Matching Donations!

If you enter the code "SNOWFLAKE" at checkout all donations will be matched! Any gift to help fund our classroom project will be greatly appreciated!

This project expires in two days! I will be donating the reminder on Christmas morning.

http://www.donorschoose.org/project/easel-please/1664603/http://www.donorschoose.org/project/easel-please/1664603/

Thank you for all you do!

Vacation Homework

Over vacation each student may engage in a self-directed research project about a California animal of their choosing. They can do an art project, a diorama, provide a scientific explanation about the animal's features and habitat; anything of their choosing. This is meant to be an exciting kick-off for trimester two research standards. My goal is for students to feel successful, engage in independent, critical thinking, and to get pumped for research based questioning, writing and reporting of findings.

This is not intended to be time-intensive for parents.

Have fun and enjoy!

We are very close to having our project funded. It expires on 12/25. If you are able, please consider donating a small amount.

Thank you for all you do!

http://www.donorschoose.org/project/easel-please/1664603/?rf=email-system-2015-08-proposal_approve-teacher_1524541&challengeid=269395&utm_source=dc&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=proposal_approve&utm_swu=42

Wacky Wednesday Supplies

Please send quick-drying icing, graham crackers and candy to school tomorrow (Tuesday) so that I can set-up for WW tomorrow after school and be sure we have all supplies we need. Thank you!

Hour of Code

We're participating in Hour of Code on Wednesday. If you have an iPad or tablet, please send your child to school with it on Wednesday with The Foos and Scratch Jr. applications loaded.

For more information check out Hour of Code online! https://hourofcode.com/us

Thank you!

Thank you to everyone who has donated to our Donors Choose project request! We are getting close to having the project funded. I am feeling truly thankful to work with such giving children and families! Thank you again for your kindness and generosity.

Wacky Wednesday STEM Project

We are in need of graham crackers, quick drying icing and assorted candies for our gingerbread house challenge on the 9th. If you are able to donate any of these items, I would greatly appreciate it!

The kids are quite excited about the project! I think it's going to be a lot of educational fun! Thank you!

Please consider donating a few dollars to our project this holiday season! Our project is about about to expire unfunded. :(

Thank you for all you do!

http://www.donorschoose.org/project/easel-please/1664603/?rf=email-system-2015-08-proposal_approve-teacher_1524541&challengeid=269395&utm_source=dc&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=proposal_approve&utm_swu=42

Please be sure to check the "Exciting Happenings" tab for upcoming holiday events and information. Thank you!

Parent-Teacher Conferences

We're using VolunteerSpot (the leading online signup and reminder tool) to organize our upcoming activity.
Please sign up for Parent-Teacher Conferences!

Here's how it works in 3 easy steps:
1. Click this link to go to our invitation page on VolunteerSpot: http://vols.pt/7obVV6
2. Enter your email address: (You will NOT need to register an account on VolunteerSpot)
3. Sign up! Choose your spots - VolunteerSpot will send you an automated confirmation and reminders. Easy!
Note: VolunteerSpot does not share your email address with anyone. If you prefer not to use your email address, please contact me and I can sign you up manually.

Awesome Event!

Thank you for sharing, Mr. Sokhi!

Please Help Fund Our Project!

Please consider helping to fund our project this holiday season! We are very close!

http://www.donorschoose.org/project/easel-please/1664603/?rf=email-system-2015-08-proposal_approve-teacher_1524541&challengeid=269395&utm_source=dc&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=proposal_approve&utm_swu=42

Thanksgiving Food Drive Report

Thank you all for making our Thanksgiving Food Drive a HUGE success through your kind donations! We provided 31 REACH families with Thanksgiving baskets. A special thank you to our parent volunteers who decorated boxes, organized food items and will be helping distribute baskets today in the MPR, 3:15-5:00. 

Vacation Homework

I send homework yesterday, Thursday, in case there were absences today. Thank you.

Thanksgiving Meal Today

Please bring dishes between 1:45 and 2:20, while students are participating in the Superhero Run (time was changed from their P.E. time). The meal will be served at 2:30 when they return from the run.

Please bring store-bought items only so that we can be sure to meet dietary/allergy criteria. Delis have great selections of Thanksgiving items.

There will be a microwave to reheat food. There are 30 students in our class.

Please contact Nikki Murphy with questions: cheniquemurphy@gmail.com.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Going Home Tomorrow!

