First Week of School - SUPERB START-UP!

Dear Families,

It was an absolute highlight for me reuniting with my students this week!  Being back in the classroom truly helped me reaffirm my passion and just how connected I feel with the kids and YOU (parents).

Thank you for your ongoing love & support, it doesn't go unnoticed and I cherish our connection.   

Thank you to Evelyn, Emily, Kinley, and Georgia who took the time to make me some thoughtful welcome back messages.  When I saw these, it instantly brought a smile to my face (behind my mask) and energized me!  The bond we share is special and I will hold it near and dear to my heart always!!

At this time, I would also like to wish you all a "Hoppy" Easter with your family and friends!  As many are aware, it is Good Friday today (no school) and Easter Monday (no school), so students will be back to school on Tuesday morning.

The kids enjoyed sharing their favourite Easter traditions that they partake in with their families.  I can imagine how amazing it will be to reunite with relatives that you may not have seen for a while due to the pandemic. 

Enjoy every sweet moment with your loved ones and I look forward to hearing all about it next week!

Passion Project:

I hope by now, your child has shared with you that I have posted and assigned a very meaningful assignment on Google Classroom for them to reflect upon and complete called The Passion Project.  

Over the long weekend, I encourage you to please have your child access this at home and continue working on it.  I have shared some examples in class to help get students inspired.  

Here's where we need your help!  One part of the task is to also create, record, and upload an inspirational 1 minute video message for their peers.  My example and video message is posted on Google Classroom.  

I appreciate your help in this endeavour and I look forward to listening to and seeing your child's inspiring message to help make our world the best it can be!

The project is due Thurs. Apr. 28th and students will be given the opportunity to present these to their peers as well in an oral presentation format.  Stay tuned for this in May!

International Day of Pink:

Did you know that the second Wednesday in April is the International Day of Pink?

Yes, this happens annually!! This year's theme is 'Represent', and on April 13th, we encouraged students to put on a pink shirt to represent equality, diversity, inclusivity, solidarity, kindness, courage and acceptance.

We wear pink to stand in solidarity with the 2SLGBTQIA+ community in the continued fight for equality and acceptance.

Learn more: www.dayofpink.org/en/home

Thank you to all the boys and girls in our class who wore pink to show that you STAND UNITED in putting an end to bullying in all its forms!

Ainsley:

To help connect to our learning about the International Day of Pink, Ainsley shared a very wonderful book called Pete Cat's Groovy Guide to Love.

This read aloud teaches us to spread the love, Pete style!  Pete the Cat shares some groovy words from the heart in this fun collection of all his favourite famous quotes about self-love, pursuing your passions (or doing what makes you happy), and friendship.

This cool cat reminds us that the key to loving life is to love yourself, love others, and love what you do.

Thank you Ainsley for sharing this book with our class family!  Its messages are so important for us to remember to put into our daily actions.  

If we do this, then our world will continue to be bright, beautiful and inclusive to ALL.  Nobody should be judged based on their gender, race, age, sexuality, or disability.  We are all unique and wonderful JUST THE WAY WE ARE.

Reeghan:

Reeghan has been actively seeking out books in our library that also relate to ways to put an end to bullying.  This makes me so proud as she is doing her part to take action to STAND UP and not stand by.     

On Wednesday, Reeghan enthusiastically signed out a book called You Can Stop Bullying.  Stand By OR Stand Up?  

In this illustrated choose-your-own-ending book, the main character Elizabeth witnesses John getting bullied. Will she stand by and let it happen, or will she stand up and help John? 

The neat part is that readers make choices for Elizabeth and read what happens next, with each story path leading to different consequences.

Ask your child what he or she would do if they were in the position of Elizabeth.  What are some ways they would help John?

"The STRONGEST people STAND UP FOR OTHERS."

The video above is made by students for Kindness Week. All answers, stories, and suggestions are real and were written by elementary school aged students.

What part of the video was most impactful for you? For me, it was when a young child said, "The strongest people stand up for others!" YES!!! You too can help stop bullying ... Stand UP!

Math:

You will have received your child's Block 2 Math Assessment which covers the strands of math that I have taught over the past few months (e.g., multiplication, division, fractions, addition/subtraction).

I am very proud of students working hard to ensure that they are using pictures (P), numbers (N), and words (W) to fully justify/explain their answers.  

If your child isn't quite there YET, I have also provided a model copy so you may wish to refer to this to help reinforce concepts that may require more attention and practice.  Thank you for your ongoing support in our math program.

