Remembrance Day is upon us. Prior to going off timetable for Portfolios both classes spent time discussing the importance of learning to solve problems in peaceful ways. We reflected on our privilege for being able to live in safety in Canada. The older students discussed how learning about history can help determine how adults behave later in life. Although we will not be in attendance on the day of the school Remembrance Day Assembly, we will be represented through our class’s contributions of art and poems. Please consider attending a community Remembrance Day event on Saturday, November 11.

Today, November 8, is Indigenous Veterans’ Day in Canada. Here is a link to an article about George McLean, an Indigenous Canadian Veteran of Vimy Ridge, and The Boer War. https://t.co/CpSoLzheno

Portfolio meetings are ongoing, and I continue to be amazed and inspired with the depth and rigor of work our students are doing at home. I am delighted to learn of the connections, get-togethers, and learning activities some families are organizing for each other as well. Such a unique learning community!

We return to in person learning on Tuesday, November 14.

A colleague forwarded a FREE multi language literacy resource. Check out https://storybookscanada.ca An introductory video can be found here: https://youtu.be/o0qiM7oeo3E

Here is a link to inspiring winners of a Canadian Student Video Contest. The theme was “Take Me Outside” https://t.co/9ZfCHFQ1Yk

Looking to boost your Upper Intermediate level student’s vocabulary? (Or your own!) Check out comedian Don Huely’s “Daily Word” segment. Entertaining and esoteric words offered with a pronunciation guide and a humorous example. Occasionally a bit cheeky, but never vulgar.

By L. Baker

Portfolio meetings are well underway. It is wonderful to celebrate so many sparks of creativity and growth with the kids!

Just before we went off timetable for Portfolios, we created some delicious Harvest Soups together. We observed that the days are growing shorter and darkness is coming earlier and earlier. We talked about seasons, and the way the sun and earth interact to make this happen. We also noticed that there are many meanings for the idea of ‘Darkness.’ That darkness can be a metaphor well as a physical phenomenon. And that candles and lamps can be metaphors for peace and hope as well. We discussed how many communities and cultures find ways to include the idea of ‘light over darkness’ during the dark time of year between now and the lengthening days of Spring.

For those of you who may be interested, Van Dusen Botanical Gardens is offering an opportunity to enjoy a Festival of Lights between November 24 and January 7^th. (Many light displays in the garden, dancing fountains, food vendors, etc.)

I came across Learning Hub Academy. Some families might enjoy this as a resource for activities at home:

https://www.instagram.com/thelearninghubacademy/?e=9e4dbbe8-7ee8-405f-b54b-f1b87176f062&g=5

We will return to In-Person Learning on November 14.

By LBaker

We will be off timetable from Oct 30 to November 10 for portfolio meetings. In order to acknowledge Remembrance Day, we thought ahead about our appreciation for those who have served or serve today to keep Canada safe. We also learned that some Canadians serve as Peacekeepers in other parts of the world. We created 2 wreathes which will be presented at the school assembly on our behalf. The wreathes are made with cut-out handprints affixed in a circle. One was red to represent poppies. One was white to represent our wish for Peace.

The older kids had some fun learning a new game called Kanga Cricket. Although this is a scaled down version of the real game, it is very fast (and noisy!) and can be played indoors in a smaller space.

Autumn is harvesting season and a time when many cultures around the world celebrate by sharing food together. Students in both groups were invited to donate a cup of vegetables to our own Harvest Soup. The whole top floor of the school smelled just marvelous as our soup simmered all morning. It was so delicious even the pickiest eaters gave it a try, and many kids came back for a second helping!! We also investigated the science of soup making and the math involved with comparing proportions and ratios of the various contributed vegetables. We followed this up with a lesson on procedural writing as we wrote recipes for Harvest Soup to make again at home. We also discovered that oil from seeds can be used to make lamps.  A most delicious and enlightening food experience!

Candice Halls-Howcroft, a Weaver, Storyteller, Poet, and Educator of the Squamish Nation, will visit our school and share Water Teachings and Conservation with us at an assembly on Thursday.

Thank you for all the cereal boxes! I am now starting to collect metal jar lids and corks. Please send along clean lids with the lining removed, and corks of any shape or size. Corks with hard plastic or ceramic caps are also helpful.

We have been having fun making art with fallen leaves. Ask your kids to show you our most recent effort. And while the fallen leaves have been “Blowing’ in the Wind” the Thurs/Fri group also explored  how a song can become a powerful message for peace in the world.

The Mon/Tues group have noticed that some songs tell stories. We learned a very old song called “The Fox Went Out on a Chilly Night.” Then we used a Story Board to separate main ideas in the song and notice how they flow from one idea to the next in a logical order. Once we understood how to use a story board, each student used one to plan out a new story about tiny ants that live in little tunnels underground!  Some kids got so excited about the writing process they didn’t want to put their pencils down to go for lunch!

Many cultures celebrate the bounty of the Harvest season with a feast of some sort. Our classes will make a savory vegan friendly soup together on Tuesday October 24 and Thursday October 27.  I will provide onions, garlic, spices, and vegan friendly stock. Please send your child to school with one or two cups of pre-chopped Fall Vegetable of your choosing. I’m not going to ‘organize a list’ for these vegetables… we’ll just enjoy the surprise of whatever vegetables appear!!

Safety First! VSB schools have recently practiced Fire drills, Earthquake drills and Hold and Secure drills. Some students were not aware if their families had emergency meet up plans if an emergency happened when the kids were not at school. Please take time to review your family’s emergency preparedness plans. Also, several students were not able to spell their surname or recite a  parent phone number…. please consider practicing this important information with your kids.

