Goodbye Blog, Hello Facebook...

We have many, many exciting things happening in our classroom as always!  Just ask your second grader to tell you more! I'm saying GOODBYE to our Classroom Blog and moving forward with what parents use most to communicate...FACEBOOK!  If you didn't get a personal messenger invite from me, please look for Mrs. Bell's 2nd Grade Class @mrsbell2nd https://www.facebook.com/mrsbell2nd/   ​on Facebook 

today​. Like our page to keep up to keep up with all that's happening each and every day!  Share with your family members so they can enjoy watching their grandkids, nieces, nephews, cousins learning at Mid-Prairie East Elementary 

School​.  Please be patient with me as I learn all of the features to share with you and keep you in the know of our classroom activities.  You can continue to follow us on Twitter @mrsbell2nd as we have many followers that help us grow and learn together in our second grade classroom. 

We have much happening this week with National Young Readers Week daily dress up days within our classroom and schoolwide Mid-Prairie Administrators and School Board Members guest reading to us, a visit to the Kalona Public Library, our Mathematics-by-the-Book Scavenger Hunt and more.  We're also honoring our Veterans this week too! Stay tuned for more highlights to come throughout the week remembering our Veterans.  We'll dress up in red, white and blue to show our Patriotic Pride on Friday! 

I look forward to see​ing​ you at your child's Parent Teacher Conference this Tuesday, November 7 and Thursday, November 9 from 4-8p.m

to share GOOD news with you​

.  Thank you for promptly signing up on our new online scheduling featuring on Power School! I put a reminder note on your child's report card envelope and have one more paper copy reminder they will bring home on Monday.

Please be sure they have their homework complete and ready to turn in on time in their Homework Folders, bring their Friday Folders back on Monday and have read and recorded their minutes on their monthly reading calendar that they have in a designated place at home.  They brought home their November Reading Calendars on Monday, so post it somewhere where everyone can see it and record their daily reading minutes easily all month long.  Calendars will be due on Thursday, November 30. You can record any minutes they read, you read to them, etc and we can check to see just how much time you and your child have spent reading on a daily basis.  We will log our minutes read, goals met and receive various incentives each month.  If your child meets their reading goal EVERY month, they will be eligible for many reading incentives in my classroom and through Pizza Hut!  Ask me for more details!!

Please stop in our room to see what your child is learning! We'd love to share with you because the time you spend with your child is important.  Thank you for all of your contributions.

Mrs. Bell's Fall Parent Teacher Conference Schedule...

We look forward to sharing them with you when you come for Parent Teacher Conferences held Tuesday, November 7 and Thursday, November 9 from 4-8p.m.  Thank you for promptly signing up on our new online scheduling featuring on Power School! I put a reminder note on your child's report card envelope and have one more paper copy reminder they will bring home on Monday.

My schedule allows me to meet with you for 15 minutes, so it’s important to come a bit early so we can make use of our short time together.  I will be sending home a confirmation slip on Monday, November 6 just to remind you of your scheduled conference time with me.   I am anxious to meet with you to discuss your child’s progress this quarter. 

Sign up to view your child's Seesaw student e-portfolio...

Dear Families,

This year we are using Seesaw to share and communicate with families! Your child will post to Seesaw to share their learning. I'll also sometimes use Seesaw to send you messages and reminders. Seesaw is private; you'll only see posts created by your child.

Please Sign Up Now

1. Click on this link: https://app.seesaw.me/s/460-383-947
2. Choose your child from the list
3. Create your account
4. Once I approve you, you can see content from your child

After you sign up, download the free Seesaw Family app and sign in. You can also access Seesaw from a computer at https://app.seesaw.me.

Thank you for supporting your child's learning!

P.S. If you used Seesaw last year or have more than one child using Seesaw, follow the link above, then click the 'Sign in' tab at the top of the screen. You do not need to create a new account.

Kalona Public Library Walking Field Trip...

On Thursday, November 9 we will visit the Kalona Public Library during National Young Readers Week!  Please send your child's card with them to be able to check out books from the library.  If your child has overdue fines, please take care of them prior to our trip so they will be able to check out books on our class trip.  If your child does not have a library card, please be sure to stop in the Kalona Public Library to get one ordered so they can check out when we arrive on Thursday, November 9.  

We’ll snuggle up with a good book throughout the school day while enjoying our comfy PJs!  We'll leave Mid-Prairie East Elementary at 10:45 and arrive back just in time for Lunch at 11:45am.  Thank you to Jennifer Witthoft and Kristy Newton for signing up to join us on this walking field trip.  Others are welcome if you are on the Mid-Prairie Approved Volunteers List.  Please let me know if you can come join the fun too!  

