Week #30: April 15th - 19th

Dear Families,

We are very fortunate to have an outdoor classroom just steps away from our portable.  We took full advantage of the nicer weather on Tuesday and did some work outdoors.  Check out the breathtaking view!

The kids and I enjoyed the fresh air and connecting our minds, bodies, and spirits with Mother Earth.  Check us out being productive in our school work :)

EARTH WEEK INITIATIVES:

Speaking of the outdoors, with Earth Day (April 22nd) soon upon us, our school has thought about several ways that we can help make a difference for our planet such as:

• MONDAY:  Bringing in a Litter Less Lunch, Boomeranging (what comes to school goes home), Lights out Lunches (L.O.L.)

• TUESDAY:  Walk, Ride, Roll, or Bike to School

• WEDNESDAY:  Plastic Water Bottle Free Day

• THURSDAY:  Battery Collection

• FRIDAY:  Community Clean Up

Please have your child wear BLUE & GREEN colours on Monday for Earth Day!

Thank you for your child's active participation in this meaningful initiative :)  

On Fri. Apr. 26th, you will notice that we will be doing a community clean-up!  If you're able, please send in with your child reusable gloves (gardening ones perhaps) and a plastic bag as this will come in handy.  Thank you so much!

MATH:

This week, students completed a Block 2 Math Assessment coverings units they've been taught from Sept. - present.  

This Block Check-In is an opportunity for me to assess what my students have retained from previously taught units and to compare previous check-in data for growth. It consists of questions to demonstrate students skills and understanding of content taught.  

There are nine questions in this Block Check-In, which are a balance of Knowledge/Understanding, Application and Thinking tasks.

I have posted the questions below, please click each image individually and have your child discuss his or her problem solving strategies and answers they selected.  

CODING:

Coding, sometimes called computer programming, is how we communicate with computers.  Code tells a computer what actions to take, and writing code is like creating a set of instructions. 

By learning to write code, you can tell computers what to do or how to behave in a much faster way. You can use this skill to make websites and apps, process data, and do lots of other cool things!

The Grade 4 Ontario Math Coding Expectations revolve around 4 basic concepts:  sequential events, concurrent events, repeating events, and nested events.

Sequential Events 

As presented in the Ontario Math Coding Curriculum, sequential events are coding instructions that are followed in the order that they are presented (one by one).

Concurrent Events 

As presented in the Ontario Math Coding Curriculum, concurrent events are when two or more sets of coding instructions run at the same time.

Repeating Events

As presented in the Ontario Math Coding Curriculum, repeating events occur when a set of instructions repeat a fixed number of times, or repeat forever. 

Nested Events

As presented in the Ontario Curriculum, nested events are when one set of code is tucked or "nested" into another set of code.

So far, the kids are loving this unit of mathematics as it's interactive, creative, and fun to make up their own instructions!

Check us out below as we worked in groups to get familiar with coding sequential, concurrent, repeating, and nested events.  It's been lots of FUN :)

LET'S CODE ACTIVITY #1:

On our Google Classroom, I will be posting various coding activities for the children to complete.  

So far, I have posted activity #1 and the kids have had a chance to work through it :)  Please have your child show you this!

Below, I have shared the Success Criteria for Lesson #1.

NOVEL STUDY:

Thank you to all the students who diligently completed their reading responses to Chapter #1 for the novel A Stranger at Home.  This demonstrates their responsibility and following through on commitments.  I am proud of YOU!

It was a joy to read and receive students responses!  I have provided detailed feedback to student work via Google Classroom.  Please ensure your child uses this feedback from me to build upon their achievement for chapter #2 which is due on Monday.

Thank you in advance in supporting your child in their academic endeavours!

SCIENCE & SOCIAL STUDIES:

Speaking of assignment completion, please have your child also share his or her completed slides for our science and social studies units to help reinforce learned concepts.  I assigned these earlier this week and it was indicated in the agenda :)

2024 EXPERIENCE AUCTION:

Did you hear that The Spring 2024 Experience Auction is raising funds for the school's Tech Fund?! 

