Weekly Update for Jan. 7th-11th, 2019

Dear Parents,

This is my last blog post of the year, and I cannot believe how fast the end of the year has come!  I am looking forward to the upcoming 2019 year and the opportunity to grow alongside your student.  I want to thank each of you for sharing your student with me and for your unwavering support. I truly love teaching and the opportunities my profession brings to work with such amazing children and parents. I wish you all  a Merry Christmas!  Enjoy the Winter Break.

Sincerely,
Mrs. Dina Knight

Hibernate With a Good Book Day 2018

Weekly Update for the week of Dec. 17th-21st, 2018

Dear Parents and Families,
The final week before Winter Break is upon us!  Next week will be a fun week of learning, I have several activities planned that I want to inform you of.  We will be making edible rocks next week to reinforce our rocks and minerals unit and we will also have a Read-In  on Thursday (which is now a full day of school).  Students can wear their Pj's and bring in blankets, pillows and stuffed animals to hibernate with a good book. We have an author visiting along with our PTO winter celebration. Thursday is a busy day!  Students have a half-day on Friday.  I am looking forward to next week's festivities and if you have any questions, please do not hesitate to ask. Have a great weekend!

Sincerely,

Mrs. Dina Knight 

Weekly Update for December 10th-14th, 2018

                                               

Dear Parents and Families,
Happy Friday!  I am sure most of you are aware of the chance of frozen precipitation on Sunday. I am crossing my fingers hard that we will be in school on Monday, and will not miss another day of school due to weather. December 21st is now a half-day school day, and once we complete that day, we are officially caught up from the days missed due to the hurricane.  I am not a fan of adding another day to make up, so I am going to think positively, and say that I will see all my students back on Monday morning!  Have a great weekend, stay warm!

Sincerely,
Mrs. Dina Knight

Weekly Update for December 3rd-7th, 2018

Dear Parents and Families,
Happy Friday!  I hope this blog post finds you healthy and well!  We hit the ground running on Monday in room C115.  We officially have 4 weeks before our Winter break begins and I plan to utilize every moment for curriculum and instruction.  It's hard to believe that Monday will be middle of the quarter, interims grades will be available in parent portal. Thank you so much for all your support from home, we make a great team!  Have a great weekend and I look forward to another great week of teaching and learning at LCEUC!

Sincerely,
Mrs. Dina Knight

Weekly Update for Nov. 26th-30th, 2018

Dear Parents and families,


                           
                         

I hope you all have A Happy Thanksgiving and safe travels to all who are traveling. School will resume Monday, November 26th. Enjoy!

Sincerely,
Mrs. Dina Knight

Weekly Update for November 19-20, 2018

Dear Parents and Families,
Our in house field study with Diamond Del was the highlight of our week. I will share pictures below so you parents can witness the smiling faces and high student engagement. 3rd curriculum includes a science unit in rocks and minerals, and that unit is coming up soon after we complete water habitats.  Our field study is a great introduction to our next unit coming up.  Looking ahead to next week, our week will be a two day week with students beginning their Thanksgiving Break on Wednesday.  I hope you all have a wonderful weekend and enjoy the sun we have all been missing so badly.

Sincerely,
Mrs. Dina Knight

        

Weekly Update for November 12th-16th, 2018

Dear Parents and Families,

Happy Friday!  We will end our week on an awesome note by honoring our veterans with our Veterans Day Celebration.  The class made decorations for the hall along with writing thank you notes to honor the men and women who sacrifice so much for our country. Looking ahead to next week, our 2nd field study, Diamond Del will take place on Tuesday, November 13th. It will here on campus, Tuesday, November 13th.  Our time to go mine for gemstones will be from 9:45-10:45. Information about the mining experience will go home in Friday Folders. The fee is $10 and can be paid in parent portal. Students can also bring in a small amount of cash to purchase items from the gem store.  I hope you all have a wonderful weekend and I am looking forward to another great week here at LCEUC!

