Weekly newsletters
Newsletter for May 18-20
I want to take a moment to thank you for allowing me to be your child’s teacher this year. I have loved getting to know your children throughout the school year and will miss each of their sweet smiles and fun personalities. I hope your child has had as good of a year as I have and will leave my classroom confident and proud of the achievements he or she has made. It has been a pleasure to work with these special kids.
Our end of the year picnic is on the last day of school this year. Your child will need a sack lunch and drink to take to the park on Wednesday, May 20. We will spend a majority of the day at the park so please send your child with appropriate clothing. Tennis shoes would be best for running and playing at the park.
Thank you to Zack for providing the ice cream treat at the end of our picnic day!
Our Field Day will be Tuesday, May 19. Our class team color is white. If possible, have your child wear a white shirt to school that day.
Our final Reading Reward Party is Monday. We will be celebrating with an Ice Cream Party. Thank you to those of you who helped every quarter to ensure your child read every night and made the quarterly reading goal.
Good News to Share:
Our final Tiger Grid winner for the year is Kaitlyn! Thanks for following the school rules until the end of the year!
We celebrated Cole’s summer birthday on Wednesday. His real birthday is August 4. We will celebrate Elliot’s birthday on May 18. Happy birthday, dudes!
Other Summer birthdays to celebrate:
June
1st Keyton
13th Aiden
18th Erik and Taylor
Happy Birthday, to all!
Thanks again for the amazing year! Have a wonderful time in third grade! Come see me next fall!
Mrs. Foster
Newsletter for May 11-15
It amazes me how quickly the end of the year is approaching! We are definitely wrapping things up these last few weeks.
Our Good Behavior Party is Friday, May 15th. Students who have shown good behavior for the final 9 weeks will be rewarded with an Inflatables Party.
Our Reading Reward ice cream party will be help Monday, May 18. Your child has until that day to get to our goal of 30 books. It would be awesome if all the students made the final goal!
Dress-Up Day—Friday, May: 15 Aloha Day
Good News to Share:
Thank you to those of you who brought in Solar System projects for Extra Credit! Keller, Erik, Ella, Cole, and Jane did a fabulous job!
Aiden was given a Golden Paw this week for choosing to stay in for a bit of recess to get some extra help on a concept he wanted to understand a little better. I am proud of him for making such a grown-up decision! His Golden Paw was drawn this morning at Meet and Greet! We are very proud of you!
Here is our schedule for next week:
Monday: reading unit test, review 3 digit addition, spelling unit 35, start the human body in science, computer lab, 1,000 Popsicle Party
Tuesday: start autobiographies, begin Barn Yard senses stories, and review 3 digit subtraction
Wednesday: WORDO
Thursday: finish autobiographies, review money in math, Mr. Penne visits
Friday: spelling test, Good Behavior Reward, review time in math
Happy Mother’s Day!
Mrs. Foster
Newsletter for May 4-8
We will be finishing our math book and our reading books next week. After our math books are done, we will be spending some time writing to 1,000 and reviewing some of the key topics we learned throughout the year, such as adding and subtracting 3 digits, time, and money. Once we are finished with our reading book, we will have the unit test and spend some time doing literature activities with our favorite authors.
Solar System extra credit projects are due Friday, May 8. Remember these are not mandatory, but many of the students enjoy doing them!
Good News to Share:
Ava, Travis, Aiden, Carson, Peyten, Ella, Cole, Carly, Taylor, Raeleigh, Broday, Jacob, and Sawyer have all made the Reading Goal for the last quarter! Several students are getting very close! Keep reading!!!
We celebrated Keller’s birthday on May 1! Happy Birthday, May Day Kid!
Elliot received a Golden Paw for offering to give his brand new pencil from the school pencil machine to a student who lost his pencil. What a thoughtful gesture!
Mrs. Torbit called Cole’s Tiger Card grid square this morning! Keep on following our 3 school rules!
Here is our schedule for next week:
Monday: spelling list 33, reading vocab, math chapter 12 review, start big solar system booklets
Tuesday: reading story “Swimmy,” chapter 12 math test, start counting to 1,000, library (just looking)
Wednesday: same old, same old J
Thursday: solar system study guide
Friday: spelling test, reading assessment, FFA Barn Yard visit, science test
Happy May Day! The year is really winding down!
Mrs. Foster
Newsletter for April 27-May 1
We have started our Solar System unit in science. Be on the lookout for an extra credit opportunity for your child’s science grade. I sent a note home today about a solar system activity to be done at home and brought to school for extra credit. Your child has 3 options for what he/she can do. Again, this is not mandatory. This is a fun activity to do at home for some extra credit in science. I always get some very neat projects so I am looking forward to it!
We learned our last cursive letter this week! Your children have beautiful cursive penmanship!
Let’s get to the Good News:
Raeleigh received her fifth Gold Coin this week and was able to sit by a friend for the day! Thanks for being such a great helper, Raeleigh!
Ava was given a Golden Paw for loaning her extra jacket to a friend for recess on one of the very chilly days. What a sweet friend!
Ella, Raeleigh, Carly, Carson, Jacob and Travis have made the Final Reading Goal! They are finished checking out books for the rest of the school year (except for the school library books). Great reading, kids!
Mrs. Torbit called Erik’s Tiger Card grid square this morning! Nice job following the school rules, Erik!
Here is our schedule for next week:
Monday: reading vocab, spelling unit 33, starting biographies
Tuesday: reading story “Time for Kids: Plants are In Danger” (We are switching the last two reading stories in our book.) Library
Wednesday: WORDO, keep working on biographies
Thursday: Mr. Penne visits
Friday: spelling test, reading assessment, Scholastic News
Enjoy the weekend!
Mrs. Foster
Newsletter for April 20-24
It was a busy week! We finished our weather chapter in science and will be moving on to the solar system, worked on similes, learned my favorite cursive letter, wrapped up measuring in math and moved on to geometry, read a pretty tricky story, and started adding cursive sentences to our spelling tests. Next week will be just as full!
We will be celebrating Earth Day next week! The actual day is Wednesday, April 21. 2nd graders love celebrating this day and thinking about how they can help the earth. They are so empowered by knowing one little child can make a difference in our world. If you have the time and resources, do something special for the Earth with your family on Wednesday. Your child will appreciate it!
Dress-Up Day: Friday, April 24—North Ward Tiger Day
Good News:
Mrs. Torbit announced the Tiger Card grid square that Brody and Keller’s names were on! Great job, gentlemen!
Here is our schedule for next week:
Monday: spelling list 32, reading vocab, Computer Lab
Tuesday: reading story “Princess Pooh,” Library, start Earth Day stories
Wednesday: Happy Earth Day!
Thursday: Computer Lab, science experiment
Friday: spelling test, reading assessment, North Ward Tiger Day
Have a fun weekend!
Mrs. Foster
Newsletter for April 13-17
We had a wonderful time on our Field Trip Wednesday! The play was funny and the weather was delightful! Thank you so much to PTO for paying for the buses for us! It was great day!
Family Fun Night is Friday, April 10! It looks like it will be a blast! Come out and support the school and North Ward’s PTO.
Good News to Share:
Brody was the first student to make the Reading Goal for the last 9 weeks! He doesn’t have to worry about anymore nightly reading for the rest of 2nd grade! Get out and enjoy the beautiful spring weather, Brody!
We celebrated Travis’ birthday on March 31! Happy birthday, Travis!
Keyton received his fifth Gold Coin this week! He chose to sit by a friend on Monday.
Here is our schedule for next week:
Monday: story vocab, spelling list 31 (2 sentences are in cursive), computer lab, Scholastic News
Tuesday; reading story “Tomas and the Library Lady,” math chapter 12 review, library
Wednesday: math chapter 11 test
Thursday: computer lab, start geometry in math, science study guide, Mr. Penne visits
Friday: spelling test, reading assessment, science test, Scholastic News
See you at Family Fun Night!
Mrs. Foster
Newsletter for March 30- April 3
Spring Break is almost here! Since it will be a short week this week, we will not be doing a reading story, but will focus on Easter and language activities during that time. The spelling list is a review week (just words) so we will be going ahead and doing spelling for the three day school week.
There is NO SCHOOL APRIL 2- 7. We will return to school on the Field Trip day, April 8.
Please remember to send a sack lunch with your child on Wednesday, April 8. Remember that the bus will need to leave right at 8:15 that morning so we can arrive at the play on time. Please have your child to school at 8:00 that morning for we can be loaded and ready to go.
Good News:
Jane was given her 5th Gold Coin this week! She decided to sit by a friend for the day.
Brody is already half way towards making the Reading Goal for the final quarter! Keep up the great reading!
Mrs. Torbit called Sawyer’s Tiger Card grid square this afternoon! Thanks for being respectful, responsible, and safe this week!
Kaitlyn’s Golden Paw was pulled from the 2nd grade basket at Meet and Greet this morning! We are proud of you!
Here is our schedule for next week:
Monday: Spelling List 30, make Easter basket similes
Tuesday: Library
Wednesday: spelling test, Easter Party Day! Thank you to those of you who supplied our party!
Thursday: NO SCHOOL
Friday: NO SCHOOL
Have a great spring break!
Mrs. Foster
Newsletter for March 23-27
We had an amazing time erupting volcanoes this week! Our grand total was 13 volcanoes! Thank you so much to those of you who took the time to make the project at home and share it with the class. It made for a fun afternoon.
Our Easter Party is coming up. It will be help on Wednesday, April 1. Our party volunteers are:
Treats/cupcakes: Zack
Drinks: Sawyer
Cups & napkins: Keyton
Thank you for volunteering to supply our party. Please have those items to school by noon on the party day.
This week’s reading story “Officer Buckle and Gloria” is one of my absolute favorites! I hope you enjoy it too!
Good News to Share:
Keller and Kaitlyn were both given Golden Paws this week by Mrs. Peters for their good behavior!
Mia was given a Golden Paw this week for going out of her way to open and hold the door for a mother using crutches at pick-up time. She is always looking out for others!
Mrs. Torbit called London’s Tiger Card grid square this morning after Meet and Greet! Thank you for following our three school rules!
Here is our schedule for next week:
Monday: spelling list 29, reading vocab, start Easter poem, start weather and seasons chapter in science
Tuesday: reading story “Officer Buckle and Gloria,” Library
Wednesday: start talking about adjectives
Thursday: Mr. Penne visits
Friday: spelling test, reading assessment, adjective activity
Happy Spring!
Mrs. Foster
Newsletter for March 16-20
We have some fun things going on next week! Here are the highlights:
Tuesday: McTeacher Night at McDonalds!
Dress-Up Day—Luck o’ the Irish Day
St. Patrick’s Day
Wednesday: We will be erupting the students’ volcanoes in class!
Friday: Dance Party for 3rd quarter good behavior
Reading Reward
First Day of Spring
It’s going to be a good week!
Good News to Share:
Mrs. Torbit called Keller’s Tiger Card Grid square this morning! Thanks for following the school rules!
I was very pleased with the clock math test scores this week. Thank you to many of you for the extra practice the night before the test! Your children and I really appreciate it!
Pizza Hut coupons were sent home today with the students who made the Reading Goal for the 3rd quarter! We had a lot of busy nightly readers!
Here is our schedule for next week:
Monday: spelling list 28, reading vocab, start first measuring lesson in math
Tuesday: St. Pat’s Day, reading story “Are You a Fossil Fan?” (It’s a review week.), Library, McTeacher Night
Wednesday: erupt volcanoes
Thursday: weekly reading assessment, start spring poems
Friday: unit reading test, spelling test, Dance Party, Reading Reward
Don’t forget to wear green on Tuesday!
Mrs. Foster
Newsletter for March 9-13
The third quarter wraps up this coming week. I can’t believe how quickly the year has gone!
A volcano note was sent home this week. Remember, this is an optional activity. If your child wants to erupt his/her volcano at school it must be here on the morning of March 18.
McTeacher Night at McDonalds is Tuesday, March 17! It is always a fun time and a great fundraiser for our school! I’ll see you there!
We will be finishing up telling time and clocks next week in math. This has proved to be a challenging chapter for some kids. Please make sure you have gone over the packet I sent home with your child. An extra credit page was sent home today (Friday) and an extra practice page will be sent home before the test on Wednesday.
School will be dismissing at 11:00 on Friday, March 13.
Good News to Share:
We have a new member in the classroom. Keller brought in a life size Abe Lincoln to stay in our room. If you didn’t already, check out the Tuscola CUSD Facebook page. Abe and a few of his friends made a post! The class has had an especially low number of clips moved this week. We think it is because President Lincoln is watching over the behavior chart!
