Newsletter #3

September 26^th Edition of

The Kindergarten Class News

Hello Everyone!

What a busy week! Here are some highlights:

On Monday the class continued with printing practice. We also visited the library and signed out books to take home. Please be sure to return these books by Monday each week so that your child can sign out a new one. Later we had a lesson on bus safety and the kids were excited to go on the school bus and check it out.

Tuesday we went to the gym (as we do every day) and worked in our journals. I was pleased to see the progress, even since last week. Later we welcomed Olive and Lee-ann in to help facilitate our Oral Language Groups that will run every Tuesday. This is a wonderful program that helps the children develop phonological skills (rhyming, sounds, syllables etc) to help with reading and more. This week we worked on story sequence using picture cards. Later, we went outside and planted bulbs around the front entrance of the school and are looking forward to seeing our flowers bloom in the spring. 

Wednesday we practiced our writing our names in rainbow colours (focusing on using the lowercase letters within the name) and learned more about apples and math through a taste-testing/graphing activity. Later, the kids went upstairs to do a math activity with Mrs. Lamirand and then we went outside to experiment with different items that may sink or float. Fun!

On Thursday the class had free choice in the gym and listened to the story, “When We Were Alone” by David A. Robertson. This is an age appropriate story that touches on the history of residential schools. We had a class discussion about it and I was amazed (but not surprised) at how thoughtful and companionate the children were about the topic. Later, at Whole School Meeting Rosemary won an orange shirt to wear on Monday (Orange Shirt Day) and Lachie and Louis won orange bracelets! We also had Music class and we went out to the forest.

We have really enjoyed the All About Me presentations! If you missed your day, please send it in whenever it is ready.

Next week we start regular Show and Tell. Your child can bring one item from home each week on their day. Please try to stick to their special day. We will be looking closer at the letters of the alphabet and encourage children to bring in something that starts with the letter Aa is next week. Here is a reminder about your child’s ongoing day:

Mondays: Athena, Duke B., Duke F. and Louis

Tuesdays: Lachie, James and Nathan

Wednesdays: Melissa, Max and Reverie

Thursdays: Rosemary, Patrick and Winter

Here are some important dates coming up:

September 30^th Orange Shirt Day 

October 8^th- Luv to Groove dance workshop

October 10^th- Garden Harvest Lunch

October 14^th Thanksgiving- no school

October 18^th- School in session

October 22^nd- Photo day! This is for individual school photos, class/school photos happen in the spring.

October 22^nd- Field trip to the pumpkin patch!

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!

Have a great weekend!

Ara Van Riel

avanriel@sd64.org

Lego letter Y!

Centres time

Bus safety presentation

Athena writing her name in a colour pattern!

Working on number matching.

Letter matching game

Planting bulbs

Sink or float activity

Newsletter #2

September 19^th Edition of

The Kindergarten Class News

Hello Everyone!

The children continue to do an excellent job at school. They are adapting and are aware of expected behaviour and routines. 

On Monday we learned more cooperative games in the gym, starting our Printing Like a Pro printing practice, and worked on patterns. The kids also visited the library and will return again every Monday. Thanks to everyone for bringing back the books in time. Later, we made patterns in nature and had forest play.

Tuesday was another busy day. We worked on communicating a story thought drawing, practiced writing numbers (little books sent home) and worked on alphabet identification. Later we geared up to adventure out into the rain and took a walk to “The Bog” as we call it in the nearby forest. We will observe the changes that happen to the bog as the seasons progress. 

On Wednesday, we practiced working in small groups and create apple tree art. The kids enjoyed going upstairs to do a math activity with Mrs. Lamerand and we went on a nature scavenger hunt.

Thursday was a half day and we continued our work with patterns. Louis and Nathan did a fantastic job presenting at our Whole School Meeting about some of the things we have been learning. This term we will be raising money for the Copper Kettle. If you feel like sending in a coin or two to donate on Thursdays we will tally it up in a few months.

We continue to enjoy the All About Me projects. Please send in your poster when it is ready for the class to enjoy. If you missed your date, please send in the photo board whenever it is ready.

Monday, September 30th is Orange Shirt Day. This is a day students and staff are encouraged to wear orange in spirit of reconciliation and hope because every child matters. Here is a link to give you more information. http://www.orangeshirtday.org/phyllis-story.html 

If you are able to volunteer in the classroom or on fieldtrips, please be sure to complete the criminal record check required by the district. Here is the link:

To access the online request go to: https://justice.gov.bc.ca/eCRC/home.htm

Access Code: DNW8SBGDPQ

Have a great weekend everyone!

Warmly, 

Ara Van Riel

avanriel@sd64.org

 Creative focus

At the bog

Morning activities

Painting apple trees

Centres play time

Nature scavenger hunt

Forest play

More work with patterns

Newsletter #1

September 12^thEdition 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, cleaning up, or forming a line at the door.  Well done!

The students have enjoyed getting to know each other this week and have had lots of fun learning about names and spending time in nature. They are also learning how to play safely with each other in the gym and outdoors.

On Monday we made colourful first initials, practiced writing names in shaving cream and visited the library. Please return the library books each week to exchange every Monday. In the afternoon we went outside and searched for colours in nature. 

Tuesday we worked in our journals for the first time. Later, we welcomed Olive (our speech and language expert) in to read a book about Whole Body Listening. A handout about this was sent home in the planner. Ask your child to tell you about it if you wish. We also practiced our alphabet knowledge and created nature art in the forest.

On Wednesday we read the book, “The Kissing Hand” and talked about how we felt on the first day of school. We continued to work on playing safely cooperatively in the gym and made colourful name art. Later, we welcomed Mrs. Lamerand in to do a math lesson and created class rules as a group.

Thursday we went to our second Whole School Meeting and had Music class. We also had our school Terry Fox Run (inside due to the rain) and all of the kids had a lot of fun! Now that the rainy season seems to be here, please ensure your child had a raincoat at school at all times. We go outside every day and weather appropriate clothing is a must.

Thank you to those of you who have already sent in school supplies, class fee ($20) and planner fee ($6.50). 

Next week we start our All About Me presentations. Here is a reminder about who is scheduled for the week:

Monday- Athena and Duke B.

Tuesday- Duke F. and James

Wednesday- Lachie and Louis

Thursday- Max

On Thursday, September 19 there will be an early dismissal and students will be ready for pick up/bus at 12:00pm. This is to facilitate the “Tell me about your child” meetings in the afternoon. As we have all just met, I don’t think it is necessary to meet again so soon. However, if you have anything at all you would like to discuss, let me know and we can schedule a time. 

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 activate the emergency phone tree if schools were closed due to the weather. Please let me know if you would like to be this person. I will take the first to respond.

Important Dates to Remember

September 19 Early dismissal

September 30 Orange Shirt Day (info to come)

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

Warmly,

Ara Van Riel

avanriel@sd64.org

Working on our first initial paintings

Our rainbow of colours.... so beautiful!

 Morning table activities

Already learning about measurement! They made a lego tower longer than me!

Looking for plants to paint with in their nature journals.

Forest play

Finding the letters of her name.

Some major building going on!

Our Kindergarten class, 2019!!