*~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!

First day of school!! First day of school!!

Hi everyone and welcome to our Grade 2B classroom blog! Here you will find the latest news in our classroom as well as upcoming events/ things to know.  I will also update a monthly calendar list so you can keep track of what is going on around MMH for your child's Grade 2 year.  I would also like the students to get in the habit of checking the classroom blog as well for ‘Student Challenges’ as we will be visiting the site lots during our computer time.   

I will email all parents once the blog is updated (usually on Fridays) so that you know to go and check it out for new information.  Please make sure you have provided me with an email address that you use often and one where you don’t mind receiving emails from me.  Of course, if you prefer a paper copy of handouts/ information/ reminders, I can provide one as well please just let me know. 

We had an awesome first day getting to know each other and sharing stories of our summers!  I can tell it’s going to be an exciting and busy year in Room 8.  I also hope to see many of you at the Welcome Back BBQ on Thursday, September 8^th 2011 from 5:30- 6:30.  If possible, it would be great to come around 6:00 as we will have a “Grand Opening” of our fabulous new playground! More details to come on this event.

Thanks for checking in!

-Anna Tsentouros

I can’t believe this is the last blog post!!! 

If you haven’t peeked in your child’s backpack in the past few days...beware!! There is TON of stuff coming home from the last few months.   Our last 2 days of school will be busy ones!  Don’t forget:

Monday June 27^th- Farewell Assembly starts at 9:00am.  We will be picked up by a bus at 10:30, and will make our way over to Henderson Picnic. I’m hoping to see a few parents out there to come and just relax at the beautiful lake! Students need:  a packed lunch, clothes for the weather, good walking shoes, and the usual bug spray / sun screen.  We will return to the school around 2:15.

Tuesday June 28^th- Breakfast party in the morning! Thanks to those parents who have signed up to bring breakfast treats. We will be watching a classroom slideshow of the pictures throughout the year while enjoying our breakfast.  Then, students will head to the gym at 10:00 for our Year End Assembly to see the school wide slideshow.  Students are dismissed at 11:45 on Tuesday!

I really can’t thank you, the parents, for everything you’ve done this year. It’s true that students succeed in the classroom when they have parental support at home.  For the notes home, field trips, blog posts, home reading, random requests, classroom parties, keeping on top of the homework, and really just being a part of our classroom- I thank you from the bottom of my heart!  We could not have had such an amazing year without you. 

It has been wonderful being your child’s Grade 2 teacher.  It’s SO HARD to let them go L  To those of you moving away, either to different schools or cities, MMH will miss you terribly!  I hope that wherever your new destination finds you, that you bring that Mike Mountain Horse Special Spirit with you.  To those who staying with us for Grade 3- I will see you in the other hallway! Make sure you stop by for some high fives.

Have an absolutely phenomenal summer! You deserve it!!

Thanks for reading and see you in September!

-Anna Tsentouros

Last FULL Week of School!!!

Hello Parents!

            We had a super fun boat launch on Wednesday.  Thanks to Alden’s Mom who transported our boats for us, as well as to all the parents who volunteered and who came out to cheer on our launch!  The children had a blast!! 

Next week is a busy one with National Aboriginal Day and Sports Day.  Thanks go out to Virginia Sprinkle, Adrienne Toone, and Cindy Goldhawk who have agreed to be our parent volunteers for Sports Day.

Sports Day is on Tuesday June 21.  The children will be divided into teams according to color.  If possible, please send your child to school on this day wearing a t-shirt in the following color:

Red Team         Blue Team        Yellow Team          Green Team

JACE           AIDEN         ALFIE             HUNTER           

CAMRYN     QUINTEN    TRINITY       ALDEN

JAYDON    BEN               DYLAN            AVA

HANNA      GEORGIA       ELLIS             GRACE

KYRA          SHADA           CHELSEA       EMMA

            This really helps us line up quickly at each station.  Please ensure that your child has a water bottle.  They should wear a hat and have sunscreen and bugspray applied at home.  We are hoping for a nice sunny day for Sport’s Day.

