Week #3 - Proud Teacher of AMAZING STUDENTS!

 Dear Families,

Another meaningful week for us!  I am very pleased with how my students have smoothly transitioned from their distance learning and holidays to now being in class full time with all the new rules and routines placed upon them as a result of COVID-19 still being active.  

I am VERY PROUD and so, SO PLEASED with their efforts and hard work.  It is truly a JOY being back at school and I think I can say for us all, what a gift it is to learn and grow from one another :) 

As you’ve probably gathered from my blog updates, we have been go, Go, GO with our learning in class!  Look at how much we’ve accomplished in a mere 3 weeks!  Looking forward to much more learning to be done in the coming weeks.  Stay tuned!

Student Absences:

As the school year is now underway, we've noticed an increase in student absences.  I recognize the reasoning for this and really appreciate your (parents) efforts by taking the precautionary measures with your child(ren) who are experiencing ANY symptoms and keeping them at home to get well and if needed, doing a COVID-19 test.  

I am grateful for not only you looking out for your own child(ren), but also thinking about others at the school so we can all remain happy and healthy.  This does not go unnoticed.  

With this being said, I have had some requests from parents for work to be sent home in their child's absence.  I am happy and willing to do so!  

Please let me know via email if you would like me to do this for you (pgill@scdsb.on.ca).  I will give Mrs. Beattie a folder of work for your child and please pick it up at the office at Byng.  If you're unable to get here, no worries, please indicate a sibling or another child in the class (or another class) who I can send it home with :)  I hope this is helpful!  

Homework - "Reinforcing Learned Concepts at Home:"

Beginning next week (Mon. - Thurs.), your child will be assigned homework (see picture below) for WORD STUDY, READING COMPREHENSION, and EXTRA MATH PRACTICE. 

Please know the purpose of this is for your child to not only practice learned concepts at home, but also to gain valuable learning skills and work habits such as responsibility, initiative, independent work, and self-regulation.  

I believe working on these skills at a young age will serve your child well and prepare them as they head into higher grades in their academic journey :)  

I have prepared a parent note for my homework expectations.  It will come home with your child in his or her agenda on Monday.  Stay tuned!     

Terry Fox Run:

Great news!  Our school will be participating in the annual Terry Fox Run next week!  We would like everyone to dress in "Canada Gear" on Wed. Sept. 30th to help celebrate the 40th Anniversary of the "Marathon of Hope!"

On Wednesday (30th), the primary division (K-3) will be running around the perimeter of the school during period 3 & 4 (11:20 - 1:00 p.m.).  Please have your child dress for outdoor weather, wear outdoor running shoes and be sure to bring a water bottle.

If you are able and willing to make a donation to our Terry Fox Fundraiser, please do so through the following link below!!  Many thanks for your support in this meaningful cause. 

Fundraising Link

We will NOT be collecting cash donations at school this year.  Online donations only, please.

In class, we have begun our learning about Terry Fox and his remarkable legacy.  In the coming days, your child will bring home some of their Terry activities for you to see and enjoy as a family!  This will continue into next week as well and throughout the school year because I feel it is important to honour and recognize OUR CANADIAN HERO each and everyday!!  

Orange Shirt Day:

This week, I shared with all our students from K-8 the importance and meaning behind Orange Shirt Day through the morning announcements.  It is my goal one day to lead an Orange Shirt Day assembly to truly honour it as a school family.  For now, we are all being educated through images, story books, and videos to gain a greater understanding of what orange shirt day represents and why we acknowledge it. 

The Orange Shirt Day campaign - Every Child Matters (September 30th nationally) - recalls the experiences of former students of residential schools and is a commitment to ongoing reconciliation in Canada.  Originating in British Columbia, 2020 marks the seventh year of the campaign.

September 30th is considered important in the residential school experiences of First Nations, Metis, and Inuit people as this was the date when students would be removed from their homes to attend residential schools.  

Our school family will celebrate ORANGE SHIRT DAY ON FRI. OCT. 2nd.

In class, we say the PLEDGE everyday.  Can your child recite it for you?

"Simcoe County District School Board acknowledges that we are situated on the traditional land of the Anishinaabe people.  We acknowledge the enduring presence of First Nation, Metis, and Inuit people on this land and are committed to moving forward in the spirit of reconciliation and respect."

