Sunday 3 December 2017

Advent

Dear Parents,

Sunday, December 3rd marks the first Sunday of Advent. Each week in our class, we will focus on the meaning of Advent as well as the symbolism of each candle (hope, peace, joy and love). We will be reading and talking about The Christmas Story. Additionally, I hope that we will be able to focus on the deeper meaning of Christmas -- how to bring happiness and joy to others. We will be brainstorming "random acts of kindness" and I will be challenging students to complete these acts over the course of each week.

I hope that these acts of kindness can spark some family discussions and perhaps create a sort of "pay it forward" effect.

Blessings to all of your families during this special time of year!

Monday 23 October 2017

Reminder!

Just a reminder that this Wednesday, October 25th is our first Spirit Day! The theme is crazy hair/crazy hat day!

Also, reminder that Halloween Day on October 31st will be Black and Orange Day!

Thursday 12 October 2017

Student login info

Here is some info to help student login to Raz Kids and Dreambox at home.

Raz Kids:
Username for everyone is: khoogenraad
Password for everyone is: Bunny icon

I have placed students at their appropriate reading levels in the program, so that they have a better chance at improving their reading skills. Please ensure that students are reading for a minimum of 20 minutes each and every night! If you find that the level on Raz Kids is either too hard or too easy, please write me a note in the agenda and I can adjust it easily.

Dreambox:
I have placed student password cards into each student's agenda. If you have any password login issues, please write me a note in the agenda.

Happy gaming!

First Communion and Reconciliation enrollment mass

Dear parents,

Just a reminder of the First Communion and Reconciliation enrollment mass dates that are coming up.

Options for enrollment mass are:

Saturday Oct 14: 4:30PM
Sunday Oct 15: 10:30AM
Saturday Oct 28: 4:30PM
Sunday Oct 29: 10:30AM

Wednesday 27 September 2017

Library

Library starts this week! We will have library on Tuesdays during 4th block. Because of our increasing school population, all classes are on a rotating schedule every 2 weeks. Students will be able to take out 1 English and 1 French book each visit.

Thursday 14 September 2017

Good Samaritan - Digital Citizenship

We have just started a series of lessons regarding digital citizenship that are linked to the Good Samaritan. Our Board calls it "Samaritans on the Digital Road". In these lessons, we will have discussions, watch short videos, and brainstorm ideas about topics such as:

- teaching students how to create a positive digital footprint
- learning what it means to be a good citizen
- deepen student understanding of how Jesus modelled good citizenship

The link below is intended for parents to further their learning and understanding of a digital citizen

Samaritans.ocsb.ca

Hopefully families are able to keep the discussions going at home!

Growth Mindset

We have started talking about and exploring the concept of "Growth Mindset". We have watched a few short video clips about how we can train our brains to be smarter. We are having discussions about ways we can change our thinking when we feel like we can't do something. We have also been talking about how mistakes help us learn. The students have had lots of good ideas and information to contribute to the conversations, so feel free to continue the discussions at home!