Dear Families,

This week, although it being grey and rainy, your child is gently encouraged to wear a hat and apply sunscreen on days that we do experience lots of sun and heat as he/she is outside daily for two 20 minute fitness breaks.  On nicer days, we will be taking advantage of being outside and enjoy outdoor learning!  Thank you for your support in this matter.  

I also wanted to say a thank you to the parents who regularly check and sign their child's agenda, it is an excellent communication tool between parent, child, and teacher.  I have been enjoying your notes!  As we soon enter our final month of school (June), I am delighted with my students progress and look forward to more fun in the sun!  Thank you for your continued support in ALL your child's learning!  TOGETHER, EVERYBODY ACHIEVES MORE!

Beach Day:
Thank you to ALL the staff and students who participated in our spirit day!  Everyone looked beachy-reffic!

Character Recognition Assembly:

Today, we celebrated May's character trait which is Respect.  Congratulations to Tristan and Nathan!  Thank you for always striving to demonstrate respectful behaviour towards your peers, teachers, and family.  We’ve learned, in order to get respect, we have to give it.  

The Golden Rule:  “Treat people the way you want to be treated!”

Next month's character trait is Responsibility – “We do the right thing even when no one is watching.”  

This week, I had a discussion with my students about the importance of always being accountable for our thoughts, words, and actions.  We must all take responsibility for this as it is vital to ensure the safety and happiness for ourselves and others.

Language Learning:

As shared in last week's post, 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 is excited to write poems and share them with you!  Thus far, we've written 3 poems.  Please ask your child about his or her creations over the weekend.    

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 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!"

Outdoor Learning:
On Wednesday, we had the opportunity to have Mr. Martin visit us to help encourage, inspire and talk about the importance of taking our learning outside.  Here at Nottawa we are fortunate to have an outdoor classroom which is right outside our portable!  We must take better advantage of this :) Mr. Martin read us a story and since we're learning about poetry in language, he then had students write a poem inspired by nature.  Their creations were wonderful!  Ask your child about his or her poem that they wrote!  

REMINDER About Fun Fair Silent Auction Classroom Baskets:

Each classroom has started collecting items for a large themed "basket" to be auctioned off at this year's Fun Fair. A note was sent to you in your child's agenda a few weeks ago.  We'd like to support our School Council in their efforts to make this year's Fun Fair as great as it has always been!

If each family could bring in one item to donate to his/her classroom basket that'd be great!  The theme for our class is:  ARTS & CRAFTS!  

Thank you to the Richens family for donating to our basket last week!

EQAO:
Way to go Grade 3's for completing the EQAO assessment this past week.  Your determination and  hard work is greatly valued.  Remember, this assessment is about celebrating your skills you've developed in reading, writing, and math throughout your school years since JK!  I am so proud of each one of you - Katelyn, Jakob, Isla, Tristan, Riley, Hannah W., and Pierce!  I hope you enjoyed your celebration in Mrs. O's class today during Period 2!

Growth Mindset:

"Be yourself.  Don't be someone else!" -Marissa

Namaste,

Miss Gill

Dear Families,

It was great to be back in my classroom this week!  Although, I did enjoy my time off as I got a lot of house chores completed, I missed my students tremendously and was excited to hear all about their experiences with Ms. McCarl from last week.  Everything went well and I am grateful to her for all her efforts and being such a kind, caring, and compassionate teacher in my absence.  My final lieu day is June 16^th.    

Since I was away, I wasn’t able to write a heart-felt thank you for Mother’s Day to all the Moms of my students who continuously provide their child with the love and caring to help them thrive in their Grade 3 and 4 school year.  Your ongoing support for your child and my teachings is cherished.  Thank you for warmly welcoming me this year, it has meant the world to me.     

I hope you enjoyed your Mother’s Day with your family!!  The letters that students wrote to their Moms came from their heart and I know how excited they were to give you this note of appreciation.  The bond between a mother and her child is truly one of a kind!  I admire, respect, and am inspired by all the mothers out there who consistently demonstrate and share their strength, dedication, and unconditional love for her children.  I am fortunate that I have been blessed to have a mother who has been the ultimate role model and who has been there for me always.  Thank you Ma for all that you do, ALL THAT YOU ARE!

