Welcome

Bethlehem Lutheran School provides a Christian education, preparing the whole child for life-long learning and service to the Lord.

Tuesday, September 1, 2026

First Day of School!

What a great start to the year we had today!

We started off the day with chapel.  Pastor Josh and Mr. Haan shared a great message about our theme this year: Rooted in Christ based on Colossians 2:6-7.

After chapel, your student learned about their homework sheet.  This week the reading log is blue and it is extra credit (this week only)--I am giving them a chance to get familiar with it and get in the habit of keeping it in their homework folder.  If your child reads for 20 minutes each night, please initial for the night.  They will bring their sheet back each day.

Then we had a chance to go out to recess.  They got to explore the basketball courts, softball field, and Gaga Ball pit.  Ask them what they did at recess!

After recess, the 2nd graders learned some procedures to help our classroom move smoothly.  We discussed our morning routine, how and when to use the restroom, how to make sure they have all the materials they need, and what to do to end our day.

We packed up and talked about how our dismissal procedure works.  It was a whirlwind of a day!

Reminder:  We have P.E. for the first time tomorrow.  Please remember to have your 2nd grader bring their gym shoes ASAP!  Thanks!

Note:  I will be updating the blog each day this week, but will update less frequently after that--about once a week for the rest of the year.  Just so you're prepared. :)

Tuesday, August 25, 2026

Welcome to 2nd Grade!

Before School Starts
Welcome to the blog for Bethlehem Lutheran's 2nd grade class!  I am excited to be using this website to communicate with you this year, keeping you in the know about upcoming events, as well as sharing what we are doing throughout the school year with you. Below are a few things to be ready for before school starts.

About Mrs. Picker:
The bio at the bottom of this page has some general information about me and how I came to teach at Bethlehem.  Please take some time to peruse it and get to know me!  I'm happy to answer any questions you have about me!

Supplies:
All school supplies are taken care of through your registration fee.  Below are the only supplies that the second graders need to bring (if you haven't brought them in already):

  • water bottle with pop-up lid
  • backpack
  • 2 large boxes of Kleenex
  • 3 large containers of sanitizing surface wipes
  • gym shoes with non-marking soles (these will stay at school throughout the yearslip-on or Velcro preferred)

First day:
Our first day of school is Tuesday, September 1.  It is a half day, so dismissal is at 11:15 AM.  Please review our drop-off and pick-up procedures (at the bottom of this post) to help it run more smoothly.  We will not be having lunch at school that day, unless your child is going to Eagles' Nest, so please keep that in mind when planning.

The first day of school starts with chapel.  I'd like to invite you to stay and worship with us on our first day, if you are able!  It is truly a wonderful thing to hear so many children singing and worshiping together with their teachers and classmates!

Pick-Up:
2nd grade lines up on the curb for pick-up line, closest to the school.  Students who go to Eagles' Nest will do so before the rest of the class heads outside.  Students with older siblings will go with their older sibling to that grade's line; those with younger siblings will pick up their sibling and sit with them in our line.  Thank you in advance for your patience in pick-up line this first week as we all get the hang of the procedure!

Volunteering:
We still have some open volunteer opportunities in our class.  Check out the pink sign up sheet on the desk outside of our classroom this week!

Our greatest need is for lunch parents--11:15-12:00 on Mondays.  You will take the kids out to recess, come in and monitor them in the classroom, reminding them to clean up at about 11:55.  It's fun, and I have some procedures in place to make it as easy as possible.  Please let me know if you are able to give the kids a break from me.  ;)

A volunteer packet will need to be filled out by each volunteer each year, regardless of how many times you are volunteering during the year.  I have packets available in the classroom.  You will read the packet, fill out and return the first three pages, and you're ready to go!  Please let me know if you would like a packet sent home with your student.  Every two years, you’ll also need to complete the online Sexual Abuse Awareness training.  If you’re due to complete that training, after your packet is turned in, you'll receive an email with a link for that training.  It takes about an hour and must be completed before volunteering in the classroom. 

Important Schedule Information:
Below is the list of specials for this year.  Please send your child with appropriate shoes and a water bottle on P.E. days. 

·       Monday: 

    • P.E.
  • Tuesday: 
    • Reading Buddies
    • Spanish
  • Wednesday:
    • P.E
  • Thursday: 
    • P.E.
    • Library
    • Technology
  • Friday: 
    • Spanish  

I'm looking forward to a great year with these fabulous 2nd graders!

Mrs. Picker 











About Mrs. Picker

Mrs. Rebekah Picker grew up just across the river in Hermiston, Oregon. She graduated Summa Cum Laude from Concordia University in Portland, Oregon in 2010 with a degree in Early Childhood/Elementary Education with a minor in Professional Church Work. In May of 2014, Rebekah received her Master of Education degree from Heritage University. She started at Bethlehem in 2010. Rebekah is married to David, who works as a sales manager in the Tri-Cities area. She also has two daughters and a son. Fun fact: Rebekah is a mirror-image twin, meaning that she is right-handed and her identical twin is left-handed.