Week #4: Sept. 22nd - 25th

Dear Families,

🍂 Happy Fall! Can you believe October is almost here?! This is such a beautiful time of year, and we’re so lucky to live in a community surrounded by trails 🥾, trees 🌲, and nature ⛰️. The colours are starting to change into stunning reds, oranges, and yellows 🍁🍂, I can’t get enough of it!

I know many of our families love spending time outdoors whether it’s hiking, biking, walking, or running and you already know how special it feels to live, work, and play in this area.

This weekend, I’m hoping for lots of sunshine 🌞 so I can enjoy a hike in the woods, and I hope you’ll have the chance to get outside too 😉.

✨ Today is a PA Day, which means it’s the perfect opportunity for your child(ren) to get outdoors, laugh, play, and soak in all the joy that this wonderful season brings!

IRIS & FAMILY:

I’d like to extend a big thank you to Iris and family for their kindness and generosity. Earlier this week, Iris’ mom reached out to ask if there was something our class could use more of this school year, and I mentioned watercolour paper for some upcoming art projects.

To my delight, Iris and her dad dropped off three full bundles of watercolour paper at morning drop-off on Wednesday! I was immediately touched by their thoughtfulness. Their support will allow our students to explore their creativity and complete some wonderful art pieces this year!

🌟 Thank you again, Matanowitsch family, we as a class family are so grateful!

MEET THE TEACHER:

It was such a joy connecting with all the parents and children who were able to join us for Meet the Teacher! Thank you for taking the time to see our classroom, celebrate your child’s learning, and share in the excitement of this new school year.

I could see, hear, and feel the joy from your child as they proudly shared their “First Month of School” work folder. Their eagerness to show, tell, and celebrate their accomplishments was truly heartwarming 😃.

Below you’ll find a collection of slideshow photos (click to enlarge) celebrating some of the learning already happening in our classroom, including:

Writing ✍️: First Day of School 

Goal Setting ✍️: How Will You Make Your Mark?

During our conversations, I was reminded once again how grateful I am for your support. Working together as a T.E.A.M. makes such a difference:

✨ T – Together
✨ E – Everybody
✨ A – Achieves
✨ M – More

Your efforts and energy both at school and beyond are helping to build your child’s confidence and comfort as they grow, whether they are in their final year of primary or beginning their junior journey. 💪📚

🤝 Building a SAFE, INCLUSIVE, and WELCOMING community
🧠 Developing a T.E.A.M. mindset
⛰️🏃 Practicing RESILIENCE & PERSEVERANCE when faced with challenges
🌟 Demonstrating the SCDSB’s 23 CHARACTER ATTRIBUTES

These themes will continue to guide our learning all year, as I believe they not only help children grow as students, but also as the best version of themselves.

If you ever wish to connect or set up a meeting, please don’t hesitate to reach out. I can be reached through:
📓 Your child’s agenda
📱 A phone call to the school (705-445-1827)
📧 Email: pgill@scdsb.on.ca

Your child’s academic, social, emotional, and mental well-being will always remain at the heart of everything I do 💖

MATH:

This week in math, students took on a challenging problem-solving task!

We are learning to:
💪 Stay positive and stick with problems, even when we feel frustrated.
🧩 Use manipulatives, drawings, and other math tools to solve problems.

✅ I will be successful when:

• I stay positive and flexible while solving challenging problems.

• I try different manipulatives to see which ones work best.

• I use different tools and drawings to show my thinking.

👫 Students worked with a partner to solve the word problem. We had a very meaningful discussion the next day and some even tried to figure out other combinations for the number of hens and sheep. 

I encourage you to carry this conversation at time and try this problem together at home and see what strategies and learning your child can share with you. It’s a great way to hear about their thinking and perseverance in math!

LANGUAGE:

This week, students have been learning and growing their writing skills by focusing on Recount Writing. Since so many families attended the G.N.E. last week, we were excited to write recounts about the experiences there! 🎡🐑🎠

We followed our Success Criteria for writing a recount, making sure to:
✅ Use sequence words to organize events in order.
✅ Add descriptive thoughts and words so the reader can really visualize the experience.
✅ Write in complete sentences and paragraphs.

It was wonderful to see students challenge themselves to add more detail and paint a picture with their words. Their writing brought the excitement of rides, animals, food, and fun at the fair right into our classroom! 🌟

These pieces will be shared with you soon and then you too can celebrate how your child is learning to bring their stories to life through vivid details and clear organization. 💬💡

TEAM BUILDING CHALLENGE:

This week, our class took on another exciting team building challenge! Perhaps your child already came home to share this activity?! Awesome!

