Month: December 2021

Wishing you a restful and peaceful holiday and a great start to the New Year.

Best Wishes and See You Soon,

Mrs. Marto

Looking Ahead

• Students ended this term learning research skills to support their Learning in Depth research upon our return in the New Year
• I have pulled books on all their topics, and the students will do a deep dive into the facts starting the first week.  Books won’t be our only source of information.  The students will also be learning how to use online resources to support their research
• Please ask your child about their topic.  They are all excited to start, and students are welcome to find their own books at the Public Library or to do some online research at home during the break.  At this stage, I suggest just familiarizing themselves with their topics by exploring.  The LiD topics are specifically chosen for their depth and breadth for inquiry and study.  When the students return, they will be guided to find a focus, or two, through our first presentation/project.

Can you tell which theme we went with this year?

• Please check the school website for Leadership Activities that will be running throughout the week for everyone in the school; We will also be writing Leadership Activity reminders in our planner
•  While our door decorating is not yet finished and needs a few more details, I can report that we have had so much fun putting the display together
• On Monday, our class will be making ornaments to decorate the office Christmas trees, and we will be placing the ornaments on the tree Monday afternoon
• Friday Activities in our Class:  There is a schoolwide pajama day on Thursday, but Div. 6 students will also be able to wear their pajamas on Friday as we are going to have a Polar Express Day.  We will be watching the movie in the afternoon, making another keepsake ornament, and relaxing with some general holiday cheer. If you are thinking of sending any food items or small gifts, please be aware that these gifts must be brought to the school by Wednesday as we will be quarantining them before handing them out to students.  We also ask that they be individually wrapped store-bought items. 
• ***For the Friday movie, Mrs. Marto will bring popcorn and hot chocolate.  COVID safety measures will be observed with food service***
• When sending treats, please be aware that we have a nut allergy in our class
• as always, I will continue to update the website as needed, or as new information arises

Dear Parents,

This Friday, the students went home with their Student Engagement, Behaviour, and Social Development: Student and Teacher Reflection Sheet.  I asked the students to place this reflection in the pocket of their planners.  In addition to the paper copy in the planner, you will find a photo of the same document in their blogfolios.  It was a thoughtful process that engaged the teachers (Miss Dolinski/Mrs. Marto) and the student in a meaningful and supportive conversation about strengths and stretches.  The act of completing this type of self-assessment is humbling and powerful as it demands a level of honesty and introspection that shouldn’t be easy for such young students, but which they completed with openness and sincerity.   I know this task would challenge many adults.  Please take the time to review your child’s reflection and talk about their goals.  A good structure for the conversation is:  Two Stars and a Wish.  Identify two strengths and pick one wish from your point of view.

 Please sign the front cover sheet, so that I know you have seen this document.

Lastly, the blogfolios are always a work in progress.  There is a lot of information in the blogfolios about your child’s learning and I encourage you to also have a look at the work samples.  Occasionally, due to absences or other curricular or technical challenges, some posts might be updated a bit later.

Thank you,

Mrs. Marto