Outdoor Kindergarten

 Highlights

We enjoyed two energetic days getting acquainted or reacquainted with the park. It was evident in the mushrooms, slugs and coloured leaves that summer was ebbing into autumn.  With our Summer in a Bag presentations, group discussions and ice cream cone art prints, we’ve done a lot of reflecting on what we love about summer. All their best ideas came out in their ‘So long summer’ poems. Stop by the classroom to see their work up in the hall!

The upcoming week is full to the brim. Terry Fox day and Orange Shirt day bring great opportunities to learn and share about courage, respect, generosity and reconciliation.

The week at a glance: September 24-28

*Make sure you send back the white permission slip for Wednesday’s walk. Also send in the blue Student Information Verification forms.

Monday – At the park.

Tuesday – At the park.

Wednesday – At FLE. Individual photo day. Toonies for Terry can be sent in Wed-Fri. (donation to the Terry Fox Foundation). PM – Community walk around Fort Langley. (Trying again!)

Thursday – Terry Fox day – parents welcome to cheer our runners on. Students do laps of the school field probably at 2:00pm after a short assembly.

Friday – Orange Shirt day – we will learn in class about why we wear an orange shirt and share a story with our Aboriginal support worker.

Highlights:

This week we explored outside in the school yard. We painted a purple picture with blackberry juice, found bean seeds ready for saving and bees busy in the garden, collected and created with acorns and looked for patterns all around us. The students caught on quickly to recognizing patterns everywhere: from the grey/black speckles on a granite pebble to the bars on the playground ladders and the veins on a leaf – we couldn’t walk 5 paces without another student calling out ‘PATTERN!’

All schedules for gym, music and library are now set for the year and posted on the Div 12 Schedule on the left side of this page. As we begin book exchanges this week, please remember to send library books back by the following Friday or the students will not be permitted to sign out a new book.

 The week at a glance: September 17-21

• Monday – Full days begin for K students. We are at FLE and will be spending as much time as we can practicing outside routines in preparation for park days.
  • Please return permission form for Term 1 and Student Info Verification form on Monday.
• Tuesday – Williams Park. Be prepared for the weather (layers of clothes) and able to carry all gear in one backpack. We meet at the top shelter building.
• Wednesday – Williams Park.
• Thursday – At FLE. In the morning, we will walk around Fort Langley to get a sense of our community. Music.
• Friday – At FLE. Library. Early dismissal at 11:30.

• Looking ahead: Wednesday, Sept. 26 is PHOTO DAY so we will be staying at FLE instead of learning at the park. Mark your calendars for this change in the schedule!

I hope all the kiddos had a restful weekend and are ready to begin a full week. The first few days were spent getting to know each other and the basic routines and rules. Wow, we were all so tired by the end of the week! A highlight for many Grade 1’s was discovering cucamelons – a mini watermelon-shaped cucumber we grew in our garden. I really enjoyed meeting all the kindergarten families – your reasons for choosing the outdoor program for your children are clear and thoughtful. The process of deciding which Grade 1’s stayed with me was difficult as there are so many factors to consider, like friendships, independence, leadership and learning needs. I feel confident that we have a terrific group and I look forward to working with all the families this year!

Here are some details for the week ahead:

September 10-14

* Please send indoor shoes starting on Monday. These will stay at school and help keep our floors clean and dry. They should be quick for your child to put on independently but safe for running in the gym (i.e. no sandals or slippers).

• Monday: K’s 9-11 (Feel free to drop off at 8:51 if your child is feeling ready) 9:00 works well for more hesitant starters. Welcome Assembly 2:00 PM. Notices will go home this week so send back the Mailbag your child brought home Friday.
• Tuesday: K’s 9-11. Project ‘My summer in a bag’ info goes home.
• Wednesday: K’s 9-1:00 (send a snack and a lunch from now on) After recess, the Grade 1’s will walk with Ms. Harder’s class to Fort Langley Community Park for some outdoor activities. K’s get some time just for themselves in our classroom.
• Thursday: K’s 9-1:00. Music with Mrs. Evans. Meet the teacher 5:30-6:30 pm – First 45 mins is in the classroom, drop-in format, last 15 mins is in the gym to meet all the staff. Attendance is optional as we have now all met, but I will be there so feel free to drop by!
• Friday: K’s 9-1:30. Library with Ms. Batten.
• Full days for K’s start next week (8:51-2:45). I’m excited to get outside to the park next Tuesday!

The first days of school are filled with expectations and questions. Who will be my child’s teacher? Who will be my child’s friends? Will my child like school? How will my child do in school? We’ve all been to school and survived or thrived in friendships and academics, and we all want the best for our children. As a teacher, I want the best for all the children! I look forward to this new start. I am so very privileged to be the first elementary school teacher our kindies will have, and also to be able to continue to help some of the grade 1’s grow and learn.

This first week of school gives us a chance to get acquainted or reacquainted, settle into some school routines (new and familiar), and come together as a school community. Families may have received the Principal’s email message about class placements but here it is in a nutshell: students will be informed by Friday, September 7 (most likely) which teacher and class they will be in for the year ahead. Until then, we’ll mix up the classes, focus on teaching our school’s code of conduct, how to learn and play safely outdoors and get to know each other.

Don’t worry about sending too much in the way of supplies this week. Outdoor Ed has ordered bulk supplies and we are still awaiting shipment of some things, so this first week we’ll use what we have in our rooms. The payment for your child’s new supplies will be done through School Cash Online sometime in the next weeks – you’ll get more info on that soon.

See you all Tuesday morning! ~ Mrs. St Pierre

Tuesday Sept. 4th Bell schedule:

• K’s: 9-10:00 AM
• Gr. 1-7: 8:51-10:30 AM