Newsletters

March/April Newsletter 2014:

    

Dear Parents,

            Well, March came in like a lion and seems to be going out like a lion as well.  Officially, Spring has arrived.  Brrrr!  There seems to be some kind of delay in the warmth from the spring sunshine.  I think someone forgot to tell Mother Nature that Spring is here.  On a brighter note, though, the days are now longer!   We trust your March break went well.  Some of you opted to ‘migrate’ to warmer places.  Others stayed and ‘adapted’ to the cold weather. 

           

In March, K1 was very busy with our plant inquiry.  We learned the parts of a plant, its needs and what will happen when things are altered.  We recorded our observations and made predictions about what will happen. We discovered the effects can sometimes be positive, but not always!  Look for the photos on our K1 blog! We transformed our house centre into a Flower shop.  The students role played the different duties involved, taking turns to run the cash and create the flower arrangements.  We’d like to send a big thank you to those whose donation of flowers made this possible.

K2 was busy discussing what our forest animal friends will do now that the Spring has arrived.  We transformed our house centre into an animal rescue centre and with the use of nonfiction materials and You tube, we learned about the ways in which this very important centre helps to care for injured animals in the wild.  We used this information to role play in our own centre using our forest animal stuffies.  We created areas where these creatures can rest and heal – labelling who goes where and with whom so as to avoid any unnecessary mishaps!  We also reunited with our snail friends to make some more observations at the Investigation table.  Look for the photos on our K2 blog!

In April, we will be discussing what Easter truly means to us as Christians and praising God for the new life that comes with Spring. The signs of Spring, after all, should be everywhere! We will be observing the changes in weather and our environment.  Ask your child to recite our Springtime Prayer to you. Later in the month we’ll be seeing signs of new life first hand!  We’ll be planting seeds, making predictions and observing their growth. Both classes have the opportunity for an outer space provocation! The Canadian Space Agency sent us tomato seeds that came back to Earth last May, 2013, with Chris Hadfield and had spent 22 months in space, travelling more than 450 million kilometers! Who knows what inquiry will result: a study of space, farming, or even perhaps of more seeds and plants!

The month of April also brings with it Earth Day! We take the time to assess our carbon footprint and adjust accordingly – smaller is better.  A big ‘Thank You’ to those who have been packing your child’s lunch kit using reusable containers.  Our Earth thanks you!  Remember, any small effort on your part benefits all of us now and well into the future.

In March, our math discussions involved data management and graphing.  We learned about each other by talking about things we like and dislike and putting this information onto simple graphs. We looked at the information our graphs revealed and used math language (more, less, the same as) to tell about the results.  In April, we will begin a unit on measurement. We’ve experienced measurement activities at our learning centres and science related activities throughout the year. Using nonstandard units of measure, we will continue to explore the many ways we can describe and talk about the world using the language of measurement (taller, longer, heavier, etc.).

            We would like to send a big thank you to those of you who sent in playdough.  K2 still has a need for some.  It is such a popular centre, with so much sensory and fine motor development taking place.  Some of you were asking what other things would help the class.  Check out our blog.  There is a list! Soon the rain and thaw will come and wet socks will be a reality.  Please send an extra 1 or 2 pair to keep in your child’s extra clothing bag. Some students have been keeping a sweater at school for use during quiet time. It helps to keep them comfortable while they rest.

Some skills to work on at home:

If you haven’t logged into RAZ kids (www.raz-kids.com), please do so.  It’s an excellent opportunity to practise popcorn words and to use the picture clues in combination with letter sounds, to predict words in the story.  We can’t emphasize this enough, especially those entering grade 1 in September.  It is very important that they know the popcorn words by sight.  They are listed on our blog or ask for another copy.  Printing letters and the numbers to 20 would also be helpful. Counting by 1s (JKs), 2s, 5s, and 10s (SKs) to 50 or more could be something to reinforce at home. If you haven’t logged into Dreambox, (www.dreambox.com) please do so.  It is another excellent site for your child to practice his/her math skills in a fun and exciting game format.   Please note that French songs and vocabulary as well as English songs and poems have been posted on the K1 and K2 blogs.

        

            If you have not already done so, please sign, complete, and return page 3 of your child’s report card as well as the envelope. We ‘reuse’ the envelope for the last report card. 

Thank you for your continued support at home!  Keep up with the great reading, printing, and counting!  Should you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact us at the school or send a message in your child’s notetote.