Family Night Out

-Thursday, 11/19, 4-10p.m.
-El Torito in the Riverside Plaza
-20% of sales go to the REACH PTO

Party Set-Up Help

Is anyone available to help set-up for our Thanksgiving meal Friday from 1:45-2:20? We need tables to be moved into two long rows, tables set, place cards laid out and plates to be ready when our hungry runners come in from the Superhero Run at 2:30. If so, please contact Nikki Murphy at cheniquemurphy@gmail.com. Thank you!

Deadline Extended

REACH will be accepting pledges for the Superhero Run through Friday!

Parent-Teacher Conferences

We're using VolunteerSpot (the leading online signup and reminder tool) to organize our upcoming activity.
Please sign up for Parent-Teacher Conferences!

Here's how it works in 3 easy steps:
1. Click this link to go to our invitation page on VolunteerSpot: http://vols.pt/7obVV6
2. Enter your email address: (You will NOT need to register an account on VolunteerSpot)
3. Sign up! Choose your spots - VolunteerSpot will send you an automated confirmation and reminders. Easy!
Note: VolunteerSpot does not share your email address with anyone. If you prefer not to use your email address, please contact me and I can sign you up manually.

Last Three Days of Thanksgiving Food Drive

Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday are the last three days to donate items for our Thanksgiving Food Baskets!

If you are interested in receiving a basket, please contact the office, there is availability.

Thanksgiving Party Sign-up

Hello All! Nikki Murphy is organizing a small Thanksgiving lunch on Friday, 11/20. This will be in addition to our regular lunch, so that we can accommodate dietary needs of all students. Nikki has made a meal item sign-up sheet that is on the window near my room door. If you would like to bring an item for the party, please sign- up there or contact Nikki at cheniquemurphy@gmail.com.

Meal set-up will be 1:40- 2:20, while the class is doing the Superhero Run

Meal - 2:20

Thank you!

Friendly Reminders:

• Make-Up Picture Day @ 8:30 a.m. for both campuses (uniforms only)
• Family Friday Lunch Day 
• Jurupa Campus @ 11 for TK/K, 11:30 for 1st/2nd, 12 for 3rd-5th
• Linden Campus @ 11 for K/1st, 12 for 2nd/3rd
• Violin Lessons @ Jurupa Campus from 3:30 - 4:15 p.m. 
• Michele is still taking Stater Bros Scrip $25 Gift Card orders until tomorrow afternoon. Help support our school with this great fundraiser! They make nice holiday gifts for friends and family. The class that has the most participation will get a class party!
• Superhero Run envelopes due Monday, 11/23

Parent-Teacher Conference Sign up

We're using VolunteerSpot (the leading online signup and reminder tool) to organize our upcoming activity.
Please sign up for Parent-Teacher Conferences!

Here's how it works in 3 easy steps:
1. Click this link to go to our invitation page on VolunteerSpot: http://vols.pt/7obVV6
2. Enter your email address: (You will NOT need to register an account on VolunteerSpot)
3. Sign up! Choose your spots - VolunteerSpot will send you an automated confirmation and reminders. Easy!
Note: VolunteerSpot does not share your email address with anyone. If you prefer not to use your email address, please contact me and I can sign you up manually.

Interested in Receiving a Thanksgiving Food Basket?

Please notify the REACH front office.

Singapore Math

Teacher Q&A:

Mrs. Juarez, Ms. Sanchez, Mrs. Snyder will be

available on Monday for your questions regarding

Singapore math.

Sign up for Our Singapore Math Remind. Once you

have signed up, send a message letting us know that

you are coming with the time, and your grade level.

(Text spm@101 to 81010)

I.E. : yes, 4:30pm, 2nd

We will be available 4 to 5:30 pm

Book It!

I am sending home November Book It calendars tomorrow. Record your child's reading throughout the month and they will receive a Personal Pan Pizza from Pizza Hut.

Don't forget to turn October calendars in for pizza!

Please join REACH Leadership Academy and
Ms. Smith’s 2nd Grade Class in a
Thanksgiving Food Basket Collection
to benefit REACH Families

Please consider donating the following nonperishable items
11/2- 11/17:

T-K: Dessert Items (brownie mix, pumpkin pie filling, condensed milk, pie shells, cookie mix, frosting)

K: Dessert Items (see above)

                      Grade 1: Stuffing Mix                          

Grade 2: Canned Vegetables

Grade 3: Potatoes/ Potato Products

Grade 4: Cranberry Sauce

Grade 5: Gravy

If you would benefit from a Thanksgiving Basket, please contact the REACH Office. We will make as many baskets as possible, but supplies are limited.
 If you are interested in donating a turkey, please see the REACH Office or Violet Smith.

