Weekly Update
Thank you to all of the parents who came out to our Parent Social & Education Nights. They were fun and informative evenings!
Due to a busy week with classroom activities and parent teacher nights, we have a short update on upcoming dates for you this week. Also, be sure to check your child's Seesaw account for classroom photos and updates.
Upcoming Dates:
- Wednesday, October 26 - Elementary Community Outing: Casual Gourmet
- Friday, October 28 - Picture Day
- Wednesday, November 2 - Elementary Event: Art with Dana Cowie
- Thursday, November 3 - Toddler Sing & Share/Casa & Elementary Open Houses
- Friday, November 4 - PD Day (No School)
- December 5 - 9 - Casa Observations
- December 13-15 - Elementary Parent-Teacher Interviews
- Friday, December 16 - Elementary Reports
Elementary Update
The elementary students were thrilled to take their botany and history studies out of the classroom this week with a field study day at the Royal Botanical Gardens.
Armed with clipboards and paper for sketching, the students spent the morning working in four of the smaller gardens in Hendrie Park. In the Scent Garden, students explored how fragrance, nectar, and pollen are used to benefit both plants and insects; in the Prehistoric Garden, they studied two tree specimens once thought to be extinct: the Dawn Redwood and the Gingko Biloba.
Afterward, the class turned to a discussion of the types of technology used by humans in the Middle Ages, spending time in the Medieval Garden examining how a sundial works. A final stop in the Medicinal Garden let them discover plants used for keeping different body systems healthy. After all their hard work, the children were happy to gather with the Casa students for lunch and recess in the RBG's natural playground.
Back at school, the class eagerly explored measurement in Math, began work with their spelling groups, and ended the week with the Great Lesson of Human Beings.
We look forward to sharing some of these lessons with you at the first Elementary Parent Education evening on Thursday, October 20.
Upcoming Dates:
- Wednesday, October 19 - Community Outing: Locke Street Library
- Thursday, October 20 - Elementary Social & Parent Education
- Wednesday, October 26 - Community Outing: Casual Gourmet
- Friday, October 28 - Picture Day
- Thursday, November 3 - Elementary Open House
- Friday, November 4 - PD Day
Enjoy the beautiful autumn weekend ahead,
Ms. Achong & Mme. Prat-Kalonji
Toddler Community Update
Happy Thanksgiving, families! We had a short and busy week including a trip to the Royal Botanical Gardens.
Toddlers enjoyed walking through the gardens, and especially liked seeing animals in nature. We spotted a raccoon and many birds along our nature walk, and even had the opportunity to feed chickadees from our hands! Overall the outing was interactive and the weather couldn't have been better.
We don't have very many updates this week as you will have received an email with some notes earlier today.
Upcoming Dates:
- Wednesday, October 19th - Toddler Social and Parent Education
- Friday, October 28th - Picture Day
- Thursday, November 3rd - Toddler Sing Along
- Friday, November 4th - PD Day
Casa Update
What a full week we had in Casa North! On Wednesday we had a wonderful day out at the RBG.
The children loved going on a nature walk, seeing wildlife, and especially feeding the chickadees! We finished our day on the beautiful natural playground.
Despite having a holidcy and a field trip, the children still experienced beautiful work in the classroom. The older children have enjoyed practicing their cursive writing which is a wonderful example for the younger children of what is to come. Thank you to Coooper G for bringing a snake skin that he found on a family hike - the children loved taking a close look!
We have observed new friendships forming and some wonderful assistance coming from older friends helping with coat zippers and tying shoes in the cloakroom.
Next week:
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Piano lessons/small group lessons will continue for their second week of sessions. Unless parents are otherwise notified, lessons are taking place during school hours.
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We are back to our regular schedule and looking forward to a full week of learning
Upcoming dates to note:
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Thursday, October 27th - Casa Social and Parent Education
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Friday, October 28th - Picture Day
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Thursday, November 3rd - Casa Show and Share
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Friday, November 4th - PD Day
Toddler Community Update
Check your inbox for upcoming events and details on your child's new learning journal.
Elementary Update
What a busy week we have had in Elementary!
The elementary class was triumphant at the Cross Country Run in Burlington this week, with all of our students successfully completing the course in LaSalle Park. They showed great sportsmanship as they put forth their best effort and cheered on their classmates. Congratulations go to Estella Hauser and Martha Lyons, who came in 1st and 2nd place overall for girls ages 6 - 9; they will follow up their success by running in the Lee Academy Cross-Country Invitational later this month. We would also like to recognize Claire Sinnott and Ieva Velaniskis for placing 2nd and 3rd in the Grade 1 girls sub-group. Thank you Coach Drew Hauser for guiding us in our training and supporting us on the race day!
The class was busy this week creating plaster replicas of fossilized trilobites, developing map and compass skills as they went in search of geocaches on the Bruce Trail, and sewing bookmarks to use at school. After a great community day at Puddicombe Estate Farms, the class is ready to head to the RBG next week for lessons in Botany and History in the Hendrie Gardens.
Be sure to open the October Newsletter in your inbox to see upcoming events and set up your See Saw account to see your child's photos and updates.
We wish you all a wonderful long weekend!
Ms. Achong & Mme. Prat-Kalonji
Toddler Community Update
Mmmm, fresh bread! The toddler community was smelling wonderful on Thursday, when the toddlers made bread with Miss. Hinzmann.
The children took turns scooping and pouring ingredients, practicing their hand-eye coordination, focus, and concentration.
As we move into colder weather, just a reminder to ensure that your child comes to school prepared for the weather. Rainy days are great for puddle jumping exploration, as long as our little ones are prepared with splash pants and rain boots.
We also request that your toddler comes to school dressed for success in independence. Try to limit dressing your child in onesies and overalls, as this makes it challenging for your child to independently toilet. Your best bet is separate tops, layered, and pants with an elasticized waist. The easier it is for your child to undress and dress themselves, the more successful they will be in achieving independence.
Next Week:
Monday: P.D. Day - No School for Students
Tuesday: Half Day Field Trip to Puddicombe Estate Farms
Reminders:
Permission slips for our RBG field trip went home last night (and some will come home tonight). Please return by Thursday, October 6th. Parents or approved caregivers are once again required to provide transportation and join their toddlers on this trip.
Casa Update
Casa students have continued to show great interest in the puzzle maps this week, as well as the flags.
A favourite activity has been matching the flags. This activity has led to spontaneous conversations among the children, discussing countries they have lived in or visited, and countries in which they have family. A conversation was overheard between two younger Casa students as they matched the Canadian flag.
Student 1: "This is Canada's flag. I live in Canada."
Student 2 (with excitement): "Really? I live in Canada too!!"
In phys. ed. students were introduced to the basics of floor hockey with stick handling and manoeuvring with a stick. The students particularly enjoyed manoeuvring around the pylons in our obstacle course. Next week we will progress to using small pucks.
Next Week:
Monday: P.D. Day - No School for Students
Tuesday: Field Trip to Puddicombe Estate Farms
Reminders:
Permission slips for our RBG field trip went home last night (and some will come home tonight). Please return by Thursday, October 6th. Parents are welcome to join us on the RBG trip, with payment of $17/adult.