Weekly Update

Dear Families,

Time flies.  We had another terrific week together with a wonderful field-trip to Shelburne Farms.  I hope you get a chance to scroll down to see some of the pictures we posted.  Thank you parents for volunteering your time and for joining us.Since we did not come to school on Monday, we never had a chance to visit the library to exchange our books.  We are going back this upcoming Monday, so please leave your child's book inside their backpacks if they are already packed!  Thanks for your patience.

Upcoming Events & Reminders:
We have Picture Day on Tuesday, September 15th.  Please return your child's photo packet if you are interested in having additional pictures for your home.  Thank you.

We have our school-wide Curriculum Night on Wednesday, September 16th at 6:30pm.  Please join us in the Harmony Kiva to learn more about the units of study and the curriculum.  This event is geared towards parents and not particularly suited for our young learners.  Thank you. 

Please return your child's blue emergency form to the front office as soon as possible if you have not.  It is of the utmost importance that our school and our nurse have your contact information in case we need to reach you in an emergency.  Thanks for your understanding and compliance.

We will start homework next week.  On Monday, your child will come home with his/her red homework folder, which contains our reading logs.  First graders will not have any math homework next week.  Second grade mathematicians will need to check in with Ms. Crowley on Monday.  If there is math homework, it will be packed inside the homework folder, so it is safe to assume, that if it is not there, there is no homework.  Your child is expected to read for approximately 20 minutes every night.  Your child will bring home books inside his/her book bag on Monday as well.  Your child can read these books for homework, but it is also fine if your child has books at home that he/she is reading as well.  In the beginning of the school year, the student's learn what a "just right" book is so as long as the book is a book that your child can read himself/herself, it does not matter to the teachers on Harmony what is entered into the reading log.  If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact me.

We will also start Fundations next week.  Fundations is the program we use for spelling.  I will teach second grade spelling and Ms. Crowley and Ms. Benoit will teach first grade spelling.  Our spelling groups are fluid and they will change as the year progresses.  We try to be responsive in our instruction and will frequently move kids to new groups as needs arise. We also hope to create groups with our para, Ms. Caitlin, for starters.  Stay tuned for more information on spelling.  We do not send home spelling homework at ABS.  However, I have created a "Word Study" page on the wiki to support parents and students who are interested in some additional practice.  I have linked spelling words and sight word lists for first and second grade there.  You can look at these online and you can print them at home, if you like.  Let me know if you need assistance with this, or if you have any questions.

I hope you have a great weekend!
Best,

maria