Dear Families,

Welcome Monday!!!  It is hard to imagine that this month is almost half over!!!! October 14th starts the first day of our second piece of second grade pie, or known better by others as the second quarter!!!  You will notice much growth in your child’s skills during these next couple of months. We are working on becoming responsible, confident learners. The children are so proud of what they can already do and they look forward to all the new things to learn.  I am very proud of them and I know you are also.

Language Arts –Writing – We did a friendly letter for the first assessment, incorporating all the elements of a good sentence. They had to write about their teacher!!!!!! This next quarter we will be learning how to write a  personal narrative.     Reading – We continue to work on comprehension, both stated and inferred. Inferential comprehension  is extremely challenging for some. We will be working on this throughout the year. There is so much language processing involved in this activity.  As the children move up in the grades, this skill is so very important.

Math – We are in the chapter on re-grouping. This is challenging for some. Reviewing the work when it comes home will be very helpful. Please keep the family letter from each chapter, as it has the vocabulary words that are  introduced. Congratulations to our new Math Club members; certificates will be forthcoming!!! Several others are nipping at their heels…….almost there!!!

Science -Our theme for October will be Pumpkins and Harvest.  We will learn what pumpkins need to grow and all the many different things you can do with a pumpkin.We are excited to learn new things on our field trip as well. We will integrate this into our  Math and writing as well. We have begun a writing book on sequencing the growth of a pumpkin.

Social Science – We are on the chapter “Using Our Resources” both natural and man-made. We are learning that God wants us to be good stewards of what He has created and given us.

Bible – We will be studying Moses and how God used him in leading the Israelites. We will also learn that his disobedience is what kept him out of the Promised Land.

Show and Tell – This week is Team A.   Your child can bring something to share two times during the week.  If a child has not completed work for that day, show and tell is forfeited.

Homework Folder –  Folders are due due every Friday. There are usually skill sheets and always a reading log due.  This week’s homework has practice in regrouping in Math.  Please check your child’s work before it is returned to make sure understanding is happening.

Report Cards – Report cards will go home on Thursday, Oct 17th. At this stage of development , a letter grade of P which means progressing, is very acceptable in academic areas. If they knew everything at a satisfactory or excellent level in this stage of the game, I would be out of a job!!!!! However, the N’s in Character Development or Homework are not. Your report card will say “Needs More Time”, but at Second Grade, unlike K or First, that now means “Needs Improvement”.  

Book – It Program – The first Book-It form is due on November 1st. You just need to color in the pumpkins after your child has read.  Each pumpkin stands for 20 minutes and 12 is required to get a certificate.  You are actually reading 20, 20 minute sessions a month!

Fall Festival – Our fall festival this year will take place on October 19th from 4:00 PM- 7:00 PM on the North Field.   Bring your blanket or chairs and come enjoy the food and fun!  This is a great time for family and friend’s fun!

Operation Christmas Child -Operation Christmas Child brought smiles to the faces of 100 million poor, sick and suffering children in more than 100 countries last year through shoeboxes filled with school supplies, hygiene items, toys, candy and other small gifts.  But these boys and girls received something even more important than a Christmas present.  They also leaned about the greatest gift of all—God’s son, Jesus Christ.

 Each year, Operation Christmas Child delivers millions of shoebox gifts to children in desperate circumstances around the world.  In addition to bringing happiness to boys and girls who other wise wouldn’t receive any presents, this exciting project of Samaritan’s Purse also opens doors for presenting the Good News of Jesus Christ.  Through children’s literature and evangelistic programs, many lives are changed for eternity. We would like to invite you to join us this year as we again reach out to boys and girls in the name of Jesus Christ. Our goal is to collect 250 shoeboxes at Fresno Christian Elementary by November 7th for children who face a daily struggle against war, persecution, disease, natural disaster, poverty, illness, or neglect.  Pray that God will meet their physical, emotional and spiritual needs.

Field Trip – We will be going to Single Palm Pumpkins on Thursday, Oct. 24th.  We will learn about the growth of pumpkins, see farm animals, take a tractor pulled hay ride, do a  hay and corn maze and pick a large pumpkin from the vine.  The chaperones will cut the pumpkins off the vine for the children. We will be riding the bus, leaving at 10:30 AM and returning by 2:00 PM.  We will have lunch there at the farm.  The children have already paid and the chaperones are free.  If a chaperone wants to pick a pumpkin to take home the cost will be $5.00. If you do not work in the classroom, please stop by the room or the elementary office to sign a waiver from the farm.  Thanks!

