Week #27: Mar. 23rd - 27th

Dear Families,

Is it really the final days of March?! Time is flying! I hope you’ve been enjoying your work week and are ready for a wonderful weekend :) 

Please know when the sun’s shining and the fresh air is breezing (and yes, a bit of snow still ;), it’s put big smiles on the children’s faces (and mine too!) as we run, jump, and PLAY outdoors. 🌞 

Boy o’ boy, nature’s medicine isn’t it?! 🌳 

As we wrap up another wonderful week, here’s a peek at what we’ve been up to in class… 👇

🧦💙WORLD DOWN SYNDROME DAY: 💛🧦

World Down Syndrome Day (WDSD) is recognized annually on March 21st to encourage inclusion as well as to acknowledge the valuable contributions of people with Down Syndrome.  

1 in every 800 children in Ontario are born with Down Syndrome equating to approximately 70 students in the SCDSB.  

This year's theme is “Together Against Loneliness.” This message is about making sure no one feels left out or alone.

🌟 What does this mean?
Sometimes people feel lonely when they don’t have friends to talk to or play with. This can happen to people with Down syndrome too.

The theme reminds us that we can help by:

• Being kind 🤝
• Including everyone in games and activities 🎲
• Making new friends 💛

💡 Big idea:
When we work together, we can make sure everyone feels happy, included, and like they belong.

🌈 Message for kids:
We can all help each other feel included and never alone.

At school, we have ongoing conversations around equity, diversity, and inclusion, and we’re proud to celebrate and honour the incredible contributions that people with Down syndrome bring to our communities 💬

Let’s continue to build a world that uplifts every voice and supports every need 🧦 

#WDSD2026 #InclusionMatters #SupportIsARight

Each one of us has been given the beautiful gift of life 🌟and it's our differences that make us truly special. Let’s continue to celebrate and embrace what makes us unique because that’s what makes you… YOU 🙌

A big THANK YOU to the amazing students who ROCKED THEIR SOCKS 🧦 to show support for people with Down Syndrome!

We are all unique.
We are all wonderful.
And we are all perfect JUST THE WAY WE ARE 💙🌈💛

RESPECTING PEOPLE WITH DOWN SYNDROME:

To further our learning, I shared a book called My Friend Has Down Syndrome. It helped deepen our understanding and think about ways that we can help empower these children too!

We learned that people with Down syndrome may have an extra 'gene', but they're just like US!  Yes, they may look, act, or learn a little differently than others, but they are HUMAN with amazing thoughts, skills, and abilities.  We can learn and grow from them too just like in the story.  

After sharing the book aloud, we worked on a writing activity where students had to think about the main character of the story named Peter and compare the similarities and differences between themselves and Peter using a Venn Diagram.

This activity helped students understand and appreciate differences in a simple and meaningful way. 

By comparing themselves to Peter using a Venn Diagram, they were able to see that even though people may look, sound, or act differently, we also share many things in common. 

This helps build empathy and reminds us that everyone is unique, but we all belong :)

Below are tips suggested from the book that I feel is useful for kids to think about and use when they come across someone with Down Syndrome. 

💙💛 How Can We Be Kind and Inclusive?

• 😊 Be kind and friendly to everyone.
• 👀 Don’t stare, it can make people feel uncomfortable.
• 👍 Everyone follows the same rules.
• 🎮 Play together and include everyone.
• 🌈 Everyone is different, and that’s what makes the world special!
• 👋 Say hello, you might make a new friend!

💫 Let’s choose kindness and make sure everyone feels included. 🧦

Meet Kai Ocean and his Mom Tasha, they're family friends of mine :)

MATH:

This week, we continued exploring the first quadrant of the Cartesian plane! 

We are learning to ...

• Plot and read coordinates 🗺️
• Describe translations that move a point from one place to another 🔄
• Perform translations and reflections on a grid ✨

To help practice these skills, I’ve assigned Knowledgehook Missions and Gameshows, an engaging way for students to try out what they’ve learned! ✅

Ask your child today: “What does a translation mean?” and “What is a reflection?” 🤔 

It’s a great way to see what they’ve learned!

CHARACTER RECOGNITION ASSEMBLY:

On Tuesday, March 31st at 9:35 AM, we’ll be celebrating our Nighthawk students and their outstanding character at a special assembly led by Mrs. Mathew's Grade 6 class 🦅

In our class, we’ve been focusing on the powerful character trait of Integrity this March 💫

💭 Integrity means doing the right thing even when no one is watching 👀✨ It’s about stading by what’s fair and kind, keeping your promises, and treating others with respect and honesty 💛🤝

Being true to yourself and showing others they can count on you, that’s the heart of integrity.

