Quick Update!

Bonjour!!

Lot’s of important information that went home today on a hand out regarding the 100^th day, and Valentine’s Day!  Please check your student’s backpack so that you’re in the know!

Also, the Grade 2s will be performing some songs at the Assembly on Tuesday, February 1^st at 8:30am.  Students are encouraged to wear Red, White or Blue.  Hope you can make it out to see our star singers!

This is a short month, but a busy month!  Remember to scroll down the screen AND check your child’s agendas for important dates listed. 

Thanks in advance to Ellis’ Mom and Georgia’s Grandma who are volunteering for our 100^th day Activities in the gym! This is a really fun morning and parents are encouraged to stop by. If you have younger siblings who’d like to come participate for a bit they are welcome to do so!

I’m still in need of 1 volunteer to assist with our School Wide Museum day, which will conclude our OSOB project on Thursday, February 17^th.  Email me if you are interested for details!

Also, please look for a Math practise homework sheet coming home on Monday.  It will come with instructions on what to do!

Thanks and have a rockin’ weekend!

-Anna Tsentouros

One School- One Book!

Hello again!

A huge shout out Thank you to Emma’s Dad, Kyra’s Mom, Ellis’ Mom, Jace’s Grandma, and Georgia’s Grandma for volunteering during last weeks swimming escapade!  21 kids in a pool for 1 hour, and we only managed to lose 1 sock.  Pretty impressive I’d say!

Just wanted to do a quick post about a few happenings for the next week in Grade 2!  On Thursday, January 27^th from

2:30-3:15 we will have our One School, One Book kick off assembly!

One School One Book first made its appearance at MMH two years ago, where the entire school read the same book for one month.  Throughout the month, each grade level participated in school wide activities all about the book, and we had an awesome time making the story come alive for those busy 4 weeks.  OSOB is one my favourite MMH activities, and although we only do it every two years, it truly is an amazing experience to see just how everyone makes reading come alive.  OSOB is all about one thing: Reading at home with your entire family!

For this year’s OSOB, we will be revealing what the book is at the Kick off Assembly on Thursday.  We are SO excited to get this project started, and I know the anticipation within the school is rising!  While I can’t tell you what the book is, I can tell you that it is above a Grade 2 reading level.  Having said that, if your child feels confident enough to read the book on their own- that’s great! If not, PLEASE take the time to read this book WITH your child, and help explain along the way.  I strongly encourage that if your child CAN read the book on your own, that you still try your very best to make it a family activity, as that is what the project is all about. Perhaps you could take turns reading it out loud!  Seeing how families made the book come alive two years ago was really the best part about the whole project, and I really hope that you can have fun with this year’s story at home. 

During the month long project, there will be trivia questions on the morning announcements and students who enter will be eligible to win prizes.  Expect an information sheet along with the revelation of the book to come home on Thursday, January 27^th. I hope to see some parents/ family members at

the assembly on Thursday at 2:30 as well.  In an effort to cut down on costs, this year, unlike the previous OSOB, only the OLDEST CHILD in the family will be receiving a book, instead of EVERY child.  Also, because of the nature of the project, our classroom Home Reading will be put on hold for the month.  I can’t tell you how excited I am about this project and I hope you are too!!

After Thursday’s excitement, we also have our Grade 2 Arctic Day on Friday, January 28^th!  This is a day where the Grade

2s will rotate around to other Grade 2 classrooms, to participate in centers all about the Arctic Region, which ties perfectly into our Nunavut study. 

I’ve been doing a lot of marking / cleaning of our classroom shelves so please expect some past work to come home in the next little bit.  Can you believe that next week is February?!!?  Insanity!!

Hope you had a great weekend J

-Anna

All the Happenings for January and February!

Hi there Grade 2E families!

Thanks for checking in!  We had a busy week in room 10 and I am SO PROUD to say how well our class did.  We got right down to business with a few things.  In Language Arts, we have kicked off our Jan Brett author study.  Over the course of the next few weeks, we will be looking at some of Brett’s work and modelling some writing after her.  In Math, we ROCKED our patterns test and I’m super proud to say that everyone did phenomenal!  We’ve had a good jump start on learning about hot and cold temperatures in Science. It’s great that we’ve had such excellent examples of cold temperatures outside, but I think we’re ready for some HOT temperatures now...but I won’t hold my breath.  It’s kind of fitting when it comes to Social though.  Did you know this past week it was the same temperature in Iqaluit as it was in Lethbridge??

I wanted to discuss my growing collection of Pokemon cards that are currently in my ‘June Drawer’.  We’ve had quite a few discussions about card collections and how school is not the best place for them to end up. I don’t mind when students bring them out to play at recess time (especially with all of our indoor recesses), but more often than not the cards have been making appearances during class time.  If your student is responsible enough to bring the cards to school, please have a discussion at home about WHEN they should be playing with them- Thanks for your help with this! 

