A Journey to Wellnes

As you have probably heard by now, a student in my afternoon class has recently been diagnosed with Wilms' tumour, a cancer on her kidney that has also spread to her lungs and lymph nodes.  Bridget is a very happy, energetic, loving little girl and we are all missing her terribly at school.  She underwent a successful surgery to remove her kidney on Thursday and is recovering at CHEO.  As we have been talking about Bridget and what she has still to face on her road to recovery at school, you may want to talk to your child at home about their feelings and concerns on this important topic.  I have assured them that Bridget is getting the very best care available while she is at CHEO, and as a class we have sent her a card and little gift.
Attached is a flyer outlining some of the efforts being made to help out Bridget and her family during this difficult time.  We began fundraising at the Summer Send Off at the school on Thursday night and I was amazed by the generosity of the families in the Stonecrest Community.  If you would like to donate you can still do so at the school.  Bridget's family friends will also be collecting freezer food donations, donations of gas cards, etc. at the school.  Every little bit helps and is greatly appreciated.

For the Love of Bridget

Pinhey's Point

We had a great time learning all about animal habitats last Friday at Pinhey's Point.  Luckily we had a nice sunny day to enjoy our activities outside!

Morning Class

Afternoon Class

Graduation Party

On Monday, June 24th, we will be having a special End-of-the-Year/Graduation Celebration!  Parents of morning students are invited into the classroom from 10:30 to 11:30 am, and parents of afternoon students are invited into the classroom from 2:30 to 3:30 pm, to watch a short class performance and slideshow, and to see their child receive their kindergarten 'diploma'.

I realize that this can be a very busy time of year, so please let me know if you, or another family member, is unable to attend this event.  Past experience has taught me that every child needs somebody in the audience to celebrate their achievment with them.  Thank you for your understanding in this matter and I look forward to seeing everyone at the Graduation Party!

*Just a reminder that the following students are signed up to bring in treats for the end-of-the-year party:

Morning Class . . .
     Fruit Tray - Sam
     Veggies & Dip - Olivia
     Cheese & Crackers - Gavin
     Cupcakes - Kirsten
     Cookies - Colton
     Juice - Emma
If you would like to sign up for juice (or something not on the list!) please let me know.  It is always great to have extra food for this party as we will have many parents and siblings partying with us!

Afternoon Class . . .
     Fruit Tray - Sofia
     Veggies & Dip - Taniele
     Cheese & Crackers - Hannah W.
     Cupcakes - Austin
     Cookies - Brayden
     Juice - Ava
If you would like to sign up for fruit (or something not on the list!) please let me know.  It is always great to have extra food for this party as we will have many parents and siblings partying with us!

Thank you so much!!

May Homework Project

I meant to send home the information for the May homework projects this morning, but unfortunately, after all the excitement of evacuating the school for a while because of the earthquake, the information didn't end up making it home!  I will post the information here for anyone who was interested in getting started and then send home a paper copy next week as well.

May Homework Project

This month we are turning into plant scientists!

This month, we are learning all about the parts of a plant and what plants need to grow.  For the May family project students are being asked to find a plant growing in their yard (or near their home) and observe it.  Based on their observations, they are to create a labelled diagram of the plant they observed.

The diagram should include the following:
    the name of the plant (preferably in French!)

    la tige (the stem)

    les racines (the roots)

    les feuillles (the leaves)

    la fleur (the flower – if it has one)

   

They might want to let us know what the ‘needs’ of the plant are (i.e., la terre, le soleil, l’air et l’eau) and any other interesting points that they discovered while observing their plant. 

Due Friday, May 31^st, 2013

Paperwork! Paperwork!

It is such a busy time of year in senior kindergarten that it's easy to forget about all the paperwork that needs to be filled out!  Our field trips are right around the corner, as next Thursday, May 23rd we are off to a half day field trip at Pinhey's Point in Dunrobin.  Then, on Tuesday, May 28th the morning classes are going to the Museum of Agriculture for the day, while the afternoon classes stay home.  The afternoon classes will then have their turn at the Museum of Agriculture on June 4th, while the morning classes stay home.  Please be sure that you have sent back the permission forms for these two exciting trips, and a big thank you to everyone who volunteered to accompany us!

Order forms were also recently sent home agendas.  Grade One teachers find agendas an extremely useful tool for communicating with parents and for teaching organizational skills to students.  If you need another copy of the agenda order form please let me know.

Finally, don't forget that the Kindergarten Spring Concert is this Thursday, May 16th!  We have been very busy practising our songs, as well as a special dance that we learnt with Yves during the awesome Luv 2 Groove dance workshops we had a couple of weeks ago.  Students should arrive at their classroom no later than 6:15 pm on the night of the concert.  If your child will not be participating in the concert, please let me know as soon as possible as it affects where the other students are placed on stage.  Thank you!!

May Montre et Raconte

This month we are learning all about plants and things that grow.  For montre et raconte, students are to bring in and present something that grows.  It could be something from the garden or yard, something to eat, etc.  We are talking about the parts of plants and what plants need to grow and will be keeping the montre et raconte items in the classroom for a little bit for students to examine with their magnifying glasses and label.  Please help your child learn the name of their item in French (if you need help with this visit http://www.wordreference.com/).

Ici on parle français

Throughout the year the students have been learning a large amount of French vocabulary words that they are now ready to start using on a more regular basis!  To help encourage them to speak in French at school an incentive chart has been set up in the classroom.  When a student makes an effort to speak to the teacher or another student in French (outside of circle time) they may be given a point beside their name on the chart.  Once they have received a certain number of points they will be presented with a certificate and a small prize.  Bonne chance les amis!