First Week of School - SUPERB START-UP!

Dear Families,

With the exception of an 'ice day' Wednesday, what a terrific week we've had yet again!  Lots of important and key learning about equity, inclusion, and diversity!  All topics near and dear to my heart.  

My students are taking such an interest in the issues surrounding bullying, black history, and homelessness.  We are learning to apply compassion, understanding and ACCEPTANCE towards one another each and every day.  

You will have noticed from time to time that your child comes home to share that he/she has either written or received a 'bucket filling' note for/from a peer.  I provide children with daily opportunities to express their appreciation towards each other.  'To love and be loved in return,' the ultimate gift!

These messages of gratitude are designed for students to acknowledge and express their feelings for peers, teachers, friends, and family members. 

Thank you boys and girls for taking the time and HEART to express your gratefulness.  When we are in a state of constant gratitude, your life will be filled with JOY!!

I believe one of life's greatest gifts is to give and receive unconditional love!  "To love and be loved" is the key to the world's problems. 

Spirit Day:

Thank you to all the staff and students who took the time to sport their CAMO GEAR!  I even managed to 'fit into' an ol' pair of Levi camo pants, they're the only ones I own ;)  

Getting into our school wide spirit days always brings our school family together, and it's wonderful to be connected :)

Check us out in our camouflage below!

National Day of Pink:

Anti-Bullying Day is a day when people wear mainly a pink shirt to symbolize a stand against bullying, an idea that was originated in Canada.  It is celebrated on the last Wednesday of February in Canada.

As a school family, we encouraged our students to practice kindness and wear pink to show that we DO NOT tolerate bullying.  

My students and I have discussed that the message behind this significant day needs to be acknowledged, celebrated, and implemented each and every day in our thoughts, words, and actions.  KINDNESS BEGINS WITH US.

Thank you to all students and staff who wore pink to STAND UP FOR BULLYING PREVENTION.  For those who did not wear pink, that's a-ok, as it's not about the colour, it's a WAY OF LIFE!

Acceptance!  Diversity!  Inclusion!

As part of our learning and 'unlearning' of acceptance, diversity, and inclusion, I shared a book called 'My Princess Boy.'  It is a nonfiction picture book about acceptance.  The author Cheryl Kilodavis wrote the story to give children and adults a tool to talk about unconditional friendship.

When Cheryl feared her young son would be teased or bullied for wearing a dress to school, she spoke with his preschool teacher.  She shared her fears with others, and a plan was put in place to support him and others who express themselves uniquely.

In light of many unthinkable outcomes of bullying, discussion about acceptance can help get our world back to the basics - compassion!!!

Dyson (the main character) loves the colour pink, and sparkly things.  Sometimes he wear dresses, and sometimes, he wears jeans.  He likes to wear his princess tiara, even when climbing trees.  He's a Princess Boy, and his family loves him exactly the way he is.  

See the video below to gain insight and appreciation for this young boy and a family who adores their son just the way he is.  

This story is inspired by the author's son, and by her own struggles to initially understand her child.  This is one mother's story about unconditional love, and one remarkable family. 

This heart opening book is a call for tolerance and an END TO BULLYING and JUDGMENTS.  The world is a BETTER and brighter place when we accept everyone for who they are.

In order to help our world start and continue conversations about acceptance, WE HAVE THE POWER TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE through our own INCLUSIVE thoughts, words, and actions!!  

As a community, we can accept and support our children for whomever they are and however they wish to look.  To all the Princess Boys in the World:  YOU ARE LOVED. 

Enjoy the story below as a family.  Thank you Dyson for sharing your love for expressing yourself the way you are!  You are an inspiration to us all :-)  Be WHO YOU ARE.  

Writing:

After listening to the story and having a class discussion about the author's message, students completed the following activity:  Write about how we can create a school where everyone feels safe to be who they are.  Include details of strategies you would use.

Upon reading and receiving many entries, I was so touched by the responses because your child put their entire heart into it.  I have every confidence that with our collective thoughts, words, and actions we can help continue making Nottawa the brightest and best place to be :-)

To help deepen our understanding and compassion for Dyson (from My Princess Boy), students also wrote a personal message to him sharing words of support, empathy, and encouragement.  These two writing pieces will come home soon for you to marvel at too, stay tuned!!

Math:

This week, we were exposed to a variety of word problems to continue honing our skills using the 4-Block Method.  I have provided a handy sheet for students to use every time they're asked to solve a multi-step problem.

Students worked collaboratively in groups to solve the following question.  When it comes home, please ensure you review it with your child to celebrate their understanding, planning, solving, and explaining :)

As always, it brings me immense joy seeing my students work effectively in their THINK!  PAIR!  SHARE GROUPS!  

It truly helps particular individuals who may be reluctant to begin a challenging problem, however, when they're in a TEAM, their confidence increases and they're able to get the job done!

Math Assessment:

Speaking of math, thank you to all the students who are diligently preparing for their upcoming multiplication & division assessment on Monday.  I really appreciate the support and know your child will be well prepared!  

Mindfulness:

I've shared these heritage minute videos like the one below throughout the month of February to give students images and words of what some of the changes that have come as a result of the courage and fight by civil rights activists like Harriet Tubman, Rosa Parks, Viola Desmond, etc.  

Here is one that focuses on the Underground Railroad in Canada that helped free slaves!

"Free at last!  Free at last!  Thank God Almighty, we're FREE AT LAST!" - Dr. King Jr.

Growth Mindset:

Thank you Ainsley for sharing the following inspiring message!!  Yes, it's so true!!  

Greta Thunberg is someone that I look up to.  She is an environmental activist who is known for challenging world leaders to take immediate action for climate change mitigation. 

Thunberg's inspiring activism began when she persuaded her parents to adopt lifestyle choices that reduced their own carbon footprint.

Oh my goodness, may we have more Greta's in the world whose courage and activism will help change our physical world!! 

Meegwich,

Ms. Gill