Schreck

May 2, 2008 Newsletter

MARVELOUS MAY

It's hard to believe that May is here and we are looking to the end of a wonderful year!  I have loved this group.  The children are so well behaved, have accomplished so much, are a fantastic group, and fun to be with everyday..  I will certainly miss them, and I have to admit, I am sad to see the year come to the end.

We have been learning about life cycles of the painted lady butterflies.  The caterpillars have formed their chrysalides, and we are anxiously awaiting the emerging butterflies.  A few days after they have reached their final stage in their life cycle, we will release them in our outdoor classroom!

We are now studying the land "Land Down Under".  The children are so excited about learning more about this country. "Japan Day" was such a hit, that we are planning on having "Australia Day" on May 14th!  We currently have a guest speaker lined up and several other activities planned. 

We were also able to go outside on April 30 and watch our Book Buddies launch Rockets.  The children really enjoyed  this.  We have been Book Buddies with Mr. Morris' class  all year.

Congratulations to Gi Yoon for being chosen as our Character Ed. Winner for Commitment.  She earned this.

Congratulations to Caroline, our Character Winner for the word Accomplishment.  She is very deserving!

Special Thanks To:

• Hala's mom, Taylor's mom, and Chad's mom for sending in special "brain food" during the CRCT testing.  Hala's mom also sent in more fruit this week and the children were thrilled.
• All parents who sent in your children well rested and prepared for the testing 
• Thanks to all who participated in the many Relay for Life activities.  Thus far, $8,552 has been raised!!! 
• Thanks for those who have sent in completed enrollment forms. Please make sure that all forms have been signed before sending them back.
• Anna Claire's mom for being our Mystery Reader on Friday.

Upcoming Dates:

Mrs Bergstedt and my class will be presenting our annual End of the Year play "Going Buggy" on Thursday, May 23 at 10:00.  More info to follow.

May 5: "Drumming Up Stories" Performing Arts program at Mt. Bethel featuring interactive stories from around the world

May 9: All library books due

May 11: Mother's Day (The children are working very hard on a "special" project  especially for you!)  I am so excited for you to see them.

May 12: Reader's Theater(various teachers will present favorite stories.)

May 14: Australia Day (morning)

Representative from Cobb County Library will present information regarding their Summer Reading Program (afternoon)

May 15: End of Year Party

May 21-24: Reading is Hot , Hot, Hot (More information will follow)

May 20 Field Day (8:00-10:30)

May 20: Yearbook  Signing (Outdoor Classroom, 1:30-2:00)

May 22: All supplies will be sent home

March 28, 2008

Well, I think I have finally thawed out after the winter.  We have been having a lot of fun and learning a lot on our Smart Boards and Senteo.  The operator (me) doesn't always know what she is doing, but the kiddos are patient with me.

I want you to know I am still receiving compliments about how well my class behaves.  They are so enthusiastic about learning.  Today, they told Mrs. Duvall they never wanted to leave Second Grade.

We have begun to review skills for the CRCT, but a lot of it is on the Smart Board using Senteo and they are very focused on the lesson.

I want to remind you we have a Music Program next Thursday Night.  The children need to be here by 6:30.  Also, at the same time, there will be the Spring Art Show in the multi-purpose room. 

Congrats to Gi Yoon, our Character Ed. student for Committment.

Dates to Remember:

• April 2 Kindergarten Registration
• YMCA Sport Party 2:45-4:45
• April 7-11 Spring Break
• April 22 Relay for Life Faculty Kickball Game
• April 23, 24, 25 CRCT

Thank you to Mrs. Samad, Mrs. Griffith, Mrs. Hodson, and Mrs. Krolick for always volunteering to help out in the classroom.

Newsletter January 17, 2008

Happy New Year! It is good to be back with the children.  I am looking forward to meeting with you for conferences next week.  Don't forget it is Early Dismissal at 12:20.  You will be given your child's report at your conference.

High Touch High Tech is at the end of January.  If you have not sent in your permission slip and donation, please send it in now.

Important News!  There will be a Smart Board demonstration on Tuesday, January 29 at 8:30 in our classroom.  The children will be demonstrating many different ways to use the Smart Board.  I hope many of you will be able to attend.  This new 21st Century Technology was provided for us with SPLOST funds.  Mt. Bethel is one of 6 pilot schools.  We are so excited!

Congratulations to  Anna Claire, our Character Ed. person for Compassion for December. January's word is Resilience.

Don't forget Monday is a National Holiday in honor of Martin Luther King, Jr. 