My brother Anil, Ma, and me!

This is my Ma!  62 years young!

I also want to wish you all a happy and safe long weekend!  I have already heard some of the neat adventures my students will be partaking in, such as camping, going to the trailer, cottages, etc. Have a blast with your child and I look forward to hearing all about it come Tuesday!!  I will be spending my long weekend outside doing much needed yard work and taking lots of hikes in the sunshine!

School Track & Field Day:

On Wednesday, grades 4-8 participated in our school track and field meet.  It was a beautiful day for students to compete in various events to build upon their skills and set goals for themselves. Congratulations to ALL participants on a job well done and for stepping outside their comfort zones. We had various students in the class achieve ribbons!  Way to go!

Grade 3 Field Trip:
Yesterday, the grade 3's went on their field trip to learn all about life in the Pioneer days.  They had a wonderful time and made candles, butter, dressed up, and even experienced what it was like being a student at that time. They came back to class saying, "Miss Gill, teacher's were really strict!!"

Thank you to Hannah W.'s mom for volunteering your time and energy!

Nottawa's Newest Members:
Cheep!  Cheep!  Cheep!  This week, we had an exciting event happen with the arrival of our baby chicks in the library!  Students and staff could be heard ooo-ing and ahhh-ing as these cuddly, fuzzy cuties chipped their way into our world.

Thank you to the Green family for donating 18 fertilized eggs.  We were fortunate to hatch 11 of these!  If you were able to watch the Live Feed via our school website, you know exactly what all the excitement was about!  I kept this live feed on in our class during our lunch hours so students could see the hatching occur.  AMAZING!!

Medieval Times:
Last week the grade 4's went to Medieval Times for a field trip to learn all about the Middle Ages. Although I wasn't able to attend, I heard everyone had a great experience!!  Thank you to our parent volunteers Mrs. Noseworthy, Mrs. Reck, Mrs. Wilson, Mr. Eden, and Mrs. Murray for accompanying our class on this trip.  Ms. McCarl said that you were an excellent help in organizing and ensuring our students were safe.

Poetry:
In writing, our new learning goal will focus on Poetry.  Please see picture below for specific learning goals and success criteria.  Students will be exposed to and learn about various types of poetry.  I have attached a link below as well that your child may wish to visit over the weekend! We will be taking a closer look at this site next week as we dive further into our lessons.

http://mrswarnerarlington.weebly.com/poetry.html

Tristan:
So proud of you Tristan and your achievements in Toronto!  Your peers and I were beaming with pride for YOU!

Growth Mindset:

"Go with the F-L-O-W."  Brock

Namaste,

  Miss Gill   

Dear Families,

Lots of rain in our forecast and even snow on Sunday!?  What is going on Mother Nature?  I hope you find ways to stay dry and warm this weekend!  Just a friendly reminder that I will be away next week (please refer to note I sent home a while ago due to my switching of schools from a modified calendar to a regular caledar), but the wonderful Ms. McCarl who has supplied for me this year in my absence will be here to continue regular programming for my students. Please remind your child about the behavioural expectations and to display their utmost love and respect for her.  I will miss being in the classroom, but look forward to hearing all about the week upon my return.  Due to my absence, there will not be a blog update next week.  Next post will be on Fri. May 19th.  Enjoy your weekend with your loved ones!!

Archery Program:
On Monday, we had the pleasure of having Mr. and Mrs. Blackwell come to our school to teach children from Grades 3 to 8 about archery.  It was a great opportunity for students to use a bow and arrow and practice hitting a target.  They had a blast with this!  Thank you to Mrs. Johnson our librarian for organizing this event for us!

Art Expo:
On Wednesday, we welcomed families to this creative and amazing event celebrating our love for the arts!  What an incredible display of artwork by ALL students from K-8.  A special thank you goes out to Mr. Morin's band and Mrs. O and Ms. Stewart's choir members for their lovely performances. The Expo certainly helped display Nottawa students' creativity and talent in the Arts!!  Thank you to families and friends who were able to join us!

