Week #4: Sept. 23rd - 26th

Dear Families,

Happy fall!  Wowie, we're almost into the month of October!?  Fall is such a beautiful season and we're so fortunate to live in a community that is surrounded with abundant trails 🥾, trees 🌲, and nature ⛰️ so we can admire the changing colours of beautiful 🍁 reds, oranges, and yellow 🍂  I love it!

⛅️ Wellness Walk Wednesday’s 🌳 

I know of the many families from our school who rejoice in spending quality time outdoors hiking, biking, walking, and running so you know first hand what a beautiful area we get to live, work, and play in! 

Living 🏃‍♀️ Loving 🥰 Laughing 😄

I look forward to being outside this weekend in the woods hiking as I hope it'll be sunny and bright 🌞 I hope you all will too 😉

TURNAROUND DAY:

As we wrapped up the Turnaround Day and the transition of children moving to new classes on Tuesday morning, I wanted to take a moment to acknowledge what an emotional and challenging week it has been for students, parents, and educators.  

Change, especially when it comes abruptly, can stir up big emotions for both children and parents alike 🥺 

Yet, I am incredibly proud of how everyone—students, teachers, and families—demonstrated resilience and adaptability during this time.  I am in awe!  

I understand the range of feelings that come with these changes, and I empathize with each of you wholeheartedly.  It is never easy, but together, we’ve shown that we can face adversity and RISE ☝️ 

My new glorious grade 4’s! 
Positive Affirmations bring us JOY 🥰 

Your continued support and understanding mean the world to us (staff) as we navigate these transitions each year.  

I thank you, parents, for standing with us, and for trusting the process.  

With our new class family now established, I am THRILLED and EXCITED to welcome and continue teaching, learning, and growing with your beloved child!

We are connecting, collaborating, and communicating oh so well already and it's just the beginning :-)  Looking forward to a stellar year together boys and girls!  How blessed am I?  VERY!

We enjoyed connecting with each other on
our Wellness Walk 🌳 

Taking notice and appreciating our surroundings 🐌 

Brave. Strong. Resilient. 
Thank you grade 3's for transitioning so
lovingly & positively!

🤳 Selfie time with my grade 3’s! 

MakerSpace

MakerSpace

Taylor, Seth, Chase, & James getting to know each other

Mindful Minutes - Leyah & Alex

In the present moment, well done Finley!

Deep belly breathing using Gyan Mudra

That's it Finley - calm, cool, collected :)

We are One - Harlow, Charlotte, Finley

Guided Meditators - Sofia & Keenan

Breathe In.  Breath Out - Brylee & James

Adalina feeling the benefits of meditation

Collaboration at its finest girls!

Chase & MJ playing 'WIPEOUT'

Math gaming - Harlow & Keenan

Thank you Teagan for being a leader and warmly welcoming our grade 3's

Corbin & Avery - respectful, kind table buddies

Attentive & Accountable - Adalina & Isla

Seth & Finley work together to get the job done!

Beautiful smiles James & Charlotte

Alex & Brylee ready to learn & grow together

FIELD TRIP NEWS:

With my class now being a grade 3/4, our whole class has the opportunity for a field trip with Mrs. Hammond's grade 3's and Mrs. Wallace's grade 2/3 class, YAY!

All information may be accessed on School Cash and parents are asked to sign the online permission form in order for your child to participate.

Here are the details 🎥 

• Why:  To watch Wild Robot (for novel study 📖).  I encourage you NOT to see the film this weekend please.
• When:  Friday October 4th 🗓️ 
• Where:  Cinema Galaxy Collingwood 🎦 
• Departure from School:  11:40AM 🚌 
• Arrival to Cinema:  12:00PM
• Movie Starts:  12:30PM 🎥 
• Departure from Cinema:  2:25PM
• Money:  Only pre-purchase on school cash is available for those students interested in getting a snack combo.  No cash to buy items at the theatre please 🍿 
• Volunteers:  If you are an approved volunteer and are on our list in the office, you are welcome to attend.  At our principal's request, please let me know via email (pgill@scdsb.on.ca) if you're able to volunteer.  You will need to purchase your own ticket and drive yourself to the cinema.  Please try to arrive by noon-ish 🙏🏾

WILD ROBOT SYNOPSIS:

From DreamWorks Animation comes a new adaptation of a literary sensation, Peter Brown’s beloved, award-winning, #1 New York Times bestseller, The Wild Robot. The epic adventure follows the journey of a robot—ROZZUM unit 7134, “Roz” for short — that is shipwrecked on an uninhabited island and must learn to adapt to the harsh surroundings, gradually building relationships with the animals on the island and becoming the adoptive parent of an orphaned gosling.

