“A smile and a kind word is all it takes to spread joy because happiness is contagious!”

Thank you Owen for sharing this quote with us, it is amazing!!

Mix-Match Day!  We have SPIRIT!

Dear Families,

The deep, chilly freeze continued this past week, brrr!  I hope that you’re finding ways to keep warm and cozy.  We are fortunate to have Mrs. McQuay (our custodian) who regularly comes in the early morning to check upon the temperature in our classroom and ensures that students and staff are comfortable and warm.  Thank you Mrs. McQuay for your consistent kindness and thoughtful ways, we appreciate you!

Character Recognition Assembly & Learning Skills/Academic Awards:

On Monday morning, we will be celebrating students who have demonstrated ‘Inclusiveness’ for the month of February.  I will be certain to post their picture on my next blog update.  In addition to this, we will also be honouring students for their achievement in their ‘Learning Skills & Academics’ portion of the report card.  I am so proud of ALL my students; they will always be recognized by me in and out of the classroom.  As I have mentioned on a few occasions, I am surrounded with the most caring, thoughtful, and kind children!  I am the fortunate one J

Nordic Highlands:

Due to the extreme cold, our field trip has been postponed until Wed. Mar. 5^th.  Let’s all do the ‘warm dance’ together so we can enjoy our last session at Duntroon J  I am optimistic it’ll be great weather as well as lots of FUN!  The students and I have thoroughly enjoyed every moment on the hills!  I will take lots of pictures to share with you all … thank you for checking it out!

Paralympics:

Shining a bigger LIGHT on the Paralympics :)

I had a discussion with my class about the Paralympics as I feel it is under-recognized compared to the Olympics that just took place.  As an educator, I want to educate my students on the importance of recognizing differences and celebrating achievements of ALL athletes.  Having a disability does not mean “Can’t!”  In our talk, Owen mentioned the following, “Hey Miss Gill, it just means that these athletes do the same events in a different way, that’s all.  And it’s really cool to see them persevere!”  This comment says it all … you’re absolutely right, Owen!!!  Thank you for your insightful thinking, you have taught us a valuable lesson J 

I have encouraged my students to watch the Paralympics which will begin on our March Break (Mar. 7^th onwards…).  I know I’ll be tuning in and look forward to hearing my students’ thoughts.

Math Learning:

Last week, I sent a Math Note home.  Our new Learning Goal is Geometry & Spatial Sense.  Thank you in advance to the families who have taken the time to read over the note and act upon the suggestions/activities to try out with your child.  We will be spending the next 2 weeks on this strand of mathematics.  It is an area that most students enjoy, as we will be building figures from nets and classifying them according to their attributes.  Please ask your child about the four types of angles we’ve discussed and how many degrees each is (HINT:  straight-angle 180, right-angle 90, obtuse-angle greater than 90, acute-angle less than 90 degrees).  I appreciate all the support you give your child as it helps immensely in the classroom, especially in their confidence level.

March Break:

Just a reminder that it is our last week before the break, it is a shortened week Mon.-Thurs.  There will be no school on Friday.  I am wishing you all a safe and enjoyable break together!!  Hopefully the spring-like temperatures will surface as well … here’s to hoping *fingers crossed!*

“Trust your peers and believe in them.  They will do it back.”  -- Paige

Namaste,

Miss Gill

 

  

“Don’t let tomorrow’s worries ruin today’s happiness.”  --Anjoli

Dear Families,

We have had an extremely fun-filled week!  First, we celebrated Family Day on Monday! Next, our Nordic Highlands trip on Wednesday!  Then, Olympic Day on Thursday!  Finally, a snow day on Friday!  WOWIE!  We are a fortunate classroom community to be involved in such amazing experiences together.  Our weeks certainly do zip by, but we do our best to seize and appreciate all our precious moments J

Paige:

Paige & Sammi - Go Sweden Go!

