Friday, September 21st, 2018

Hi Families,

It was wonderful to see many of you at the Open House yesterday - I hope you enjoyed seeing our classroom space and having your child tour you around their learning from the last 3 weeks. Formal conferences are not until November 22nd and 23rd - please do not wait until then if you have questions or concerns about your child, their learning, and the "goings-on" of school. I am happy to chat anytime :)

Happy International Peace Day! I hope you enjoyed the collaborative Buddy art we created to remind ourselves of the power we all have to do beautiful acts and deeds, make change, and be positive influences to those around us.

Our Loose Parts Collaborative Colour Wheel is beginning to take shape, and the students are so excited to contribute. There is always room for more, so if you child would like to bring in additional loose parts. In particular, our yellow, green and purple sections could use some boosting!

In the next couple of weeks, I hope to engage in some additional design activities, and hope I might be able to collect some building materials to support this learning. In particular, I am looking for:

Cardboard - both corrugated and cereal box types
Duct tape
Painters tape
Transparent tape
Wood craft sticks
Plastic drinking straws
Paper plates
Foam board
Rubber bands
Fishing line
Bamboo skewers
Hot glue sticks - regular and mini
Plasticine
PVC pipe
Zip ties
Fabric scraps
Empty milk cartons - plastic and cardboard
Odds and sods - wire scraps, screws, bolts, washers, buttons, etc.
Wood scraps - cut into smaller pieces/scraps
And anything else you can think of!

Thank you everyone! Have a wonderful weekend!
Ms. Thomas

Terry Fox Run 2018

Lake Bonavista School will be having our Annual Terry Fox Run on Tuesday, September 25th at 1:45 pm. Teachers will be discussing with students the life of Terry Fox and the contributions he has made to cancer research. 

We would like to extend the invitation to all parents and families to join us for the Terry Fox Run.

Students can dedicate their run to someone who they know that has been affected by cancer. Please speak to your child prior to our run and if they choose to, they can write who they are running for on a sticker that they will wear during the run. These will be available in the classroom on Tuesday.

Should you wish to make a donation online, please use the following link to donate through the Terry Fox website: 

http://www.terryfox.ca/lakebonavistaschool

or

Feel free to send in cash donations with your child which will be collected by the teachers.  (Donations will be accepted until next Thursday, September 28th.)

Let’s keep Terry’s dream to find a cure for cancer alive.

Thank you!

Lake Bonavista School

Reminders...

Hi Families,

Just a couple of reminders...

Student Information Packages were due back on Monday. If you have not already done so, please complete the required forms and return them to the school.

Scholastic Book Orders are due tomorrow (Thursday). Cheques or online payment only please.

ADmazing Savings Fundraiser continues! If you wish to take advantage of the discounts offered in the coupon books, please complete the order form printed on the back of the ADmazing envelope, enclose the correct amount of money - $25 per book ordered - and return to the classroom by Friday, October 12th, 2018.

Tomorrow (Thursday) is our Open House and Back to School Family BBQ! See the additional blog note for more details.

Friday is a Professional Development Day for teachers. No school for students!

Thank you everyone!
Ms. Thomas

Save the Date!

The grade 1 and 2 classes at LBS are going on our first field trip of the year to Fort Calgary! 

We are looking for parent/family volunteers to join us!

When: Tuesday, October 16, 2018

Time: we will be departing the school at 9:00am and returning to the school around 2:20pm.

What you need: a valid police clearance, a lunch and a water bottle

If you are available to join us that would be greatly appreciated! 

We will be needing about 4 or 5 parents to accompany us! 

All field trip package forms will be sent at a later date. 

Let me know by email if you can come! Thank you!

LBS Open House and School Council Welcome Back BBQ

Welcome back! It is exciting to start a new school year. 

On Thursday September 20, 2018, we'd like to invite you to: 

OPEN HOUSE 3:15 – 4:15 PM

We are inviting you to come in to the school to explore your children’s classrooms. Come to see where they spend their time learning and exploring. You will meet their teachers and see the materials and spaces they use every day.