🎶 Check out the video below where Mr. Saad sings all about what integrity means and why it’s truly the key to becoming the best version of ourselves 🎤

Personally, I believe integrity is one of the most valuable traits a person can have. It shows that “We can always be trusted even when no one is watching.” 

This is a message we reinforce daily in our classroom, and it's making a real difference.

I’m incredibly proud of the children who demonstrate integrity day in and day out 💖
It’s an outstanding quality that absolutely does not go unnoticed, way to go, boys and girls!! 🙌

As always, families are warmly invited to attend the assembly to help us honour all of our Nighthawk character award recipients.

🌟 INTEGRITY IN ACTION: 🌟

As a former student and teacher from Connaught it brings me immense pride and joy to share an inspiring article about Connaught's grade 7 student Mickaela Moore and her incredible act of integrity.

Click the link below :-)

Connaught student returns rent money to senior on pension - Collingwood News 

Mickaela's actions remind us all of the Integrity is about making choices that reflect honesty and strong moral principles, and Mickaela’s example shows just how impactful one small act can be.

What an inspiring display of honesty, compassion, and the true spirit of the Connaught community.

Way to go, Mickaela!

SPIRIT DAY:

In addition to recognizing students with character, we will also be having a Spirit Day on Tuesday (31st) and this time the theme is dressing up as your HERO! 

Your hero can be anyone who inspires you, real or imagined!

💛 Ideas:

• A parent, grandparent, teacher, or friend 👨‍👩‍👧
• A community helper (doctor, firefighter, police) 🚒
• An athlete, artist, or scientist ⚽🎨
• A superhero or book/movie character 🦸

✨ Remember: A hero is someone who is kind, brave, and helps others!

We encourage everyone to get creative and DRESS AS THEIR HERO next week (31st)!

4 WEEK MEDITATION SESSIONS:

I am happy to once again offer a 4-week Mindful Meditation series for students in Kindergarten to Grade 8! 🧘‍♀️

It will take place Monday mornings in my portable. Please remember to sign the permission form online for your child(ren) to participate.

🌟 Why Join?

Mindfulness helps students:

✨ Reduce stress and anxiety
🎯 Improve focus and attention
💛 Support emotional well-being

🧘 What Is It?

Each session is a 30-minute guided meditation where students will practice:

• Breathing techniques
• Being present in the moment
• Setting a positive intention for the week

⏰ When?

Mondays | 8:45–9:15 AM

📅 Dates:
• March 30
• No session April 6 (Easter Monday)
• April 13
• April 20
• April 27

This is a wonderful way for students to start their week feeling calm, focused, and ready to learn. 

FIELD TRIP:

Our class will be going on a field trip to Sainte-Marie among the Hurons on Thursday, April 16th!

This trip links directly to our Social Studies learning about Communities in Canada. 

It will bring history to life as students explore and learn about early Indigenous and European communities in Ontario.

💻 The trip is now live on SchoolCash Online.

✅ What you need to do:

• Please sign the permission form online through SchoolCash.
• If you are available and an approved volunteer, kindly indicate your interest online as well.

🙋‍♀️ Volunteers:
If I receive more volunteers than needed, names will be selected using the Wheel of Names to ensure the process is fair and equitable. I will notify selected volunteers closer to the date :)

INDIGENOUS EDUCATION - GIANT FLOOR MAP:

Speaking about Indigenous Peoples, earlier this week, we had the opportunity to explore a giant floor map of Turtle Island. 

Before reading more, please take a moment to ask your child what this experience was about and why we are learning it.

Here are some key questions you can ask to check your child's understanding from our lessons in the gym on Monday & Tuesday:

• What is a Treaty? (An agreement/promise to share the land and live together peacefully.)

• Who did Indigenous Peoples sign Treaties with? (European Settlers/government.)

• What percentage of land did the government give them? (A very small amount, less than 1% today.)

• How many groups of Indigenous Peoples are there? What are they called and what is the symbol for each? (3: First Nations medicine wheel, Métis figure 8♾️, Inuit inukshuk)

• Where and what year was the last residential school closed? (Saskatchewan, 1996.)

Thank you for taking the time to ask your child these questions and continuing the conversation at home.

These conversations help students build understanding, respect, and awareness of Indigenous history and perspectives. 

Below are some images I was able to capture of us exploring the giant map and all its features. I really appreciated the kids curiosity and enthusiasm in this learning!

🌍💡 SWITCH OFF & GIVE AN HOUR FOR OUR EARTH! 💡🌍

This Saturday, March 28th at 8:30 PM, join millions around the world as we power down for Earth Hour 2026! 🕣✨

Let’s come together to create the #BiggestHourForEarth yet!

