Newsletter #1

 September 17^th Edition of

The Kindergarten 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! I expect many tired children! It is a big adjustment and will take a little while to settle into a routine. 

 

The students have enjoyed getting to know one another this week and have had lots of fun learning about similarities and differences. 

 

We have been working on learning the letters of our names, all about apples, patterns, becoming familiar with the school grounds, learning how to share and take turn, how to treat others’ how we would like to be treated and more. 

 

The kids were very excited to go to the gym! We are learning how to play safely and cooperatively in the gym. 

 

Next Thursday we will have our Terry Fox run! There is a collection pot going to raise funds for cancer research. It is called, “Two Toonies for Terry”. If you want to send in any donations, it goes to a good cause.  

 

Thank you to those of you who have already returned the student information forms and class fees. Marcie needs them all back by Monday.

 

Next week our All About Me presentations will continue. If you missed your date, just send it in when it is ready. Here is a reminder about who is scheduled for the week:

Monday- Eoin, Evan and Freya

Tuesday- Henrik, and Juno

Wednesday- Kailea, Paige and Riley

Thursday- Ryan and any missed projects.

 

A note on pick-up. We are nearly always outside in the afternoon and will be around the sandbox area by 2:45pm Please feel free to come a few minutes early to avoid the busy after-school crowd. Most kids catch the bus so those waiting can get a little anxious if you run late. 

 

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!

 

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 and attend PAC meetings. Please let me know if you would like to be this person. I will take the first to respond.

 

Important Dates to Remember

September 30 Truth and Reconciliation Day – No School

October 1 Individual school photos

October 2 School Day

October 8 Harvest Lunch

October 12 Thanksgiving- no school

October 16 School Day

October 26 Early dismissal for learning update

October 29 Halloween celebrations at school

 

Please be sure to download the SD64 app to stay up to date with district and school updates. Here is a link to the district calendar to copy and paste: https://media.sd64.bc.ca/media/Default/medialib/sd64-2026-2027-school-calendar-revised-june-2026.9f40cb7764.pdf

 

This is a wonderful group of children and I know that it will be a happy and exciting year for all of us!

 

Warmly,

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

June 10^th Walk to Shell Beach

June 17^th Indigenous Peoples Day

June 22^nd Whole School Picnic/Activities

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

June 27^th Last Day of Kindergarten/grade 1! 

 

Have a nice weekend!

 

Ara Van Riel

avanriel@sd64.org

 

  

 

Newsletter #28

 May 28^th 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 1^st/2^nd Artist in the Classroom

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

June 17^th Indigenous Peoples Day

June 22^nd Whole School Picnic/Activities

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

June 27^th Last Day of Kindergarten/grade 1! 

 

Have a nice weekend,

Ara Van Riel

avanriel@sd64.org