That's right, your support will help bring new technology into our classrooms and ensure students have access to the latest tech to motivate their learning and set them up for success in a digital aged world.

The goal is to raise $2,000!  BID NOW -->  www.32auctions.com/nottawa

Alternatively, you can scan the QR CODE from our Nottawa Nighthawks Instagram Page.

There are many awesome experiences being offered by our staff, families, and community that you don't want to miss out on such as:

• Beattie Family Farm Harvest Experience
• Collingwood Charters Sightseeing
• Men with Knives Catering Gift Certificate
• Principal's Chair for the Day
• Reserved Parking Spot
• Family Photo Session
• ... and so much more! 

Thank you in advance for supporting the children and educators at our school!

AYDEN:

It brings me sheer joy and pride to share the following.  Ayden was nominated and has been selected to be acknowledged at the Character Recognition Evening at the Board Office in May.  

This is an evening dedicated to honour students, staff, and volunteers for their exemplary demonstration of our Character Attributes.

This is a very well deserved recognition!  I have had the opportunity to teach, learn, and grow with Ayden for his grade 3 & 4 years.  He is someone who consistently demonstrates integrity in his thoughts, words, and actions.  Way to go Ayden, I can't wait to honour & celebrate you on May 23rd!

HARLOW & HAZEL:

Since the twins arrival to our classroom, their empathetic and kind ways continue to shine on and have been awe-inspiring!

Thank you to the Colquhoun family for your thoughtfulness!

As many of you know, I have taken some time off to care for my Ma and take her to her appointments.  It's been a trying time for our family, however, we are maintaining our positivity and hope things with her healing will get better soon.

Thank you Harlow & Hazel for thinking about and uplifting my Mom's spirits by making her a handmade card and gifting her a soothing candle :)  She was thrilled and so touched by your kindness!

She's going to be a lil' cross with me for posting this photo, but I had to so you can genuinely see her enthusiasm & gratefulness ;)

JUNIOR BOYS VOLLEYBALL:

Congratulations to all the junior boys who made this year's team roster.  I am very excited to be one of the coaches for this year's junior boys team! 

As many of you can empathize, the decision to make any team is a very difficult decision and I wish I could keep all players, however that is not possible.

As a coach, I strive to create a well-balanced team with a variety of grades (4-6), skill levels (I’m not one to select the 'best' ones, I am looking to build skills specifically for this age group), and coach-ability/behaviour (on & off the court), and the kids' academics. 

Huddle Up, Listen, and Have FUN!

I feel very confident in the selections made and would like to congratulate our very own Ayden, Malcolm, Jonas, and Finn for making this year's team.  Well earned boys :-)

Although the team roster has been made, I have shared with the junior boys in grades 4-6 that they are ALL welcome to join in on practices, after school clinics, and friendly games versus the girls team throughout the season to continue enjoying the game of volleyball. 

To any junior boy in our class and beyond, next after school volleyball clinics will take place on Tuesday April 23rd & Thursday April 25th @ 3:45 - 5:00PM with Coach Allan (the twins Dad).  Come on out to this fantastic opportunity to build your skills!

Check out some of the photos below of our very first mini-tourney we hosted versus Clearview & Mountain View yesterday.  Special shout out to Mrs. Leal (Benner's Mom for sharing these images with me).  

All the boys demonstrated great athleticism, teamwork, and camaraderie.  Coach Wallace & Gill are so proud of each of you!  Goooo Nighthawks!

MINDFULNESS:

Please tune into this captivating short Conservation International film and join forces to give nature a voice!

Yes my friends, it is up to us to PROTECT, RESTORE, and provide FUNDING to help Mother Earth who is our greatest provider. The time is now to LISTEN, ACT, UNITE for climate change!

GROWTH MINDSET:

Over the past while, our evening custodian Mr. Brad has been leaving words of wisdom for the kids and I.  They're super duper and we are all appreciating our white board chats with him :)

Below are a collection of Mr. Brad's Words of Wisdom, check it out!  It's sure to inspire!  

Thank you Mr. Brad for investing your inspiring energy with the children, we look forward to the next message from YOU!

Sincerely,

Ms. P. Gill