Baskets can be picked up at the Jurupa Campus on Friday, November 20th in the MPR, 3:15-5:00 p.m. 

Please see your child's classroom teacher to sign up to help create baskets. 

Thank you!

A huge thank you to everyone who donated items for our Halloween party! We had a terrific Friday complete with a parade, showing of the Magic School Bus videos (I dressed as Ms. Frizzle) and a fantastic party! The kids are back to calling me Ms. Smith today!

Thank you again for your generosity and support; I couldn't have done it without you all!

Thanksgiving Decorating and Party!

Is anyone interested in decorating my room for Thanksgiving? If so, please let me know.

I would also like to have a small Thanksgiving meal for my class (in my classroom) the afternoon of the 20th. If you would like to organize the event, please speak with me!

Thank you in advance!

Thanksgiving Food Baskets

Our class has decided to engage in a service learning project for Thanksgiving! Our idea was inspired by last week's Reading Street story, Scarcity. Our guiding question was, "How can we work together to solve problems?" I showed a video that included students collecting canned goods for a food drive. We decided to create Thanksgiving Baskets for those in our REACH community who may benefit from them.

I sent flyers home on Thursday that included the below information:

Thank you in advance for all you do and all you give!

Please join REACH Leadership Academy and
Ms. Smith’s 2nd Grade Class in a
Thanksgiving Food Basket Collection
to benefit REACH Families

Please consider donating the following nonperishable items
11/2- 11/17:

T-K: Dessert Items (brownie mix, pumpkin pie filling, condensed milk, pie shells, cookie mix, frosting)

K: Dessert Items (see above)

                      Grade 1: Stuffing Mix                          

Grade 2: Canned Vegetables

Grade 3: Potatoes/ Potato Products

Grade 4: Cranberry Sauce

Grade 5: Gravy

If you would benefit from a Thanksgiving Basket, please contact the REACH Office. We will make as many baskets as possible, but supplies are limited.
 If you are interested in donating a turkey, please see the REACH Office or Violet Smith.

Baskets can be picked up at the Jurupa Campus on Friday, November 20th in the MPR, 3:15-5:00 p.m. 

Please see your child's classroom teacher to sign up to help create baskets. 

Allergies

Please do not send any items that contain the following for your child's lunch:

Oranges
Peanuts
Shellfish

Please see the "Housekeeping" tab for up-to-date allergy information throughout the year.

Thank you for you help in keeping our students safe.

Pick-up Times

I begin tutoring after school tomorrow. In order to maximise my time with the students I will be working with, please make your best effort to pick your child up at 3:15 on regular days and 1:00 on Minimum Days.

Thank you for your help!

Red Ribbon Themes

Our Finished Product Unveiled!

We are ready for Red Ribbon Week! We had a great time putting this door together and learning why we say no to drugs! Each student made their own mummy, who says "no to drugs!"

A special thank you to Mrs. Hogue and Mrs. McDaniel for  donating supplies and time to make this possible!

Treats?

Is anyone willing to bring in cookies or cupcakes for our class tomorrow to celebrate spelling "REACH" (behavior award)? There are 28 of us!

Please note, I provide enticing alternatives for students with allergies.

Book It!

Today I am sending home a reading log and information about Book It. This program rewards students for reading every day for 20 minutes with a Personal Pan Pizza from Pizza Hut. Once your student submits their completed reading log on the first school day of each month, I will award their voucher. Ex. turn in October log 11/2.

I encourage you to look up books your students read using arbookfind.com so that they are reading in their ZPD range (listed on the STAR Reading Report I sent home in portfolios 10/19). They can take AR tests and earn points at school from the reading they did at home.

Let the reading begin!

Harvest Festival!

The REACH Harvest Festival is coming right up! 10/30 we will be having a costume parade during our P.E. time (1:15- 1:45). Students are encouraged to come to school dressed as their favorite literary character, fiction or non! Please bring a book to go with your character to share. Following the parade kids will visit a PTO-sponsored treat-hand-out in the staff parking lot, and then we will have a few treats in our classroom. If you are interested in donating treats, please consider the following: apples, individual caramel dip cups, veggies, apple cider, small plates, small cups and napkins. Please respond to this post in the comments field if you are able to contribute. Parents are welcome to join us for the parade!

