Room Parents Letter 2024

Dear Parents of Ms. Stiffler’s Class,

I would like to introduce myself, Tara (Elyse’s Mom) and Gilda (Jennifer’s Mom), as Ms. Stiffler's Room Parents for the 2024-2025 school year. We are excited and looking forward to helping our kids and their amazing teacher have the best year ever! We are here to help plan class parties/end of year celebration, honor our hard-working teacher, and help make this year a fun and rewarding experience for our children.

We would love and appreciate your help this year, and there will be opportunities for parents to volunteer (please be on the lookout for a Sign Up Genius in your email for each party) and various other ways to contribute to our celebrations. We look forward to meeting and working with you all. Email reminders will be our way of keeping in touch throughout the year regarding volunteering for parties, party dates/times, and plans for an end of year teacher gift.

Our 3 Class Parties:

1.      Fall Party: Tuesday, October 29^h (1:00-2:15)

2.      Valentine’s Party: Friday, February 14^th (1:00-2:15)

3.      End of Year Celebration (Date and Time TBD)

To ensure we can have wonderful and fun parties, I am asking you to please consider (if able) a one-time contribution of $30 (or whatever amount you are able to donate) to cover all party expenses (including food, crafts, and games) and various gifts for the year. All money will go directly to your child’s class fund and will help make these events extra special. Any money left over will be used for a thoughtful end of year/thank you teacher gift, special goodies throughout the year and/or any classroom wish list items. We would also like to use some of the class fund to purchase a class baby gift for Ms. Stiffler as well as a thank you gift for our long-term substitute teacher who will be supporting our class while Ms. Stiffler is out on maternity leave.

Please print this email (or use the paper copy that will be sent home with your child this week) and detach the form below, including your donation (cash, check, or electronic payment) and return to Ms. Stiffler in an envelope with ‘Ms. Stiffler’s Class Fund’ written on the front. Please have donations submitted by Monday, October 21^st. If you wish to write a check, please make it payable to Tara Handwerk. If you prefer to use Venmo or PayPal as an electronic transfer option, you can send through either of the accounts listed below and then send the form back stating donation made through one of these options. If you are unable to donate, no problem, but anything that you can give would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you for your support of our wonderful 2^nd graders! 😊

-Tara Handwerk and Gilda Ruiz Esquivel

 

·        Venmo -- @Tara_Handwerk (703-795-2670 – verification phone number)

·        PayPal – PayPal.Me/tarahandwerk (Use link or email: handwerktd@gmail.com)

Friday Updates 10/11/24

Class Playlist is live! 

Reminders for Friday, October 11th

• Remember your Chromebook and charger every day!
• Practice your student ID number!
• Homework packet due on Friday, 10/18.
• It will be sent home on Tuesday, 10/15
• No school 10/14 - Indigenous Peoples' Day
• Bullying Prevention Spirit Week
• Equal/Unequal quiz on Friday, 10/18 (math)
• Your child should know that the = sign means that the numbers on both sides are the same and the ≠ means that the number on one side is not equal to the other.
• 14 - 6 = 8 is true. 8 = 8 is true. 14 - 6 = 4 + 4 is true.
• 10 + 3 ≠ 12 is true. 7 ≠ 13 is true. 3 + 10 ≠ 14 - 2 is true.
• Animal Life Cycles test on Wednesday, 10/23 (science)
• Your child needs to know how animal life cycles repeat, that animals will change as they grow, and the similarities/differences between animal and plant life cycles.
• Revolutionaries quiz on Tuesday, 10/29 (social studies)
• Your child needs to know the historical importance of Benjamin Franklin and George Washington. Why should we know who they are? What did they give to American culture/history?

Notes

• PEP (Parents as Educational Partners)
• There are monthly events for grown-ups/caregivers of English Language (EL students). They are hosted by Mrs. Gustilo, one of our EL teachers at PNB, and Ms. Stiffler; while our kids happen to have both these teachers, these meetings are for ALL families at Pinebrook. All meetings are held at Pinebrook in the library.

• Weekly Reminders
• Return library books by Mondays!
• We will get new books EVERY Monday.
• If you do not return your books, you will not be allowed to pick out new books.
• Wear sneakers on Tuesday and Thursday for P.E.
• If you do not wear sneakers/tennis shoes/trainers or closed-toed shoes (NO boots), you will not be allowed to participate in P.E. This is a rule from the P.E. teachers.
• Ice Cream is available at lunch on Wednesdays for $1.
• LCPS allows students to purchase ice cream any day of the week.
• As a team, second grade is encouarged to get ice cream on Wednesday to help prevent any chaos (like buying 4 ice creams).
• Parents can join at lunchtime on Tuesdays and Thursdays!
• Please be sure to bring your ID card to get in the front door.
• Please make sure to stay at our table. You can walk your kiddo back to the classroom after lunch (when Ms. Stiffler comes to pick them up) if you would like.
• Our lunch is 12:20 - 12:50pm.
• House Spirit Days are on Fridays.
• Wear your house color on Fridays to show house spirit. 

