See You Later 6/13/25

 

Wow, what a year it has been! Kiddos, you are very kind and respectful people! You had so many new things to learn about school. You grew so much from those young second graders in September and I know that you're going to grow even more as you leave Room 17 and do great things in the future. You are a special group for many reasons, including being my first class to meet my son, Callum. ❤ Remember that you are important, you are so very loved by many people in your lives, and You Got This! I will miss you all so very much. Remember that like the sign in our window, it's more of a See You Soon than a Goodbye; you are always one of my kiddos, and can come visit anytime! ❤

Families, thank you for all of your support for the kids and our classroom! We really could not do it without you. I found a beautiful message that really reflects my thoughts:

I give you back your child, the same child you confidently entrusted to my care last fall. I give them back inches taller, months wiser, more responsible, and more mature than they were then. Although they would have obtained their growth in spite of me, it has been my pleasure and privilege to watch their personality unfold day by day. I give them back reluctantly, for having spent nine months together in the narrow confines of a crowded classroom, we have grown close, have become a part of each other’s life stories. 

Ten years from now if we meet on the street, your child and I, a light will shine to our eyes, a smile to our face, and we shall feel the bond of understanding once more, this bond we feel today on the last day of school. 

We have lived, loved, laughed, played, studied, learned, and enriched our lives together this year. I wish it could go on indefinitely, but give him back I must. 

Remember that I shall always be interested in your child and their destiny, wherever they goes, whatever they do, whoever they become. Their joys and sorrows I will always be happy to share. 

I wish you all the very best in third grade and in your futures!

Have a fabulous summer (you deserve it!),

Friday Updates 6/6/25

Reminders for Friday, June 6th

• Remember your Chromebook and charger every day!
• No homework!
• ABC Countdown continues.
• Check the calendar here.
• Return library books as soon as possible! All library books are due.
• Puma Palooza on Monday, 6/9 (basically a field day)
• sneakers
• sunscreen
• water bottle
• do not need to pack lunch if you filled out the PTA food form

Notes

• Weekly Reminders
• 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.
• 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 with your child.
• 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.

Week Overview

SEL/Morning Meeting & Grade 2 SEL Home Link document

Phonics - We practiced our phonics on Lalilo.

Handwriting  -  We practiced our cursive.

Reading - We practiced our independent reading. 
Writing - We did some prompt writing where we answered a given prompt in one sitting. We also did a madlibs using random answers to different questions.

Math - We reviewd 2-digit addition and subtraction with and without regrouping. We will continue this next week (no test or assignment).

Science/Social Studies- We finished learning about plants as a resource and plants in Virginia in science. We learned about different famous American innovators and will continue it next week (no test or assignment).

Have a marvelous weekend,

 

Friday Updates 5/30/25

Reminders for Friday, May 30th

• Remember your Chromebook and charger every day!
• No homework!
• ABC Countdown has begun!
• Check the calendar here.
• Plants as a Resource test on Tuesday, 6/3 (science)
• Return library books as soon as possible! All library books are due.

Notes

• Weekly Reminders
• 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.
• 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 with your child.
• 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.

Week Overview

SEL/Morning Meeting & Grade 2 SEL Home Link document

Phonics - We practiced our phonics on Lalilo.

Handwriting  -  We practiced our cursive.

Reading - We practiced our independent reading. 
Writing - We did some prompt writing where we answered a given prompt in one sitting.

Math - We practiced repeated addition to help us with mulitplication. Your child will learn the bulk of their multiplication knowledge in 3rd grade. We will review regrouping next week.

Science- We started learning about plants as a resource and plants in Virginia in science.

Have a fabulous weekend,

  

Friday Updates 5/23/25

 

Reminders for Friday, May 23rd

• Remember your Chromebook and charger every day!
• Homework packet due Friday, 5/30
• Packet will go home on Tuesday, 5/27
• ABC Countdown has begun!
• Check the calendar here.
• No school on Monday, 5/26 - Memorial Day
• Mulitplication quiz on Friday, 5/30 (math)
• Plants as a Resource test on Tuesday, 6/3 (science)

Notes

• PEP (Parents as Educational Partners)
• There are monthly events for grown-ups and 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.
• PEP is over for the school year! Please be sure to reach out to your EL teacher next school year for information about PEP in the fall.

• 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 with your child.
• 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 is open on Fridays from 7:40 - 8:00am.