Fresno Christian Music Department Presents: 

“A Candlelight Christmas”

Kindergarten through Fourth Grades

Elementary Choir

Junior High Choir

Wednesday, December 11, 2013

5:30 pm

Fresno Christian Gym

10-16 – School dismissed at 12:00 PM – Teacher Inservice

10-24 – Single Palms Field Trip – 10:30AM – 1:30 PM

11-6 – Teacher Inservice – School dismissed at 12:00 PM

11-11 – Veteran’s Day – No School

11-27-29 – Happy Thanksgiving – No School

12-11 – Teacher Inservice – School dismissed at 12:00 PM

12-11 – Christmas Program – 5:30 PM  – FCS Gym

12-13 – School dismissed at 12:00 PM

12-13 -End of Quarter 2.

12-16 – 1-3 – Christmas Vacation

1-6 – School Resumes

Spirit Day is every Friday.  Please wear your favorite FCS shirt.

 Bible Verse – Oct. 14-18

It is hard to stop a quarrel once it starts, so don’t let it begin.  Proverbs 17:14  18 pts.  

 Spelling –  Lesson 10 –  Oct. 14-18

goal

hope

coat

over

hold

obey

know

older

those

grown

spoke

froze

hundred

high

Dear Families,

Thank you for all of your contributions of apple treats and a shout out to Jen Alberta for bringing an apple treat Mon-Wed.  We sampled all of the apple treats and graphed our results. Hands down, apple fritters won!!  Cheers to all the healthy food fanatics in Room 524!!!!  NOT!!!! Bobbing for apples was a blast as well.!!!!!! Thank you for everyone who helped make this a very fun day for the kids.

Picture Re-Takes – On Tuesday, October 8th,  the photographer will be back one last time for any students who were absent, not satisfied with their original purchased package, or did not get to purchase on Picture Day.  If you are retaking an original order, you must return your complete picture package to be  be photographed.  No retakes for CD orders.  Pictures will be taken for school records, yearbook, and portrait package.  Order forms are available in the School Office. (North Star Photography (559) 276-1692)

Fundraiser Pick-Up– The Fall Fundraiser was a terrific success. Thank you for all your hard work. You can pick up the  items that you sold on Thursday, October 10th from 2:30-5:30. The location will be behind Building 5. Please be sure to make appropriate plans as there is no space to put the items not picked-up.  Many Thanks!!!   Also, our class was the highest selling class and we will have a popcorn and movie afternoon.  We will have a popcorn bar with many flavors to choose from.  The movie we will be watching is Crood.  A permission slip will go home that needs to be signed in order for your child to watch the movie. It will be a very fun afternoon. The date is October 31st.

Language Arts – We continue to work on Leveled Readers as well as our Anthology Book.  Many are rushing through their seat work and in particular, comprehension. Some are not even reading the story or information that applies to the questions.  We have talked at length about being a careful reader.  When you are reading at home, please quiz your child about what they are reading by asking who, what, why and when questions, as well as the setting, problem and solution. Have them list the characters and their significance in the story.  We continue to work hard on this as well at school.

Writing – We will have our first writing benchmark this week. This is an Elementary School wide assessment.We have been practicing different prompts to get us ready for this.  We will be writing a Friendly Letter.  A good score will have proper form with a beginning, middle and closing. They will also be scored on correct capitals and punctuation.

Math -We will finish Chapter 3. We will take our test on October 10th. The chapter review is also due on that day. Our next chapter is on regrouping.  This will be challenging for some, but we will be continuing to revisit this skill ALL year long. Friday’s homework folder will also be Math for the next couple of weeks.  Please continue being faithful in doing Math Drills .

Social Science -We  will continue with “Using Our Resources”. We have had some interesting discussions about how we care for the things God has blessed us with.

Science – Our theme for October will be Pumpkins and Harvest.  We will learn what pumpkins need to grow and the many different things you can do with a pumpkin.We will integrate this into our Math and writing as well.

Show and Tell – This week is Team B. Your child can bring something to share two times during the week.

Book Bags and Work Envelopes – Just a reminder that book bags and work envelopes are due every Friday.  Please assist your child in being responsible to return both ON TIME. Imagine that!!!

Bible – We will be continue with Joseph and learn about the power of forgiveness.

