Second Grade News
Week of October 6, 2008

Mrs. Madeleine Gallagher/Mrs. Sheryl Fields
strose7@arrival.net 238-0304 ext. 20

Note: I am posting this newsletter and homework EARLY as I will be going to be with my parents this weekend. My dad is having kidney surgery Friday morning and I will be staying with them until he's stable. Mrs. Fields will be in the classroom on Monday and if all goes well, I'll be back on Tuesday. Thank you for your prayers for him. He's almost 89, so any procedure is a big deal.

Conference Thanks
Thank you to all the parents for making the time for our conferences. While it is still early in the year, it was wonderful to connect with you. Please remember that we are always available via email, phone, and in person. Thank you for sharing the gifts of your children with us!

Math Facts
As we mentioned at our conferences, this week we begin our weekly math facts tests. We begin with Doubles Facts and then move on to Neighbors. Doubles facts are the numbers doubled (4+4, 6+6, etc.). Following passage of the Doubles Facts (in less than 30 sec.),
students will next be given Neighbors Facts. These are the numbers on both sides of the doubles facts...6+5, 9+8, 5+4, etc. If the student knows the doubles facts, the neighbors facts are just one more/one less. Tests will be given every Friday. A copy of the finish times for each level of the facts are stapled into your child's homework folder. The time needed to pass each level is different. Students must have 100% within the time frame to move on. All students move at their own pace.

A key factor for success is daily practice at home!! These math facts form the basis for success in math now and in the future. Please make this a priority during homework time. PLEASE LET US KNOW if your child is really struggling with this. We have some specific strategies to help. Thanks!

Harvest Festival Coming
Our annual Harvest Festival is Friday October 24. Every class will need to help. Contact Nicole Lucier (226-8696) or our room rep Carolyn Alonso (239-8324) to help.

Prayer Needs?
Do you have someone who needs prayer? Would you like our class community to pray for you or someone you know? Send us an email to strose7@arrival.net and we'll put it in our newsletter.

Sacramental Prep Parent Meeting
This Wednesday, Oct. 8, will our first meeting on the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Our speaker will be Terry Burrows from the Diocese. We will begin promptly at 6:45 IN THE HALL (I promise!). Child care will be in the kindergarten room. A reminder: These
meetings are mandatory. If you are interested in bringing some cookies to share please let me know asap. Thanks!

Free/Reduced Lunches
Applications for free/reduced lunches are
available in the office. So, please pick one up if you're interested.

Pennies for Peace collection is ongoing!! Send in your "useless" pennies and put them to good use
building schools in Pakistan and Afghanistan!!

Curriculum Update
Religion: St. Therese (Little Flower); the Father and Son (Holy Spirit if time)
Reading: Individual reading groups reading about either Johnny Appleseed or the Statue of Liberty.
Written Language: Rules for Capitalization
Math: Doubles facts; counting by 3s; relating
addition and subtraction facts
Science: More about plants
Other: We'll have our first auction on Monday

Upcoming Calendar
Weds. 10/8: Sacramental Prep Parent Mtg:
Reconciliation; 6:45 in hall
Fri. 10/24: Harvest Festival in hall
Fri. 10/31: School Mass, 8:30


Second Grade Homework
Week of October 6, 2008

Monday: Look at your Star paper to see who this week's star is! Write at least 4 fabulous sentences telling why this person is so special! Illustrate fully!! Parents: Please use reference sheet stapled inside homework folder for format! Please check
spelling. READ for at least 15 min.

Tuesday: Math: Practice your doubles facts for test on Friday!! (Try to finish in less than 30 sec.)
Spelling: Add words to the chunks listed on the
attached spelling sheet.
READ!!
Wednesday: Religion: Draw a picture of a time God took care of you. Then, WRITE a sentence telling what
happened.
Read!! Practice doubles math facts!!
Sacramental Prep Parent Meeting tonight 6:45 in Hall; child care available.

Thursday: Science/Reading: Fold the booklet titled "Gina's Sunflowers" and read it. Label the parts of the plant on the back page. Complete the small worksheet about plants.
Math facts test tomorrow! Read, have form signed, and RETURN TOMORROW!