Grade 4s Creating Symmetrical Designs

Happy April Fools' Day et Poisson d'Avril

The students pranked me!

They also celebrated Poisson d'Avril by sticking pictures of fish on each others' backs!

Welcome Ms. Wong

We are fortunate to have an energetic, creative, and caring student teacher.  Below is a letter of introduction from her.

Hello Parents,

I would like to take this time to introduce myself! You may or may not have heard about me from your children, but I wanted to formally introduce myself now that I will be working with your children everyday for the next 10 weeks!

I am Division 5's Teacher Candidate. I am currently in school (at UBC) working to complete my Bachelor of Education to become a certified teacher! This semester, I am lucky enough to be given the opportunity to  teach in your children’s classroom for my practicum.

Just a little bit about myself... Before entering UBC's teaching program, I worked in the not-for-profit sector at the BC Lung Association as a Special Events Associate for a year and a half. Despite the great team I worked with and all we accomplished, I decided I wanted to pursue a career teaching children - something I had extensive experience with in my early 20s and thoroughly missed. It wasn’t until my life changing trip to Peru where I volunteered at an after school-program that I made the decision to go back to school to earn my teaching license. I'm happy to report I made the right decision. I find it incredibly rewarding that I have the opportunity to shape the minds of young people while also being a positive role model in their lives.

Please do not hesitate to drop by the classroom and say hello! Also if you have any questions, I'm more than happy to answer them in person or by email. You can contact me at awong238@gmail.com.

I look forward to meeting all of you and most of all, getting to know your children!

Ms. Wong

Student of the Week

Congratulations Lauren!

Welcome Back!

Today we were welcomed back to school by a Holstein cow and her 2 month old calf.  The students learned about the care of dairy cows, where milk and cheese come from, and how a cow is milked.

It is nice to be back into the school day routine.  The children are excited to be back and share stories of their vacations.

Students of the Week

Congratulations Caeli and Elliott!

A Gift from the Students

Perhaps you remember that before Christmas the students offered to do a few more chores at home in exchange for a little money.  Well, the money was used to purchase a jacket from Jackets for Jasper - a small company based in our neighbourhood and in Nepal.  The students chose the colour.  The money spent on the jacket will help pay for the education of the children in a Nepalese family.  Liz and Len from J4J came and talked with the students and showed pictures of Nepal.  Soon we will donate the jacket to a Syrian refugee now living in North Vancouver.   Well done Div. 5 students!

Immigrants to Canada Projects

Once again the students impressed me with their enthusiasm, hard work, and great ideas.  In small teams, they researched, wrote reports, and created posters to present their findings.  The teams then presented their posters to the class.  Thank you Ms. Beleski for your help!

Christy Clark Writes Back

I was pleased to show the students a letter signed by Christy Clark.  She thanked the students for their letters expressing concern about the grizzly hunt in BC.  She also mentioned that there has been a lot of feedback on this issue.

Tally brought a newspaper article to class which stated that there will be a gradual end to the trophy hunt on the central coast, home of the rare white spirit bears.

The students are learning that the government can be influenced.

Kids in the Know

We have been working our way through a program called "Kids in the Know".  It is a safety program designed for children form Kindergarten to high school.  The purpose of the program is to teach children effective personal safety strategies.  Lessons on child personal safety and and sexual exploitation provide children with the tools to help them respond to dangerous or threatening situations.

I will preface every topic with the reminder that most adults are good and want what's best for children and that hopefully they will never run into a dangerous situation of this type.  But just as we learn traffic and fire safety, it is important to learn strategies to prevent this type of danger.

If you have any questions or concerns, please see me.

Once again, thank you for your support.
L. Reichert

The Grizzly Hunt in BC

As you are probably aware, we learned about the grizzly hunt in BC.  In most cases, only the head and paws are kept and the rest of the animal is discarded.  The students learned facts, (some new to me!), and used this information to protest the hunt in letters to Premier Clark.  The letters have been sent, and we await a reply (hopefully).  The students also created water colour paintings of grizzly habitat which they framed in

grizzly outlines.  They're beautiful!

Valentine's Day Plans

This Friday, the children will have a chance to exchange valentines.  The children know that if they wish to bring valentines, they must bring one for each of their classmates.  The students had a chance to copy classmates' names today, or they can find a class list in the Student Directory.  Alwen is not on the list because she arrived after it was compiled.  If you wish to send small preferably healthy treats, they will be appreciated.  Please keep in mind there are students in the class with nut and egg allergies.

  

Thank you and Happy Valentine's Day!

We Miss You Dalai

An important member of our class has been visiting in India since December.  We hope he is having a great trip, and we look forward to his return at the end of February.

Compassion Is:

Student of the Week

Congratulations Xander!

Our Field Trip to the Artists for Kids (or Gordon Smith) Gallery

The students marched to Lonsdale and back in the rain and didn't complain to me.  What troopers!
At the gallery the students learned about various pieces of art through observation and discussion.  They also created their own master pieces based on what they learned.

Thank you Karel, (Tally's grandpa) and Christine, (Carter's mom) for accompanying us.

Read to Succeed

Vancouver Giants came to school today to encourage students to read a minimum of 15 minutes per day and to exercise a minimum of 30 minutes per day.  The students will take their Read to Succeed tally sheets home on Wednesday.  The incentive is free tickets to a Giants game for students

and tickets for family members at a reduced price.

Student of the Week

Congratulations Iman!

Compassion Is: