HAAAAAAPY HOLIDAYS!!!!

Hello!

I just wanted to wish everyone a safe and happy Christmas holiday!  I can’t believe it’s finally here!!  We had a ton of fun today with carolling in the morning, our Reindeer Food scavenger hunt, as well as our party with all the delicious treats :)

A HUGE THANK YOU to those who brought in treats/ gifts to share.  Grade 2E had a blast this morning, especially when our letters from Santa FINALLY arrived!!  You could tell the spirit of Christmas was in the air.

I hope you enjoy the next two weeks you get to spend with your families. I know many of you are travelling so please travel safely.  I am on my way to Ontario to spend Christmas with my family (in approximately 4 hours!!) but will be checking my email if you need to get a hold of me.

I also wanted to say thank you for all the cards and gifts!!  It seems as if though the students know me and my love for coffee, tea, chocolate and STARBUCKS very well! J I also appreciate all the unique homemade gifts!!  And I promise to share all the treats with friends and family.  I feel SO spoiled to have such a great group of kids and families.  Thank you from the bottom of my heart. 

Merry Christmas to you and yours!

See you on January 4^th!

-Anna

~"LeT iT SnOw, LeT iT SnOw, LeT iT SnOw "~

I just wanted to share a picture of our gym class on Thursday, as we got to enjoy a beautiful walk in snowshoes! For many of the students, it was the first time they had used snowshoes and they did FANTASTIC!!  Let’s hope that the snow keeps coming down so we can get out there once more before the holidays. 

In computers, we have been enjoying a number of websites that are Christmas related.  I have put up a link on the side if you wish to visit these sites at home!  Some include Gingerbread men decorating,  and a reindeer orchestra! 

Another personal favourite of mine can be used to practise kids’ spelling words.  Spellingcity.com is a fantastic website where they can enter in their spelling words for the week, and play games using the words.  Check them out on the side of this page!

We have enough drivers for our skating party on Thursday December 16^th! Thank you to those who were able to volunteer!  Drivers, if you could please arrive at the school at 1:45 that would be great!  We will leave the rink at approx.  3:15 in time to be back for dismissal at 3:30.  Please have your students bring the equipment to school that day, along with any extra equipment that you have signed up to share.  Remember adults, if you are skating you also need a hockey helmet as well. 

Every day this week in the morning there will be Christmas Carolling in the gym.  If you have time in the morning, please join us from 8:30 – 8:50am.  On Monday morning our junior choir will be performing and I can’t wait to hear their beautiful voices!

There is something exciting going on everyday this week so please be aware by checking the blog for dates and times, as well as your child’s agenda. 

15 more days ‘til Christmas!!!

Reminder Dates for December:

December 13^th – 17th-Christmas carolling every morning in the gym from 8:30- 8:50.  Come join!

Monday December 13^th Piper comes to visit!!  Thank you SO much for all of your donations.  The kids are SO pumped!

Tuesday December 14^thAssembly at 8:30am/ Dress like Christmas Day
School wide Christmas movie showing from 1:00- 2:15 The Polar Express
Wednesday December 15^thGingerbread Decorating Party from 1:00- 2:15

Thursday December 16^thGrade 2 Skating at Nicholas Sheran from 2:15-3:15 (leave school at 1:50pm)

Friday December 17^thChristmas Party from 10:15- 11:45.  Last Day of Classes

Tuesday January 4^thBack to School for 2011!!

Snack Volunteers for Christmas Party (December 17):

Fruit Plate - Emma

Veggies and Dip - Carter

Cheese, Meat, and Crackers- Jaydon

Cookies, Cupcakes, or Muffins- Hunter

Juice boxes (~ 21) - Camryn

Plates and Napkins- Ava

*~December - Omahkatoyiiki’sommiaato’s nan (Big Holy Moon month) in Blackfoot!~*

Hello!

I just wanted to start by saying thank you for making the first round of parent teacher interviews a success!  I can’t believe the first reporting period is over.  Our Grade 2E class has come along way since the second week of September and it has been really fantastic watching their development these past 3 months.  They’ve really come together as a group and it’s really something to watch the friendships being made. 