On Thursday, we said our goodbyes to our dear Paige.  On behalf of our class, I wish you all the best in your future endeavours in and out of the classroom.  We will fondly think of your kindness, positive energy, and compassionate demeanour.  It has been a true pleasure teaching, getting to know you and spending quality time in the classroom and on the hills of Duntroon.  Your new school is oh so fortunate to have you!!!  I know you’ll excel in all that you do because of your determination and perseverance.  Take care Paige, we will miss you!!!

Nordic Highlands Trip #2

Our second experience at Nordic Highlands was extraordinary!  Many of the instructors shared with me that the students improved tremendously in their cross-country and snow shoeing skills.  GREAT!  My face lit up upon hearing this, well done boys and girls, I am so proud of your growth!!! 

I would like to extend a huge thank you to our parent volunteers for their time, efforts, love, and support!  Thank you Mrs. Dawson, Mrs. Knowler, and Mrs. McGuire, you are all valued and cherished members of our school family!!!

I will keep this section short, BUT sweet, and let the pictures do the ‘talking!’  Enjoy J

Students hard at work - Mapping Skills

Mrs. Dawson guiding and supporting her group - thank you!!!

Mrs. McGuire mentoring her daughter Paige, Owen, Bradley, Jax, and Eagen - thank you!!!

Wonderful William always demonstrating heart and soul

 

Alex, Josie, and Paige - ready to face their uphill challenge

Julia & Sammi - bus buddies

Graceful Grace taking a well-deserved nap after a full day of winter activity!

Olympic Day at NLCPS

I would like to start off by saying how amazed and delighted I was with this event!  It was fully student-led, the teachers were merely there to guide and support if needed.  I was in awe at how our Grade 7-8 students compassionately led all our primary/junior students so they could experience a fun-filled day.  I observed numerous instances where the older children respectfully guided the younger ones and offered unconditional support throughout the day!  My heart is filled!!!  Despite the wet, soggy, snowy conditions, we all had a blast and got into the Olympic spirit by modeling sportsmanship, teammate work, and respect!  Gooooooooo New Lowell Gooooooooooooooooo!

Mr. McCann & Mrs. Bell - official lighting of the New Lowell torch

Team Swiss - Ryan, Roy (Gr. 8), and Owen

Olympian Steven!

Team Jamaica - leaders Kyla and Olivia (Gr. 7) with our Carrie-ann :)

The Lugers - Anjoli & Eryn

Biatheletes - Alexander & Wyatt

Team USA - Athena, Josie, & Alexandra 

Cross-Country Skiers - Trista & Grace

Garet & Ryan (Gr. 7) leading their team to victory in x-skiing

Curling Paige

Eagen & Jakob - delightful and cheery!

Mr. Daniels & Steven - Goooo China!

“Where ever you are, be the soul of that place!”

Mrs. Roth, I love this quote and had to use it again!!!  Thank you J

Two spirited souls - thank you gentlemen for being YOU!!!

Namaste,

Miss Gill

“Be kind whenever possible.  It is always possible.”

From our hearts to yours - "Love NOT hate!"  (Martin Luther King Jr.)

Dear Families,

I hope you had an enjoyable Family Weekend!  Wasn’t it amazing to have that ‘extra’ day off to spend quality time with all your loved ones?  I do my best to appreciate and value my time off with those that I care deeply about.  Here are some of the activities that I got up to - I went out for dinner at my favourite restaurant in Collingwood on Friday (enjoyed yummy curry mussels), drank delicious lattes, went snowboarding at Blue Mountain (fell numerous times as it was my first time in a decade), relaxed by the warm fireplace at home, watched the Olympics (snowboarding, women’s hockey), and cheered my heart out for Canada!!!  Speaking of which, on Fri. our class watched the Olympics with popcorn at the end of the day, I know the students enjoyed this experience very much as did I.  Have they mentioned that I’m a sports fanatic?!  Here’s to another great week … short, BUT, oh so sweet!  Is it already Wednesday?

