Outdoor Kindergarten

Last week we enjoyed a frosty walk. Students were excited to find signs of winter cold like hair ice on sticks! We welcomed the 55 coho salmon eggs into the tank in Ms. Bendo’s classroom. Each week we’ll check on their progress. On the February calendar, please add Monday, Feb. 24 is a Report Card Prep day, students do not attend. Also, if your child did not bring home a calendar and skating field trip form, please email me so I can ensure they get one this week.

 

 

 

 

 

The week ahead: Jan. 20-24

• Monday – at the park. We’ll learn more about how animals survive the winter through games, books and dramatic play.
• Tuesday – at the park. We’ll create winter tree art.
• Wednesday – at FLE. Return home reading and library books. Drumming at 3:15.
• Thursday – at FLE. Donut treat day. LEAP Info Session for new interested families at 5pm in library.
• Friday – at FLE. Morning walk likely.

 

Coming back to school was both fun and busy. It also tugged on the heartstrings to have to say goodbye to parents again. Students enjoyed a lovely day outside with sand play. In the classroom, we made 2025 ‘smell and texture’ collages with Ms. O’Neill’s leftover sugary cereal!

 

 

 

 

 

This week we’ll learn about the sturgeon through traditional Kwantlen storytelling with Sesmalot at the river. Then when we return to school, we’ll meet our shared class pets…coho salmon eggs! Ms. Bendo’s and our K classes will take care of them and watch them develop over the next 3 months. They’ll live in a tank in Ms. Bendo’s class since we are out of the building some days. We will follow the Salmonids in the Classroom education materials to learn about each stage and how to care for them.

• Monday – at the park
• Tuesday – at the park
• Wednesday – at FLE. Library book exchange. 2:15–3:00 Indigenous Drumming group (either outside log circle or in Ms. Bendo’s room) is open to all staff, parents and students each Wednesday
• Thursday – at FLE.
• Friday – at FLE. In term 2, we will continue to try to go for walks in the community when schedules and weather allow. We also have an extra gym block for indoor exercise. Please keep sending outdoor clothing.

*Please help spread the word about LEAP! We have an information session for interested families on January 23 at 5:00pm in the library. Contact the office to register.

I’m re-energized after the holiday break and can’t wait to get into my favourite term of the year for teaching. I love how ready the kindergarten students are for learning new things like letter sounds and reading!

• Monday, Jan. 6 – at the school. We’ll share our favourite holiday memories and New Year’s traditions.
• Tuesday, Jan. 7 – at the new park. We meet at the day use area and walk to the group campsite around 9:00.
• Wednesday, Jan. 8 – at the school.
• Thursday, Jan. 9 – at the school.
• Friday, Jan. 10 – at the school.

Holidays are coming up fast! We’ve been keeping busy with caroling, crafts, and community walks.

 

 

 

 

Students learned about symmetry by creating snowflakes with loose materials.

We hope you enjoyed our ‘Snowmen can’t March’ song at the concert!

The week ahead: Dec. 16-20

• Monday – at FLE. School Holiday Store. Please send their lists and money in their mailbag or an envelope. Students can buy up to 2 gifts for $2 each.
• Tuesday – at FLE. School Holiday Store. Students can buy up to 2 more gifts for $2 each. Beaded crafts with Gr. 1 buddies.
• Wednesday – at FLE. Pancake Breakfast 9:00 AM
• Thursday – at FLE. Field trip to Thunderbird Stables for Christmas in the Country. Drivers, please come to the classroom at 11:30.
• Friday – at FLE. Cozy wear (PJs) spirit day. AM Assembly, PM Grinch (2018) movie and craft.

Happy Holidays! I wish everyone a healthy and joyful holiday break! See you all on Monday, Jan. 6 at the school.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Kindergartens experienced the frozen magic of frosty mornings last week. They wondered what happens to water when it freezes, and what happens to frost when it warms up? Their curiosity led to an impromptu science lesson! They practiced drawing Rudolph from a directed drawing lesson. I think you’ll agree, they are very cute and unique!

The week ahead: Dec. 9-13

This week is all about decorating and performing! We’ll be as busy as elves decking the door and the gym.

Monday – at FLE. Morning storywalk through festive Fort Langley.

Tuesday – at FLE.  Earthquake Drill.

Wednesday – at FLE. Dress rehearsal. (No audience). Fun lunch.