SCHOOL COUNCIL WELCOME BACK BBQ 

The Welcome Back BBQ is a great way to meet up with old friends and make new ones. The BBQ will be held after the open house on September 20^th from 4:00 to 6:30pm. Tickets are available at: https://lakebonavista.yapsody.com/event/index/303966/welcome-back-bbq

Tickets are $3. and include a hot dog, chips, choice of a juice box or water bottle and ice cream.

Looking forward to seeing you there!!

Subsitute Teacher

Hi Families,

On Monday and Tuesday there will be a substitute teacher in our classroom.

Students have already been introduced to Mrs. Jemmott, who will be here both days to continue the learning.

If you need to pass along any messages to Mrs. Jemmott (absences, lates, pick-up changes, etc.) please contact the office so they can be delivered in a timely matter to her: 403-777-6871

Thank you!
Ms. Thomas

Friday, September 14th, 2018

Hi Families,

Students have some "homework" this weekend!

As part of our exploration of colour, we have been sorting colours into a variety of categories:

- primary vs. secondary colours
- warm vs. cool vs. neutral colours
- tints vs. shades

Colour will be embedded throughout our year, across the curriculum, and we would like to have something that we can refer to whenever the topic comes up. So, we've decided to construct a "Loose Parts Collaborative Colour Wheel"!

Students are asked to collect small items that can be sorted and glued onto a large colour wheel for display in our classroom. Objects will be glued on and not returned. An example of such a colour wheel is below. Today, students brainstormed some small items that could be glued on:

- scraps of ribbon, string, wrapping paper or cloth
- paperclips, stray penlids, too-small crayons
- buttons, pompoms, beads, paint chips
- feathers, foam pieces, lego pieces
- bottle caps, bag clips, bingo chips
- etc, etc, etc...

Please have your child bring their items to school in a small baggie. No need to sort different colours into different bags, that's part of the fun for us to have here!

Today, we concluded the week by celebrating Dot Day! http://www.thedotclub.org/dotday/get-started

If you are unfamiliar with the story "The Dot", you can view it here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t5mGeR4AQdM

We uncovered that the book is not only an art book, but also a book about growth mindset. Once the idea of a growth mindset was discussed , students were all able to identify something that they've had to practice to improve on, or that they were practicing/learning, and came up with an easy way to encourage their own growth mindset everyday, by using one of two statement:

"I can't do that yet."
"I'm still learning how to..."

If you are unfamiliar with the concept of Growth Mindset, and the work of Carol Dweck, I encourage you to see what it's all about: https://www.mindsetworks.com/science/

Each student created a dot based on pre-established criteria to contribute to a grade 1/2 collaborative art project celebrating Dot Day. We hope to have it on display for you to view when you come to our Open House before the Family BBQ next week!

Have a wonderful weekend everyone!
Ms. Thomas

ADmazing Savings Coupon Book

Admazing Savings Fundraiser has begun! The proceeds from this fundraising activity will be used directly in your child’s classroom. 

Books are available for $25.00 each, of which Lake Bonavista will use $10.50 for the benefit of our students.

If you wish to take advantage of these discounts, please complete the order form printed on the back on the ADmazing envelope, and enclose the correct amount of money - $25.00 per book ordered. - directly to your child’s classroom teacher by Friday, October 12^th, 2018  or earlier.

This year there is a free app included in each coupon book. Please ensure if you are returning the book that you have not scratched off the code area for the app, as the book will not be returnable if the code is visible. 

Additional books for Calgary, Edmonton, Red Deer or Southern Alberta may be ordered at $25.00 each for family, friends and relatives.  If you wish to order additional books, please send your order as soon as possible to your child’s teacher so that the order can be filled.  As a school, we discourage door-to-door solicitation.

Wednesday, September 12th, 2018

Hi Families,

This week, we started with a building challenge, using a variety of materials to create an object that that represented something important to us, or about us. Many students chose to represent hobbies, interests or what they wanted to be when they grew up. After building, students did a gallery walk to look at each others creations, and then presented them to the class. It was wonderful to see the students problem solve building challenges by talking about different choices they had in materials depending if they needed flexibility or strength.