Thank you!

Coffee with the Director

Tomorrow morning at 8:15! Hope you can make it!

Bring in Empty Toilet Paper Rolls, Please!

For Red Ribbon week we need 27 (one per child) empty toilet paper rolls to decorate our door. We are currently 21 empty rolls short! If you have any, please send them to school with your student.

Thank you!

Astronomy Night

http://us11.campaign-archive1.com/?u=8ae6fc461efb80ff410f75af6&id=71d683ad8c&e=d19f2fe2e3

Portfolios

Tomorrow I am sending home portfolios with progress reports, tutoring letters (select students only), fall STAR reading and math data, fall DIBELS data, and quiz/tests to date. Please note from this point on student work, quizzes, and tests will go home as they are completed. New teachers had a delay in gaining access to Illuminate, our online grading system, which is why I retained work until I could be sure everything had been entered accurately after being granted access. A benefit is that you will receive a complete portfolio with ELA tests, science and social studies quizzes, and a math test and quiz, providing a nice snapshot of the work your student has completed so far.

Please enjoy the portfolios!

Progress Reports

Good Morning Wonderful REACH Families!

I will be sending progress reports home on Monday in homework folders along with September benchmark testing information (where students started the year academically), school work/tests, RTI/ELD/2nd language placements, and tutoring information (for selected students).

Have a great weekend!

Great American Shakeout

As many of you know The Great American Shakeout occurred today, which involved schools all over the nation practicing earthquake drills. At REACH, we too participated. I am posting to share with you how proud I am of our class. During the drill each student did exactly as we practiced, and were SILENT during the entire drill. As I stood in the school's field, surrounded by every class in the school, I truly believed our class exemplified drill behaviors most spectacularly!

Well done!

Spelling

I have posted Fry Word lists under the "Home Resources" tab of this blog. Weekly spelling words will continue to go home in homework packets on Mondays. The second grade team has decided it is best for students to learn those words as we go along for several reasons:

1. If students have memorized spelling words we cannot identify phonics areas they may need work on in pre-tests. Pre-tests help inform instruction so your child will not only learn one word, but many other words with similar patterns

2. The spelling words we send home in homework packets coincide with our reading instruction and thus vocabulary and phonics study.

Please work with the Fry lists and Spelling City as extra practice at home as you see fit. Thank you!

Calendar Change

Updated School Calendars are going home today. Important date changes are: No school Voting Day, Tuesday, November 3rd, and the last day of school will be Friday, June 24th.

Thank you.

Reading Nook

AR has begun and I am hoping our class will be number 1 for points eraned by reading!

I would like to have a reading nook in our classroom for readers to enjoy during AR time. We are in need of a few items to make this possible: a blue or green area rug and pillows with an ocean theme (in keeping with our "Under the Sea" theme). If you are able to contribute any of these items, we would be very thankful for the donation.

Many thanks!

Spelling City

Spelling City is up and running! This is EXTRA PRACTICE, weekly spelling words will continue to be listed in homework folders. Have fun and enjoy!

Jurupa Campus to stay at current location for the year

Hi All,

As I mentioned at Back-to-School Night, I would let you know as soon as I heard news regarding the potential move to the new campus. We will be staying at the current site for the remainder of this year. This decision is out of my hands, and came down to facilities.

I am truly sorry for any inconvenience this may cause you and your family. Please let me know if I can ease the transition in any way. As always, thank you for your continued support.

Kind regards,

Violet

Arts and Innovation Night!

Parent Roadmaps to Common Core Standards

Thank you, Lidia Hernandez for sharing the Parent Roadmaps to Common Core Standards with me. Great resource.

http://www.cgcs.org/Page/244

Mobymax

The front office added usernames and passwords for my class TODAY for Mobymax! Please see the "Online Resource Passwords" tab for usernames and passwords and let the learning begin! I will also send a hard copy home.

Enjoy!

Uniform Checks

Volunteers performed uniform checks today. Several minor reminders are going home today. If you receive one, please sign and return it.

Our class has been doing a great job following uniform guidelines. Keep up the great job! Thank you!

Crafty?

I would love some fall decorations to be put up in my classroom! 

