Expedition Express

Fire and Ice

Truckee Today: We are in the final stages of Case Study 1, looking at Truckee Today. Students have determined their Top 10 for Kids Under 10 (favorite Truckee locations) and have completed their informational paragraphs describing their location. Once brochures are complete, they will be distributed around town. Keep your eye out for these brochures.

Truckee Yesterday: After our 2nd visit to downtown Truckee for the introduction of Case Study 2, students were able to hear stories of Truckee’s past from Chelsea Walterscheid. Looking at the historical buildings and hearing the stories, really brings history to life. The crew also visited the Old Jail Museum, and some of them found themselves on the wrong side of the law!!

Questions of the month:

  • What were some of the favorite locations for Truckee’s Top 10 for Kids Under 10?
  • Which historical buildings downtown are your favorites? Why?
  • What was the most interesting fact you learned at the Old Jail Museum?

Crew News

Bookbags: Book bags are up and running! Hopefully your child has found enjoyment reading about a particular topic. Just as a reminder, book bags are for both 2nd and 3rd graders which account for the various reading levels included within the bags. Sometimes books may seem easier, sometimes more challenging. If books are more challenging, we encourage you to read to your child. Please help keep the bags in good shape to be passed on to the next family. We are on a rotation system and rely on the families’ help informing us if something needs to be replaced or is missing. Feel free to shoot an email or put a quick note in the planner. We hope your child finds enjoyment in these activities!

Parent Pipelines: This IS your child’s homework each week. You will find “Parent Pipelines” in the weekly yellow folders along with an “I Can” bookmark to be used each week by your child. These pipelines are user friendly tools for parents in order to support children at home with the strategy currently taught in class. We ask that you keep these pipelines as they are a great reminder in how to support your child when comprehension breaks down (or you just want to be sure they do understand what is read), words are inaccurate, etc.

Just Right Books: As children enter 2nd grade they are often still learning to read, and learning to select good fit books. As these students transition to 3rd grade, they also transition from learning to read, to reading to learn. Every child differs in their comfort level of selecting good fit books, but this is a very important focus in our 2/3 crew and supports students in the goal of reading to learn. While we discuss strategies to help students independently determine if a book is a good fit or not in class, we also encourage you to support your child in the following ways: Does your child show interest in the book? Does he or she understand the story, and are they able to accurately retell what has been read? Can he or she read the story independently, or with minimal support? Finally, can your child recognize most of the words (ask your child about the “5 Finger Rule”)?

Nevada County Library: Beginning in October we will be visiting the Nevada County Library. If you have not sent in your child’s public library card, please do so. If you need to get one, please visit the Truckee Branch at 10031 Levon Ave, Truckee.

Book Orders: Scholastic book orders will be sent home once a month, and ordering is optional, of course. Online ordering eases and expedites the process, plus we then get a free book for the class, but if you prefer to send in the paper order form with a check, please be sure the check is made payable to “Scholastic.”

Class Dojo: We’ve noticed many of you have logged on to the Class Dojo website/app. It’s main purpose is to track the students’ Habits of Work (HOWs). We look forward to trying this new system for our crew!

SELS News

Goal Setting Conferences: Conference sign ups are posted! Please only sign up next to a 1 or 2, X’s indicate days/times not available. If unable to make a date or time work email me and I will do my best to accommodate you. I look forward to meeting with you and your child to discuss goals, not only for your child, but also for you as the parent!

Booster Seats: If your child is 7 years old, please be sure to bring (or arrange if your child rides the bus) a booster. Last week we were in a scramble since a few other crews also had fieldwork and borrowed the SELS extra booster seats. Although we always try to make it work, your child may not be able to join us if they can not be safely (and lawfully) transported. We’d hate to have anyone miss out!

Student Highlights for the month:

  • Jordan Pantoja – new 3rd grade student to the Welch crew and fitting in well with all the students in our crew.
  • Alejandra Herrera Cervantes – showing strength in class as a new 2nd grade student.
  • Jillian Chalstrom – Always giving her best effort.

Parent Highlights for the month:

Thanks to the following parents for driving on September fieldwork. Without you, our program wouldn’t be as successful:

  • Erica Stein
  • Isaac Wedeman
  • Forrest Rader
  • Elena DeLuna
  • Randy and Kristi Hood
  • Sonja Martin
  • Denise Strecker
  • David Smith
  • Alison Schwedner
  • Tina Bassett
  • Justin Long

Dates to Remember:

Monday, October 3: No School (Teacher inservice day)
Thursday, October 6: Gratitude Evening at Rec. Center 6-7:30
Friday, October 7: SELS Summit Day- Castle Peak 9:15-3:25
Wednesday, October 12: Minimum Day
Thursday – Friday, October 13-14:  Adventure Campout-Boca Springs- Info. packet coming soon!
Thursday, October 20: Nevaday County Library
Monday – Friday, October 24-28: Minimum Week – Goal Setting Conferences