Week #14: Dec. 1st - 5th

Dear Families,

We had yet another productive week in our classroom! The students have been working hard to get ready for next week’s Winter Celebration Concert with Mrs. Cavill. 

Please note, I have posted the songs on Google Classroom, so please encourage your child to practice over the weekend to help them feel comfortable and confident in the lyrics and dance moves :)

We are also busy planning and preparing for our very own Empathy & Compassion Assembly

Very important, if you know your child will be away on Thursday, December 18th, please email me as soon as possible. This really helps me plan and solidify the speaking roles and make sure every student has a chance to shine.

Providing students with meaningful opportunities to show, share, and perform in front of an audience is very important to me, and the class is doing a wonderful job stepping into these roles with growing character and confidence. 

Over the next while, we’ll keep practicing in class, and I can’t wait for you to see just how brightly they shine!

WINTER SAFETY & ENJOYMENT IN THE SNOW:

As the winter season brings us snowy days, we are excited for the children to enjoy all the wonderful outdoor activities that this time of year offers. However, it is crucial to ensure that everyone stays safe while having fun.

As a school community, we want to remind all students and families that throwing snowballs, pushing, shoving, or engaging in any form of aggressive play in the snow is NOT permitted. 

These actions can lead to injuries or hurt feelings, and our primary goal is to maintain a safe and inclusive environment for all.

Instead, we encourage the children to participate in constructive and enjoyable activities such as:

  • Building snowmen or snow forts
  • Creating beautiful snow angels
  • Playing games that involve teamwork and cooperation
  • Exploring their creativity with safe and friendly snow activities

We believe winter is a fantastic opportunity for the children to bond, explore, and learn how to enjoy the snow responsibly.

If a child is involved in any form of rough play or behaviour that compromises safety, parents will be notified directly. 

Our hope is to work together to guide the children toward making positive choices and fostering a respectful environment.

Thank you for your ongoing support in ensuring that our school remains a safe and fun place for everyone. 

Let’s work together to help the children make the most of this winter season ⛄️

HOLIDAY TEACHER GIFT:

This week, I sent home a note today (photos below), but I also wanted to take a moment to share this message here on my blog.

As the holidays approach, I know some families may be considering a gift for their child's teacher(s).

For me, the greatest gift has been the opportunity to teach, learn, and grow alongside your child this school year. Truly, it has been such a privilege!

This holiday season, in lieu of purchasing a gift for me, I would be very grateful if you would consider making a donation to SickKids. This cause is very close to my heart and is important to many families here at Nottawa. 

While many of us will be fortunate to spend the holidays with our loved ones, there are others who will be unable to do so because of illness. 

The holiday season is a time of giving, and what better way to spread kindness than by helping other families in need?

I believe that empathy, thinking about the feelings of others is one of life’s greatest gifts. 

Thank you for your time, energy, and thoughtfulness in considering how we can help those who need it the most.

If you’d like to donate, please visit → SickKids Foundation

Thank you again for your support and kindness πŸ™πŸΎ

NOTTAWA'S 12 DAYS OF GIVING:

It brings tears to my eyes as I write this. Thank you to all the staff, students, and parents who have so generously brought in an incredible number of donations this week for our 'Giving Tree' in the rotunda near the office.

This is one of the many reasons I am so proud to be a Nighthawk! As a school family, we continue to show care and compassion by thinking about the needs of others.

Your generosity and giving spirit are truly inspiring! Thank you for being YOU. Each of you is a change-maker, making a real difference in the lives of others :)

As the photos show, leading by example leaves a lasting impact on our children. They are learning firsthand what it looks like, sounds like, and feels like to be genuine givers for those who need it most. 

This, to me, is the heart of humanity, and it makes my heart soar with joy 🀩 

MAKING EDIBLE CHRISTMAS TREES:

As part of our Procedural Writing unit, we’ll be creating edible Christmas trees in class and writing about the process!

I will provide most of the materials, but students are welcome to bring in some tasty toppings, such as sprinkles, gummies, or other small treats, to decorate their trees. I know they’re going to have so much fun with this activity!

