The Toucan Squawk, Apr. 16 - 20

Testing is done!  I'm so proud of the kids and their hard work.  They really put their all into their testing yesterday and today.  And, to make this even more special, we don't have any make-ups scheduled for the rest of the week because everyone was present for both days! 

Today was especially tough because it was the scripted day, where I read to the students for the math and language arts tests.  I know they would rather had move through the tests on their own, but these two tests have been set up this way by the mandates put forth by the state.  The kids were pretty tired of the tests by the end of them, so everyone was especially happy when they realized today was the second and last day.

We Love Reading! week is next week!  This is a special week we have set up to celebrate our guest author, Juanita Havill.  She will be here on Thursday, and will read some of her books to the students.  Below is the schedule of events:

• Monday-  "Hats off to Reading".  Wear a fun hat.
• Tuesday-  "Read like a rock star".  Dress like a rock star.
• Wednesday-  "I'm tied to a good book"  Wear a fun tie.  Parents are invited to participate in fun activities with their child in the library.
• Thursday-  Juanita Havill, guest author.  "Reading knocks your socks off".  Wear fun socks.
• Friday-  Book character parade.  Dress up as a favorite book character.

It's definietly going to be a fun week!

We will be finishing working with fractions next week- I'd like to introduce adding and subtracting fractions this week and next.  We'll then move on to time to the half hour, and last but definietly not least- a math unit the students always look forward to- multiplication!

We will also be finishing reading the text book series next week, with a non-fiction story called, "The World's Plants are in Danger".  This will also culminate our spelling word lists, so I will then be introducing more book reports in different formats for both fiction and non-fiction, as well as third grade word lists.


News

April 23                  Progress Reports sent home
April 23 - 27           We Love Reading! Week  
April 27                  Spring Carnival, 4:30 - 6:00 PM
April 30                  General Dental visit


Birthdays

April 4                    Lainey
April 7                    Brooke
April 14                  Gabe
April 27                  Mason

Have a great week!

Elizabeth Townsend
elizabeth.townsend@svps.k12.az.us
PDS
Second Grade

Thank you for continuing to make your child's education a priority!

The Toucan Squawk, Apr. 9 - Apr. 13

Oh boy I don't like being sick!  But, thankfully, it was something very simple.  Unfortunately, I still had to be out the whole week to get through it.  I had an allergic reaction to a medicine my doctor gave me, and as luck would have it- being sick was the only way I could find out I was allergic to it.  Fortunately enough, I'm feeling super and happy to be back in the classroom with the kiddos!

We have moved from graphing and tally charts, and are working our way through fractions.  The students will be ready for assessment by this Friday.  The story for this week has been changed.  Instead of the assigned reading series story, the students are working on a book report based on a book of their choice.  Several students are working through a library book, while others have chosen a book from the classroom selections.  Either way, the students will be completing their assignments this week.  My plan is for them to present their report to the class early next week.

And speaking of next week...the students are taking their Stanford 10 test Monday and Tuesday!  The students have prepared for this test the whole school year, and I know they are ready for it.  I'll send a reminder later on in the week, but please remember the following:

1. Schedule all doctor's appointments after testing has been completed.  Once a test date has been started, the students cannot go back to that test they missed.  This is a state mandate, not by the school or the district.
2. If you think your student is sick, keep them home.  This is obviously not something we teachers like to mention, but again- if a student starts on a test, and then ends up leaving during the day, they cannot continue that test.
3. Make sure your student gets plenty of sleep the night before testing date.  A tired mind cannot function while trying to pay attention to something as important as this test.
4. The same goes for a full tummy.  Please make sure your student has a healthy and full breakfast the morning of the test.  I'll have the chance to give the students a break to have a snack, but the morning should get off to a good start by having a great breakfast.

The picture preview packet will be sent home in the coming weeks.  As a reminder, please review the pictures, as well as the available packages, and return both the preview packet and your payment as soon as possible back with your student. If you do not wish to purchase the pictures, please return the entire preview packet back with your student. According to the photography company policy, any parts of the preview packet not returned will be considered as the packet is being purchased, and you may be charged.

It's unbelievable, but Move Up Day will be here before we know it!  As a reminder, Move Up Day is a chance for the students to meet their teacher for the 2012 - 2013 school year.  It's an exciting time for the students, and for the teachers!  The event usually only lasts about 15 minutes, enough time for the teachers to introduce the grade and classroom to the students.  Last year, I read a second grade picture book to the students, and then they drew and colored pictures of something they learned in first grade.  The students usually go home with an introduction to the classroom polices, as well as an activity they can complete over the summer vacation.  It's definietly something to look forward to!  The teachers will be meeting in the coming weeks to go over the registered students for each grade, and we'll divide the students amongst their new teachers based on several factors.  The students won't know who they will be going to until that morning- the teachers don't even know until that morning either!  News of that day will be coming soon.


News
April 23rd               Progress Reports sent home
April 25th               Teacher in-service, 1/2 day early release at 11:45
April 27th               Spring Carnival, 4:30 - 6:00

Birthdays
April 14th               Gabriel
April 27th               Mason



I hope you have a fantastic week!