Here is our schedule for next week:
Monday: reading vocab, spelling list 27, start shamrock stories, Scholastic News
Tuesday: reading story “Fossils Tell of Long Ago,” Library, math chapter 10 review
Wednesday: math chapter 10 test
Thursday: Mr. Penne visits
Friday: spelling test, reading assessment, 11:00 dismissal
Don’t forget to “spring ahead” on your clocks this weekend!
Mrs. Foster
Newsletter for March 2-7
March 2 is Dr. Seuss’ birthday! We will be doing some activities and projects in honor of the wonderful author on Monday and throughout the week.
I will be sending volcano notes home later in the week. This is an OPTIONAL activity for your child to do at home. The note will give you instructions on how to make the volcanoes, but adaptations are allowed as long as they are safe. I will supply the erupting ingredients, but we will not be using the red food coloring as a lot of students want to take their volcanoes home afterwards and that makes for a very messy bus or car ride home. The children who wish to participate in this activity need to bring their volcanoes in on the morning of March 17. We will be erupting them here at school on that day.
Field Trip permission slips and money are due by Monday, March 2!!! It’s going to be a great trip!
Book Orders are due Tuesday, March 3.
Dress-Up Day: Illini Day
Good News to Share:
Keyton received a Golden Paw for coming up with a super solution for a student who was having a problem. He went above and beyond to help a friend finish a project that had been challenging her to the point of giving up. That was very helpful! His card was drawn at Meet and Greet this morning too!
Jane’s Tiger Card grid square was called this morning! Thank you for following the school rules, Jane!
Carly received her fifth Gold Coin this week! She chose to sit by a friend for the day.
Here is our schedule for next week:
Monday: Dr. Seuss Day, reading vocab, spelling list 26, Computer Lab
Tuesday: reading story “A Wednesday Surprise,” Library
Wednesday: contractions review, volcano notes go home
Thursday: Computer Lab
Friday: spelling test, reading assessment, contraction quiz, Illini Day
Have a fun weekend!
Mrs. Foster
Newsletter for Feb 23-27
North Ward’s Open House will be held on Tuesday, February 24th from 6-7:00 in the evening. This will be held in traditional Open House format so please pop in to see what your child has been working on for the past few weeks. Art work and projects will be up and our Lincoln Interview project will be playing on the SmartBoard. I look forward to seeing all of you then!
We are starting a new unit in Science: Earth Science. This is a fun unit with chapters on the earth, weather, and the solar system. This unit will have a couple home projects including making a volcano and a solar system project. The kids always enjoy these next few chapters!
We will be starting time and clocks in math this coming week. I will be sending another extra practice packet home with your child. These are just extra practice for you to do with your child at home. They do not need to be returned.
Dress-Up Day: Friday, February 27—Dream Job Day
Good News to Share:
Kaitlyn, Carly, Peyten, and Taylor made the Reading Goal this week! Thanks for listening to your child read each night!
Here is our schedule for next week:
Monday: spelling list 25, story vocab, computer lab, math chapter 9 review, start Earth Science unit
Tuesday: reading story “Our Soccer League,” math chapter 9 test, library, OPEN HOUSE
Wednesday: start time and clock unit in math
Thursday: computer lab, Mr. Penne visits
Friday: spelling test, reading assessment, FFA presentation, Dream Job Day
See you on Tuesday!
Mrs. Foster
Newsletter for February 16-20
Happy Valentine’s Day! We had a lovely party this morning with lots of red, pink, and hearts. The Valentine boxes this year were some of the best I have ever seen!
We will be observing President’s Day on Monday, February 16. There is no school that day.
There will be no reading story next week. Since it was a short week and we have so much to learn about with our wonderful presidents, we will be spending reading time next week researching Lincoln and Washington a little more deeply.
Good News to Share:
Sammy and Sawyer received 5 Gold Coins this week! They both decided to sit by a friend for the day.
Travis, Aiden, Carson, Ella, Zack, Brody, and Sawyer have all made the Reading Goal for the third quarter! Great nightly reading, kids!
Carson had a birthday on Tuesday, February 12! He and Honest Abe share the same b-day, not the same year though!
Mrs. Torbit called Keller’s Tiger Card grid square this morning! Thanks for following the school rules!
Here is our schedule for next week:
Monday: NO SCHOOL
Tuesday: review spelling list 24, start Lincoln projects, Computer Lab
Wednesday: start Washington stories, science study guide
Thursday: Science Test
Friday: spelling test, record Lincoln projects
Stay warm this weekend!
Mrs. Foster
Newsletter for February 9-13
Our Valentine Party will be Friday, February 13. Please make sure your child’s valentines and boxes are at school by the morning of the party. Thank you to our party supply volunteers! Since we have 11:00 dismissal that day our party will be in the morning. We will need all supplies to school by the start of the school day.
We have 11:00 dismissal on Friday, February 13th. Please make sure you child knows where he/she will be going after school.
I was so proud of the students’ money math tests this week! They really worked hard and showed me what they had learned! We are starting a much easier chapter on graphs and data next.
Dress-Up Day: Friday, February 13—Have a Heart Day
Good News for the Week:
Sawyer celebrated a birthday this week! He turned a year older on February 2nd.
Zack and Ella made the Reading Goal this week! Nice job you two!
Mrs. Torbit called Carly’s Tiger Card grid square this week! Thanks for remembering the school rules at all times!
Carson received the Good News Call for this week from Mrs. Torbit!
Here is our schedule for the coming week:
Monday: reading vocab, Computer Lab, spelling list 23, start Lincoln stories
Tuesday: reading story “Bremen Town Musicians,” Library
Wednesday: work, work, work
Thursday: Computer Lab, Mr. Penne visits
Friday: spelling test, reading test, Valentine Party, Have a Heart Day, 11:00 dismissal
Happy Valentine’s Day!
Mrs. Foster
Newsletter for February 2-6
100 Day was a lot of fun! Check out the pictures added to the slideshow on my homepage to see some of the children’s collections and 100 Day activities.
The 2nd Grade classes collected much more than our goal of 100 cans for 100 Day!!! The total number was almost 150 cans for Sam’s Food Pantry. Some day next week we will walk them all over to the food pantry and find out where our cans will go and who they will help. The kids felt so good about the cans they brought in and knowing that they were doing something to help others while we celebrated 100 days of school. Thank you!
We have learned all of the lower case cursive letters. Starting next week we will begin upper-case cursive letters. As soon as I teach the capital letter that is at the beginning of your child’s name he/she can start writing his/her name in cursive on all our papers. That is always an exciting change!
A Valentine note was sent home earlier this week regarding Valentine boxes. Please make sure you saved the note because our class list was on the back. Your child needs to be sure to make a Valentine for all the children in our class.
Good News:
Ava celebrated her birthday on Monday, January 26. Happy birthday, Ava!
Carly received a Golden Paw for being so concerned that a fellow student may not have a 100 collection for 100 Day that made a special one at home and brought it in just in case. Thank you, Carly, for being so thoughtful towards others!
Ella and Cole both were given their fifth Gold Coins this week. They both decided to sit by a friend for the day.
Here is our schedule for next week:
Monday: spelling list 22, reading vocab, Groundhog’s Day activities
Tuesday: reading story “Zipping, Zapping, Zooming Bats,” make Valentine riddles, Math Chapter 8 Review, Library
Wednesday: Math Chapter 8 Test
Thursday: Reading Assessment (review week), start graphing chapter in math
Friday: spelling test, Reading Unit Test, Stellaluna Literature Activity
Stay safe this weekend. It looks like we may have a bit of snow!
Mrs. Foster
Newsletter for January 26-30
We will be celebrating 100 Day on Wednesday, January 28! Please make sure your child has his/her 100 collection to school by 100 Day. Also, all of the 2nd grade will be collecting canned food items next week. We are hoping to get 100 cans of food by 100 Day to donate to Sam’s Food Pantry. A note was sent home today regarding this.
Please help your child go over a few pages in the money packet every night. If you don’t have the packet close by but have some spare change that will work too!
I was pleased with the science test grades this week! Our new chapter is on Force, Magnets, and Electricity.
Tiger Time begins again on Tuesday. A note was sent home regarding your child’s placement.
Good News to Share:
Brody has made the Reading Goal already! Way to go, Brody!
Mrs. Torbit called London’s Tiger Card grid square today! Thanks for following the school rules!
Our schedule for next week:
Monday: spelling list 21, Computer Lab, reading vocab
Tuesday: reading story “Zipping, Zapping, Zooming Bats,” Library
Wednesday: 100 DAY!!!
Thursday: Computer Lab, Mr. Penne visits
Friday: spelling test, reading assessment, Groundhog predictions
Have a good weekend!
Mrs. Foster
Newsletter for January 19-23
There is no school MONDAY, JANUARY 19 in honor of Martin Luther King Jr.
We wrapped up 3 digit subtraction today. It was a lot of work and thinking and quite a challenge for your children at this point in the year. I am proud of the effort that many students put into math the last few weeks. As I wrote in the previous newsletter, we will be beginning a money unit next. Any extra practice with counting money at home would be fabulous! Watch for those extra practice money packets!
100 Day is approaching! If we have no Snow Days in the meantime, 100 Day will fall on Wednesday, January 28. We share 100 collections, along with other activities on that day. Be on the look-out for a note coming home with your child regarding 100 Day.
The children took the STAR test this week in the Computer Lab. This is a reading test that shows me what level your child is reading at. I take that score, plus my own assessments to determine which children are ready to start reading chapter books for Nightly Reading. If your child is one of the students who is moving on to chapter books I count every 20 pages as a point. You may turn a slip in every time 20 pages are read, or simply turn a slip in when he/she is finished and let me know how many pages were in the book. Your child may have a chapter book checked out for multiple nights.
Dress Up Day: January 23—Go Team, Go Day
Good News to Share:
Ava received her fifth Gold Coin this week! She decided to sit by a friend for the day. Thanks for always helping out, Ava!
Sammy was given a Golden Paw for cleaning up a game that was left out at indoor recess time. He didn’t play the game, but knew it needed to be put away. Thanks, Sammy! Mrs. Torbit drew his Golden Paw from the basket this morning!
Sawyer is already on 4s on multiplication Time Tests! Wow!
Here is our schedule for next week:
Monday: NO SCHOOL
Tuesday: reading vocab, reading story “Best Vacation Ever,” Library, Science Study Guide
Wednesday: Science Test
Thursday: Computer Lab, start science chapter on force, magnets, and electricity
Friday: spelling test, reading assessment, Go Team Go Day
Enjoy the three day weekend!
Mrs. Foster
Newsletter for January 12-16
Welcome back! It certainly has been a crazy week to get back into the swing of things! Your children did a wonderful job with the 2 hour delay start and I thank you and them for that.
We will be starting a unit on money in math next week. This can be a challenging concept for some students. To help with that, I will be sending home a money packet of extra practice pages. These pages are for you to do with your child at home and do not need to be returned to me. Please go over your child’s daily math papers and try to do some practice pages each night to help your child with this unit.
Let’s get to the Good News:
Mia received her fifth Gold Coin and decided to sit by a friend for the day. Thanks for being a good friend and kind student, Mia!
Carson, Jacob, Travis, Sawyer, and Raeleigh will be starting multiplication Time Tests on Monday. We have gone over 0s, 1s, 2s, 3s, and 5s for multiplication. The students are excited to start something new!
Here is our schedule for next week:
Monday: Spelling Unit 19, story vocab, Computer Lab
Tuesday: reading story “Fernando’s Gift,” Library, start Fernando stories
Wednesday: math chapter 7 review (please correct at home to prepare for the test), science experiment
Thursday: Computer Lab, Math Chapter 7 Test, money packet comes home
Friday: spelling test, reading test, beginning studying Martin Luther King
Stay warm this weekend!
Mrs. Foster
Newsletter for December 15-19
Your children did a beautiful job at the Christmas Program last night! I am so proud of how hard they worked on the songs and movements and their exemplary behavior on the risers! Wonderful job! Thank you for coming to share such a great show!
We still have a few students who need to bring their gifts in for the gift exchange. If you need help with this, please let me know. We need to make sure every child receives a gift at the party.
Our students will be performing the Christmas Program for the residents at Brookstone on Wednesday, December 17. We will be walking over. Please make sure your child comes to school prepared to take a journey on foot in the winter weather.
There is NO SCHOOL DECEMBER 19-JANUARY 4 for CHRISTMAS VACATION. I will see all of your sweet children’s smiling faces on Monday, January 5. Enjoy the break!