There are officially 10 more days left of school for 2010 which is just absolutely insane!!  The last week of school will be exceptionally busy, and we have TONS going on!  If you have not submitted your tobogganing form, please do so ASAP! Remember, parents must print and sign, the student must print and sign, and a witness who is NOT related to the student must also sign (3 times).  Thank you for your patience with this form!  I know it seems like a lot to ask, especially for just tobogganing across the street, but it’s a district regulation and it’s something that we need to strictly follow.  More to come when we actually pick a day to go- it will most likely be for a little bit at the end of a day. 

Also, if you haven’t already, please return the blue sheet regarding our Gingerbread decorating party.  Remember, the house must come PRE-ASSEMBLED which will save us a ton of time in the classroom!  Let’s see how well our Grade 2ers do with restraining themselves from EATING the houses...

Lots of our school work will be coming home in the next few days as we prepare to clean out the classroom for the holidays.  Please take some time to go through your child’s work with them!  Some things to look out for are: our Tipi Books and Early Lethbridge books, our Math Data Analysis unit, our Liquids unit in Science, and other work. 

Mike Mountain Horse will be involved in a One School, One Book project this year.  OSOB started as a pilot project two years ago, and the idea is that the entire school from K to 5, for 1 entire month, reads the same book with their families and then participates in school wide projects during that month.  Originally, the OSOB for 2011 was set for a January start date, but it has been recently decided that the start date will now be January 27^th.  During the OSOB project, Home Reading will not be sent home as students are expected to participate in the OSOB project.  Until then, for the remaining 2 weeks and the first 3 weeks in January, we will continue with our Home Reading program from the classroom.  Please continue with initialling students’ Home Reading Log books, as this greatly assists the parents who come in to do the exchange.  Thank you thank you thank you!!

We are still in need of at least 3 more drivers for our Skating Party on December 16^th to bring us there and back.  This is from 2:00- 3:30. Students will need to have skates and a proper helmet to be on the ice.  If your child does not have skates, perhaps they could borrow from a similar sized buddy for the day or check out second hand sporting good stores.  Bike helmets are not allowed on the ice.  We have a blast out there! Please come and join us! 

Reminder Dates for December:

December 6^th – 13^th-Annual Sock it To ‘Em program!  Bring in a new pair of socks for those in need! Thanks to those who have already donated. 

 December 13^th – 17th-Christmas Carolling every morning in the gym from 8:30- 8:50.  Come join!

Monday December 13^th Piper comes to visit!!  Thank you SO much for all of your donations.  The kids are SO pumped!

Tuesday December 14^thAssembly at 8:30am/ Dress like Christmas Day
School wide Christmas movie showing from 1:00- 2:15 The Polar Express

Wednesday December 15^thGingerbread Decorating Party from 1:00- 2:15

Thursday December 16^thGrade 2 Skating at Nicholas Sheran from 2:15-3:15

Friday December 17^thChristmas Party from 10:15- 11:45.  Last Day of Classes

Tuesday January 4^thBack to School for 2011!!
Spirit Assembly at 8:30am

And last but not least, thank you to those people who have signed up to bring snacks for our Christmas party:

Snack Volunteers for Christmas Party (December 17):

Fruit Plate - Emma

Veggies and Dip - Carter

Cheese, Meat, and Crackers- Jaydon

Cookies, Cupcakes, or Muffins- Hunter

Juice boxes (~ 21) - Camryn

Plates and Napkins- Ava

Side Note for parents with Little Ones: 

Tuesday January 4, 2011 will be the first day of registration for the Kindergarten and Preschool programs for the school year starting in the fall of 2011. See the office for more details!

I have to say, this time of year it feels as though we ask a lot from you.  Whether it’s for Piper, Sock it To Em, Christmas Crafts, volunteering, etc.  I just wanted to say thank you once more- It truly makes the world of a difference!  Thank you for being such an amazing group of parents! 

That’s all for now!  21 more days ‘til Christmas!!

-Anna Tsentouros



~*!Stay Warm!*~

Hello!

