Week #26: March 18th - 22nd
Dear Families,
We learned that people with Down syndrome may have an extra 'gene', but they're just like US! Yes, they may look, act, or learn a little differently than others, but they are HUMAN with amazing thoughts, skills, and abilities. We can learn and grow from them too just like in the story.
It was wonderful seeing my students this week, I had missed them tremendously! I hope you enjoyed a fun-filled March Break as a family. I heard some neat experiences!
We're back to our regular routines and regimes :) I bet as a parent, you're delighted by this too :-) As you'll see and read below, it was another productive week of learning and growing for us all!
SPIRIT DAY:
Thank you to all the staff & students who dressed up for our beach spirit day! Although it may not have been the balmy conditions as we'd have like this week, in class having our collective spirit is something that we all rejoice in and it truly brings our school family together :)
Who knows, maybe our attire will rub off on the weather ;)
Here we are BeachAreffic :)
CHARACTER RECOGNITION ASSEMBLY:
On Tuesday April 2nd at 12:00PM, we will be recognizing Nighthawk students and their outstanding character at an assembly led by Mrs. Weeks & Mr. N's classes.
In our class, the focus for the month of March has been on the character attribute of Integrity.
Integrity means always doing the right thing, even when no one is watching. It's the ability to stick to what you believe is good and fair.
When you promise something, you keep your word, and you treat others with kindness and respect. It's about being true to yourself and being a trustworthy friend.
In the video below, Mr. Saad sings the basics of integrity and how it's the key to being the best that we can be!
To me, this is one of THE most valuable traits a person can possess because it represents that 'We can always be TRUSTED even when no one is watching."
This is something that is reinforced in our classroom on a daily basis and is making a difference. I am so proud of the children who do display integrity on a regular basis :) AN OUTSTANDING QUALITY that does not go unnoticed. Way to go boys and girls!
As always, families are invited to attend the assembly to help honour ALL our Nighthawk character award recipients. Please note, I will notify the parents of the child who will be recognized in the coming days :)
WORLD DOWN SYNDROME DAY:
World Down Syndrome Day (WDSD) is recognized annually on March 21st to encourage inclusion as well as to acknowledge the valuable contributions of people with Down Syndrome.
1 in every 800 children in Ontario are born with Down Syndrome equating to approximately 70 students in the SCDSB.
This year’s theme for WDSD is “End the Stereotypes” which provides a wonderful opportunity to recognize that students with Down Syndrome are valued and able to participate fully in all aspects of their lives, including school. We discussed what stereotypes are, why they are harmful and how to move beyond them and understand the truth about those with Down Syndrome.
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| Rockin' Our Socks for Down Syndrome! |
This year’s theme is key to a human rights approach to disability and indicates moving on from previous models where those with a disability were treated as objects of charity and worthy or deserving of pity and relying on others for support.
A more progressive human rights approach views people with disabilities as having the right to be treated fairly and having the same opportunities as everyone else, including working with others to improve their own lives.
In class, we regularly talk about and promote the importance of equity, diversity, and inclusion. People with Down Syndrome deserve to be recognized and celebrated for their amazing contributions to our society.
Each one of us has been given life and we must celebrate our differences and embrace them because it is what makes you, YOU.
Thank you to some students who ROCKED THEIR SOCKS to show your support for people with Down Syndrome. We are all unique and wonderful JUST THE WAY WE ARE.
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| Thank you everyone for honouring our Down Syndrome Community |
RESPECTING PEOPLE WITH DOWN SYNDROME:
Below is a list of meaningful tips suggested from an informative book called My Life with Down Syndrome that I feel is useful for kids to utilize when they come across someone with this condition.
- Treat a person with Down syndrome like you would any person. Be friendly, respectful, and kind.
- Please don't stare at kids with Down syndrome. It is not polite.
- Expect kids with Down syndrome to follow rules, just like everyone else.
- Play and be friends with kids who have Down syndrome, just like you would any kid.
- No two people in the world are the same. Each person has things that they like and dislike. This is true for people with Down syndrome, too.
- When you meet someone with Down syndrome, say hi and ask them what their name is. You might make a new friend.
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| Meet Kai Ocean and his Mom Tasha, they're family friends of mine :) |
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| Kai surfing with his daddy Jon. No wonder his middle name's ocean, look at him go! |
To further our learning, I shared a book called My Friend Has Down Syndrome. It helped deepen our understanding and think about ways that we can help empower these children too!
We learned that people with Down syndrome may have an extra 'gene', but they're just like US! Yes, they may look, act, or learn a little differently than others, but they are HUMAN with amazing thoughts, skills, and abilities. We can learn and grow from them too just like in the story.
EARTH HOUR 2024:
Switch off and give an hour for our Earth on Saturday, March 23rd at 8:30 pm. Together, let's create the Biggest Hour for Earth!
Click the link for more information --> Earth Hour 2024
Give an hour for our one shared home! Last year, over 410,000 hours were given to our planet by supporters in over 190 countries and territories. How amazing is this!?
