Dear Parents,
It has truly been a pleasure to have your child in class this year. I enjoyed not only challenging my students, but being challenged by my students. They are a bright bunch with tremendous potential.
One of my greatest satisfactions is bringing my second graders to the point where they are ready to receive not just one, but two sacraments. As a teacher, and even more so, as a Catholic, I am overwhelmed with joy to see my students receive their First Penance and First Holy Communion. I get just as much satisfaction each week when I see them at Mass. Please continue to bring your child to Mass each week to receive Jesus. Additionally, I encourage you to give your child the opportunity to go to confession over the summer. It’s been 3 months since First Penance. It’ll be another 3 months from now before your child goes to confession with the school. Remember that confession is also a Sacrament!
The class learned the mechanics of multiplication and division at the end of this year. I strongly recommend you encourage your child to practice and memorize the multiplication tables to 12 over the summer. Keeping fresh on addition facts to 20 wouldn’t hurt, either!
Every student should be reading a minimum of 20 minutes a day from an appropriate grade level book. You should occasionally listen to your child’s reading to be sure of correct pronunciation and comprehension. Focus on reading fluency such as pausing at punctuation and using intonation for questions, commands, or exclamations. Your child knows the phonetic tools to decode words- - -make him or her use the tools instead of you telling what the word is.
Many of you have taken so much of your time this year to help in the classroom or to support an activity one way or another. Thank you very much for all of your support. Do not hesitate to contact me via e-mail over the summer if you have any questions or concerns. I hope you have a relaxing and enjoyable summer. See you in August!
God Bless,
Mrs. Dunlap
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April 27, 2009
Good Morning Parents,
What an absolutely beautiful day yesterday! I was bursting with pride and joy watching my second graders! I hope you all enjoyed the day, too! If you have spare pictures to share, I’d love to have them to put on the bulletin board.
Last week was bittersweet. My husband lost his only sister to cancer on Monday, the day after she turned 55. Your children were SO good to me. Just about the time I’d be feeling blue and overwhelmed, I’d feel a little hand rubbing my back, or feel someone sitting or standing right beside me. The best kind of healing!!! So the heartache and tears of Saturday’s service was eased with the joy of seeing my granddaughter, along with my class, receive Jesus for the first time!
I’d say “and now it’s back to business,” but this week will be crazy, too. Friday my husband and I will fly to Texas and join a large portion of my family to celebrate my nephew’s wedding. We return on Monday, so I will be out of school for 2 days.
On Friday, May 1st, my class will be “dispersed” throughout the school. The students with siblings in St. Rose will join those siblings in their classes for the day. Students with no siblings in St. Rose have elected which class they will go to. Mass will be celebrated at Sts. Rose and Clements Church, with many grandparents joining us at school for lunch afterwards.
On Monday, May 4th, I will have a substitute teacher. I already have a lesson plan in place that will keep everyone busy and out of trouble!
In the meantime, we are fast approaching our final 30 days of this school year. Although we will have a lot going on that will interrupt our normal routine (lower wing show practice, field day, walk-a-thon, etc), I intend to stay focused on the remaining curriculum, and I intend to keep my students focused, too! I realize this is a busy time of year. I try to keep the homework at a minimum so nobody gets overwhelmed. I appreciate your support with insuring what little homework does get assigned is completed.
Dates to mark on the calendar:
May 2nd – Eight Month Club dinner
May 8th – Upper Wing Show
May 21st – Mass at Sts Rose and Clements
May 22nd – Professional Day – no school for students
May 25th – Memorial Day – no school
May 28th – Walk a Thon (rain date is May 29th)
June 5th – Field Day
June 7th – Lower Wing Show in the gym at 2:00pm
June 11th – Family Fun Night
Thank you for a wonderful First Communion day!!!
God Bless,
Mrs. Dunlap
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March 29, 2009
Dear Parents,
Congratulations on your child making First Penance! From all accounts written by your children on Monday, the event was a total success!!! Thank you for your support in preparing your child for this very important and holy sacrament.
On to First Communion! I will see you Tuesday night for a meeting with Father at 7:00pm at Saint Clements. The assignments for the First Communion mass are:
First Reading: Keeley Kirejczyk
General Intercessions: Cameron Toussaint and Russell White
Presentation of the Gifts: Kyle Buchanan and Mariah Haronian
Act of Consecration: Joseph Melucci
Crown Bearer: Matthew Kazanjian
The four second graders from St Rose who do not have a part in the First Communion mass will participate in the June school mass with the fifth grade.