Book – It Program — The form for this program will be in the work envelope on Monday. Please just record from your child’s Reading Log 12 different times during the month.  I know they are reading chapter books and certainly 12 would not be expected in a month. Just record 12, 20 min.reading times.  Your child may only earn one certificate each month. You cannot stockpile these certificates as they expire 30 days after they are issued. Thank you for your participation! The first Book-It form is due on November 1st.

Book Report -We will begin reading a Biography  for the next book project. The book should be at least 80-100 pages. If you are not sure if the length is ok, just bring it in and I will take a look. These books are meant to be something other than an easy picture book.  I will have some biographies for them to choose from if you don’t go to the library, or have a biography on hand. Just let me know when you are ready for the construction paper.

Book Order – You had book pamphlets in your envelope last week. The book order will be submitted on Oct. 14th.  Please be sure you have ordered by then if you are interested. You will  order and pay online.  You will have many more options than what is in your child’s grade level pamphlet. It is a very easy site to navigate. There are also free perks when you order online. Our class activation code is J4ZNG.

Operation Christmas Child  -We will have a chapel on Tuesday with Mrs. Lazo explaining this wonderful ministry. Please consider taking the opportunity to show your child the true spirit of giving at Christmas. Pack a shoe box with your child to send to needy children throughout the world. The children will get lists of the suggested items on Monday, many of which can be purchased at a Dollar Store  at reasonable prices. Please be sure to put in only brand new items and include small toys ( no weapons), school supplies, stuffed animals and hygiene  items.  Most important is to pray over the box and for the child who will receive it.  For more suggestions or to download a new form to go with the box, go to samaritanspurse.org.  Boxes are in the office, however, they suggested how wonderful a plastic box would be, which you can get at Dollar Store because they use it to get water at the river and for putting vegetables and fruits in from their garden.  Also, include $7 in an envelope for shipping and handling.

Fall Festival – Our fall festival this year will take place on October 19th from 4:00 PM- 7:00 PM on the North Field.   Bring your blanket or chairs and come enjoy the food and fun!  This is a great time for family and friend’s fun! There is no charge, however, there will be a donation bucket at the entrance if you want to help with expenses. This certainly is not mandatory.

Field Trip – We will be going to Single Palm Pumpkins on Thursday, Oct. 24th.  We will learn about the growth of pumpkins, see farm animals, take a tractor pulled hay ride, do a  hay and corn maze and pick a large pumpkin from the vine.  The chaperones will cut the pumpkins off the vine for the children. We will be riding the bus, leaving at 10:30 AM and returning by 2:00 PM.  We will have lunch there at the farm.  The children have already paid and the chaperones are free  If a chaperone wants to pick a pumpkin to take home the cost will be $5.00.

Absences –   The flu season is coming!!! If  your child is sick or gone for more than one day, please call our office (292-7704) and come by the school to pick up your child’s missed work.  If your child is gone only one day, I will send  the missed work home  on the day he/she returns.  I can also put the work on the bus up to People’s Campus if you wish.  Just let me know. Also, if your child is leaving school early and you know ahead of time,  please email me or send me a note so I can be sure your child has everything that is needed. This will be really helpful.  I understand  there are emergencies where this is not possible.

Elementary Cheer Clinic – This week the elementary cheer clinic will begin! Practice will be on the North field grass from 3:30-4:30. The girls will be learning cheers, a dance, and stunting!!! The girls will get their shirts on Thursday for Friday night’s game. Please do not have your daughter wear her clinic shirt to school on Friday.

10-7 -11 – Elementary Cheer Clinic

10-8 – Elementary Picture  Re-takes

10-11 – End of Quarter 1

10-16 – School dismissed at 12:00 PM – Teacher Inservice

10-24 – Single Palms Field Trip – 10:30AM – 1:30 PM

11-6 – Teacher Inservice – School dismissed at 12:00 PM

11-11 – Veteran’s Day – No School

11-27-29 – Happy Thanksgiving – No School

12-11 – Teacher Inservice – School dismissed at 12:00 PM

12-13 – School dismissed at 12:00 PM

12-13 -End of Quarter 2.

12-16 – 1-3 – Christmas Vacation

1-6 – School Resumes

Spirit Day is every Friday.  Please wear your favorite FCS shirt.

Bible Verse – Oct. 7-11

The earth belongs to God!  Everything in all the world is His.  Psalm 24:1  15 pts.