People to Know

Teacher: Miss Woudstra

Classroom Paraprofessional: Mrs. Karen Timmer & Mrs. Tammy Zevenbergen
Principal: Mr. Harlan De Vries
Assistant Principal: Mr. Josh Bowar
Office Staff: Cheryl Haan and Donna Brue
Librarian: Mrs. Margaret Vande Kraats
Gym: Mrs. Shelley Gesink
Music: Mrs. Jill Friend
School Nurse: Mrs. Kris Tinklenberg
School Counselor: Ms. Crista Smidt

Specials

P.E.: Tuesday and Thursday

(Your child must wear tennis shoes on P.E. days. Swimming will be the 2nd semester)
Library: Wednesday
Music: Monday and Friday

Star of the Week

Information about Star of the Week is explained on a separate sheet.

Show and Tell

We do not have Show and Tell each week. If your child has an item that connects
with a topic we are learning, they are welcome to bring that item. On some
occasions, I may send a note home asking for children to bring something that fits
with a topic of study.

Birthdays

We enjoy celebrating birthdays! This year our class has 18 students. Your child
may bring a simple treat for everyone. Please contact me about which day (if not on
the actual birthday) you would like your child to celebrate his/her birthday. If
your child has a summer birthday, you may choose to have your child celebrate on
their half birthday or in May. Please let me know in advance whichever you choose.
Our school encourages healthy treats (nut-free), but does allow sweet treats for
special celebrations like birthdays.

Helpers and Visitors

If you ever want to visit the classroom, I am very open to that. You may just pop
in or call ahead. Feel free to just walk in and let me know you are just here to
observe and you are not here picking up your child for an appointment or anything.
During those times though, I prefer you not disrupt the class; you can either sit by
your child or at the table in the back of the room. Prayer support is another way
you can help, and it is greatly appreciated! A fun way to touch base with your child
at school is to have lunch with them. Students love this! Call the office the day
before and let Donna or Cheryl know that you will be coming to eat with your child.
A visitor lunch is $3.45 and can be given to Mrs. Horstman at the lunchroom
computer.

Newsletters

I will be sending a letter to your home each weekend via email. If you are unable to
receive it for any reason, let me know.

Homework Folder

The students will receive a Homework Folder. In it you will find work for each
night of the week. Of course, if you have a busy night, feel free to do the work on
a different night! I encourage each child to read 15 minutes a night with their
stuffed animals, younger or older siblings, cousins, parents, grandparents, etc.! The
more they read the better readers they will become.

Discipline

I will use the Q.U.I.E.T method of discipline to encourage students to be

responsible for their behavior both in the classroom and on the playground. I will
have the word QUIET on the white board. If a student misbehaves, a letter will be
taken down. Students also have the opportunity throughout the day to earn a
letter back through good behavior. If all of the letters are still on the board at
the end of the day, I will add a pom pom to fill our classroom rewards jar. When
the jar is full, we will celebrate the good behavior.

Subjects
Math: We use the Macmillan McGraw-Hill math series and integrate math

concepts into our calendar time and other subject areas. We help students
understand Math, using hands on activities and games whenever possible. Students
will also use math workbook pages to show their understanding of what is taught.
We will begin the year by reviewing some of the concepts taught in first grade.
Place Value will be the focus as we begin chapter 2.

Language/Literacy:
Word Work Time and VOWAC (Vowel Oriented Word Attack Course),
our phonics curriculum, encourages students to blend together sounds to decode
words, recognize patterns in words, and memorize high frequency words. We will
begin by reviewing the open and closed syllables and syllable division.

Spelling The first two weeks we will begin by reviewing the 32 words that were

learned in first grade. We will work on the spelling words at school, but please
also work on them at home. We will have a test most Fridays. The spelling list
will be included in each weeks newsletter.

Reading Time is where a variety of skills are taught that will help your child to

become a better reader. Our Reading curriculum is called Treasures (by

Macmillan/McGraw Hill). It is supplemented with a variety of reading materials.
We practice fluency, comprehension, grammar and other reading skills.
Our first reading unit is entitled School Days, and we will focus on
friendship and what God intends for our friendships! This unit will include Henry
and Mudge books and their author, Cynthia Rylant, will be our featured Author of
the Month.
Our class will participate in The Daily 5. One aspect of The Daily 5 involves
students reading from books they choose at their independent reading level. Each
student has their own book box at school, and regularly picks out 2-3 books for
that box. These books are read in addition to the Treasures reading curriculum,
and fit the reading needs of each student.
Sioux Center Christian is very fortunate to have staff whom specialize in
teaching reading. There is a possibility that your child will spend some time with a
reading specialist working alongside small groups of children in the Reading Room. I
will let you know if your child qualifies for this program. It is a program worth
taking advantage of and fun for the children who go.
Each reading unit has a list of high frequency words and vocabulary words. We
will review these at school and ask that you to review them at home. The students
are periodically tested on whether or not they know these words in isolation
(without any context clues).

