I just wanted to take a moment to say how thankful I am I had your children in my class this year. We had a great year and I'm so excited to hear about their successes for their coming school year in 3rd grade. Enjoy the next couple of months with your students!
Thank you for all you have done!
Elizabeth Townsend
PDS
Second Grade
elizabeth.townsend@svps.k12.az.us
5/23/2013
5/15/2013
The Toucan Squawk, May 13 - 17
Hello families! We'll be going to Lowe's tomorrow for our final field trip. We'll be leaving at about 8:30, and returning around 11:00. There's been some debate if we'll be returning at 11:00 or 11:30, so we'll have to play it by ear. However, we will be returning by our regular lunch time of 11:43, so there's no problem with that. The students will be making a wooden craft which they will be able to take home- Mrs. Sullins and Mrs. Holston took their students earlier this week and they both said that everyone had a great time with this project.
Friday afternoon is our Portfolios and Popcorn event! The students have been working SO hard on their writing this year and their portfolios are ready to be shared and taken home. If you have not responded to the flyer sent home last week, please do so soon. We're attempting to get a final count for the popcorn for each classroom. Our event will be held in our room, 12:30 to 1:30. We hope to see you there!
Currently, there has been some discussion if we'll have Move Up day this year. I'm really hoping we do, simply because I know how fantastic it is for the students to meet their new teachers before the new school year even starts. As of right now, Move Up day is scheduled for Monday the 20th. This day is admittedly somewhat bittersweet for me, as I'm sure it is for the other teachers. While the kiddos will be walking themselves over to their 3rd grade classes, I'll be meeting with my new second graders. Paraprofessional aides will be around campus to direct the students to the correct rooms, which will be in the next building over. Even with the close proximity, it can be a little confusing to get around. I, along with the other teachers, do not know who has been put into who's class for next year. While we had a hand in distributing the students while we worked on the lists on May 3rd, things may have changed and therefore we don't find out until the morning of Move Up day.
Field day is Wednesday the 22nd. The students will be participating in a variety of water-related activities. Because of this, I'm asking the following so that everyone gets to enjoy their morning:
We have been celebrating "unbirthdays" this week. This is a great chance for everyone to have their birthday celebrated, birthday song and all, even though we aren't in school during that time. If you received an unbirthday notice last week, you are welcome to bring in a snack to share for the class. However, this isn't necessary. I still have a card and a pencil to give, and the kiddos of course will sing happy birthday.
While this week and next progresses, the kiddos and I will be doing some cleaning and organizing in the room. I'm also still sending home papers, etc, so please continue to send your student to school with their backpacks. Next week we'll also be celebrating the end of the year with an ice cream party- I've sent home a request for items. Please send in your item if you are able to by Friday- our celebration is next Tuesday.
News
May 16 Lowe's field trip, 8:30 - 11:30
May 20 Move Up day, 8:15 - 8:45
May 21 End of the Year ice cream celebration, playground, ?:??
May 22 Field day, grades 2 and 4, 8:30 - 10:00
May 23 Student's last day, early release at 11:30- NO LUNCH SERVED
Birthdays
May 14 Greg
June 3 Paul
June 10 Carter
July 2 Mark
July 7 Laska
July 26 Alicia
July 29 Abygail
Aug. 3 Hailee
Thank you for all you do!
Elizabeth Townsend
PDS
Second Grade
elizabeth.townsend@svps.k12.az.us
Friday afternoon is our Portfolios and Popcorn event! The students have been working SO hard on their writing this year and their portfolios are ready to be shared and taken home. If you have not responded to the flyer sent home last week, please do so soon. We're attempting to get a final count for the popcorn for each classroom. Our event will be held in our room, 12:30 to 1:30. We hope to see you there!