Dress-Up Day: Thursday, December 18—Holiday Cheer Day
2nd Quarter report cards will be available for viewing at 4:00 on Friday, December 19. As always, please let me know if you have any questions, comments, or concerns.
Good News to Share:
Raeleigh passed all the addition and subtraction Time Tests! Good work, Raeleigh!
Almost all of the children have made the Reading Goal. We only have a few more students, who are pretty close. As a reward, those who have made the goal will be watching the Polar Express on Wednesday.
Mrs. Torbit called Travis’ Tiger Card grid square this morning! Thank you for being respectful, responsible, and safe this week!
Upcoming birthdays: Jane will turn a year older on Dec. 13. Peyten's b-day is on the 15th and London's is on the 19th. Happy birthday, girls!
Here is our schedule for next week:
Monday: Spelling Unit 17, Computer Lab, start Christmas stories
Tuesday: Library
Wednesday: perform at Brookstone, Reading Reward
Thursday: Spelling Test, Computer Lab, Good Behavior Party, Holiday Cheer Day, Christmas Party
Friday: NO SCHOOL (for students)
Have a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! See you in 2015!
Mrs. Foster
Newsletter for December 8-12
We have a lot going on in the next two weeks as we gear up for Christmas and wrap up the 1st semester for the 2014-2015 2nd grade year. Here goes:
Our Christmas Party will be on Thursday, December 18. Thank you to the following families who volunteered to supply our party:
Drinks: Jane
Treats/Cookies: Carly
Cups & Napkins: Jacob
Please have those items to school by noon on the day of the party. Thank you for helping to make this a special day for our students.
Our class has drawn names for the gift exchange that will take place during our Christmas Party. A note was sent home earlier this week revealing whose name your child drew. Please help your child find a gift in the $2 range for this child, wrap it up, and put who the gift is for and who it is from discreetly on the gift. We need them returned by December 15 so I can be sure everyone has a gift. Thank you!
Your child needs a Christmas card (new or used) for a language activity next Friday. It is a noun and verb activity so the most important thing is that it have a big picture on it with action happening. We need them by December 12.
The 1st and 2nd Grade Christmas Concert is Thursday, December 11. There will be performances at 2:30 and 7:00. For the evening performance, please drop off and pick up your child at the Music room.
To spread Christmas cheer, the 2nd graders will be performing some of the Christmas Program for the residents of Brookstone on Wednesday, December 17th. We will walk over to Brookstone that day, so please make sure your child is dressed for the weather— heavy coats, hats, gloves/mittens, and good shoes for walking in chilly weather would be best.
Good News to Share:
Ava was awarded a Golden Paw this week for cleaning up milk that another student spilled on the rug during story. Ava saw the problem and sprang into action! This is just one of the many times this week that Ava has been a big help to me and her classmates.
Mrs.Torbit called Carly’s Tiger Card grid square this morning! Thank you for being respectful, responsible, and safe this week!
Here is our schedule for next week:
Monday: Spelling list 16, Christmas Around the World: Mexico, Full Music Practice
Tuesday: Reading Unit test, Math Chapter 6 review (please correct to prepare for the test), start Christmas Tree stories, Library
Wednesday: Christmas Around the World: Italy, Math Chapter 6 Test, Christmas Concert dress rehearsal
Thursday: Computer Lab, Christmas Concert at 2:30 and 7:00
Friday: Spelling Test, Christmas card activity
Have a fun weekend! Don’t forget Breakfast with Santa and the Christmas parade this Saturday.
Mrs. Foster
Newsletter for December 1-5
I hope you all have a restful and pleasant Thanksgiving!
There is a mistake on the December menu! We will be dismissing at 11:00 on Friday, but the calendar has that school will be serving lunch. That is a mistake. There will be no lunch served that day.
All 2nd grade classes take part in a Christmas gift exchange. At the beginning of next week, your child will be drawing the name of another student in our class. Boys will draw boys and girls will draw girls. I will send a note home telling you who your child got and giving further instructions. Be on the look-out!
Every year the 2nd grade classes write letters to Santa that are printed in the town newspaper! We will be writing these letters next week. The paper usually runs them the week of Christmas. It is such a fun and exciting activity for the children!
Here is our schedule for next week:
Monday: spelling unit 15, reading vocab, start Santa letters for the newspaper, draw names for gift exchange
Tuesday: reading story “Nine in One, Grr, Grr,” Library
Wednesday: make and play WORDO
Thursday: Computer Lab, Mr. Penne visits
Friday: 11:00 dismissal, Dots and Dashes dress-up day, spelling test, reading assessment
See you in December!
Mrs. Foster
Newsletter for November 24-28
Let’s just get straight to the good news!
Elliot, Keller, Ava, Aiden, Carson, Keyton, Peyten, Ella, Cole, Sonia, and Jacob have made the Reading Goal for the 2nd quarter! There has been a lot of good reading going on in your houses at night! Thank you!
Our Thanksgiving Party will be Tuesday, November 25. Thank you to those of you who volunteered to supply our party!
There will be NO SCHOOL from WEDNESDAY, THURSDAY, and FRIDAY! Have a wonderful Thanksgiving with your families.
Dress-Up Day: Tuesday, November 25—Turkey and Stuffed Animal Day (bring a stuffed animal to school)
There will be no reading story or spelling unit next week.
Ava’s name was in the Tiger Card grid square Mrs. Torbit called this morning! Thanks for being respectful, responsible, and safe, Ava!
Here is our schedule for next week:
Monday: Computer Lab with Mrs. Hilgendorf’s class, Science Study Guide
Tuesday: Science Test, Library, Party
Wednesday-Friday: NO SCHOOL
Have a super Thanksgiving Break!
Mrs. Foster
Newsletter for November 17-21
Our Thanksgiving Party will be Tuesday, November 25. The following people have volunteered to supply items for our party:
Treats/cookies: Aiden
Drinks: Erik
Cup & Napkins: Brody
Thank you so much for making your child’s day even more special! Please have those items to school by noon on the party day.
Next week’s reading story is a good but challenging one! If you would like to partner read it together for the Tuesday nightly reading that is perfectly fine!
Midterms are Friday, November 14.
Good News:
Ava received her fifth Gold Coin this week and chose to sit by a friend for the day!
Raeleigh and Sam were given Golden Paws for cleaning up a game that had been left out from inside recess! That was very helpful for me!
Carly celebrated a birthday on Friday, November 14! Happy birthday, Carly!
Here is our schedule for next week:
Monday: spelling list 14, reading vocab, Computer Lab
Tuesday: reading story “The Pony Express,” Math Chapter 5 Review (please correct to help prepare for the test), Library
Wednesday: Chapter 5 Math Test, WORDO
Thursday: plural noun quiz, Computer Lab
Friday: spelling test, reading assessment, Pony Express poems
Stay warm this weekend!
Mrs. Foster
Newsletter for November 10-14
We have had a fun week! Our Arthur story in reading is always a favorite and gave us a chance to read more Marc Brown books, do some Arthur activities, and play some Arthur games on PBSkids.org. The kids finished up their “dinoramas” and they really did a fantastic job on them! We also wrote Thanksgiving stories and colored some festive Indian corn. It has been a good week to be a 2nd grader.
Next week is Red Ribbon Week. To help us remember the importance of saying no to drugs, the high school has given us the following dress up days:
Monday: Pajama Day
Tuesday: Hero Day
Wednesday: Crazy Hair Day
Thursday: Hat Day
Friday: Red Day
Thank you to everyone who brought in a letter for a veteran. They are truly beautiful words, straight from the childrens’ hearts.
Good News to Share:
Brody has already made the 2nd quarter Reading Goal! Wow!
Raeleigh celebrates a birthday on November 8! We celebrated it with her on Friday.
Sonia was given a Golden Paw for showing amazing sportsmanship after a spelling review game! Thanks for thinking of others, Sonia!
Keller’s Golden Paw was drawn this morning at Meet and Greet! We are proud of you!
Mrs. Torbit called Keyton and Sawyer’s Tiger Card Grid square this morning! Thanks for being respectful, responsible, and safe!
Here is our schedule for next week:
Monday: Spelling Unit 13, reading vocab, Computer Lab
Tuesday: Veteran’s Day, Veteran’s Day activities, reading story “Best Wishes, Ed,” Library
Wednesday: WORDO
Thursday: Computer Lab, Mr. Penne visits
Friday: spelling test, reading assessment, turkey activity,
Have a great weekend!
Mrs. Foster
:( I don't know what has happened to the last 2 newsletters I have posted. Sorry for any confusion!
Newsletter for October 20-24
I am looking forward to seeing all of you at conferences on October 23 and 24. With 24 students this year, my whole Thursday evening is full. There are no breaks to try to get back on schedule. Therefore, I apologize ahead of time if I fall a bit behind. I will try my absolute best to stay on schedule. Thank you to all of you for your willingness to work with me on times.
We will be dismissing at 2:00 on Thursday, October 23 to prepare for conferences that evening. There is NO SCHOOL on Friday, October 24 for morning conferences.
We will be making “Dinoramas” in science in the coming weeks. Your child will need a shoebox from home for this activity. You may want to start looking for one now. A note will be sent home next week with more details.
The PTO will be providing a Scholastic Book Fair the week of Parent Teacher Conferences. Please take a look if you have the time.
THANK YOU to the Tuscola Fire Department for providing our classes with the opportunity to visit their Smoke House and the wonderful fire safety packets! The kids loved visiting the Smoke House and really learned a lot of important information. Please review your safe meeting spot with your child, in case of a fire, and check those smoke detector batteries!
We have started a new Reading Goal. Your children need to read 30 books by the end of the new 9 weeks.
Good News to Share:
Sawyer was given a Golden Paw this week by Mr. Sterkle for letting a classmate use the ball that Sawyer had gotten. It was a nice example of generosity.
We had our PBIS Good Behavior Reward Party today. Almost the whole class was able to attend! Next quarter I am hoping that everyone is able to be a part of the fun!
Here is our schedule for next week:
Monday: spelling list 10, reading vocab, reading story “Jamaica Tag Along,”
Tuesday: Library
Wednesday: work, work, work
Thursday: Spelling Test, reading assessment, 2:00 dismissal, Parent/Teacher Conferences
Friday: No School—Parent/Teacher Conferences
See you at conferences!
Mrs. Foster
Newsletter for October 13-17
We have had a fun week! The students made some Columbus activities, wrote some great fire safety stories, practiced some beautiful cursive, and added 4 two digit numbers! And, they thought it was all pretty fun! That makes me happy!
There is NO SCHOOL on MONDAY, OCTOBER 17 for Columbus Day.
Thank you to all of you who returned Parent Teacher Conference slips so quickly. I am still waiting on a few more to get returned. I have made the schedule for students who have returned their slips and those were times sent home Friday. Please check the time and send the slip back ASAP.
Our PBIS Good Behavior Reward Party will be on Friday. Any student who has not received a pink slip the first quarter is invited to attend.
Dress-Up Day: Friday, October 17—Camo Day
Good News to Share:
Keyton was given a Golden Paw for his quick action when a friend spilled his milk all over his desk. Keyton jumped up and started cleaning! Way to problem solve and take action!
Keyton’s Golden Paw was drawn at Meet and Greet this morning! We are so proud!
Elliot made the Reading Goal this week! The time has been extended to Wednesday October 15. Our Reading Reward will be on Thursday.
Mrs. Torbit called Carly’s Tiger Card grid square this morning! Thanks for following the school rules this week!
Here is our schedule for the week:
Monday: NO SCHOOL
Tuesday: spelling list 9, reading vocab, reading story “Best Friends Club,” math chapter 3 review (please correct that night to prepare for the test), Library
Wednesday: Smokehouse (rescheduled from last week), Chapter 3 Math Test, make and play WORDO
Thursday: Mr. Penne visits, Reading Reward
Friday: spelling test, reading assessment, start scarecrows, Good Behavior Reward Party, Camo Day
Enjoy the long weekend!
Mrs. Foster
Newsletter for October 6-10
Next week we have some exciting things going on! We will be celebrating Fire Safety Week and studying Columbus to prepare for upcoming Columbus Day. Because of this, we will not have a reading story next week and will be using that time of the day instead for fire and Columbus topics. Our class will be starting an exciting new chapter in science—Fossils! It is so much fun to teach dinosaurs to second graders! We will be continuing 2 digit addition, which your children are doing fabulously at! Our week will also include a fall leaf activity. Lots going on!
PICTURE DAY is TUESDAY, OCTOBER 7! Bring your smiles!
