Week #37: June 3rd - 6th
Dear Families,
Soooo, how many teaching and learning days do we have left?! Wowie, time sure is flying on by!! This being said, I can still vividly visualize (picture) the first day of school seeing the keen and bright eyes and smiles of my students :)
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| Our first day of school & community circle Sept. 5th |
Throughout the year, we have enjoyed so many aspects of school, but one that sticks out to many of us is our mindful nature walks! It truly gives us the time to connect with one another and have some heart to heart chats :)
I love these experiences too! Most children (and adults) desire for their voice and feelings to be heard. On our walks, it gives me an excellent opportunity to connect with my students beyond the "classwork." I truly cherish these moments :-)
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We love the outdoors :)
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As an educator, it's been one of the MOST memorable school years I've ever had because of all my lovable learners and YOU the extraordinary parents supporting all my teaching endeavours. I honour each and every one of YOU!
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| A wonderful addition to our class family in January - Hazel & Harlow! Thank you girls for the heartfelt note and flower straight from your garden :-) |
TRACK & FIELD:
Congratulations to ALL our track participants from grades 4-8 in competing in our school track and field meet on Monday.
It was a wonderful day filled with sunshine, determination, and smiles :) Every athlete did their personal best and I am so proud of my students resilience, efforts, and hard work!
Please know, I recognize that it weighed heavily on some students' hearts to not receive a ribbon. I have shared with my class in gym particularly the following - "Sometimes we win, sometimes we LEARN." Being on the "losing end" is an opportunity to learn, grow, and set future goals.
The greatest achievement to me is even trying and doing your best! Which every student did :) Way to go boys and girls for competing and completing each event!
BENTON, FINN, MAE, & MALCOLM:
Congratulations to Benton, Finn, Mae, and Malcolm for moving forward to the Area Track Meet which was held on Wednesday at SCI.
A remarkable achievement and I am so proud of these student athletes who represented our class family!
They were selected based on their outstanding performance from our Monday school track meet. Way to go!
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| So proud of these four! |
Thank you Mr. and Mrs. Bonta for sharing these images below with me :) Our Junior Boys Relay Team came in 1st place! Wowie!
I have had the opportunity to teach, learn, and grow with these 4 boys and it brings me immense joy seeing Finley, Parker, Benton, and Finn not only achieve their best athletically, but showing tremendous school spirit and character. That's what it's all about :) I adore YOU!
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| Nottawa's Junior Relay Race Team Winners! |
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| 1st place in the relay race! |
FUN FAIR:
A big thank you to our dedicated staff, students, community/parent volunteers, and parent council for planning, organizing, promoting, and facilitating our annual fun fair!
It was a huge success because of our amazing team! I am always in such awe of the organization, amount of activities, vendors, and the genuine thought process that goes into an event of this magnitude.
Check out the events that the kids and parents enjoyed - silent auction, face painting, balloon animals, edge photo booth, fire fighters truck, ball maze, connect 4, putter ball, ring/ball toss, guardians tower obstacle course, rainbow slide, cars double lane slide, camo obstacle course, skee ball, circus club, and batter up!
A big thank you to my class parent volunteers - Mrs. Colquhoun and Mr. Bonta - thank you for volunteering your time, energy, and services for our Nottawa School Family. We love and honour YOU!
During the evening, I was helping out at the camo obstacle course and I was able to take a few pictures of the kids having a blast!
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| Finn & Jonas mission complete ;) |
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| Sweet souls :) |
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| Smiles all around, a perfect evening for the Fun Fair! |
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| Molly & Harlow racing their hearts out! |
On behalf of the staff at Nottawa, a final thank you to all our families for supporting our extraordinary Fun Fair!
SPORTS THEMED BASKET:
Wowie, our class' Sports Basket was filled up tremendously! After my request in last week's post, I'm so touched by all the families who have generously contributed. Thank you so much parents!
When I went to the silent auction last evening, I also noticed our basket had the most bids, YAY!
As a school, we recognize all your responsibilities you (parents) have already with your households and child(ren) so for you all to take the time to purchase and donate an item is truly appreciated.
Thank you parents for your continued generosity and efforts in all your child(ren)'s school endeavours :)
PLAY DAY:
Speaking of fun events, the Leadership Team has come through yet again to provide another wonderful opportunity for our primary & junior classes, a PLAY DAY!
It will be taking place on Tues. Jun. 18th for the school day :) Please ensure your child's dressed for the weather and has a hat, sunscreen, comfortable footwear for play, and lots of fluids.
Thank you as always for helping prepare your child for our special events throughout the school year!
MATH:
This week in our daily math questions, students were introduced to improper fractions and mixed numbers. We have been working with proper fractions so this was an excellent opportunity to introduce this concept at a time where students were ready for it :)
I shared the instructional video below, please give it a listen. After viewing it, please provide your child with a question to solve to help consolidate this concept - thank you!
DRAMA:
I am so pleased with students who created, prepared, and shared their puppet monologue. They turned out so well and in the coming days, we will enjoy watching many of them in class.
Thank you parents for all your support in this task with helping your child with recording, staging, and puppet making. I truly appreciate it :)
CHARACTER RECOGNITION ASSEMBLY:
Our final Character Recognition Assembly will be Wednesday June 12th at 9:30AM.
Mr. Weinberg's grade 6/7 class will be leading this one and many sports, clubs, teams, and staff will be recognized. I have notified the parents whose child is receiving an award, but all are welcome!
POETRY CAFE:
Very important, if you know that your child will not be at school due to an appointment and/or special outing with a family member on Thursday June 20th at 2:15PM please let me know ASAP via the agenda or email.
This would be very helpful for me as I'm preparing the children for rehearsals in preparation for our Poetry Cafe.
There will be important speaking parts for the kids so I need to know about attendance please :)
Thank you in advance for letting me know and taking this into consideration :)
MINDFULNESS #1:
Please watch the video below which touches upon the importance of understanding and accepting equity, diversity, and inclusion.
Afterwards, please discuss the following questions as a family:
What is the songwriter's message?
What words and images stood out to you?
How can you help someone feel empowered (good about themselves)?
MINDFULNESS #2:
As part of National Indigenous Awareness Month and National Indigenous Peoples Day (June 21), today we will learn about and watch another short video to highlight the history and strength of First Nations People.
#nottawahonoursyou
Jillian Morris is a Kanienkehaka (Mohawk) woman and band member of Six Nations of the Grand River Territory. Currently she resides here in Collingwood.
She holds a degree in Public Administration and Indigenous Governance through Ryerson University. Jillian served 13 years with the Department of National Defense (DND) and co-chaired the Defense Aboriginal Advisory Board for a decade during this time.
Simultaneously she took advantage of volunteer opportunities which allowed her to build meaningful relationships and networks with other Indigenous people and groups in Simcoe County.
Thank you Jill Morris for sharing your personal message of self-reflection and resiliency.
Nottawa, let’s continue to learn about the history and present lives of Indigenous peoples in Canada this month and ongoing!
GROWTH MINDSET:
Thank you to Sophie for this week's mindset message! It's so very true :-) We are all unique, let your light shiiiiiinnnnnnne!
"Why try to fit in when you were BORN to stand out!" - Sophie
With love & gratitude,
Ms. P. Gill
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