Newsletter #4

 October 3^rd Edition of

The K-1 Class News

Hello Everyone! Well, fall is here and so is the rain. Thanks all, for sending rain gear! Our forest paths will soon get VERY wet, so having gumboots at school will be a must. Let me know if you need help finding a pair. We usually have spare boots.

 

The kids are enjoying sharing their special items from home on their show and tell day. Next week they are encouraged to bring something that begins with the letter ‘Bb’. Please try to stick to your day so we have time to hear from each child. Thanks! Here is the list again; it will be the same every week:

 

Mondays (or Friday if Monday is a holiday): Anaya, Ashton, Atti, Augustus and Clem

Tuesdays: Dom, Eden, Enzo, Hugo and Jude

Wednesdays: Kari, Kingsley, Louie and Maeve

Thursdays: Marlee, Mia, Tycho and Zaeden

 

This week we practiced counting in different ways. The grade 1’s worked on addition. We also started literacy stations and learning how to sequence a story using descriptive language. School pictures were taken. There will be a re-take day for those who missed it or just want another try.

 

We have a busy week ahead!! Next Monday, we will learn about bus safety for school bus riding.  

 

On Tuesday, the SS fire fighters will be making us all a pancake breakfast before school! They will also do a fire safety lesson with each class.

I plan to take the class on a walking trip down to Pebble Beach that afternoon. We will be away from the school for the whole afternoon. If you would like to come along, please let me know. It’s always nice to have a couple extra adults.

 

Next week is also our Harvest Lunch (Thursday, Oct. 9^th)! This is a favourite event where the whole school gathers to share a meal. Please send a spoon and bowl on this day plus extra food for our 2 other eating times. Our class will be making apple crumble on Wednesday at 12:45pm. I am looking for 2 parents who would like to come help the kids peel and chop apples for about an hour. You will need a completed criminal record check. Please let me know if you can help.

 

Our home reading program will start up next week. Please ensure the books are returned each day to swap for a new one. 

 

Please remember to fill out the criminal record check (if you haven’t already) if you are thinking about volunteering your time in class or on fieldtrips. To access the online request go to: https://justice.gov.bc.ca/eCRC/. Access Code: DNW8SBGDPQ Thank you!

 

 

Important Dates to Remember:

October 7 – Pancake breakfast

October 7 – Walk to Pebble Beach

October 8 – Make apple crisp

October 9 – Harvest lunch

October 13 – Thanksgiving, no school

October 14 – Trip to the pumpkin patch

October 17 – School day and PJ day!

October 23 – Early Dismissal for learning update meetings

October 30 – Halloween dress up for school, costume parade.

 

 

Ara Van Riel

avanriel@sd64.org

 Some photos of our days. Ask your child to tell you about what we were up to.

Newsletter #3

 September 25^th Edition of

The K/1 Class News

Hello Everyone!

It was another busy week! Here are some highlights. Some sickness is already circulating so thank you for staying home when needed. Also, just a reminder in include both me and Marcie in emails about attendance in case I am away.

 

We have been learning a bit about why we have Orange Shirt Day (Coming up on Monday) and Truth and Reconciliation. The children are all so caring and kind.

 

Everyone is adapting so quickly to life at school, and I am impressed with the growth and learning that I see already! 

 

The kids continue to work on printing, this week it was the letter I, writing in their journals, sequencing stories (including the who/where/when) and patterns. We planted bulbs outside the office, learned from our garden helpers in the garden and explored the forest. 

 

On Wednesday we went to the Whole School Meeting and on Thursday had Music class. 

 

We have really enjoyed the All About Me presentations! If you missed your day, please send it in whenever it is ready. Regular Show and Tell will start next week and we will be focusing on bringing items that begin with the letter of the week (Next week is the letter A). Here is your child’s day for the year:

Mondays (or Friday if Monday is a holiday): Anaya, Ashton, Atti, Augustus and Clem

Tuesdays: Dom, Eden, Enzo, Hugo and Jude

Wednesdays: Kari, Kingsley, Louie and Maeve

Thursdays: Marlee, Mia, Tycho and Zaeden

Please send one item each week on this day if your child wishes to participate. If it is NOT your S&T day, please leave all toys at home. Thank you for your help with this.

 

Please remember to fill out the criminal record check (if you haven’t already) if you are thinking about volunteering your time in class or on fieldtrips. We have fun stuff coming up! To access the online request, go to: https://justice.gov.bc.ca/eCRC/. Access Code: DNW8SBGDPQ Thank you!

 

Important Dates to Remember:

September 30^th -National Day for Truth and Reconciliation

September 29 Orange Shirt Day

September 30 Truth and Reconciliation Day – No School

October 1 School Photos

October 3- Fun hair/hat day (School in session on a Tuesday schedule)

October 8 – Make apple crisp

October 9 – Harvest lunch

October 13 – Thanksgiving, no school

October 17 – School day and PJ day!