Below, I have posted a word problem entitled Seesaw Balance and an accompanying example that students completed in pairs.  This was a 2 part question that required the kids to write a math equation that shows the problem that needs to be solved.    

This performance math task was also brought home in the agenda with a rubric (marking scheme) that I used to assess your child's achievement for their Knowledge/Understanding, Thinking/Application, and Communication skills.  

Clara:

I received an email and photos from Clara who is currently enjoying her time in Bermuda with her family.  She wanted to share these AMAZING CRYSTALS that she came upon in her travels.  WOWIE, these are beautiful!!  

When I showed these images to the kids, they were in awe :)  Thank you Clara for taking time out of your adventures to think of us and sharing a part of your journey!!  We're delighted that you're incorporating an educational experience on this trip that links to what we've talked about and learned in class.

Looking forward to seeing you on Tuesday, Clara :-)

Kinley:

Thank you Kinley for your generous collection and donation for our Tabs for Wheelchairs initiative!!  I am overjoyed that our class family continues to think about the feelings of others.  

We truly are making a difference 1 tab at a time!!  

A Message from the Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit:

Most families will have received this message via school messenger, however, if you haven't had the opportunity to read it, I have posted this very important recommendation below.

As many know, I was self-isolating last week due to contracting the virus.  This new variant has been fast spreading since the mask mandate lifted, and it has greatly impacted the members of our school community (staff, students, and parents).  

I urge us all to work together to protect each other in a way that works best for you and your family.  Please read carefully, thank you.  

"To school administrators, staff, students and families in Simcoe Muskoka: 

Regarding - Indoor Masking Recommendation and Other Layers of Protection Simcoe Muskoka is in a sixth wave of COVID-19 driven by the Omicron BA.2 variant." 

"We know this as we have seen an increase in case counts, outbreaks, hospitalizations, and detection of virus in wastewater.  Although the province lifted COVID-19 restrictions and masking mandates, the pandemic is not over and we cannot let our guard down." 

"As I stated in my March 23 special statement to the community, it is still very important that you continue to take precautions to protect yourself, your family, and your community, with the goal of reducing severe illness and hospitalization and to help slow the spread of COVID-19 in this sixth wave." 

"I strongly recommend that you continue to wear a mask in all indoor public spaces, including schools. Masks should be three-layered, well-fitted and cover the nose, mouth and chin. Continue daily screening, stay home if you are sick and self-isolate if you have symptoms of COVID-19 or have tested positive." 

"Vaccination remains one of the most important tools to reduce the spread of COVID-19 and protect ourselves and our community from not only this wave, but future waves. It is critical to stay up to date with your vaccination by receiving all doses recommended." 

"As COVID-19 continues to spread, getting a booster dose if you are eligible and especially if you are at high risk, is very important. It is your best defense against severe illness and hospitalization. These actions can reduce the spread of COVID-19 and school absenteeism and help keep our school communities healthy." 

Each preventive measure adds a layer of protection for yourself and others: 

• Get vaccinated for COVID-19 and stay up to date with all eligible vaccination doses 

• Wear a well-fitted mask when in indoor public spaces, like school, especially when two metres of physical distancing cannot be maintained 

• Complete the COVID-19 School and Child Care screening before going to school every day 

• Practice good hand hygiene.

• Stay home if you are sick or unwell 

Thank you for your continued efforts to support the health and well-being of school communities in Simcoe Muskoka.

Visit the health unit’s website for more information at smdhu.org/COVID-19 or contact Health Connection at 705-721-7520 (toll free 1-877-721-7520), Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. 

Sincerely, 

Charles Gardner, MD, CCFP, MHSc, FRCPC Medical Officer of Health

Mindfulness:

What does Easter mean to you?  Before the students left for their long weekend, I reminded them that Easter is much more than the Easter bunny bringing chocolate and gifts.  

For me, it's about spending quality time with our family and BEING GRATEFUL for what we have ... health, happiness, and a home to create memories with loved ones.  

The past two years have been extremely difficult for many being separated from relatives due to the pandemic.  So this Easter, I encourage you to make it one to remember by sharing your gratitude(s) with each other because you will soon realize, despite all the challenges that have come our way, we have SO MUCH to be grateful for :) 

 

From my heart to yours, have a happy and safe Easter long weekend!

Growth Mindset:

"We all have a place in this world.  Let YOUR LIGHT SHINE!"  - Reeghan

Meegwich,

Ms. Gill