• Pinebrook Family Resources Page
• Information on how to study, testing, online programs, etc.

PTA Events

• School Store will now be open on Fridays from 7:40 - 8:00am.
• PTA Fun Run Fundraising has begun! 
• Donations are being accepted from now until 10/17.

Week Overview

SEL/Morning Meeting & Grade 2 SEL Home Link document

Phonics - We reviewed three-consonant blends (scr-, str-, spr-, squ-, thr-, shr-, -nch); these are letters that all make their own sounds and can be blended when sounding out words. We learned about contractions (I've = I have, she'll = she wil) and schwa sounds (when vowels don't sound correct due to the American accent).

Handwriting  -  We practiced the capital letters F, L, S, A, O, U.

Reading - We learned about how to find content-area words in a text and find the setting (where? when?) of a fiction text.

Writing - We wrote goals for ourselves.

Math - We practiced our basic subtraction skills and learned about fact families.

Science - We learned about the life cycle of a plant and how plants grow and change over time. Next week, we will start to learn about the life cycles of a butterfly and a white-tailed deer and discuss how animal life cycles are simliar to plant life cycles.

Have wonderful 4-day weekend, 

Bullying Prevention Spirit Week

 

• Monday, 10/14 - No School, think of ways you can be a buddy!
• Tuesday, 10/15 - Crazy Hat or Crazy Hair because bullying is just plain crazy
• Wednesday, 10/16 - Unity Day, wear orange to stand united against bullying
• Thursday, 10/17 - One LCPS Day, wear Pinebrook spirit colors
• Friday, 10/18 - Pajama Day to put bullying to rest

Wednesday Updates 10/2/24

 

Reminders for Wednesday, October 2nd

• Remember your Chromebook and charger every day!
• Practice your student ID number!
• Homework packet due on Friday, 10/11.
• It will be sent home on Monday, 10/7
• No school 10/3 - Rosh Hashanah 
• No school 10/4 - teacher work day
• Picture Day on Monday, 10/7
• We will also have a picture day in the spring.
• Basic Subtraction quiz on Tuesday, 10/8 (math)
• Solve for the difference (answer) within 0 to 20.
• Puma Olympics on Thursday, 10/10
• Wear sneakers and comfortable clothes and bring a water bottle.
• Spirit Week to celebrate.
• Fact Family quiz on Friday, 10/11 (math)
• Write related addition and subtraction facts.
• 10, 6, 4 are a fact family for:
• 6 + 4 = 10
• 4 + 6 = 10
• 10 - 4 = 6
• 10 - 6 = 4
• Plant Life Cycles test on Friday, 10/11 (science)
• Your child needs to know the 4 basic steps to a plant's life cycle and how a plant changes as it grows.
• No school 10/14 - Indigenous Peoples' Day
• Equal/Unequal quiz on Friday, 10/18 (math)
• Your child should know that the = sign means that the numbers on both sides are the same and the ≠ means that the number on one side is not equal to the other.
• 14 - 6 = 8 is true. 8 = 8 is true. 14 - 6 = 4 + 4 is true.
• 10 + 3 ≠ 12 is true. 7 ≠ 13 is true. 3 + 10 ≠ 14 - 2 is true.
• Animal Life Cycles test on Wednesday, 10/23 (science)
• Your child needs to know how animal life cycles repeat, that animals will change as they grow, and the similarities/differences between animal and plant life cycles.

Notes

• PEP (Parents as Educational Partners)
• There are monthly events for grown-ups/caregivers of English Language (EL students). They are hosted by Mrs. Gustilo, one of our EL teachers at PNB, and Ms. Stiffler; while our kids happen to have both these teachers, these meetings are for ALL families at Pinebrook. All meetings are held at Pinebrook in the library.

• Weekly Reminders
• Return library books by Mondays!
• We will get new books EVERY Monday.
• If you do not return your books, you will not be allowed to pick out new books.
• Wear sneakers on Tuesday and Thursday for P.E.
• If you do not wear sneakers/tennis shoes/trainers or closed-toed shoes (NO boots), you will not be allowed to participate in P.E. This is a rule from the P.E. teachers.
• Ice Cream is available at lunch on Wednesdays for $1.
• LCPS allows students to purchase ice cream any day of the week.
• As a team, second grade is encouarged to get ice cream on Wednesday to help prevent any chaos (like buying 4 ice creams).
• Parents can join at lunchtime on Tuesdays and Thursdays!
• Please be sure to bring your ID card to get in the front door.
• Please make sure to stay at our table. You can walk your kiddo back to the classroom after lunch (when Ms. Stiffler comes to pick them up) if you would like.
• Our lunch is 12:20 - 12:50pm.
• House Spirit Days are on Fridays.
• Wear your house color on Fridays to show house spirit. 

• Pinebrook Family Resources Page
• Information on how to study, testing, online programs, etc.

PTA Events

• School Store will now be open on Fridays from 7:40 - 8:00am.
• PTA Fun Run Fundraising has begun! 
• Donations are being accepted from now until 10/17.