Religion: We have been focusing on learning the mass, what is used at mass, how to respond at mass... This week we’ll start Chapter 28, however, the test on Friday will be on Chapters 26 and 27. Please take time each day to review the concepts in these 2 chapters with your child.
Spelling: The words this week are more challenging than usual. They come directly from the Religion lessons!!!
Reading: We continue to read our chapter books in Guided Reading, as well as reading the anthology.
Phonics: The class completed the book last week. It will go home tomorrow. Continuing to review phonics lessons can only benefit your child in both reading and writing.
Math: Chapter 8 test on Tuesday, 3/31.
Science: The class continues to learn about dinosaurs and fossils. They have been doing research on a particular dinosaur during their Computer time.
Social Studies: We are still learning about American symbols.
This week is Reading Week. We’ll attend assemblies, have guest readers, Drop Everything And Read (DEAR), read after school on Thursday for the Read-A-Thon, and on Wednesday dress up as a favorite character.
This Friday is the school mass at 1:30. There will also be Living Stations at St Clement Friday night.
Other dates to note:
Friday, 4/10, and Monday – Friday, 4/13-4/17, no school
****Mandatory First Communion Rehearsal, 4/21, 4/22, and 4/23, at St Clement, 3:30 to 4:30. There’s no dress code for rehearsal, within reason. Uniforms are not required. Which is very fortuitous since Picture Day is 4/21!!!
First Communion, 4/26, at 2:00!!!!
See you Tuesday! God Bless!
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March 7, 2009
Believe it or not, the second trimester grades will close this week!
Religion: It was wonderful to see you at the meeting with Father Wilson. Your children are ready to make their First Penance, but they are “scared” according to their writing from this week. Please take the time every day to practice with your child on how to go to confession (the paper on how to do this should be kept in the take home folder so it can be used both at home and at school. The more comfortable your child is with the prayers and procedures, the easier it will be for him or her to make First Penance on March 22nd.
Math: Chapter 7 test on Money and Time will be this Friday (the 13th!!).
Reading: Although it’s not written in their agendas, each student should be reading for 20 minutes a night. Both Guided Reading groups are into chapter books. I was very pleased with the results of the third theme reading test.
Language Arts: The class continues to work in their Simple Solutions grammar book Monday through Thursday, with a quiz every Friday. Grammar skills are being reinforced (capitalization, punctuation, phonics, etc.) and hopefully are being put into practice when doing any writing. We are finishing the lessons on prefixes and suffixes.
Handwriting: For the first time the class took their spelling test in cursive. Very exciting!!! I have reduced the number of words so that the class can take their time and focus on their handwriting during the weekly Friday tests. I will start teaching uppercase cursive this week.
Social Studies: Thank you for the input on your ancestors. The next lesson covers American symbols, monuments, memorials, etc.
Science: The class did a great job with the Food Guide Pyramid. Now we start the unit on Dinosaurs. Yahoo!!!! Each student has chosen a dinosaur to be researched, both in a book and on the internet. We will use classroom and computer time to do the research and write the paper.
Thank you for supporting the school by buying raffle tickets for the St Patrick and St Joseph Day dinner dance. Please don’t forget to send in canned goods throughout March to restock Saint Rita’s Food Pantry. This is a good opportunity for your child to participate in almsgiving. Also, during Lent we are collecting prayer intentions to be placed on the altar on Good Friday. We are asking for a $1.00 donation in conjunction with the intention.
Happy Daylight-Savings Time!
God Bless,
Mrs. Dunlap
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February 9, 2009
Dear Parents,
We’ve passed the mid-way mark. In fact, today is the 100th day of school!!!
Religion: We’ve started the lessons leading the way to First Penance. The class is doing a wonderful job! They know the Ten Commandments and how to apply them to their own lives. They understand how sin pushes out the grace of God in our souls. They know their Act of Contrition. Now we are focusing on the mechanics of going to confession. I’ve asked the class to memorize the first 5 steps (chapter 19) to making a good confession. The emphasis in the next few weeks will be learning what to do and expect when they go to First Penance. Please have your child explain to you what is being learned in Religion. If you think there is any confusion, don’t hesitate to let me know.
Math: We’ve started the chapter on Money and Time. You can reinforce the concepts being learned by having your child count any change you might have each day. Also, it is very beneficial to have an analog clock in your house for the unit on time.
