Outdoor Kindergarten

Students love the natural beauty of the new park, and are finding creative ways to play without a playground. Last week, we saw a big bald eagle, great blue herons and salmon!

As the days get chillier, it’s a good idea to dress your child in an extra layer for warmth and add a spare pair of gloves, hand warmers and a small hand towel in the backpack to help keep little hands comfortable, especially when we wash in cold water. It’s important to go through your child’s backpack with them, so they know how to help themselves to the comfort items you send. Teach good etiquette with disposable hand warmers: don’t let them get wet (they stop working), keep in pockets or in gloves, and always put the packaging and cold pouches in the garbage.

The week ahead: November 9-13

• Monday – at the park. We’ll create a poppy on a stick to take home and practice our song with actions.
• Tuesday – at FLE. Remembrance Day Assembly 10:30AM
• Wednesday – Remembrance Day Holiday
• Thursday – At FLE. You’re invited to join me at Drumming Circle after school. Either at the log circle or Ms. Bendo’s classroom. 2:10-3:00.
• Friday – At FLE. Library book exchange. Community Walk.

* Remember to fill in and return the Family Reflection Sheet for our upcoming Conferences.

I hope everyone had a safe and fun Halloween. It was nice for the kids to have clear skies.

Here’s an example of how we can use natural materials in literacy learning. Div. 10 had fun Friday with all sorts of creative costumes. Students participated in our costume parade, did pumpkin-themed learning stations with big buddies and joined our K friends for the short film Room on the Broom.

The week ahead: Nov. 2-6

Monday – at the new park. Be ready for a chilly start to the day. We’ll meet at the day use picnic shelter for drop off and pick up.

Tuesday – at the new park. Mrs. G our Teacher Candidate, is teaching all day today and Wednesday as part of her final short practicum week. I will remain with the class as well.

Wednesday – at FLE. PAC Treat day.  Book Fair in the library. (This is not a class activity. Students can shop with an adult before/after school or at recess)

Thursday – at FLE. Book Fair in the library.

Friday – at FLE. Library book exchange. After recess, Community Walk to the Historic Fort and gardening in the afternoon.

We had a great day at the pumpkin patch! Thanks to all the parent helpers who made the day go so smoothly and got everyone there safely.

The week ahead: October 27-30

• Monday & Tuesday – at the park. We’ll go for a spooky decoration hunt walk and learn about crows that we’ve been observing at the park.
• Wednesday – at FLE. Leaf art.
• Thursday – at FLE. Halloween beading activity with Ms. G.
• Friday – at FLE. Library book exchange. Halloween parade in AM and fun centres in PM. Costumes are encouraged but please leave toy weapons and super scary masks/make-up at home.

If sending treats/goody bags to share, please remember our no nut policy.

Have a safe and happy Halloween!

 

 

We got to enjoy another beautiful fall day in the garden on Friday. The kids did a terrific job of preparing our soil for planting fall bulbs.

 

 

 

 

 

The week ahead: October 19-23

• Monday – at the park. We’re continuing to work on walking sticks with Mr. Inkster.
• Tuesday – at the park. The District is coming at some point to take photos/video of our program for publicity purposes. I have looked at photo permissions on MyEd BC and will be sure to alert them of students who should not be photographed.
• Wednesday – Photo Day – Bring your smile! Ks are usually first thing in the morning so try to be on time.
• Thursday – Pumpkin Patch Day. Drivers, please arrive at the classroom door by 11:40. I’ll be emailing separately about the carpools after I confirm who has completed their Volunteer Driver paperwork at the office. Thank you to all our parent volunteers!
• Friday – Professional Development Day – students do not attend. LEAP teachers are recertifying First Aid. No library book exchange this week.

