade 2 rooms. With the changes to lunch programs and routines we now eat together in our classes and it is very important that we are NOT sending nut based snacks etc.  We’ve had a few discussions in class about how the students can be Allergy Aware both in school and out on the playground.   I appreciate your support in making our classroom a safe environment for everyone. Thank you for your understanding.  While we cannot guarantee a Nut Free environment, we can promote the fact that we are Allergy Aware. 

Keep an eye out for a note going home next week regarding Star Student / Special Friday routine for Grade 2B, along with your child’s date. 

Notice the new Student Challenge on the side?!  While the Student Challenge Question is up on the blog, students can bring in their answers on a scrap piece of paper to earn stickers for their sticker book (a very big deal in Room 8!) 

We are still collecting shoeboxes with lids! Thanks to those who already donated some!

I think that’s it for now…Thanks 2B for an awesome week! Have a fantastic weekend!

Miss Tsentouros The Starbucks Queen of the World

(Ask your student what “…of the world” they are! Think “Julius, Baby of the World!”)

September News

Hello again!

You’ve made it to the classroom blog! Please add this page to your favourite’s list, or remember that it is linked to our school website under Grade 2.   It seems like we have settled quite nicely and have started the Grade 2 year off well!  There are 24 busy bodies in room 8 this year- we have 14 girls and 10 boys:

Welcome to Grade 2!

Noor                            Sammie                       Brooke R.
Meg                             Spence                        Kasia
Lorenzo                        Zane                           Gus
Nicole                          Conner                        Rawley
Morgan                       Braelynn                      Zac
Ainsley                        Byron                           Brooke T.
Jordin                          Aries                            Sasha
Elora                           Cathrine                      Aaron

If I do not have your email yet, please write it in your child’s agenda, or email me whenever possible! I promise to only bombard your email inbox when it’s important, and when I am updating the blog. 

Thank you to those families who made it to “Meet the Teacher/ Family BBQ” night! It was nice to have the Grand Opening of the new playground and just to see some of the faces who volunteered their time and efforts in making that happen! 

If you weren’t able to come, there are some forms in your child’s backpack today that are important!  Please fill out and return the Volunteer and Driver forms when you can, as it’s nice to get that paper work out of the way before things get super busy. There is a small yellow Highlights Magazine subscription offer as well. Highlights is a great resource and has been for CENTURIES!! Well, maybe not centuries but it’s been around for a long time and it is fun for the students to receive snail mail. Even if you are NOT interested in signing up for this, please check off “NO”, sign it, and return it as they will STILL send out free classroom prizes depending on the number of returned slips.  

We still have some empty slots for our Party Snack Sign up list throughout the year.  This will be posted outside our door all year long. If you’re unable to make it to our classroom but want to help, ask your child to sign up for you- I will help them with this so you’re not “volunteered” to bring steak and lobster J

Every student needs to sign up for a “Star Student” week.  This is a special week dedicated to them, where they get special privileges, and then on their “Special Friday” they get to have a Show and Share. This is bigger than in Grade 1, and involves about a 10-15 minute presentation for the class, showing something interesting about them. It could be a skill, something they’ve learned, teaching about a family vacation, anything really! I’ve seen just about anything such as poster boards, power points, video clips, or prized possessions.  This is to be educational, and for the class to learn more about their classmates.  There will be more information about this coming home, as well as reminders for when your child’s Star Student week is.  For those who do not have a week yet, I will help them sign up for one on Monday.  
special week dedicated to them, where they get special privileges, and then on their “Special Friday” they get to have a Show and Share. This is bigger than in Grade 1, and involves about a 10-15 minute presentation for the class, showing something interesting about them. It could be a skill, something they’ve learned, teaching about a family vacation, anything really! I’ve seen just about anything such as poster boards, power points, video clips, or prized possessions.  This is to be educational, and for the class to learn more about their classmates.  There will be more information about this coming home, as well as reminders for when your child’s Star Student week is.  For those who do not have a week yet, I will help them sign up for one on Monday. 

Would anybody like to be our CLASSROOM REP for School Council?!  This is an amazing council that organizes really events and fundraisers for our school!  There are meetings once a month, beginning at 7pm and usually last for a couple of hours.  This is your chance to be in “the know” for our school, to lend a hand when possible, and to offer ideas/ suggestions!  Anyone is invited to attend these meetings, however it is nice when there is at least 1 person who can make the once a month commitment and to relay any information back to me when needed for our class.  If this is something you’re interested in, please let me know!

Some September dates to mark in your calendars:

September Dates:

Tuesday 13^th- SCHOLASTIC BOOK ORDERS DUE

Thursday 22nd- School Picture Day
Thursday 22^nd – Happy Birthday Sasha!

Friday 23^rd- Terry Fox Walk

Wednesday 28^th- Magazine Fundraiser Assembly

Thank you and have a rockin’ weekend!

-Anna Tsentouros

PS- WE ARE COLLECTING SHOEBOXES WITH LIDS! If you have any to spare, send them our way! Thanks!