Thursday, 4 June 2026

Newsletter #29

 June 4th Edition of

The K/1 Class News


 

Greetings Everyone! Happy June! This will be the final blog post of the year as things get busy. I will email important reminders if needed. 

 

As we near the end of the school year, conversations about what class your child will be in next year naturally come up. To avoid disappointment, it is very important not to make your child promises about who their teacher will be next year. Things concerning enrollment change on a day-to-day basis and there is no way of knowing what the state of things will be until September. There can even be staffing changes so please just reassure your child (and yourself) that we all work very hard to make the best placements based on our knowledge and your feedback forms, but it is a very challenging process. Thank you for your support in this.

 

We had a positive start to the month. Although the energy is getting high, everyone is enjoying the warm weather and being outside. We used our measurement/ADST skills to build a trellis for a jasmine plant outside our entrance. The kids had fun using real saws and hammers! We also had Sue Newman in to do two movement classes with us. 

 

All our caterpillars have made chrysalids and now we await the hatch. 

 

We have started learning about financial literacy. We have talked about trading, earning and saving. We having also started learning the value of Canadian coins. A great home lesson is to count piggybank coins and learn how to make piles worth $1. 

 

Our Kids in the Know program continues to go well and this week we focused on respectful and caring touch.

 

Next week is the PAC BBQ! (June 9th) This after school event is a fun and social activity put on by our lovely PAC. Please be sure to collect your child at the usual pick-up time (3pm) or let me know ahead of time if another parent will be watching them. It gets BUSY right after school, and it is hard to keep track of the kiddos who are waiting to be picked up if you are late.

 

Please return overdue library books. Notes were sent home if you have a late book.

 

I am hoping to take the class on another walk to Shell Beach on Wednesday. This is weather dependant. Please send a hat and water bottle! 

 

Important Dates to Remember:

June 9th PAC BBQ 3:15 (pick up is still 3pm)

June 10th Walk to Shell Beach

June 17th Indigenous Peoples Day

June 22nd Whole School Picnic/Activities

June 25th Last Day of Kindergarten/grade 1! Celebration slideshow (2pm…you are invited!)

June 27th Last Day of Kindergarten/grade 1! 

 

Have a nice weekend!

 

Ara Van Riel

avanriel@sd64.org

 















  

 

Thursday, 28 May 2026

Newsletter #28

 May 28th Edition of

The K/1 Class News


Hi everyone, here is our last newsletter of May, the countdown is on! 

 

We are nearly finished our story writing unit, and the kids have come up with some interesting themes! 

 

Tuesday was our big adventure to the city, and everyone had a blast. I expect you had some tired kids at the end of the day! The petting zoo was a highlight, and many people had baby goats jumping on their backs! The bug zoo was a test of bravery for some and a great way to see the insects we have been learning about up close and personal. 

 

Our caterpillars have been eating a lot and are nearly big enough to form a chrysalis. We will see what stage they are at on Monday.

 

We have started body science in health and will learn about how to take care of our bodies, the anatomy and how to stay safe. 

 

We ended the week with a magic show! It was very exciting and had everyone captivated!

 

Blue parent input forms went home today (Thursday) and are an optional (yet encouraged) form to help us make a good placement for your child for next year. Please read it carefully and return to me or the office. 

 

We have Sue Newman coming in to do a workshop with our class next Monday/Tuesday! This is funded through the Artist in the Classroom foundation. 

 

Please return all library books, inventory will start soon.

 

Important Dates to Remember:

June 1st/2nd Artist in the Classroom

June 9th PAC BBQ 3:15 (pick up is still 3pm)

June 17th Indigenous Peoples Day

June 22nd Whole School Picnic/Activities

June 25th Last Day of Kindergarten/grade 1! Celebration slideshow (2pm…you are invited!)

June 27th Last Day of Kindergarten/grade 1! 

 

Have a nice weekend,

Ara Van Riel

avanriel@sd64.org


























 

      

 

  


 

Friday, 22 May 2026

Newsletter #27

 May 22nd Edition of

The Kindergarten Class News


Hi everyone, we had a very fun week!

 

Monday was a holiday, so no school.

 

This week we learned about capacity in math and symmetry in art. We also learned about the life cycle of the butterfly and went on a tour of our forest with Mr. Cucumber who taught us more about Indigenous uses for local plants. 

 

We were very impressed by a student ukelele band on Thursday! Great show of talent. Some of our 6/7 class even joined in for a song.

 

The class enjoyed centres, helped care for the garden and played in the forest.

 

Friday was a school day and so we made the most of it by having a super fun day. Not only did our baby caterpillars arrive, (we will observe this amazing metamorphosis!) we had a picnic lunch, free choice in the gym and enjoyed the sunny day outside. 

 

Tuesday is our trip to Victoria! If you haven’t signed the permission slip, IT MUST BE TURNED IN SO YOUR CHILD CAN GO. All of the details are on the form but, please be at the Fulford ferry at 7:30am to meet us and get organized. Send extra food and water so your child doesn’t go without. We will meet you at the walk-off area at 3:35pm for pick up. 

 

Important Dates to Remember:

May 26th Trip to Bug Zoo and Petting Zoo

May 28 Magic Show- Leif David

June 9th PAC BBQ 3:15

June 17th Indigenous Peoples Day

June 22nd Whole School Picnic/Activities

June 25th Last Day of Kindergarten/grade 1! Celebration slideshow (2pm…you are invited!)

 

Have a nice weekend,

Ara Van Riel

avanriel@sd64.org

 

      

 

 















Newsletter #29

  June 4 th   Edition of The K/1 Class News   Greetings Everyone! Happy June! This will be the final blog post of the year as things get bus...