Sincerely
Mrs. Dina Knight

Weekly Update for November 5th-9th, 2018

Dear Parents and Families, 
Happy Friday!  Communication folders go home today and in them you will find your student's report card. Please keep the report itself and return the envelope back in the folder on Monday. I am so proud of all the hard work that took place this past quarter and I know that the students will work just as hard if not harder the second quarter. Thank you all so much for your support, our partnership is crucial to the academic success of your student. Looking ahead to next week, school is not in session because it is election day, Wednesday our class will take a district writing assessment, and Friday is our Veteran's Day Celebration. Busy week ahead!  I hope you all have a wonderful weekend!

Sincerely
Mrs. Dina Knight 

Weekly Update for October 29th-November 2nd, 2018

Dear Parents and Families,

Well we all survived the first 9 weeks!  The 1st nine weeks officially ends Friday, October 26th. I want to thank you all for your support and all the work you do at home to help your student be successful in school. I think we make a great team and I am excited to see how much your student has grown at the end of the school year. Report Cards will go home next Friday, November 2nd. I hope you all have a wonderful, restful weekend.  You deserve it, one quarter down 3 more to go!

Sincerely,
Mrs. Dina Knight

Weekly Update for October 26th, 2018

Dear Parents and Families,

Happy Friday!  We had a great week in room C115 and I have thoroughly enjoyed speaking with parents in parent teacher conferences.  I am excited to partner with you to help your student learn and grown. I still have slots available if you have not signed up!  Looking ahead to next week, we will kick off a fundraiser with the organization Boosterthon on Wednesday, October 24th. This wonderful organization partners with schools to raise funds while also positively promoting the importance of growing your mind and keeping your body healthy.  Students will be coming home soon with information on how they can raise money for their school by participating in a Fun Run that will be held Friday, November 2nd!  Also, next Friday, the 26th is an early dismissal day. We will dismiss at 11:30.  That is all I have for now, I hope you all have a wonderful weekend and enjoy the cooler weather!

Sincerely,
Mrs. Dina Knight

Weekly Update for October 15th-19th, 2018

Good Afternoon Parents and Families,

Happy Friday!  I hope this email finds you all well!  Hurricane Michael did put our class a tad bit behind, but we discussed in morning meeting today how weather is out of our circle of control and we just have to learn to be flexible. We will get caught up next week finishing up our reading unit on the folktale Stone Soup and our social studies unit on Regions of SC.  The following week we will close out our units on Module 1 in math and forest habitats in science. Communication folders came home today and in them you will find 2 important items. The first is your student's fall pictures. There are instructions if you wish to purchase the total package or only a portion of the package. The 2nd important item is the RSVP to our Veteran's Day Celebration. If you plan on attending, please complete the RSVP and return it in your student's folder.  It's a wonderful event at our school and I hope you can attend. Have a great weekend!

Sincerely,
Mrs. Dina Knight

Weekly Update for October 8th-12th, 2018

Dear Parents and Families,

Happy Friday!  We had a wonderful week in room C115 and I can tell you that we are making excellent progress with our learning of content and standards. We are looking forward to our field trip next week to Camp Discovery in Blythewood.  The students will be observing several habitats and participating in several activities that will get them involved in how animals obtain food and adapt to survive in their habitat. This field study will really bring home to the students what they have been learning in class currently with habitats.  Looking ahead to next week, we have a social studies test coming up on Friday on the topic of South Carolina Regions. The students can start bringing home their interactive notebooks and text books each night next week to prepare. Here is the link for online flashcards as well https://www.studystack.com/flashcard-2300083.  Thank you for all your support and have a wonderful weekend!