Please send any toppings with your child in a labelled zip-lock bag by Thursday, December 11th

As always, thank you for your time and support in helping make these school activities so enjoyable and memorable for your child πŸŽ„

MYSTERY SCIENCE:

I would to take this opportunity to recognize all those students for their ongoing dedication in completing their weekly Mystery Science activities ❤️

It has been a joy to review their work, and it is hoped that the topics have been both interesting and insightful, helping them gain valuable knowledge and a deeper understanding of the world around them. Your child's hard work and commitment is greatly appreciated.

For the students who have not consistently completed theses assignments, they are encouraged to take initiative of our Lunch & Learn, use class work periods effectively, and develop a plan at home to stay on track. 

Building strong learning skills and work habits is essential for both academic success and future responsibilities in the workforce. 

I am confident in each one of my student’s ability to rise to the challenge and I look forward to seeing their continued growth and success πŸ€“

MATH:

Next week, your child will receive a Block 1 Check In to help assess their knowledge/understanding, thinking, and application skills with math concepts that we have covered from September to the present (e.g., adding/subtracting, whole numbers & decimals, fractions, linear measurement, time). 

This evaluation will provide me with insight into the areas that students excel in and areas which require more support.

Students will be provided with tools to help them and those that have done a great job of note-taking during my lessons, may use their books during the assessment.  

Afterall, I am not looking for memorization of facts, instead I want students to understand what they're learning and applying their mathematical skills in the process.

As always, my assessments are an opportunity for students to celebrate WHAT THEY KNOW (stars/strengths) and WHAT THEY DON'T KNOW YET (arrows/next steps).  

As you can see, I have posted the questions on here so if your child wishes to review and create study notes to bring in prior to the assessment, they may do so ✏️ 

Grade 4:





Grade 3: 





INTERMEDIATE GIRLS BASKETBALL:

As many parents and students know, teaching is definitely my passion, but coaching sports is right up there with it. 

One of the great joys of being an educator is stepping outside the classroom, heading into the gym, and connecting with students as athletes, I love it!


Coaching this year’s Intermediate Girls Basketball Team has been a true highlight! Many of these players were once my grade 3 students, and reconnecting with them in a new setting made the season especially meaningful :)


This was one of the most coachable groups I’ve ever worked with. Their level of respect, teamwork, and willingness to learn made every practice enjoyable. 

As the season went on, they really levelled up their skills and embraced more complex plays and offensive setups.


At the Area Tournament on Tuesday, the girls finished 1st in our pool and advanced to the semifinals, where we lost to Worsley, the eventual champions. My team’s effort and sportsmanship were outstanding!

Congratulations girls, on our 3rd place πŸ₯‰ finish and a tremendous season! I’m so proud of this team, it was a true pleasure to coach them all πŸ€❤️

RYDER:

Thank you Ryder for collecting so many tabs for our wheel chair initiative. We’re almost full with our 5g jug!! 

I am in constant awe of my students efforts they put in at home to gather these tabs and encouraging family members to do so as well πŸ₯°

For me, life’s all about seizing moments to give back and making a difference (big or small), making our mark. 

Ryder’s sweet sentiments and willingness to think of others is appreciated and I adore you! 

MINDFULNESS:

Thank you to those families who may or will be considering to donate to Sick Kids Foundation in lieu of a teacher gift for me this holiday season.

SickKids isn’t just a hospital, it’s a place of legends and it is their mission to build a new one that can help them fight for even more kids!! Every monthly donor gets them closer to their goal.

Do you have it in you to give? Any donation counts and your contributions can help save a life. Thank you so much for your consideration πŸ‘πŸΎ


GROWTH MINDSET:

This week's mindset message is ...

"Work hard, be kind, and amazing things will happen!"

This to me is a simple, yet powerful reminder of the value of effort and kindness in achieving success.

When we work hard, we show determination and perseverance, which helps us growimprove, and reach our goals

Being kind means treating others with respect, empathy, and understanding.  This is something we strive for in our class family every day!

It encourages us to believe in the good that comes from giving our best and lifting others up along the way.


With appreciation & respect,
Ms. P. Gill

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