On Wednesday June 22 all MMH students will leave the school and walk over to Nicholas Sheran Park for National Aboriginal Day at 8:40.  We plan to return to MMH by 11:20.  Please dress appropriately, wear sunscreen and bug spray.  Proper walking shoes are essential.  Thank you to Ava’s Dad who has volunteered to walk with us!

            The Farewell Assembly as well as our last field trip of the year takes place on Monday June 27^th.  The assembly begins at 9:00, and then afterwards the grade twos will be going to Henderson Park leaving the school at 10:30 with a return time around 2:15.  As we will be booking a bus for transportation, parents will not be needed to drive, however, parents are more than welcome to come and join us at the park for a leisurely lunch and playtime. Many of you have already let me know you’ll be attending.  For this day all students will need sunscreen, a hat, an ample healthy lunch, extra beverages and water bottles.  Something to sit on like a blanket or a towel is a good idea as well! 

The Year End assembly and slide show on Tuesday June 28 begins at 10:00.  This is the last day of school and students will be dismissed at 11:45. 

Before the assembly I would like to have a ‘breakfast party’ with the students.  The following parents have volunteered to bring items for our party. 

Fruit Tray- Amber Toone
Something Breakfast themed!- Emma Zgurski
Something Breakfast themed! - Anna Barnes
Cookies, cupcakes or muffins- Leslie Wensmann
Juice Boxes- Carey Martens
Plates/ Napkins- Rhonda Steed

Busy Busy June!

It was awesome to see so many families come out for our Pancake Breakfast!  It made for an early morning, but the pancakes were delicious and it was a great way to start the morning! 

Thanks to our parent drivers who were able to help out with swimming! Thanks to Amber Toone, Virginia Sprinkle, Louise Lindley, Frere Ayres, Sonny Zgurski, and Rick Goldhawk!  The students had a blast and it’s always nice when we can get outside of the school for some fun.  Our Boat Launch is on Thursday, June 16^th.  We will leave the school at 8:45, and walk over to Nicholas Sheran (return to the school around 1:30-1:45).  Thanks to Rhonda Steed who is transporting our boats for us, and Sonny Zgurski and Rickele Knox who are going to walk over with us.  I sent this information on a note home but just to remind you:

Children should be dressed for the weather (don’t forget sunscreen, hats and bug spray). As with swim day, students should come to school with their bathing suits on underneath their clothes carrying undergarments and towels in a plastic bag.  Children’s backpacks should contain a substantial snack, water and a second pair of shoes suitable for water (such as flip flops).  Because the children will be wading into the lake, water shoes are a necessity as in the past we have found broken glass or sharp objects in the lake.   For the day, students should wear good walking shoes - sandals and wearing flip flops to walk to the park is discouraged.  After the Boat Launch we will be walking over to the Spray Park for lunch and more water fun.

Speaking of boat building....How is boat building coming along?!?!  If your Grade 2 student is stuck for ideas, water bottles, milk jugs, pop bottles, old pool noodles, and plastic piping are all great materials to start your boat.  Please email me if you have any questions.  When your student is done building their boat, please have them bring it to school ANY TIME THIS WEEK, as I would like the class to test their boats before the boat launch.    

Your students will be bringing a number of things home in the next few weeks, to lessen the load at the end of the year.  Things like: desk book work, head phones, rules, health mobiles, and work from the last month.  This past week I sent home their letters that we received from NOVA SCOTIA! Thank goodness they came, as I was a bit worried with the postal strike.  Students were SO excited to read their letters, and it was very neat to learn a bit about Digby, Nova Scotia. 

I’ve had a few students complete their first Reading At Home sheet, and are on to their second! Please continue with daily reading and get your students to bring in their sheets!  Our calendar is getting smaller and smaller L  Don’t forget about the last few big days in Grade 2!

Thanks for all you do J

Have a great weekend!

 -Anna Tsentouros

Thursday June 16^th- Grade 2 Boat Launch Day! 8:45- 1:30 at Nic Sheran Lake and Spray Park

Tuesday June 21^st- Sports Day!

Wednesday June 22^nd- Pow Wow Celebration at Nicholas Sheran- depart at 8:40. 