Writing Workshop is a time for students to develop creative writing skills.

Students will write and publish their own stories during Writers Workshop. We
will write narratives, poems, letters, and create science notebooks.
Handwriting/penmanship skills are also fostered throughout the year. We will be
working on forming manuscript letters and neat words as 2nd grade begins.

Bible:

In second grade, we reflect on Gods promises. We will begin with living the
Christian life using the book of James. Throughout the year, students will
participate in Bible memory work and a faith formation journal.
Our school theme is Blaze the Trail, and our verse is from Hebrews 12:1b2a, Let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles.
And let us run with perseverance the race (trail) marked out for us. Let us fix our
eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. You are welcome to join us for
chapels. Chapel dates and times are listed on the school website. Students are
encouraged to wear their theme shirt on chapel days, field trips, and for the
end of the year music programs.
Our first memory work is our second grade theme verse for the year:
Ephesians 5:1,2a Be imitators of God, therefore as dearly loved children and
live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us. Your
child has a booklet of memory verses in their desk and will receive a sticker for
the page if they are able to recite the verse without help.

Social Studies/Science:

Students will explore geography, cultures, history, spiders, insects,

butterflies, nutrition, health, liquids, solids, gases, plants, light, sound, and much
more! As a part of our first unit, we are collecting Monarch Butterfly caterpillars,
so if you see any feel free to send them to school.

I pray that God will bless the time we spend together each day as we
all learn more about various academics and how, even as second grade
students, we are blessed and God can use us to bless others.
Miss Woudstra

Star of the Week

God has created each student as a unique and special child.
Each 2nd grader will be given a week to be our Star of the Week.
Your child will be given five prompts highlighting their favorite
hobbies, books, occupation, food, and a picture of their family.
Look for these to come home a week prior to your childs week.
Students may complete these five prompts through writings,
photos, magazine photos, or drawings. The prompts need to be
returned by the Monday that your child is Star of the Week.
My goal for highlighting one student each week is that the
class can learn more about each of their classmates and value the
gifts and qualities with which God has blessed them. I really want
the Star of the Week to feel very important, very loved, very
appreciated, and very thankful to be a child of God. During this
week, I encourage a visit from one or more members of your
family. I understand if a classroom visit is not possible. The
classroom visit will be about fifteen minutes long, before or after
lunch. Students are asked to introduce their visitors and tell us a
little bit about each of them. Next, the Stars family will share
something with our class. This might include your childs favorite
book, a family tradition, favorite snack, silly joke/riddle, or
something from your work place. We will be pleased with whatever
you share! Some parents also choose to eat in the lunchroom with
their child during this week. Please call the office to let the cooks
know that you will be eating hot lunch with us. Our lunch and
recess is from 11:25-12:15. Your visit with the class would be at
either 11:10 or 12:15, depending on if you decide to come
before or after lunch. Please send a note or email letting me know
which day of the week works for you and if you will be coming at
11:10 or 12:15.

Star of the Week Schedule

Sept. 12-16
Sept. 19-23
Sept. 26-30
Oct. 3-7
Oct. 10-14
Oct. 17-21
Oct. 24-28
Oct. 31-Nov. 4
Nov. 7-11
Nov. 14-18
Nov. 21-25
Nov. 28-Dec. 2
Dec. 5-9
Dec. 12-16
Dec. 19-Jan. 6
Jan. 9-13
Jan. 16-20
Jan. 23-27
Jan. 30-Feb. 3
Feb. 6-10
Feb. 13-17
Feb. 20-24
Feb. 27-March 3
March 6-10
March 13-17
March 20-24
March 27-31

Eva
Jocelyn
Jenna
Free
Trevan
Free (Grandparents Day)
Free (Conferences)
Eden
Noam
David
Free (Thanksgiving)
Sydney
Wyatt
Josh
Free (Christmas)
Free
Jacob
Ella
Elena
Payton
Free
Free
Adler
Free (Conferences)
Lily
Owen
Sam

Your family is encouraged to choose one day of your childs week to come
for lunch and a short visit. You may trade weeks with another student if
your week will not work for you. Please email, call, or send a note letting
me know which day you would like to visit.

August 2016

Dear Parents,
Welcome to a new school year at Sioux Center Christian School. I am
excited to be teaching your child and am truly looking forward to getting to know
each student and their parents! I ask for your prayers as we partner together to
provide a Christ centered education for your child this year.
I am blessed to be a part of Sioux Center Christian and our mission to help
students become Disciples of Christ. I had the privilege of attending Christian
schools all of my life and believe it provided me with a strong spiritual and
academic basis that has been a benefit in my life. As a teacher, I am blessed to be
part of the growth second graders experience in academic areas, in their
relationships with one another, and in their relationship with Christ.
As we work together, if you have any questions or concerns, please feel free
to contact me. You may contact me through email, a phone call, or text. I anticipate
many wonderful times of learning about Gods amazing creation with your child!

In Him,
Amanda Woudstra