This year, join us in making the #BiggestHourForEarth even bigger by spending 60 minutes doing good for the planet while doing something you love!
Our planet needs us now more than ever. Let's do our part and think of doing something for the Earth in addition to shutting off our lights. What will you do for the hour to help our planet?
If you wish, please email me photos or videos of your family's Earth Hour in action so I can share with the class next week. I'd love to see it!
Check out the video below of this year's Earth Hour message.
WORLD WATER DAY:
Did you know, world water day is held annually on March 22nd and is recognized every year since 1993.
This year's theme of World Water Day 2024 is ‘Water for Peace’.
When we cooperate on water, we create a positive ripple effect – fostering harmony, generating prosperity and building resilience to shared challenges.
We must act upon the realization that water is not only a resource to be used and competed over – it is a human right, intrinsic to every aspect of life.
This World Water Day, we all need to unite around water and use water for peace, laying the foundations of a more stable and prosperous tomorrow.
World Water Day marks one of the most important days in March for the entire world as it raises awareness of freshwater shortage as a world crisis.
For more information, please click the link --> World Water Day
MATH:
This week, I introduced our new unit in math which will focus on Location & Movement.
Throughout this unit we are learning to:
plot and read coordinates in the first quadrant of the cartesian plane
describe translations (slides) that move a point from one coordinate to another
describe and perform translations and reflections (flips) on a grid
predict the results of transformations
The video below provides information on coordinate planes. In it, Mr. J will go through examples and explain important concepts/vocabulary. We watched it in class so your child's familiar with it.
After viewing the video please ask your child:
- What is the x-axis?
- What is the y-axis?
- Which axis do you plot first, second?
- What is a quadrant?
We played an interactive GAMESHOW on Knowledgehook to help solidify our skills and will continue to do so! It's going to be a fun unit!
To continue working on coordinates and locations on a grid have your child try this out!
Click the links -->
CURSIVE WRITING:
This week, we started a unit in cursive writing. I'm sure your child came home and shared this with you? To be honest, I have not taught it formally to children in years and I am delighted it's now part of the Ontario Curriculum.
We worked on the letters Aa and Cc this week. The kids are getting the hang of it, but for some, it's posed some challenges and that's a-ok as it's building RESILIENCE ;) #wegotthis
I look forward to continuing helping the children in this writing skill.
MALCOLM & FINN:
Congratulations to our Junior Blues on their BIG WIN last evening vs. the Orillia Terriers! They won the championship game 6-4 and boy o' boy it was a stellar performance! Way to go boys :-) #Nighthawkpride
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| Way to go Junior Blues! |
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| Nighthawk boys :-) |
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| So proud of you! |
CLASS FAMILY:
Wow, it brings tears to my eyes as I write this section of the blog. When I've shared that I am surrounded by the MOST caring and compassionate group of children, I MEAN IT!
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| I adore you all! |
Today was an experience I'll fondly remember forever. I don't usually share my birthday because I don't want anyone to feel like they have to give me a gift because as I've said before, the greatest gift I can ever receive is being with the kids to teach, learn, and grow with them every single day. I say what I mean, I mean what I say :)
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| Thank you for gifting me the greatest gift - YOU! |
But I got so excited that Water Day is annually celebrated on March 22nd and it aligns with my birthday. The kids collaborated secretly and quietly in the library to create me a big birthday card, messages on the wipe board, and gifts.
Thank you to everyone who took the time and energy to make me feel seen, heard, and valued. What a tremendous gift!
Below are a collection of photos that will be sealed in my heart always :)
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| I'm so grateful for my card, thank you :) |
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| Thank you for the messages boys and girls, made my day! |
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| I love your card! |
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| Thank you Molly for gifting me $20.00 to donate to Water First! |
MINDFULNESS:
Who is Jay Shetty? He is a British podcaster, author, and life coach whom I look up to and am inspired by. Mr. Shetty speaks of gratitude, empathy, and compassion as being one of the most important attributes we can have.
We have talked a lot about these values throughout the school year and it is something I wish to reinforce always with my students.
Who is Jay Shetty? He is a British podcaster, author, and life coach whom I look up to and am inspired by. Mr. Shetty speaks of gratitude, empathy, and compassion as being one of the most important attributes we can have.
We have talked a lot about these values throughout the school year and it is something I wish to reinforce always with my students.
"For when we are in a state of gratitude, we don't have time to be in any other state - sadness, anger, frustration." It's ok to feel big emotions and it's important to release them constructively.
Let's all train our brains to have and maintain an attitude of gratitude and our lives will be filled with joy! The children know this saying very well (along with many others I've shared over the year, lol) and can recite it word for word, ask them ;)
How Gratitude Can Change Your Life
Many of us already incorporate this practice as I've heard from students which is amazing, but for those who need the gentle reminder / nudge, I encourage us all to make it an intention to START and END your day by sharing one thing you're grateful for and you will soon realize just how abundant your life truly is! #blessed
Let's continue filling OUR mind, body, and soul/spirit with being appreciative of all we have and have to offer! #livingisgiving
With my utmost love & respect,
Ms. Gill
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