I hope this note finds you in good spirits! Even though the air outside is smoky right now, our hearts can still be filled with light and rainbows: as the song says, “This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine…”

I still remember my second grade classroom, many years ago in Houston, Texas, where I grew up. I had a favorite folder to hold my class work. It had a Star Wars X-Wing fighter on it; I imagine you could probably find a similar folder today, which is kind of amazing. My classroom was nearest to the door to the outside, so we were able to run out quickly for PE and recess.

My favorite memory of second grade is learning to spell the word “Granddaddy,” which is what I called one of my grandfathers (my dad’s dad). One week, I requested it as a special vocabulary word, just for me, because I wanted to know how to write it (and keep track of all those D's). Nowadays, Eloise calls one of her grandfathers (my dad) “Granddaddy,” too, and whenever I hear it, it makes me feel connected to mine.

We hope you’re enjoying the start of school! I wonder what you’ll remember about second grade when you’re my age?

Let your light shine,

Matt (Eloise’s dad)

We hope that you are enjoying your second grade so far. Attending virtual school in such a challenging time is a very special experience to you.

I heard that you attend Mandarin class every week and not sure if you will learn about the upcoming Moon festival in the class. This year's Moon festival will be Thursday, October 1. I mentioned it since it was one of my great memories during my 2nd grade. My school in China organized a Rabbit lantern exhibition and invited every family to participate. I worked with my parents and my grandmother together to make a rabbit lantern with four wheels so that I could pull it all around the exhibition place. I saw many different designs of rabbit lanterns made by my classmates and was impressed how the crafts were made with imagination. Definitely, we also celebrated the festival with eating many flavors of mooncakes. Hope you could also enjoy some mooncakes this year!

Andreas, with more time at home during this school year, we hope you can do more explorations, experiment various ideas, make crafts with your unlimited imagination and etc. Wish you a wonderful school year!

Jiemin (Liya Z's mom)

We hope you enjoy your very special 2nd grade life. Virtual school is such a unique experience for everyone in the school. How do you like it so far? It could be challenging but it is different and fun sometimes right? I heard you have two bunnies adopted in the summer. How coincidently we have two bunnies too and their birthdays are both May 28 2020!

When I was in my 2nd grade, I loved reading, especially non-fiction books. Since I could not do research from the internet or learn on a computer 30 years ago in China, all I had were books. To me, books  open up a totally new world of learning and they teach me some interesting things I didn’t know about the world. Sometimes, I participated in science quizzes in the newspaper. Then, I cut the answer out and mailed it to whoever made the science quizzes.

Then, I was suddenly interested in writing! I record everything that ever happened to me. I wrote about my life. But then, after several months, I ran out of ideas :( One day I found out that one of my classmates was writing a fictional book with chapters. He already wrote more than ten chapters for his story about an adventure from his secret closet. 

That was what it was like for me! What you have experienced could be different from what I have experienced and I hope you like my second grade life as much as I liked yours! 
Wish you a great virtual school year.

Erdan and Jingbin (Carey's parents)

How’s second grade going?  Are you happy to see your friends after a long summer break?  I hope you are really enjoying the second grade so far!

Have you collected any new Pokemon cards?  Last time I heard that you got such a great collection.  It’s so much fun hearing you talk about your Pokemons, and you know so much about them.  How about your piano practices?  Guess what?  Annie started learning piano this summer as well. I know some other friends play instruments too.  Maybe someday you and your friends can show us.  That’ll be totally awesome!

Darron, I love that every time when I see you that you always have a bright smile on your face.  You are such a fun and helpful friend.  I’ve seen you having so much fun playing with your friends.  This year is so special with online learning.  I hope you enjoy spending time with your family, and find fun ways to connect with your friend, be active, and be adventurous.

I wish you a wonderful year, full of fun, and filled with exciting discoveries!  Always keep up your sparkle Darron!

Yinghua (Annie’s mom)

We hope you are having a good start to second grade virtual school! What is your favorite subject so far? Are you enjoying being home with your parents and brother? Does your brother get to listen in to some of the second grade classes?  We’ve noticed the teachers have some really fun classes this year, from making boats to banging on a bucket drum! We wish we were in second grade at Keys School!

We also heard you like to swim and play soccer. We hope you are able to do that right now and if not, you’ll have lots of fun when these activities are finally open for you again! 

When I (Matt) was in second grade my parents took me up skiing most weekends to Kirkwood, just like I take Jack P today. My dad also taught me how to build houses, chop firewood, hunt and fish on our land. The house is still standing today! 

Have a great second grade year and we look forward to seeing you in person sometime soon!

Lauren and Matt Pataky (Jack P’s parents)

 

Pornprang + James (Keith’s parents)

Isn't it amazing that we're already several weeks into Second Grade? To us parents, it doesn't feel that long ago that you and Sophia were starting Kindergarten together in KA! I bet your mom and dad feel the same.

Second grade is one of the most special years of school. One reason it's so cool is that your reading skills are now at a point where you can learn about anything you want, and explore the stories and fictional worlds of so many new authors. Who knew there could be a 13 story treehouse?... or is it taller than that by now? Us grown ups can hardly keep up with you Second Graders!

When I was in Second Grade, iPads weren't invented yet, and neither was Epic, so we had to go to the library to find new books. I definitely didn't know how to log into Zoom, unmute myself and raise my hand until I was much much older! I loved riding my bike around the neighborhood and learning to play all sorts of sports like soccer, rugby and tennis though. What outdoor activities do you enjoy? Hopefully, the air quality improves so we can be out and about a little more soon!

Have a wonderful second grade, and we hope we'll get to see you in person really soon.

Tim & Sheryl (Sophia's parents)

We heard that you were a Seesaw expert! Year 2020 really turned Keys’s second graders to computer geniuses. That’s so amazing, comparing to what I was able to do at your age. I am sure that you and your classmates will very soon (if not already) be every bit as competent in technology as the grown-ups around you. Talking about being tech savvy, I hope that you use your talents and skills to help your family and friends.

Darron was quite impressed that you could play guitar in additional to piano. The more music instrument you can play, the more ways you can express and enjoy yourself. We hope that you and your classmates can someday organize a music performance for parents after the COVID-19 inconvenience is over.

We know that distant learning is not ideal. We also know that Keys, your teachers and your parents are doing the best they can to make your learning as enjoyable as possible. We hope that you stay healthy and active, and soon all of you will return to school in person.

Darron wants me to tell you that he hopes weather in your neighborhood is good, and sky is blue.

Sabrina and Tao Long (Darron’s parents)

Congratulations on being a second grader! I hope second year is off to a great start. And what a special year - I bet we will remember this year forever! And while we don't yet get to go to school in person, having family at home all the time must be wonderful.

What's your favorite class so far? How do you like distance learning? You always have amazing facts to tell about science or nature; I look forward to hearing them again!

I was a second grader in Turkey years ago. We used to play hopscotch all the time. My teacher once asked me to tell the time on an analog clock - I was so proud I could do it!  

Did you know that all students wear blue uniforms in Turkey? Check out this picture of second graders from a small Turkish village. 

Isaac, wishing you a wonderful second grade, full of fun, great friendships and learning! We look forward to seeing you soon!

Baris & Eda (Ela's parents)