Elizabeth Townsend
PDS
Second Grade
elizabeth.townsend@svps.k12.az.us

The Toucan Squawk, Mar. 26 - 30

Hello families!  I hope everyone enjoyed their Spring Break.  I myself got a lot accomplished:  cleaning, catching up on reading, and making more file folder games for the kids.  The class first used them during Dr. Seuss week, and but I haven't been able to make any more since then.  These are in addition to the weekly spelling centers, which will begin to also include weekly math centers to strengthen and enrich skills. 

The students have continued their unit on graphing and tally charts, as well as reviewing double-digit addition and subtraction.  We have also continued our unit on contractions by watching an educational video about them, and completing activity pages.  The students will also complete file folder centers individually and with partners to quiz their knowledge about this unit, which will conclude on Monday with a unit test. 
         
The students took home their Spring registration form on Monday. Please fill it out accordingly and return it as soon as possible. Returning it with the intent for your student to continue at PdS will ensure your student's place for the new school year. If your intent is for your student to not return next year, please be sure to fill out the back and return it. Either way, whether you wish or do not wish for your student to return next school year, this form needs to be returned as soon as possible. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact the school.

Spring pictures were taken today.  The picture preview will be sent home in approximately 2 weeks.  Please review the pictures, as well as the available packages, and return both the preview packet and your payment as soon as possible back with your student.  If you do not wish to purchase the pictures, please return the entire preview packet back with your student.  According to the photography company policy, any parts of the preview packet not returned will be considered as the packet is being purchased, and you may be charged.

News

March 28th               Teacher in-service, 1/2 day early release at 11:45
April 6th                   No school, Spring Holiday
April 23rd                 Progress Reports send home
April 25th                 Teacher in-service, 1/2 day early release at 11:45
April 27th                 Spring Carnival, 4:30 - 6:00


Birthdays

April 4th                  Brooke
April 7th                  Lainey
April 14th                Gabriel
April 27th                Mason



Have a great week!

Elizabeth Townsend
elizabeth.townsend@svps.k12.az.us
Second Grade
PDS

Spring Pictures!

PDS is scheduled for Spring Pictures on March 27th!  I've sent an information sheet home today, along with their lunch ticket for Friday.  This Friday is a half day!  Please return the lunch ticket TOMORROW if your student is having a school lunch.

Elizabeth Townsend
PDS
Second Grade
elizabeth.townsend@svps.k12.az.us

The Toucan Squawk, Mar. 12 - 16

Hello families!  I hope everyone has enjoyed their week so far.  The students have started on crafts and activities on St. Patrick's Day, including word builder activities using St. Patrick's Day related words and a solve-the-math-and-color-sheet.  They'll also be creating crafts to post in the room.  We have also started on our unit for graphs and tally tables.  The students started the unit having fun by surveying 10 classmates to fill a tally table with their information.  They will eventually be creating a foldable flip book to document their knowledge about this unit.  We have started a new story in reading, "Officer Buckle and Gloria".  We are also continuing our writing project about what to do with a caught leprechaun.

Next week is Spring Break- how time flies!  I'll be sending home the Morning Work packet the students would have gotten for the week for a chance to earn an extra nickel.  This is, as usual, optional. However, for the students who do complete it and return it no later than Tuesday, March 27 will receive two extra nickels for their best effort and the completion of the entire packet.

I'll be sending home info for Spring pictures! They're coming up soon.

News
March 16 1/2 day, Teacher in-service
March 19 - 23 Spring Break

Birthdays

Mar. 25 Ana

Mar. 29 Donté

Elizabeth Townsend
Second Grade
Pueblo del Sol Elementary Schoolelizabeth.townsend@svps.k12.az.us

An extra reminder regarding yearbooks, March 8th

As a reminder...

yearbook ordering is complete and no further orders can be accepted.  Students can check with the office in May when yearbooks are distributed to see if there are any extras.  Thank you!

Elizabeth Townsend

PDS

Second Grade

elizabeth.townsend@svps.k12.az.us

The Toucan Squawk, Mar. 5 - 9

Hello families!  This year's yearbooks have been ordered, and payments have been made for those who have turned them in!  We will be getting them in early May, so be on the look out.  I've seen the class page, and it looks positively fantastic!  I'm looking forward to everyone signing yearbooks at the end of the school year (of course, I'm NOT looking forward to it being the end of the school year at that point!)  I have also sent a new batch of t-shirt order forms home.  However, I just today noticed that there are actually two on each sheet- opps!- so you'll only need to fill out one of the forms to order for your student and anyone else at home who would like one.  The shirts are teal, with the school name and mascot (the dust devil) on the front.  An example is posted in the front office for viewing.

The students are currently working on St. Patrick's day activities to decorate the classroom.  We are also finishing our unit on rounding, starting on graphing tomorrow, which will continue through next week.  The students will also be completing their 3rd quarter benchmark tests to show progress of learning from this quarter- I'm so excited to see the results!   

Prior to Spring Break, I'll be sending students to the Lost and Found box to look through to find any jackets, sweaters, backpacks, lunch boxes, or other items which may belong to them. This can also be done on their own prior to school starting- the box is loacted in the entrance to the cafeteria. Any items not claimed by spring break will be donated to a local charity.

I'll be sending home info for Spring pictures! They're coming up soon.

News
March 16 1/2 day, Teacher in-service
March 19 - 23 Spring Break

Birthdays

Mar. 25 Ana

Mar. 29 Donté


Elizabeth Townsend
Second Grade
Pueblo del Sol Elementary Schoolelizabeth.townsend@svps.k12.az.us