We have begun our classroom Reading Jobs schedule. Each week, students rotate through 5 different jobs: Read with Teacher, Buddy Read, Read to Self, Word Work and Computers. In each of these jobs, students develop their literacy skills based on their personal ability, in both independent and cooperative activities. Our groupings right now are flexible, as I integrate assessment into the Read with Teacher component to identify where each child is at, and what their guided instruction needs to look like.

We also started exploring data by looking at our names, and the names of our peers. We have discovered that organizing data is very important, and have used both a t-chart and a table to organize our last two activities. Ask your child how many students in the classroom have the same first letter as them.

During our Opening Circle, we have been reviewing the letters of the alphabet and their corresponding sounds using the Animated Literacy program. This gives me an opportunity to embed additional assessment in everyday activities. Students who are already proficient with their letters and sounds are being introduced to concepts such as alliteration to create sentences.

Weather is becoming more like fall everyday, with cooler temperatures and rain this week already. We go outside in all weather, unless there is lightening, it is below -20 degrees, or other reasons that affect safety. Please ensure your child is dressed for the ever changing Calgary weather - layers are best!

In your child's mail folder so far this week:

- September Scholastic Book Orders. These are due back by Thursday, September 20th. Payment in available by cheque or online. If you are unfamiliar with online ordering, please refer to the instructions on one of the order forms.

- ADmazing Coupon Book Fundraiser. Please see the additional blog note for additional information.

Thank you everyone! Have a wonderful evening!
Ms. Thomas

Friday, September 7th, 2018

Hi Families,

What a wonderful first week back to school! We spent a lot of time getting to know each other this week, and developing common expectations as a community of learners. Grade 2 students were phenomenal in their role as mentors, offering support and leadership, and grade 1 students took on everything new with enthusiasm and interest! We have an amazing classroom dynamic, and I am truly excited for the upcoming year!

We have been reading a lot of books this week as we build expectations for group instruction and audience skills. Ask your child about their favourite, and see if they can retell the story to you:

 






We Don't Eat Our Classmates by Ryan T. Higgins
Dear Teacher by Amy Husband
On the Way Home by Jill Murphy
The Truth About My Unbelievable Summer by Davide Cali
How to Read a Story by Kate Messner





We have been celebrating the beginning of a new school year through:

- creating a "First Day of Grade ___" scrapbook page
- taking "First Day" photos with big, beautiful smiles in the garden
- attending a Welcome Back to School assembly
- paying "Getting to Know You Tag" as well as other cooperative activities in Phys. Ed.
- introducing ourselves to our Big Buddies from Ms. Bouchard's class

And, creating common expectations for school and classroom routines by:

- creating a Care of Our Classroom chart
- designing Food Group placemats for use during snack and lunch
- making name cards using the Moveable Alphabet
- introducing and reviewing Finger Warm-Ups for strong fine motor development
- exploring responsible work choices

And also, developing our creativity and problem solving through:

- curiosity riddles
- building with a variety of materials

AND, so much more! :) I hope your child has been coming home and sharing their days with you with excitement!

With changes to our bell times this year, Fridays are now consistently an early dismissal at 12:15PM. On Fridays, there is not formal lunchtime scheduled, but there is time in our day for two snacks as needed. Today, many students were quite hungry by the time dismissal came, so may I suggest sending extra items in their lunchbags until we understand how to keep them satiated until home. I would prefer not to hand off "hangry" kids to you ;)

Thank you for your patience as I develop dismissal expectations with the students, which included checking in with me to indicate their family member or friend was in sight, or leaving for their designated bus. A reminder that if you are making a change to their routine, an email to both myself and the office (lakebonavista@cbe.ab.ca) BEFORE NOON, or a phone call AFTER NOON is appreciated so that the change is communicated to all parties.

In your child's mail folder this week, you should have found:

- Letter of Introduction. This has been cut and paste into a blog post for your reference as needed. If you have not already done so, please consider sending in the bottom portion of the last page to receive emails regarding opportunities to volunteer in the classroom throughout the year.
- Back to School forms (in manila envelope). If these did not make it home, please contact me.
- RAZ Kids log-in information. I use RAZ Kids to complement our Home Reading program. If you have difficulties logging in, please let me know.
- Yearbooks. Students who ordered yearbooks in the 2017/2018 school year will have brought these home.
- Poetry Folders. Please see the enclosed note regarding Poetry as it connects to our Literacy work.
- Child Safe Canada pamphlet. Courses designed for school age children in a variety of areas.