The students are doing splendid with cursive during Tiger Time! I am impressed!
School will be dismissing at 11:00 on FRIDAY, OCTOBER 10.
There is NO SCHOOL on MONDAY, OCTOBER 13 in honor of Columbus Day.
Parent/Teacher Conference notes were sent home. Please fill out some times that will work for you to meet with me and return those as soon as possible. Thanks!
Good News to Share:
Our Tiger Card Grid was full this week! Our lucky winner this week was Sammy again! He sure can pick the lucky squares!
We had more students make the Reading Goal this week! Carson, Jane, Zack, and Jacob our attending our Reading Reward! Students need to have read 30 books by Friday, October 10 to get the reward.
Here is our schedule for next week:
Monday: spelling list 8, reading vocab, start our leaf activity, sentence quiz
Tuesday: Library, Picture Day
Wednesday: make and play WORDO
Thursday: bring a fossil to share in science class (if you have one), visit the Smoke House, Computer Lab
Friday: Spelling Test, Reading Reward, dismiss at 11:00
See you at the Homecoming parade!
Mrs. Foster
Newsletter for September 29- October 3
Wow! Our room was PACKED for Grandparent’s and Special People Day! In honor of Johnny Appleseed’s birthday, we held an apple taste test with our special people, snacks were shared, and a tour of the school was provided by the students. I had an enjoyable time and hope that the Grandparents did as well!
This coming week is Homecoming Week. We will be dismissing at 2:00 on Friday so that people can attend the Homecoming parade that afternoon.
We will be starting 2 digit addition in math this week. Any extra work with addition flashcards at home would be great! The more facts the students have memorized, the more brainpower they can spend on the process of regrouping.
Good News to Share:
Cole is our first student to receive 5 Gold Coins! He decided to sit by a friend for the day as his reward.
We have had many students make the Reading Goal this week! Congrats to Ava, Aiden, Peyten, Ella, Cole, Carly, and Brody! We have several more students who are awfully close.
Carson has passed all the addition and subtraction Time Tests! Soon he will be starting multiplication!
Mrs. Torbit called Travis and Aiden’s Tiger Card grid square this morning! Thanks for being respectful, responsible, and safe this week!
Sammy was given a Golden Paw this week by a recess teacher for being kind and friendly while holding the door for his classmates.
Here is our schedule for next week:
Monday: spelling list 7, reading vocab, computer lab
Tuesday: reading story “A Letter to Amy,” Library
Wednesday: WORDO, science study guide comes home
Thursday: Computer Lab, Mr. Penny visits, Science Test
Friday: spelling test, reading assessment, 2:00 dismissal
Go Warriors!
Mrs. Foster
Newsletter for September 22-26
Next week will be a fun week for us! We will be learning about and celebrating Johnny Appleseed throughout the week. In science we will continue to study animals and life cycles. And, to wrap up our week, we will be celebrating Grandparent’s Day!
We will be having a review unit in spelling. For review units, we review all of the Word Wall Words we have learned in the previous 5 weeks. There are no sentences—just words. The test on Friday will just be a word test as well.
Grandparent’s Day will be Friday, September 26 beginning at 2:00 and running until the end of the day. A note regarding this fun occasion was sent home a few weeks ago. I think we are all looking forward to it!
Tiger Time will begin this week. A note was sent home Friday regarding where your child will be during that time.
Good News to Share:
Mrs. Torbit called London’s Tiger Card grid square this morning! Thank you for following school rules! You never know when you might get rewarded for it.
London was given a Golden Paw this week for going above and beyond! On a cold, rainy afternoon, London took off her jacket and gave it to her little sister to wear out to the car at the end of the day. It was such a kind sacrifice for a big sister to make.
Here is our schedule for next week:
Monday: spelling list 6, reading vocab, Computer Lab, start Johnny Appleseed activities
Tuesday: reading story “Lemonade for Sale,” Library
Wednesday: spelling review game, literature activity
Thursday: Computer Lab, math review
Friday: Spelling Test, reading assessment, math test, habitat game, Grandparent’s Day
Have a fun weekend!
Mrs. Foster
Newsletter for September 15-19
This has been a fabulous week! The students have worked hard and tried their best. We had our first math and science tests this week—unfortunately they ended up on the same day after having to rearrange some things with the AIMS tests this week. But the kids were such troopers! They wrote wonderful cowboy/cowgirl stories, practiced throwing a lariat, designed their own cowboy hats, worked through a challenging reading story, and found out what type of pony they would be this week as well.
Midterms are Friday. That doesn’t seem possible!
This week we will be reviewing in reading. Our story is a very short article from a children’s magazine. Our weekly reading assessment will be on Thursday and our first Unit Test will be on Friday.
Good News to Share:
Ella was given a Golden Paw for always being willing to help another student who needs some extra guidance during our library time. It is such a help to me and the student Ella looks after. Thank you, Ella!
Golden Paw drawings were this morning and Ella’s Paw was drawn! Thank you for going above and beyond to be a great student in our school!
Mrs. Torbit called Aiden and Sawyer's Tiger Card Grid square this morning! Thanks for following the school rules, guys!
Many students have passed the mid-way mark towards the Reading Goal! Keep up the Nightly Reading!
Here is our schedule for the week:
Monday: Spelling List 5, story vocab, Computer Lab, start our animal chapter in science
Tuesday: reading story “Welcome to a New Museum,” language activity, Library
Wednesday: WORDO, Constitution Day
Thursday: reading assessment, Computer Lab
Friday: spelling test, Unit Reading Test
Enjoy the fall-like weather!
Mrs. Foster
Newsletter for September 8-12
Your children have been working really hard this week! We got a lot accomplished in our 4 days of school. We read a new story, worked on relating addition and subtraction and fact families, did several science experiments, and finished up our recess stories.
Next week’s reading story is challenging but one of my favorites! It is actually a third grade level story. Due to this, and the fact that there are quite a few Spanish words in the story, feel free to partner read the story with your child on Tuesday night. Also, I know some of the Spanish words are on our vocab list this week. I do not speak Spanish and I do not expect you to know the language fluently. Just do the best you can with your child on those words and I will be happy.
We will have our first math test and science test next week. To prepare for math tests, I try my hardest to get the students’ review pages graded and sent home the night before the test. Please take time to help your child correct the math review so they will be prepared for the test. With science tests, the day before the test we will review in class by filling in the study guide and finishing our vocab sheet. I will send those home with your child that evening. Please go over them with him/her that night to study for the test.
Please send a seed with your child to school on Tuesday. We will be learning about the different ways seeds are scattered in our science lesson on Monday. Tuesday we will share our seeds and discuss how they are scattered.
Good News to Share:
Our Tiger Card grid is FULL this week! Mrs. Torbit called Sammy’s square this morning! Thank you to all the students whose names were on the grid for being respectful, responsible, and safe this week.
We celebrated 2 birthdays this week. Kaitlyn had a birthday on September 2 and Sonia had her’s on September 3. Happy birthday, girls!
Sawyer and Raeleigh passed both the short math Time Tests! They have started on the 5 minute ones. Great fact memorization to both of them!
Ava, Carly, Raeleigh, and Brody have read 15 books so far for Nightly Reading! They are half way to the Reading Goal!
Here’s our schedule for next week:
Monday: spelling list 4, reading vocab, Computer Lab
Tuesday: reading story “Round-Up at Rio Ranch,” Library, bring a seed to share for science
Wednesday: work on cowboy/cowgirl stories, math Chapter 1 review
Thursday: Math Test, Computer Lab, science study guide
Friday: spelling test, reading assessment, science test, horse activities
Enjoy the cooler weather this weekend!
Mrs. Foster
Newsletter for September 1-5
It sure was a hot week! Your children handled the hot days and the early dismissals well. Hopefully we have seen the last of the crazy late-summer heat!
There is NO SCHOOL on MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 1 in honor of Labor Day. Enjoy the three day weekend!
Your children did a wonderful job last week on their first spelling and reading tests of the year! I am quite proud of them.
Let’s get to the Good News:
Brody celebrated his birthday on Thursday, August 28 with cupcakes for the class. Happy Birthday, Brody!
We had our Tiger Card grid announcement this morning. Our grid was pretty full again this week. Taylor was the lucky person whose name was in the square Mrs. Torbit called! Thank you to all the students who received a Tiger card this week for following school rules.
I have given out quite a few Gold Coins this week! We are still waiting on our first student to get 5.
Here is our schedule for next week:
Monday: NO SCHOOL
Tuesday: Spelling List 3, reading vocab, reading story “Luka’s Quilt,” Library
Wednesday: WORDO, start working on the September Poem
Thursday: Computer Lab, science experiment
Friday: Spelling Test, reading assessment, literature activity
Have a fun, long weekend!
Mrs. Foster
Newsletter for August 25-29
Yay! We made it through our first full week of school! The students are starting to get into our new routine. It has been a change for all of us with our later lunch and recess hour. Our mornings are a bit longer, but our afternoons fly by!
I enjoyed seeing many of you at Open House Tuesday night. If you were not able to attend, please let me know if you have any questions from the packet I sent home with your child.
Thank you for returning vocab sheets and nightly reading books. You are doing a fantastic job at that for just the first week of school! Keep up the good work!
2nd grade is a change from 1st grade. Please never hesitate to let me know if you have any questions or concerns.
Good News to Share:
Jacob and Zack both had birthdays on August 21! Luckily for us, Zack celebrated his at school on Thursday and Jacob celebrated his on Friday. That gave us two days in a row of parties.
Aiden received the first Golden Paw of the school year for our class. Mrs. Haste gave it to him for helping a younger student with his locker. Thanks for looking out for others, Aidan!
I have given several Gold Coins out already this year! Thank you to those students for being good friends!
We had our first Tiger Card grid drawing this morning. Mrs. Torbit announced London’s grid square! Thanks for being respectful, responsible, and safe!
We had a new student join us on Wednesday. Sammy has been a nice addition to our room. We now have 24 students in our class.
Here is our schedule for next week:
Monday: reading vocab, spelling unit 2, literature activity
Tuesday: reading story “Henry and Mudge,” library, start recess stories
Wednesday: WORDO
Thursday: Computer Lab,
Friday: spelling test, reading assessment, Labor Day activity, science project, Beat the Teacher
Stay cool this weekend!
Mrs. Foster
Welcome to 2nd Grade in Mrs. Foster's class! We are going to have a wonderful year. I can't wait to meet all you Friday morning. Bring your smiles!
North Ward will be having our Open House on Tuesday August 19. We will be going over classroom routine, 2nd grade subjects, and weekly homework expectations, among many other things. I look forward to meeting you all then! If you are unable to attend, I will send the Open House packet home with your child the following day. Please look through it and let me know if you have any questions.
Newsletter for August 18-22
What a wonderful start to the school year! I loved getting to meet all my new students. I think I am really going to have a fun year with this group!
We are jumping right into things this coming week. We will start our first reading story, so vocabulary sheets will come home Monday. Please have your child read the words to you until he/she is fluent and then return the list to school by the end of the week. Reading Books will be sent home Tuesday for your child’s nightly reading. This week our story is "Ann's First Day." Please have your child read the story outloud, sign the slip, and get the book back in his/her book bag. Watch for your child's spelling list. Those will be sent home Monday as well. The test will be Friday. Remember that we have sentence tests in 2nd grade. We use the three sentences on the list and then I make up two more using the highlighted Word Wall Words. Also, please check every night for your child's nightly reading book that he/she will be checking out from my library. Those need to be returned daily in order to make the Reading Goal by the end of the quarter.
Along with those subjects, we will be starting a chapter on plants in science, adding to 18 in math, and our first literature activity in language. We will also be doing a math activity that requires all sorts of numbers about your child. Lately I have been surprised at how many 2nd graders still do not know their phone number and address. Please take a minute to make sure your child knows these important bits of information. Not only do we need it for the activity, but it is important for them to know in case of emergencies in and out of school.
This semester we will have Music every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. Art will be every Tuesday and Thursday. Next semester they will swap. We will also be visiting the Computer Lab on Mondays and Thursdays and the school Library on Tuesdays.
Here is our schedule for the coming week:
Monday: vocab list (practice, sign, and return), spelling list 1 (keep at home to practice), start our plant chapter, work on beginning of the year activities
Tuesday: nightly reading story "Ann's First Day," Library, Open House
Wednesday: literature activity
Thursday: Computer Lab
Friday: Reading Assessment, Spelling Test, bus evacuation drill, science experiment, Beat the Teacher
It was great to see all the smiling faces on the children Friday!