Hopefully you are all staying warm and have found the mittens/ scarves/ hats from last year! 

Your student has brought something VERY important home today: Their report cards!  The students have worked very hard and truly have a lot to be proud of this reporting period.  I’ve asked students to not open them until the get home, and to make sure they share them with their parents.  I’ve also asked that they take the time to discuss with you, and to KNOW: What am I doing really well?  What should I continue to do?  What do I need to improve on? 

Sometimes it also helps to write down any questions that you have along the way that you can bring to Parent / Teacher interviews.

...speaking of parent teacher interviews.....

In past interviews, I have found that no matter how hard we try, we seem to sometimes get behind in scheduling.  With the interviews being booked in 20 minute blocks, and with Thursdays interviewing schedule being so busy I would like to open up next week’s afterschool hours to anyone who would like to come in and interview then.

If you are happy with your interview time on either the 25^th or 26^th, by all means keep it!

If you would rather come on either the 22^nd, 23^rd, or 24^th after school, we can very easily schedule you in.  I just want this to be an easy process for you.  If you feel like this is the better option, please email me and we can set up a date and time. 

DATES AND EVENTS IN NOVEMBER/DECEMBER!

November 24^th- Hot lunch!

December 3^rd- Last day to bring in stuff for Piper!!!  (Our class’ rescue dog!)

December 13^th-17^th- Christmas carolling in the gym 8:30-8:50 am

December 14^th- Spirit Assembly @8:30 Dress like Christmas!  As well as: Gingerbread decorating party 1:00-2:15- VOLUNTEERS NEEDED!! More details to follow. 

December 16^th- Skating 2:15-3:30 at Nicholas Sheran * DRIVERS NEEDED, more details to follow

December 17^th- Last day of classes for 2010 (WOW!) Class party at 10:15!

THANK YOU to those people who have brought in shoe boxes!  Remember, each student needs one regular sized shoe box for a Christmas craft that we will be starting VERY SHORTLY!!  If you have more than one shoe box at home, PLEASE bring it in for another student as I know these can be hard to come by!!

A HUGE thank you to those parents who have donated the different craft supplies! We will continue to collect these for the next few weeks, and I promise that you’ll get something creative and beautiful in return J

The supplies we are collecting are:

-sequins

-buttons

-scrap pieces of fabric

-green yarn

-OLD CHRISTMAS CARDS! (we only need the front side)

Hmmm...I think that’s all for now!  Its fireplace and hot chocolate time J  Enjoy your weekends!!

-Anna Tsentouros

November News

Hello!

Can you believe we’re already into the month of November? I felt a bit silly as I changed the calendar in the classroom and decorated it with mittens and snowflakes.  Little did I know we’d have BEAUTIFUL weather!  Although I suppose I shouldn’t speak too soon....

Since this is such a short week, we will not be having spelling homework or a test.  The students did PHENOMENAL on our Math test regarding Data Analysis, and this week we are kicking off our Patterning unit.  Also coming home soon are our Social Studies TIPI Books based on First Nations’ culture, and our Halloween books FINALLY went home! I hope you enjoyed reading your students writing! 

Just a quick reminder if you haven’t already done so, the Hot Lunch order forms are due on Wednesday.  Also, I hope you can make it to our Remembrance Day Assembly at 10:30 where all the Grade 2’s will be performing.  Students on Wednesday need to wear dark pants or jeans, and a white or red shirt.  They will also need to bring in a flashlight ASAP for practise. 

Also, we are in need of a few supplies in our classroom for some upcoming Christmas craft projects. 

Each student will need to bring in 1 shoebox, preferably a regular shoe size (not a children’s shoe box).

If you have any extra of the following supplies, that would be super helpful as well!

-sequins

-buttons

-scrap pieces of fabric

-green yarn

-OLD CHRISTMAS CARDS! (we only need the front side)

Any of those supplies can be brought in between now and December, and I promise they’ll be put to good use J

Parent/ Teacher interviews can now be booked online! A handout has already gone home, but the instructions are also posted on page 3 of the November newsletter.  Each month the newsletter is posted here:

http://mmh.lethsd.ab.ca/Pages/Newsletter.aspx

Thank you for your awesome job with Home Reading and initialling your child’s agenda every night J 

-Anna Tsentouros

*~*tHiS iS hAlLoWeEn*~*

Hi there!

