Week #35: May 20th - 23rd

Dear Families, 

I’m excited to share this week’s blog update with you! There’s so much happening in our classroom, and I can’t wait to give you a window into the learning, creativity, and growth your child is experiencing 😃

I think you’ll enjoy seeing the joy and engagement that filled our week. Let’s dive in! 🏊‍♀️ 

🏅 CHARACTER RECOGNITION:

Congratulations to Avery and Harlow for achieving a character award for demonstrating the important attribute of Respect.

We’re so proud of both these girls for setting such a strong example of what respect looks like, sounds like, and feels like in action. Congratulations!

🧘‍♂️ WORLD MEDITATION DAY:
It is with joy that I share Mr. Boyle's goal of achieving thousands of children meditating on Wednesday was amazing - over 20,000 participants ☝️ 






I am so proud of him and our class family who participated in the 2 guided meditations using the 5 S's - silencespacestillnesssbreathe, and share.


I encourage you to give the meditations a try this weekend, allow your child to lead it :)  They'll be excited to do so!  I promise you will feel more relaxed, focused, and energized.

Focus of the Meditation: The Dragon - I Am Brave Summary: In this guided meditation, you find a large stone. As you approach and touch it, it hatches and so begins a journey of trust and friendship with this special dragon.

When it is full size, you choose to be brave and climb up onto its back to soar into the night sky. As you fly together, your dragon's magical powers are revealed.


Focus of the Meditation: Weight

Summary: You will need space to lay down for this meditation. Put your focus to different body parts, one by one.

Allow these muscles throughout your body to feel heavier and heavier with each breath. Heavy as stone, as you breathe softly and with ease, releasing any tension.


✏️ POETRY:
Over the next few weeks, I will be teaching my students about Poetry in preparation for our Poetry Cafe.  Yes of course, you are ALL INVITED, invitations to follow :) Stay tuned!!  

Your child will be excited to write and share their poems with you!


For this unit of study, our learning goal & success criteria is the following: 

Learning Goal:
We are learning to read, listen to, and write our own poetry using adjectives (descriptive words) to help our reader visualize and create a deeper meaning from our writing.

Success Criteria:
1. I can choose a topic for my poem that is meaningful to me.
2. I can use rich, descriptive (adjectives) word choice when I write.
3. I can include voice and expression in my writing.
4. I can help my reader create mental imagery (visualize) as they read my poem.
5. I can think with my head and heart to create a meaningful poem.

POETRY IS ... "Powerful Thoughts in Tiny Packages!"

On Google Classroom, I will be posting our Poetry Unit filled with lessons and a digital workbook that we will be utilizing oh so soon! 

Click the link below to learn about some of the different types of poetry we will be exploring!
http://mrswarnerarlington.weebly.com/poetry.html

📝 GRAMMAR RULE #16:

This week, we’ve been focusing on Grammar Rule #16:

 ➡️ To make the past tense of most verbs, we add d, ed, or ied.

Examples we’ve practiced:

  • walk → walked

  • jump → jumped

  • cry → cried

To help reinforce this learning at home, here are some questions you can ask your child:

 🗣️ “Can you think of 3 verbs and tell me their past tense forms?”


 🗣️ “What do you add to a verb to show something already happened?”


 🗣️ “What happens to verbs like ‘cry’ when we make them past tense?”


 🗣️ “Can you tell me a sentence using a verb with -ed or -ied?”

These little conversations can go a long way in helping students internalize grammar rules in a meaningful way! 

Thank you for supporting their learning at home 🏠 






🧮 MATH:

This week in math, we’ve been exploring how to measure area! 🟦

Students are learning how to calculate area using the formula:
 👉 Area = length × width

We’ve practiced applying this formula to different shapes and real-life scenarios, and one of our key reminders is to always include the correct units in our final answers (e.g., cm², m²). 🧠✔️

It’s been great to see students grow in their confidence and precision with this important measurement skill! 

Below I’ve shared some photos of your child in math action this week as we explored measuring area using the formula length × width. 🟦✏️📏

It’s been a joy to watch them collaborate, calculate, and apply their learning in hands-on ways!











🏃‍♂️ TRACK & FIELD:

As you know, we had to change our date due to the weather so here’s a quick reminder that our Track & Field School Meet is this Monday, May 26th! 🎽☀️ 

We’re so excited for a fun day of movement, sportsmanship, and school spirit.

