Earth Hour Sat. Mar. 26th @ 8:30 P.M.
Dear Families,
Happy Spring! It was so wonderful seeing my students this week, I had missed them tremendously! I hope you enjoyed a fun-filled March Break as a family. I heard so many neat experiences!
It was a bright and sunny return to school on Monday so we took full advantage and went for a mindful nature walk. We always enjoy these as it gives us the opportunity to be one with nature and have heart to heart chats along the way :)
After our nature walk, we went to our outdoor classroom and I read a book called I Am Brown written by Ashok Banker and illustrated by Sandhya Prabhat. This book highlights the joyful celebration of the skin you're in - of being brown, of being amazing, of being you!!
Over the March Break, Ally went to the Collingwood Public Library and signed it out to share with the class. She said, "Ms. Gill, there's parts of the book that show about your culture and Punjabi language. I thought of you." How touching is this!? Thank you Ally Bear, you're the sweetest!!
With that as you can see, we're back to our regular routines and regimes! Just the way we like it ;) I bet as a parent, you're delighted by this too :-)
As you'll see and read below, it was a meaningful and productive week of learning, celebrating and recognizing some very special events such as World Down Syndrome & Water Day!
Spirit Day:
Although it's quite grey and cloudy out there, that didn't dampen our spirits, students / staff HOPPED INTO SPRING by rocking their bright colours today!! Thank you to all who participated :) Check out your child's spring smile :)
It's all about mindset isn't it? It may be grey, but we can always bring out the light n' bright within and around us!! That's exactly what Georgia did :)
World Down Syndrome Day:
Did you know, March 21st is World Down Syndrome Day (WDSD)? It is the day that the Down syndrome community creates a single global voice advocating for the rights, inclusion and well being of people with Down syndrome.
In class, we regularly talk about and promote the importance of equity and inclusion. People with Down syndrome deserve to be recognized and celebrated for their amazing contributions to society.
Each one of us has been given life and we must celebrate our differences and embrace them because it is what makes you, YOU.
Thank you to some students who ROCKED THEIR SOCKS to show your support for people with Down Syndrome. We are all unique and wonderful JUST THE WAY WE ARE.
Respecting People with Down Syndrome:
Below is a list of meaningful tips suggested from an informative book called My Life with Down Syndrome that I feel is useful for kids to utilize when they come across someone with this condition.
- Treat a person with Down syndrome like you would any person. Be friendly, respectful, and kind.
- Please don't stare at kids with Down syndrome. It is not polite.
- Expect kids with Down syndrome to follow rules, just like everyone else.
- Play and be friends with kids who have Down syndrome, just like you would any kid.
- No two people in the world are the same. Each person has things that they like and dislike. This is true for people with Down syndrome, too.
- When you meet someone with Down syndrome, say hi and ask them what their name is. You might make a new friend.
To further our learning, I shared a book called My Friend Has Down Syndrome. It helped deepen our understanding and think about ways that we can help empower these children too!
We learned that people with Down syndrome may have an extra 'gene', but they're just like US! Yes, they may look, act, or learn a little differently than others, but they are HUMAN with amazing thoughts, skills, and abilities. We can learn and grow from them too just like in the story.
Writing:
After listening to the two stories, students were given a Venn diagram to compare the similarities and differences between the main characters Peter/Sarah (down syndrome children) to themselves.
It was a very purposeful activity for us to recognize that Down syndrome kids are just like us!! As you can see from the photos, we also wrote personalized messages to a child with Down syndrome to let them know we care and we will be friends with them.
So, the next time you see someone with Down syndrome, remember to share your compassion and understanding. It would mean the world to them just like it would to you.
World Water Day:
World Water Day is held annually on March 22nd and is recognized every year since 1993.
World Water Day celebrates water and raises awareness of the 2.2 billion people living without access to safe water. It is about taking action to tackle the global water crisis.
So, what can we do? Please listen to the book below and discuss as a family ways that you can conserve water in your home starting today.
I have every confidence many of you do already, this is just a friendly reminder and offering you some useful ways to save water within your homes :)
Remember, every drop counts!
Please take a moment to also watch this powerful short film about the importance of saving water.
