Week #24: Feb. 23rd- 27th
Welcome to this week’s blog update! I’m so excited to share all the incredible experiences our class family and school community had this week! Truly :-)
I’m sure many of you have already heard about some of these exciting experiences through your child, which is so wonderful!
I strongly believe it’s so important for our classroom conversations to continue at home, as it helps keep everyone connected and engaged in what’s happening in the classroom.
Your child’s reflections are such a great way to keep the learning alive beyond school walls! 💬📚
Now sit back and enjoy reading about our school week, there’s so much to celebrate! 😊
🎉 CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR CHARACTER EDUCATION RECIPIENTS! 🎉
A big congratulations to Eli & Ryann for being recognized at this month's character education assembly for demonstrating INCLUSIVENESS! 💙✨
Inclusiveness means making sure everyone feels welcome, valued, and accepted, no matter what.
😊 It looks like inviting others to join in 💕
😊 It sounds like kind and encouraging words 💕
😊 It feels like a warm sense of belonging 💕
Ryann and Eli have shown a genuine willingness to include others, be supportive friends, and make a positive and accepting environment for everyone around them.
Their actions make our school a better place, and we encourage them to continue spreading kindness and inclusivity throughout their years at Nottawa and beyond! 🌎💫
Way to go! 👏👏
#InclusivenessMatters #LeadWithKindness #ProudMoment
C.N.O.Y. SCHOOL WALK:
Our Coldest Night of the Year School Walk was such a special day for our entire school!
We came together as one big school family to show that we care about youth in our community who are hurting, hungry, and homeless and that we want to help by raising awareness and money. 💙
I am so excited to share that we went way past our goal of $1,500.00 and have raised $3,935.00 which is 262% past of goal (and still counting) so far for Home Horizon - The Barbara Weider House! That is amazing!
There is still time to donate if you would like to help even more! THANK YOU :-)
At the start of our walk, I felt very emotional when I shared our message about walking with care, compassion, and commitment to help end homelessness in the Southern Georgian Bay area.
It meant so much to see our school standing together for such an important cause.
Pam Osmond was also in tears when she saw the impact our school made. It was a powerful moment that I will never forget.
It has always been important to me to help children grow not only as learners, but also as kind citizens who want to make a difference.
I saw that shine during our walk. Boys and girls - YOU ALL showed care, compassion, and commitment, and I am so proud of you!
Thank you to the parents who joined us: Hyla’s mom, Blackey’s parents, and Rachel’s dad. Having you there showed your children that when we stand together, we are stronger.
This was Nottawa’s very first C.N.O.Y. School Walk, and I promise it won’t be our last! 💪
Now take a moment to enjoy some otherphotos from our School Walk. This day was so special, and it will always have a place in my heart. 💛
CTV NEWS & SCDSB MEDIA:
I’m so excited to share that our Coldest Night of the Year School Walk was featured on CTV Barrie News last evening at 6 o’clock! 📺✨
Although I didn’t get a chance to watch it myself, I’ve heard from colleagues that it was very special.
After the school walk, Ms. McMullen, Mrs. Mortimer, Paisley (grade 8 student) and I were interviewed by the SCDSB Media Team, and it was a true honour to share how powerful and impactful our Nighthawk Community is. 🦅💛
This recognition really shows the heart and dedication of our students, staff, and families and how much we can accomplish when we come together. Way to go Nighthawks!
💖 NATIONAL PINK SHIRT DAY! 💖
Standing Together Against Bullying! 🌎✨
Pink Shirt Day is a special day where we wear pink to take a stand against bullying!
This movement started in Canada and is now recognized every year on the last Wednesday of February.
Earlier this week, did you have a chance to chat with your child about why Pink Shirt Day began?
If not, no worries! Now’s the perfect time to do so, as we’ve had meaningful discussions about it in class. 😊
📽️ Check out the video below to learn more about the inspiring story behind Pink Shirt Day.