Week Overview

SEL/Morning Meeting & Grade 2 SEL Home Link document

Phonics - We reviewed three-consonant blends (scr-, str-, spr-, squ-, thr-, shr-, -nch); these are letters that all make their own sounds and can be blended when sounding out words. We learned about contractions (I've = I have, she'll = she wil) and schwa sounds (when vowels don't sound correct due to the American accent).

Handwriting  -  We practiced the capital letters F, L, S, A, O, U.

Reading - We learned about and found the Central Idea.
Writing - We wrote about a happy memory.

Math - We practiced basic subtraction where the answers are less than 20. We learned how to use a number line and drawing shapes to cross out as a way to solve for subtraction. A keyword to remember is that "difference" is the name of the answer to a subtraction problem.

Science - We did some more scientific method experiments and learned how to prevent germs from spreading.

Have a fantastic 4- day weekend and I will see the kids again on 10/7 (picture day!),

Puma Olympics Spirit Week

• Monday, 10/7 - Dress to Impress for School Picture Day
• Tuesday, 10/8 - School Spirit Day (navy and maroon or red, white, and blue)
• Wednesday, 10/9 - Mismatched Socks Day
• Thursday, 10/10 - "Go for Gold" Day (dress like an Olympic athlete)
• Friday, 10/11 - Pajama Day

Friday Updates 9/27/24

Reminders for Friday, September 27th

• Remember your Chromebook and charger every day!
• Practice your student ID number!
• Homework packet due on Wednesday, 10/2.
• It will be sent home on Monday, 9/30.
• Scientific Method labs 9/23 - 10/1 (science)
• We will not be taking a test on scientific method. We will be completing multiple labs in class to see how well your child can follow the directions and make inferences about what they learn from each lab.
• Please discuss with your child the importance of listening to directions during science. Thank you!
• Germs "quiz" on Wednesday, 10/2 (health)
• Your child will be making a poster to show how not to spread germs.
• No school 10/3 - Rosh Hashanah 
• No school 10/4 - teacher work day
• Picture Day on Tuesday, 10/8
• We will also have a picture day in the spring.
• Basic Subtraction quiz on Tuesday, 10/8 (math)
• Solve for the difference (answer) within 0 to 20.
• Plant Life Cycles test on Friday, 10/11 (science)
• You child needs to know the 4 basic steps to a plant's life cycle and how a plant changes as it grows.

Notes

• PEP (Parents as Educational Partners)
• There are monthly events for grown-ups/caregivers of English Language (EL students). They are hosted by Mrs. Gustilo, one of our EL teachers at PNB, and Ms. Stiffler; while our kids happen to have both these teachers, these meetings are for ALL families at Pinebrook. All meetings are held at Pinebrook in the library.

• Weekly Reminders
• Return library books by Mondays!
• We will get new books EVERY Monday.
• If you do not return your books, you will not be allowed to pick out new books.
• Wear sneakers on Tuesday and Thursday for P.E.
• If you do not wear sneakers/tennis shoes/trainers or closed-toed shoes (NO boots), you will not be allowed to participate in P.E. This is a rule from the P.E. teachers.
• Ice Cream is available at lunch on Wednesdays for $1.
• LCPS allows students to purchase ice cream any day of the week.
• As a team, second grade is encouarged to get ice cream on Wednesday to help prevent any chaos (like buying 4 ice creams).
• Parents can join at lunchtime on Tuesdays and Thursdays!
• Please be sure to bring your ID card to get in the front door.
• Please make sure to stay at our table. You can walk your kiddo back to the classroom after lunch (when Ms. Stiffler comes to pick them up) if you would like.
• Our lunch is 12:20 - 12:50pm.
• House Spirit Days are on Fridays.
• Wear your house color on Fridays to show house spirit. 

• Pinebrook Family Resources Page
• Information on how to study, testing, online programs, etc.

PTA Events

• School Store will now be open on Fridays from 7:40 - 8:00am.
• PTA Fun Run Fundraising has begun! 
• Donations are being accepted from now until 10/17.

Week Overview

SEL/Morning Meeting & Grade 2 SEL Home Link document

Phonics - We reviewed ph /f/ (phone). We learned about three-consonant blends (scr-, str-, spr-, squ-, thr-, shr-, -nch); these are letters that all make their own sounds and can be blended when sounding out words.

Handwriting  -  We practiced the capital letters M, T, D, C, E, I.

Reading - We learned about and found the Central Idea, identified traits of Characters, and practicing Visualizing during a story.
Writing - We wrote about a time that we were good citizens. We also learned about plural nouns.

Math - We practiced different strategies to add 2 numbers to get a sum of 0 to 20. We also learned how to add 3 addends. We will learn and practice strategies to subtract 2 numbers to get a difference of 0 to 20 next week.

Science - We learned the 6 steps to the scientific method (question, hypothesis, experiment, observe, data, conclusion) and did some fun experiments! We will do a couple more experiments next week and then learn about how to keep germs from spreading (health).

Stay dry this weekend,