Grade 2 News
The countdown to the new school year has officially begun. It’s hard to believe that summer is winding down, and school will be starting soon. We are so excited for school to begin, and we are looking forward to getting to know all of our new students. This year is going to be a special one to remember. We can’t wait to meet our students back at school! Here is a bit about each of us 😊
Ms. Barksdale: My name is KrisAnn Barksdale and this is my third year teaching at American Academy. I love teaching second grade and am so excited to be back! I was born and raised in Colorado, I love spending time outdoors, reading books, and hanging out with my fluffy cat. I graduated from Metropolitan University of Denver, with a Bachelor's Degree in Elementary Education. So excited to dive into this year and meet all your smiling faces.
Ms. Chardon: My name is Christine Chardon and I am pleased to introduce myself as your child’s second grade teacher! This is my sixth year teaching at American Academy. I am so excited to see so many familiar faces and see how much the kiddos have grown! I was born and raised in Southern California and then I attended Ashford University in Clinton, Iowa and got my Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education with endorsements in Math and Special Education. I also played collegiate softball for four years there. Teaching young minds has always held a special place in my heart, and I consider myself very lucky to get to do something I love every day. In my free time I enjoy being outside and spending time with my family. My daughter, Brooklyn, is my world and if I am not at school I am always with her (you will also see her in my room often)! We love to travel, especially to Disney! I am so excited to get this year started, and to get to know your family even more!
Ms. Barksdale: My name is KrisAnn Barksdale and this is my third year teaching at American Academy. I love teaching second grade and am so excited to be back! I was born and raised in Colorado, I love spending time outdoors, reading books, and hanging out with my fluffy cat. I graduated from Metropolitan University of Denver, with a Bachelor's Degree in Elementary Education. So excited to dive into this year and meet all your smiling faces.
Ms. Chardon: My name is Christine Chardon and I am pleased to introduce myself as your child’s second grade teacher! This is my sixth year teaching at American Academy. I am so excited to see so many familiar faces and see how much the kiddos have grown! I was born and raised in Southern California and then I attended Ashford University in Clinton, Iowa and got my Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education with endorsements in Math and Special Education. I also played collegiate softball for four years there. Teaching young minds has always held a special place in my heart, and I consider myself very lucky to get to do something I love every day. In my free time I enjoy being outside and spending time with my family. My daughter, Brooklyn, is my world and if I am not at school I am always with her (you will also see her in my room often)! We love to travel, especially to Disney! I am so excited to get this year started, and to get to know your family even more!
Mrs. Meiborg: My name is Morgan Meiborg and I am so excited to meet all of my new second graders! This will be my seventh year teaching second grade at AA. I was born in a small farming town in Illinois. I attended Northern Illinois University where I received by Bachelor's Degree in Elementary Education. My husband and I made the move to Colorado to take advantage of all of the sunny weather and outdoor activities! We have 2 bulldogs that complete our crazy little family. In my free time I love to do anything outside! Hiking, kayaking, and gardening are just a few ways I keep myself busy. I have also recently began cooking and baking a lot more. I am so excited to get started with a new year and build a new family with all of you!
Ms. Nelson: My name is Olivia Nelson, I am so excited to be your child’s second grade teacher! This is my fourth year at American Academy and my second year teaching second grade. I am looking forward to seeing so many familiar faces this year! I was born in Fairfax, Virginia and my family moved to Castle Pines when I was 3, so I consider Colorado my home. I attended the University of Northern Colorado and received a Bachelor's Degree in Early Childhood Education. I recently moved to Parker and adopted a lab mix puppy named Harlow! During my free time I love to read, hike and try new recipes. I am looking forward to getting to know all of you and have a great year!
Student Pictures
Your child will be taking their second grade pictures on Tuesday, August 24th at 8:30 AM. Please make sure your child is in uniform and on time to school.
It's been a wonderful first week and we have thoroughly enjoyed getting to know all of our students. It's been so nice to have our classrooms filled with laughter and noise again. We are off to a great start and are excited to see what the new school year brings.