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| 💡 A Question to Ask Your Child: "What kind things can you do to make the world a better place?" 🌎❤️ In our classroom, we focus on kindness, respect, and inclusivity every single day. Our Community of Learners Agreements, which are proudly posted at the front of our class—help guide us: ✅ Attentive Listening These agreements remind us to treat our peers, friends, and family with kindness, dignity, and respect. I truly believe that when we uphold these values, we help create a world that is safe, caring, and filled with love. 💪 Taking the Pledge to END Bullying! 💪 When your child signs a pledge, they are making a PROMISE to: ✔️ Treat others with kindness and respect        I believe in all of my students and their power to make a difference! Together, we are creating a bully-free, safe, and welcoming environment in our class and beyond. 🌟💖 Let’s continue to spread kindness and stand up for what’s right because TOGETHER, we can put an END to bullying! 🚀✨  #PinkShirtDay #KindnessMatters #StandUpToBullying 💗💪 TOWN OF COLLINGWOOD ANTI-BULLYING FLAG RAISING CEREMONY: Wednesday was a special day for me 💗 I went to the Town of Collingwood's flag-raising ceremony and learned about being an upstander, someone who stands up for others when something is not right. When I came back, I shared what I learned with our class.     I also received pink pins which I gifted to each child :) During our Pledge Signing, each student chose a pin with love and wore it proudly by their hearts or on your toque. Seeing the kids wear their pin made me so proud. It shows that our class cares about being kind and standing up for others. 💕  After this, we watched an upstander video (see below). The video taught us that we don’t just stand by when someone is being treated unfairly, WE CAN HELP.  This video takes a positive stand on bullying by offering four ways that students can be an UPSTANDER (not a bystander) when they see bullying. The four ways are: 1) Be a buddy 2) Stop the bully 3) Speak out about bullying 4) Tell a safe caring adult at school about the bullying. By using these practical tips to stop bullying, kids will be upstanders, and will stand up to bullying! 💭 T.H.I.N.K. BEFORE YOU SPEAK LESSON! 🗣️✨ This week, we had a powerful lesson on the impact of our words and actions. We explored how deeply someone can be hurt by put-downs or bullying and how we all have the power to choose kindness. 💖 ❤️ A Lesson from the Heart: ❤️ Then, I crumpled the paper heart and opened it back up for everyone to see. We observed the new wrinkles and creases. How does the heart feel now? 😢
This led to an eye-opening discussion: 📢 T.H.I.N.K. Before You Speak 📢 👀 The Role of a Bystander 💡 Words + Actions = Real Change 🏫 A Community of Kindness ✨ Together, we CAN & WILL make a difference! 🌎💖 📖✨ READING: ACCEPTANCE, DIVERSITY & INCLUSION! 🌈💖 As part of our ongoing learning (and unlearning) about acceptance, diversity, and inclusion, I shared a beautiful book with the class -"The Princess Boy." 👑💗 This heartwarming story is about unconditional love and embracing who we truly are. I’ve posted a digital copy below for you to enjoy as a family. 💕 📚 About the Story: Sometimes, he wears dresses; sometimes, he wears jeans. He loves climbing trees while wearing his princess tiara. And most importantly his family loves him exactly the way he is! ❤️ This book is inspired by the author's own son and her journey of understanding and accepting him. It is a powerful reminder that love knows no limits and that every child deserves to be celebrated for who they are. 💜 A Call for Kindness & Inclusion 🌍 ✅ Embrace tolerance and acceptance 💙
We have the power to shape a world where every child feels seen, valued, and accepted through our thoughts, words, and actions. Let’s continue to support and uplift one another in our community. To all the Princess Boys (and anyone who dares to be their true self) out there: 💖 YOU ARE LOVED. YOU ARE SEEN. YOU ARE ENOUGH. 💖 👀 Watch the story below as a family and celebrate the beauty of being YOU! 🎥✨ Thank you, Dyson, for inspiring us all with your courage and joy! 🌈😊 Be unapologetically YOU! 💫💖 🎨 EXPLORING THE ART OF ROMERO BRITTO!🎨 This week, our class learned about Romero Britto, a Brazilian-born artist known for his bold, colourful artwork that combines pop art and cubism with a joyful, playful style.
***POST SOME PHOTOS OF KIDS WORKING ON THEIR ART PIECES His use of bright colours, thick black lines, and geometric shapes has made him famous worldwide, and his art shows positivity and happiness. 🌈💖 Inspired by Britto's unique techniques, your child is working on creating their own one-of-a-kind masterpiece, using similar bold lines and vivid colours to express their creativity. 🖌️✨ We had fun with this!     Please know, your child will be bringing home their artwork in the coming days 🖼️💫 #RomeroBrittoInspired #CreativeKids #ArtInTheClassroom 🌿 MINDFULNESS MOMENT! 🌈✨ 📖 "My Shadow is Pink" is a heartwarming story about a young boy born with a pink shadow, one that loves princesses, dresses, and things that some say “aren’t for boys.” 💖👗 🎬 This beautifully animated short film is a celebration of: It thoughtfully explores themes of gender identity, equality, and diversity, reminding us all that being YOU is more than enough! 💕🏳️🌈 💡 Watch & Reflect: How can we create a world where everyone feels seen, valued, and accepted? 🌍✨ Have a wonderful weekend, Ms. P. Gill |
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