Saturday, 21 December 2013
Happy Holidays
Thank you for your support throughout the Fall. Have a relaxing, fun, and snowy holiday! See you in 2014.
Money to Spend
On the way home from the Orpheum, the bus driver looked at the lineup of people waiting to get on the bus and at our 60 odd students, teachers and parents also waiting. (Mr. Clarke's class was with us.) He decided not to charge us the bus fare, in order to save time, I think.
When we arrived at our exit stop at Grand Boulevard and 15th Street in North Vancouver, I again asked the driver if he wanted our bus fare. He said, "No thank you." The children thanked him politely, and we returned to school.
The next day I gave the students a choice. I could give them each a refund of $2.75 or we could find a way to spend the money collectively. They decided to combine the money. After calculating the amount together, $76.75, we brainstormed ways to spend it. 6 research groups were formed based on students' interests. One group researched charities that would support animals in need. Two groups researched charities for children. The fourth group researched games etc. to support our Kindergarten buddy class, the fifth researched games etc. for our own class, and the last group researched how we could spend the money on a class party. Each group presented their findings to the class in the form of an iMovie, keynote presentation, etc. The presentations were well organized, passionate, and fun to watch. Then it was time to vote. Each student was given a ballot and 4 stickers to distribute in any combination on the ballot i.e. 4 stickers beside one choice, 1 sticker beside each of 4 different choices, or any other combination. I tallied up the votes and was thrilled to see the majority of votes were for charities. As one child put it, we have so much and this is the time of year to think about others. The $76.75 has been donated to Plan Canada to buy mosquito bed nets to help prevent the spread of malaria, and to the World Wildlife Fund to help purchase habitat for endangered animals.
As you must be, I am very proud of your children!
The students have been earning points toward a class party for some time and are very close to having enough. (Your child can explain how that works.) Early in the New Year we will celebrate their hard work with a class party.
When we arrived at our exit stop at Grand Boulevard and 15th Street in North Vancouver, I again asked the driver if he wanted our bus fare. He said, "No thank you." The children thanked him politely, and we returned to school.
The next day I gave the students a choice. I could give them each a refund of $2.75 or we could find a way to spend the money collectively. They decided to combine the money. After calculating the amount together, $76.75, we brainstormed ways to spend it. 6 research groups were formed based on students' interests. One group researched charities that would support animals in need. Two groups researched charities for children. The fourth group researched games etc. to support our Kindergarten buddy class, the fifth researched games etc. for our own class, and the last group researched how we could spend the money on a class party. Each group presented their findings to the class in the form of an iMovie, keynote presentation, etc. The presentations were well organized, passionate, and fun to watch. Then it was time to vote. Each student was given a ballot and 4 stickers to distribute in any combination on the ballot i.e. 4 stickers beside one choice, 1 sticker beside each of 4 different choices, or any other combination. I tallied up the votes and was thrilled to see the majority of votes were for charities. As one child put it, we have so much and this is the time of year to think about others. The $76.75 has been donated to Plan Canada to buy mosquito bed nets to help prevent the spread of malaria, and to the World Wildlife Fund to help purchase habitat for endangered animals.
As you must be, I am very proud of your children!
The students have been earning points toward a class party for some time and are very close to having enough. (Your child can explain how that works.) Early in the New Year we will celebrate their hard work with a class party.
Our Trip to the Orpheum
As you know, about a month ago, our class visited the Orpheum to hear the Vancouver Symphony. The concert included a range of music styles from classical to swing. The concert even included ballet and a Flaminco dancer. It was wonderful and child friendly. The children seemed to enjoy it and were well behaved, even on the very crowded buses to and from downtown. (Sorry about the blurry photos.)
Tuesday, 10 December 2013
Parent Helpers Needed for Jingle Walks
Hello Parents;
As you are hopefully aware, (see green notice in the planner pocket of your youngest Brooksbank child) we are continuing the Jingle Walk tradition. On Friday the 13th, classes will be walking around the neighbourhood handing out flyers. I need 3 parents (ideally) to walk with us. We will leave at 10:40 and return before noon. On Monday, I will need 4 parents (one with a car to load with donated food). We will leave at 1:00 and return before 2:30.
I realize how busy you all are, but as always, if you are able to spare the time, your help is greatly appreciated.
Thank you for your support.
Laurie
Thank you Joanne (Mateo's mom) and Rose (Jenny's mom). We're good to go pick up food today!
As you are hopefully aware, (see green notice in the planner pocket of your youngest Brooksbank child) we are continuing the Jingle Walk tradition. On Friday the 13th, classes will be walking around the neighbourhood handing out flyers. I need 3 parents (ideally) to walk with us. We will leave at 10:40 and return before noon. On Monday, I will need 4 parents (one with a car to load with donated food). We will leave at 1:00 and return before 2:30.
I realize how busy you all are, but as always, if you are able to spare the time, your help is greatly appreciated.
Thank you for your support.
Laurie
Thank you Joanne (Mateo's mom) and Rose (Jenny's mom). We're good to go pick up food today!
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