October 23 – Early Dismissal for learning update meetings

October 30 – Halloween dress up for school, costume parade.

Have a great weekend!

Ara Van Riel

avanriel@sd64.org

 

Painting at centres

Forest discoveries 

Looking at spider webs

Fun in the gym!

Planting bulbs

 

 

 

Newsletter #2

 September 18th Edition of

The K/1 Class News

 

Hello Everyone!

The children continue to do an excellent job with school routines and expectations. Everyone is getting used to the morning sign in routines and they are learning to listen well and share with their friends.

 

On Wednesday we went to our second Whole School Meeting.  This will happen every week, where we sit with all of the other students in the library.  We sing Happy Birthday to anyone who had a birthday during the past week and Kaz shares any news.  Sometimes a class presents something they have been working on.

 

This week we continue practicing writing our names the school way, (capital first letter and the rest lowercase) and working on patterns. 

We had fun stamping with apples and used the apple theme to practice our numbers.

 

We continue to enjoy learning in our forest and the children often say “forest time” is their favourite part of the day. We often take our learning out to the outdoor classroom and this week tested items that could float or would sink, made patterns in the forest and continued to learn about the spaces we play in. 

 

A Reminder about the "All About Me" projects for next week:

Monday- Maeve and Mia

Tuesday- Tycho

Wednesday- Zaeden

Thursday-

If you need more time, or forgot to bring yours in this week, send them in when they are ready.

 

We will visit the library on Tuesdays. Please remember to return the borrowed books each week.

Important Dates to Remember

September 29 Orange Shirt Day

September 30 Truth and Reconciliation Day – No School

October 1 School Photos

October 3- Fun hair/hat day (School in session)

October 9 – Harvest lunch

October 13 – Thanksgiving, no school

October 17 – School day and PJ day!

 

Thanks!

Have a great weekend!

 

Warmly, Ara Van Riel

Photos from our week

 

 

Newsletter #1

September 11^th Edition of

The K/1 Class News

Hello Everyone!

We had an exciting first week as a whole class.  Everyone is learning about our rules and routines such as sitting in the circle, following the group plan, cleaning up, or forming a line at the door.  I am impressed with how quickly everyone is adjusting and proud of our grade 1 leaders for being so helpful! 

 

The students have enjoyed getting to know one another this week and have had lots of fun learning about similarities and differences. The grade 1’s shared a little about themselves during Show and Tell.

 

Here are some highlights from our week:

 

On Monday the K students hunted for their first initials and made letter art while the 1’s made names with patterns. We have started learning about patterns in math. The kids were very excited to go to the gym! 

 

The K’s are having fun learning about the letters in their names. Some activities have been to write in shaving cream, search for their letters and practice printing the correct lowercase letters during sign-in.

 

We went to Music class, had our first Whole School Meeting and checked books out from the library. Please return the books each Monday. 

 

We have enjoyed learning out in the forest too! We have gone on a colour hunt, toured the forest play areas and worked in the garden.

 

Thursday was a half day. We had free choice in the gym, drew pictures of our family in our journals and ended off our week with our Terry Fox run! The children were amazing! Well done. 

 

Student information forms went home and are requested back on Monday.

 

Next week we start our All About Me presentations for the K’s! Here is a reminder about who is scheduled for the week:

Monday- Anaya and Atti

Tuesday- Augustus and Dom

Wednesday- Enzo

Thursday- Jude and Kingsley

This is not meant to add any stress, so if you need more time, that is OK.

 

Just a reminder to please keep your child home when sick. Some easy tips to remember are: 

-stay home for 24 hours after vomiting, diarrhea, or a fever. 

-stay home if mucus is thick, green and needs constant blowing.

 -Stay home if they have a persistent cough (lingering coughs are understandable) or a sore throat.

Once energy levels are back up and cold symptoms have lessened, come on back! 

 

Other reminders:

-Please use the planner to communicate after school plans (if they change from the norm) as I am still getting used to 20 different schedules. Thank you! Emailing both Marcie and myself about plans is very helpful as I may be away or not check my email during the day.

 

-Please send a non-breakable mug to hang up for water.

 

I am looking for a parent who would be willing to take on the position of class rep. This person would communicate info from the PAC, if needed, and ideally go to PAC meetings once a month. Please let me know if you would like to be this person. I will take the first to respond but anyone can go to the PAC meetings. It is a great way to be a part of the school community. 

 

Important Dates to Remember

September 29 Orange Shirt Day

September 30 Truth and Reconciliation Day – No School

October 1 School Photos

October 3- Fun hair/hat day (School in session)

October 9 – Harvest lunch

October 13 – Thanksgiving, no school

October 17 – School day and PJ day!

 

We have a wonderful group of children in this class and I know that it will be a happy and exciting year for all of us!

 

Warmly,

Ara Van Riel 

avanriel@sd64.org