Wednesday 21 December 2016
Happy Holidays and Merry Everything!
The 1st 4 months of school have flown by. I have enjoyed working with your children and really appreciate all of the support from parents! Best wishes for a holiday filled with friendship and families, fun and relaxation!
I Can Make a Difference Projects Completed!
The students have worked hard on a project that had several steps and took place over a couple months at least.
For your information, this is what a group of 10 year olds (with a little help) accomplished. The students sold treats and toys at school and in the community. They collected bottles and completed extra chores to earn money. They talked to younger students about the dangers of smoking and abuse of alcohol. A student wrote a letter to a UN ambassador, another wrote to a local MP, and one wrote to Starbucks asking for a donation of coffee which was sold in order to raise funds for a good cause. One student monitored her use of water because she was concerned about water pollution in China and felt we should be thankful and not take clean water for granted. A student purchased trees which we will plant in the spring. Two large boxes of necessities and toys were collected for the SPCA, and food and toys were collected for the Harvest Project. More than $1500.00 was raised to help sick children and adults, hungry people here and abroad, people whose homes were ruined by hurricanes in Haiti and the Philippines, children who want to play sports but do not have enough money, girls who want an education in countries where this is difficult, bears, pine martens, and domestic animals who need good homes.
Their power points and posters were presented with passion and knowledge. They learned that they can make a difference! I am incredibly proud of them, and I hope you are too.
This project could not have been completed without the support (and sometimes prodding I'm sure), time, and help throughout the process from parents. A huge thank you to all of you!
For your information, this is what a group of 10 year olds (with a little help) accomplished. The students sold treats and toys at school and in the community. They collected bottles and completed extra chores to earn money. They talked to younger students about the dangers of smoking and abuse of alcohol. A student wrote a letter to a UN ambassador, another wrote to a local MP, and one wrote to Starbucks asking for a donation of coffee which was sold in order to raise funds for a good cause. One student monitored her use of water because she was concerned about water pollution in China and felt we should be thankful and not take clean water for granted. A student purchased trees which we will plant in the spring. Two large boxes of necessities and toys were collected for the SPCA, and food and toys were collected for the Harvest Project. More than $1500.00 was raised to help sick children and adults, hungry people here and abroad, people whose homes were ruined by hurricanes in Haiti and the Philippines, children who want to play sports but do not have enough money, girls who want an education in countries where this is difficult, bears, pine martens, and domestic animals who need good homes.
Their power points and posters were presented with passion and knowledge. They learned that they can make a difference! I am incredibly proud of them, and I hope you are too.
This project could not have been completed without the support (and sometimes prodding I'm sure), time, and help throughout the process from parents. A huge thank you to all of you!
More photos to come in the New Year.
Wednesday 14 December 2016
Jingle Walk
Thank you Ann (Lucas B's mom), Janine, (Sophie's mom), and Brian, (Lucas A's dad), and of course the students for helping collect food for the Harvest Project. The front hall of the school is filled again this year, and I know the food will be appreciated by many families on the North Shore.
Saturday 10 December 2016
Shopping for Christmas
The students searched flyers and listed gifts they wanted to purchase for family, friends, and a few for themselves. After estimating, then checking the totals, they requested the money from their teacher (me). I was happy to provide them with invisible cash.
Decorating Gerry's Christmas Tree
For anyone who does not know the story of Gerry's Garden, here it is. It's kind of sweet. Gerry is in his 90's and can still be seen shovelling soil etc. in the garden. His wife Molly is in her 80's. Her job is to keep Gerry from overdoing it - not an easy task. Both are lovely and have been married for more than 60 years. Gerry started the garden when he was in his 70's. Without city, district, BC Hydro, or NVSD approval, he and a retired custodian from Brooksbank started hacking away invasive blackberries, ivy etc, and they built a tiny flower garden next to the school. People in the community noticed and offered extra soil and plants they had kicking around. The garden grew and evolved. Gerry placed a bench next to one of the paths. It has a plaque in memory of his son who had died. Eventually the city started helping out by putting in a source of water for them, bringing in pavers etc. There are now a few dedicated volunteers as well. Students, dog walkers, bicyclists, even horses and riders pass through the garden and stop to sit and admire it.
Last Thursday, students from several classes took turns decorating a pine tree in the corner of the garden near our classroom. At 3:00, Gerry and Molly, volunteers from the garden, Brooksbank staff, parents, and students enjoyed listening to the Brooksbank choir and the senior band while mingling. It was a beautiful sunny snowy day!
Last Thursday, students from several classes took turns decorating a pine tree in the corner of the garden near our classroom. At 3:00, Gerry and Molly, volunteers from the garden, Brooksbank staff, parents, and students enjoyed listening to the Brooksbank choir and the senior band while mingling. It was a beautiful sunny snowy day!
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