Sincerely
Mrs. Dina Knight

Weekly Update for October 1st-5th, 2018

                                 

Dear Parents and Families,

Happy Friday!  We ended our week on a great note, with our students getting to meet with their new Gator Group.  Each student in our building chose a group to participate in and each half day will give us time to meet in our new friendship group. What a great way for our students to get to know other students and build community in our school!  Today Friday folders came home and in them you will find a permission form for our upcoming field trip to Camp Discovery in Blythewood, SC.  Our class will go on Tuesday, October 9th from 9:30 to 1:00.  On the permission form there is a box to check if your student will need a school bagged lunch for the trip. If not, please place your students lunch in a grocery bag, labeled with your students name. Be sure to include a water bottle!  If at all possible, please return the permission form by Monday in the communication folder. The cost is $18 and can be paid in parent portal.  I am in need of 2 chaperones so if you are interested in going with us, please let me know and I will put all the names interested in a bowl and draw names.   Have a great weekend!

Sincerely,
Mrs. Dina Knight

Update for September 24th-29th, 2018

Dear Parents and Families,

Happy Friday!  The students and I quickly got back into the routine of things after missing 4 days due to Hurricane Florence.  The students worked very hard and I am certainly impressed with their work ethic and determination, we made up for lost time!  Richland District 2 announced this week that we will make up those missed days on October 18th and 19th, and also December 21st.  Please mark your calendars accordingly.  On another note, Friday communication folders are going home today. Please be sure to sign your student's graded papers for the week along with any forms needed by the school. School cafeteria payment notices are included in the information going home this week.   I hope you all have a wonderful weekend and I look forward to another great week at LCEU!

Sincerely
Mrs. Dina Knight

Weekly Update for September 10th-14th, 2018

Dear Parents and Families,

Happy Friday!  Today we completed our 1st week with grade level curriculum, and the students did amazing!  Our class made wonderful progress this week, I am so impressed with their focus and attention. Our school year is off to a wonderful start.  Please check the blog sections Peek At The Week and Homework to see assignments that are coming up for the week.  I hope you all have a wonderful weekend!

Sincerely
Mrs. Dina Knight

Weekly Update for Sept. 3rd-7th, 2018

Dear Parents and Families,
Happy Friday!  Today was "Wear Your College Colors" day at school, and we had several colleges represented.  The students and I enjoyed the friendly rivalry as well as several fun activities to wrap up our Leader In Me social skills focus. Next week will be our first full week of curriculum, and I am excited to see your student grow both as a learner and as a leader. Please join me for Orientation on Wednesday, September 5th for 3rd grade orientation which will showcase curriculum, expectations, and field trips. There are two sessions which start at 5:30 or 6:30 to accommodate your evening schedules. I look forward to seeing you all on Wednesday, and please enjoy the long Labor Day Weekend ahead of us. Monday is a school holiday, so I will see your student bright and early Tuesday Morning.   Have a  great weekend!

Sincerely,
 Mrs. Dina Knight 

Welcome to Mrs. Knight's Blog

Good Afternoon!  Thank you for taking the time to visit my blog!  Please subscribe by filling in your email address in the top, right hand corner. I am excited to work in partnership with great parents to bring academic success to all students in my class. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to ask. My email and phone number are listed on my blog. Have a great weekend!

Sincerely
Mrs. Dina Knight

Weekly Update for May 28th-June 1st

Dear Parents and Families,

We had a wonderful week, full of exciting events to reward the hard work and success of students here at LCEU!  Wednesday we visited Spirit Communications Park to cheer on the Columbia Fireflies and today we participated in our 4th annual Gator Games. The students and I have thoroughly enjoyed our selves!  I will post pictures next week to the blog. I hope you all enjoy the long weekend, and I wish you all a very Happy Memorial Day!

Sincerely,
Mrs. Dina Knight

Weekly Update for May 21st-25th, 2018

Dear Parents and Families,

Happy Friday!  Our class is officially done with testing this week and we are going to celebrate big next week! Next week is a busy week for us at LCEU with our Columbia Fireflies game on Wednesday and our Gator Games (field day) on Friday. For our Fireflies game, students are encouraged to wear an LCEC shirt and a hat of their choice, and to apply sunscreen before coming to school that day. Students will get a meal at the ballpark that will consist of a hot dog, chips and a water.
For our field day, students may wear their bathing suits for the inflatable water slides but must keep clothing on top of their bathing suit. Students will have an opportunity before lunch to change out of wet clothing so a plastic grocery bag would be great to store wet clothes in for the ride home. If you have any questions about our upcoming festivities, please do not hesitate to ask. Paper communication concerning the Fireflies game will come home today in the communication folders. I hope you all have a wonderful weekend!

Sincerely,
Mrs. Knight

Weekly Update for May 14th-18th, 2018

Dear Parents and Families,

Thank you so very much for spoiling me this week for Teacher Appreciation Week. I am humbled at all the planning and surprises that you all worked so hard to make happen. Please know how very honored I am to have the opportunity to work with your student and also to form wonderful relationships with you all as well. I consider every day in this classroom a gift. Looking ahead to next week, SC Ready testing will be held on Monday and Tuesday with the ELA portion, and Thursday will bring the Math portion. The students and I have worked diligently to prepare and I know their hard work will pay off!  I hope you all have a wonderful weekend and Happy Mother's Day to all the wonderful mothers!

Sincerely,
Mrs. Dina Knight

Weekly Update for May 7th-11th, 2018

Dear Parents and Families,

I apologize for the delay on the update from the blog. This week, unexpectedly my grandmother suffered 3 strokes thus prompting me to take a trip to Georgia to be with her and my family during this difficult time. Thank you all for understanding.

Sincerely
Mrs. Dina Knight

Weekly Update for April 30th-May 4th, 2018

Dear Parents and Families,

Happy Friday!  I hope you all are enjoying this day off with your student. When I dismissed the students on Thursday, their excitement was through the roof for an additional day to their weekend.  After looking at the calendar to plan this week, there are only 23 days left of school. I find this to be unbelievable because the school year has literally flown by. Our class has made wonderful use of the school year and I promise we will be intentional and deliberate with the following 23 days. May you all have a wonderful weekend and I look forward to another great week of teaching and learning here at Lake Carolina Upper Campus.

Sincerely,
Mrs. Dina Knight

Weekly Update for April 23rd, 2018

Dear Parents and Families,

This update will come a bit early as I am planning to be out Friday, April 20th.  I plan on returning Monday to begin another great week of teaching and learning at LCEU. Communication folders went home Thursday afternoon and in them you will find spring pictures. If you would like to purchase some or all of the package, just submit payment along with any pictures you do not wish to purchase. If you do not want to purchase any at all, just simply return the photos in the communication folder. One other announcement is that we half a half day dismissal next Thursday, April 26th and a school holiday on Friday, April 27th. That is all I have for next week. Please have a wonderful weekend and know how much I thoroughly enjoy working with your students!

Sincerely
Mrs. Dina Knight

Weekly Update for April 16th-20th, 2018

Dear Parents and Families,
Welcome Back! I hope you all enjoyed Spring Break with your student. I spent my break here in Columbia with no travels, but came back very rested and ready to tackle the next 37 days of school. Yes, 37 is correct. I am writing the blog post a bit early due to our field study to the State Museum on Friday. I will make certain to post pictures from our trip on next week's blog. On Friday report cards will go home in our communication folders and honor roll recognition will be next week. I sent out a blog post with the date, time and location.  That is all I have for this week, but I am looking forward to our field trip and to another great week here at LCEU!

Sincerely,
Mrs. Dina Knight 

3rd Quarter Honor Roll Recognition

Dear Parents and Families,


                                    
 Welcome Back!  I wanted to let you know that Honor Roll recognition for the 3rd quarter will be Tuesday, April 17th at 8:10 in the upstairs media room.   Report Cards will go home this Friday.  I hope you all have a super Monday!

Sincerely,
Mrs. Knight

Weekly Update for April 9th-13th, 2018

Dear Parents and Families,

We made it!  Spring Break is here and I know we are all looking forward to an enjoyable time to relax and refresh our selves from the rigorous school routine. When we do return from the break, our class field study will be on that Friday, April 13th to the State House Museum. This is always a wonderful experience for our third graders because they get to see first hand the South Carolina history that we have been studying in class. We will leave the school around 8:30 and return around 1:15. We will eat lunch while we are there, so please send your student with a lunch in a bag that can be thrown away if you did not purchase one from the cafeteria. I would also like for students to wear an LCE shirt so that they can be easily identified if they become separated from their group.  I will have more details on Monday when we return. Until then, enjoy and relax!