November Reading Minutes Calendars...

Our class is participating in a monthly reading calendar program and joined up with the Book It! Reading Incentive Program on October 1st through March 31st.  Record any minutes read, you read to them, etc. all month long.  Please post this special calendar somewhere that they can keep track of their minutes on a daily basis. Some students have said they have no idea where their calendar is at home.  Again, please help find a convenient spot to post it in a so they can record their reading daily.  Others have mentioned they aren't allowed to write on their calendar.  Please help teach your child responsibility and record minutes together on their calendar as soon as they are finished reading.   

Their November Reading Calendar will be due on Thursday, November 30.  Please help them total their minutes  to meet their 400 minute reading minutes goal this month.  They will log their minutes read, check to see if their goals have been met and receive various incentives each month.  If your child meets their reading goal EVERY month, they will be awarded many special rewards in May!  Ask me for more details. 

December Book/Software Orders DUE Friday, December 1st...

Online Ordering Information

Web address: scholastic.com/bookclubs

Class Activation Code: GJZHL

Dear Parent(s),

Now it's easier than ever to find the right books for your child — and help us earn FREE books for our classroom library at the same time!  With new online ordering from Scholastic Book Clubs, you can choose from a much wider selection of books than in the printed flyer. Plus, you can send your orders directly to me online and use your credit card.

It's so simple! Here's how it works:

      SIGN UP at www.Scholastic.com/bookclubs. On the parent page, click the "Don't have a User Name and Password?" link, then register for your own username and password. When prompted, enter the one-time Class Activation Code shown above. This code ensures that your order is sent to me.

       

      SELECT the books you'd like to order from over 500 titles available online...and take advantage of online-only specials and discounts.

       

      SEND your order to me online by the due date. Books will be delivered directly to our classroom, as always.

Of course, you can still order using the form from the printed flyer. But why not experience for yourself how convenient it is to order online?  If you would like to order anything, please follow these suggestions:

1.     Select the item(s) you want and indicate the quantity.

2.     Write the cost in the cost column.

3.     Total the quantity and cost.

4.     Write your child’s full name on the order blank.

5.     Cut out the order blank.

6.     DO NOT SEND CASH!  Please make checks out to Scholastic.

7.     Put the order blank and payment in an envelope and write Scholastic Order – Mrs. Bell on the envelope.

Ordering online is fast, easy, and secure. Go to www.Scholastic.com/bookclubs now to get started.

All orders are DUE, Friday, December 1.   Thanks!  This is a great way to encourage reading and build your child’s library at home.

Report Cards...

Hello Parents,

Your child brought home their report card for the first quarter of second grade yesterday. When looking at your child's report card please keep in mind that these are all skills that your child should be proficient in by the end of the year.  Scores of 1's and 2's are normal in the first quarter. 

Please take all the papers out, sign the first line on the report card envelope, and return to school ASAP.

If you have any questions let me know. Otherwise, we will talk during Parent/Teacher Conferences when you have your scheduled time listed on your report card envelope either Tuesday, November 7 or Thursday, November 9. 

Thanks!

Notes From Mrs. Bell---

Thank you, thank you for making the Mid-Prairie Student Boosters Color Run the best MP fundraiser to support our schools ever! It was SO much fun to help AND the best part was seeing so many former second grade students and their families supporting the family fun event! Thank you to the countless volunteers who put in so much time to make an event to remember! Thank you to the generous sponsors! Thank you to the many people who donated items! Thank you students and families for seeking monetary donations! Thank you to all of the participants! Thank you, thank you to everyone! I had a blast throwing ROYAL BLUE powder at the KCTC corner at those who walked, ran or skated by us.  If you weren't able to participate, I hope you can join us next year as this is the ONLY school wide fundraiser held to support each of our schools in the Mid-Prairie District!

Woo Hoo! We'll be celebrating Halloween for the first time ever at Mid-Prairie East Elementary School on Tuesday, October 31! Please remember to follow the costume guidelines as per our Halloween flyer so we make it a fun and safe event for everyone. I'm excited to dress up with my 2nd Grade Teaching Team too! We look forward to walking to Pleasantview Retirement Home to parade thru their hallways to entertain the elderly residents and enjoy some sweet treats in our classroom while playing some holiday related games on Halloween afternoon! 

