Hi parents,
As you know, first reports come home tomorrow. I've already mentioned that we decided to focus on learning and social skills in this report, as preparing our minds and bodies for learning is an essential first step in having a happy, healthy and productive experience at school. Please read and discuss the report with your child, celebrating all of his/her positive accomplishments. It is always a nice idea to choose one (one is enough) thing to work on going forward. There are suggestions in every report card, and we can also talk about a goal during our interview. We will be doing a goal setting activity with our students this week, so it will be helpful if they already have an idea of what they might want to work on.
On report card day, I always talk to my students about some basic report card etiquette. Report cards are personal and should never be shared with friends. Even though there are no marks on this particular report, it is good to get into the habit of keeping report cards private. Each student has been successful in many areas and has room to grow in others. It never feels good to compare.
Don't forget to check your envelope for your interview confirmation slip and email me if you are no longer able to come at the assigned time. At the moment, we hope to be able to use our own classroom for all interviews. If this changes, I will leave a note on the door. See you soon!
Today, students brought home a yellow note about our second walking excursion. We will be going to the College/Shaw Library on Wednesday Nov. 29th in the afternoon. Please add this to your calendars! You can read all of the exciting details in the note. Please email me or send in the bottom slip if you are able to join us for that afternoon. Thanks!
Monday, 13 November 2017
Sunday, 12 November 2017
In Remembrance
Dear salle 202 families,
Sorry I am late with the words for last week, it has felt very busy, between the windows, Remembrance Day and snowsuits... where do I begin?
First of all, I am missing interview time sheets from about 7 families. My schedule is filling up, so please send those in Monday (or email me) so that we can hopefully find a time next week that works for all of us. I will send home the confirmation forms in the report card envelope on Tuesday. So far, I've been able to find times that work for everyone on Wednesday or Thursday so you'll have time to get your time and read the report card at least a day in advance.
Our class did a good job in room 115 during the window replacement, and they finished our class in record time - one day!! The new windows look sooooo much better. Please feel free to oooo and ahhh! (My mom has been wanting to wash our windows for years... she will be so happy!)
We also managed our winter gear very well on Friday. As the cold weather sets in, we are teaching the kids how to put their mittens, hats, scarves and other assorted bits, in their coat sleeves before hanging up their coat. With this strategy, we hope to reduce the amount of clothing that goes missing this winter. You can help us by using this same strategy at home, and checking that every little piece of clothing has a name in it. We do need for every student to have a pair of gym/indoor shoes at school now so that we can change out of our boots (the kids will not be able to participate in indoor gym if their footwear is not safe for the activity). Thanks for your help!
Now for the fun stuff! For the past several weeks, our students have been working on a dance with Mme Gaudreault and our guest instructor, Rebecca. I was invited to view the final performance and it was charming. Here are a few pictures!
In anticipation of Remembrance Day, we fashioned our own poppies to wear out of muffin cups that we painted, pipe cleaners and buttons. Each coquelicot was unique and beautiful, and we made some extras to put on a class wreath. Each student wore their poppy to the assembly on Friday, and brought it home.
Dewson's assembly took place Friday and we had prepared our students for a solemn assembly that would not include clapping and would include being still and quiet. I was so impressed with how our class did, and I would like to give them ALL a special Bravo for their behaviour. Merci mes amis!
In addition to the assembly, we had read a book about who we are remembering, and we had read the poem "In Flanders Fields". I think the kids were touched by the messages. During centre time on Friday, many students chose activities that were related to Remembrance Day. Some students worked in their special Remembrance Day booklets that we were given (these were brought home Friday), others drew pictures of fields of poppies.
I was particularly touched by the group of builders, below, who decided to build their own memorial, complete with RIP signs. They were very purposeful in their building, and I was blown away when they announced that they wanted to sing O Canada around it once it was done. I sang our anthem for them and they stood there silently for the whole song. We let the structure stay in place all day. It was quite amazing.
For our end of day story on Friday, I told the kids about my own grandfather, who was in the Navy during World War II. I shared a funny story about his experience on his ship. Ask the kids about what happened when they thought they'd detected an enemy submarine...
Sorry I am late with the words for last week, it has felt very busy, between the windows, Remembrance Day and snowsuits... where do I begin?
First of all, I am missing interview time sheets from about 7 families. My schedule is filling up, so please send those in Monday (or email me) so that we can hopefully find a time next week that works for all of us. I will send home the confirmation forms in the report card envelope on Tuesday. So far, I've been able to find times that work for everyone on Wednesday or Thursday so you'll have time to get your time and read the report card at least a day in advance.
Our class did a good job in room 115 during the window replacement, and they finished our class in record time - one day!! The new windows look sooooo much better. Please feel free to oooo and ahhh! (My mom has been wanting to wash our windows for years... she will be so happy!)
We also managed our winter gear very well on Friday. As the cold weather sets in, we are teaching the kids how to put their mittens, hats, scarves and other assorted bits, in their coat sleeves before hanging up their coat. With this strategy, we hope to reduce the amount of clothing that goes missing this winter. You can help us by using this same strategy at home, and checking that every little piece of clothing has a name in it. We do need for every student to have a pair of gym/indoor shoes at school now so that we can change out of our boots (the kids will not be able to participate in indoor gym if their footwear is not safe for the activity). Thanks for your help!
