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2nd Grade Weekly Newsletter

October 26th-30th, 2026

2nd Grade WeeklyNewsletter October 26th-30th, 2026

Red Ribbon Week is THIS WEEK! Red Ribbon Week is THIS WEEK!

See below for dress up days! See below for dress up days!

Chromebook Reminders Chromebook Reminders

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Please remind your child to charge their Chromebooks on Tuesday/Thursday's (Tech-days) when they return home from school. Your child's Chromebook HAS TO BE COMPLETELY CHARGED (100%) . We do not have extra Chromebook chargers in our classrooms. Thank you for your help!

Let's Celebrate Red Ribbon Week Let's Celebrate Red Ribbon Week

October 26th-30th October 26th-30th

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Candy Corn Needed for Math Activity

We will be using candy corn or pumpkin-shaped candies for a fun math activity in class this coming week! If you are able to donate a bag, we would greatly appreciate it. We will need this to be sent in by Wednesday, Oct. 28th please! Thank you for helping make learning fun for our second graders!

Believe Kids Fundraiser Delivery Believe Kids Fundraiser Delivery

--Fall Fundraiser Delivery Date--

  • WOODLAND ELEMENTARY PTA Product/Cookie Dough Fundraiser Pick-Up Scheduled for: WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 28 FROM 3:00 - 6:00 PM AT THE CAFETERIA
  • Parents please note this is our ONLY DAY OF PICKUP! The School does not have access to the school freezer/storage to accommodate orders not picked up, so please make arrangements to have your child's/children's order picked up on this day. Unable to make it? You're welcome to send a neighbor, co-worker, family member, or older sibling. Thank you for your amazing support of Woodland!

Quizzes/Tests This Week Quizzes/Tests This Week

NOTE- District Assessments are not allowed to be sent home. ALL MAJOR tests are District Assessments. We encourage you to log onto Parent Backpack to keep up with your child's current grades in class. Directions are linked below if you need to activate your account. You may request a time to come in and review your child's assessment if you would like.

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Monday: None!

Tuesday: Meanings of Addition and Subtraction Unit 4 District Assessment (Math Major Grade)

Wednesday: None!

Thursday: How Does Water Change on Earth? (Science Minor Grade), Reading Module 4-Week 1 QUIZ (Reading Minor Grade)

Friday: Spelling Test Pattern- All jobs of y, Opinion Writing (Language Minor Grade)


Please see LINKED Study Guides in each subject area to help prepare for our weekly assessments!

What We're Learning What We're Learning

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Math

This week we will focus on using addition and subtraction to solve word problems. Students will explore different strategies to add within 20, including using pictures, hands-on models, counting on, making a 10, and using doubles and near doubles.


We will also practice finding sums more efficiently by rearranging equations with three addends.


Our goal is to build confidence and fluency with addition within 20!


Math Homework (Oct. 26th-30th)


Unit 4 Study Guide

EXTRA Practice Study Guide (Major Unit Test will be on Tues. Oct. 27th)


Unit 4 Family Letter

Unidad 4 Carta a la Familia

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Reading

In reading, students will learn how informational texts are organized in sequence, with events or steps presented in a specific order. They will practice recognizing signal words that show sequence, such as first, next, then, and finally. Students will apply the reading strategies they have learned to complete their reading assessment.


We will also explore poetry and identify its characteristics, including lines, stanzas, and rhyme.


Looking for ways to help your student at home with reading?

Check out these additional resources!

October Reading Bingo

Reading Strategies

Comprehension Questions

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Weekly Spelling Pattern

-SPELLING TEST ON FRIDAY-


Spelling Pattern: All Jobs of -y In phonics, students will learn how the letter y can make different vowel sounds in words. We will practice reading and spelling words where y makes the short i sound (gym), the long i sound (cry), and the long e sound (baby).


Students will use these patterns to read and spell words with y in the middle or at the end of a word.


Weekly Spelling List (linked)


2nd grade teachers will be sending home examples of words to practice, not a list to memorize. Interested in why we are making this shift? Click HERE to find out!


LANGUAGE- We will learn capitalization of proper nouns (holidays, product names, and geographic names).

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Writing

In writing, students will continue working on their opinion pieces by revising and editing their work to make it even better. They will practice improving their writing by adding, removing, or changing words and sentences, as well as working with classmates to make corrections and share ideas. Students will publish their final drafts and practice presenting their opinions clearly to their peers.

Social Studies

-Science Instructional Week-

Continue working on Culture Projects at home!

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Science

In science, students will explore how changes to Earth’s surface can happen quickly or slowly over time. They will gather information from different sources to learn about events such as earthquakes, landslides, and the gradual changes caused by wind and water. At the end of the week, students will review Matter and Its Properties through an interactive virtual lesson to strengthen their understanding of the unit.