Mme Dolgos     Mrs. McAteer

Mrs. Gratwohl   Mrs. McDonell

Please note that French songs and vocabulary as well as English songs have been posted on our Blog.

January/February Newsletter 2014:

Housekeeping items:

During the next few weeks, the K1 students will go to the library on Monday, January 27th, February 10th, February 24th. Please return books and the library bag on Monday, February 3rd, February 18th, and March 3rd. The K2 students will go to the library on Wednesday January 29th, February 12th, February 26th. Please return books and the library bag on Wednesday, Februray 5th, February 19th, and March 5th.

Report cards will be going home early February.

On February 14^th, the students will be exchanging valentines. To make distribution of valentines easier, on that day, send 31 (K1) or 25 (K2) cards with only your child’s name in the FROM section of the card.

On February 17^th school will be closed for Family Day. We’re hoping that your Family Day holiday allows time for family leisure and fun.

We appreciate your continued support. Should you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact us at the school or send a message in your child’s notetote.

Happy St. Valentine’s Day!

K1 Newsletter December 2011:

        

Dear Parents:

           

            Welcome to a very snowy month of December!  Winter has definitely made its presence known.  The snow is welcome though…..so many fun things to do in the snow.  When weather permits, we will continue to spend time enjoying our outdoor activities.  It is a good way to develop creativity, to encourage group co-operation and to learn constructive use of leisure time. Therefore, it’s very important that your child come to school ready for outdoor play (snowpants, jacket, hat, warm mittens, neckwarmer).  Please continue giving your child the time he/she needs to learn to dress independently.

We were very happy to see many parents during our interviews on Nov. 7th.  It was so nice to touch base with you to discuss your child’s progress in Kindergarten.  If you were unable to attend we could schedule a phone interview.

            Thank you for encouraging your child to choose healthy foods to bring for his/her snack.  Students are thrilled when they can show us the healthy food they brought to school. Please continue to do so.

            Our focus for this month will be Advent and Christmas.  We will discuss the true meaning of Christmas and why we celebrate.  “Jesus is the reason for the season!”  Our activities, crafts and songs will be theme related.  Songs have been included. 

Many of the JK students can say the letters in their name during attendance.  The next step is other letters not found in their name.  With SKs, saying the sounds each letter makes in their name is encouraged along with sounds of letters not found in their name.  Ask them to demonstrate. 

A list of popcorn words were sent home to use as a reference when reading simple pattern books that repeat.  Here is an excellent site which will encourage your child’s reading abilities.  It’s fun and it’s free! Check out www.starfall.com.  The boys and girls have been writing wonderful tales in their special writing books.  These books have been introduced as a way to encourage the students to write.  We emphasize the fact that writing comes in many different stages and so they are expected to write at their stage of writing:  pictures with scribed sentences, string of random letters, intial letters, etc.  SKs especially will be encouraged to stretch out the sounds in the word as they write the matching letters.  Like all beginning skills: practise, practise, practise!

In Math we will begin our unit on Geometry, looking at 2D shapes (square, triangle, rectangle), 3D solids, and their properties.  The key learning goals for this unit are: to recognize and describe 3D objects and 2D shapes; to sort and build with these objects and shapes and to recognize these objects and shapes in our environment.  To help reinforce this at home, go on a shape hunt.  Play ‘I Spy’. In JK, we will continue with counting sets to 5.  Ask your child to ‘show you’ groups of 3, 4, 5 or more items whenever the opportunity arises.  Look for numbers on labels and containers. In SK we’ve been talking about what makes 5 using our five frame tool. Their use encourages counting strategies beyond counting by one or counting on each time they are asked to identify a number or work on an addition or subtraction type math story. These number relationships help build the foundation for the development of more complex mental computations. Students start with the five frames before moving on to ten frames and may explore double ten frames later to develop a better understanding of place value.  SKs, here is a great site to practise this skill:  http://illuminations.nctm.org/activitydetail.aspx?id=74 – five frames interactive website.

No doubt you have enjoyed reading our St. George library book with your child.

• This month the K1 class will visit the library on December 4th and books are due on the following Wednesday December 11^th. 
• The K2 class will visit the library on December 2^nd and books are due on the following Monday December 9^th.

The playdough table has been very popular in both K1 and K2.  Therefore, we would appreciate any donation of playdough to keep this popular centre open.  Should you require the recipe, please let us know.  Store bought playdough is welcome too.  The students are not picky!!

