A Note From Ms. Hines

Good Evening!

My last day in Mr. Young's classroom is tomorrow, Thursday. The past four months have flown by. It has been wonderful getting to know each and every student in Mr. Young's classroom; I have learned so much from every child. Parents, thank you for accepting my intern position with open arms and being so supportive throughout the past couple of months (especially during my solo week!) 

It has been a privilege to be a part of Tom's classroom and Waitsfield Elementary School. The staff, parents and students have such a positive energy; it was a fantastic community to be a part of. Starting in January, I will interning at Berlin Elementary School in a 5/6 multi-age classroom. I will certainly miss Mr. Young's classroom and students. I hope to visit Tom's classroom in the spring.

Have a very happy holiday and enjoy your winter break!

Best,

Brandy (Ms. Hines)

December 21, 2011

Good Afternoon Friends!  The students have done a wonderful job with the Secret Pal items.  The kids are having a lot of fun with it.  Please remember that the book is due tomorrow.  Also, this week's math survey is due tomorrow as well.

I hope everyone has a wonderful break with a fun and festive holiday and New Year.

Peace,
Tom

December 19, 2011

Good Afternoon,
  I hope everyone had a great weekend.  I spent the weekend in NY with my basketball team.  Having 25 high school boys in a hotel can be a bit draining.  The book orders are in.  However, all of the order forms have mysteriously disappeared.  Could you please let me know if your child ordered.  This way I can sit with those kids and see if they remember which ones were theirs.  There wasn't a lot of books ordered so it should be fairly easy.  I will send them home tomorrow.

**Please remember that Secret Pal cards are due tomorrow, the snacks on Wednesday, and a wrapped book on Thursday.

**The math survey will be sent home on Wednesday of this week.

**There will be reading homework tomorrow and Wednesday.


Have a great week.
Peace,
Tom

December 16, 2011

Good Morning,
  This morning a few of our up and coming performers participated in a play called Bully the Bullfrog.  The show was amazing, I mean where else can you combine amphibians and rap.  The students were  quite proud of themselves and did a fantastic job.

  Please remember that there are no parent volunteers needed next week.  We will be working on our family gifts.

Have a great weekend,
Tom

December 14, 2011

Good Morning,
  Today our class found out that they were chosen the winners of the "Window Category" for the Chamber's Festival of Lights.  The class was presented with a certificate announcing the $450 prize.  I am hoping to use the money to purchase an IPAD for the class.

 I was out of school today.  My daughter, Julianne, was sick today.  I did talk with Ms. Hines this morning and was able to set up the academic day that I had planned.  This afternoon, the students finished their Earth, Moon, and Sky unit by taking the district wide assessment.

  Please remember that we will not be needing parent volunteers next week.  We will be using the station time for reading groups and for working on a parent gift.

  I hope you have a great day.
Peace,
Tom

December 12, 2011

Good Morning,

  I hope everyone had a great weekend.  I had a fun weekend filled with family activities, a basketball game, wrapped up the college course I teach with an exam on Sunday, and finished Sunday filling out an accident report about my car.  A poor old lady backed into me in the Shaw's parking lot.  I felt bad for her.

  This week we will wrap up our science unit.  Ms Hines will give the final assessment on Wednesday.  Once we get back from break, we will start our social studies unit on Local History.  This will tie in nicely with our Artist in Residence in February.

  It looks like everyone will be participating in the Secret Pal event.  Today, your son or daughter will have a letter in their homework bag that explains the schedule and who he/she has for a Secret Pal.  Please  make sure to send in the items on time.

*There will be a new math game sent home this week.  The survey will be due a week from Thursday.

THIS JUST IN!  I can't go tomorrow, but maybe some of you can go.

Hi Tom & Second Grade Class,

Congratulations! You are among the winning Festival of Lights entries.

Join us tomorrow, Tuesday 12/13 at Timbers for the Community Holiday Party
5:30-7:30pm and distribution of Thousands of Dollars in prizes to benefit
area non profits.  Awards to be announced around 6:15pm.

We look forward to seeing you there.


Susan & Robbie

Mad River Valley Chamber of Commerce

Peace,
Tom

December 9, 2011

Good Afternoon,
  This morning started with a 5th and 6th grade assembly.  The students created mini skits about their learning of the solar system.  They were quite funny, engaging, and taught us many things about space.  After assembly, we spent some time writing in our Weekly News, had Fundations, learned about space history and talked about astronauts.  This afternoon we had math and art.  I hope you have a wonderful weekend.
Peace,
Tom