The video we saw shows people struggling to get clean water in a different part of the world than where we live. Adults and children spend their days trying to find some water in order to survive.
It may surprise you that there are many people living in Canada, even in Ontario that struggle to have clean water.
It hurts my heart to write this, despite being one of the most water-rich nations in the world, for generations Canada has been unwilling to guarantee access to clean water for Indigenous peoples.
The water in dozens of communities has been considered unsafe to drink for at least a year – and the government admits it has failed.
Many Indigenous People are living in areas that do not have clean water or access to running water in their homes.
This is NOT OK :(
We need to do something. It is important that ALL Canadians have access to water. Let's do OUR part to raise awareness and advocate for our Indigenous communities to have the same access as we do.
Our class family cares and we will educate ourselves to find ways that we can help!
Math:
We have wrapped up our Fractions unit and are moving onto Algebra & Coding. A math note will come home with your child in his or her agenda on Monday, but I've also posted it below for you to have a sneak peek :)
Thank you parents for all the support you provided to help prepare your child for their Fractions assessment. It's a tricky concept, but we're getting the hang of it! I am working hard to mark these tests and they will be returned in the coming days :)
Bowls for Beds:
This school year, we have done a lot of thinking, learning, and discussing about ways that we can help make a difference in the lives of those who need it the most.
It is that time again that we will do our part to make a difference!
On Tues. Mar. 29th, your child will have the wonderful opportunity to participate in "Bowls for Beds," a fundraiser to support Home Horizon and the Barbara Weider House which helps youth in our community who are at risk of homelessness.
Please watch this informative 2 minute video explaining the importance of having this organization in our area.
Home Horizon is a transitional house working with youth at risk of homelessness in the Southern Georgian Bay Area.
Homelessness is a real issue in our area even if it isn’t visible and has reached crisis proportions in Canada. These youth are also in the process of transitioning into adulthood and due to challenging circumstances, may not yet have acquired the health, personal, social and life skills that make independent living possible.
By participating and painting a bowl, our class is helping the lives of homeless youth who will receive housing and counselling programs to help transform their lives from the streets to becoming better equipped to stand on their own two feet!
If you wish, you may purchase your child's painted bowl ($30.00) online.
There is no obligation to purchase it, however, if you do consider donating, please refer to the note that was sent from Mrs. Beattie via messenger. Any questions regarding the money aspect of things, please direct them to Mrs. Beattie lbeattie@scdsb.on.ca
All monies will be donated to Home Horizon to help youth at risk of homelessness. Donations will make a difference one life at a time in our community.
Over the past six years of being at Nottawa, I have had all my classes participate. Last year, my class raised $570.00 and Mrs. Newman's class raised $480.00 with a grand total of $1, 050.00 for the Home Horizon - Barbara Weider House.
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| Class of 2020/2021 |
The families of Nottawa are truly the most generous I have ever worked with when it comes to helping others in need. Writing this, I am overcome with emotion and immense gratitude for all that you do.
All monies will be donated to Home Horizon to help youth at risk of homelessness. Donations will make a difference one life at a time in our community.
Thank you yet again for your time, support, contributions to the various causes that I've shared over the school year.
Ainsley:
Thank you to Ainsley who took part of her March Break to make me a growth mindset inspired poster!! Isn't it lovely!? She's such an artist!
If you look closely, she's written some of our quotes we've shared throughout the year. I'm proud of you for making these connections, Ainsley! This is now hung up in our classroom for everyone to benefit from your thoughts, words, and actions. Way to go!!
Reeghan & Emily:
Reeghan was excited to share a very special gift that she received from a family member. Upon seeing it, I beamed because Buddha's are something that I value and keep sacred too!!
Did you know, Buddha means the Enlightened one? "Buddhism envisions peace as inner state of mental tranquility which spreads outward. Attaining a state of inner peace could be an inspiration to all."
Buddha attained inner peace by the practice of meditation, which inspired him to work for world peace. AMAZING!!
With Reeghan's sharing, Emily also enthusiastically brought in her very own laughing Buddha.
"The laughing Buddha is considered as a symbol of happiness, abundance, contentment and wellbeing. Laughing Buddha statues are considered auspicious and are often kept in homes, offices, hotels and restaurants, for positive energy and good luck." I truly believe in its energy too, Emily!