Sincerely
Mrs. Dina Knight

ps. Here are a few pictures from our erosion experiment!

Weekly Update for March 26th-March 29th, 2018

Dear Parents and Families,

Happy Friday!  The students and I have been working really hard to beat our MAP goals this week and I think both they and I are looking forward to the weekend!  All joking aside, I must say I am super proud of their hard work and focus. Testing can be somewhat of a stress, but the students handled it with grace and ease and their hard work paid off!  Looking ahead to next week, we have a 4 day week, with Friday being a holiday in observance for Good Friday. The class and I will make the most of the 4 day week as we count down the days till Spring Break. Spring Break is April 2nd-6th. I know we are all looking forward to some time to relax and have a break from the school routines.  I hope you all have a wonderful weekend and I look forward to another great week here at LCEU!

Sincerely
Mrs. Dina Knight

ps. Here are some pictures from our science focus this week on Natural Events that change the Earth's surface.  Enjoy!

Weekly Update for March 19th-23rd, 2018

Dear Parents and Families,

Happy Friday!  I have some exciting news to share with you all. A student in our class, Layla was chosen to represent Lake Carolina Elementary Upper Campus in the Future Chefs competition held by our district. Layla decided on Fried Rice for her dish and I hear that it tasted delicious!  Way to go Layla!  The class and I celebrated her success and I wanted to share pictures from the event. 

Looking ahead to next week, our MAP testing will take place on Tuesday and Thursday. WE will test in the areas of math and reading to judge growth in your student for the current academic year. The students have been working so hard and I am certain their hard work will pay off next week. On testing days, parents please ensure your student gets a good nights sleep and eats a nutritious breakfast. I will not assign homework on the nights before the testing. 

That is all I have for the week, I hope you all have a wonderful weekend and only 9 days until Spring Break..  We've got this!

Weekly Update for March 12th-16th, 2018

Dear Parents and Families,

Happy Friday to You!  The students and I have been hard at work preparing for the upcoming MAP assessment that we will take on March 20th and 22nd. This week we focused on strengthening weaker math skills and next week we will focus on ELA and reading skills. The students have been so focused with our small group instruction, I am so proud of them and I know you all are as well. I will send Communication folders home on Monday and I apologize for them not going home today. I hope you all have a wonderful weekend and I look forward to another great week here at LCEU!  Only 14 more days until Spring Break. Hang in there with me!

Sincerely
Mrs. Dina Knight

Weekly Update for March 5th-9th, 2018

Dear Parents and Families,

Happy Friday!  Today marks the half way point for this quarter. Parents please check your student's progress on parent portal  thus far. I had a lengthy discussion with the students this morning about spending more time studying at home to finish this quarter out strong. If I can assist your student with this process please do not hesitate to reach out.  Friday folders are going home today with the final grades added  from this week's assessments. Thank you all for your support from home. I am fortunate to work along side you to assist in making your student successful academically.

Sincerely
Mrs. Dina Knight

Weekly Update for February 26th-March 2nd, 2018

Dear Parents and Families,

Happy Friday!  We ended our week on a sweet note here in the classroom by making an edible representation of the different types of soil. The students and I thoroughly enjoyed the treat and the added bonus is that we made powerful connections with a hands on activity to our unit of focus in science. Friday, interim reports will be available through parent portal. Be sure to check in on your student's progress to make certain they are on track. I hope you all have a wonderful weekend and take time to enjoy this incredible South Carolina Weather! Below are pictures from our yummy activity.

