2nd Grade Newsletter

Hello 2nd Grade Families,

Wow, what a wonderful week we have had together as we head into the break! Our hearts are full and we are truly thankful for each of you and for the joy your children bring to our classroom every single day.

It was such a gift to see so many of you at our Special Friends event. The smiles, the conversations, and the quality time shared were so special. Your children were beaming, and it was clear how much these moments meant to them.

This week, we also enjoyed a variety of Thanksgiving-themed activities and spent time sharing the many things we are grateful for. In addition, we explored finding area in math, researched different states, dug deeper into maps, and even made instruments that produced different volumes and pitches. It was a fun, full, and meaningful week of learning!

As we head into the break, we hope you enjoy a restful week surrounded by loved ones, good food, and memory-making moments. We will miss our kiddos, but we look forward to welcoming them back at The Ranch bright and early on Monday morning, December 1st!

Wishing you all a warm and happy Thanksgiving!

💜 The Second Grade Team

November 24-28: Thanksgiving Break/No School

December 2: Gingerbread Ornament Project Due

December 2: Gift Wrap Essentials Donations Due

December 2/3: CogAT Testing

December 3: Abbott's Frozen Custard Spirit Night 5p-9p

December 4: Hoodie Drive Donations Due

We are excited to launch a special project designed to celebrate the diversity and unique traditions within our school community! We know that families celebrate together in countless ways and we want to showcase these customs for all our students to enjoy.

In your child's purple folder, will you find a fun, gingerbread man/girl template. We ask that you and your student complete this project together, then turn it in by Tuesday, 12/2.

Once completed, these creations will be hung as personalized ornaments on our Windsong tree as a way to display the culture of our community. Thank you so much for participating and sharing your family's joy with us!

Please share:

● A favorite holiday or winter tradition

● A special food or custom you observe

● Any unique ways your family celebrates during the winter months

When finished:

● Cut around the template

● Put name and classroom teacher on back of template

● Return to your child’s homeroom teacher by Tuesday, December 2nd.

~ The Windsong Diverse Ability/ Culture Inclusive Committee

Please join Windsong Ranch Elementary in supporting Cornerstone Christmas, which brings joy to 350 local children by providing them with a magical Christmas experience. WRE Hope Squad and Strong Team are hosting a Gift Wrap Essentials Drive including wrapping paper, tape, bows, gift tags, medium and large gift bags and tissue paper.

Here are ways to donate:

Drop off gift wrapping supplies at the front office by December 2.
Sponsor a gift or a whole child by clicking here.
OR Contribute online through Cornerstone's wishlists: Amazon and Target

Prosper ISD will administer the Cognitive Abilities Test (CogAT) to second and fourth grade students district-wide in December. The CogAT is a norm-referenced, standardized test measuring learned reasoning and problem-solving skills in three different areas: verbal, quantitative, and nonverbal. Reasoning skills develop gradually throughout a person's lifetime and at different rates for different individuals. CogAT result information is used by teachers to better understand a student’s ability in relation to his or her achievement.

There is no need to prepare for this test. You can support your child by making sure they are rested and well-fed on the day of the test.

Our campus will test on the following dates:

2nd Grade: December 2nd and 3rd

4th Grade: December 4th

Results will be shared with you in early January.

If you are dropping off your child’s lunch, please make sure to bring it NO LATER than 12:00 PM.

We truly appreciate your help in making sure every child has a stress-free and smooth lunchtime. Thank you for your cooperation and support!

Please make sure your child is not bringing any toys to school. Several students are taking their Labubus off their backpacks and playing with them throughout the day or taking them to Specials. These items need to be left at home. Thank you!

Along with weekly Phonics practice, have your child read something of their choice for 20 minutes a night or 100 minutes for the week. Please see the Take Home Support pictured here for more guidance on At-Home Phonics activities. This paper is also located in each student's purple folder.

Your student is now expected to type in their own username and password to log in to their chromebook. Log in to Skyward to find their username and password and help them memorize it at home!

Please be sure to bring a labeled water bottle and healthy snack daily.

Please check Take Home folders each week for teacher communication regarding classroom behavior and to empty contents.

ELAR:

I can use features and graphics to locate and gain information.
I can interact with sources in meaningful ways by illustrating and writing.
I can recognize the text structures and patterns in informational texts.
I can develop and follow a research plan.

Math

I can read and write time to the nearest minutes using analog and digital clocks.
I can distinguish between a.m. and p.m.

*Please see your child's purple folder for Home Engagement.

Social Studies:

I can create maps to show places and routes within the home, school, and community.
I can identify and use the information on maps and globes using basic map elements such as the title, cardinal directions, and a legend.
I can explain the significance of Thanksgiving.

Science:

I can describe the Sun as a star that provides light and heat.
I can explain that the moon reflects the sun’s light.

*Please see your child's purple folder for Home Engagement.

Families are allowed to sign up to have lunch with their student on the stage each month.

A few reminders:

Only provide food for your child (no sharing or bringing food for others).
Plan to sit on the stage in the cafeteria. You may only sit with your child.
Lunch visitors can sign up here. To allow space for all families and time for your student to grow his/her social skills, please avoid signing up multiple times a week.
If all spots are full, you are welcome to enjoy a picnic lunch outside with your child.
Don’t forget to bring your ID when checking in.

Our Character Trait is EMPATHY. Please check out the Family Connection that was sent home and pictured here to see how you can continue practicing gratitude at home.

If your student is going to be absent, email the doctor's note or excuse to windsong-attendance@prosper-isd.net. You will also need to enter the absence into their Skyward account. Attendance / Absence Information

Please check out the Sign-Up Genius to be a Mystery Reader for your child's class. Please bring a school-appropriate book with you. It can be one of your child's favorite books, a seasonal book, or any children's book. If you have questions, please reach out to your child's teacher. Thank you for signing up!