Week Overview

SEL/Morning Meeting & Grade 2 SEL Home Link document

Phonics - We learned about syllable division with V/CV; when the first vowel is long, you split the syllable after the vowel - elect = e/lect, locate = lo/cate. We also learned about another syllable division of VC/V; when the first vowel is short, you split the syllable after the consonant - camel = cam/el, 

Handwriting  -  We practiced our cursive I, D, J, S, G.

Reading - We practiced our independent reading. 
Writing - We finsihed writing how-to procedural texts - telling someone how to do something using step-by-step directions.

Math - We practiced repeated addition to help us with mulitplication. Your child will learn the bulk of their multiplication knowledge in 3rd grade.

Social Studies- We learned about different Eurpoean explorers and American independence (13 colonies). Next, we will learn about plants as a resource and plants in Virginia in science (test!).

Have a great weekend,

  

Friday Updates 5/16/25

Reminders for Friday, May 16th

• Remember your Chromebook and charger every day!
• Homework packet due Friday, 5/23
• Packet will go home on Monday, 5/19
• ABC Countdown has begun!
• Check the calendar here.
• Puma Block Party on Thursday, 5/22
• Multiplication quiz on Friday, 5/23 (math)
• No school on Monday, 5/26 - Memorial Day
• Plants as a Resource test on Tuesday, 6/3 (science)

Notes

• PEP (Parents as Educational Partners)
• There are monthly events for grown-ups and 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.
• PEP is over for the school year! Please be sure to reach out to your EL teacher next school year for information about PEP in the fall.

• 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 with your child.
• 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 is open on Fridays from 7:40 - 8:00am.

Week Overview

SEL/Morning Meeting & Grade 2 SEL Home Link document

Phonics - We learned about r-controlled vowels - or, ar say /er/ (worm, dollar). We learned about syllable division with V/CV; when a consonant is between two vowels, you split the syllable before the consonant - elect = e/lect, locate = lo/cate.

Handwriting  -  We practiced our cursive I, D, J, G.

Reading - We practiced our independent reading. 
Writing - We worked on writing how-to procedural texts - telling someone how to do something using step-by-step directions.

Math - We practiced solving word problems. Next week, we will do a short unit on mulitplication; your child will learn the bulk of their multiplication knowledge in 3rd grade.

Social Studies- We learned about how innovations have changed between the past and present and how they affect our current lives - transportation and communication. Next week, we will learn about different Eurpoean explorers and American independence (13 colonies) - NO test.

Have a great weekend,

  

Friday Updates 5/9/25

Reminders for Friday, May 9th

• Remember your Chromebook and charger every day!
• Homework packet due Friday, 5/16
• Packet will go home on Monday, 5/12
• ABC Countdown has begun!
• Check the calendar here.
• Problem Solving quiz on Thursday, 5/15
• Your student will be expected to read a word problem, write the equation that matches it, and solve for the answer. This will include both addition and subtraction and there will be a couple of 3 addend problems ( ___ + ___ + ___ = ____ ).
• Example: Josh drew 7 pictures. Kate drew 11 pictures. How many pictures did Kate draw than Josh?
• Answer: 11 - 7 = 4
• Kate drew 4 more pictures than Josh.
• Example: Niya saw 8 squirrels and 5 geese. How many animals did she see altogether?
• Answer:
• 8 + 5 = 13
• Niya saw 13 animals.
• Innovations (Past and Present) test on Thursday, 5/15 (social studies)
• Puma Block Party on Thursday, 5/22

Notes

• PEP (Parents as Educational Partners)
• There are monthly events for grown-ups and 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.
• PEP is over for the school year! Please be sure to reach out to your EL teacher next school year for information about PEP in the fall.

• 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 with your child.
• 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 is open on Fridays from 7:40 - 8:00am.

Week Overview

SEL/Morning Meeting & Grade 2 SEL Home Link document - NEW, Unit 4

Phonics - We learned about r-controlled vowels - or, ar say /er/ (worm, dollar).

Handwriting  -  We practiced our cursive.

Reading - We learned about text features.
Writing - We finished our imaginative stories and worked on a mother's day project. Next week, we will start our how-to procedural texts.

Math - We ended up continued with graphing review. Next week, we will focus on solving word problems.

Social Studies- We finished learning about the states of matter - solid, liquid, gas - and how materials can change between the states. We will start learning about how innovations have changed between the past and present and how they affect our current lives - transportation and communication.

Have a wonderful weekend,