One of the best ways to help your child learn reading skills is to read aloud to him or her.  Reading aloud and talking about books helps your child understand stories and make sense of words.  As you read aloud, your child "makes pictures" in his or her head, imagining the story in action.  Your child's vocabulary will grow as he or she hears new exciting words and ideas.  Try reading aloud to your child - it's easy, fun and educational!  Students shared where they are keeping their October Reading Calendar posted at home.  These calendars went home on September 29th in their Homework Folders.  Please help direct your child where to place their calendar in a safe place that can be marked on daily with how much reading they are doing, hearing at home, etc.  If you misplaced it, just print one or create your own to keep track of this month's minutes.  We will collect ALL October Reading Calendars on Tuesday, October 31 and send home our November Reading Calendars to begin logging new monthly minutes on Tuesday.   We will be tracking minutes through April.

Thank you to everyone for helping your child complete their Family Tree/Coat of Arms projects! We just assigned this family project and we already have two students who have completed both their Coat of Arms and their Family Tree!  If you forgot, your child's projects are DUE Tuesday, November 1.  They brought them home on Wednesday, October 18 to work on them at home.  

We look forward to sharing them with you when you come for Parent Teacher Conferences held Tuesday, November 7 and Thursday, November 9 from 4-8p.m.  Thank you for promptly signing up on our new online scheduling featuring on Power School! If you haven't signed up yet, please follow the online procedure to select a time that I still have available to meet with you.  I love to share all the good things your child is doing in 2nd grade! I'd like to keep my tradition of 100% participation too.

My schedule allows me to meet with you for 15 minutes, so it’s important to come a bit early so we can make use of our short time together.  I will be sending home a confirmation slip on Monday, November 6 just to remind you of your scheduled conference time with me.   I am anxious to meet with you to discuss your child’s progress this quarter. 

If your child plans to have fun at recess and burn off their extra energy, remember to include the proper apparel for them to participate…LABELED coat, hats, gloves/mittens, etc. as these Fall weather days have went from beautiful to extremely cold and some kids aren't prepared! Now that the weather has dipped to freezing temperatures, please help them check the weather so they come ready to enjoy their time outdoors as they take a break from the classroom.  Recesses last from 15-25 minutes three times per day so plan accordingly.

In addition, if your child is too sick to go out for recess, they are too sick to attend school.  Recess is not a time to supervise sick children.  We want our students healthy and ready to learn when they arrive at school, so please if your child doesn’t feel well, don’t send them until they are ready to work up to their potential.  Remember that we need to follow the 24 hour to return to school rule if they've had a fever, puked and/or had diahrea.   Thank you.

Tickets, tickets, tickets! You've probably heard your child talk about the pink PBIS tickets they've been earning this school year.  Our students are receiving tickets for exhibiting respectful, responsible and safe behavior in our designated areas.  Each week classroom teachers draw two tickets from their classroom jar.  These winners receive a student selected prize from the Mid-Prairie East Elementary Office.  Each classroom jar of tickets goes into our "Hawks Nest" located in the front hall.  Thank you students for working hard to be respectful, responsible and safe all day long at MP East Elementary!


ClassDojo is a simple, safe classroom management app that helps teachers encourage students in class and easily communicates with parents.  Each Friday we will print our individual ClassDojo pie charts and then students will individually evaluate their week by setting goals for the next week.  I trust you'll take time to go through this with your child to see how they can improve their behavior each week.

Each Friday we celebrate our Mid-Prairie pride by wearing our Mid-Prairie apparel! Show your school spirit and wear it proudly each Friday.  Check out the Mid-Prairie School website for ongoing apparel sales throughout the school district all year long.  Furthermore, each Wednesday we'll continue our Workout Wednesdays to promote healthier living by working out while eating healthier!  

October Reading Minutes Calendar...

Our class is participating in a monthly reading calendar program and joined up with the Book It! Reading Incentive Program on October 1st through March 31st.  Record any minutes read, you read to them, etc. all month long.  Please post this special calendar somewhere that they can keep track of their minutes on a daily basis. Some students have said they have no idea where their calendar is at home.  Again, please help find a convenient spot to post it in a so they can record their reading daily.  Others have mentioned they aren't allowed to write on their calendar.  Please help teach your child responsibility and record minutes together on their calendar as soon as they are finished reading.   

Their October Reading Calendar will be due on Tuesday, October 31.  Please help them total their minutes  to meet their 300 minute reading minutes goal this month.  They will log their minutes read, check to see if their goals have been met and receive various incentives each month.  If your child meets their reading goal EVERY month, they will be awarded many special rewards in May!  Ask me for more details. 

Halloween Party Plans...

Coat of Arms/Family Tree Assignment coming home tonight in Homework Folders...please return folders tomorrow, homework due Wed., Nov. 1st...