Mrs. Foster
I want to take a moment to thank you for allowing me to be your child’s teacher this year. I have loved getting to know your children throughout the school year and will miss each of their sweet smiles and fun personalities. I hope your child has had as good of a year as I have and will leave my classroom confident and proud of the achievements he or she has made. It has been a pleasure to work with these special kids.
Our end of the year picnic is on the last day of school this year. Your child will need a sack lunch and drink to take to the park on Wednesday, May 20. We will spend a majority of the day at the park so please send your child with appropriate clothing. Tennis shoes would be best for running and playing at the park.
Thank you to Zack for providing the ice cream treat at the end of our picnic day!
Our Field Day will be Tuesday, May 19. Our class team color is white. If possible, have your child wear a white shirt to school that day.
Our final Reading Reward Party is Monday. We will be celebrating with an Ice Cream Party. Thank you to those of you who helped every quarter to ensure your child read every night and made the quarterly reading goal.
Good News to Share:
Our final Tiger Grid winner for the year is Kaitlyn! Thanks for following the school rules until the end of the year!
We celebrated Cole’s summer birthday on Wednesday. His real birthday is August 4. We will celebrate Elliot’s birthday on May 18. Happy birthday, dudes!
Other Summer birthdays to celebrate:
June
1st Keyton
13th Aiden
18th Erik and Taylor
Happy Birthday, to all!
Thanks again for the amazing year! Have a wonderful time in third grade! Come see me next fall!
Mrs. Foster
Newsletter for May 11-15
It amazes me how quickly the end of the year is approaching! We are definitely wrapping things up these last few weeks.
Our Good Behavior Party is Friday, May 15th. Students who have shown good behavior for the final 9 weeks will be rewarded with an Inflatables Party.
Our Reading Reward ice cream party will be help Monday, May 18. Your child has until that day to get to our goal of 30 books. It would be awesome if all the students made the final goal!
Dress-Up Day—Friday, May: 15 Aloha Day
Good News to Share:
Thank you to those of you who brought in Solar System projects for Extra Credit! Keller, Erik, Ella, Cole, and Jane did a fabulous job!
Aiden was given a Golden Paw this week for choosing to stay in for a bit of recess to get some extra help on a concept he wanted to understand a little better. I am proud of him for making such a grown-up decision! His Golden Paw was drawn this morning at Meet and Greet! We are very proud of you!
Here is our schedule for next week:
Monday: reading unit test, review 3 digit addition, spelling unit 35, start the human body in science, computer lab, 1,000 Popsicle Party
Tuesday: start autobiographies, begin Barn Yard senses stories, and review 3 digit subtraction
Wednesday: WORDO
Thursday: finish autobiographies, review money in math, Mr. Penne visits
Friday: spelling test, Good Behavior Reward, review time in math
Happy Mother’s Day!
Mrs. Foster
Newsletter for May 4-8
We will be finishing our math book and our reading books next week. After our math books are done, we will be spending some time writing to 1,000 and reviewing some of the key topics we learned throughout the year, such as adding and subtracting 3 digits, time, and money. Once we are finished with our reading book, we will have the unit test and spend some time doing literature activities with our favorite authors.
Solar System extra credit projects are due Friday, May 8. Remember these are not mandatory, but many of the students enjoy doing them!
Good News to Share:
Ava, Travis, Aiden, Carson, Peyten, Ella, Cole, Carly, Taylor, Raeleigh, Broday, Jacob, and Sawyer have all made the Reading Goal for the last quarter! Several students are getting very close! Keep reading!!!
We celebrated Keller’s birthday on May 1! Happy Birthday, May Day Kid!
Elliot received a Golden Paw for offering to give his brand new pencil from the school pencil machine to a student who lost his pencil. What a thoughtful gesture!
Mrs. Torbit called Cole’s Tiger Card grid square this morning! Keep on following our 3 school rules!
Here is our schedule for next week:
Monday: spelling list 33, reading vocab, math chapter 12 review, start big solar system booklets
Tuesday: reading story “Swimmy,” chapter 12 math test, start counting to 1,000, library (just looking)
Wednesday: same old, same old J
Thursday: solar system study guide
Friday: spelling test, reading assessment, FFA Barn Yard visit, science test
Happy May Day! The year is really winding down!
Mrs. Foster
Newsletter for April 27-May 1
We have started our Solar System unit in science. Be on the lookout for an extra credit opportunity for your child’s science grade. I sent a note home today about a solar system activity to be done at home and brought to school for extra credit. Your child has 3 options for what he/she can do. Again, this is not mandatory. This is a fun activity to do at home for some extra credit in science. I always get some very neat projects so I am looking forward to it!
We learned our last cursive letter this week! Your children have beautiful cursive penmanship!
Let’s get to the Good News:
Raeleigh received her fifth Gold Coin this week and was able to sit by a friend for the day! Thanks for being such a great helper, Raeleigh!
Ava was given a Golden Paw for loaning her extra jacket to a friend for recess on one of the very chilly days. What a sweet friend!
Ella, Raeleigh, Carly, Carson, Jacob and Travis have made the Final Reading Goal! They are finished checking out books for the rest of the school year (except for the school library books). Great reading, kids!
Mrs. Torbit called Erik’s Tiger Card grid square this morning! Nice job following the school rules, Erik!
Here is our schedule for next week:
Monday: reading vocab, spelling unit 33, starting biographies
Tuesday: reading story “Time for Kids: Plants are In Danger” (We are switching the last two reading stories in our book.) Library
Wednesday: WORDO, keep working on biographies
Thursday: Mr. Penne visits
Friday: spelling test, reading assessment, Scholastic News
Enjoy the weekend!
Mrs. Foster
Newsletter for April 20-24
It was a busy week! We finished our weather chapter in science and will be moving on to the solar system, worked on similes, learned my favorite cursive letter, wrapped up measuring in math and moved on to geometry, read a pretty tricky story, and started adding cursive sentences to our spelling tests. Next week will be just as full!
We will be celebrating Earth Day next week! The actual day is Wednesday, April 21. 2nd graders love celebrating this day and thinking about how they can help the earth. They are so empowered by knowing one little child can make a difference in our world. If you have the time and resources, do something special for the Earth with your family on Wednesday. Your child will appreciate it!
Dress-Up Day: Friday, April 24—North Ward Tiger Day
Good News:
Mrs. Torbit announced the Tiger Card grid square that Brody and Keller’s names were on! Great job, gentlemen!
Here is our schedule for next week:
Monday: spelling list 32, reading vocab, Computer Lab
Tuesday: reading story “Princess Pooh,” Library, start Earth Day stories
Wednesday: Happy Earth Day!
Thursday: Computer Lab, science experiment
Friday: spelling test, reading assessment, North Ward Tiger Day
Have a fun weekend!
Mrs. Foster
Newsletter for April 13-17
We had a wonderful time on our Field Trip Wednesday! The play was funny and the weather was delightful! Thank you so much to PTO for paying for the buses for us! It was great day!
Family Fun Night is Friday, April 10! It looks like it will be a blast! Come out and support the school and North Ward’s PTO.
Good News to Share:
Brody was the first student to make the Reading Goal for the last 9 weeks! He doesn’t have to worry about anymore nightly reading for the rest of 2nd grade! Get out and enjoy the beautiful spring weather, Brody!
We celebrated Travis’ birthday on March 31! Happy birthday, Travis!
Keyton received his fifth Gold Coin this week! He chose to sit by a friend on Monday.
Here is our schedule for next week:
Monday: story vocab, spelling list 31 (2 sentences are in cursive), computer lab, Scholastic News
Tuesday; reading story “Tomas and the Library Lady,” math chapter 12 review, library
Wednesday: math chapter 11 test
Thursday: computer lab, start geometry in math, science study guide, Mr. Penne visits
Friday: spelling test, reading assessment, science test, Scholastic News
See you at Family Fun Night!
Mrs. Foster
Newsletter for March 30- April 3
Spring Break is almost here! Since it will be a short week this week, we will not be doing a reading story, but will focus on Easter and language activities during that time. The spelling list is a review week (just words) so we will be going ahead and doing spelling for the three day school week.
There is NO SCHOOL APRIL 2- 7. We will return to school on the Field Trip day, April 8.
Please remember to send a sack lunch with your child on Wednesday, April 8. Remember that the bus will need to leave right at 8:15 that morning so we can arrive at the play on time. Please have your child to school at 8:00 that morning for we can be loaded and ready to go.
Good News:
Jane was given her 5th Gold Coin this week! She decided to sit by a friend for the day.
Brody is already half way towards making the Reading Goal for the final quarter! Keep up the great reading!
Mrs. Torbit called Sawyer’s Tiger Card grid square this afternoon! Thanks for being respectful, responsible, and safe this week!
Kaitlyn’s Golden Paw was pulled from the 2nd grade basket at Meet and Greet this morning! We are proud of you!
Here is our schedule for next week:
Monday: Spelling List 30, make Easter basket similes
Tuesday: Library
Wednesday: spelling test, Easter Party Day! Thank you to those of you who supplied our party!
Thursday: NO SCHOOL
Friday: NO SCHOOL
Have a great spring break!
Mrs. Foster
Newsletter for March 23-27
We had an amazing time erupting volcanoes this week! Our grand total was 13 volcanoes! Thank you so much to those of you who took the time to make the project at home and share it with the class. It made for a fun afternoon.
Our Easter Party is coming up. It will be help on Wednesday, April 1. Our party volunteers are:
Treats/cupcakes: Zack
Drinks: Sawyer
Cups & napkins: Keyton
Thank you for volunteering to supply our party. Please have those items to school by noon on the party day.
This week’s reading story “Officer Buckle and Gloria” is one of my absolute favorites! I hope you enjoy it too!
Good News to Share:
Keller and Kaitlyn were both given Golden Paws this week by Mrs. Peters for their good behavior!
Mia was given a Golden Paw this week for going out of her way to open and hold the door for a mother using crutches at pick-up time. She is always looking out for others!
Mrs. Torbit called London’s Tiger Card grid square this morning after Meet and Greet! Thank you for following our three school rules!
Here is our schedule for next week:
Monday: spelling list 29, reading vocab, start Easter poem, start weather and seasons chapter in science
Tuesday: reading story “Officer Buckle and Gloria,” Library
Wednesday: start talking about adjectives
Thursday: Mr. Penne visits
Friday: spelling test, reading assessment, adjective activity
Happy Spring!
Mrs. Foster
Newsletter for March 16-20
We have some fun things going on next week! Here are the highlights:
Tuesday: McTeacher Night at McDonalds!
Dress-Up Day—Luck o’ the Irish Day
St. Patrick’s Day
Wednesday: We will be erupting the students’ volcanoes in class!
Friday: Dance Party for 3rd quarter good behavior
Reading Reward
First Day of Spring
It’s going to be a good week!
Good News to Share:
Mrs. Torbit called Keller’s Tiger Card Grid square this morning! Thanks for following the school rules!
I was very pleased with the clock math test scores this week. Thank you to many of you for the extra practice the night before the test! Your children and I really appreciate it!
Pizza Hut coupons were sent home today with the students who made the Reading Goal for the 3rd quarter! We had a lot of busy nightly readers!
Here is our schedule for next week:
Monday: spelling list 28, reading vocab, start first measuring lesson in math
Tuesday: St. Pat’s Day, reading story “Are You a Fossil Fan?” (It’s a review week.), Library, McTeacher Night
Wednesday: erupt volcanoes
Thursday: weekly reading assessment, start spring poems
Friday: unit reading test, spelling test, Dance Party, Reading Reward
Don’t forget to wear green on Tuesday!
Mrs. Foster
Newsletter for March 9-13
The third quarter wraps up this coming week. I can’t believe how quickly the year has gone!
A volcano note was sent home this week. Remember, this is an optional activity. If your child wants to erupt his/her volcano at school it must be here on the morning of March 18.
McTeacher Night at McDonalds is Tuesday, March 17! It is always a fun time and a great fundraiser for our school! I’ll see you there!
We will be finishing up telling time and clocks next week in math. This has proved to be a challenging chapter for some kids. Please make sure you have gone over the packet I sent home with your child. An extra credit page was sent home today (Friday) and an extra practice page will be sent home before the test on Wednesday.
School will be dismissing at 11:00 on Friday, March 13.
Good News to Share:
We have a new member in the classroom. Keller brought in a life size Abe Lincoln to stay in our room. If you didn’t already, check out the Tuscola CUSD Facebook page. Abe and a few of his friends made a post! The class has had an especially low number of clips moved this week. We think it is because President Lincoln is watching over the behavior chart!