Currently, there has been some discussion if we'll have Move Up day this year. I'm really hoping we do, simply because I know how fantastic it is for the students to meet their new teachers before the new school year even starts. As of right now, Move Up day is scheduled for Monday the 20th. This day is admittedly somewhat bittersweet for me, as I'm sure it is for the other teachers. While the kiddos will be walking themselves over to their 3rd grade classes, I'll be meeting with my new second graders. Paraprofessional aides will be around campus to direct the students to the correct rooms, which will be in the next building over. Even with the close proximity, it can be a little confusing to get around. I, along with the other teachers, do not know who has been put into who's class for next year. While we had a hand in distributing the students while we worked on the lists on May 3rd, things may have changed and therefore we don't find out until the morning of Move Up day.
Field day is Wednesday the 22nd. The students will be participating in a variety of water-related activities. Because of this, I'm asking the following so that everyone gets to enjoy their morning:
- Students should wear fast-drying clothes they won't mind getting wet. They are welcome to bring a change of clothes for afterwards. Please, NO swimsuits or other swimming-related items- they won't be necessary.
- We'll be outside for over an hour, so sunscreen is a definite must.
We have been celebrating "unbirthdays" this week. This is a great chance for everyone to have their birthday celebrated, birthday song and all, even though we aren't in school during that time. If you received an unbirthday notice last week, you are welcome to bring in a snack to share for the class. However, this isn't necessary. I still have a card and a pencil to give, and the kiddos of course will sing happy birthday.
While this week and next progresses, the kiddos and I will be doing some cleaning and organizing in the room. I'm also still sending home papers, etc, so please continue to send your student to school with their backpacks. Next week we'll also be celebrating the end of the year with an ice cream party- I've sent home a request for items. Please send in your item if you are able to by Friday- our celebration is next Tuesday.
News
May 16 Lowe's field trip, 8:30 - 11:30
May 20 Move Up day, 8:15 - 8:45
May 21 End of the Year ice cream celebration, playground, ?:??
May 22 Field day, grades 2 and 4, 8:30 - 10:00
May 23 Student's last day, early release at 11:30- NO LUNCH SERVED
Birthdays
May 14 Greg
June 3 Paul
June 10 Carter
July 2 Mark
July 7 Laska
July 26 Alicia
July 29 Abygail
Aug. 3 Hailee
Thank you for all you do!
Elizabeth Townsend
PDS
Second Grade
elizabeth.townsend@svps.k12.az.us
5/01/2013
The Toucan Squawk, Apr. 29 - May 3
Hello families! It's still unbelievable to me that it's already May-
how time flies! The students had a great time at the Arts and Crafts
center on Fort Huachuca Tuesday afternoon. They may- well, I can't tell
you because it's a surprise!- but what they did do came out really cute- the
kids put a lot of effort into their craft. I'm looking forward to getting
the final products in and ready to be sent home. Our next field trip is
on May 16th, and we're going to Lowe's! This trip was an idea from fellow
second grade teacher Mrs. Sullins. She said that her daughter's Kinder
class went a few months ago and their products were so cute. The kids had
a lot of fun- so she shared this idea with the rest of us. We'll be going
with Mrs. Blackburn's class, from 8:30 - 11:00. I'll be getting the
permission slip soon, and I'll send it home as soon as possible.
We've been working on our third grade letters for Move Up Day. Most of the students are done with them. I didn't edit these letters as I usually do. The only edits I did do was to check the date, their opening, closing and names. These will be going to the teachers once I find out who they will be- which is that very morning so everyone will be surprised! During our in-service day this Friday, we will be going over the distribution of students as a grade level. One thing that could possibly be different is that one teacher may be going up to 4th, based on the numbers of incoming 3rd graders (your kiddos). Our class numbers were lower than average this year for some reason, so there may not be enough justification to have 4 third grade teachers.
We are also planning a parent involvement event coming up the week after next (the week of May 13th). Students have been working all year long on various writing projects- which have been sent home through the year. However, what hasn't been sent home are their writing assignments for each quarter. These are in their writing portfolios- and they are finally ready to be shared! Official invites will be sent home soon regarding this event- it's sure to be a fun time!
News
May 3 Teacher in-service day, no school
May 16 Field trip to Lowe's, 8:30 - 11:00
May 20 Move Up day
May 22 Field Day, 8:30 - 11:00
Birthdays
May 14 Greg
Have a great week!
