Our class:

Isaac

Cecilia

Hazel

Myles

Diego

Brady

Millena

Jackson

Callen

Miguel

Madi

Daisy

Amelie

News:

Dear Second Grader and Family,

Hello and Welcome to 2D! I hope you are enjoying your summer vacation! School starts in just a few days on September 2nd and I am looking forward to getting to know you as we spend the next ten months together in the classroom. This year will be my 18th year teaching, eleventh year at the Edgartown School, sixth as a 2nd grade teacher! I love 2nd grade for many reasons including the uniqueness of each class and am eager to see what this year brings. Our assistant teacher is Ms. Carly Uva. 

We will begin by learning routines and creating rules which all start with our personal goals also known as our “hopes & dreams.” Students: start thinking about what your hope and dream is for 2nd grade, (what is something you hope to be able to do or be better at?). We will write a lot this year! We will become stronger mathematicians, explore science and STEAM, hone our penmanship, strengthen our social skills, read every day, and have a lot of fun learning and making friends! Also, students please choose a magnet from home to bring in on the first day of school that will live in the classroom all year. You will use this as your personal marker to show when you are in and out of the classroom.  

This year I am dedicated to building a thinking classroom where children hone critical thinking skills. In a thinking classroom children learn together to construct knowledge and understanding through activity and discussion. I also utilize Responsive Classroom, a research-based curriculum to develop a “safe, joyful and engaging classroom” (https://www.responsiveclassroom.org/) if you want to understand my discipline and teaching practices. One other approach I follow and practice is the ThinkKids CPS (collaborative problem solving) which you can check out here: https://thinkkids.org/. 

Parents/ Guardians, this school year I will be sending home weekly newsletters via email. Special notices with updates and other important information like field trip information will come home in the homework folder as well. Please check and empty or send back papers as needed in the homework folder every day (homework folders will be coming home in backpacks after the first week of school). Another source for the “goings on of 2D” will be our webpage on the school website at edgartownschool.org. This is where I will be posting important upcoming dates, pictures, schedules, and more including a quick questionnaire that I am asking all parents to fill out prior to school starting. You can also find our class supply list there, please go check it out! 

My preferred way to communicate is via email, but if you have another way that is easier for you, please let me know and we can figure something out. It is very important that we establish strong communication together to make this the best year possible for your second grader (it takes a village ) so I encourage you to reach out with any questions or concerns throughout the year. Please call the office with urgent messages during the day to ensure we receive them. Please send important notes in the homework folder (ie special pick up arrangements, early dismissals, etc.) or email me. If it would benefit your child to visit the classroom before the start of school, please reach out so we can set that up.

If we do not see each other before the first day of school, see you on Tuesday.  I ask that students please line up outside our classroom door, room 136 every morning at 8:10. I am so excited for our first handshake!

Sincerely,

~Mrs. (Summer) DeSouza 

sdesouza@mvyps.org

508-627-3316 ext 136

*2D Families 2024-25, please take a moment to fill this questionnaire out before the start of school: 

~2D Parent Questionnaire~

pencil box 
box of crayons
box of colored pencils

2 glue sticks

2 boxes of pencils
erasers
small pencil sharpener (not mechanical)
scissors
water bottle with fresh water daily

headphones to stay in school all year

At home: 

a nice, well-lit, quiet space to read

books to read

plenty of pencils for homework

Share Schedule

Monday:

Tuesday:

Wednesday:

Thursday:

Friday:

Hi! Welcome! I am your 2nd grade teacher, Mrs. DeSouza. I was born and raised on Martha’s Vineyard and care deeply about this island and our community. I love the beach, hikes in nature, teaching and learning. I have two amazing daughters, a wonderful husband, and a pup named Rusty.  I can’t wait to meet you all and get to know you. ❤️