Here is our schedule for next week:
Monday: reading vocab, spelling list 27, start shamrock stories, Scholastic News
Tuesday: reading story “Fossils Tell of Long Ago,” Library, math chapter 10 review
Wednesday: math chapter 10 test
Thursday: Mr. Penne visits
Friday: spelling test, reading assessment, 11:00 dismissal
Don’t forget to “spring ahead” on your clocks this weekend!
Mrs. Foster
Newsletter for March 2-7
March 2 is Dr. Seuss’ birthday! We will be doing some activities and projects in honor of the wonderful author on Monday and throughout the week.
I will be sending volcano notes home later in the week. This is an OPTIONAL activity for your child to do at home. The note will give you instructions on how to make the volcanoes, but adaptations are allowed as long as they are safe. I will supply the erupting ingredients, but we will not be using the red food coloring as a lot of students want to take their volcanoes home afterwards and that makes for a very messy bus or car ride home. The children who wish to participate in this activity need to bring their volcanoes in on the morning of March 17. We will be erupting them here at school on that day.
Field Trip permission slips and money are due by Monday, March 2!!! It’s going to be a great trip!
Book Orders are due Tuesday, March 3.
Dress-Up Day: Illini Day
Good News to Share:
Keyton received a Golden Paw for coming up with a super solution for a student who was having a problem. He went above and beyond to help a friend finish a project that had been challenging her to the point of giving up. That was very helpful! His card was drawn at Meet and Greet this morning too!
Jane’s Tiger Card grid square was called this morning! Thank you for following the school rules, Jane!
Carly received her fifth Gold Coin this week! She chose to sit by a friend for the day.
Here is our schedule for next week:
Monday: Dr. Seuss Day, reading vocab, spelling list 26, Computer Lab
Tuesday: reading story “A Wednesday Surprise,” Library
Wednesday: contractions review, volcano notes go home
Thursday: Computer Lab
Friday: spelling test, reading assessment, contraction quiz, Illini Day
Have a fun weekend!
Mrs. Foster
Newsletter for Feb 23-27
North Ward’s Open House will be held on Tuesday, February 24th from 6-7:00 in the evening. This will be held in traditional Open House format so please pop in to see what your child has been working on for the past few weeks. Art work and projects will be up and our Lincoln Interview project will be playing on the SmartBoard. I look forward to seeing all of you then!
We are starting a new unit in Science: Earth Science. This is a fun unit with chapters on the earth, weather, and the solar system. This unit will have a couple home projects including making a volcano and a solar system project. The kids always enjoy these next few chapters!
We will be starting time and clocks in math this coming week. I will be sending another extra practice packet home with your child. These are just extra practice for you to do with your child at home. They do not need to be returned.
Dress-Up Day: Friday, February 27—Dream Job Day
Good News to Share:
Kaitlyn, Carly, Peyten, and Taylor made the Reading Goal this week! Thanks for listening to your child read each night!
Here is our schedule for next week:
Monday: spelling list 25, story vocab, computer lab, math chapter 9 review, start Earth Science unit
Tuesday: reading story “Our Soccer League,” math chapter 9 test, library, OPEN HOUSE
Wednesday: start time and clock unit in math
Thursday: computer lab, Mr. Penne visits
Friday: spelling test, reading assessment, FFA presentation, Dream Job Day
See you on Tuesday!
Mrs. Foster
Newsletter for February 16-20
Happy Valentine’s Day! We had a lovely party this morning with lots of red, pink, and hearts. The Valentine boxes this year were some of the best I have ever seen!
We will be observing President’s Day on Monday, February 16. There is no school that day.
There will be no reading story next week. Since it was a short week and we have so much to learn about with our wonderful presidents, we will be spending reading time next week researching Lincoln and Washington a little more deeply.
Good News to Share:
Sammy and Sawyer received 5 Gold Coins this week! They both decided to sit by a friend for the day.
Travis, Aiden, Carson, Ella, Zack, Brody, and Sawyer have all made the Reading Goal for the third quarter! Great nightly reading, kids!
Carson had a birthday on Tuesday, February 12! He and Honest Abe share the same b-day, not the same year though!
Mrs. Torbit called Keller’s Tiger Card grid square this morning! Thanks for following the school rules!
Here is our schedule for next week:
Monday: NO SCHOOL
Tuesday: review spelling list 24, start Lincoln projects, Computer Lab
Wednesday: start Washington stories, science study guide
Thursday: Science Test
Friday: spelling test, record Lincoln projects
Stay warm this weekend!
Mrs. Foster
Newsletter for February 9-13
Our Valentine Party will be Friday, February 13. Please make sure your child’s valentines and boxes are at school by the morning of the party. Thank you to our party supply volunteers! Since we have 11:00 dismissal that day our party will be in the morning. We will need all supplies to school by the start of the school day.
We have 11:00 dismissal on Friday, February 13th. Please make sure you child knows where he/she will be going after school.
I was so proud of the students’ money math tests this week! They really worked hard and showed me what they had learned! We are starting a much easier chapter on graphs and data next.
Dress-Up Day: Friday, February 13—Have a Heart Day
Good News for the Week:
Sawyer celebrated a birthday this week! He turned a year older on February 2nd.
Zack and Ella made the Reading Goal this week! Nice job you two!
Mrs. Torbit called Carly’s Tiger Card grid square this week! Thanks for remembering the school rules at all times!
Carson received the Good News Call for this week from Mrs. Torbit!
Here is our schedule for the coming week:
Monday: reading vocab, Computer Lab, spelling list 23, start Lincoln stories
Tuesday: reading story “Bremen Town Musicians,” Library
Wednesday: work, work, work
Thursday: Computer Lab, Mr. Penne visits
Friday: spelling test, reading test, Valentine Party, Have a Heart Day, 11:00 dismissal
Happy Valentine’s Day!
Mrs. Foster
Newsletter for February 2-6
100 Day was a lot of fun! Check out the pictures added to the slideshow on my homepage to see some of the children’s collections and 100 Day activities.
The 2nd Grade classes collected much more than our goal of 100 cans for 100 Day!!! The total number was almost 150 cans for Sam’s Food Pantry. Some day next week we will walk them all over to the food pantry and find out where our cans will go and who they will help. The kids felt so good about the cans they brought in and knowing that they were doing something to help others while we celebrated 100 days of school. Thank you!
We have learned all of the lower case cursive letters. Starting next week we will begin upper-case cursive letters. As soon as I teach the capital letter that is at the beginning of your child’s name he/she can start writing his/her name in cursive on all our papers. That is always an exciting change!
A Valentine note was sent home earlier this week regarding Valentine boxes. Please make sure you saved the note because our class list was on the back. Your child needs to be sure to make a Valentine for all the children in our class.
Good News:
Ava celebrated her birthday on Monday, January 26. Happy birthday, Ava!
Carly received a Golden Paw for being so concerned that a fellow student may not have a 100 collection for 100 Day that made a special one at home and brought it in just in case. Thank you, Carly, for being so thoughtful towards others!
Ella and Cole both were given their fifth Gold Coins this week. They both decided to sit by a friend for the day.
Here is our schedule for next week:
Monday: spelling list 22, reading vocab, Groundhog’s Day activities
Tuesday: reading story “Zipping, Zapping, Zooming Bats,” make Valentine riddles, Math Chapter 8 Review, Library
Wednesday: Math Chapter 8 Test
Thursday: Reading Assessment (review week), start graphing chapter in math
Friday: spelling test, Reading Unit Test, Stellaluna Literature Activity
Stay safe this weekend. It looks like we may have a bit of snow!
Mrs. Foster
Newsletter for January 26-30
We will be celebrating 100 Day on Wednesday, January 28! Please make sure your child has his/her 100 collection to school by 100 Day. Also, all of the 2nd grade will be collecting canned food items next week. We are hoping to get 100 cans of food by 100 Day to donate to Sam’s Food Pantry. A note was sent home today regarding this.
Please help your child go over a few pages in the money packet every night. If you don’t have the packet close by but have some spare change that will work too!
I was pleased with the science test grades this week! Our new chapter is on Force, Magnets, and Electricity.
Tiger Time begins again on Tuesday. A note was sent home regarding your child’s placement.
Good News to Share:
Brody has made the Reading Goal already! Way to go, Brody!
Mrs. Torbit called London’s Tiger Card grid square today! Thanks for following the school rules!
Our schedule for next week:
Monday: spelling list 21, Computer Lab, reading vocab
Tuesday: reading story “Zipping, Zapping, Zooming Bats,” Library
Wednesday: 100 DAY!!!
Thursday: Computer Lab, Mr. Penne visits
Friday: spelling test, reading assessment, Groundhog predictions
Have a good weekend!
Mrs. Foster
Newsletter for January 19-23
There is no school MONDAY, JANUARY 19 in honor of Martin Luther King Jr.
We wrapped up 3 digit subtraction today. It was a lot of work and thinking and quite a challenge for your children at this point in the year. I am proud of the effort that many students put into math the last few weeks. As I wrote in the previous newsletter, we will be beginning a money unit next. Any extra practice with counting money at home would be fabulous! Watch for those extra practice money packets!
100 Day is approaching! If we have no Snow Days in the meantime, 100 Day will fall on Wednesday, January 28. We share 100 collections, along with other activities on that day. Be on the look-out for a note coming home with your child regarding 100 Day.
The children took the STAR test this week in the Computer Lab. This is a reading test that shows me what level your child is reading at. I take that score, plus my own assessments to determine which children are ready to start reading chapter books for Nightly Reading. If your child is one of the students who is moving on to chapter books I count every 20 pages as a point. You may turn a slip in every time 20 pages are read, or simply turn a slip in when he/she is finished and let me know how many pages were in the book. Your child may have a chapter book checked out for multiple nights.
Dress Up Day: January 23—Go Team, Go Day
Good News to Share:
Ava received her fifth Gold Coin this week! She decided to sit by a friend for the day. Thanks for always helping out, Ava!
Sammy was given a Golden Paw for cleaning up a game that was left out at indoor recess time. He didn’t play the game, but knew it needed to be put away. Thanks, Sammy! Mrs. Torbit drew his Golden Paw from the basket this morning!
Sawyer is already on 4s on multiplication Time Tests! Wow!
Here is our schedule for next week:
Monday: NO SCHOOL
Tuesday: reading vocab, reading story “Best Vacation Ever,” Library, Science Study Guide
Wednesday: Science Test
Thursday: Computer Lab, start science chapter on force, magnets, and electricity
Friday: spelling test, reading assessment, Go Team Go Day
Enjoy the three day weekend!
Mrs. Foster
Newsletter for January 12-16
Welcome back! It certainly has been a crazy week to get back into the swing of things! Your children did a wonderful job with the 2 hour delay start and I thank you and them for that.
We will be starting a unit on money in math next week. This can be a challenging concept for some students. To help with that, I will be sending home a money packet of extra practice pages. These pages are for you to do with your child at home and do not need to be returned to me. Please go over your child’s daily math papers and try to do some practice pages each night to help your child with this unit.
Let’s get to the Good News:
Mia received her fifth Gold Coin and decided to sit by a friend for the day. Thanks for being a good friend and kind student, Mia!
Carson, Jacob, Travis, Sawyer, and Raeleigh will be starting multiplication Time Tests on Monday. We have gone over 0s, 1s, 2s, 3s, and 5s for multiplication. The students are excited to start something new!
Here is our schedule for next week:
Monday: Spelling Unit 19, story vocab, Computer Lab
Tuesday: reading story “Fernando’s Gift,” Library, start Fernando stories
Wednesday: math chapter 7 review (please correct at home to prepare for the test), science experiment
Thursday: Computer Lab, Math Chapter 7 Test, money packet comes home
Friday: spelling test, reading test, beginning studying Martin Luther King
Stay warm this weekend!
Mrs. Foster
Newsletter for December 15-19
Your children did a beautiful job at the Christmas Program last night! I am so proud of how hard they worked on the songs and movements and their exemplary behavior on the risers! Wonderful job! Thank you for coming to share such a great show!
We still have a few students who need to bring their gifts in for the gift exchange. If you need help with this, please let me know. We need to make sure every child receives a gift at the party.
Our students will be performing the Christmas Program for the residents at Brookstone on Wednesday, December 17. We will be walking over. Please make sure your child comes to school prepared to take a journey on foot in the winter weather.
There is NO SCHOOL DECEMBER 19-JANUARY 4 for CHRISTMAS VACATION. I will see all of your sweet children’s smiling faces on Monday, January 5. Enjoy the break!