Elizabeth Townsend
PDS
Second Grade
elizabeth.townsend@svps.k12.az.us
We've been working on our third grade letters for Move Up Day. Most of the students are done with them. I didn't edit these letters as I usually do. The only edits I did do was to check the date, their opening, closing and names. These will be going to the teachers once I find out who they will be- which is that very morning so everyone will be surprised! During our in-service day this Friday, we will be going over the distribution of students as a grade level. One thing that could possibly be different is that one teacher may be going up to 4th, based on the numbers of incoming 3rd graders (your kiddos). Our class numbers were lower than average this year for some reason, so there may not be enough justification to have 4 third grade teachers.
We are also planning a parent involvement event coming up the week after next (the week of May 13th). Students have been working all year long on various writing projects- which have been sent home through the year. However, what hasn't been sent home are their writing assignments for each quarter. These are in their writing portfolios- and they are finally ready to be shared! Official invites will be sent home soon regarding this event- it's sure to be a fun time!
News
May 3 Teacher in-service day, no school
May 16 Field trip to Lowe's, 8:30 - 11:00
May 20 Move Up day
May 22 Field Day, 8:30 - 11:00
Birthdays
May 14 Greg
Have a great week!
Elizabeth Townsend
PDS
Second Grade
elizabeth.townsend@svps.k12.az.us
4/24/2013
Summer School pamphlets
The students took home pamphlets for summer school registration. It will be held at Carmichael Elementary School this year. All information you'll need is in the pamphlet, but feel free to contact the summer school director Bonnie Fisher at bonnie.fisher@svps.k12.az.us. For the Title I students, there are scholarships available but your filled out pamphlet with the attached scholarship sheet needs to be returned as soon as possible- there are few scholarships available and they get claimed pretty quick. Also, I highlighted my suggestions for your child's attendance to summer school. By no means, though, are you obligated to register your child.
4/22/2013
The Toucan Squawk, April 22 - 26
Hello families! Testing is done...WAHOO! I'm sure the kids are
just as excited as I am that it's all finally done for this year.
Even with the testing done, we still have plenty of school left. As
we've done through the year, we'll continue to follow the Beyond
Textbooks standards calendar to ensure everyone learns all they need
to for second grade.
The students are still working on their story using story elements- several have finished their final despite putting it aside last week for testing. They're coming along quite nicely! Students who have finished have been invited to write a quiz for their story, like an AR quiz. Well, not a real one, but one that the students could use to "test" a family member or classmate when they have finished reading their story. For math, this week and next we'll be working on a Problem-Based Learning project. The students will be reviewing polygons by "creating" a dinner party. The students will be responsible to figure out their cost for a table, a set of plates, and place mats. The final product will be a construction paper page of "their dinner table". The students seemed to be excited about doing something new and different than their regular math lesson.
I sent home a permission slip for our upcoming field trip to the Fort Huachuca Arts and Crafts center on the 30th. Mrs. Holston's and Mrs. Blackburn's classes will be going tomorrow, and Mrs. Sullins' class will be going the morning of the 30th. We'll be going the afternoon of the 30th, so the kiddos will need to have their lunch earlier that day. We'll leave at approximately 12:00, and return by dismissal time at 2:15. I would suggest students bring or wear a shirt you wouldn't mind them getting some paint on- or at the very least an apron they can wear while they are painting. I've never been to the center, so I'm super excited for the class to go. Their individual attendance is dependent upon positive behavior choices.
You most likely noticed homework was not sent home today- with the stress of the testing it completely escaped my mind. I think I was just as nervous about the testing as they were! I'll send their spe lling homework tomorrow for the rest of the week with the usual reading log attached.
Your student will be taking home a summer school registration form this week. If your student is currently in Title I or you are concerned about their focus and remembering of reading and math, I would suggest registering your child in at least one session. All the necessary information is right in the pamphlet. Please look it over and return it with any necessary payment as soon as possible- as those seats fill up super fast! It's an extremely beneficial time for the students involved, and it will definitely help prepare them for the rigor of 3rd grade.
