Dear Parents/Guardians of Division 11,
I am delighted to welcome you to our classroom and am excited to be working with your child this year! My name is Ms. Nancy Gaba. I will be your child’s teacher for the 2020/2021 school year. I am excited to get to know each and every one of you and share with you my passion and love for teaching and work along side you. Now that children are beginning to settle in their classes for the year, I have begun with a variety of activities around expectations, rules, and how to contribute to the classroom and school community. During this unprecedented time of COVID 19, I would like to share with you that each child’s wellbeing is our top priority. We have implemented many new systems, such as regular hand washing, health checks in the morning, learning groups, and optional choice to wear masks at our grade level.
I realize that the beginning of the year is busy with many forms and notices coming. Please have your child bring those back as soon as possible. Your child’s educational success involves a partnership between home and school. Reading with your child, listening to your child read, practicing weekly spelling words and basic math facts, and talking with your child about his or her experiences at school will play a significant role in your child’s academic and social and emotional success.
I am looking forward to connecting with each of you during the month of September. I hope this connection will allow for you to share a little bit about your child, some hopes you may have and things we can work on together as partners. If you could please return your child’s “welcome information page” as soon as possible, it will be greatly appreciated.
Arrival & Attendance:
Pick up and drop off will be in the courtyard, outside my classroom door. Please leave some distance between you and the next child/family.
The window beside my door has my name and room number (8) located on it. Upon your child entering the classroom I will conduct a basic health check, once your child has entered they will immediately wash their hands.
- Arrival 9:00 am
- Pick up 3:00 pm
Class begins at 9:00; it is important that all students arrive on time and have the opportunity to participate in the routine activities that set the tone for the day.
If your child is late please do not go to the office, arrive to our classroom outside door. f your child is ill or unable to attend school, please call the office to let us know by calling the office at 604-296-9001.
Recess/Lunch
Recess is at 10:30 a.m, due to COVID precautions lunch will look a little different, we will be going outside from 12:00-12:30, and coming inside from 12:30-1:00 to eat our lunch. Please send nutritious snacks and your child’s lunch in a reusable container each day, we will be having a pack in and out lunch system as we are limiting the amount of garbage.
*We are a nut free environment
Change of Clothes:
Please send a change of clothes to keep at school for your child as soon as possible in a plastic zip lock bag, labeled with your child’s name. Please make sure to include inside shoes as well. Our school implements a west coast recess/lunch hour meaning all students go outside rain or shine. Please dress your child according to the weather.
School Notices & Student Planner:
Please check your child’s backpack for their planner each day for any notices or school work or letter log that he/she has brought home or needs to complete. Please ensure that you have signed your child’s planner and that it is returned to school each day with them.
Scholastic Book Club:
You may already be familiar with the Scholastic Book Club from previous grades. Your child will receive book club forms about every six weeks or so informing you of books available at your child’s interest and age level. Purchasing these books is optional. However, if you do choose to purchase it will be online through parent pay ONLY. Please make sure to submit your order form to me a.s.a.p., as this will allow me to confirm the order. Orders are usually received and ready to come home within about two – three weeks.
Home Reading:
Students are expected to read a minimum of 20 minutes each evening for homework. I encourage students to choose “just right” books which are at their reading level or easier. This will help build fluency, vocabulary, comprehension and confidence.
Spelling:
In the spelling study program I am using this year (Words Their Way) students will be given a unit of words each Monday (sometimes Tuesday depending on holidays) with a study sheet for home. Throughout the week we will do various activities around these words in class. On Friday we will have our Spelling test. Please practice the unit with your child throughout the week, follow the study sheet together. Students will bring home spelling tests, parents are asked to sign the spelling test sheet and have the child return it the following Monday. We will be starting this program next week.
Leader of the week:
Each week, we will have a class member given the duty of being the “Helper/Student of the week.” This student will be a leader of the week and will be given a newsletter sized paper to complete and bring to school to share with the class. The student is encouraged to bring special pictures, toys and/or books from home that he/she will share with the class throughout the week. More information to follow.
Communicating with the Teacher:
I am available to meet with parents most days after school and I am willing to make appointments when you feel the need to discuss your child’s educational needs. I do ask parents to remember that when the bell rings, instruction and classroom management begins. I am not available to have a meeting or discuss your child’s progress at that time. If you need to communicate with me, you are more then welcome to write a note in your child’s planner, where you may also set up an appointment with me after school.
Classroom Blog:
Please feel free to visit our classroom blog for further online resources you may wish to implement at home and the homework/reminders section.
I would like to thank you in advance for your cooperation, consideration, and support in these matters. I look forward to meeting and speaking with you. Please remember that we are partners working together for the benefit of your child. I am looking forward to a successful school year!
Warmly,
Nancy Gaba
nancy.gaba@burnabyschools.ca