A special thanks to Mrs. Griffin and Mrs. Krolick for subbing at the last minute, so I could attend a grade level meeting.  Thank to Joyce (Hala's grandmother) for being our Storybook Reader in the Media Center on Friday.  Thank you to Mrs. Griffin for volunteering to work with one of my students each Wednesday.

Don't forget to send in your money bags, so we can use it for counting, sorting, and exchanging money.  I will return it at the end of the year.

Wednesday, January 23, is the 100th day  of school.  We will be doing special activities to coincide with this day.

Looking forward to seeing all of you next week.

Schreck's Little Ogres Newsletter December 20, 2007

I want to wish all of you a Happy Holiday Season.  I hope you all enjoy the next  2 weeks with your children.  We have had a wonderful fun-filled learning  month of December.  Starting with our Economics Unit and the production and purchase of holiday gifts by our consumers.

I wanted to thank all of you who participated in our caring and sharing for our custodial and lunchroom staff.  They were all given nice little holiday "bonuses".  We are very appreciative of these folks.

Just a couple of reminders:

Many of the children , almost half of the class, have been arriving at the last moment each day.  Even though they are not tardy, it is disruptive.  It takes many of these chldren 10 minutes to get settled.  I would like for everyone to arrive before 7:45.  This helps everyone start the day off on the right foot. Thank you.

You may want to check with your children to see if they need new school supplies.  Many children are low on pencils and crayons. Thanks.

I am sure you having been hearing a lot about our 21st century technology from your children.  We are one of 7 schools who are piloting this technology.  The money from Splost was used for this very important purchase.  In January, I will be giving a presentation to my parents so you can see how we use this equipment.  Watch for more news on this after we return.

A letter came home today to thank you all for the wonderful Holiday gift.  I really appreciate your generosity.  As I stated in the letter, I usually use these type of gifts to buy a sentimental gift to remember the class.  Thank you so much.

I want you to know how much I enjoy this group.  We get compliments from the Special Teachers all the time about our behavior. They really get along well.  Thank you for all your support these past few months. 

Thank you to Mrs. Samad for organizing the holiday party.  The children enjoyed it and were very calm.  Thank you to all the moms who helped: Mrs. Samad, Mrs. Helfrich, Mrs. Segers, Mrs. Shepherd, Mrs. Griffith, and  Mrs. Krolick.

Congratulations to Anna for being chosen for Character Ed person for Compassion in December.

School begins for the students on January 8, 2008.  I will see those bright shining faces then.

Thanks for all you do.  HAVE A WONDERFUL SAFE HOLIDAY SEASON.

November 15 Newsletter

Happy Turkey Day to all of you.  If you are traveling, please be safe on the roads.  Thanksgiving has come too early this year.  We have been studying about the Eastern Woodland, and Plains Indians, comparing their homes, food, clothing, and traditions.  It has been a lot of fun and the children are so interested. We had a wonderful time on our Field Trip last week.  We got to eat our lunch in a teepee.  The children were very well-behaved.  In case I haven't told your recently, this is a wonderful group of children.  We get compliments every time we go to Specials.   Thank you to : Mrs.Krolick for chaperoning us on our Native American Field Day   Mrs. Helfrich for being our Storybook Reader in the Media Center on Friday.  Thank you to Mrs. Samad for staying on top of things, and helping organize all our activities.  Thank you to Mrs. Samad and Mrs. Hodson for being my parent volunteers on November 7.  Thank you to Mrs. Griffith for coming in to work with one of our students.  I really appreciate all your support.  Thank you to those of you who sent in items for the troops in Iraq. 

DATES TO REMEMBER:

• Thanksgiving Break-November 21-25
• Cultural Celebrations-December 10-14
• Holiday Party-December 20
• Winter Break-December 24-January 7

Have a safe and wonderful Thanksgiving Break!

                                                                            

Schreck's Little Ogres Newsletter

Hi Folks, I lost my last blog from October 17 and haven't had time to get back to you.  These are busy days for me and my little ogres.  I want to give much thank you to Mrs. Samad for organizing a blow out Halloween Celebration.  Also, thank you to Mrs. Griffin for coming in and helping with our party.  I would like to give a special thank you to the following moms:  Mrs. Samad, Mrs. Griffin, Mrs. Krolick, and Mrs. Helfrich for volunteering for everything that has come up the past few weeks. 