This is a powerful story about the discovery of self, a thrilling examination of the bridge between technology and nature and a moving exploration of what it means to be alive and connected to all living things.

Check out the Wild Robot trailer below to get your child excited for our fun-filled afternoon next week!

MEET THE TEACHER:

It was an absolute joy connecting with all the parents and children who were able to come meet me, see our classroom, and rejoice in all the wonderful new learning your child is partaking in thus far this school year! 

I could see, hear, and feel your child's enthusiasm ready to show, share, and celebrate their work folder of their 'First Month of School.’ 

Below are some samples of what was shared 😃

Decorated Folder Organzier 🖍️ 

Writing ✍️: First Day of School 

Recount ✍️: Summer Vacation

Goal Setting ✍️: How Will You Make Your Mark?

Art 🎨:  The Dot - see where your mark will take you!

Self Portrait 🖍️ 

During Meet the Teacher, I thoroughly enjoyed all my conversations and interactions with parents.  I am so grateful I have your (parental) support to continue meeting your child's academic, social, emotional and mental well-being.  

Your enthusiasm and efforts to be a T.E.A.M. is greatly valued and cherished!

T - Together

E - Everybody

A - Achieves

M - More

Thank you for your time, efforts, and energy that you are consistently providing your child in their academics and BEYOND!  

It's making a significant difference in building their confidence and comfort as some enter their final primary year and/or beginning the junior division.

Below, you will see a collection of my slideshow photos (click each to enlarge it) that I created to help celebrate and honour the amazing learning we're doing such as:

• Building a SAFE, INCLUSIVE, and WELCOMING community for all learners 🤝 
• Forming a T.EA.M. mentality 🧠 
• Using RESILIENCE & PERSEVERANCE when faced with challenges ⛰️ 🏃 
• Demonstrating SCDSB's 23 CHARACTER ATTRIBUTES 🌟 

Please note, the key learning goals & success criteria stated will be an ongoing theme in our classroom for the remainder of the school year because I strongly feel it helps children not only grow as students, but as people (the best version of themselves).

If at any time you wish to contact or set up a meeting with me, please do not hesitate to.

I can be reached daily via: 

• child's agenda 📓 
• phone call at the school (705-445-1827) 📱 
• email: pgill@scdsb.on.ca 📧 

Your child's academic, social, emotional, and mental well-being is of utmost importance to me :) 

The kids enjoyed this fun & friendly activity with their parents :)
Were you able to guess your child's face portrait?

TERRY FOX RUN:

Yesterday, we had a sensational sunny afternoon to honour our CANADIAN HERO Terry Fox!  It brought such joy to my heart seeing, hearing, and feeling all students demonstrating their love and respect for our beloved hero.  

A message of determination from Terry Fox's 

brother Fred Fox

Nottawa stands together to help honour all the survivors and non-survivors with cancer.  We will always have HOPE to one day find a cure for this disease that affects so many.  #believetoachieve  #marathonofhope

Here are a collection of photos from our Terry Fox Run!  Thank you to ALL the staff and children who joined in the spirit and wore a Terry Fox t-shirt and/or Canada gear to show our Canadian pride!  

It’s all about building a spirit filled community 🤗  Check out our sweet smiles to show support for Terry, his Foundation, and all our loved ones  📸 

Proud Canadians in mind, body, and spirit ✨ 

The old & new Terry Fox shirt 👕 

Determined ⛰️ 

Ready. Set. Let’s Goooo 🏃‍♂️ 

Taylor & Seth

Charlotte S. 🏀 

Finley, Corbin, Keenan, and Charlotte S. 🩵 

Zoe & Sofia 👋🏾 

I miss you June, but am so blessed I taught you 😘! 
Thank you Teagan for your positivity, 👍 

Hans & HuddyBuddy 🏒 

MJ, Smiley Brylee, & Happy Harlow 😃

Message of Gratitude from Mrs. Mortimer to all the children
for supporting such a great cause 💞

🏃‍♀️The VERY best children & staff 🏃 

🎭 Mrs. O and I adore you Moll’s 💞 

It brings tears to my eyes as I think about Terry Fox and his spirit shining down on us all as we all participated with pride and dignity.   