Holiday time can be quite hectic.  Routines get all jumbled.  Some quiet activities to do with your child in order to reinforce skills practiced at school are:  printing of name, colouring, counting to 10, 20, 30 or more, and cutting. When possible, read a book (or two) to your child every day.  Food for Thought:  Researchers have found (educators have known for a long time) that children who are read to on a daily basis become good readers!

As mentioned in the St. George’s Newsletter, the grade 6s are hosting a Christmas Shopping Day on Tuesday, December 17th.  You can donate new or gently used items to the office as well as wrapping paper and ribbons before December 13th.  On December 17^th, students are asked to bring money to purchase gifts for their family members.  Items will be selling from $1.00 to $5.00 and will come home wrapped and labeled ready to put under your Christmas tree. 

On Wednesday December 18^th, you are invited to celebrate “Deck the Halls” here at St. George School.  It starts with a light breakfast, followed by mass and the Performance Choir.

Thursday, December 19^th is the last day of school before the Christmas break because Friday December 20^th is a PD Day.

            We wish you and your family a safe and happy Christmas.  Enjoy your time together.  The very best for 2014!

God bless,

Mrs. Gratwohl   Mme Dolgos

Mrs. McDonell  Mrs. McAteer

October/November Newsletter 2013:

           






 Fall is here and October and November are busy months in our Kindergarten class. Our focus has been the fall season.  What a wonderful time to learn about colours, leaves and pumpkins.  We are so blessed.  In the spirit of Thanksgiving, the Kindergarten class made a Thankful Tree. Students wrote about something for which they were thankful.  We wrote such wonderful things to God.

On Thursday, October 31^st, St. George School is having orange and black day. It is also our big Dance-a-thon fundraiser. Please dress your child in orange and/or black on this day.  We would like to send a big ‘THANK YOU’ to parents who have returned the dance-a-thon money. It was due on October 24^th. Once all participants submit moneys collected, the final amount raised will be calculated.

In November, we will be talking about Remembrance Day and practicing our letter writing by writing postcards to our Canadian war veterans. We will also be participating in the Remembrance Day Ceremony at school. During the second week of November, poppies will be sold to support the veterans of Canada.  If you wish your child to purchase one, simply send in a small donation.

Every day, we choose a special student who is the leader/ami special for the day. We use the letters in the child’s name to help with letter recognition. Thank you to those parents who have been helping their child with the writing of his/her name.  The students are so proud when they can write their name independently.  In addition to writing their name, JK students are being asked to say the letters in their name.  Some could benefit from additional practice at home.  Have your child read the letters to you, once they’ve printed them.  Touching each letter as they do so would help to encourage this skill.  All children should be writing their name using ONLY lowercase letters except for the first letter (for example: Johnny). Something to challenge the SKs is to practice the writing of their last name or writing the names of other family members. They enjoy writing their friends names here at school using a name card as a guide.

Many students have been wearing their author’s hat and have created many individual books.  With support, those who have letter sound knowledge are encouraged to ‘stretch out’ the sounds in the word they wish to write.  This helps to find the letters needed.  This is something for parents to be aware of for we’re sure this enthusiasm spills over into the evening hours.

In French, we have been saying “Bonjour, je m’appelle…”. We have been counting to 20 and talking about school, friends, our house, our family, Thanksgiving, fall leaves, clothes and parts of the body. Please review the attached songs and vocabulary words with your child at home as often as you can. You may also want to check out our songs we love section. We have added videos that the students love to watch in class: Alain le lait (nombres 1-20, alphabet, les couleurs, les parties du corps) as well as “Pomme de reinette et pomme d’api”, “La vie en couleurs”, et “Les roues de l’autobus”.

In Math, we have been graphing, measuring and counting. We have sorted and graphed different shapes of leaves and measured pumpkins. We’ve even used pumpkins to find out how tall we are.  Ask your child how many pumpkins tall he/she is!   At home, you can practice sorting and graphing. For example, sort the laundry. Sort out different laundry items from the laundry basket (socks, shirts, pants). Count the items to see if there are more coloured socks than white socks; more shirts than pants. Show it on a graph! November will have more focus placed on number sense and numeration: the JKs will be doing activities to help with counting and showing sets to 5 along with numeral recognition.  With the SKs, the number focus will be on numbers between 10 and 20.  Please keep in mind that any and all strands of math occur on any given day in a play based learning environment!

It has come to our attention that some parents would like to see their child resting on something other than a blanket during quiet time.  If you wish to send in a yoga mat, for your child’s use only, simply bring one with you during your parent teacher interview on November 7^th.  More information about parent teacher interviews will follow.