Here are some key questions to ask your child to check what they've learned so far.  I'll post the answers beside the questions, but see if your child can come up with the answers on their own.  It's okay if they can't YET; I will be reinforcing these throughout next week and into the school year!  Indigenous studies has become a passion of mine and ties into our Social Studies curriculum expectations. 

QUESTIONS FOR YOUR CHILD:

Why is orange shirt day celebrated each year on Sept. 30th? 

That is the day children were taken away from their families by an state agent to attend residential school.

What does the orange shirt represent?  

"Every Child Matters!"

Who started orange shirt day? 

Phyllis Webstad. 

Why the colour orange? 

Phyllis' grandmother bought her a new orange shirt for the first day of school, but as soon as she got there, it was stripped off her and she never got it back.

I encourage you and your child to WEAR AN ORANGE SHIRT next Friday to help remember the experiences and honour our Indigenous people of Canada!!

Ryan:

With all our discussions in class about Orange Shirt Day, Ryan was inspired and went home and shared some learning with his family who are also very keen and passionate about this subject matter.  

Thank you Ryan for bringing in this powerful book to share with our class!  It really helped us learn  MORE about the experiences that First Nation, Metis, and Inuit people faced when they were sent to residential school.  

As I read this book aloud to the class, I could sense the deep empathy that students were feeling for the main character in the book (the grandfather) who faced hardship in his past, but thankfully, he was comforted by his remarkable and CARING granddaughter.  Have a listen to the story and discuss it with your child.  

I am SO PROUD OF YOU Ryan for connecting your learning at school, taking it home, and then bringing something back to our classroom so we can continue to grow our BRAIN POWER and acknowledge Indigenous people of Canada who need our love and support. 

Writing Goal:

We have been learning about what 'Good Writers' do in their writing.  Together, we came up with some effective ideas that we will use when we WRITE!  

Students will be encouraged to check over their work prior to handing it in and asking themselves --> 

Writing:

Over the next several weeks, your child will be learning about writing a Recount.  Below, I have posted the expectations for this (see anchor chart photo).

This week, students had the opportunity to think and write about a special event from their life.  Please ask your child what he or she chose to write about in their Recount.  I'm learning so much about my students from reading their entries!  I am delighted to see everyone has enjoyed spending quality time with their family making special memories.

Jamie:

Thank you Jamie for enthusiastically coming to school on Monday morning to share some photos about a very special event in your life - visiting South Korea (Oct. 2019).  It was great to see Jamie orally share a personal recount.  This set a great example for our class for when we began our own writing!  Students were engaged and eager to ask Jamie some questions after her presentation.  

Math: 

This week, our problem of the week focused on "Yogurt Toppings!"  Your child has brought this piece of work home to share with you.  In class, I always do a modelled lesson, then provide a guided task, and finally, an independent piece for students to show me what they have consolidated (learned).  

Please, take some time to sit with your child to talk about his or her strategies and some of the key learnings from this math problem.

Throughout the school year, there will be an emphasis on "multi-step word problems"' where students are encouraged to use a 4-Block Problem Solving Method.  See below!  

Remember boys and girls, it's always important when beginning to solve a word problem to ...

UNDERSTAND --> PLAN --> SOLVE --> EXPLAIN  

Not to worry, we're working hard on this in class and will continue throughout the school year!

Brooklyn:

Thank you Brooklyn for bringing in this inspiring book about powerful women who brought about positive change so we can all live with equality, justice, and freedom!  

Brooklyn said, "Ms. Gill, I think you would like the story about Rosa Parks.  She was a black woman who had courage."  As she shared this, I had to hold back my happy tears.  

I am very passionate about Black History and learning about ALL the important civil rights activists who have helped bring about positive change.  As we know, there is still work to be done.  

It is my goal as a teacher to help my students understand and remember the stories (history) of the past to help continue building a BRIGHTER and more BEAUTIFUL future where we all can live in peace and harmony no matter our race, religion, gender, or ethnic beliefs.  We are a HUMAN FAMILY!

Mindfulness:
Start your day with a positive mindset!  Try these MORNING AFFIRMATIONS!  You will be amazed at how these manifested thoughts help create a better and brighter day for YOU and your family.  Give it a TRY!

Remember, your thoughts become your words, your words become your actions, and your actions become your destiny!!  

Growth Mindset:

Miigwetch,

Miss Gill