Back to School Night Presentation

Families,

We had a terrific day today! The class earned a popcorn party by earning the letter "H," completing the word REACH. Today I did not earn one single point!

Thank you for all of your support at home! Let's keep up the great work!

Families, please turn in your signed Student Handbook Acknowledgement Forms to classroom teachers at your earliest convenience.

Thank you!

Please join us on Thursday, September 24th for our first Awards Assembly of the school year, 8:45 a.m.

Please support our proposal to get a classroom easel

We are so close to fully funding our project! If each family gives $5- $10 dollars our goal will be met!

Easel, Please! 

http://www.donorschoose.org/project/easel-please/1664603/?rf=email-system-2015-08-proposal_approve-teacher_1524541&challengeid=269395&utm_source=dc&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=proposal_approve&utm_swu=4252

P.S. If you know anyone who may want to help my classroom, please pass this along! 

Volunteer Needed

Requesting a parent take a head shot (with their camera) of each student in my class and print two copies of each photo. The pictures will be used on our attendance and class jobs chart. The photos do not need to be of high quality or resolution. I would like photos to be taken at 3 p.m., any day of the week is fine.

Willing to volunteer? Please respond to this post.

Many thanks!

Vocabulary List Update

Jennifer McDaniel is composing a list of vocabulary for the year, per request at Back to School Night. When the list has been created, I will post it under the Home Resources tab. Thank you, Jenn!

Thank you to all those who joined me last night for Back to School Night! I'm looking forward to a great year!

Scholastic Book Orders

Place your scholastic orders through our site!

https://orders.scholastic.com/PBC3L

Please join us Thursday, September 10th for Back to School Night, beginning at 5:30 p.m.


http://reachleadershipacademy.org/back-to-school-night-thurs-sept-10-beginning-530-p-m/

Hi Friends, 

I want to make sure my students have the materials they need to succeed, so I just created a request for my classroom at DonorsChoose.org: 

Easel, Please! 

http://www.donorschoose.org/project/easel-please/1664603/?rf=email-system-2015-08-proposal_approve-teacher_1524541&challengeid=269395&utm_source=dc&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=proposal_approve&utm_swu=4252
Give to my classroom by September 7, 2015 and your donation will be doubled thanks to DonorsChoose.org. Just enter the code SPARK on the payment page and you'll be matched dollar for dollar (up to $100). 

If you chip in to help my students, you'll get awesome photos and our heartfelt thanks. 

Thanks so much, 

P.S. If you know anyone who may want to help my classroom, please pass this along! 

ATTENTION:

Due to allergies, we are a PEANUT FREE CLASSROOM for the 2015-2016 school year.

Thank you for your support and understanding!

Grade 2 Supply Needs:

Each Student Needs:

-Backpack
-4 Composition Notebooks
-White binder, 2"
-No. 2 pencils
-Pencil Case

If you are able, please consider donating any following items at the beginning of the school year and as needs arise. Thank you.

• Standard #2 Pencils
• Crayons
• Large Glue Sticks
• Standard Pink Erasers
• Kleenex/Tissue
• Lysol Spray
• Composition Books (wide ruled)
• Colored Pencils
• Washable Markers
• Expo Dry Erase Markers
• Expo Dry Erase Cleaner
• Band-Aids
• Disinfectant Wipes
• Zip Lock Baggies (sandwich, quart, and gallon sizes)
• Small Individual Whiteboards
• Construction Paper
• Small Candies 
• Scissors
• AR books
• Clear Packing Tape
• Highlighters
• Standard Size Index Cards
• Black & Colored Sharpies
• Index cards
• Binder rings
• Sharpies
• Decks of cards
• Dice
• Paper towels

***We also collect Box Tops! Kindly bring in your Box Tops on Fridays only. Thank you! 

Hi All,

I just joined Remind.

To Receive text messages about class happenings from me using Remind, please follow me by texting @18e4c to 81010 or click the below link. No texts will contain student specific information, this is used to communicate classroom and event reminders.

http://remind.com/join/18e4c

Welcome to our blog!

I hope everyone had a safe, exhilarating and educational summer filled with beach days, under-the-bed book reading, and drippy ice cream cones.

I am pleased to have become a member of the REACH family here on the Jurupa Avenue campus this year where I will continue to teach hands-on, differentiated lessons using our STEAM-focused curriculum following Common Core Standards.