Science: The class is learning the Food Guide Pyramid, including the food groups, what color they are on the pyramid, and which foods are in each group. They’ll also learn the advantages of each group and how to make a healthy meal. I hope to tie this into math by having each student use store circulars to “shop” for a healthy meal, and to determine how much money they would need and how much change they would receive.
Reading: It’s time for the Theme Three reading test. The class will be testing all week to check their understanding of the concepts we’ve covered in their reading book. We continue to do Guided Reading.
Phonics: We’ll finish the book soon. Students have learned the basic tools to help them read and spell.
Handwriting: We’re almost through cursive lowercase. Soon we’ll start taking spelling tests in cursive! After break we’ll start cursive uppercase.
Social Studies: The class has started the unit on immigration, ancestors, traditions, etc, as well as American symbols, monuments, memorials, etc. I simply LOVE this chapter!!! One of the assignments will involve your child learning where his or her ancestors came from and how they came to the US. Last year I had a couple of parents come in and speak to the class about their own experiences immigrating to the US. If you have a story to share with the class, let me know and I’ll put you on the agenda!
I hope you have a relaxing and wonderful vacation.
God Bless!
Mrs. Dunlap
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January 1, 2009 Happy New Year!
Thank you all for the lovely Christmas presents! I REALLY like them!
First Communion will be on April 26, 2009. More details forthcoming…
Religion: In the next three chapters we will learn more about Christ and his teachings. This week we are going to learn the Corporal Works of Mercy!!! Starting in February the emphasis will be on The Sacrament of Penance. Please be sure your child can say the Act of Contrition with very little to no prompting.
Math: We are in Chapter 6, learning about Solid Figures, Congruent Figures, Lines of Symmetry, and other concepts dealing with Geometry.
Phonics: Unit 7 starts with contractions (which is where I will get the words for this week’s spelling list). After contractions the class will learn about plural endings (drop the y and add ies).
Handwriting: We are almost done learning lower case. If we can stay on schedule, we will begin with uppercase cursive at the end of this month.
Science: We will wrap up Chapter 3 about Plants and Animals within the next two weeks. Anticipate a chapter test by end of the month.
Social Studies: In Unit 5 we have been learning about the First Americans, Explorers, Jamestown and Plymouth, and Paul Revere. We will also be wrapping up this unit by the end of January.
Reading: We will continue Guided Reading Groups, and also read the anthology.
We will reach day 90, the half way point this year, on January 23rd (barring any additional snow days). Not that I’ve been easy on the class up to this point, but now I up the ante in order to insure the class is prepared for First Penance, First Communion, and grade 3. Please continue to support your child’s success by making sure he or she gets enough sleep (at least 8-10 hours a night), has a healthy breakfast, brings a healthy snack to school, gets homework done, and all those other fun things you parents get to do on a daily basis! If there are any circumstances at home that may affect your child’s mood or performance, please make me aware of them so I can also support your child’s success in the classroom.
Once again, thank you for the thoughtful and generous gifts. I pray you all have a healthy, happy, and blessed 2009.
Mrs. Dunlap
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November 14, 2008
Dear Parents,
It’s been a short 2 weeks. This past week we worked at catching up on any center work and unfinished papers in the student’s desks. Next week is a full week, then another short week. Before we know it Christmas will be here!!!
I’m sending home handwriting worksheets in the Friday Folder. These papers do NOT have to come back to school. They are for you to work with your child at home on the cursive letters they have learned.
I pushed the Chapter 4 Math Test out to Monday. The class seems to understand the concept of regrouping ones to tens. If I find any problems while grading the test, we’ll readdress the concept.
Meantime, please keep working with your child on simple addition facts. The Mad Math Minutes are showing improvement, but I’d like to see all students get better than 15 out of 30. I’ve already warned them that when the second trimester starts on November 26th, I expect them to get better than half correct on the Mad Minutes, or they will be getting a worksheet of up to 100 simple addition facts for homework.
The class has done an outstanding job learning the Ten Commandments and applying them to their own lives. The next Chapter conveniently starts explaining the coming of our Savior.
We’re learning about Animals in Science, and about Early Americans in Social Studies.
Everyone is doing a good job in reading. We’ll start another story in the Anthology next week. Everyone will have completed a Running Record in Guided Reading prior to the end of the semester to gauge their progress.
Thank you for supporting the various fundraisers and collections being sponsored by our school.
Have a wonderful weekend!