Now for the fun stuff! For the past several weeks, our students have been working on a dance with Mme Gaudreault and our guest instructor, Rebecca. I was invited to view the final performance and it was charming. Here are a few pictures!
In anticipation of Remembrance Day, we fashioned our own poppies to wear out of muffin cups that we painted, pipe cleaners and buttons. Each coquelicot was unique and beautiful, and we made some extras to put on a class wreath. Each student wore their poppy to the assembly on Friday, and brought it home.
Dewson's assembly took place Friday and we had prepared our students for a solemn assembly that would not include clapping and would include being still and quiet. I was so impressed with how our class did, and I would like to give them ALL a special Bravo for their behaviour. Merci mes amis!
In addition to the assembly, we had read a book about who we are remembering, and we had read the poem "In Flanders Fields". I think the kids were touched by the messages. During centre time on Friday, many students chose activities that were related to Remembrance Day. Some students worked in their special Remembrance Day booklets that we were given (these were brought home Friday), others drew pictures of fields of poppies.
I was particularly touched by the group of builders, below, who decided to build their own memorial, complete with RIP signs. They were very purposeful in their building, and I was blown away when they announced that they wanted to sing O Canada around it once it was done. I sang our anthem for them and they stood there silently for the whole song. We let the structure stay in place all day. It was quite amazing.
For our end of day story on Friday, I told the kids about my own grandfather, who was in the Navy during World War II. I shared a funny story about his experience on his ship. Ask the kids about what happened when they thought they'd detected an enemy submarine...
Mots de la Semaine
In making our own poppies to wear to the assembly, I'm fairly certain we all learned the word coquelicot. We should also know the word soldat from all our time playing the ball game by the same name. I've also put our numbers up to 10 for this week. This is easy as pie for most kids, so feel free to go further. We have a new poem (about cherries) that uses numbers, and remember we did our pumpkin math this week where we actually counted by 10 to one hundred! Feel free to do some counting challenges of your own!
Coquelicot (poppy)
Soldat (soldier)
un, deux, trois, quatre, cinq,
six, sept, huit, neuf, dix
Lastly, a reminder that the English book fair will be open in the library most of next week. Don't forget to cut out your entry for the draw and bring it to school by Wednesday!!
Tuesday, 7 November 2017
Interview Process and Window Replacement
Dear parents,
Today each student is bringing home an interview time sign-up sheet. Interviews are being scheduled for next Wednesday and Thursday, and I have made myself available on Tuesday in case the other days are very busy. Please circle your top 3 choices and return the form to me ASAP (by Friday latest). I will let you know your final time as soon as receive all forms. Sorry about the quick turn around on this one!
Please note that many of our interviews will need to take place in a different room, as our daycare runs out of our classroom until 6pm every day. Please look closely at your interview confirmation slip, when you receive it, to see where we are meeting. The interview slots are 10 minutes. I realize that this is very little time. If we find we have more to talk about, we can always schedule a follow-up meeting at another time. Dominique and I are happy to meet with you anytime throughout the year.
Tomorrow, I will send home an additional letter from the office regarding interviews. It also includes an interview sign-up, however you can disregard and just use the one I sent home today.
You have probably noticed that Dewson's windows are being replaced. A much needed and very exciting improvement, and it's finally our turn!!
For the next 2 days (Wednesday-Thursday), we will be using room 115 while our windows are replaced. If you are dropping off late, or picking up early, this is likely where we'll be. Of course, our daycare will also be dislocated, and they will leave a note on our door to let you know where to go.
Finally, the other note in the pochette today is to let you know about the English book fair, which will take place next week. It will be in the library and will stay open late during Thursday interviews. I told our students about the little-known draw that takes place during the book fair. Students who return the small rectangle cut-out from the back of the pamphlet have a chance to win $25 worth of books for themselves and our classroom. Let's all enter the draw!!
See you soon,
Tamara
Today each student is bringing home an interview time sign-up sheet. Interviews are being scheduled for next Wednesday and Thursday, and I have made myself available on Tuesday in case the other days are very busy. Please circle your top 3 choices and return the form to me ASAP (by Friday latest). I will let you know your final time as soon as receive all forms. Sorry about the quick turn around on this one!
Please note that many of our interviews will need to take place in a different room, as our daycare runs out of our classroom until 6pm every day. Please look closely at your interview confirmation slip, when you receive it, to see where we are meeting. The interview slots are 10 minutes. I realize that this is very little time. If we find we have more to talk about, we can always schedule a follow-up meeting at another time. Dominique and I are happy to meet with you anytime throughout the year.
Tomorrow, I will send home an additional letter from the office regarding interviews. It also includes an interview sign-up, however you can disregard and just use the one I sent home today.
You have probably noticed that Dewson's windows are being replaced. A much needed and very exciting improvement, and it's finally our turn!!
For the next 2 days (Wednesday-Thursday), we will be using room 115 while our windows are replaced. If you are dropping off late, or picking up early, this is likely where we'll be. Of course, our daycare will also be dislocated, and they will leave a note on our door to let you know where to go.
Finally, the other note in the pochette today is to let you know about the English book fair, which will take place next week. It will be in the library and will stay open late during Thursday interviews. I told our students about the little-known draw that takes place during the book fair. Students who return the small rectangle cut-out from the back of the pamphlet have a chance to win $25 worth of books for themselves and our classroom. Let's all enter the draw!!
See you soon,
Tamara
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