Thank you to Emily's Mom who shared this lovely photo of their family's laughing Buddha that they have placed in their home holding Tibetan Prayer Flags. I love it!!!
Seeing these Buddha's from my students inspired me to bring in my own from home and place it in our classroom.
After we admired it, we discussed the benefits of having a Buddha in our classroom and we came up with the following:
- "Brings peace and helps us with concentration." - Ally
- "The Buddha's eyes are closed which tells us to meditate everyday to help us be in the present moment." - Reeghan
- "It brings in positive energy" - Georgia
- "Buddha represents happiness and joy." - Emily
- "It shows love!" - Ainsley
I was very impressed with the many responses shared!!! It's all so true and it will be a great reminder for us to be peaceful, calm, and in the present moment for our thoughts, words, and actions.
Later, I posed the question: "Boys and girls, do you know why the Buddha's ears are so long?" Many did not and I didn't either until my Ma shared it with me. Buddha's elongated ear lobes teaches us the importance of ACTIVELY LISTENING TO OTHERS. It signifies compassion and wisdom. Listen more, talk less :)
Evelyn:
Thank you Evelyn for this very special gift, I love it! She was at a store and came across this notebook and said to her Mom, "I think Ms. Gill will love it!" That I do!! Love is the key to the world's problems. #prayforUkraine
Evelyn also took the time, thought, and energy to make me a handmade beaded bracelet with the words 'caring & kind' on it!!
I really appreciate your thoughtfulness, I will wear my bracelet with pride always!! It is a great reminder for me as an educator to put forth kindness and caring towards my students each and everyday. I promise I will. Meegwich :-)
Jardine & Evie:
Thank you to Jardine and Evie for reinforcing and sharing your resources of the amazing works of art by Emily Carr whom we learned about prior to the March Break with the Magic of Children's Art Teacher named Shandelle.
It really got us excited! It's quite evident in the photos below of the kids checking out Jardine's book :)
I'm really touched that Jardine and Evie both wanted to share more about Ms. Carr's history and contributions to Canada. Evie even read aloud a short biography to her peers who listened attentively and learned so much more about her life :)
Georgia:
With the pandemic, many small businesses have been greatly affected with the many shutdowns that we've had. I think it's important to support small businesses in our area because by doing so we're helping owners provide for their family.
New business alert!!
Georgia's uncle Daniel and Steve recently opened a wellness studio called VORTEX. Check out their website for more information. I'm certainly going to check it out!
Attending to our physical, mental, and emotional well-being is needed now more than ever as we've all been through so much the past two years.
Vortex Wellness is happy to help you shift your life to the next level! Give them a call or pop by their studio located at 245 Raglan St Suite 200, Collingwood, ON L9Y 3Z1
"LIFE IS AN AMAZING ADVENTURE AND VORTEX IS THE PLACE TO MAINTAIN THE MOMENTUM OF YOUR JOURNEY."
Thank you for taking the time to learn more and considering to support Georgia's uncle Daniel and Steve in their business!
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| Uncle Daniel |
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| Uncle Steve |
Reeghan & Emily:
Thank you girls for bringing in more tabs for wheelchairs! Look at all those!! Makes me so happy inside and out!
Your efforts are making a difference in the lives of those who require a wheelchair to help them live their lives more independently. We sure care about the feelings' of others!!
Can't wait to count up the tabs as a class family at the end of the school year. I wonder how many we'll have? That'll be fun to make an estimate first and then count them up :)
Mindfulness:
Every year and everywhere, at 8:30 p.m. on the last Saturday of March, millions of people across the world join in raising awareness of the nature crisis facing our plant.
Click the link below for more information.
Please consider joining Earth Hour with the millions of people around the world this Saturday at 8:30 p.m. local time to let leaders know we want action on climate change and biodiversity loss!!
It's time to make nature matter!
Thank you to Jardine (Mom) for sharing this meaningful quote with our class. Mr. Mandela always empowered others of the power of grit & resilience.
May we all find it within us to NEVER GIVE UP ON OUR HOPES & DREAMS.
Meegwich,
Ms. Gill
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