Note from Ms. Maddie

My name is Maddie Sivo (Ms. Maddie to the kids). I’m the school social worker at PPS. I work with kids and families with varying needs and challenges. I often meet with kids during breakfast or lunch in my office, and will sometimes allow them to invite a friend or two to work on social skills and help build positive friendships. If you are NOT comfortable with your child being invited for these small groups, please contact me directly at sivom@csdvt.org or 264-5918. Also, as cold weather approaches, it can be a challenge for some families to pull together enough warm clothing (especially with the amount of stuff kids misplace at school!). If you have warm clothing (especially boots, snow pants, winter coats) to spare, send them my way! It is also ALWAYS helpful to have Price Chopper gift cards on hand for families who are having a hard time making ends meet. Your generosity is much appreciated. Thank you!

Where Our Reading Materials Are Stored

Today in Reading Workshop we learned where our reading materials are stored. Students learned that all of the reading materials in our classroom have special “homes" Since we all share books in our classroom it is important that books are returned to their proper home so another students know where to find a book. A misplaced book is a lost book. Today we worked together in teams to help all of our "lost" books find their way home so others can enjoy them.

Our Week in Review 8.26 - 8.28

First Day of 2nd Grade

What a wonderful first day of 2nd grade we had in Room 6.  We spent lots of time catching up with old friends and making new friends.  We are learning about how we can be 2nd grade leaders by helping our kindergarten friends at recess and lunch. We spent some time playing a new math game called “garbage”.  Student really enjoyed the read aloud, “First Day Jitters” and we ended our day working on our “All About Me Tee's”.  If you haven't had a chance to complete your child's Student Information / Hopes And Dreams sheet you can do so by clicking here. 

Welcome Back Letter - Students

                                                                             August 2, 2015

Dear Student,                          

I hope you are enjoying these last few days of summer.  I look forward to seeing you soon and getting to know you and your classmates.  I can’t wait to hear about your summer adventures.  I have been gardening, visiting with friends and family, attending various concerts, hiking some new trails, spending lots of time with my cousins and god son who just turned four and is full of energy.  The highlight of my summer was running the Rock ‘n’ Roll Half Marathon in Chicago with one of my best friends from college!

The first few weeks of school will be dedicated to building our community of learners.  During the first week of school we will be sharing our favorite books.  Please bring in your favorite book from home on the first day of school.  This book can be one that you love to have read to you or one that you like to read by yourself.  It can be old or new, it doesn’t matter.  Let’s see the variety of reading tastes in Room 6!

    

You don’t need to bring any supplies to school. All supplies you need will be available in the classroom. 

August 26^th is right around the corner and it is time to start thinking about school.  I know that you might be a little nervous (I am too), so to make the transition from summer vacation to school easier there is an Open House is on Tuesday, August 25^th.  Come to our room (Room 6) from 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. so you can explore the classroom, find your seat, meet new friends, complete a scavenger hunt and see old pals.  Enjoy the last few days of summer.  I am very excited to be your teacher - I can’t wait to see you!

Ms. LaRose

Welcome To Second Grade -- Parents and Guardians

Welcome to Second Grade!

August 2, 2015

Dear Parents and Guardians,

For those of you who have not had the opportunity to meet me, my name is Natalie LaRose and I will be your child's second grade teacher.  This will be my fourth year teaching at Porters Point School and my fifth year teaching second grade! At the end of each summer, I am always reminded of what a privilege it is to teach and become part of a student’s life.  School is vitally important to our children's well-being and I am honored to be a part of your child's educational journey!

Technology plays a large role in our 2^nd grade classroom.  We have a classroom blog that offers a great way for families to stay current regarding what is happening in our classroom.  The blog can be accessed through the Porters Point homepage http://www.csdvt.org/pps/ .  After you have accessed the homepage, click on the Teachers’ Pages tab on the left.  On the right hand side you will see 2^nd Grade Teachers and you will find Ms. LaRose's classroom blog.  Once you have accessed our classroom blog I recommend signing up to receive notification each time the classroom blog has been updated.  You can sign-up by entering your e-mail address in the “follow by e-mail” text box.  You can also link to our class blog using http://larose2ndgrade.blogspot.com/ .

Additionally, our class is on Twitter.  Our Twitter handle is LaRoseKids. 

Attached to this letter is one double-sided document: Student Information /Hopes and Dreams.  Please complete the document and either mail it back to school, return it to me during the first week of school, or complete the form electronically (click here) on our classroom blog (which is greatly appreciated)!  

When I read through the information you provide I learn more about your child and it helps me plan for them throughout the school year.  I am happy to sit down with you and discuss your child's Hopes and Dreams for the school year.  The best way to contact me, or to set up a time to meet, is via email (Natalie.larose@colchestersd.org) or you can call Sheila in the front office at 802-264-5920. 

Porters Point School will be hosting an Open House on Tuesday, August 25^th from

8:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. This is an informal event for your child and you to be able to explore the classroom.  I will offer a scavenger hunt for your student to complete.  My hope is that this will help your child become more familiar with the classroom, and me!  This is a fun way to get back into the swing of school!

Your child does not need any supplies for the first day of school. As a precautionary measure, I ask that each student bring a set of headphones for personal use.  I have a list of headphones that I recommend and where you can purchase them on our classroom blog. As you are doing your back-to-school shopping please keep in mind the items below which are part of our classroom Wish List. The list consists of items that will be used on a regular basis in the classroom and will need frequent replenishment.  Any contribution you wish to make to the classroom Wish List will be greatly appreciated. 

 

• Post-it Notes (and Pop-Up Notes)
• Kleenex
• Disinfecting Wipes
• Card Stock (colors and white)
• Pencils
• Markers
• Colored Pencils
• Erasers

Important dates to remember are:

-        Tuesday, August 25^th  8:00 a.m. – - Informal Open House

-        Wednesday, August 26th - - First Day of School

-        Monday, September 7^th - - NO SCHOOL (Labor Day)

-        Tuesday, September 22^nd – - Picture Day

Lastly, under the “2015-2016” tab on the classroom website you will find “The ABCs of Ms. LaRose's 2^nd Grade” packet (click here).  This packet will include information you will need for the school year.  Please let me know if you would like a hard copy of this document.

I hope you enjoy the last few days of summer and I look forward to seeing you soon!  If you have any questions or concerns do not hesitate to contact me.  Working as a team, we can guarantee a successful year for your child.

Sincerely,

Natalie LaRose

P.S. This letter can be found on the classroom blog.