Thursday – at FLE. Concert. Students can dress in their ‘Holiday Best’ attire. The holiday concerts are at 12:30 and 5:30pm. I hope all our ‘Snowmen’ can make it for the evening concert. I will supervise in the classroom from 5:05 pm to the end of the show, so please drop students off at the outside door before you find a seat and collect them from the same outside door at the end of the concert. Please do not leave the concert early in respect for the other acts.

Friday – at FLE. Walk if weather allows.

 

 

This week, anyone who wants to join in every shift or even try one shift of the Principal’s Cup floor hockey tournament will be on our Team Blackhawks! We also need supportive fans so anyone who isn’t playing will watch and cheer. Go team!

Please be sure to pack rainpants, gloves and hats for keeping warm outside even on the school grounds.

• Monday – at FLE, floor hockey, extra music practice
• Tuesday – at FLE, floor hockey, extra outside time on the school grounds
• Wednesday – at FLE, floor hockey, library
• Thursday – at FLE, floor hockey, music
• Friday – at FLE, floor hockey, extra outside time on the school grounds

Last week, students learned more about salmon from Sesmalot’s traditional story about how Chum salmon became the last one to swim up the river. LEPS taught about the salmon life cycle through games like ‘match the smell’ and ‘salmon forest obstable course’.  Back at school, the kindergartens showed the whole school what Respect means through funny skits and an acrostic poem with the help of our Gr.5/6 big buddies. For the next month, I’ll be awarding house points for students who show respect, our Hawk Virtue of the Month.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The week ahead: Nov. 25-29

I’m looking forward to meeting with every family again to guide the Student inclusive conferences. This time, students will show what they’ve been learning at school, share about their strengths, and then together, we’ll set learning goals for the next term.

• Monday – at the park. Boat Day! Bring a small bag with recycled container, tape and string to create a boat to float in the ditches at the park.
• Tuesday – at the park. Our final full day outside for the year.
• Wednesday – Student inclusive conferences. Not a regular school day.
• Thursday – Early dismissal at 12:08 for Student inclusive conferences.
• Friday – at school. Community Walk.

Students planted daffodil and garlic bulbs last week, after observing, drawing and predicting what the flower will look like. It was our first try at drawing with a science focus and we definitely need more practice as we ended up with quite a few rainbow coloured bulbs and flowers!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Everyone enjoyed Jess Dance and Twin Day!

The week ahead: Nov. 18-22

Be sure to fill in the online Family Reflection Form by Monday. This is a necessary part of the reporting process. Thank you!

• Monday – at the park.
• Tuesday – at the park. Salmon Forest program with LEPS at 8:45 AM. We’ll walk to the campground shelter at 8:30. If you arrive late, you will need to drive or walk your child down the campground road.
• Wednesday – at the school. Library. Fire Drill. Drumming group after school.
• Thursday – at the school.
• Friday – at the school. Community Walk. Assembly after recess. Our K’s and our Gr.5/6 buddies are presenting about Respect, our Hawk Virtue of the Month.
• Heads up for next Wednesday – students do not attend school and Thursday – dismissal at 12:08 due to Student Inclusive Conferences. Look for sign-up info to come this week.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Last week, we explored the fascinating mini-world of mosses and fungi. Discovering an egg in the park led to wonders and nest-building. Students did a terrific job cleaning out the garden and prepping it for fall planting.

The week ahead: Nov. 11-15

• Monday – no school. Remembrance Day
• Tuesday – at the park. Today’s science focus is our sense of hearing. What sounds can we hear in nature?
• Wednesday – at the school. Jess Dance workshop 1. Library. After school drum circle.
• Thursday – at the school. Jess Dance workshop 2.
• Friday – Community walk and fall gardening

 

Halloween was a lot of fun, surely one of the highlights of our year! We started with spooky flashlight reading, joined the costume parade, and played the Bat and Bug game. The rainy day after was made a little brighter by the surprise of winning the scarecrow showcase!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The week ahead: Nov. 4-8

This week we will focus on peace – why is the poppy a symbol of peace, what helps us feel peaceful, how do we honour those who fought for peace? LEAP students will be performing Peace Like a River at the assembly.

• Monday – we are indoors due to wind forecast. Pack outdoor gear as we will try to get outside safety permitting.
• Tuesday – at the park. Fungi, Lichen and Moss walk with visiting expert, Dr. Terry McIntosh.
• Wednesday – at school. Library.
• Thursday – at school. Remembrance Day Assembly after recess. Walk to the cenotaph after lunch.
• Friday – Students do not attend school. Report Card Prep Day.
• Monday – Remembrance Day. No school.