Testing Day - With Literacy Teacher
Wednesday, September, 1st will not be a normal school day for your child. The second grade teachers will be testing each student individually instead. Each slot is for 15 minutes, so it should go quickly. There is no need to study so please don’t panic. We want to see what your child knows and what they are capable of. We also ask that you please be on time, we only have a small window of time with each student and getting behind can throw the whole day off. Remember if you sign up during car pool you will have to go through the line before you can park. You should receive an email from your child's literacy teacher with all the information needed to sign up. If you have any questions about testing day you can reach out to your child's literacy teacher.
Wednesday, September, 1st will not be a normal school day for your child. The second grade teachers will be testing each student individually instead. Each slot is for 15 minutes, so it should go quickly. There is no need to study so please don’t panic. We want to see what your child knows and what they are capable of. We also ask that you please be on time, we only have a small window of time with each student and getting behind can throw the whole day off. Remember if you sign up during car pool you will have to go through the line before you can park. You should receive an email from your child's literacy teacher with all the information needed to sign up. If you have any questions about testing day you can reach out to your child's literacy teacher.
Red Folders and Planners
In second grade a big focus of ours is responsibility. We expect students to bring home their red folder and planner every night, even if they don’t' have homework! The red folder is used to hold homework, graded papers as well as any other important notes or information. Homework will be written in planners for each subject. Please make sure you child's red folder and planner is coming back to school in their backpacks. Also, please make sure to clear out the red folder every night. The left at home should be cleared out every night!
In second grade a big focus of ours is responsibility. We expect students to bring home their red folder and planner every night, even if they don’t' have homework! The red folder is used to hold homework, graded papers as well as any other important notes or information. Homework will be written in planners for each subject. Please make sure you child's red folder and planner is coming back to school in their backpacks. Also, please make sure to clear out the red folder every night. The left at home should be cleared out every night!
Handle with Care
As with Covid we know that life can be very unexpected. We wanted to let our second grade families know that if your child needs a little more support or love at school you can use the saying "Handle with Care". Below is a cute note that explains the concept a little more. You don't need to send this exact note, a simple email that says "Handle with Care" will work just fine.
As with Covid we know that life can be very unexpected. We wanted to let our second grade families know that if your child needs a little more support or love at school you can use the saying "Handle with Care". Below is a cute note that explains the concept a little more. You don't need to send this exact note, a simple email that says "Handle with Care" will work just fine.
Dear Second Grade Families,
Can't believe we have already made it through the second week of school. Hopefully everyone is looking forward to the long weekend!
Homework
Each night we will be sending home math homework that will be due the next day. Your child should be bringing home their red folder and planner every night, even if they don't have homework! Our students will have time to work on homework in either class or during study hall. Please check your child's math homework every night to make sure the answers are correct and sign your name or initials at the top. To get full credit on the homework, it must be signed by a parent or guardian.
Uniforms
Please make sure your child is dressed in approved American Academy clothes. Socks can only be solid colors in white, black, navy blue, gray or red. We have given grace on uniforms for the first couple of weeks, but beginning next week we will be enforcing all uniform policies. If your student comes to school without the proper uniform piece they will need to call home in order to return to class.
Special Schedule
Barksdale- Music
Chardon- Technology
Meiborg- P.E (please bring tennis shoes)
Nelson- Art
Can't believe we have already made it through the second week of school. Hopefully everyone is looking forward to the long weekend!
Homework
Each night we will be sending home math homework that will be due the next day. Your child should be bringing home their red folder and planner every night, even if they don't have homework! Our students will have time to work on homework in either class or during study hall. Please check your child's math homework every night to make sure the answers are correct and sign your name or initials at the top. To get full credit on the homework, it must be signed by a parent or guardian.
Uniforms
Please make sure your child is dressed in approved American Academy clothes. Socks can only be solid colors in white, black, navy blue, gray or red. We have given grace on uniforms for the first couple of weeks, but beginning next week we will be enforcing all uniform policies. If your student comes to school without the proper uniform piece they will need to call home in order to return to class.
Special Schedule
Barksdale- Music
Chardon- Technology
Meiborg- P.E (please bring tennis shoes)
Nelson- Art