The weather is getting colder and so, the students have more articles of clothing.  Labeled items are easily returned to students when they get misplaced.  We ask that you continue to support your child in getting dressed (zipping zippers and buttoning buttons AND getting shoes on independently).  Very soon, children who can zip their own zipper will become part of our Zipper Club.  We know it isn’t always easy, especially when you’re in a rush, but your effort now will save time later. Please save the laces for grade one when students’ fine motor skills are much more developed.  The ratio of teacher to student does not support the use of laces in kindergarten.  It really delays the flow to our next transition. 

         

Reminders:

1. Please ensure that all of your child’s belongings (coats, sweaters, hat, mitts…) are labeled with his/her name. 
2. Please help your child practice putting his/her coat on independently. Winter wear is often much more difficult to get on and do up than light spring/fall jackets. Please take the time to show him/her how to reverse a sleeve that has turned inside out. Something to keep in mind… Scarves are very difficult for young children to put on in a safe manner.  Serious injuries have occurred involving young students wearing scarves on a bus or play structure.
3. Please ensure that your child sends his/her note tote to school every day.
4. Please continue to send a water bottle with your child.  Water is such a great choice for replenishing fluids in any temperature.
5. To avoid frustration, Velcro shoes are HIGHLY recommended for both indoor and outdoor use! Curly laces are available at all Payless and Walmart stores if purchasing Velcro shoes is not an option.

September newsletter 2013: Kindergarten ABC's

 A is for Attendance:  Regular attendance without tardiness is key to a child’s successful school experience.  Students arrive in the schoolyard between 8:55 am to 9:10 a.m.  Teachers are on duty at that time to greet your child and ensure his or her safe arrival.  If your child is to be absent from school, please call the office at (613) 728-8291 by 9 am to let us know.

B is for Backpack:  To help your child carry a lunchbag, the notetote, art masterpieces, schoolwork and crafts, as well as messages and newsletters, you are asked to send your child to school with a ROOMY backpack that he/she can close by him/herself.

C is for Clothing:  Please send your child to school in clothes appropriate for learning.  Do not send your child to school so “dressed up” that you might be concerned about him/her getting “dirty”.  Becoming involved in kindergarten activities often means that the students will get a little messy. Each child is asked to bring to school, during the first week, a plastic bag containing an “emergency kit” of clothing:  1 pair of pants and underwear, 1 pairs of socks, and 1 long-sleeved t-shirt or sweater.

D is for Dismissal:  Dismissal is at 3:40 pm.  An authorized adult must PROMPTLY pick up all students who do not take the bus or attend the Keyworth Daycare.  An authorized adult is a parent, a guardian or someone who is indicated on the child’s emergency contact form filled out in September.  If it is not the usual adult coming to pick up the child, or if the child is not taking the school bus on a particular day, we need written notification of this.  This is the only way for us to ensure your child’s safety!

E is for Encouragement:  Sincere encouragement goes a long way to increasing a child’s self-esteem.  We will dole it out generously to all students.  Your encouragement is also critical for your child to feel good about his or her efforts at school.

F is for Footwear:  Please have your child wear shoes that are appropriate for running and active movement.  Dress shoes and sandals, for example, are not good for school activities because they are slippery and dangerous in the gym.  Children need a pair of Velcro or slip-on running shoes (NO LACES, PLEASE) to be left at school.

G is for Gym: As good physical activity habits begin early, children will be involved in indoor and/or outdoor physical activity each day.  Learning through movement and games is a pleasant and natural way for young children to learn.

H is for Hands-on learning:  One of the best ways to help children learn is to make learning fun.  Important concepts can be discovered by doing meaningful hands-on activities.  Our kindergarten program is a play-based, active, hands-on program.  The activities set up in the learning centers have been carefully selected and planned in order to develop skills and meet the needs of all the students in the class as well as meeting program objectives set out by the Ministry of Education.

I is for Illness:  The question of when to keep your child home from school is often a difficult one, especially when decisions must be made first thing in the morning.  It is important, however, to keep your child home if he or she is ill.  This helps to make them more comfortable and prevents others from becoming ill.  Children function more effectively in the classroom when they are healthy.  If a child becomes ill while at school, you (or an alternate contact) will be contacted by the office to pick up your child.