-Sharing My Culture At-Home Project- -Sharing My Culture At-Home Project-

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Please help your child complete this "My Culture" Project at home!

Part 1: Research & Complete Fact Sheet (Classwork/Homework)


Country/Region: Students will choose a country/US region/state of importance to them or their family culture. They will research their choice, including facts about its culture and what makes it unique. Students will need to identify the native language, special holidays/traditions, foods, dress, etc. Parents can help students identify these special characteristics if needed. (Example: Louisiana (New Orleans-Carnival; Mexico-Day of the Dead, etc.) Students will have some time in class to complete the planning page, but may need to finish at home.


Part 2: Make a Visual Display (Homework) Visual Display/Completed Planning Page Due: November 6th, 2026: Students will create a visual display to share the information they learned about their country. The display must be colorful, creative, well-organized, and contain both words and images to share their research! A trifold presentation board will be provided to each student.


Part 3: Presentation (At School) Presentation Date: November 10th, 2026: Now, you get to show what you know! On the day of the presentation, you will discuss all the research you found about your chosen country/US region. You may also dress in native clothing or bring in artifacts used in your country’s culture. If you speak your country’s language, you can even share some common phrases! You will have the opportunity to practice in class beforehand.

Sharing My Culture At-Home Project (Parent Letter with Rubric)
Sharing My Culture At-Home Project (Student Bubble Map)

-- Our Colorful World Celebration -- -- Our Colorful World Celebration --

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Spelling

  • Please note: This year, 2nd grade teachers will be sending home examples of words to practice, not a list to memorize. Interested in why we are making this shift?
  • Click HERE to find out!

Math

  • Your child will have a math homework sheet this week. Please help your student by reviewing the concepts that we are learning in school. Any extra practice that you can provide at home will help so much to reinforce what we have been learning in school.

Reading

  • Reading every night is imperative to your child's success in 2nd grade. Your child should be reading for at least 20 minutes every night.


Tech Tuesdays/Thursdays

  • As a grade level, we have decided to send Chromebooks and chargers home with students on Tuesdays and Thursdays. On these days, students may use school-approved apps and programs to practice skills they are learning in the classroom, such as IXL, Web Math Minute, Amira, Google Classroom assignments, and more.


If your child brings their Chromebook home, please help us by making sure:

  • The Chromebook is charged after your child finishes their work.
  • The Chromebook and charger are both returned to school the following day.
  • The Chromebook is used only for school-approved activities.


Thank you for helping us ensure that our students have access to these valuable learning tools while also taking good care of their devices!

Copy Volunteers NEEDED! Copy Volunteers NEEDED!

Hello, Volunteers!

We are looking for parents who are willing to help make copies for our 2nd Grade team!

If you are available to help, please select a Tuesday or Thursday time slot. We will have the copies and paper ready for you when you arrive.


Once you sign up, please let your child’s teacher know which day you will be coming. Your child’s teacher can assist you before your scheduled day and show you how to use the copy machines.

When signing up, please include your child’s first name and teacher in the comment box.

Example: Jan – Mrs. Rader


Thank you so much for helping our 2nd Grade team! We truly appreciate your time and support!

Sign-Up Genius Copy Volunteer LINK


HELP!!! WE ARE IN DESPERATE NEED OF REAMS OF COPY PAPER!

If you are able to help, we would greatly appreciate donations of reams of copy paper for our classrooms. Your generous donations help us provide students with learning activities, games, and resources they will use throughout the school year. Thank you so much for supporting our classroom and our students!

WES Clothing Closet WES Clothing Closet

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Become a Woodland 8 Habit Family! Become a Woodland 8 Habit Family!

We would love for you to help us bring the 8 Habits home. Please click HERE for our family 8 Habits Choice Board. You will see just how easy it is to use the 8 Habit language at home and how it can transform your family’s habits and behaviors at home in a positive way. Once you complete the choice board as a family by completing 2 tasks from each section, send it back to any of your children’s teachers, and you will earn a Woodland 8 Habits magnet for your car. We would also love it if you could take a family picture of you all completing one of the Habits and send it to your classroom teacher so that we can celebrate your family on social media and maybe even our school website!

Each month, we will be collecting videos of students demonstrating one of the 8 habits in the classroom and at home. Each month will feature a different habit.


October Habit: Be Proactive

This month, our students are learning about Habit 1: Be Proactive. Being proactive means taking responsibility for your choices, actions, and attitudes instead of blaming others or reacting out of habit. At school, we talk about how proactive kids pause, think, and choose before responding.


At home, being proactive might look like:

  • Cleaning up toys or dishes without being asked.

  • Choosing a positive attitude when plans change.

  • Starting homework or chores on their own.

