“The Earth is what we all have in common.”  --Wendell Berry

Dear Families,

I hope you’re all having a wonderful Easter weekend with all your loved ones on this gorgeous, bright, sunny weekend!  We were showered with love (rain) this morning, but now the sun’s beaming J  YAY!   On Thursday, students had the opportunity to share their ‘Easter traditions,’ it was lovely to hear about these as I could visualize their experiences and excitement!   I am certain many more cherished memories were created over the weekend and I look forward to hearing about those this week!

Earth Day & Chicks Arrival:

On Tuesday, we will be celebrating Earth Day!  I believe it is such an important day to honour as we are so very blessed to live in an area that is safe, beautiful, and FREE.  To connect this celebration to our language learning, we will be writing letters to Mother Earth about ways to help keep our schoolyard, community, and Earth clean. 

Cheep!  Cheep!  The newly born sounds and chatter of our baby chicks will be heard throughout our library oh so very soon J  We have been highly anticipating their arrival since the beginning of the month!  Ms. Hartley and I have prepared the brooder box and feed for the chicks to begin their new life.  Please stay tuned!!!

Mad Scientist Visit:

Owen & Jessie - sound waves experiment

Scientist Jessie teaching new vocabulary

Due to the snow day on Tuesday, our scientist visit occurred on Wednesday morning with Jessie.  We welcomed Ms. Czerny’s grade fours into our learning community as this was a Grade 4 Science Curriculum related experience.  The students were exposed to various experiments that had to do with Light & Sound.  I would like to acknowledge and thank our scientist Jessie on a spectacular learning experience as all students were engaged, excited and enthusiastic throughout the learning.  It truly helped consolidate their thinking as we have focused on this strand of science over the past couple of weeks.  Please ask your child about the following terms: opaque, translucent, transparent, artificial/natural light, shadows, penumbra, umbra, and sound waves. 

William, Grace, and Wyatt

Constructing a "Pan Flute"

Izzy diligently working hard on making her flute

Sean and Josie working together to get the job done!

Kendra, Alexandra, Paige, and Ryan focused scientists

Steven and Anjoli

Xavier and Sean testing their vision

Jakob, Mikaila, and Carrie-ann cooool shades!

Kendra, Paige, Alexandra, and Ryan

Sammi, Jax, and Trista

Bradley, Owen, Makayla, and Eryn

Sean, Steven, Anjoli, and Laila

Xavier, Alexander, and Izzy sound experimenting

Fit 2 Dance:

Jenn Litt leading "Strike a POSE!"

Tyler Boyle engaging one and ALL :)

As part of our dance learning, we had the privilege of having Tyler Boyle and Jenn Litt both teachers in the surrounding area come into our school to promote DANCE, FITNESS, & WELL-BEING!  Both these individuals have a gift for connecting and promoting dance as a means to health & wellness.  The students from K-8 were involved in this program and I can say with every confidence that most students were up and groooooovin’ with their minds and bodies to the up-beat tunes.  As a teacher, I too was inspired by Tyler and Jenn, and will carry on their enthusiasm into my own dance teaching practice.  I especially liked when at the end of our dance session, we all had a moment to regroup, relax and meditate by lying down on our backs to soak in the experience.  It was extremely calming, relaxing and rejuvenating.  Thank you Mr. Boyle and Ms. Litt, “YOU BOTH ARE AWESOME!!!”

Jenn Litt gathering all students to de-brief and encouraging us all to respect ourselves and each other

Meditation to calm our minds and bodies

“Make happiness a habit.”

Namaste,

Miss Gill