Sincerely,
Mrs. Dina Knight

Weekly Update for February 19th-23rd, 2018

Dear Parents and Families,

The Valentine class exchange was a success! The students and I thoroughly enjoyed spreading joy and love with every valentine we passed out. It was tremendous to see how much the students loved putting a smile on their classmates face. It was a great day!  I also want to thank you all for my sweet valentines. The class completely spoiled me and I loved every treat I received. I wanted to let you all know that I will not be here tomorrow. I am taking a personal day so that my husband and I can take a small trip to the mountains to recharge our batteries. I will return Monday ready for a new and exciting week. Have a wonderful weekend!

Sincerely,
Mrs. Dina Knight

Weekly Update for February 12th, 2018

Dear Parents and Families,

Happy Friday!  I hope you all are having a wonderful week. Our grade level enjoyed a very special treat on Tuesday. Ms. Gervonder Brown came to see us at the Upper Campus to share her Geechee Gullah Culture. Island Gal, or Ms. Brown, sang songs, told stories, and shared her families tradition of sweet grass baskets. The students and I thoroughly enjoyed her visit. Below are a few pictures from Ms. Brown's visit. Have a great weekend!

Sincerely
Mrs. Knight

Weekly Update

Dear Parents and Families,

Thank you so much for all your get well wishes. Due to my absence, I am going to move the reading test until next Friday. This will give much more needed time to focus on the story and skill main idea. I also want to let you know about the pet rock project that I will be assigning tomorrow. A paper will be coming home with your student tomorrow, and the project will be due next Friday, February 9th. If you have any questions after the paper comes home, please do not hesitate to ask. Below I am going to share some photos from our edible rocks that we have been making all week. I hope you all have a wonderful weekend and I look forward to another great week here at LCEU!

Sincerely,
Mrs. Dina Knight

 

Weekly Update for January 29th-February 2nd, 2018

Dear Parents and Families,

Happy Friday!  I wanted to let you all know that report cards will go home today in the communication folders for the 2nd quarter. If your student made the all A honor roll or the A/B honor roll, the recognition will be Wednesday, January 31st at 8:10 upstairs in the media center. Only 2 more quarters to go, let's make them count!

Sincerely,
Mrs. Dina Knight
                                                     

Weekly Update for January 22nd-26th, 2018

Dear Parents and Families,
Thank you for making it through this crazy week with me. I have never in my 6 years of teaching had a school holiday, snow day, delayed start and half day all in the same week. But the students and I were able to get done what we needed to get done and that is all that matters. The end of the 9 weeks is on Monday, and I am proud of the students hard work and effort. They finished very strong and I am certain that the 3rd nine weeks will bring even more growth. Today the communication folders go home and inside you will find an envelope for payment for our class picture. Our class picture will be take on Wednesday, January 24th. If you would like to purchase a picture please send payment back in the envelope by Wednesday. That is all I have for this week, I hope you all have a warm, safe weekend.

Sincerely,
Mrs. Dina Knight

Weekly Update for January 15th-19th, 2018

                                    

Dear Parents and Families, 

Happy Friday!  I hope you all are well and dry. Speaking of well, the flu season seems to be ramping up and I wanted to let you all know that I am taking a proactive approach by giving the classroom a thorough cleansing. I am also giving each learning club their own bottle of handsanitizer. I repeatedly throughout the day encourage the students to practice good hygiene and wash their hands multiple times throughout the day. Support from home on good hand washing would be greatly appreciated. I hope you all have a wonderful, long weekend and I look forward to another great week here at LCEU!

Sincerely, 

Mrs. Dina Knight   

Weekly Update for Jan. 8th-12th, 2018

Dear Parents and Families,
Happy New Year!  I was excited to get back in the classroom with the students this week. There is much work to be done in the coming weeks and the students did a tremendous job of getting back into the routine of school. The class and I discussed the importance of being attentive and focused to finish this quarter strong and put our best foot forward with the new year. While the week came with quite frigid temperatures causing us to have our recess indoors, we remained flexible and got down to work. I hope you all have a wonderful and warm weekend and I look forward to another great week here at Lake Carolina Elementary Upper Campus.

Sincerely,

Mrs. Dina Knight