#tryliketerry

FUNDRAISING FOR THE TERRY FOX FOUNDATION:

This year, it is our school goal to raise $6,280.00 for the Terry Fox Foundation, wow 😮 

I am thrilled to share that as of right now, we have reached 90% of our overall goal 💰 $5,659.00.

Please note, the link to our donation page will be open all weekend so if you'd like to donate, there's still time ☝️ 

Donate Here

I would like to personally thank all the staff, students, and parents who have already generously donated to our Nottawa fundraising page.  Absolutely amazing! #livingisgiving

Thank you also to Mrs. Johnson, our staff lead, for organizing this meaningful event! It always brings so many heartfelt emotions when we come together as a school family to honour the life and legacy of our Canadian hero Terry Fox and all those affected by cancer in our lives. 

NATIONAL TRUTH & RECONCILIATION DAY:

September 30th is the day kids and adults across Canada are encouraged to wear orange, as a way to honour & remember Indigenous residential school survivors and those who never made it home. 

Thank you Mrs. Mortimer for ensuring we have our very own Every Child Matters flag hung up in our Rotunda which will be proudly displayed all day every day!

It also serves as a reminder that every child in Canada matters — including Indigenous kids, who have a history of being mistreated. 

Orange Shirt Day is taking on a new and important role in reconciliation, which is the process of healing the relationship between Indigenous and non-Indigenous people. 

Please take a moment to watch and listen to this informative CBC video to learn about how Truth & Reconciliation Day came to be.

We encourage all staff, students, and parents to please wear an orange shirt on Mon. Sept. 30th to show that we stand together with our Indigenous Peoples and that Every Child Matters.  Thank you for your care and consideration.

June, Isla, Teagan, Mason :)  
EVERY CHILD MATTERS

I am grateful to be surrounded with so many children who want to do their part towards reconciliation!

Check our Freddy's hand sewn medicine wheel
on his t-shirt.  AMAZING!!

MENTAL HEALTH & WELL-BEING:

As the school year progresses, you will soon realize that I don't take many days away from school. However if I am away from the portable, it's due to attending a workshop to continue my professional development or coaching a team sport (intermediate girls basketball/ junior boys volleyball).

Last week, I took 4 intermediate students with me to a workshop at the Board office called "The Mental Health Symposium."  I am very passionate about teaching Mental Health & Well-Being with my students.  

The goal of the workshop was learning the basic knowledge and information related to mental health, strategies to enhance student mental health, and everyday practices for use in the classroom.

Mental illness is a very common form of human pain and suffering. Being a good listener and asking how you can help or simply just being there for people you care about can be the first step to recovery.

We as a class family are so fortunate that we participate in wellness strategies each and everyday such as participating in brain gym, guided meditation, yoga, and breathing exercises. 

Taking care of our mental wellness is equally as important as tending to our physical well-being.

Together we have taken big steps to reduce the stigma around mental health issues, inspire one another to take action, and help create a Canada where everyone can access the mental health support they need.

TEAGAN, KEENAN, HARLOW, & HAZEL:

Thank you to Teagan, Keenan, and my former students the Colquhoun twins and their families for providing Tabs for Kids!  This warms my heart deeply and proudly :)

Your thoughtfulness and contributions are making a difference for children with accessibility needs.

At the generosity of the children and parents, I look forward to our 5g bottle being filled sooner than later which will help those in need of accessibility equipment (e.g., wheelchairs).

Keep those tabs a comin'!

MINDFULNESS:

The Terry Fox Heritage Minute video powerfully honours his legacy by depicting his Marathon of Hope across Canada.  

It showcases his determination and resilience while battling cancer, emphasizing key moments of his journey and the support he received from Canadians. 

The message resonates deeply, reminding viewers of Terry’s enduring influence and the ongoing fight against cancer. 

This Heritage Minute serves as a heartfelt tribute to a young man whose courage inspired a nation.

Please take a moment to give it a listen to keep help honour and keep Terry's legacy alive.

GROWTH MINDSET:

I came across this image and it really resonated with me and I just had to share.  Isn't it marvelous?!  

I often share with my students, by having an 'Attitude of Gratitude' at the forefront of our mindset, it can and will contribute to our life being filled with joy!

Give it a try!  My wish and prayer for you all is to continue to find and rejoice in the GLIMMERS of your life :) 

With love, grace, and gratitude

Ms. Gill