Week #31: Apr. 24th - 27th

Dear Families,

Today was a PA Day so I hope your child was able to enjoy some time outdoors and seize an extra day off!  This week, we spent some time outside walking and being one with nature.  It truly brings us to the present moment and appreciate the fabulous surroundings we're in!!  Check us out :-)

Can you believe, we'll soon be into the month of May?  It felt like April zipped by!  As always, lots of learning happening in our classroom.  Check below, see for yourself :)  

CHARACTER RECOGNITION:

Thank you to Mrs. Mathews class for hosting this month's assembly to celebrate all the students who have demonstrated OPTIMISM - "We believe we can do it!"  

Congratulations to Cruz and Ben for striving towards believing in themselves and their abilities to persevere even through challenging tasks. 

Your determination and dedication to getting the job done is valued.  Well done!

SPIRIT WEAR:

On Tuesday, we had the Director of Education visit our school so students were asked to dress in their Nottawa gear to show our Nighthawk Spirit and we sure did!!

Thank you Isla, Benner, Molly, Kaleb, and Kieran for showing school spirit!

Thank you to students & staff who continue to demonstrate your unity and pride to be a Nighthawk!!

BOWLS FOR BEDS:

This school year, we have done a lot of thinking, learning, and discussing about ways that we can help make a difference in the lives of those who need it the most.

It is that time again that we will do our part to make a difference! 

On Tues. May 2nd, your child will have the wonderful opportunity to participate in "Bowls for Beds," a fundraiser to support Home Horizon and the Barbara Weider House which helps youth in our community who are at risk of homelessness.   

Please watch this informative 2 minute video explaining the importance of having this organization in our area.

Home Horizon is a transitional house working with youth at risk of homelessness in the Southern Georgian Bay Area.

Homelessness is a real issue in our area even if it isn’t visible and has reached crisis proportions in Canada.

These youth are also in the process of transitioning into adulthood and due to challenging circumstances, may not yet have acquired the health, personal, social and life skills that make independent living possible.

By participating and painting a bowl, our class is helping the lives of homeless youth who will receive housing and counselling programs to help transform their lives from the streets to becoming better equipped to stand on their own two feet!

If you wish, you may purchase your child's painted bowl ($35.00) online.  

There is no obligation to purchase it, however, if you do consider donating, please refer to the note that was sent from Mrs. Beattie via messenger.  

Any questions regarding the money aspect of things, please direct them to Mrs. Beattie lbeattie@scdsb.on.ca  

All monies will be donated to Home Horizon to help youth at risk of homelessness.  Donations will make a difference one life at a time in our community.

Over the past six years of being at Nottawa, I have had all my classes participate.  Last year, my class raised $570.00 and Mrs. Newman's class raised $480.00 with a grand total of $1, 050.00 for the Home Horizon - Barbara Weider House. 

The families of Nottawa are truly the most generous I have ever worked with when it comes to helping others in need.  Writing this, I am overcome with emotion and immense gratitude for all that you do.  

All monies will be donated to Home Horizon to help youth at risk of homelessness.  Donations will make a difference one life at a time in our community.

Thank you yet again for your time, support, and contributions to the various causes that I've shared over the school year.

WRITING:

As a way to express our heartfelt empathy for the youth at risk of homelessness, your child used his or her thoughts, feelings, and emotions to write a message of hope for these people.

It was a such a beautiful week of writing because I could truly feel the positive energy in our classroom as sentiments were genuinely and lovingly shared to help those in need of a home and getting back onto their own two feet.  

Check us out below as we worked together to get this job done!!

Your child's personalized message will be given to Home Horizon and the youth who are visiting there.  I am optimistic it will bring them a sense of belonging and knowing they are not alone.

As a class family, we did our best to step into their (homeless youth) shoes to show our empathy and compassion towards what they're going through.

Please discuss with your child the adjectives used to describe the thoughts, feelings, and emotions that a homeless youth may be feeling. 

LEAH DENBOK:

Throughout this school year, I have been sharing Leah Denbok's book "Nowhere to Call Home" and it has really peaked the interest of my students, so we have been reading some of the stories presented in volume 1.

Leah (23 years) was a former student here at Nottawa Elementary so it is extra special to show and share her inspiring work!!

I was gifted her Volume One "Nowhere to Call Home" (see picture below) and it shares a series of photographs and stories of the homeless.  

Some of the images really intrigued my students and we had a discussion about the importance of knowing that these individuals are just like us - they have a heart, mind, spirit, and soul.  

Homeless people must be treated with dignity and respect just like anybody else.  They have a story just like we all do.  It just may look, sound, and feel ... different.  And, that's OK!  

I will continue sharing more stories with my students as the year goes on to hone and magnify our empathy lens.

I came across this interview (video below) and it may give you more insight into who Leah is and the incredible work she is doing to create awareness and support for the homeless.  She is a compassionate person who displays true character in her empathetic ways.

In November 2019, I had the privilege of listening to a panel discussion Leah held at our local library.  For such a young woman, she has made a remarkable impact and truly has worked hard to hear the stories of the homeless.  Leah genuinely cares about their plight.

It is people like Leah who continue to inspire me as an educator to teach my students about empathy and compassion.  