Valentine’s Dance-A-Thon:

This past Friday, we celebrated Valentine’s Day.  Thank you families who took time, energy, and love to purchase cards and provide treats for all of us to enjoy!  I was deeply touched by all the treasures I received, it meant a lot to me!  In class, we discussed the meaning of this day, and we all agreed that we must celebrate LOVE all year around,  it is what makes the world brighter and beautiful.  I am a fortunate educator, to be surrounded with such loving students who care and are kind to one another.  It was heart-warming to watch your child give and receive unconditionally. 

In the middle block (11:45-1:05pm), we participated in the Dance-A-Thon in our school gym.  Parents, who provided pledges, thank you!  I would also like to extend my sincere gratitude to our school’s Parent Council who put in countless hours to make this event happen.  I was in awe of the decorations, music, treats, games, prizes!!!  The children thoroughly enjoyed this experience J  We have a remarkable school. 

Please take a moment to enjoy some of the pictures from our love-filled Friday:

Trista, Alexander, Steven, and Sammi - enjoying their Valentines

Mikaila & Wyatt - also loving their treats!

These faces, precious!  Eryn, Bradley, Paige, Jax expressing their gratitude.



Carrie-ann & Josie - joyous smiles girls!



Getting into the groovin' spirit!




Wyatt - enjoying and appreciating the Parent Council decorations!



Just Dance!

Jax’s Recount – Cuba Trip

Jax thoughtfully sharing his Recount to his peers :)

Jax, thank you for taking the time, energy, and effort in sharing your Cuba experience!  Your Bristol board recount was outstanding!  We all enjoyed seeing the pictures of YOU and your family.  I thought the hats that Luke and you wore really suited you both.  You have inspired your peers through this sharing.  I enjoyed the ‘question & answer’ period at the end of your presentation.  You provided some insightful information of Cuba – the food, animals, climate, and shops.  Thank you again Jax, I know you’ll cherish this memory for a lifetime J





Making heart-felt memories!



Nordic Highlands:

This Wednesday, we will be traveling to Duntroon for our second Cross-Country & Snow Shoeing adventure!  I can’t wait to see my students put in their personal best at these two challenging sports.  I was so proud of their efforts from the last time, I know they’ll use their experience to improve upon their growing skills.  I will ensure that I take more pictures to share with you all in my next blog update!  Stay tuned please …

Olympic Day:

This Thursday, our school will be holding an Olympic day!  Each student has been assigned to a country and will be participating in different Olympic inspired events.  Please ask your child about this.  It will be an amazing opportunity to honour and share the Olympic joy that many are seeing and feeling at this time J  Again, I will do my best to take pictures of this event for you all to enjoy in my next update. 

Spirit Assembly:

On Friday at 2:45pm, we will be having our 3^rd Spirit Assembly lead by our Spirit Committee (students in Gr. 7-8).  The theme is Canada!  Please have your child dress in red/white and / or wear attire that may have ‘Canada’ on it.  Usually for these assemblies, students wear their ‘house colour,’ but for this one, gooooooo Canada!!!  Parents are most welcome to attend and are encouraged to do so if their schedules permit.  It has been great seeing some of the families join us!  After all, we are a school family that is building upon our already SPIRITED SCHOOL!!!

WE CHERISH YOU!  THANK YOU FOR ALL THAT YOU DO FAMILIES!

“Perseverance – to try and try again!” 

Thank you John Parkes for inspiring my class with this most valuable trait!  It has touched my students as they step outside their comfort zone at Nordic Highlands and never giving up!!!

Namaste,

Miss Gill

   

“Try living more in the moment, not the past or the future.”

Dear Families,

Welcome back Jax!  We hope you had an amazing weekend with your family in Cuba!  It’ll be great to hear some of your highlights; I bet the warm climate was one of them!  I'm so envious :)  

I hope the rest of you had a lovely weekend with your child.  I went to Grafton with some dear friends to celebrate a birthday.  We stayed in this charming farmhouse which was nestled in acres of land with horses, sheep and dogs.  I was in awe of the setting and scenery, absolutely breath-taking!  It was great to have a mini getaway and spend time in nature, for me, this always refreshes the mind, body, and spirit. 

