Week #20: Jan. 27th - 31st

Dear Families,

What a winter it has been!  With an abundance of snow days this week, it felt like the snowy days were here to stay. But despite the flurries and unexpected breaks, our learning never slowed down! From at-home activities provided on Google Classroom to engaging discussions in class, we made every moment count ❄️📚

As always, I’m excited to share updates, highlights, and glimpses of the growth happening in our learning community. 

Thank you parents your continued support, stay warm and enjoy a wonderful weekend with your loved ones 😊

CHARACTER RECOGNITION ASSEMBLY:

Due to the many snow days this week, our Character Recognition Assembly has been rescheduled to Wednesday, February 5th at 9:45 AM.  We look forward to celebrating our students and their amazing character achievements!

And don’t forget, it’s still a Spirit Day! 🎉 We encourage all students to take part in Decades Day by dressing up in their favourite fashion from the 60s, 70s, 80s, 90s, or 00s!  Whether it’s bell bottoms, neon, grunge, or Y2K vibes, we can’t wait to see everyone’s creativity!

Let’s make it a fun and spirited event! 🎤✨

FEBRUARY KINDNESS CALENDAR:

As soon as I post our kindness calendar of the month in our classroom, I have eager students who actively read what the kind act of the day is and they want to implement it, I love it!!

February 1st was "eat lunch with someone new."  The kids were excited about this one because they got to eat in another area of the classroom with a friend :)  

Their enthusiasm to be kind is heart soaring!  Let's keep this going boys and girls, not solely for February, but all months of the year!

🧧✨HONOURING & CELEBRATING CHINESE NEW YEAR:🧧✨

Chinese New Year is a special time of joy, reflection, and renewal, marking the beginning of the Lunar New Year.  It is a celebration filled with traditions that symbolize good fortune, happiness, and prosperity for the year ahead.

In our class family, we believe in embracing all cultures and learning from one another.  To help students grow their understanding of this important celebration, I have posted an informational slide deck on Google Classroom. I encourage them to explore it at home and share their learning with you!

Let’s continue to honour and appreciate the rich traditions that make our world so beautifully diverse. ❤️🌏

📢 EXCITING NEWS! BLACK HISTORY ASSEMBLY:🎤✨

We are thrilled to share that our class will be leading the school-wide Black History Assembly! 🎉

📅 Date: Friday, February 21, 2025 @ 9:30AM

🎤 Guest Speaker: Marica Hubbs, also known as "Queen M"

This special assembly will focus on Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion, celebrating the incredible contributions of Black Canadians and Black Americans in shaping a more inclusive world.

🌟 What to Expect:

✅ Student-Led Presentations – Our class will highlight the achievements of inspiring Black individuals.

✅ Powerful Message from Queen M – A local activist, speaker, and musician, she encourages inclusivity and challenges racism with her uplifting presence.

✅ Curriculum Connections – This aligns with our school’s commitment to Well-Being, Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Excellence in Learning.

Queen M’s message is clear: "Be the change." Her passion for fostering understanding will inspire our students to continue making the world a safer, more accepting place for all. ❤️🌍

We can’t wait for this meaningful event and hope you’ll ask your child about it afterward!

SPEECH FEEDBACK:

Students were excited to read and receive their peers' feedback from their speech presentation.  I hope you were able to have a look through these.  

Although there may be some spelling or grammatical errors in these notes, please know students put their efforts in to try to recognize each others stars (strengths) and arrows (next steps).  

I am hopeful your child will be able to recognize what they did well so they can continue to thrive in their public speaking and make adjustments (improve) in areas that need more work :)

SPEECH COMPETITION:

This week, Teagan took the stage and participated in the Junior Speech Competition in the gym, what an incredible achievement! 🎤👏

Speaking in front of a large audience takes mental focus, physical presence, and emotional strength, and Teagan has shown amazing dedication in preparing for this big moment. Her willingness to step outside her comfort zone and embrace this challenge head-on is truly inspiring!

We are so proud of you, Teagan! 🎉  Thank you for representing our class family with pride and dignity.  You always shine like a superstar! ✨💪🎤

GUIDED MEDITATION CLUB:

I’m excited to introduce Meditation Mondays, a new opportunity for students to start their week with mindfulness and self-care! 💞

✨ Why Mindfulness?
Incorporating meditation in schools helps students develop self-regulation skills, focus, and stress management, which are essential for both academic success and personal well-being.

💡 What to Expect:
Each Monday, students can join me and our Student Mental Health Action Team (grade 7 & 8 members), in building a mindfulness routine that supports their mental health. By participating, they will develop self-awareness, resilience, empathy, and concentration, all of which contribute to a more compassionate and productive learning environment. 🌱

⏳ Lifelong Benefits:
Mindfulness skills help students navigate challenges with ease, both inside and outside the classroom, setting them up for success far beyond school!🌿 Meditation Mondays – Join Us! 😌

Check out the details below!  If your child's interested, you must sign a permission on School Cash Online please :)

📌 What:  Guided Meditations for K-8
📅 When:  Feb. 3rd, 10th, 24th, March 3rd
⏰ Time:  8:45 - 9:15 A.M.
📍 Where:  The Gym with Ms. Gill & The Student Mental Health Action Team (gr. 7/8 members) 
🌱 Why:  Start the week with mindfulness!  See you later, Meditators 😌✨

Let’s build focus, resilience, and well-being together. See you there!

#MindfulnessMatters #StudentWellbeing #BetterFocus #MindfulKids

MME WYLIE:

We are so thrilled to have Mme Wylie back! 💛 Her kindness, positivity, and ability to connect with the children bring such a warm and welcoming energy to our school. 

The students are so lucky to have her, and we’re excited for all the wonderful moments ahead! ✨😊 

#WelcomeBack #KindnessInAction #StudentConnections

GROWTH MINDSET:

This week’s mindset message is … 

"Believe in yourself and you'll be UNSTOPPABLE!"

For me, this quote means that when you trust yourself and believe you can do something, nothing can stand in your way! 💪✨

Think about when you’re learning something new, like riding a bike or solving a tricky math problem. At first, it might feel hard, but if you keep trying and believe that you can do it, you’ll get better and better!

Believing in yourself gives you the power to keep going, even when things are tough.  So never give up, keep trying, and remember, you are AMAZING and can do anything you set your mind to!💫😊

With love & gratitude,

Ms. Gill