We had fun creating ‘Scary’ the Scarecrow and walking him to the Fort with our big buddies. Thank you so much for the donations of supplies. I hope some of you have a chance to check out the Scarecrow Showcase this month! We also got out to pick up garbage on the school grounds and some made a cute apple turkey to bring home.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The week ahead: Oct. 13-16

This week is our safety blitz drill week. We’ll go through all the procedures in case of fire, earthquake, lockdown, and even outdoor emergencies. We also get to have a special bat activity with our Aboriginal Support Worker, Robin White. Please return the field trip forms by Thursday if you haven’t yet.

• Tuesday: at the park
• Wednesday – at FLE. Bat activity and Fun lunch.
• Thursday – at FLE
• Friday – at FLE. Assembly. Library book exchange at 8:30 AM.

After this past busy week full of special events, I am looking forward to a more ‘normal’ week.

Some learning snapshots: a frog on a log at the park, Kwantlen stories on the land, learning to braid, our Orange Shirt Day collaborative art project, the Terry Fox tricycle race.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The week ahead: October 5-8

• Monday – at the park. Teacher Candidate Mrs. G. begins her practicum with us. We’ll focus in on mushrooms and other signs of fall.
• Tuesday – at the park. We’re lucky to get to visit the Nature House (big red barn).
• Wednesday – at FLE. Treat Day.
• Thursday – at FLE. Scarecrow creation day. Please send in any clothing we might use for our “Bee Friendly” pollinator/garden-themed scarecrow.
• Friday – Library book exchange and walk to the Historic Fort with our scarecrow.

In our class, we talked about how Indigenous children send to residential school might have felt, and how school should be a welcoming, safe, happy place for all children.

The week ahead: September 28-October 2

• Monday – at the park. We’ll be starting Nature Journals.
• Tuesday – at FLE. Remember to wear your orange shirt for Truth and Reconciliation Day. There’s an assembly at 10:10 AM.
• Wednesday – No School. Truth and Reconciliation Stat Holiday.
• Thursday – at FLE. Bake Sale for Terry Fox. If parents want their child to participate, they can donate on School Cash Online (or send a cash donation in a labeled envelope). *
• Friday – at FLE. Library, Terry Fox Run (9:15) and Challenges (1:00). Thank you for your donations to the Terry Fox Foundation!

*LEAP Parent Info Session: Thursday evening at 5:00 in the library. If you registered without attending this session yet, please attend. You can also help our program grow by sharing an invitation to anyone who might be interested in joining us for the 2027-2028 school year.

Looking ahead: We have a Teacher Candidate from UFV starting her practicum in our class on Monday. Please join me in helping her feel welcome in the LEAP and FLE community.

We’ll be entering the Fort Langley Scarecrow Showcase this fall. If anyone can supply a bale of hay or straw to the undercover area by the school garden/gym on Thursday or Friday, that would be much appreciated!

 

Here we go! I’m looking forward to being out in the park and we’re so lucky with the warm weather. It should ease the transition. Everyone practiced learning outdoors on Friday with some acorn collecting, buddy reading and parachute play on school grounds.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Rain pants are not necessary this week but it’s a good idea to dress kids in long pants for protection against scratchy plants and insects. Please remember to carefully go over the Student Verification Forms, make any changes needed, and sign them before returning them on Wednesday or Thursday.

The week ahead: September 21-25

• Monday & Tuesday – At the park. The plan is to get used to routines and explore the park.
• Wednesday –  At FLE. Please send verification forms and indoor shoes.
• Thursday –  At FLE. Who was Terry Fox and what makes a hero?
• Friday – School Improvement Day – Students do not attend.

 

The first week of kindergarten went so smoothly! I’m happy to see the children are eager to learn, make friends, and join in all our school activities.

I look forward to meeting all the families in our interviews this week.

Please send indoor shoes, a change of clothes and a snack and water this Monday.

Gradual entry times for the week of September 14-18

• Monday and Tuesday 8:23-10:30
• Wednesday 8:23-11:30
• Thursday 8:23-12:30
• Friday 8:23-1:30