🔗 Click here for more info → Earth Hour

Last year, supporters in over 190 countries and territories gave more than 410,000 hours to our planet 🌱🌎, how amazing is that?! 🙌

This year, let’s make it even bigger by spending 60 minutes doing something good for the Earth while doing something you love! 🎨🚴‍♀️🧘‍♂️🌳

💡 While turning off your lights is a great first step, think about other ways to help our beautiful planet.
What will you do during the hour to make a difference? ♻️🐝

📸 If you'd like, email me photos or videos of your family's Earth Hour in action, and I’ll share them with the class next week, I’d love to see what you get up to! 🥰

▶️ Be sure to check out the video below for this year's inspiring Earth Hour message!

Let’s do our part. Let’s shine a light on climate action by turning ours off. 💚

#EarthHour2026 #BiggestHourForEarth #TogetherForOurPlanet #SwitchOffAndShine

EARTH HOUR AT NOTTAWA:

Today, our school proudly took part in Earth Hour!

We turned off all our lights and devices and took time to slow down and think about how we can help our planet. 🌱

Students had the opportunity to choose their own activities, some played soccer, tag, football (catch) and basketball (bump) outside, while others enjoyed reading under a tree, colouring, drawing, or playing Connect Four with friends. ⚽📚🎨

It was wonderful to see everyone being mindful, active, and connected, both with each other and with nature. 💚

Together, we are reminded that even small acts can make a big impact. 🌍✨

💧🌍 WORLD WATER DAY – MARCH 22ND 🌍💧

Did you know people have been celebrating World Water Day every year since 1993? That’s a long time to think about how important water is for all of us! 🌎✨

The theme: 🌊 “Accelerating Change” 🌊

What does it mean?
Our planet needs clean, safe water for people, animals, and nature. The theme “Accelerating Change” reminds us that we need to take action now to make water and our environment healthier for everyone! 💦

Why it matters:

• Water is life, people, plants, and animals need it to survive 🐟🌱
• Some places don’t have enough clean water 🚱
• Protecting water helps keep our world safe and healthy 🌍

How we can help:

• 💡 Use water wisely, don’t waste it
• ♻️ Recycle and take care of the environment
• 🌱 Plant trees and protect nature
• 🚶 Walk, bike, or share rides to reduce pollution

Together, we can make a big difference and protect our planet’s water for the future! 💙

Water connects us all! 🌊 This World Water Day, we remember that we can use water to make the world peaceful, safe, and better for everyone 🕊️💙

💦 Did you know millions of people don’t have clean drinking water? That’s why it’s important we take care of water and share it wisely.

By protecting water, learning about it, and working together, we can help make the world fair and healthy 🌎🤝

Let’s remember: every drop counts! 💧💧💧

HYLA:

A thank you to Hyla for donating tabs this week for our wheelchair initiative! 

Your kindness and generosity continue to make a difference! 💖

As many know, this initiative means so much to me, and I want all families to know that even after your child graduates from my class, I wholeheartedly encourage you to continue collecting and donating tabs. 

Every little tab adds up to something life-changing for someone in need! ♿

Thank you for being part of this amazing journey of kindness, giving, and making a difference! 💕

CALI:

I would like to take a moment to recognize Cali. She came back from March Break and jumped right back into her routine of working hard and doing her personal best! 🌟

This week, she also began taking notes during our daily math lessons, which is such an important step in learning. 

I am so proud of her effort, focus, and positive attitude. Keep it up, Cali! 📚

MINDFULNESS:

Did you know World Epilepsy Day is recognized annually on March 26th? It is also called Purple Day! 💜

This is a special day when people around the world wear purple to show support for those who have epilepsy, a condition that affects the brain and causes seizures.

A special shout out to the kids who wore purple to show and share their support, I love it!

🧠 What is epilepsy?
Epilepsy happens when the brain sends mixed-up signals, which can cause a person to have a seizure. 

Seizures can look different for everyone, some people might stare off for a few seconds, while others may shake or fall down.

💡 Did you know?
✅ Over 50 million people around the world have epilepsy! 🌍
✅ Seizures are NOT contagious, you can’t catch them like a cold! 🤧🚫
✅ With the right medicine and care, many people with epilepsy live happy, active lives! 😊

💜 How can we show support?
👕 Wear purple every March 26th!
👂 Be kind and learn about epilepsy.
🤝 If someone has a seizure, stay calm and get an adult to help.

Let’s spread awareness, kindness, and support today and every day! 💜✨
#PurpleDay #WorldEpilepsyDay

GROWTH MINDSET:

Thank you to Bohdan S. for this week's mindset message!

"No one is too small to make a difference in our world!" - Bohdan S.

What does this mean?

It means that everyone matters, no matter how young or small they are 😊

Kids can make a BIG difference in the world by doing kind and helpful things, like including a friend, helping someone who’s sad, or taking care of the environment 🌍

You don’t have to be a grown-up to make the world better. Small actions can make a big impact! 💛

With love & hugs,

Ms. P. Gill