Tomorrow is our Native American Festival.  We are going outside to play games and make crafts.  Mrs. Samad will be helping with this also.  We will be studying the Indians of the Northeast, Southeast, and the Plains.  We have lots of fun crafts and activities to do with this unit.  Next week, we are going to the Touch the Earth festival at Wills Park in Alpharetta on Thursday, November 8. The children will get to observe Native American customs, tales, and see artifacts displayed by Native Americans. Is anyone interested in chaperoning this field trip?  Let me know.  We will be leaving at 9 and returning at 1.

GREAT NEWS! Second Grade teachers applied for a Foundation Grant. The foundation has purchased 5 document cameras to be shared with the other second grade teachers.  It is called an ELMO, and will allow us to project almost any material on to the Smart Board.  Thank you to the foundation for their generosity.

Congratulations to Taylor for being chosen as the Character Ed. winner for responsibility.  Also, Congrats to Anna Claire for her performance in "On the Radio".

FUN RUN is this Saturday, November 3.

Don't forget Monday, November 5 and Tuesday, November 6 are Student Holidays.

Schreck's Little Ogre's Newsletter

Thank you to Mrs. Samad and Mrs. Griffith for being Parent Volunteers so I could attend a Grade Level Meeting.  It was a very valuable time.  We accomplished alot.

Congratulations to Danny for being selected as the Character Ed. winner in September for Integrity.

Thank you to the School Foundation for purchasing new Science Materials for our Science lab and program.  Mrs. Walleshauser is our new Science teacher and she is wonderful.

High Touch HIgh Tech scientist was here on Monday with lots of information and fun activities for Math.

DATES TO REMEMBER:

October 9-Picture retake day-original packages must be returned

October 12-There is no Teacher Workday on October 12.  It is a regular school day.

October 15-Parent Training, 9 AM  in Media Center

October 16-Informal class photos by yearbook photographers

October 18-Sally Foster Wrapping Paper  will be delivered to our classrooms for you to pick up.

WE ARE STILL IN NEED OF THE POST ITS FOR READING!  Thank you to those of you who have sent them in with your child.

SUBJECT AREAS:

Science-Matter

Social Studies-Me and My Map

Math-two digit addition with and without  regrouping

Reader's Workshop, Guided Reading-Summarizing

Writer's Workshop-publishing

Specials-October 8-12

PE.Monday, Tuesday, Thursday

Art-Wednesday

Music-Friday

Thank you all for your help and support.  We love your children.

Math Blaster and other Homework

Hi Parents,  Today your child came home with their Math Blaster folder.  I forgot to send homework, yesterday.  I'm sorry because I had it ready on Friday. Nevertheless, all homework is due on Friday.  Homework includes math blaster, spelling, writing, and math review sheet.  Don't forget to read 20 minutes on school nights and to study for the spelling test. That sounds like a lot of homework!

Classroom News 9/6/01

We are working on comparing numbers with greater than, less than, and equals.  Mrs. Brewer has been teaching Math this week.  The children are very enthusiastic about it.  We have also been learning math partner games to reinforce our math skills.  Most of the children are grasping the new skills quickly.  We hope to begin Math Blaster soon.  Many of the children need to learn those addition and subtraction facts to 18.  We also have a new program called FastTrack Math.  The students can practice their facts at school, after an assessment, and differentiation is built into the program.  They are not penalized if they are slow typers.  We are very excited about this program, and look forward to starting the students on it.

Thank you to Mrs. Hodson and Mrs. Sala for gathering our class information pertaining to volunteers and our class directory.  Thank you to the parents who have filled out the information and returned the form and donation to our Room Mothers so quickly.

Thank you to everyone who has turned in their August Reading Calendars and to everyone who remembered to total the minutes.

Thank you to all of you that have returned the Perfoming Arts forms. 

REMINDERS:

• Don't forget to return library books on Friday.
• Don't forget wrapping paper orders.
• I am looking forward to seeing you on Friday at the "Night in the Parking Lot"!
• Don't forget to send your child with a healthy snack each day.  We have emergency snacks, for children who occasionally forget, but some children are routinely not bringing one.
• East Cobber Parade-September 15, 10 AM
• Early Release Day-September 19-Children are released at 12:20.  Spanish and Chess will meet directly after dismissal

We are working hard

Your children are working hard, even though you don't see a lot of paper work coming home.  We are writing and reading daily.  Right now, we are setting up the Reader's and Writer's workshop by introducing a new skill through a mini-lesson each day.  I have been assessing student's reading and will also  administertin the DRA to each of them.  I just didn't want you to think I was letting your children sleep on the job.

ALL CHILDREN NEED DRY ERASE MARKERS FOR MATH WORK!!