Monday June 27^th- Farewell Assembly 9-10, Grade 2 picnic at Henderson Lake 1030- 2:15

Tuesday June 28^th- Last day of Grade 2!  Year End Assembly at 9:45, students dismissed at 11:45

June Happenings!

Friday already!? Goodness where has the week gone!

I may or may not have had more fun than the students did on our field trip to the Southern Alberta Art’s Gallery.  It was such a treat to be able to see amazing art work from all over our School District, and to learn more about an Art gallery in general. I was really impressed at how well our students behaved and how focused and on task they were throughout the morning.  Thanks to those parents who were able to come out and drive- without you these trips would not be possible!! 

While I’m thanking parents...Thank you to those volunteers who are able to come and help out for our June activities!  We have swimmers for June 9^th, and walkers and a driver for our Boat Launch on June 16th! 

We are currently looking for Sports Day Volunteers- which is always SUCH a blast! This is a combined Grades 1 and 2 activity, and there are about 10 different stations set up outside for kids. Our class will be travelling to each of the stations.  We require 2 volunteers to stay at 1 station, and run that station for the morning and afternoon time slots, which are 10:00-11:30 and 1:00-2:15.  If you, or another family member are able to come and help please email me as soon as possible!  Remember, for any of our field trips: the more the merrier!! Thank you!

We played on this website today as a class, and the students really enjoyed it!

Click here to access the Geometry website!

 It’s a great way to review our Geometry skills for our assessment next week- Note to parents! There are some terms on this site that they do NOT have to know in Grade 2 (such as quadrilateral, octagon, hexagon, and pentagon) but we did talk about what they mean, as it will help them advance to the next level of the game at the end.  In Grade 2, they should have a good understanding of the following 3D objects: Sphere, Cylinder, Cube, Cone, Pyramid. They should also be able to describe these objects by discussing how many ‘faces’, the shape of the face, how many points or vertices, and how many edges.  For example: A pyramid has a square face on the bottom, and 4 triangular faces on the sides. These triangles meet at the top to make a point.  A pyramid has 5 edges, and 5 vertices all together. 

I’m sure you’ve heard from your Grade 2 student about our new GIANT bundle of ‘joy’.  Trust me, I had almost given up hope on them but to everyone’s surprise, at approx. 9:10am on Thursday, June 2^nd, Grade 2E became the proud parents of approx. 400 baby praying mantis! The egg broke while the students were in Music class, so I ran to get them and Ms. Nevels and Mrs. Kubik joined us to witness the miracle.  We called Mr. Bryant to tell him he’d become a Grandpa, then hosted some visiting hours to our friends in preschool and other grades.    Now, even though I am not the biggest fan of any kind of bug, and had the “heebee jeebies” all day, I’m really happy that they got to see this part of the life cycle, as it’s a great introduction to our next unit which will tie into our Language Arts and Science curriculum for the remainder of the year:  Bugs! We know that our praying mantis don’t have a very long life to live in Lethbridge.  So rather than have them pass away in our tank, we decided to give them a proper send off underneath a beautiful tree behind the playground and past the path.  Overall, it was a VERY exciting morning in room 10 J 



How they came out of the egg



A few of the 400




"Smile!  They hatched!"

 


"Now look like Miss Tsentouros did when she found them!"





Bringing them back to nature



Hope you have a great weekend- Thanks for reading!

-Anna Tsentouros

Don’t forget these important dates!

Tuesday June 7^th- Parent Appreciation Pancake Breakfast! Bring the family and come enjoy some pancakes in the morning from 7:00- 8:15. 

Tuesday June 7^th- Spirit Assembly at 12:45

Tuesday June 9^th- Swimming at Nic Sheran! Depart at 8:40, return at 10:30. 

Thursday June 16^th- Grade 2 Boat Launch Day! 8:45- 1:30 at Nic Sheran Lake and Spray Park

Tuesday June 21^st- Sports Day!

Wednesday June 22^nd- Pow Wow Celebration at Nicholas Sheran

Monday June 27^th- Farewell Assembly 9-10, Grade 2 picnic at Henderson Lake 1030- 2:15

Tuesday June 28^th- Last day of Grade 2!  Year End Assembly at 9:45, students dismissed at 11:45