Hoppy Easter ;)

Dear Families,

I hope everyone enjoyed their Family Day on Monday!  I'm so happy we recognize and celebrate this occasion.  Family is of utmost importance to me as I am sure it is for you as well!  Please enjoy more family time and the beautiful sunshine this weekend :)  I'm looking out the portable window right now and the scenery is AMAZING!!!

We experienced a snow day beginning our school week, but students continued to show their dedication to their academics by accessing Google Classroom to work on some at home learning tasks I assigned.  Thank you parents for encouraging and supporting your child in his or her learning always!!  This sets such a positive impact for our week!

Painting Bowls for Beds:

I would like to send out a big thank you to the Home Horizon Team (Deb Piggott) for helping organize Mrs. Newman's and my class to run this meaningful event for our students. Mrs. Piggott's time, organization, and kind nature is appreciated.  The education from painting the bowls taught us the importance of continuing  to think about the feelings of others and for this particular cause - youth who are vulnerable and in need.

Thank you to all the families who sent in their order form with payment to purchase your child’s bowl that they painted.  If you did not, that is perfectly o.k too because by simply participating in this experience, it will make a difference in the lives of youth who need our support!

Our class raised $570.00 and Mrs. Newman's class raised $480.00 with a grand total of $1, 050.00 for the Home Horizon - Barbara Weider House.  WOW!!  I feel immense gratitude and joy for all of your generosity.  It will be cherished amongst this organization always!!

I spoke with Mrs. Piggott after school today and she mentioned how Nottawa's contributions remain immense and how grateful she is to our school.  For me, education comes full circle when we are able and willing to GIVE BACK TO OUR COMMUNITY!  That's exactly what we have done and will continue to do.  Way to go Nighthawks!!

Check out the students below enjoying painting their bowls - feel their love as they are helping the hearts and minds of homeless youth in our area.  

As you can see from the images, it was a wonderful experience for our class especially learning about the Home Horizon foundation.  Everyone was excited, engaged, and enthusiastic!  

The kids’ designs were creative and unique!  All the bowls are being sent away and will be put into a kiln (a furnace or over for burning, baking, or drying, especially one for calcining or firing pottery) which will produce a bright colourful bowl with your child's personalized touch! 

The bowls are predicted to arrive back to our school sometime in April.  Stay tuned :-)

Random Act of Kindness Day:

On Wednesday, we celebrated random act of kindness day!  Thank you to Gabby ($120.00) and Kaylee ($60.00) who donated extra funds to help support Home Horizon.  This extra money was put towards other students in the class who can now enjoy having their bowl come home too :)

Your generous act of kindness will touch the lives of youth who need a warm place to stay as they rebuild their life.  Thank you, thank you!!

Random Act of Kindness Part 2:

Here is another random act of kindness which touched my heart!  Thank you to Mrs. McKee for sharing this experience with me of your daughter's remarkable achievement and thoughtfulness.

Clara has been collecting pop can tabs for over a year now with the help of family and friends.  She has 7 pounds of tabs so far.  Although it takes approximately 500 pounds of tabs to make one wheelchair, every bit helps.

Not only have people helped contribute to getting a wheelchair made for someone in need, but they have also helped Clara work towards earning her discovery badge in volunteering for Brownies. 👍🏻😁

Way to go Clara!!  You've made us all so proud of you!!  You're making a significant difference in your actions :)

Honouring Pink Shirt Day:

On Wed. Feb. 24th, we will be honouring PINK SHIRT DAY!  Please have your child wear pink as we will be learning about impactful ways to promote bullying prevention.  

It's an issue near and dear to my heart as I was bullied growing up and have also seen students at the schools I've taught at being hurt.  When my students feel sad, I feel it too so that is why I continually emphasize the importance of character education.  We need to be educated explicitly and teach our children ways to be KIND not just in our thoughts and words, but INTO OUR ACTIONS. 

I know my students will participate actively and empathetically next week!  Thank you for having your child wear PINK.  It represents more than just a colour, it is a WAY OF LIFE.

I Promise:

Today during the morning announcements, we listened to a very moving story by a famous basketball player named Lebron James.  The book is based on the values of Lebron James' Family Foundation's I Promise Program.  This centers on the idea that "tomorrow's success starts with the promises we make to ourselves and our community today."

After listening to this story, please speak with your child about its important messages and how you can apply them into your daily life.  Together as a family, please think about making a Family Pledge and enjoy working towards it each and every day just as we do at school for OUR CLASS PROMISE.

Math:

Today in math, students worked in pairs to solve puzzle #5 for 'Crack the Code.'  They're really enjoying these challenge (4 out of the 9 groups got it).  We consolidated afterwards and learned ways to strategize, plan, and collaborate.  Click the image below to enlarge it and ask your child to help you 'CRACK IT!'

Lily & Jamie:

Congratulations to Lily and Jamie for receiving 1st and 2nd place for the Remembrance Day Poster Contest that was held in the fall.  Their results were revealed and these two shined!!

Thank you for ALL your efforts.  You are being recognized for honouring our Canadian Armed Forces who have served, are serving, and will serve our amazing country.  Enjoy your well deserved certificate, pin, and cash prize!!

Outdoor Fun:

Thank you Mrs. Ottewell for sharing these wonderful photos of your children and you enjoying the great outdoors!!  Check out Dougie below skiing with a little help (snowmobile), awesome!!

Making Ice Spheres & Ice Candle Holders:

Check out Lilia's beautiful completed art below!!  As part of at home learning, she completed two art activities that turned out so well!!  Thank you Mrs. Smith for sharing these photos with me and continuing to support your child with all her educational endeavours.  It is appreciated beyond measure :-)

Brooklyn:

Check out Brooklyn using her time at home to continue her DPA (daily physical activity).  Making and playing in a snow fort and tobogganing looks like loads of fun to me.  Thank you Mrs. Chatterson for sharing these lovely photos!  Keep building and sledding Brooklyn!

Lily:

Thank you Mrs. Speirs for sharing Lily's light shadow puppet show that she put on for your family!  I admire and am inspired by her daily creativity and imagination!!  Perhaps this will get others to inquire about this and give it a try at home too!!  We can all be imaginative storytellers. 

Jamie:

Thank you to Jamie who took time out of her snow day on Tuesday to be mindful and make me her very own Growth Mindset poster!  Check it out closely :)  

It's amazing and I'll cherish this always :)  Jamie has consolidated our class' motto in her thoughts, words, and actions.  Always try, Try, and TRY again until you achieve your personal best!  I love it, Jamie!!

Mindfulness:

Here is a Heritage minute video.  It gives students images and words of what some of the changes that have come as a result of the courage and fight by civil rights activists like Harriet Tubman, Rosa Parks, Viola Desmond, etc.  Here is one that focuses on the Underground Railroad in Canada that helped free slaves!

"Free at last!  Free at last!  Thank God Almighty, we're FREE AT LAST!" - Dr. King Jr.

Growth Mindset:

"UBUNTU - I am because you are!  We are who we are because we CARE FOR OTHERS!"

Ubuntu,

Miss Gill