God Bless,
Mrs. Dunlap
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October 31, 2008
Dear Parents,
Here we are at the end of another month already. I must be having fun cuz time sure is flying!!!
The new playgrounds are amazing. Thank you so much for all the support, both financially and manually, that made the playgrounds a reality (even though second grade doesn’t get over to the “BIG” playground because we have recess with kindergarten).
In the classroom, we’ve been making strides in all academic areas.
Religion: We are continuing to learn Old Testament stories. The Ten Commandments, Chapter 8, test will be next Wednesday, November 5th. We will start Chapter 9, continuing to learn more about the commandments and what is sin, on November 6th. The Chapter 9 test and Chapters 5-8 test will be on Friday, November 14th.
Math: We are into double digit plus double digit addition, including regrouping. The whole class seems to understand the concept. Please continue to monitor your child’s homework. If he or she is struggling with the homework, do not be bashful about writing me a note that your child doesn’t get it. It’s important for me to know if the class does not understand what I am teaching well enough to do the work independently. I may need to reteach the concept.
Reading: I sent home the results of the first reading test. Since I didn’t hear from any of you, I have to believe you are as pleased as I am with the results.
Grammar: How did you like Simple Solutions? In addition to Simple Solutions, we have been learning about synonyms and antonyms and how to write a paragraph.
Phonics: The class is doing a wonderful job not only learning their phonics, but using the tools learned to decode new words they don’t recognize. When a student successfully decodes a word, the joy on his or her face is felt just as intensely by me. It’s what makes teaching such a rewarding profession.
Handwriting: The class can write a few words now with the limited number of cursive letters they have learned. I have been focusing on posture (sitting straight, feet on the floor, not leaning on hands and no elbows on the desk) and how the students hold their pencils. Both of these areas have a direct effect on handwriting. If you would reinforce these areas at home, I’d be forever grateful!
Science: We’ve started the next unit on Animals. The class is learning about mammals, amphibians, reptiles, birds, and fish.
Social Studies: We’ve also started a new unit in SS. We’ll be learning about Early Americans, just in time for Thanksgiving!!!
Now that the end of the month is here, I’m compiling all of the center work the class has been doing in October. I plan on sending the student’s work home next week. I will be requesting you to sign some of the paperwork and send it back for your child’s portfolio. Since centers are such a big part of our day, I think it is important for you to see what is being accomplished.
Some dates to remember: Nov. 4, 10 and 11 there is no school; Nov. 5 Ident A Kid; Nov. 7 First Friday Mass; Nov. 8 and 9 Harvest Fest; Nov. 25 First Trimester grades close; Nov. 27 and 28 school is out for the Thanksgiving Holiday; Nov. 30 First week of Advent.
Thank you and God Bless,
Mrs. Dunlap
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October 3, 2008
Dear Parents,
Happy October! Here’s a quick update on grade 2:
Religion: We’re completing a chapter a week. We’ve learned about Creation and Adam and Eve. Next up we’ll learn about Baptism and more Old Testament stories.
Math: The class did an outstanding job on their Chapter 1 test!!!
Reading: I plan to administer the Theme 1 Reading Test over the course of next week. There isn’t much the students can study for this test other than vocabulary. If you want to look over the workbook pages we’ve completed in class, you can get an idea of the areas the test will cover.
Writing: The students have been doing a variety of writing. This month I’ll introduce poetry and we’ll practice writing some different poetry styles.
Handwriting: We’ve started cursive!!! So far the class has only learned how to sit correctly and how to slant their paper and one of the strokes. We’re excited!
Spelling: Weekly test scores have been excellent. I’m continuing to have all students write the words they misspell in classroom writing into their green Words I Use When I Write book.
Social Studies: It’s been a blast looking up the various neighborhoods we all live in. I brought in a RI street map in order for the class to practice their Map Grid skills.
Science: Unit 1 test is next week. I’ve been sending home the Science book, notebook and folder so that students may take a week to study instead of cramming in one night. I encourage you to take the time to review the vocabulary and chapter with your child to be sure they are comfortable with the areas we’ve covered in class.
Thank you for attending Open House. Please don’t hesitate to contact me with any concerns or questions. Hope to see you on October 17th when we build the playgrounds!
Have a wonderful weekend!
God Bless
Mrs. Dunlap
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September 19, 2008
Dear Parents,
We’ve settled in and are moving right along in Grade 2. Following are some highlights of what we’re working on:
Reading: We’ve read 2 stories in the Anthology and have been doing the corresponding workbook pages. I now have all students for Guided Reading.
