Hi Families,
Monday, September 30th is Orange Shirt Day. Within our school community, we come together to learn about our collective history through conversations on the history and impact of Residential Schools in Canada. Our classrooms discussions will be focused on belonging, and what happens when you are made to feel like you don't belong, connecting to our ongoing Circle of Courage. We will also be exploring the story of Phyllis Webstad. We encourage children to wear orange on Monday to acknowledge the day of education and remembrance.
This week, we explored the idea of being a Peace Maker. We looked at some Peace Makers through time, including Maria Montessori, Martin Luther King Jr., Jane Goodall and Gandhi. Through their examples and ideas of peace, students identified how they could be a Peace Maker, writing it on a dove, and adding it to our school tree near the front office.
We also learned about Terry Fox, and tracked his journey on a map of Canada, using excepts from "Terry Fox: A Story of Hope" as well as the Terry Fox Foundation website that has selections from his Marathon of Hope journal: https://www.terryfox.org/terrys-story/journal-map/ Despite the weather not being at its best, students put all their energy into our Terry Fox Run on Thursday. Thank you to the Active Living Committee for organizing such an energizing assembly, and the run itself.
We introduced the idea that these Peace Makers and heroes all show "Generosity": the value of giving back to individuals and the community.
Through Guided Drawing lessons, we are developing a Bullseye Rubric, using exemplars to help identify what is "off target" work, "on target" work and "bullseye" work. Students use this rubric to self-assess, set goals and improve their work. This week, we developed criteria for Colouring and Details/Background.
We started the routine of Classroom Jobs. Students have been assigned a job that contributes to the care of our classroom, and is completed at the end of the day. Ask your child what their first assigned job of the year is.
Thank you to the families who were able to come and visit the classroom during our Open House. Please watch the blog for information regarding a rescheduled date for our Family BBQ.
In your child's mail folder this week:
- Picture Day notice.
- School Council Survey information.
- Poetry Folder. This week's poem: Your Best.
- Math Folder. Please see the introductory letter at the front.
Important upcoming dates:
- Orange Shirt Day: Monday, September 30th.
- Picture Day: Tuesday, October 1st.
- PD Day: Friday, October 11th.
- Thanksgiving (No School): Monday, October 14th.
Have a wonderful weekend everyone!
Ms. Thomas