Thanks for checking the blog!  We had an AWESOME day in Room 10 as we kicked off the Halloween weekend with some fun filled activities!  I wish you all a safe and happy weekend as you treat (not trick!) your neighbourhood on Sunday.  Hopefully the children will not be too sleepy on Monday morning!  The Grade 2 team have decided to ask that parents PLEASE limit the amount of candy that comes for recess snack.  Particularly for the morning recess break- it’s probably no surprise that sweets don’t sustain our brains until lunch time.  Please encourage your Grade 2E-er to bring 1 treat with a healthy option.  I will be reminding them about healthy choices, and will reward them when they make those smart choices.  Thanks for your help here!!

A HUGE thank you goes out to those parents who have volunteered with driving to our Crossings Branch Library field trip, AND those who provided sweets for today’s celebrations! Thank you to Jen Zgurski, Rhonda Steed, Sarah Pietras, Marnie Rogstad, Cindy Goldhawk and Amber Toone for driving and to Cynthia Allum, Louise Lindley, Rhonda Steed, Marnie Rogstad, Leslie Wensmann, Heather Hall, and Sarah Peters for providing yummy treats and supplies!

You may have noticed that there is a Home Reading help sheet that went home today.  Please read these helpful hints over and keep them in mind when your student does their home reading.  Also, please watch for a study guide to come home next week for their Math Data Analysis test, as well as their Halloween Books! We need a little bit more time with the writing, but I am sure proud of what we have been able to accomplish so far. 

Have a safe and spooky Halloween weekend!

-Anna Tsentouros

Happy Autumn!!

Hello Grade 2E Families!

I hope you are enjoying your long weekend with your families and the fabulous weather!  The MMH staff enjoyed our two days of Professional Development and we are busy working with some new ideas for the classroom! 

I just wanted to send out a gentle reminder that the Grade 2 students need to bring in a pumpkin for Monday October 25^th.  These pumpkins will be used all week for a math activity, and then will be sent home on either Wednesday the 27^th or Thursday the 28^th, just in time for you to carve them at home for the Halloween weekend!

I’m pleased that the Home Reading program has been off to a great start, and am hoping you are enjoying that one on one time with your Grade 2E student at home.  Please remember to fill in the Home Reading Log Book (in the ziplock bag) and initial every day for when you read.  The Comments section isn’t necessary every time, but if you have any information you’d like to pass along please do so.  Also, PLEASE do not forget to initial your child’s agenda every day!! Thank you for your help with this. 

We are busy in Room 10 wrapping up a few units including our Early Lethbridge First Nations study, and our Data Analysis Unit.  Please watch for a study guide to come home regarding our Math Unit, and help your student study for their unit test. 

I am super proud of our Grade 2ers as they have been working SO HARD at special Halloween Writing activity for the past few weeks.  This is the first major writing project in Grade 2 and we spend a lot of time going over techniques of what makes a fantastic writer.  Their Halloween books will go home on Friday October 29^th.  Please make sure you go through their work and have them share with you what they have been doing, as this project is a large part of their Writing mark for their first reporting period.

I think that’s it for now!  Enjoy your beautiful autumn weekend!

-Anna Tsentouros

Some IMPORTANT OCTOBER/ NOVEMBER DATES!

October 26^th- Life Touch Picture Retakes
October 27^th- Crossings Branch Field Trip 1-2pm
October 28^th- Spelling Test
October 29^th- Halloween Parade/ Party
November 2^nd- Spirit Assembly @ 8:30am
November 10^th- Remembrance Day Assembly @10:30
November 11^th-12^th- No School- Remembrance Day & Fall Break
November 19^th- Report Cards sent home
November 23th- Spirit Assembly @ 12:45
November 24^th- Hot Lunch
November 25^th-26^th- No School- Parent/ Teacher Interviews