'Tis the Season!

Happy birthday to our little girl angel who turned 8 years old on Friday!

These two models are showing you all that the Grade two classes are going to be angels at the Christmas concert on December 10th.  When I was at Jean Vanier Catholic School, I had sewn 19 angel robes, which they have allowed us to borrow.  This weekend, I sewed another 15 for a total of 34.  That means that we are 10 short for the two classes.  If you have an angel costume at home, or if you know a neighbour or relative that has one, please ask if our school could borrow it!  If we do not have enough, then we (the two Gr. 2 teachers) are asking that any little girl who has a white dress (perhaps an opportunity to borrow a sibling's Communion dress??), consider wearing it for the concert.  Please contact either teacher as soon as possible so that we can organize the logistics of who is wearing which costume.

Speaking of organizing....there are 19 sets of angel wings lent to us by Jean Vanier Catholic School.  They are relatively easy to create.  They are cut out of hard cardboard, taped for strength down the centre (both sides), hole punched and then looped with sewing elastic so that the children's arms can go through.  They are embellished with tinsel that is hot glued onto the cardboard.  The budget to make more is exactly $0.00!

I will organize a location here at the school for any moms who would like to help make more, this THURSDAY, December 4th @ 9:00 a.m..  I will see whether the school can provide the cardboard and wide tape.  The tinsel and the elastic will have to be donated.  Let me know if you can come to create these for the kids.  The ones you create will stay here at the school so that this work won't have to be done again.  Maybe grandmas or aunties would like to help!?!  Again, I can't provide the tinsel or elastic, but it is relatively easy to purchase at the local Dollarama.

I am hoping to send home a note tomorrow explaining a number of classroom projects that the students will be participating in, during the last three weeks before Christmas holidays.  The note will ask for some support both financially and with your presence!  Again, letting me know if you can come and help by writing in your child's agenda is best!

In this season of Advent,  FAITH  makes all things possible, HOPE makes all things work, LOVE  makes all things beautiful!  May you have all three for this Christmas!

Post Olympic Photos

Last Friday, our lovely music teacher acted as school photographer for our Olympic Day.  She shared these very professional photos (and a whole bunch more) with me and I wanted you to see how she captured the absolute delight that the children had for the day.  The shots are so artistic and yes, you can hire her!

Love this action shot...that yellow orb is the tennis ball being thrown at the rings!

 

I sent home information on how to get your child started on Raz-Kids, which is a computer based reading program.  Please note that it does not take the place of our home reading program.  I don't know that much about the program and have never used it before.  Hopefully your child will enjoy it!

Upcoming Conferences

This will be the note that you will find in the front pocket of the Bee Binder tomorrow.  Please fill in and return asap! Thanks...

Three Way Conferences: Respond Promptly

Elk Island Catholic Schools is implementing a new method of communicating student’s progress with parents district wide.  In some schools this is completely new, but in some schools, this method has been in place for a number of years.

Later this month, your child will bring home their “Evidence of Learning” binder.  In it will be pieces of work and a variety of assignments that demonstrate growth over time, areas of strength, areas of challenge that need perseverance, and formative and summative examples.

On Monday, December 5 and Tuesday December 6, students and parents, will come to meet with classroom teachers to discuss individual strengths, challenges to work on, and create a plan to support continued progress.

Please sign up for a preferred time and I will do my best to accommodate your requests.  We will be working collaboratively between teachers to schedule family groupings as close together as we can.

Monday                     Tuesday

_____ 3:45               _____3:45

_____ 4:00               _____ 4:00

_____ 4:15                _____ 4:15

_____ 4:30               _____ 4:30

_____ 4:45               _____ 4:45

_____ 5:00               _____ 5:00

_____ 5: 15               _____ 5:15

_____ 5:30               _____ 5:30

_____ 5:45               _____ 5:45

_____ 6:30               _____ 6:30

_____ 6:45               _____ 6:45

_____ 7:00               _____ 7:00

_____ 7:15                _____ 7:15

_____ 7:30               _____ 7:30

Student Name along with name of adult who will be attending

The upcoming week

Just a quick note to let you know a bit about the busy month ahead when we return on Monday, November 14 from our Fall Break.  Mark your calendars! 

1.  Tuesday, November 15 (morning) - We will be making a special present for Christmas with the assistance of the people from Clay For Kids.  The students will be making their clay projects right in the classrooms, so no extra costs for travel this year.  Please send $8.50 for the cost of the clay and the instruction, as soon as possible.

2.  Tuesday, November 15 - Cookie Dough orders are due to the office and orders will be available for pickup Dec. 5th (one of the nights of our Three-Way conferences.)

3. Thursday, November 17 - We will be celebrating the 50th Day of School with a day filled with fun exploring the number 50.  Dress the children up for a 'blast from the past' 50's style! (see the letter above that was sent before Fall break began) 

4.  Wednesday, November 30 - The Archbishop Jordan High School is presenting the play "The Velveteen Rabbit" and we will be rearranging our schedule for that day to attend the early afternoon performance.  Mrs. Pohoreski is in charge of the arrangements, so I don't have a final total, but I do know that the cost of the play is $6.00 each so with bussing, I suspect the final charge will be between $7.00 to $7.50 per person.

5.  Monday, December 5 and Tuesday, December 6 - Jean Vanier Catholic School will be hosting Three Way Conferences for Grades 1 - 6 and interviews at the Jr. High level. (I don't know the plans for the Kindergarten class).  We will be booking those times almost as soon as we return from Fall Break, and will do our best to accommodate our busy families.  You might want to check how hockey, Brownies, dance and other lessons will be impacted and make plans to ensuring that the time we spend talking about your child's academic progress takes precedence.  We'll be making plans on how best to move your child forward to reach their personal best.  The Evidence of Learning binders will be sent home on Nov. 28 and can be returned either before or right at the scheduled meeting time.