News
Apr. 29 Spring Holiday, no school
BirthdaysApr. 18 Luis
Apr. 23 Hanna
Thank you for all you do!
Elizabeth Townsend
PDS
Second Grade
The students are still working on their story using story elements- several have finished their final despite putting it aside last week for testing. They're coming along quite nicely! Students who have finished have been invited to write a quiz for their story, like an AR quiz. Well, not a real one, but one that the students could use to "test" a family member or classmate when they have finished reading their story. For math, this week and next we'll be working on a Problem-Based Learning project. The students will be reviewing polygons by "creating" a dinner party. The students will be responsible to figure out their cost for a table, a set of plates, and place mats. The final product will be a construction paper page of "their dinner table". The students seemed to be excited about doing something new and different than their regular math lesson.
BirthdaysApr. 18 Luis
Apr. 23 Hanna
Second Grade
4/11/2013
The Toucan Squawk, Apr. 8 - Apr. 12
Hello families! The students are taking their Stanford 10 test Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday! The students
have prepared for this test the whole school year, and I know they are ready for
it. To prepare for next week, please remember the
following:
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 2013 - 2014 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 definitely 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. It's such an exciting morning, and I'm definitely looking forward to sending my 2nd graders to their 3rd grade classes!
The weather as of late has been pretty interesting to say the least. As a reminder, please send your child with a jacket or sweater to school. I know, it's April in Arizona. But, as I always tell the kids it's better to have it and not need it, rather than need it and not have it. Another reminder, flip flops are not allowed at PdS. We've discovered over the years they are more hazardous than fun for the kids, as they want to run at recess. Flip flops really don't allow them to do this.
We've been continuing to work on reviewing for next week, as well as practicing to take Stanford 10-like tests. After each section I have had the students go through and correct their work. It's been helpful for them to see the mistakes they have made. Something simple like adding instead of subtracting can bring down their final score for each section. The class has also been working on a story using the story elements they have learned this year- characters, setting, problem and solution. The final draft is going to be a 6-page book they will draw and color pictures for each page and the cover. The finals are definietly going to be very cute and well-written!
News
Apr. 15 - 17 Stanford 10 testing
Apr. 19 Progress reports sent home
Apr. 29 Spring Holiday, no school
Birthdays
Apr. 18 Luis
Apr. 23 Hanna
Thank you for all you do!
Elizabeth Townsend
PDS
Second Grade
elizabeth.townsend@svps.k12.az.us
- Schedule all doctor's appointments after testing has been completed. Once a test 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.
- 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.
- Make sure your student gets plenty of sleep the night before each testing day. A tired mind cannot function while trying to pay attention to something as important as this test.
- 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 snack prior to starting, 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 2013 - 2014 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 definitely 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. It's such an exciting morning, and I'm definitely looking forward to sending my 2nd graders to their 3rd grade classes!
The weather as of late has been pretty interesting to say the least. As a reminder, please send your child with a jacket or sweater to school. I know, it's April in Arizona. But, as I always tell the kids it's better to have it and not need it, rather than need it and not have it. Another reminder, flip flops are not allowed at PdS. We've discovered over the years they are more hazardous than fun for the kids, as they want to run at recess. Flip flops really don't allow them to do this.
We've been continuing to work on reviewing for next week, as well as practicing to take Stanford 10-like tests. After each section I have had the students go through and correct their work. It's been helpful for them to see the mistakes they have made. Something simple like adding instead of subtracting can bring down their final score for each section. The class has also been working on a story using the story elements they have learned this year- characters, setting, problem and solution. The final draft is going to be a 6-page book they will draw and color pictures for each page and the cover. The finals are definietly going to be very cute and well-written!
News
Apr. 15 - 17 Stanford 10 testing
Apr. 19 Progress reports sent home
Apr. 29 Spring Holiday, no school
Birthdays
Apr. 18 Luis
Apr. 23 Hanna
Thank you for all you do!
