3rd Quarter 2nd Grade Newsletter

As we reach the halfway point of the school year, we want to take a moment to express our heartfelt gratitude for your continued support and partnership. We hope you enjoyed a wonderful winter break filled with joy and time spent with loved ones. With the new year upon us, we are excited to be full speed ahead in preparing for the second half of the school year!

Our field trip to the Shenandoah Valley Discovery Museum was a blast! Students enjoyed an engaging and educational experience, exploring various interactive exhibits that brought learning to life. It was wonderful to see their curiosity and excitement as they explored.

During 2nd Quarter, our 2nd graders engaged in exciting STEAM rotations! Students had the opportunity to visit different classrooms and participate in hands-on activities centered around themes of Fall and Winter. These rotations foster collaboration and creativity, allowing our young learners to explore and have fun in interactive ways.

• This holiday season, John Kerr participated in the 12 Days of Holiday Happiness! Each day, 12 days before Winter Break, was a dress-up day filled with joy and participation from many students. It was a wonderful way to spread holiday cheer, and even the teachers joined in on the fun!

As we celebrated the last day before Winter Break, all of our John Kerr Cardinals participated in the December House Hour. This special event was filled with holiday songs and exciting reindeer games! Students were hand-picked to participate in fun challenges, and of course, we sang our favorite holiday tunes.

On November 13th, our 2nd graders participated in World Kindness Day by coloring beautiful pictures. These artworks were delivered to local Retirement Communities, spreading joy and kindness to our elders. We were honored to have Julia Allen, Miss Virginia Teen USA, visit our school. She shared her inspiring platform on the importance of kindness, encouraging our students to make a positive impact in their communities.

**Mid-Year assessments for ELA and Math will occur throughout January for all students**

Math:

Students will add and subtract 2 digit numbers with and without regrouping, explore geometry, add coins, and think about and use numbers flexibly.

Language Arts:

Students will finish Module 2 in Bookworms with a Cam Jensen Mystery. In Module 3, students will use narrative structures to analyze characters, learn about USA history through biographies, describe Egyptian mummification, and connect fiction to nonfiction with opinion writing.

Science:

Students will be able to identify and describe different types of habitats and the changes that happen to living organisms in the habitats, as well as the important role of plants.

Social Studies:

Students will learn about some famous Americans and their contributions including: Martin Luther King ,Jr., Helen Keller, Abraham Lincoln, and Jackie Robinson

How you can help at home?

-Daily practice of addition and subtraction facts to 20 to promote automaticity

-Reinforce the value of coins and counting change

-Read daily for 15 minutes- students can read with you, a sibling, or alone

January:

4th - Jorge - Ms. Henry's Class

6th - Suamy - Ms. Whitaker's Class

9th - Qiana - Ms. Henry's Class

21st - Skyler - Ms. Millward's Class

31st - Jasmine- Ms. Millward's Class

February:

6th - Dayton - Mrs. Rieger's Class

6th - Zakiera - Mrs. Rieger's Class

7th - Lyndia - Ms. Millward's Class

18th - Clara - Ms. Henry's Class

19th - Kendra - Ms. Whitaker's Class

20th - Kingston - Mr. Frye's Class

22nd - Ashley - Ms. Millward's Class

March:

10th - Hendrix - Mrs. Rieger's Class

10th - Christopher - Ms. Millward's Class

12th - Amanda - Ms. Henry's Class

14th - Ariana - Ms. Whitaker's Class

15th - Ky'Mani - Mr. Frye's Class

18th - Aurora - Ms. Whitaker's Class

21st - Aria - Ms. Millward's Class

22nd - Rouse - Ms. Whitaker's Class

25th - Griffin - Ms. Millward's Class

27th - Mah'linah - Ms. Rieger's Class

29th - Ana - Ms. Henry's Class

January 20th - No School (Holiday)

February 14th - No School (Teacher Professional Development Day)

February 17th - No School (Holiday)

March 13th - End of the 3rd Quarter

March 14th - No School (Teacher Work Day)

March 17th - No School (Teacher Professional Development Day)

As we approach winter weather, here are some reminders for everyone:

• Outdoor Recess: We go outside if the real feel temperature is above 32 degrees. If it is below freezing, we will stay inside. Please ensure your child comes to school with a warm winter coat to enjoy outdoor recess comfortably.

• Coat Assistance: If you need assistance in obtaining a warm coat for your child, please contact your child's teacher immediately. We can connect you with our Guidance Counselors for support.

• Snow Day Packets: Snow day packets were sent home at the beginning of December. These packets contain work that will need to be completed if virtual learning is decided for a snow day. For some snow days, no work will be required. Please remember that this snow day packet is considered your child's "attendance" for that day. Kindly send it back to school with your child on the day we return. If you have misplaced your snow day packet, please check with your child's teacher for access to a digital version.