  • Finding a solution to a problem instead of complaining.

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America's 250th Birthday Project America's 250th Birthday Project

In honor of America's 250th Birthday, students in grades Pre-K through 12 are invited to participate in this district wide celebration through competition! Students can submit a poem, speech, song, dance, artwork, photography or essay! Judges will determine school level winners that will move on and compete on the district level! Woodland is inviting all students to participate in celebrating America!


Follow the link below for further instructions/submissions!

America 250 Student Celebration


The deadline for students to enter is October 30th, 2026.

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Dates to Remember Dates to Remember

Mark Your Calendars!

-November-


Monday, November 2nd: NO SCHOOL- Teacher Workday

Tuesday, November 3rd: NO SCHOOL- Election Day


Friday, November 6th: Family Culture Project DUE!

Tuesday, November 10th: Family Culture Project Presentation Day (See invitation pictured above)


Monday/Tuesday, November 16th/17th: Diamond Del Gem Mining (In-House Field Trip)


Wednesday-Friday, November 25th, 26th, 27th: NO SCHOOL- Thanksgiving Break

2026-2027 Student Calendar

Attendance Information Attendance Information

Attendance Matters!

  • Students will only be allowed 10 total absences. Greenville County states that students must be present 170 of 180 days. This can be combination of parent notes, or unexcused absences. A student will be considered TRUANT with 3 consecutive unexcused absences, or 5 total unexcused absences. Chronic absences and tardiness can affect the entire classroom, disrupting the flow of learning. Attending school REGULARLY and ON TIME creates a positive environment for everyone! If a student misses more than 10 days, all additional absences must be medical or principal approved to be classified as an excused absence. We are no longer able to accept text messages or class app messages. Attendance must be communicated through email to your child's teacher, email to Mrs. Rogers, or a physical note in your child's red folder.
  • SC Attendance Guidelines LINK

2026-2027 Absent Note Google Form
WES Attendance Website

Student/Parent Backpack Student/Parent Backpack

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A backpack for parents account provides parents, guardians, or contacts with a central place to sign in to do the following:

  • View their student's information including demographics, attendance, classes, grades, lunch balances, and test scores
  • Apply or register their student to Special Focus schools and programs (Fine Arts Center, Career Centers, etc.)
  • Receive alerts and notifications regarding their students
  • View their student's school and contact information
  • Manage parent and contact information for their students


Click HERE for access to your child's Student Backpack to view their weekly grades.

Click HERE to create/set up a Backpack Account to access your child's information if you have not already set up an account. VIDEO INSTRUCTIONS LINK

Click HERE for a SPANISH version of instructions on how to create a Backpack Account.

Breakfast and Lunch Updates Breakfast and Lunch Updates

Visitors at LUNCH

Parents/Visitors are welcome to eat with students during lunch. Students are not allowed to have 'friends' eat with them and their parent/adult visitor. ONLY adult/child are allowed to eat together during this visitation lunch time. Please contact your child's teacher if you are planning to visit for lunch.


Lunch Menus

Please see below for the lunch menus for the month.

October Menu October Menu

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October Menu Link
Please click on the link to access our menu for the month

Woodland Elementary offers Free Breakfast and Lunch to ALL students! Woodland Elementary offers Free Breakfast and Lunch to ALL students!

Additional Resources for Google Classroom
Please use the link to help guide you on how to help your child use Google Classroom.

Meet our 2nd Grade Team! Meet our 2nd Grade Team!

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Amanda Chandler

2nd Grade Teacher
akchandler@greenville.k12.sc.us
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Pat Kiehl

2nd Grade Teacher

pkiehl@greenville.k12.sc.us

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Jess Martin

2nd Grade Teacher

jesmartin@greenville.k12.sc.us

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Karen McClain

2nd Grade Teacher
kmcclain@greenville.k12.sc.us

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Melissa Pitts

2nd Grade Teacher

mpitts@greenville.k12.sc.us

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Nikki Rader

2nd Grade Teacher

nrrader@greenville.k12.sc.us

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Marjan Schoettelkotte

2nd Grade Teacher

mschoettelkotte@greenville.k12.sc.us

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Amy Weinberg

2nd Grade Teacher

aweinberg@greenville.k12.sc.us

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Kristin White

2nd Grade Teacher

kewhite@greenville.k12.sc.us

Woodland, Where We Empower Leaders Every Day in Every Way. Woodland, Where We Empower Leaders Every Day in Every Way.

2nd Grade Website
Please click the link to access our 2nd Grade Team Website!
Woodland Elementary School
WES Homepage
Counselor's Corner
Counseling Updates
Woodland Elementary PTA
PTA Updates

2nd Grade Teachers 2nd Grade Teachers

Melissa Pitts
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