Believe it or not, it is time to start scheduling Portfolio #1. The dates for the meetings are October 30 to November 10. Please email me with THREE date preferences, and if you would prefer a  morning or afternoon time slot. The last meeting of the day will start at 2:00pm. I will do my best to book siblings into back to back time slots.

Looking for an authentic and fun family way to forge connection to the SLP? Consider adopting a City of Vancouver Catch Basin. If you adopt one (or more!!!) the city will send you a rake and High Viz vest. Plus, you get to give the Catch Basin a name. It is a bit like having a pet that you don’t have to walk or feed! More information can be found here: adoptacatchbasin@vancouver.ca

Take a look at what @edutopia has to say about the connection between drawing (i.e. Story Boards) and learning:
According to research, sketchnotes and concept maps give students a clearer sense of the big picture.  https://t.co/tf2iXjyBmk
(https://x.com/edutopia/status/1714104442172174421?t=12SyrP-5pjYhilEJHkNy2g&s=03)

Please remember that Friday, October 20 is a Pro-D Day.

This week we have been sharing our ideas about what we have to be thankful for in our lives. The profound and mature discussions and reflections would fill your heart, I’m sure. We also gathered acorns and leaves which have been used in an art project.

Several silly songs about ducks and geese have been part of our days, along with a sweet old nice song about the moon. Ask your kids to sing them for you.

The whole school practiced a “Hold and Secure Drill”, and we will have an Earthquake Drill next week. With this in mind, if you haven’t yet returned the yellow Reunification Form, please do so as soon as possible.

On Tuesdays and Thursdays, we use the school gym. Please ensure your child has a pair of shoes with non-marking soles that are suitable for running (laces or Velcro; without a thick sole). If your child does have appropriate footwear they will be asked to participate in socks or bare feet.

We go to the library on Tuesday and Thursday as well… please help your child remember to bring back school library books on these days.

It is now the beginning of the wet and rainy season. With the rain comes the inevitable encounters with puddles and slips on wet grass. If your child attends the Monday/Tuesday group, please send along a change of clothes and a pair of dry socks to keep at school to help survive these little mishaps.

Please save and send to school your empty cereal boxes. We will cut up them up in such a way that one needs to distinguish between the French and English writing to complete bilingual puzzles!

Please be reminded that October 20^th is a Professional Day. Teachers will be hard at work but there are no in-person classes for students.

For a special Science/Astronomy lesson, check out the partial solar eclipse in Vancouver on Saturday morning!     

What a fun-filled kick-off to the year! I really admire how our newest students launched themselves with such enthusiasm. I was also very impressed with our returning students, old and young, who helped make new kids feel so welcome and included.

Insightful observations emerged in our discussions. We created a list of expectations and intentions to help us have a healthy, happy, safe classroom experience together. We had stories, games, dance, music, and messy art! We had our school pictures taken, played in the gym and took books out of the library for the first time too. What’s not to love?!

Please remember that Monday is a holiday, and that Tuesday, October 10th is a half-day for kindergarteners. I will take the kids outside to their parents at noon. If you think your kindergarten child would benefit from another day or two of “gradual entry,” please email the teacher.

We look forward to the coming week as we come together to build our community of learners. When the bell goes we will gather in the usual drop off/pick up space in little yard at the North East corner of the school. Then we will head up to the classroom for some ‘get to know you’ games and an art project. Don’t Forget your Art Smock!

There are some important office items to go home as well as some important office items to be collected this week. (School Fees and Verification forms etc.) I will try to do this on Thursday and Tuesday.

Please wear Orange on Friday the 29^th in recognition of The Day of Truth and Reconciliation on September 30^th.

Photo Day is October 3^rd. Please be on time as our classes go first. This is open to students from both groups, but the Thru/Fri group will leave as soon as their photo is done.

Kindergarteners only stay until Noon on October 3 and 10. I will bring them downstairs to the drop off/ pick up place.

I respectfully remind parents that parents need to check in at the school office before heading up to the classroom.  Also, parents are not permitted in the student washrooms.  (There is an adult only washroom near the office for emergencies.)

Allotment forms can be found here on the Blog. Please ensure a there is a clear connection to your child’s SLP before making your request. If in doubt, feel free to add a brief explanation on the form.

The SLP Meetings are moving right along. It’s been a delight to hear about the amazing activities and resources families are using to support learning from home! So, I’ve been collating and sharing some of the gems on a little hand-out. It has also been terrific to hear about the community connections families have been forming, especially since the picnic last summer! Lots of playdates and get togethers! It is humbling to be part of such a generous and welcoming community.

PLEASE REMEMBER that the kindergarten students will be dismissed at 12:00 on October 3 and 10^th. Any Kindergarten parent who feels their child would benefit from one more day of “Gradual Entry” is welcome to email me. Students Grade 1-7 will be doing a messy art project on the afternoon of their first day, so please remember to send your child to school with an art smock.

PLEASE NOTE: Beaconsfield’s date for Individual School Photos is Tuesday October 3^rd. October 3^rd is also the very first day of school for our Primary students. What an exciting way to begin!  We go first at 9:05 so it will be important to arrive on time. Having an individual school photo taken is open to all students in both groups. I will greet everyone at the side door of the school and bring them in for their photo. Students from the Thursday/Friday group who choose to participate will go first, and then be dismissed. (Probably before 9:30.) The rest of us will then go up to the classroom for some and some stories and “get to know you” games.

One of our families found a fantastic resource they asked me to share with you: The Beauty Museum (Natural History at UBC) is having an Open House. It is free for teachers and home learners.  Promo code for free entry is: pdd2023