To help set your child up for success and ensure they feel comfortable throughout the day, please make sure they come to school dressed for physical activity:

✅ Comfortable athletic clothing
✅ Running shoes
✅ A hat and sunscreen (weather permitting)
✅ A refillable water bottle

As always, we encourage full participation and remind students that what matters most is that they try their best and support one another. 🌟

“You don’t have to be the best, you just have to do your best.” 💪

🚌 BLUE MOUNTAIN FIELD TRIP – IMPORTANT INFO. & REMINDERS: 🏞️

We are so excited for our upcoming field trip to Blue Mountain

This special experience is coming up soon, and we want to make sure everyone is prepared for a safe, respectful, and fun day together. 💙⛰️

📅 Trip Date: Friday, May 30th

🕗 Departure From Nottawa: 9:30 AM – Volunteers please meet up at Blue for 9:45 AM at the South Base Lodge

🕓 Return to Nottawa: 3:00 PM

✅ What to Bring:

  • A nut-free lunch & snacks 🥪 

  • A refillable water bottle 💦 

  • Weather-appropriate clothing (layers, sun protection, rain gear if needed) ☀️ 

  • Comfortable & closed toed footwear for outdoor activities 🥾 

  • A backpack to carry personal items
Parents, please speak with your child about the following and its importance in detail, thank you 🙏🏾 

📋 Important Expectations & Rules 🚍 On the Bus:

  • Remain seated at all times

  • Use quiet voices

  • Listen and follow directions from adults

  • Keep hands and belongings to yourself

⛰️ At Blue Mountain:

  • Stay with your group at all times

  • Follow the instructions from staff and teachers

  • Participate fully and try your best at each activity

  • Use kind and respectful language

💛 Respecting Our Volunteers:

  • Listen carefully to parent helpers

  • Show gratitude – a simple “thank you” goes a long way!

  • Be cooperative and courteous throughout the day

This trip is a highlight of our year, and we want to ensure it’s a positive experience for everyone. 

Thank you for helping your child come prepared and ready to represent our school community with pride!

🎭 TALENT SHOW:
Please see photo below for the Talent Show details :)  If your child's interested in participating in this annual event, jot down the dates ASAP.  Thank you!


Can't wait to see and celebrate all our Nighthawk spirit and skills on display on Thurs. Jun. 26th (last day of school) at 11:45 - 1:15PM!  Goooooo Nighthawks GO!

🏈 FUN FAIR BASKET ITEMS:
Another big shout out and thank you to all the families who donated an item(s) for our SPORTS THEMED BASKET this week which will be auctioned off at this year's Fun Fair in June!








As a staff, we really appreciate your contributions, time, and efforts.  The cost of living these days has appreciated so much so please know, we deeply value your donation 🤗 


Thank you so much for supporting our school's FUN FAIR, it's going to be an amazing event!

❤️ NATIONAL ACCESSIBILITY WEEK / RED SHIRT DAY OF ACTION:

The week of May 25th - 31st is designated as National AccessAbility Week.  


This week provides an opportunity to celebrate the valuable contributions and leadership of persons with disabilities, with the ultimate goal of creating a more inclusive and accessible world for people of all abilities. 


Wednesday, May 28th is recognized as Red Shirt Day of Action where SCDSB students and staff are encouraged to wear red shirts.  



Doing so demonstrates solidarity and a commitment to reducing stigma and attitudinal barriers towards those with disabilities. 


SCDSB staff and students can demonstrate their support through social media including #SCDSBredshirtday and #SCDSBAccessAbility.  


MINDFULNESS:

Below is one of Johnny Reid's hit songs entitled "Today I'm Gonna Change the World." Please enjoy this songwriter's heart warming message. It's one of my favourites :-)

Its main message focuses on ... if we all just reached out to one person today and helped them, the world would be a better place. Absolutely!! We all have it in us to GIVE ...


GROWTH MINDSET:

Thank you Harlow for this week's mindset message! 


Look at yourself in the mirror, say thanks to one thing that makes you, YOU!” - Harlow


What does this mean to you? Discuss as a family 💙


With love, grace, and gratitude,

Ms. Gill

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