For me, the foundation of a solid education is taking what you learn at school, thinking of ways to make a positive difference, and applying your new found knowledge to help your community.  

With YOUR SUPPORT, our class family is doing just that.  I am very proud :-)

The next time you see someone who is homeless, please remember ...

KINDNESS PROJECT PRESENTATIONS:

Beginning the week of May 8th - 12th, students will be doing an oral presentation for the class to share their "Kindness" projects.  

I am excited about this as it is a consolidation of a lot of what I've been teaching the kids throughout the school year which is setting a growth mindset in our thoughts, words, and actions.  I strongly believe this is what can and will continue to make our planet a bright and beautiful one!

Please use the criteria (see picture below) to review and practice what I will be looking for when your child presents.  Each child will give and receive feedback based on the criteria.  Students signed up for a date, so please ask them their date and take note of this :)

MATH:

This week, students worked on their Block 2 Check-In to celebrate what they know and what they don't know yet.

The following math concepts were covered in this assessment:  Division, Multiplication, Fractions, Addition & Subtraction, Solving for the Missing Variable, and Coding.

Please click the photos below to enlarge them to see the types of questions asked.  I encourage you to also sit with your child over the weekend and discuss the various strategies they used.

This reinforcement truly helps tremendously in locking the concepts taught into your child's HIPPOCAMPUS (memory saver) :-)

I am proud of the students for showing what they know using pictures, numbers, and words where applicable.  

ADMINISTRATIVES PROFESSIONAL DAY

On Wednesday, we recognized our very own Mrs. Beattie for Administrative Professionals Day!  This is celebrated annually in Canada!

The day recognizes the work of secretaries, administrative assistants, receptionists, and other administrative support professionals.  They are truly central to any business.  

These professionals keep an office organized and efficient.  The day in the life of an administrative professional is varied from moment to moment.

Our school could NOT run without Mrs. Beattie, she is a FORCE.  Always professional, knows her stuff, and is on top of everything.  She takes time to get to know families so she can best meets their needs on a daily basis.  

Thank you Mrs. Beattie for BEING YOU!  In particular, I am so appreciative of you taking care of all the funds for our Bowls for Beds Fundraiser this year, ensuring my attendance is accurate and complete daily, and ensuring the safety and well-being of my students as they enter and exit the building.

You're a ROCKSTAR and I am ever so grateful I can always count on you for my classroom needs :)  Now, kick back and relax over the weekend, you deserve it Mrs. Beattie!

MOLLY:

Thank you Molly and family for providing a whole box of Kleenex yet again for our classroom.  They took it upon themselves to provide this box for us!!

Your thoughtful ways are admired and appreciated!!

WILL:

On Monday, Will returned to class after his Cuban adventure!  Your classmates missed you and are so happy to have you back in our learning community!  

Check out Will with his good buddy Benner snuggling in to read a book :)  Love the hat too, Will!!

WELCOME KRIZCHIA:

It is with my pleasure to introduce everyone to our newest family member - Krizchia!

From the moment Krizchia stepped into our classroom, her sincerity, sweetness, and joyous personality shined!! She has been an instant wonderful addition to our class family already.

Prior to Krizchia's arrival, the class and I learned how to say 'Thank You' in her native language, it is 'Salamat!' When she heard us say this after we did our mindfulness, she sweetly smiled :-)

You see, it has been very important to us to ensure that we honour all faiths, cultures, ethnicities because we LOVE (a.k.a accept) EVERYONE for who they are!!

Krizchia hard at work on an assessment I incidentally gave her :)

As an expression of our love, Mae and Anna took time at their respective homes to create a welcome letter and card for her.

First, Mae used Google translate to write a sweet letter to Krizchia in Tagalog. Check it out below!!

Mae read her letter in English for the class to understand and then Krizchia read it in Tagalog :) My eyes welled up with tears!!

The kids all listened attentively and lovingly. I wish I could have recorded it for you all to see, your hearts would have soared as well I'm sure!!

Next, Anna shared her card.  In it, she thoughtfully asked 5 questions for Krizchia to answer.  What a brilliant way to connect and get to know our new student better, I love it!!

We truly are grateful to have Krizchia and can't wait to learn and grow with her!

When we did our morning announcements, I decided to expose the children to Krizchia's national anthem. Here it is below. We all enjoyed it and Krizchia even sang it sweetly as I played it :)

MINDFULNESS #1:

Although Earth Day may have come and gone, it remains imperative that we continue to take care of Mother Earth.  

In class, we make a daily conscious effort to do so through our lights out lunches, properly composting, recycling, minimal garbage disposal, drinking water from reusable water bottles, and waste-free lunches!!  For us, Earth Day is every day!!

While plastic thrown into landfills contaminates the soil and groundwater with harmful chemicals and microorganisms, the effects of marine pollution caused by plastic are immeasurable. 

Just like on land, even in the oceanic areas, the effects of plastic on marine life has started to be felt.  Please take a moment to watch this video and consider minimizing the use of plastic in your daily life. 

Together, we can make a difference!

GROWTH MINDSET:

Thank you Cruz for this week's mindset message!  It is always important to look at the bright side of life!

"Instead of saying I can't do this.  Try saying, I can do better next time!"  - Cruz

Respectfully Yours, 

Ms. P. Gill