It is with a warm and open heart that I wish you and your family a Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, and soon to be a Happy New Year!
Enjoying Cozy Comfy Day
I hope you have an enjoyable and safe holiday with your loved ones. Many lead such busy lives, but I believe the holidays are a time to slow down, be present, and think about all the ones we love, cherish and respect. I hope you get many opportunities to spend much deserved quality time as a family.
As an educator, I am very blessed to have such caring, compassionate, and KIND family, friends, and students in my life!!
I will definitely miss seeing your child’s enthusiastic and beautiful spirit over the holidays and I am delighted we’ll all be reunited and get back into our daily routine of fun and learning on January 8th!
Festive Spirit Day
Happy Holidays ...
From Our Hearts ...
To Yours!
EMPATHY, COMPASSION & GRATITUDE ASSEMBLY:
What a powerful performance yesterday by my students!! I am sooo proud of everyone for their dedication and hard work at school and at home in preparation for this assembly. It was very noticeable that our efforts paid off!
Although I sat at the front, I truly believe I could have been an audience member too as the children knew their parts by heart!! Amazing work boys and girls!
Below, I have posted a collection of photos that were sent to me of the kids in action. Thank you Mr. Roth for capturing these beautiful moments of us :)
Margot proudly starting our assembly
Drumming: I Promise to Help Change the World!
Malcolm leading us into a Mindfulness Energizer Activity
Libby: calm, cool, confident in her thoughts, words, and actions
Song: Thankful. Grateful. Appreciate.
Mrs. Mortimer acknowledging our hard work and achievement
Character Award Recipients :)
Listening Attentively to the Primary Choir
The Guitar Club
The most anticipated moment said by Mae ... THE SLIDESHOW!
If you (parents/grandparents) were able to attend, thank you so much for your support. I know it meant a lot to the class to have your presence with us. I’m sure you're beaming with pride just as much as I am. A memorable moment which we'll seal deeply in our hearts forever!
As I write this message, it brings tears to my eyes the impact that your child had on the audience (families, staff, students) at our assembly. Yes, it was one of those 'you had to be there' moments to feel the energy we brought.
This became evident to me when a parent of a student from another class wrote to me:
"Pareen & Grade 4's,
What a gift it was to be a part of the assembly you organized today. From the music to the messaging…the drums ... the meditation … It truly was beautiful. We all learned a lot about empathy, compassion, and gratitude and I just wanted to thank you and your class for that.
The grounded and calming energy rippled throughout the gym. I have never been in an assembly where all kids were as quiet and calm as they were today. I took a few videos and couldn’t believe there was almost silence in the background, especially right before the holiday break.
Attentive Audience
In a world where things seem to be getting busier and busier, I’m so grateful for people like you who seem to move just slow enough to truly “see” people.
Something about you makes us want to be a bit more present, connect a bit deeper, know ourselves a bit more fully, see others a bit more clearly, breathe a bit slower & embrace a bit longer.
I just wanted to take a minute to truly thank you and your class for the impact you have on everyone around you. Nottawa is incredibly lucky to have you."
Upon receiving and reading this email, I felt a surge of emotion and gratitude. My greatest goal as an educator has always been to help my students and families feel seen, heard, and understood. And in return, the greatest gift that I've received from the kids and parents of Nottawa has been seeing me for who I am :)
I am eternally grateful and will never lose sight of everyone who has made me feel loved, accepted, and understood.
I would also like to personally thank some special people in my life for attending yesterday's performance. Thank you to Mr. Roth, Mrs. Roth, Mrs. Kate (family friends), my Ma, Mrs. Boucher (my grade 4/5 teacher), and Mrs. Engel (retired custodian of Nottawa) who came to support us!
Your continued caring and nurturing ways in ALL my teaching endeavours is appreciated, always!! I love you :-)
CHARACTER AWARD RECIPIENTS:
Congratulations to our very own Lucy, Libby, and Kieran for being recognized for your empathy, compassion and gratitude.
You always demonstrate this trait in your thoughts, words, and actions ... EVEN WHEN NO ONE IS WATCHING! Thank you for BEING YOU!
Empathetic, Compassionate, and Grateful
It is always a tough decision for me to select students of the month because I am surrounded with SO MANY CHARACTER FILLED KIDS.
Please know, I do my best to thoughtfully think about my recipients and specifically share how they are demonstrating character.
Way to go Lucy, Libby, and Kieran :) Keep being empathetic, compassionate, and grateful!
DONATIONS IN LIEU OF A TEACHER GIFT:
I would like to take this moment to extend my utmost gratitude to ALL my families and their child(ren) who took the time, thought, and energy to donate generously to SickKids, The Food Bank, My Friends House,Gifts of Hope Foundation, and/or provided me with other holiday gifts. It means a lot to me :)
In class, I also had to hold back tears as I read some of the messages parents wrote to me. I don't take it lightly or for granted, they're sealed in my heart!
I will cherish your kindness and giving ways always! It means the absolute world to me knowing that I have your unconditional love and support in helping charities who need us.
Feeling your compassion on a daily basis is something that I value so much! My students are truly my GREATEST GIFT!!
It has been a productive, positive, and passionate school year thus far, and I look forward to creating many more beautiful memories in 2024!
I'm SO HAPPY and PROUD to be part of our Nighthawk family!!
Again, parents thank you so much for your generous contributions to these much needed organizations, foundations, and causes!! #livingisgiving
A GIFT OF PEACE:
The past while, we spent quality time making a PEACE INSPIRED GIFT BAG for our families. The kids are excited to share this holiday gift with you!
Inside each bag, you will find a peace dove and/or ginger bread person (ornament)with a heartfelt message,a poem byMaya Angelou entitled "Amazing Peace," a peace stone,and finally, a beautiful handmade letter and card by your child which I know you will adore!