J is for Journey:  Education is a lifelong journey that requires a commitment from all involved:  the child, the parents and the school.  Please take the time to celebrate your child’s successes and work on his/her next steps.  Please take the time to read to your child every day.   YOU are your child’s first and most loved teacher!

K is for Kindergarten Program:  The Kindergarten Program is a two-year program that is set out by the Ministry of Education of Ontario.  This official government publication is available on the Internet at: http://www.edu.gov.on.ca .

L is for Lost and Found:  The school’s Lost and Found bin is situated by the office.  We encourage parents to check this area for any missing item.  In order to prevent items from going astray, it is suggested that you label all clothing worn to school.  This will help in returning lost items to its rightful owner.

M is for Mail: Communication is key between parents and teachers.  Please check your child’s notetote daily.  If you have any concerns or important information about your child, please inform us with a phone call or a note in your child’s communication notebook.  When writing in the notebook, please leave it open on that page so we will know there is a new message. 

N is for Newsletter:  School newsletters will be posted on the St. George website: http://sge.ocsb.ca. Don’t forget to sign up for flash-alerts.

O is for Outside:  Students will be taken outside for physical education and/or play (recess) everyday (Mother Nature cooperating).  Please keep this in mind when helping your child to select appropriate indoor and outdoor clothing for the day. 

P is for Parent Participation:  Throughout the school year there will be a variety of special classroom activities and celebrations. Your support of school activities makes your child feel important and sends the message that you value school.

Q is for Quality Quiet Time:  Take the time to discuss each day with your child.  Learning opportunities abound:  the letters on the cereal box, the street signs on your walk, the different sizes of jars in the grocery store, the jobs different people do every day.  Books are a great activity for quiet times with your child.  Enjoy at least one book every day.

R is for Report Cards:  Junior and Senior Kindergarten students receive 2 report cards during the school year:  the first in February and the second in June.  These reports will reflect the progress your child has made toward meeting various kindergarten program expectations.  There will be parent-teacher interviews during the month of November.  If you have concerns or questions that you wish to bring up with me at other times during the year, please feel free to call the school (613)728-8291 in order to make an appointment.

S is for Snacks:  Children will be eating lunch and snack at school.  Because school is a place for learning, children are encouraged to bring a “brain food” to school as a snack: fruit, cheese, yogurt, muffin, vegetables, for example.  This year, PEANUT and NUT -FREE snacks are required in order to meet the safety needs of all our students and teachers.  Please read the ingredients carefully in the snacks you send to school.  Thank you!

T is for Toys:  We ask that your child does not bring “home toys” to school unless requested by me for a specific activity.  Loss and breakage can lead to tears and disappointment. 

U is for Understanding School Rules and Routines:  A big part of Kindergarten involves learning how to behave at school.  Children function best when affectionate care, firm guidelines and a flexible structure are provided. Positive reinforcement is generously given and time-outs are used as a consequence if needed. 

V is for Visitors:  St. George School has a policy that ALL guests and volunteers are required to sign in at the office and wear a guest badge.  We welcome and encourage family involvement and the presence of a guest badge will help identify visitors to all staff and students.  While this may seem inconvenient to frequent visitors, please help us in our responsibility to create a safe learning environment for all of our students. 

W is for Wow!:  The ability of our students to be amazed by the world around them is one of the very special gifts they bring to our school community as well as to your family.  Thanking God for His wonders is an integral part of the Kindergarten day. Please continue to encourage this sense of wonderment in your child as you spend time together each and every day, praying and observing the world around us.

X is for X-stra Special:  Every member of our class is extra special!  And so is the wonderful artwork they create!  A corner of your fridge, a blank wall easily becomes an “art gallery” for the young artist’s masterpieces.  Your children are proud of what they create.  Let’s celebrate their achievements!

Y is for You!:  Parental support of school activities makes your child feel important and sends the message that you value school.  We will, at times, need parent volunteers to help out in the classroom, during field trips, doing prep work at school or at home.  If you are available to give us a hand, please let us know!  Your participation in the School Council is another way you can help.  This group of parent volunteers contribute significantly to school life.  We are always looking for new people. 

Z is for Zzzzzz’s:  Setting and keeping a regular bedtime is a wonderful gift you can give to your child.  Bedtime routines that include a story are strongly encouraged to develop many literacy skills.  Proper rest helps children to be alert and ready to learn every day!

We appreciate the support you are providing at home!  Should you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact one of us any time before or after school.

Sincerely,

Mrs. Gratwohl

Mme Dolgos

Mrs. McDonell

Mrs. McAteer