Dress-Up Day: Thursday, December 18—Holiday Cheer Day
2nd Quarter report cards will be available for viewing at 4:00 on Friday, December 19. As always, please let me know if you have any questions, comments, or concerns.
Good News to Share:
Raeleigh passed all the addition and subtraction Time Tests! Good work, Raeleigh!
Almost all of the children have made the Reading Goal. We only have a few more students, who are pretty close. As a reward, those who have made the goal will be watching the Polar Express on Wednesday.
Mrs. Torbit called Travis’ Tiger Card grid square this morning! Thank you for being respectful, responsible, and safe this week!
Upcoming birthdays: Jane will turn a year older on Dec. 13. Peyten's b-day is on the 15th and London's is on the 19th. Happy birthday, girls!
Here is our schedule for next week:
Monday: Spelling Unit 17, Computer Lab, start Christmas stories
Tuesday: Library
Wednesday: perform at Brookstone, Reading Reward
Thursday: Spelling Test, Computer Lab, Good Behavior Party, Holiday Cheer Day, Christmas Party
Friday: NO SCHOOL (for students)
Have a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! See you in 2015!
Mrs. Foster
Newsletter for December 8-12
We have a lot going on in the next two weeks as we gear up for Christmas and wrap up the 1st semester for the 2014-2015 2nd grade year. Here goes:
Our Christmas Party will be on Thursday, December 18. Thank you to the following families who volunteered to supply our party:
Drinks: Jane
Treats/Cookies: Carly
Cups & Napkins: Jacob
Please have those items to school by noon on the day of the party. Thank you for helping to make this a special day for our students.
Our class has drawn names for the gift exchange that will take place during our Christmas Party. A note was sent home earlier this week revealing whose name your child drew. Please help your child find a gift in the $2 range for this child, wrap it up, and put who the gift is for and who it is from discreetly on the gift. We need them returned by December 15 so I can be sure everyone has a gift. Thank you!
Your child needs a Christmas card (new or used) for a language activity next Friday. It is a noun and verb activity so the most important thing is that it have a big picture on it with action happening. We need them by December 12.
The 1st and 2nd Grade Christmas Concert is Thursday, December 11. There will be performances at 2:30 and 7:00. For the evening performance, please drop off and pick up your child at the Music room.
To spread Christmas cheer, the 2nd graders will be performing some of the Christmas Program for the residents of Brookstone on Wednesday, December 17th. We will walk over to Brookstone that day, so please make sure your child is dressed for the weather— heavy coats, hats, gloves/mittens, and good shoes for walking in chilly weather would be best.
Good News to Share:
Ava was awarded a Golden Paw this week for cleaning up milk that another student spilled on the rug during story. Ava saw the problem and sprang into action! This is just one of the many times this week that Ava has been a big help to me and her classmates.
Mrs.Torbit called Carly’s Tiger Card grid square this morning! Thank you for being respectful, responsible, and safe this week!
Here is our schedule for next week:
Monday: Spelling list 16, Christmas Around the World: Mexico, Full Music Practice
Tuesday: Reading Unit test, Math Chapter 6 review (please correct to prepare for the test), start Christmas Tree stories, Library
Wednesday: Christmas Around the World: Italy, Math Chapter 6 Test, Christmas Concert dress rehearsal
Thursday: Computer Lab, Christmas Concert at 2:30 and 7:00
Friday: Spelling Test, Christmas card activity
Have a fun weekend! Don’t forget Breakfast with Santa and the Christmas parade this Saturday.
Mrs. Foster
Newsletter for December 1-5
I hope you all have a restful and pleasant Thanksgiving!
There is a mistake on the December menu! We will be dismissing at 11:00 on Friday, but the calendar has that school will be serving lunch. That is a mistake. There will be no lunch served that day.
All 2nd grade classes take part in a Christmas gift exchange. At the beginning of next week, your child will be drawing the name of another student in our class. Boys will draw boys and girls will draw girls. I will send a note home telling you who your child got and giving further instructions. Be on the look-out!
Every year the 2nd grade classes write letters to Santa that are printed in the town newspaper! We will be writing these letters next week. The paper usually runs them the week of Christmas. It is such a fun and exciting activity for the children!
Here is our schedule for next week:
Monday: spelling unit 15, reading vocab, start Santa letters for the newspaper, draw names for gift exchange
Tuesday: reading story “Nine in One, Grr, Grr,” Library
Wednesday: make and play WORDO
Thursday: Computer Lab, Mr. Penne visits
Friday: 11:00 dismissal, Dots and Dashes dress-up day, spelling test, reading assessment
See you in December!
Mrs. Foster
Newsletter for November 24-28
Let’s just get straight to the good news!
Elliot, Keller, Ava, Aiden, Carson, Keyton, Peyten, Ella, Cole, Sonia, and Jacob have made the Reading Goal for the 2nd quarter! There has been a lot of good reading going on in your houses at night! Thank you!
Our Thanksgiving Party will be Tuesday, November 25. Thank you to those of you who volunteered to supply our party!
There will be NO SCHOOL from WEDNESDAY, THURSDAY, and FRIDAY! Have a wonderful Thanksgiving with your families.
Dress-Up Day: Tuesday, November 25—Turkey and Stuffed Animal Day (bring a stuffed animal to school)
There will be no reading story or spelling unit next week.
Ava’s name was in the Tiger Card grid square Mrs. Torbit called this morning! Thanks for being respectful, responsible, and safe, Ava!
Here is our schedule for next week:
Monday: Computer Lab with Mrs. Hilgendorf’s class, Science Study Guide
Tuesday: Science Test, Library, Party
Wednesday-Friday: NO SCHOOL
Have a super Thanksgiving Break!
Mrs. Foster
Newsletter for November 17-21
Our Thanksgiving Party will be Tuesday, November 25. The following people have volunteered to supply items for our party:
Treats/cookies: Aiden
Drinks: Erik
Cup & Napkins: Brody
Thank you so much for making your child’s day even more special! Please have those items to school by noon on the party day.
Next week’s reading story is a good but challenging one! If you would like to partner read it together for the Tuesday nightly reading that is perfectly fine!
Midterms are Friday, November 14.
Good News:
Ava received her fifth Gold Coin this week and chose to sit by a friend for the day!
Raeleigh and Sam were given Golden Paws for cleaning up a game that had been left out from inside recess! That was very helpful for me!
Carly celebrated a birthday on Friday, November 14! Happy birthday, Carly!
Here is our schedule for next week:
Monday: spelling list 14, reading vocab, Computer Lab
Tuesday: reading story “The Pony Express,” Math Chapter 5 Review (please correct to help prepare for the test), Library
Wednesday: Chapter 5 Math Test, WORDO
Thursday: plural noun quiz, Computer Lab
Friday: spelling test, reading assessment, Pony Express poems
Stay warm this weekend!
Mrs. Foster
Newsletter for November 10-14
We have had a fun week! Our Arthur story in reading is always a favorite and gave us a chance to read more Marc Brown books, do some Arthur activities, and play some Arthur games on PBSkids.org. The kids finished up their “dinoramas” and they really did a fantastic job on them! We also wrote Thanksgiving stories and colored some festive Indian corn. It has been a good week to be a 2nd grader.
Next week is Red Ribbon Week. To help us remember the importance of saying no to drugs, the high school has given us the following dress up days:
Monday: Pajama Day
Tuesday: Hero Day
Wednesday: Crazy Hair Day
Thursday: Hat Day
Friday: Red Day
Thank you to everyone who brought in a letter for a veteran. They are truly beautiful words, straight from the childrens’ hearts.
Good News to Share:
Brody has already made the 2nd quarter Reading Goal! Wow!
Raeleigh celebrates a birthday on November 8! We celebrated it with her on Friday.
Sonia was given a Golden Paw for showing amazing sportsmanship after a spelling review game! Thanks for thinking of others, Sonia!
Keller’s Golden Paw was drawn this morning at Meet and Greet! We are proud of you!
Mrs. Torbit called Keyton and Sawyer’s Tiger Card Grid square this morning! Thanks for being respectful, responsible, and safe!
Here is our schedule for next week:
Monday: Spelling Unit 13, reading vocab, Computer Lab
Tuesday: Veteran’s Day, Veteran’s Day activities, reading story “Best Wishes, Ed,” Library
Wednesday: WORDO
Thursday: Computer Lab, Mr. Penne visits
Friday: spelling test, reading assessment, turkey activity,
Have a great weekend!
Mrs. Foster
:( I don't know what has happened to the last 2 newsletters I have posted. Sorry for any confusion!
Newsletter for October 20-24
I am looking forward to seeing all of you at conferences on October 23 and 24. With 24 students this year, my whole Thursday evening is full. There are no breaks to try to get back on schedule. Therefore, I apologize ahead of time if I fall a bit behind. I will try my absolute best to stay on schedule. Thank you to all of you for your willingness to work with me on times.
We will be dismissing at 2:00 on Thursday, October 23 to prepare for conferences that evening. There is NO SCHOOL on Friday, October 24 for morning conferences.
We will be making “Dinoramas” in science in the coming weeks. Your child will need a shoebox from home for this activity. You may want to start looking for one now. A note will be sent home next week with more details.
The PTO will be providing a Scholastic Book Fair the week of Parent Teacher Conferences. Please take a look if you have the time.
THANK YOU to the Tuscola Fire Department for providing our classes with the opportunity to visit their Smoke House and the wonderful fire safety packets! The kids loved visiting the Smoke House and really learned a lot of important information. Please review your safe meeting spot with your child, in case of a fire, and check those smoke detector batteries!
We have started a new Reading Goal. Your children need to read 30 books by the end of the new 9 weeks.
Good News to Share:
Sawyer was given a Golden Paw this week by Mr. Sterkle for letting a classmate use the ball that Sawyer had gotten. It was a nice example of generosity.
We had our PBIS Good Behavior Reward Party today. Almost the whole class was able to attend! Next quarter I am hoping that everyone is able to be a part of the fun!
Here is our schedule for next week:
Monday: spelling list 10, reading vocab, reading story “Jamaica Tag Along,”
Tuesday: Library
Wednesday: work, work, work
Thursday: Spelling Test, reading assessment, 2:00 dismissal, Parent/Teacher Conferences
Friday: No School—Parent/Teacher Conferences
See you at conferences!
Mrs. Foster
Newsletter for October 13-17
We have had a fun week! The students made some Columbus activities, wrote some great fire safety stories, practiced some beautiful cursive, and added 4 two digit numbers! And, they thought it was all pretty fun! That makes me happy!
There is NO SCHOOL on MONDAY, OCTOBER 17 for Columbus Day.
Thank you to all of you who returned Parent Teacher Conference slips so quickly. I am still waiting on a few more to get returned. I have made the schedule for students who have returned their slips and those were times sent home Friday. Please check the time and send the slip back ASAP.
Our PBIS Good Behavior Reward Party will be on Friday. Any student who has not received a pink slip the first quarter is invited to attend.
Dress-Up Day: Friday, October 17—Camo Day
Good News to Share:
Keyton was given a Golden Paw for his quick action when a friend spilled his milk all over his desk. Keyton jumped up and started cleaning! Way to problem solve and take action!
Keyton’s Golden Paw was drawn at Meet and Greet this morning! We are so proud!
Elliot made the Reading Goal this week! The time has been extended to Wednesday October 15. Our Reading Reward will be on Thursday.
Mrs. Torbit called Carly’s Tiger Card grid square this morning! Thanks for following the school rules this week!
Here is our schedule for the week:
Monday: NO SCHOOL
Tuesday: spelling list 9, reading vocab, reading story “Best Friends Club,” math chapter 3 review (please correct that night to prepare for the test), Library
Wednesday: Smokehouse (rescheduled from last week), Chapter 3 Math Test, make and play WORDO
Thursday: Mr. Penne visits, Reading Reward
Friday: spelling test, reading assessment, start scarecrows, Good Behavior Reward Party, Camo Day
Enjoy the long weekend!
Mrs. Foster
Newsletter for October 6-10
Next week we have some exciting things going on! We will be celebrating Fire Safety Week and studying Columbus to prepare for upcoming Columbus Day. Because of this, we will not have a reading story next week and will be using that time of the day instead for fire and Columbus topics. Our class will be starting an exciting new chapter in science—Fossils! It is so much fun to teach dinosaurs to second graders! We will be continuing 2 digit addition, which your children are doing fabulously at! Our week will also include a fall leaf activity. Lots going on!
PICTURE DAY is TUESDAY, OCTOBER 7! Bring your smiles!