Elizabeth Townsend
PDS
Second Grade
elizabeth.townsend@svps.k12.az.us
4/03/2013
The Toucan Squawk, April 1 - 5
Hello families! I hope everyone has enjoyed their week so far.
The students have finished their bunny craft stories- waking up with bunny ears! The stories came out really cute. This week, they have started on a writing project which will take them about 2 - 3 weeks to write. They will be using the story elements of characters, setting, problem and solution to create a story which ends with "happily ever after". The students will work their way through this writing day by day, because there will be 6 pages students will need to write. When students finish working on the Stanford 10 test each day, April 15 - 17, they'll use the rest of the classroom time to work on this writing as well as other work I'll have ready for them.
And speaking of Standford 10 testing, the second grade team has decided to spread the tests over three days- instead of the two days we used last year. This will give the students each morning to take their tests- reading, language arts, and math seperated. This will help everyone destress a little. My goal is to keep the kiddos busy- but not "busy work busy". They'll be working hard enough as it is with remembering E-V-E-R-Y-T-H-I-N-G they learned this school year. It's draining and stressful for me- so I can only imagine how stressful it can be for them!
In the coming weeks, your student will be taking home permission slips for two different field trips- one to the Arts and Crafts Center at Fort Huachuca, and another one to Lowe's. I'm so excited for these trips because I haven't done either one- so we'll all be learning together! Both trips will be asking for chaperones, so I'll be sure to send both home as soon as I get my copies.
If you haven't done so, please return the Spring registration form sent home last week. I sent home a few extra copies yesterday. If there is the possibility that your child is not returning next year, but you're still not sure, please fill in the form and return it anyways. That way, there is still that "slot" available for your child. There will be incoming 2nd graders during the summer, and slots will fill up really quickly. Please send your form in as soon as possible. They are officially due April 5th, but we can continue to accept them.
News
Apr. 15 - 17 Stanford 10 testing
Apr. 19 Progress reports sent home
Apr. 29 Spring Holiday, no school
Birthdays
Apr. 18 Luis
Apr. 23 Hanna
Thank you for all you do!
Elizabeth Townsend
PDS
Second Grade
elizabeth.townsend@svps.k12.az.us
The students have finished their bunny craft stories- waking up with bunny ears! The stories came out really cute. This week, they have started on a writing project which will take them about 2 - 3 weeks to write. They will be using the story elements of characters, setting, problem and solution to create a story which ends with "happily ever after". The students will work their way through this writing day by day, because there will be 6 pages students will need to write. When students finish working on the Stanford 10 test each day, April 15 - 17, they'll use the rest of the classroom time to work on this writing as well as other work I'll have ready for them.
And speaking of Standford 10 testing, the second grade team has decided to spread the tests over three days- instead of the two days we used last year. This will give the students each morning to take their tests- reading, language arts, and math seperated. This will help everyone destress a little. My goal is to keep the kiddos busy- but not "busy work busy". They'll be working hard enough as it is with remembering E-V-E-R-Y-T-H-I-N-G they learned this school year. It's draining and stressful for me- so I can only imagine how stressful it can be for them!
In the coming weeks, your student will be taking home permission slips for two different field trips- one to the Arts and Crafts Center at Fort Huachuca, and another one to Lowe's. I'm so excited for these trips because I haven't done either one- so we'll all be learning together! Both trips will be asking for chaperones, so I'll be sure to send both home as soon as I get my copies.
If you haven't done so, please return the Spring registration form sent home last week. I sent home a few extra copies yesterday. If there is the possibility that your child is not returning next year, but you're still not sure, please fill in the form and return it anyways. That way, there is still that "slot" available for your child. There will be incoming 2nd graders during the summer, and slots will fill up really quickly. Please send your form in as soon as possible. They are officially due April 5th, but we can continue to accept them.
News
Apr. 15 - 17 Stanford 10 testing
Apr. 19 Progress reports sent home
Apr. 29 Spring Holiday, no school
Birthdays
Apr. 18 Luis
Apr. 23 Hanna
Thank you for all you do!
Elizabeth Townsend
PDS
Second Grade
elizabeth.townsend@svps.k12.az.us
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