Thank you everyone. As always, if you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Have a wonderful weekend!
Ms. Thomas

Welcome to the 2018/2019 School Year!

Dear Families of Room 8,                                                       

Welcome to the 2018/2019 school year at Lake Bonavista School. We have a very exciting year ahead of us in grades 1 and 2, and I just can’t wait to get started! Please take the time to read over this letter as it contains important information that will ensure your child has a successful school year.

Change of Bell Times

If your child attended Lake Bonavista School last year, please note that bell times have changed:

- Morning 8:13 AM - 11:40 AM
- Lunch break 11:40 AM - 12:26 PM
- Dismissal 2:45 PM

Every Friday is an early dismissal at 12:15 PM.

Communication

There will be many forms coming home with your child in the next few days. Please read through the notices and return the appropriate forms to ensure we have the most up-to-date information on your child.

Your child will be supplied with a Communication Folder (yellow) to ensure important items get delivered safely to/from school. Please be sure to check and return the Communication Folders on a daily basis.

Our class blog is a great place to understand what your child is doing in school. The blog is regularly updated to inform you of the activities and lessons that your child is participating in, as well as upcoming events that may be of importance. Pleae visit the blog to sign up for email updates: https://mskthomasroom8.blogspot.com/

Email is the best way to get ahold of me. My email is listed below for your convenience.

In the case of absences or changes in pick up/drop off – including bus routine – please call the office before 12:00pm, or use the Report an Absence link at the bottom of the Lake Bonavista School homepage.

Lunch and Snacks

On a regular day, students will have a morning nutrition break (snack) as well as midday lunch. There is outdoor recess in the afternoon, but no scheduled snack. Children are to bring their own healthy snacks and lunch to school as well as a water bottle.

On Fridays, students will not eat lunch at school. A snack will still be required for our morning nutrition break.

Allergies

We ask that nuts or food containing nuts are not brought to our school. See the Illness & Medical section on the Lake Bonavista School webpage for more allergy information. 

Additional information regarding classroom allergies will be provided in the upcoming weeks through the blog.

Clothes and Shoes

Please send your child in comfortable clothing that they can sit on the carpet in, play in, and possibly get slightly dirty. Also, please send an extra set of clothing with your child in a labeled bag, to hang on their hook in case of accidents, spills or wet, rainy days.

For safety reasons, children at Lake Bonavista School are required to wear shoes at all times. Please send a pair of shoes to school with your child (indoor shoes such as sneakers) that they can use for the classroom. Students participate in daily Physical Education activities, and sandals, crocs, etc. are not safe for these activities. If your child is most comfortable in dressier shoes for indoors, please consider also sending a pair of runners to be kept at school for them to change into for running and games. 

Please label all your child’s belongings. Two Lost & Found boxes are located in the main hallway if you find your child is missing an item.

Book Exchange

Both the library schedule and Home Reading schedule are yet to be determined. Please watch the blog for information on start-up and our exchange dates.

Technology

Students will have the opportunity to engage in the use of technology throughout the school year. I ask that you provide your child with headphones for minimal classroom disruption.

Please label the headphones with your child’s name. They will be kept in their cubby for the duration of the school year

Volunteers

All volunteers are required to fill out volunteer registration forms in the office. These forms take time to process, so if you are considering volunteering at all this year, please fill out the forms at your earliest convenience. Information regarding Calgary Board of Education volunteer registration, ethics, and procedures is available on the school homepage.

There are many ways to volunteer – please check the blog and look for emails from our classroom Volunteer Coordinator (with your permission given) explaining opportunities that may be available and that fit a number of different schedules and lifestyles.

If you are interested in being our classroom Volunteer Coordinator, please email me expressing your interest.

I’m looking forward to a wonderful year with your child. Please do not hesitate to contact me with any questions or concerns.

Most Sincerely,

Ms. Kelly Thomas

krthomas@cbe.ab.ca