Newsletter #19

 February 26^th Edition of

The K/1 Class News

Hi Everyone! What a week!

Here are some highlights: 

 

It finally feels like Spring is here to stay. Fingers crossed. We have noticed spring blossoms popping open and we made art to represent this seasonal change. 

 

We also focused a lot of kindness and how to be a good friend this week. Pink shirt day was on Wednesday, and I think our class took home first place for the most pink overall. 

 

We have been reviewing skip counting by 2’s and used a number line to help visualize this process. 

 

Next week (Thursday) we will celebrate the 100^th day of school! The kids are all very excited. We have been counting straws each day to keep track. On Thursday, you are invited to send in a collection of 100 to show the class. This could be a jar of 100 shells, 100 stickers, 100 pom-poms etc. We will be celebrating the number 100 all day in several fun ways.

 

Important Dates to Remember:

March 5 100^th day of school

March 13 First day of Spring Break

March 30 School back in session

April 6^th Easter Monday (No School)

 

Warmly,

Ara Van Riel

avanriel@sd64.org

 

      

 

  

 

Newsletter #18

February 15^th Edition of

The K/1 Class News

Hello Everyone!

We had a busy week. 

 

Monday was a holiday so we had our Valentine’s Day party on Tuesday! The kids were excited to fill our mailboxes with cards. A great lesson on giving! The “feast” was a huge hit! Thanks to all who sent in snacks/treats. It was a special day.

 

Thanks to those of you who made it out to celebrate your child’s learning on Wednesday. It was so cute watching how proud each child was to share with you some of what they have been working on. 

 

Friday was our Winter Showcase! The class enjoyed watching the show and cheering on their peers. How fun!

 

We are on to the letter T for show and tell next week. 

 

We also have Pink Shirt Day coming up on the 25^th. This is a day to wear pink to stand up to bullying. We will talk about being a good friend to all and how to prevent unkind behaviour. For those who don’t own any pink, I will have pink hearts to tape on.  

 

Important Dates to Remember:

February 25 Pink Shirt Day (to support anti-bullying) 

March 12 Last Day of School before Spring Break 

March 30 Back to school

 

Warmly,

Ara Van Riel

avanriel@sd64.org

 

      

 

  

  

Newsletter #17

 February 5^th Edition of

The Kindergarten/1 Class News

Greetings Everyone!

It has been an interesting couple of weeks here at school with many children away due to illness and various “extra” activities, including a visit from baby lambs! I was pulled away from the class a few times for various reasons and the kids were very well behaved for the Teachers On Call.

 

We continue learning about the objects in the sky and the portable planetarium visit last week was a real treat! We went on a visit to outer space and even touched a piece of a real shooting star. We have taken this study across all subject areas, writing about it and creating art. 

 

We have been focusing on learning how to identify syllables in our Oral Language Groups. 

 

During our math explorations, we have added counting by 5’s into our counting collection work as well as working with doubles. 

This is the time of year I always tend to notice the kids really starting to “get it” in many areas of our learning which is exciting! I sent out a link to sing up for our Student Led Conferences that are happening on February 18^th. Please sign up for a time to come in and have your child show you a bit of what they have been learning in class. This is meant to be a celebration of learning with your child.

 

Valentine’s Day is also coming up! At school we like to encourage kindness to all, and this is a great opportunity for your child to make cards/tokens for their peers, spreading a little love around. As Valentine’s Day is on a Saturday this year, we will have our class celebration/card exchange on Tuesday, February 17^th. If you can send in a snack to be shared, it would be appreciated! We will be making little card collection bags at school in advance. 

 

February 20^th is a school Friday and our Winter Showcase! Thanks to those of you who filled out the form (optional) if your child wanted to sign up for the talent show or talent display. You are invited to come watch the show on this day at 1:30pm in the gym. Displays are to be brought to school that morning, clearly labeled and removed at the end of the day. This event is a favourite of many and showcases our very talented school community.

 

Important Dates to Remember:

February 14 Valentine’s Day

February 16 Family Day (no school)

February 17 Valentine’s class celebration

February 20 School in session

February 25 Pink Shirt Day (to support anti-bullying) 

 

Warmly,

Ara Van Riel

avanriel@sd64.org

 

      

 

  

 

Newsletter #16

 January 22^nd Edition of

The Kindergarten/1 Class News

Hi Everyone!

Another week goes by. Here is a recap of some of the things we did.

 

We have been working and playing hard here at school. The class has been interested in basketball skills lessons during PE and are getting pretty good!

 

We continue to explore counting collections and have added doubles in the mix. These hands-on explorations have been engaging and productive. We also continue to build on our multi-language counting to 10.

 

We have been studying objects in the sky and this week, focused in on the moon. These little scientists have great curiosity, and we are learning a lot! 

 

I will be hosting Student Led Conferences on February 18. This is an early dismissal day, and you are invited to come in and let your child show you what they have been learning. I will be sending you a sign-up document soon. Please sign up for a time slot that works for you.

 

Important Dates to Remember:

January 27 Portable Planetarium

January 29 Hot dog lunch if you ordered (please also send lots of other food for our 2 snacks prior) 

February 14 Valentine’s Day

February 16 No School

February 18 Early dismissal (12pm) for Student Led Conferences.   

February 20 Winter Showcase (forms went home today!)

February 25 Pink Shirt Day  

 

Warmly,

Ara Van Riel

avanriel@sd64.org