Thursday, 22 January 2026

Newsletter #16

 January 22nd 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


















      

 

  


 

Thursday, 8 January 2026

Newsletter #15

 January 8th Edition of

The Kindergarten/1 Class News


Welcome back Everyone!

I hope you all had a good holiday and are ready for a great new term. The kids are, understandably, readjusting to the routines and expectations of the classroom and are likely pretty tired out after our days!

 

Please be sure to send in a bag with a full set of spare clothes to be left at school (if you haven’t already done so). Everything was sent home before the break so if you don’t remember sending clothes in this week, your child likely doesn’t have any at school. 

 

I also appreciate all the art folders that have come back. I will be re-filling these to send home. 

 

We have started learning how to count to 10 in Hul'qumi'num and the kids are really enjoying it! We are also exploring counting collections using different tools such as tens frames, number paths and groupings.

In science we will be studying objects in the sky, seasons and the senses. 

 

Along with our free choice days, the class has been enthusiastic about learning basketball skills.  

 

There are some exciting events coming up this term including a portable planetarium and our annual talent show (historically known as the Spring Showcase but it’s winter so… let’s call it the Winter Talent Show). 

 

Next week is ‘Nn’ week for Show and Tell.

 

Important Dates to Remember:

January 14 The Circle

January 27 Portable Planetarium 

February 14 Valentine’s Day

February 16 No School

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

February 20 Winter Showcase  

February 25 Pink Shirt Day  

 

It was a great first week back. I hope you enjoy your weekend.

 

Warmly,

Ara Van Riel

avanriel@sd64.org
















 

Thursday, 18 December 2025

Newsletter #14

 December 18th Edition of

The Kindergarten/1 Class News


Hello Everyone!

Here is our last newsletter before the break!

 

Our last week was full of activity and excitement. The power outages and heavy rain made for some interesting days. Our forest pathways are all about shin-deep with water, so true gumboots are required if there is any hope of dry feet. 

 

We got to watch our school band program perform for us on Wednesday. They have been working hard to learn instruments, and it was great to see! We also enjoyed having our big buddies read to us.

 

We all enjoyed our winter concert! Thank you to those of you who made it out to watch!  

 

If you have any library books at home, please return them after the break. We are missing quite a few books, and the library needs them back. I have kept the reading logs at school so they don't go missing over the break. We will resume home reading in January. Thanks again for your support with this.

 

Art folders were sent home. If you can send the folders back to be re-filled, that would be great! There are also gifts inside that your child can open at any time. 


If anyone plans to extend their break, please let me and the office know. 

 

Important Dates to Remember:

January 5 School re-opens.

 

Wishing you all a wonderful holiday and we will see you next year!

 

Warmly,

Ara Van Riel 

avanriel@sd64.org













 

 


 

Thursday, 4 December 2025

Newsletter #13

 December 4th Edition of

The K/1 Class News


Hello Everyone!

Energy is high as we approach the winter break. We are doing our best to remember classroom expectations. A reminder from home may help...

 

This week we fit in some seasonal extras like decorating the school Christmas tree, Christmas tree art and nature activities (these required some measurement skills) and making special ornaments that were sent home on Thursday. The next couple of weeks will also be full of extra fun and festive spirit so let’s do this!

 

Calling all spoons! We usually have a few spare forks and spoons to offer here at school, but I think they have all travelled home to you… if you have any extras that you notice in your drawer, we would all appreciate them being sent this way. Extra plastic bags are also welcome!

 

If you know that your child will be starting the holiday off early, please let me know so I can give them their X-mas gift early. 

 

Our class has been practicing our song for the Winter concert, and we will be performing at 1:30pm on Dec. 18th in the gym for those who can make it. 

 

Next week is the Re-Gift Fest!! Please bring your donations in on Monday! 

 

Important Dates to Remember:

December 10 The Circle

December 10 Re-Gift Fest

December 18 Winter Concert 1:30pm

December 19 Winter Break begins

January 5 School back in session

 

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. ...