News from School Council: 
MARK YOUR CALENDARS for THURSDAY, JUNE 8TH!! School Council has been very busy planning our Fun Fair that is being held June 8th, 2017 from 5:30-8:30 p.m. We are looking forward to a very exciting night!

This year, you are able to purchase a wrist band for $10 per child and that will give your child access to everything for the entire evening. The wrist band purchase will also give you a ticket to be entered for a door prize. So far we have restaurant certificates, a week at a camp, bowling and many more. Please watch your email for your opportunity to purchase your wrist band in advance through the school Cash Online.

The unlimited fun will include inflatable obstacle courses, slides, Laser Tag, Zorb Balls, Elephant Thoughts, carnival games, face painting etc. Don’t forget your dancing shoes so you can dance the evening away with our DJ! There will be food to purchase, as well as some treats at our bake sale. We will have our silent auction available with the items that the classrooms collect. The themes are really fun and exciting and you won’t want to miss seeing them!

We would love to thank our sponsors and supporters to date that will be included at the end of the newsletter. We can’t wait to see everyone out at the end of year party! If you have any questions please feel free to email Carolyn Foss at councilchairnot@scdsb.on.ca

Fun Fair Silent Auction Classroom Baskets:
Each classroom will be collecting items for a large themed "basket" to be auctioned off at this year's Fun Fair. Please see the note in your child's agenda on Monday!  We'd like to support our School Council in their efforts to make this year's Fun Fair as great as it has always been!

If each student could bring in one item to donate to his/her classroom basket, it would be greatly appreciated.  Here is the theme for our class:  ARTS & CRAFTS!

Volunteer Appreciation:
Each year, we celebrate the wonderful volunteers we have here at Nottawa School by honouring them at a Spirit Assembly. Maybe you read with our kids on a weekly basis or you help us out on a field trip in May. Maybe you help coach a team or you help plan a game for the Fun Fair. Maybe you sit on School Council or you’ve driven athletes to an after-school game. Whatever it is that you do for our school, we appreciate the time and care you put into our kids and we’d like to show you JUST HOW MUCH!

Nottawa School Volunteers, please consider this an official invitation to join us at the Volunteer Appreciation/Spirit Assembly for May! The assembly is set for Friday, May 26th from 1:40 to approximately 3:00 p.m. Save time to enjoy some refreshments in the Library when the assembly is over and kids are being dismissed. Thanks for all that you do for our school!

Stay Safe in the Sun:
It only takes one bad sunburn in childhood to increase the risk of developing skin cancer later in life. As the weather gets warmer, follow these sun safety tips to keep you and your family safe:

 use a broad spectrum sunscreen with SPF 15 or higher and SPF 15 lip balm

 apply sunscreen 20-30 minutes before going outside (even on cloudy days) and always follow the label instructions

 apply sunscreen to any exposed areas of skin – nose, ears, back of neck, tops of feet, etc.

 reapply sunscreen every 2-3 hours and after sweating or swimming

 wear loose, long sleeved shirts and pants, a largebrimmed hat and sunglasses

 if possible, avoid being in the sun between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. when you’re outside, look for shade

For more sun safety tips, visit www.simcoemuskokahealth.org or call Health Connection at 705-721-7520 or 1-877-721-7520 to speak with a public health nurse. All this information was provided by the Simcoe Muskoka District Health.

Lola:
On Thursday, Lola brought in her violin and enthusiastically shared her learning with a select group of peers.  Way to go Lola, it was wonderful to hear you play and sing!  Your peers and I were intrigued and enjoyed watching and listening :)

Gym:
In gym, we are continuing to practice our skills for track and field.  Yesterday our focus was on the 50M sprint.  Students enjoyed this and participated in a friendly race.  Congratulations to our finalists!  Please remember to send your child with outdoor running shoes for track practices, this prevents injury and successful participation.  The school track and field day is set for May 17th.

I agree, Jakob!  That's you :)

Growth Mindset:

Namaste,

Miss Gill