Students continue to build their confidence, practice communication (verbal & non-verbal), and strengthen their collaboration skills when faced with something new.

For this activity, each student balanced a cup on their head and tried to carefully walk around a designated area in our outdoor classroom. 

If the cup fell to the ground, they were eliminated. In Round 2, I added a twist, students could catch their cup (as long as it didn’t touch the ground) and rejoin the challenge. They absolutely loved this change!

🎉 Congratulations to Bohden S., who succeeded in both rounds!

One of my favourite parts of these challenges is seeing the students support and cheer each other on. Whether winning or being eliminated, they showed such positivity and sportsmanship, true collaboration in action!

Check out our teamwork below! 👇

TERRY FOX RUN:

Yesterday, we took time as a school family to honour our CANADIAN HERO Terry Fox!  It brought such joy to my heart seeing, hearing, and feeling all students demonstrating their love and respect for our beloved hero. 

A message of determination from Terry Fox's brother Fred Fox

Nottawa stands together to help honour all the survivors and non-survivors with cancer.  We will always have HOPE to one day find a cure for this disease that affects so many.  #believetoachieve  #marathonofhope

Below is a collection of photos from our Terry Fox Run!  Thank you to ALL the staff and children who joined in the spirit and wore a Terry Fox t-shirt and/or Canada gear to show our Canadian pride!  

It’s all about building a spirit filled community 🤗  Check out our sweet smiles to show support for Terry, his Foundation, and all our loved ones  📸 

It brings tears to my eyes as I think about Terry Fox and his spirit shining down on us all as we all participated with pride and dignity.   

#tryliketerry

FUNDRAISING FOR THE TERRY FOX FOUNDATION:

This year, it is our school goal to raise $6,100.00 for the Terry Fox Foundation, wow 😮 

I am thrilled to share that as of right now, we have reached 90% of our overall goal 💰 $3,860.00

Please note, the link to our donation page will be open all weekend so if you'd like to donate, there's still time ☝️

Donate Here

I would like to personally thank all the staff, students, and parents who have already generously donated to our Nottawa fundraising page.  Absolutely amazing! #livingisgiving

Thank you also to Mrs. Johnson, our staff lead, for organizing this meaningful event! It always brings so many heartfelt emotions when we come together as a school family to honour the life and legacy of our Canadian hero Terry Fox and all those affected by cancer in our lives. 

NATIONAL DAY OF TRUTH & RECONCILIATION:

On Tuesday, September 30th, people across Canada are encouraged to wear orange as a way to honour and remember Indigenous residential school survivors, as well as the children who never made it home. This important day reminds us that every child matters including Indigenous children, who have a history of being mistreated.

Thank you Mrs. Mortimer for ensuring we have our very own Every Child Matters flag hung up in our Rotunda which will be proudly displayed all day every day!

Orange Shirt Day now plays a key role in Truth and Reconciliation, which is the ongoing process of healing and building respectful relationships between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples.

We invite you to take a moment to watch this informative CBC video that shares how Truth & Reconciliation Day came to be.

We encourage all students, staff, and families to wear an orange shirt on Tuesday, September 30th to show that we stand together with Indigenous Peoples and that Every Child Matters.

Thank you for your care, respect, and support 🧡

MINDFULNESS:

The Terry Fox Courage video powerfully honours his legacy by depicting his Marathon of Hope across Canada.  

It showcases his determination and resilience while battling cancer, emphasizing key moments of his journey and the support he received from Canadians. 

The message resonates deeply, reminding viewers of Terry’s enduring influence and the ongoing fight against cancer. 

Terry Fox continues to be a beacon of hope and unity for Canadians everywhere. Terry started a marathon against cancer. Together we can end it.

Please take a moment to give it a listen to keep help honour and keep Terry's legacy alive.

GROWTH MINDSET:

I came across this image and it really resonated with me and I just had to share.  Isn't it marvelous?!  

I often share with my students, by having an 'Attitude of Gratitude' at the forefront of our mindset, it can and will contribute to our life being filled with joy!

Give it a try!  My wish and prayer for you all is to continue to find and rejoice in the GLIMMERS of your life :) 

With love, grace, and gratitude

Ms. Gill