Thank you to the volunteers who were able to sign up for Swimming on January 20^th.  We will leave the school at 1:30, swim from 2-3 and be back at the school by 3:30 for dismissal.  Thank you to Emma’s Dad, Kyra’s Mom, Ellis’ Mom, Jace’s Grandma, and Georgia’s Grandma for volunteering! 

The Healthy Schools Expo is on January 27^th 2011, from 6:30 to 8:00pm at Galbraith School!  This is a great event where families can learn more about healthy and active living opportunities in Lethbridge.  You can also learn about different extra curricular activities that are available in your community.  Bring your family and tour through the different booths that will be set up.  Light refreshments will be served and you may even win some prizes along the way! Hope to see some families from MMH there!   

This year, Valentine’s Day and 100^th Day of School celebration fall extremely close together! The Grade 2s will partner up with the Grade 1s on Friday, February 11^th for 100^th Day activities in the gym.  I am in need of two volunteers to help run centers in the gym for this morning, from 8:30- 11:15.  If you are interested in coming to help on this day, please email me back.  I promise it’s an easy and fun job! 

Thank you to the following people who have signed up to bring treats on this day for 21 students:

Quinten- fruit tray
Carter- meat, cheese and cracker tray
Georgia- cookies, cupcakes or muffins
Alfie- juice boxes
Emma- plates and napkins

Valentine’s Day – February 14^th- falls on a Monday this year.  On Monday the 14^th, students are able to bring in their valentines and distribute them to our Valentine’s mailboxes.  We will be doing some Valentine’s language arts activities throughout the day, but we are going to wait to have our class party on Friday, February 18^th.  This coincides with Random Acts of Kindness week which is from Feb. 14^th to the 18^th, so we can celebrate both of those things on the Friday. 

Thank you to the following people who have signed up to bring treats on this day for 21 students:

Georgia- fruit tray
Jace- veggies and dip
Quinten- meet, cheese and cracker tray
Ava- cupcakes
Emma- juice boxes
Alden- plates and napkins

Now, if you’re REALLY organized and are interested in putting some more dates onto your calendar, here are the following days for After School Skating at Nicholas Sheran Arena.  This is a free skate open for MMH students and their families. It runs from 3:30 to 4:30 and a GREAT way to get out and get active!

February 1^st, 8^th, 15^th
March 1^st, 8^th, 15^th, 22^nd, 29^th

Have a fantastic weekend and STAY WARM!!

-Anna Tsentouros

                                           

Important January and February Dates

January 18^th- Spirit Assembly at 12:45
 January 19^th- HOT LUNCH DAY, Scholastic Book orders DUE
January 20^th- Swimming from 2-3pm
January 27^th- One School One Book kick off!
                        Healthy Living Expo from 6:30-8:00 at Galbraith Gym
January 28^th- Arctic Day (tentative date)

February 1^st- Spirit Assembly at 8:30am
February 2^nd- Groundhog Day
February 4^th- Professional Learning Day- no school for students
February 9^th- School Council Meeting 7pm
February 11^th- 100^th day of school celebration!
February 14^th- 18^th – Random Acts of Kindness Week
February 14^th- Valentine’s Day
February 17^th- One School One Book School wide activity
February 18^th- Class Valentine’s Celebration
February 21^st-25^th-Family Day Break



Hello 2011!

I can’t tell you how many times I’ve accidently written ‘2010’ on everything.  I hope everyone had a fantastic holiday and enjoyed lots of quality time with loved ones.  I think everyone at MMH was a little sleepy on Tuesday morning, but nevertheless we were quick to get down to busy and already the holidays seem a million miles away!

I just wanted to clarify that there were TWO DATES that were wrong on the orange form that went home on Tuesday. - My apologies, my brain may have still been on vacation! 

Hot Lunch is actually on Wednesday, January 19^th and NOT the 26^th

Also, our Grade 2 class will be swimming on THURSDAY, JANUARY 20^TH (not the 13^th), and we will be going from 2pm to 3pm. 

WE NEED MORE DRIVERS FOR THIS EVENT!!  If you want to correct the date on the orange form and send it back, you can OR you can also email me with the number of students you are able to take.  We will leave the school at 1:30 and be back by 3:30. 

Please expect a Math review to come home all about our Patterning Unit.  We will have our Patterns this week where the students will be assessed in repeating and increasing patterns using pictures, numbers, letters and symbols.  Please take the time to go over the review with them as many students often experience test anxiety if they feel ill prepared. 

And that`s all for now!

-Anna Tsentouros

~Important January Dates~

January 11^th- HOT LUNCH FORMS DUE

January 12^th- School council meeting at 7pm

January 18^th- Spirit Assembly at 12:45- dress in sports apparel

January 19^th- HOT LUNCH DAY, Scholastic Book orders DUE

January 20^th- Swimming from 2-3pm

January 27^th- One School One Book kick off!

January 28^th- Arctic Day (tentative date)

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