Ginger Bread Ornament
Kieran proud of his Grinch
Holiday gift bag for our families
Peace Dove Ornament
Holiday Card for Our Family
Holiday Letter to Our Family
Poem: Amazing Peace
Sophie proud of her card and message to her parents
I believe Peace is one of our greatest gifts we can give to each other to help continue living in a safe, strong, and free country. We must all continue striving towards treating one another with love and peace. This will contribute to a wonderful life for one and all!
You're definitely going to enjoy these precious gifts as your child's whole heart and spirit went into it :) Enjoy!
PEACE PLACEMAT:
Your child has also brought home a placemat (see below) which you can enjoy filling out as a family before your holiday feast. This is similar to what was brought home for Thanksgiving so you will be familiar with this friendly activity :)
I encourage you to please pass your peace stone around the table and share what peace means to you this holiday :) You can then record your answer on one of the quadrants.
Peace Stone by Elle
If your child would like to share his or her placement with me in the New Year, please bring it to school for us to celebrate!
Peace Placemat
Proud to share her message to her family
Molly's Message of Peace
LETTERS TO THE CANADIAN ARMED FORCES:
A special mention to all the students who lovingly completed their holiday & gratitude letter for a member of the Canadian Armed Forces.
This act of kindness will be felt and remembered always!! The letters were very personable and turned out so well. Thank you, THANK YOU!!
Thank you boys and girls for putting your heart into your letters :)
I am also very grateful to theparents who supported their children in this writing task. I read through these letters and I am so touched and excited to mail them at the D&L Variety Store!!
The purpose of this activity was for my students to acknowledge and remember all the men and women who are serving our country, especially during Christmas time when they will be away from their families.
We want the armed forces to know that we are thinking of them and value all their amazing contributions to keep us safe, strong, and free.
SPEECHES:
I am excited to provide this opportunity for my students to help build upon their public speaking (oral communication) & presentation skills.
We have done a lot of learning about ways to be an effective speaker by using the following criteria (see image below). It's helping hone our skills!
Success Criteria: Oral Presentation
The reason I assigned this task earlier this week is for students to think about a topic and do some research over the holidays :) I have posted this Speech Assignment on Google Classroom. Your child is encouraged to access this. I'm already hearing some kids buzzing about their enthusiasm to write and deliver a speech which is wonderful to hear!
Malcolm has started his and asked for feedback for his introduction, "Ms. Gill, is this an effective opening?" It sure was!!
Below is a speech written and presented by Nick Shackell (Mrs. Newman’s nephew).
I am sharing this in hopes to help inspire students to pick a topic that they're passionate about and would like to present to others :)
Speaking about a topic that captures the audience's attention is key to keep them engaged and interested in what you're saying. Have a listen :)
Below I have tips to guide students for their speech presentations. Have a look! FYI, this is all posted on Google Classroom as well ;)
Here are the important dates for our upcoming friendly speech competition:
Gym Recipients: Wednesday January 31st at 11:45 - 1:20PM
Snow Date: Thursday February 1st at 11:45 - 1:20PM
The Legion Recipients: Sunday February 4th (time TBA)
Your child has signed up for a speech date, please write this down as that's the date it's due.
Speeches
Tues. Jan. 23rd
Wed. Jan. 24th
Thurs. Jan. 25th
Mon. Jan. 29th
Wyatt
James
Margot
William
August
Kegan
Finn
Grace
Kaleb
Libby
Anna
Cara
Elle
Jonas
Lucy
Kaelynn
Malcolm
Benton
Mielle
Danika
Sophie
Ayden
Kieran
Harlow
Michael
Molly
Mae
Hazel
I have posted the criteria (marking scheme) for what I'm looking for as your child delivers his or her speech in front of our class family :)
Speech Evaluation Form
A MESSAGE FROM THE OFFICE:
If you know your child will be absent from school, the office is encouraging you to take the following steps (see below)as opposed to calling the school because unfortunately the telephone call in system does not easily recognize our school name nor does it record student names accurately.
As such, we would like parents to use the email option below.
Step 1: Email notattendance@scdsb.on.ca
Step 2: In the email, list your child’s name, teacher's name, date(s) of absence and reason for absence
We understand this change will be an adjustment for some, but we sincerely appreciate your support as we make this transition to help record absences in a more accurate and timely manner. Thank you :)
MIELLE:
Thank you Mielle and family for your continued donations and providing our class with much needed Kleenex.
We've had several absences the past while due to 'colds,' so it's come in handy for us to wipe away our sniffles.
Thoughtful and generous Mielle
KIERAN:
Thank you Kieran and family for providing Tabs for Kids this week! We really appreciate it :-) The holidays are a time to support others in need and this cause needs us.
Determined to fill our jug by the end of the year
Your empathetic and compassionate ways are valued beyond measure, Kieran!
HARLOW & HAZEL:
It is with excitement that I share that we will have two new students who will join our class family after the holidays!
They are twins and their names are Harlow & Hazel :) I have every confidence our class family will warmly welcome these siblings and it'll be like they've been with us all year.
In our class, it is important to us to have and maintain a safe & welcoming learning community for everyone.
These former Comets (Cameron St.) will soon become proud Nighthawks! Can't wait to meet and greet you!
MINDFULNESS:
Please watch and share these heart warming videos which pays tribute to the heroes around us and reminds us all about the power of kindness especially WHEN NOBODY'S WATCHING! I love it :-)
GROWTH MINDSET:
Thank you Charlie Brown for inspiring us with the following message (see below).
Very, VERY TRUE!
The greatest gift this holiday season is being surrounded by and spending quality time with our loved ones, they're truly irreplaceable (unlike a material gift)!
Seize and savour your time with family, we're blessed to have them!!
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