Grammar: The students complete a lesson a day on grammar skills in their Simple Solutions book.
Math: There will be a test on Chapter 1 next week. I’m REALLY impressed with how well the class is doing at Math Minutes. Thanks for the help you’ve been giving them at home with practicing their math facts!
Religion: We’ll complete a chapter a week, with a quiz each Friday. I’ve been sending home the books on Wednesdays to give the students a couple of nights to study. Hope this helps.
Phonics: We’ve been working on short vowels. Next week we start long vowels. The spelling words have been corresponding to the Phonics lessons.
I’ve been enjoying reading the student’s spelling sentences. Starting next week the class will have the opportunity to complete their spelling sentences during school hours. There will be a Spelling Test every Friday.
Handwriting: We’re almost done the review of manuscript printing. By October 1st, we’ll be starting cursive writing. Yahoo!!!
Science: We’ll wrap up our unit on Plants next week. Anticipate a test on that unit on October 1st. The students will have a study guide and vocabulary definitions to study.
Social Studies: We’re still learning about Neighborhoods and Communities.
The class has time to go to a center each day. Centers include Math, Writing, and a Listening Center.
That brings us up to date on the goings on in Grade 2. I’m truly looking forward to seeing you at Open House on Tuesday night!
God Bless
Mrs. Dunlap
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September 5, 2008
Greetings Parents and Guardians,
It’s been a wonderful week. Some students are still a bit sleepy in the morning. Please be sure your child is getting the recommended 10 hours of sleep on school nights.
The Religion Quiz 1 is in the Friday Folder. Just a reminder of how the grades/rubrics are used:
Very few behavior cards were marked this week. If your child has a mark on his or her card, ask about it. Especially if it’s an HW, which means homework was not turned in……
PLEASE COMPLETE AND SEND IN THE FORMS FROM THE PARENT HANDBOOK. There are three forms: internet, photography, and the handbook form. Additionally, I have sent home some disclaimer forms to those who need to be updated/added. It is imperative that you complete these (including copy of license) if you plan to participate in any way with the class this year.
Mr. Robinson was not available for the students this week, so those interested in an instrument will see him next Wednesday at 10:00. If you are interested in your child getting instruction from Mr. Robinson, please be sure and let me know.
DAILY BREAD: I strongly encourage you to strongly encourage your child to donate to the Daily Bread jar in the classroom. The recommended amount is 50 cents a week. Last year a number of my students put their snack/ice cream money in the DB jar--- a true sacrifice on their part. The intent of Daily Bread is to teach your child the Christian value of giving to the poor.
Mark your calendars:
This Saturday is the Block Party. Rain date is Sunday. See you there!!!
9/21 – 10:30 School Mass at Sts Clement and Rose
9/23 – Open House at 6:30
March 3rd – 7:00 Parents meeting for First Penance
March 22nd – First Penance at 2:00pm
I need a copy of your child’s baptism certificate. Please send one in.
Thank you for all you do to support both your child and me. Have a great weekend!
God Bless,
Mrs. Dunlap
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September 2, 2008
Good Morning Parents and Guardians!
Labor Day has come and gone, which means school is back into full swing. :)
This morning the class will start the day by putting their 3x5 index card on their desk. If you have any questions about the Behavior Card procedures, please don't hesitate to e-mail me or send in a note.
On Wednesday, Mr. Robinson will be meeting with students who are interested in playing an instrument. If your child will be participating, please send me a note so I can be sure and send him/her to the meeting.
PLEASE DO NOT ALLOW YOUR CHILD TO PLAY ON THE GRASSY AREA OF THE PLAYGROUND IN THE MORNINGS. Students are to stay on the blacktop. Please no ball playing or running around. Ideally, your child will arrive to school, get in line, and be ready for prayer and the pledge.
Additionally, at all times, only students in the third grade or higher are allowed on the equipment on the grassy playground. No students in the lower wing should be on the monkey bars.
First Friday masses will now be at 1:30.
If there will be a change in your child's usual dismissal routine, please make every effort to send a note in the morning.
I will be sending home the Second Grade Schedule this week so you will know what our typical day will be. The schedule is always subject to change...
I am more than pleased with how our first three days of school progressed. I'm looking forward to a very successful and productive year. Please don't ever hesitate to contact me if you have any questions or concerns.
God Bless,
Mrs. Dunlap
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