The students are doing splendid with cursive during Tiger Time! I am impressed!
School will be dismissing at 11:00 on FRIDAY, OCTOBER 10.
There is NO SCHOOL on MONDAY, OCTOBER 13 in honor of Columbus Day.
Parent/Teacher Conference notes were sent home. Please fill out some times that will work for you to meet with me and return those as soon as possible. Thanks!
Good News to Share:
Our Tiger Card Grid was full this week! Our lucky winner this week was Sammy again! He sure can pick the lucky squares!
We had more students make the Reading Goal this week! Carson, Jane, Zack, and Jacob our attending our Reading Reward! Students need to have read 30 books by Friday, October 10 to get the reward.
Here is our schedule for next week:
Monday: spelling list 8, reading vocab, start our leaf activity, sentence quiz
Tuesday: Library, Picture Day
Wednesday: make and play WORDO
Thursday: bring a fossil to share in science class (if you have one), visit the Smoke House, Computer Lab
Friday: Spelling Test, Reading Reward, dismiss at 11:00
See you at the Homecoming parade!
Mrs. Foster
Newsletter for September 29- October 3
Wow! Our room was PACKED for Grandparent’s and Special People Day! In honor of Johnny Appleseed’s birthday, we held an apple taste test with our special people, snacks were shared, and a tour of the school was provided by the students. I had an enjoyable time and hope that the Grandparents did as well!
This coming week is Homecoming Week. We will be dismissing at 2:00 on Friday so that people can attend the Homecoming parade that afternoon.
We will be starting 2 digit addition in math this week. Any extra work with addition flashcards at home would be great! The more facts the students have memorized, the more brainpower they can spend on the process of regrouping.
Good News to Share:
Cole is our first student to receive 5 Gold Coins! He decided to sit by a friend for the day as his reward.
We have had many students make the Reading Goal this week! Congrats to Ava, Aiden, Peyten, Ella, Cole, Carly, and Brody! We have several more students who are awfully close.
Carson has passed all the addition and subtraction Time Tests! Soon he will be starting multiplication!
Mrs. Torbit called Travis and Aiden’s Tiger Card grid square this morning! Thanks for being respectful, responsible, and safe this week!
Sammy was given a Golden Paw this week by a recess teacher for being kind and friendly while holding the door for his classmates.
Here is our schedule for next week:
Monday: spelling list 7, reading vocab, computer lab
Tuesday: reading story “A Letter to Amy,” Library
Wednesday: WORDO, science study guide comes home
Thursday: Computer Lab, Mr. Penny visits, Science Test
Friday: spelling test, reading assessment, 2:00 dismissal
Go Warriors!
Mrs. Foster
Newsletter for September 22-26
Next week will be a fun week for us! We will be learning about and celebrating Johnny Appleseed throughout the week. In science we will continue to study animals and life cycles. And, to wrap up our week, we will be celebrating Grandparent’s Day!
We will be having a review unit in spelling. For review units, we review all of the Word Wall Words we have learned in the previous 5 weeks. There are no sentences—just words. The test on Friday will just be a word test as well.
Grandparent’s Day will be Friday, September 26 beginning at 2:00 and running until the end of the day. A note regarding this fun occasion was sent home a few weeks ago. I think we are all looking forward to it!
Tiger Time will begin this week. A note was sent home Friday regarding where your child will be during that time.
Good News to Share:
Mrs. Torbit called London’s Tiger Card grid square this morning! Thank you for following school rules! You never know when you might get rewarded for it.
London was given a Golden Paw this week for going above and beyond! On a cold, rainy afternoon, London took off her jacket and gave it to her little sister to wear out to the car at the end of the day. It was such a kind sacrifice for a big sister to make.
Here is our schedule for next week:
Monday: spelling list 6, reading vocab, Computer Lab, start Johnny Appleseed activities
Tuesday: reading story “Lemonade for Sale,” Library
Wednesday: spelling review game, literature activity
Thursday: Computer Lab, math review
Friday: Spelling Test, reading assessment, math test, habitat game, Grandparent’s Day
Have a fun weekend!
Mrs. Foster
Newsletter for September 15-19
This has been a fabulous week! The students have worked hard and tried their best. We had our first math and science tests this week—unfortunately they ended up on the same day after having to rearrange some things with the AIMS tests this week. But the kids were such troopers! They wrote wonderful cowboy/cowgirl stories, practiced throwing a lariat, designed their own cowboy hats, worked through a challenging reading story, and found out what type of pony they would be this week as well.
Midterms are Friday. That doesn’t seem possible!
This week we will be reviewing in reading. Our story is a very short article from a children’s magazine. Our weekly reading assessment will be on Thursday and our first Unit Test will be on Friday.
Good News to Share:
Ella was given a Golden Paw for always being willing to help another student who needs some extra guidance during our library time. It is such a help to me and the student Ella looks after. Thank you, Ella!
Golden Paw drawings were this morning and Ella’s Paw was drawn! Thank you for going above and beyond to be a great student in our school!
Mrs. Torbit called Aiden and Sawyer's Tiger Card Grid square this morning! Thanks for following the school rules, guys!
Many students have passed the mid-way mark towards the Reading Goal! Keep up the Nightly Reading!
Here is our schedule for the week:
Monday: Spelling List 5, story vocab, Computer Lab, start our animal chapter in science
Tuesday: reading story “Welcome to a New Museum,” language activity, Library
Wednesday: WORDO, Constitution Day
Thursday: reading assessment, Computer Lab
Friday: spelling test, Unit Reading Test
Enjoy the fall-like weather!
Mrs. Foster
Newsletter for September 8-12
Your children have been working really hard this week! We got a lot accomplished in our 4 days of school. We read a new story, worked on relating addition and subtraction and fact families, did several science experiments, and finished up our recess stories.
Next week’s reading story is challenging but one of my favorites! It is actually a third grade level story. Due to this, and the fact that there are quite a few Spanish words in the story, feel free to partner read the story with your child on Tuesday night. Also, I know some of the Spanish words are on our vocab list this week. I do not speak Spanish and I do not expect you to know the language fluently. Just do the best you can with your child on those words and I will be happy.
We will have our first math test and science test next week. To prepare for math tests, I try my hardest to get the students’ review pages graded and sent home the night before the test. Please take time to help your child correct the math review so they will be prepared for the test. With science tests, the day before the test we will review in class by filling in the study guide and finishing our vocab sheet. I will send those home with your child that evening. Please go over them with him/her that night to study for the test.
Please send a seed with your child to school on Tuesday. We will be learning about the different ways seeds are scattered in our science lesson on Monday. Tuesday we will share our seeds and discuss how they are scattered.
Good News to Share:
Our Tiger Card grid is FULL this week! Mrs. Torbit called Sammy’s square this morning! Thank you to all the students whose names were on the grid for being respectful, responsible, and safe this week.
We celebrated 2 birthdays this week. Kaitlyn had a birthday on September 2 and Sonia had her’s on September 3. Happy birthday, girls!
Sawyer and Raeleigh passed both the short math Time Tests! They have started on the 5 minute ones. Great fact memorization to both of them!
Ava, Carly, Raeleigh, and Brody have read 15 books so far for Nightly Reading! They are half way to the Reading Goal!
Here’s our schedule for next week:
Monday: spelling list 4, reading vocab, Computer Lab
Tuesday: reading story “Round-Up at Rio Ranch,” Library, bring a seed to share for science
Wednesday: work on cowboy/cowgirl stories, math Chapter 1 review
Thursday: Math Test, Computer Lab, science study guide
Friday: spelling test, reading assessment, science test, horse activities
Enjoy the cooler weather this weekend!
Mrs. Foster
Newsletter for September 1-5
It sure was a hot week! Your children handled the hot days and the early dismissals well. Hopefully we have seen the last of the crazy late-summer heat!
There is NO SCHOOL on MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 1 in honor of Labor Day. Enjoy the three day weekend!
Your children did a wonderful job last week on their first spelling and reading tests of the year! I am quite proud of them.
Let’s get to the Good News:
Brody celebrated his birthday on Thursday, August 28 with cupcakes for the class. Happy Birthday, Brody!
We had our Tiger Card grid announcement this morning. Our grid was pretty full again this week. Taylor was the lucky person whose name was in the square Mrs. Torbit called! Thank you to all the students who received a Tiger card this week for following school rules.
I have given out quite a few Gold Coins this week! We are still waiting on our first student to get 5.
Here is our schedule for next week:
Monday: NO SCHOOL
Tuesday: Spelling List 3, reading vocab, reading story “Luka’s Quilt,” Library
Wednesday: WORDO, start working on the September Poem
Thursday: Computer Lab, science experiment
Friday: Spelling Test, reading assessment, literature activity
Have a fun, long weekend!
Mrs. Foster
Newsletter for August 25-29
Yay! We made it through our first full week of school! The students are starting to get into our new routine. It has been a change for all of us with our later lunch and recess hour. Our mornings are a bit longer, but our afternoons fly by!
I enjoyed seeing many of you at Open House Tuesday night. If you were not able to attend, please let me know if you have any questions from the packet I sent home with your child.
Thank you for returning vocab sheets and nightly reading books. You are doing a fantastic job at that for just the first week of school! Keep up the good work!
2nd grade is a change from 1st grade. Please never hesitate to let me know if you have any questions or concerns.
Good News to Share:
Jacob and Zack both had birthdays on August 21! Luckily for us, Zack celebrated his at school on Thursday and Jacob celebrated his on Friday. That gave us two days in a row of parties.
Aiden received the first Golden Paw of the school year for our class. Mrs. Haste gave it to him for helping a younger student with his locker. Thanks for looking out for others, Aidan!
I have given several Gold Coins out already this year! Thank you to those students for being good friends!
We had our first Tiger Card grid drawing this morning. Mrs. Torbit announced London’s grid square! Thanks for being respectful, responsible, and safe!
We had a new student join us on Wednesday. Sammy has been a nice addition to our room. We now have 24 students in our class.
Here is our schedule for next week:
Monday: reading vocab, spelling unit 2, literature activity
Tuesday: reading story “Henry and Mudge,” library, start recess stories
Wednesday: WORDO
Thursday: Computer Lab,
Friday: spelling test, reading assessment, Labor Day activity, science project, Beat the Teacher
Stay cool this weekend!
Mrs. Foster
Welcome to 2nd Grade in Mrs. Foster's class! We are going to have a wonderful year. I can't wait to meet all you Friday morning. Bring your smiles!
North Ward will be having our Open House on Tuesday August 19. We will be going over classroom routine, 2nd grade subjects, and weekly homework expectations, among many other things. I look forward to meeting you all then! If you are unable to attend, I will send the Open House packet home with your child the following day. Please look through it and let me know if you have any questions.
Newsletter for August 18-22
What a wonderful start to the school year! I loved getting to meet all my new students. I think I am really going to have a fun year with this group!
We are jumping right into things this coming week. We will start our first reading story, so vocabulary sheets will come home Monday. Please have your child read the words to you until he/she is fluent and then return the list to school by the end of the week. Reading Books will be sent home Tuesday for your child’s nightly reading. This week our story is "Ann's First Day." Please have your child read the story outloud, sign the slip, and get the book back in his/her book bag. Watch for your child's spelling list. Those will be sent home Monday as well. The test will be Friday. Remember that we have sentence tests in 2nd grade. We use the three sentences on the list and then I make up two more using the highlighted Word Wall Words. Also, please check every night for your child's nightly reading book that he/she will be checking out from my library. Those need to be returned daily in order to make the Reading Goal by the end of the quarter.
Along with those subjects, we will be starting a chapter on plants in science, adding to 18 in math, and our first literature activity in language. We will also be doing a math activity that requires all sorts of numbers about your child. Lately I have been surprised at how many 2nd graders still do not know their phone number and address. Please take a minute to make sure your child knows these important bits of information. Not only do we need it for the activity, but it is important for them to know in case of emergencies in and out of school.
This semester we will have Music every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. Art will be every Tuesday and Thursday. Next semester they will swap. We will also be visiting the Computer Lab on Mondays and Thursdays and the school Library on Tuesdays.
Here is our schedule for the coming week:
Monday: vocab list (practice, sign, and return), spelling list 1 (keep at home to practice), start our plant chapter, work on beginning of the year activities
Tuesday: nightly reading story "Ann's First Day," Library, Open House
Wednesday: literature activity
Thursday: Computer Lab
Friday: Reading Assessment, Spelling Test, bus evacuation drill, science experiment, Beat the Teacher
It was great to see all the smiling faces on the children Friday!
Mrs. Foster