We are into our second week of February already, can you believe this?!  Though time seems to be zipping by, we have had a delightful start to this month – lots of exciting events and achievements that I’m bursting to share with you all J  This being said, let me get right to it …

Alexander & Sammi:

On Wednesday, our school held the Annual Speeches Competition in the gym.  Students from Gr. 4-8 delivered their speeches to staff, students, parents, judges, and some Legion members.  I am so proud of Alexander and Sammi for representing our class; they both did an outstanding job!  You both should be so proud of your achievement as it takes a lot of courage and poise to stand up in front of a large group of people and share a speech.  Despite my many opportunities, I know I still get the jitters and have to compose myself when I speak to large audiences.  I was thinking of you both as you waited your turn to speak and was sending all my positive energy your way and you did it!!!  I believe this will be a memorable experience for you both and help build upon your growing confidence in public speaking opportunities.  Well done!  Congratulations also go out to my two basketball players I coached this season -  Zoe and Quinn both in Grade 8 who were selected to move forward and speak at the Legion!

Here are a few more pictures from the competition:

Alexander & Sammi listen attentively to a speech as they patiently await their turn

Alexander delivers his speech on his idol Wayne Gretzky

Sammi delivers her speech on "10 Ways to AnnoyYour Teacher"

Nordic Highlands:

As part of our Physical Education (Active Living), Science (Habitats & Communities) and Health (Healthy Living) learning, our class is participating in various activities up in Duntroon at this amazing venue!  I am so delighted we are having this experience as it is purposeful, meaningful, and FUN!  Many students for the first time snow-shoed and cross-country skied , it was a highlight seeing some of my students stepping outside of their comfort zone and persevering with these challenging activities!  I am an avid sportsperson, but I have to be honest, skiing and snow shoeing are not something that I have a lot of schema for, so I found myself having to step outside my comfort zone as well.  I think this was a blessing in disguise as students connected with me, and we all persevered as a team J

Here are a few pictures of our Nordic FUN!

Snow Shoeing to the Sugar Bush!

First attempt at cross-country skiing!

Alex & Eryn - way to go you two!

Wyatt - "Yeauhhh, Miss Gill!  This Rocks!"

Andre - guiding and mentoring us

Going up and down the hill

High fives for a terrific morning!

Warming up with some yummy hot chocolate

Daniel getting ready to re-energize for our afternoon of snow-shoeing

Josie & Anjoli taking a break after their morning cross-country skiing adventure

Mr. Nickel delivering a lesson on Winter Survival



All smiles during our shoe

  

Parent Volunteers:

Mrs. McGuire, Mrs. Peca & Mrs. Knowler - thank you so much!!!

Thank you Mrs. Knowler, Mrs. Peca and Mrs. McGuire for volunteering your time, energy, and love on Friday!  Your support meant the world to the students and me!  You did a lot of tying of ski shoes, putting on snow shoes, re-adjusting snow shoes that fell off, encouraging and uplifting students who had fallen down and couldn’t get up (teacher included, ME, thank you Mrs. Peca for this), and supervising to ensure the safety of all.  From our hearts to yours … THANK YOU!  THANK YOU!!  Without you, our day would not have gone as smoothly as it did, you made a significant difference!  Our next trip is Feb. 19^th and we can’t wait!!!

Website of the Week:

http://www.readwritethink.org/parent-afterschool-resources/

“Looking for engaging ways to introduce your child to reading or to encourage your child to write? Need some age-appropriate book suggestions or rainy day activities? The materials here are your answer—all of them created by experts to be fun, educational, and easy to use outside of school.”

“The present moment is filled with joy and happiness. If you are attentive, you will see it.” 

Thich Nhat Hanh

Namaste,

Miss Gill